Abstract: A utensil stabilization device can include an elongate member having a proximal end, a distal end, a top edge and a bottom edge. The proximal end can have a concave interior surface and the distal end can have a receptacle and a hook. The distal end can be axially offset with respect to the proximal end. A height between the top edge and the bottom edge can be greater at the proximal end than the distal end. The utensil stabilization device can include an attachment band coupled to a proximal end of the elongate member and releasably securable about the wrist region.

Abstract: A fastener includes a round, blind hole or pocket in its head. Installation and removal of the fastener is accomplished with a tool containing an eccentric segment on the end of a shaft. When rotated within the pocket, the eccentric segment displaces laterally relative to the shaft to provide a friction grip to the lateral wall of the pocket. The strength of the grip is proportional to the applied torque. Eccentric displacement allows rotation but prevents the tool from spinning out of the fastener thereby eliminating cam-out and surface damage resulting from contact with a spinning tool tip. The eccentric head of the tool can be made disposable and to shear off when a predetermined torque is reached. The smooth-sided round hole offers no purchase for commonly available tools; making the fastener tamper-resistance. In another embodiment, the fastener includes a raised portion in the pocket. A tool having a complementary opening shears off the raised portion at a predetermined torque.

Abstract: A fastener includes a round, blind hole or pocket in its head. Installation and removal of the fastener is accomplished with a tool containing an eccentric segment on the end of a shaft. When rotated within the pocket, the eccentric segment displaces laterally relative to the shaft to provide a friction grip to the lateral wall of the pocket. The strength of the grip is proportional to the applied torque. Eccentric displacement allows rotation but prevents the tool from spinning out of the fastener thereby eliminating cam-out and surface damage resulting from contact with a spinning tool tip. The eccentric head of the tool can be made disposable and to shear off when a predetermined torque is reached. The smooth-sided round hole offers no purchase for commonly available tools; making the fastener tamper-resistance. In another embodiment, the fastener includes a raised portion in the pocket. A tool having a complementary opening shears off the raised portion at a predetermined torque.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for performing standard operating procedures using a computer directed interactive system. The interactive assembly system includes a workstation having a support assembly for a workpiece, and further includes a microprocessor and monitor to convey operator instructions, a plurality of removable attachable tools to assist the user in performing each step of a standard operating procedure. The method comprises: (a) reading instructions provided on the monitor describing each step to be performed for a desired task; (b) observing various indicators located on the workstation to determine the proper tool for a specific step; (c) choosing the desired tool or part for a specific step; (d) performing the required step according to instructions displayed on the monitor; (e) entering data into the microprocessor if necessary; and (f) repeating steps (a)-(e) until the desired task is complete.

Abstract: An edge protector for a vehicle door includes a bladder formed from a pliable material and a clip for coupling the bladder a door edge. The bladder includes a top layer and a bottom layer formed of a pliable material. The layers are sealed together along a peripheral edge. The bladder includes an inflation port for filling the bladder with a fluid. The clip is a U-shaped plastic clip that is formed to meet and secure to the edge of a vehicle door. The plastic clip is sealed to the bottom layer of the bladder by a heat seal or an adhesive. The ends of the seal are rounded to reduce stress points. The peripheral edge of the door protector is radiused to equalize pressure around the seal for increased burst strength.

Abstract: This application relates to a method and apparatus for the electrophoresis, blotting and detection of nucleic acids, proteins and other biological molecules using a porous polymer gel carrier and assembly. The combination of a porous polymer gel carrier and attached laminate layer facilitates the electrophoresis and subsequent blotting analysis of nucleic acids, proteins and other biological molecules. The porous polymer gel carrier also facilitates the use, handling and processing of fragile separation materials such as polyacrylimide and agarose gels. The method and apparatus also permits the convenient packaging and distribution of standardized electrophoresis and blotting products.

Abstract: A collapsible container includes a substantially rectangular plastic base, a first plastic wall coupled by a first hinge to a first edge of the base, and a second plastic wall coupled by a second hinge to a second edge of the base opposite the first edge of the base. A first corrugated element is folded to form a first corrugated floor portion and a first corrugated wall portion, wherein the first corrugated floor portion is attached to the base so that the first corrugated wall portion is positioned between and adjacent to the first and second plastic walls. The first corrugated wall portion mates with a first lip of the first plastic wall and a first lip of the second plastic wall.

Abstract: A one-piece, dual-material suction cup includes an inner face having a concave shape when the cup is inactive (that is, unattached to a surface) and an outer portion having a convex shape when the cup is inactive. The inner and outer portions are formed from different elastic materials. The characteristics of the outer material are selected to exhibit relatively high memory, elasticity and recovery to provide a biasing force on the inner face of the cup to increase the vacuum and enhance attachment. The characteristics of the inner material are selected to exhibit conformity, compliance and softness as compared to the outer material. Such characteristics enhance mating and sealing with a surface to which the cup is to be attached. The inner and outer portions are permanently bonded together to form the one-piece suction cup.

Abstract: A compact, low cost, automated electrophoresis apparatus provides for the optical detection of multiple DNA samples. A substantially cylindrical gel cartridge houses multiple sample lanes that are sealed on the outer periphery by a shrink tube, which allows for straightforward gel casting, as well as for the pre-casting of sequencing gels. The radial column design of the gel cartridge also facilitates the use of a light source to illuminate one or more sample lanes at the same time. The radial column design further provides for an increased sample lane depth that allows for reading through a greater optical path length of the migrated samples, yielding greater optical signal strength, and an increased signal to noise ratio. The gel lanes can be designed to vary in depth as a function of longitudinal length, allowing for a variable current density. Additionally, this radial design allows for different types of optical detection techniques to be performed on the sample, including transmittance and fluorescence.

