Abstract: A device and system for purifying a fluid is provided. The system includes a tank having an interior space and a media container disposed within the interior space. A valve is provided that cooperates with an element within the interior, the valve being movable between an open and a closed position. The valve being biased to the open position when the element is not positioned within the interior space, wherein the interior space is fluidly coupled to the atmosphere in the open position. The valve further being configured to move to a closed position when the element is positioned within the interior space.

Abstract: A device and system for purifying a fluid is provided. The system includes a tank having an interior space and a media container disposed within the interior space. A valve is provided that cooperates with an element within the interior, the valve being movable between an open and a closed position. The valve being biased to the open position when the element is not positioned within the interior space, wherein the interior space is fluidly coupled to the atmosphere in the open position. The valve further being configured to move to a closed position when the element is positioned within the interior space.

Abstract: A splint to splint injured parts of a body. The splint includes three rigid members one pair of which are joined together by a hinged joint and a second pair of which are joined by a pivot joint. The hinge joint and the pivot joint each include a locking mechanism that allows the user to select from plurality of numerous positions and thereafter lock each of the joints in a selected position. The splint is used to fix a particular body part in a selected position which may require the members to be hinged with respect to each other, pivoted with respect to each other, or both.

Abstract: A machine for delivering a product which may be automatically personalized by a customer at the time of purchase is disclosed. The product may be selected from a plurality of different types of products which may communicate in a plurality of media such as print, braille, or audio or video tape. The machine stores base products which may be modified to communicate in a plurality of media. Product handling means effects a series of operations including transfer of a base product from storage. Electrically controllable modification means effects modification of the base product to produce a modified base product and electrically controllable delivery means effects delivery of the modified base product. An enclosure contains the storage and product handling means therewithin.

Abstract: A machine is disclosed which includes an enclosure with selection and payment means on the outside thereof and with storage and handling means on the inside thereof, all coupled to computer equipment which is on the inside of the enclosure. The computer equipment is programmed to facilitate a customer's creation from among types of products to be delivered and the desired mode of personalization thereof and to deliver a completed personalized product to a receptacle from which it may be removed by the customer. The machine of the invention improves customer service and availability by periodically reporting sales and other information. In addition, the machine self detects errors of operation and provides the capability of stocking new products or software programming revisions via data transmission from a remote location.

Abstract: A machine for vending greeting cards or other personalized or customized products includes audio and video presentations of available products and options available to a customer, provisions for payment and apparatus for automatic delivery of products. Base products such as preprinted forms are stored for selective transfer by a robot device to modifying apparatus such as a printer, modified products being delivered to a delivery receptacle, all operations being under computer control and being changeable as desired for adding or substituting new forms of products.

Abstract: A machine for vending greeting cards or other personalized or customized products includes audio and video presentations of available products and options available to a customer, provisions for payment and apparatus for automatic delivery of products. Base products such as preprinted forms are stored for selective transfer by a robot device to modifying apparatus such as a printer, modified products being delivered to a delivery receptacle, all operations being under computer control and being changeable as desired for adding or substituting new forms of products.

Abstract: A liner of flexible sheet material is placed on a table on which a longitnally-slotted cylindrical tube and a cylindrical container of slightly larger inner diameter are mounted in axial alignment, and the liner is started into the tube slot. The liner is drawn into the tube and formed into a coil therein by the force of a tangential air jet perpendicular to the slot. Then, the coiled liner is moved axially from the tube into the container by a second tangential air jet directed at an angle of about 45.degree. to the axis. The resilience of the coiled liner causes it to spring outward to snugly fit within the container.