Abstract: A pipettor operable by a lateral pushing movement of a thumb of a user. The pipettor includes an ergonomically designed non-tubular body that has an operating surface and a supporting surface. The body of the pipettor is configured to be grasped between the thumb placed on the operating surface and at least one finger placed on the supporting surface in an opposing manner. The pipettor includes one or more fluid pick-up means disposed in the body of the pipettor for drawing a calibrated volume of fluid into the pipette tip. The fluid pick-up means is operable by the lateral pushing movement of the thumb against the operating surface of the body of the pipettor. Dispensing means is provided for dispensing the calibrated volume of fluid from the pipette tip. The dispensing means is operable by the lateral pushing movement of the thumb against the operating surface. A tip holder is coupled to the body and is configured to mate with a pipette tip.

Abstract: An autoradiography cassette maintains a sample in close contact with a film and prevents extraneous light from exposing the film. The cassette includes a substantially flat base plate and two flexible magnetic sheets. A first flexible magnetic sheet is attached to the base plate by rivets. The rivets allow the first magnetic sheet to move relative to the base plate in a plane defined by the base plate. A second flexible magnetic sheet is positioned above the first magnetic sheet to magnetically couple with the first magnetic sheet. The rivets allow relative lateral movement between the base plate and the magnetic sheets to account for differences in the coefficients of thermal expansion for the base plate and the magnetically coupled flexible magnetic sheets.

Abstract: A pipettor assembly includes a pipettor and a pipette tip. In one embodiment, the pipettor has a tubular body which defines a hollow central bore. The central bore is closed at a first end and open at a second end. A cutout penetrates a side wall of the body near the second end to expose the central bore. A resilient, flexible member sealably covers the cutout. The pipette tip is coupled to the second end of the pipettor. A liquid is drawn into the pipette tip by depressing and then releasing the flexible member. A liquid is expelled by depressing the flexible member. In another embodiment, the pipettor has an elongated body with an air passage between the second and a side portion of the body. A flexible membrane is sealably attached to the side portion of the body. A deflection of the flexible membrane will cause a change in the volume of the air passage for picking-up and expelling liquids from the pipette tip.

Abstract: For collecting a batch of liquid samples, such as in the laboratory testing of body fluids, there is provided a collecting sheet having an array of resiliently deflectable fingers formed in the sheet. The fingers can be deflected out of the plane of the sheet to dip into respective liquid containers such as wells in a microtiter plate so as to absorb liquid samples therefrom. When released, the fingers snap back into the plane of the sheet retaining the liquid samples therein.

Abstract: A protective cover for vehicles is disclosed, wherein a flexible material having a magnetic base portion with a resilient top portion laminated thereto is cut in segments to conform to a portion of an exterior body surface of a vehicle. More than one segment is placed adjacent to each other in side by side relation to provide a protective cover for a vehicle. The vehicle may be any known type of vehicle, and the protective cover may be cut to cover any portion of the vehicle where protection is desired. Indicia may be disposed upon at least one segment of the protective cover, and the resilient top portion is preferably visually distinct from magnetic base portion for ease of assembly. A plurality of spaced grooves are provided across the magnetic base portion of each segment so that moisture may pass beneath the flexible material, while the segments are removably secured to the vehicle.

Abstract: A vertical gel electrophoresis apparatus featuring a support plate mounted in a buffer solution container, the support plate securing a gel assembly in position and dividing the container into two laterally juxtaposed isolated chambers. The support plate includes two vertical support members which are mounted along opposite vertical sides of the container, and an integral support member mounted along the bottom of the container. A face is cut in each vertical support member to receive opposite vertical edges of a gel assembly. The integral bottom support member includes a face terminating at flanges proximate the vertical support members. The bottom edge of the gel assembly rests on the flanges over the face of the integral bottom support member.

Abstract: An apparatus provides for casting a gel and for presenting the gel for electrophoresis. The apparatus comprises a casting tray and the casting plate which combine to form a mold for the gelable liquid, and an electrophoresis tank in which the electrophoresis process occurs. The floor of the electrophoresis tank rises to form the plate pedestal upon which the casting plate rests during electrophoresis. The floor of the electrophoresis tank forms a cavity at the edges of the plate pedestal in which the casting tray rests during the electrophoresis process. The casting plate is first firmly seated in the bottom of the casting tray forming a mold for the gelable liquid. The gelable liquid is poured into the mold. The comb is placed in the comb slots so as to form wells in the gel. The gelable liquid is allowed to gel, and the comb is removed. The material to undergo electrophoresis is placed in the wells left by the comb. The entire assembly is then placed and aligned on the plate pedestal.

Abstract: A vertical gel slab electrophoresis apparatus is disclosed comprised of a vertically oriented gel slab arranged between upper and lower buffer solution reservoirs. A bifurcated movable lower tray contains both an upper buffer reservoir drain and lower buffer reservoir. Both upper and lower buffer reservoirs are provided with hinged covers which act as electrical interlocks to prevent unsafe operation of the apparatus, as well as prevent spillage of buffer solution. The design overcomes safety problems associated with both electrical shock and radioactive chemical contamination. The apparatus is provided with handles for each relocation. Cooling vents are provided for ambient air cooling of the apparatus. A gel mold experiment can be assembled and disassembled with unusual ease with the aid of unique self-locking clamp assemblies.

Abstract: A multi-pipette system of the type having sample volume determined by size of cavities into which flexible membrane portions are drawn, provides a microporous block with the cavities formed in it for drawing the flexible membrane into the cavities when pressure is reduced above the microporous block. Slide-in-place location and replacement is provided for supply containers, disposable tube arrays for drawing up samples and for expelling them, and for flexible membranes. In an embodiment microporous block cavity size is adjustable.