Abstract: A disposable shield designed to sheath a patient control unit prevents contaminants from contacting or entering the patient control unit. Bubbles or soft elevations may be formed in the shield over buttons and/or dials on the control unit so that they can be operated through the shield. The shield can therefore be changed each time the control unit is handled by a different person, minimizing the chances of cross-contamination. The shield also extends the life of the control unit by preventing contaminants from entering the control unit and damaging the control unit circuitry.

Abstract: A closeable container for storing and protecting materials having internal partitions extending radially and longitudinally creating at least two independent adjustable internal chambers within which stored materials are kept separated and are individually accessed for adding and dispensing purposes. In a substantially cylindrical embodiment of the instant device, separators forming the internal compartments are rotatable, thereby allowing adjustment of the volume of the internal compartments to accommodate dimensionally or quantitatively differing material. The compartments of the container automatically adjust volume as materials are added or dispensed. A variety of access means are presented which preclude commingling of materials between compartments during access. Transparent sides facilitate identification of stored materials within the chambers. The device is simple in design and inexpensive to produce and is envisioned to have a wide variety of uses for convenient and efficient storage.

Abstract: A tool rack includes a first rack member and a second rack member. The first rack member includes at least one tool-holding portion on a side thereof. The tool-holding portion of the first rack member releasably holds a tool. The second rack member includes an end pivotally engaged with an end of the first rack member. The second rack member includes at least one tool-holding portion on a side thereof. The tool-holding portion of the second rack member releasably holds a tool. The second rack member can be pivoted to a position allowing easy storage/retrieval of the tools in/from the first rack member.

Abstract: A trash disposal device and method is provided that can be used to dispose litter and cigarette litter in particular. The device includes sheets of material forming a rectangular box casing that has a slot. Heat resistant material sheets are positioned within the casing such that the sheets may be pulled out of the casing through the slot. A sheet can be pulled out from the device and shaped into an ashtray-like shape that can be used to collect for instance cigarette litter. The ashtray-like shape with the litter can be folded up into a small package ad then be placed in a storage area that could be part of the device. The trash disposal device could be assembled with foldable material to form the casing with a slot.

Abstract: An organizational treatment device and method for the treatment of obstructive pulmonary disease comprising both controller and rescue medications such that the need for rescue medication and consequent need for controller medication can be more certainly determined than at present.

Abstract: The invention provides a package system which is hard for others to notice when a user uses the product, but is superior in advertisement. The package system comprise a first package in which the commodity product is contained, and a second package in which a plurality of first packages are contained. A trade name may be provided on the first package in such a size that it is not recognizable from a distant location. A design, which may be recognizable from the distant location, is provided on back and/or front surfaces of the second package.

Abstract: A container comprising a storage compartment formed with an arcuate outer surface, and a cover adapted to close the storage compartment, the cover being formed with an arcuate outer surface having a complementary shape nestable with the outer surface of the storage compartment, such that the storage compartment of one container is stackable with the cover of another container.

Abstract: A gift bag includes a bottom wall and side walls joined together to form a storage chamber therebetween having an top opening. The walls are made of paper or a paper-plastic laminate and are lined on the inside with a cellular cushioning material to protect a glass bottle or other fragile gift item from damage. The cellular cushioning material is a laminated material consisting of two thin sheets of flexible plastic, one of the sheets being formed with a plurality of spaced apart pockets of sealed air cells. A string is threaded through holes formed in the side walls near the top opening so that the bag can be closed off by pulling the string. The outer surface of the walls are decorated. The gift bag can be folded into a substantially flat configuration for storage and shipping.

Abstract: An air-evacuable bag has a one-way valve therein having two layers of valve film, neither of which is the sidewall of the bag. By forming the one-way valve of smooth, double-layered valve film, unwanted air gaps caused by textured surfaces in the sidewalls of the bag are avoided, thereby minimizing air leakage back into an evacuated bag. A method for the manufacture of such air-evacuable bags incorporates a roll supplying a first valve film layer, a roll supplying a first sidewall layer, a roll supplying a second valve film layer, and a roll supplying a second sidewall layer. As the film coming off the first valve film layer roll passes the roll supplying the first sidewall layer, both the sidewall layer and first valve film layer move in close proximity to one another until the valve film is tacked to the first sidewall layer. The second film and second sidewall layer are processed simultaneously in a like manner, and all four layers are joined at a sealing station.

Abstract: A child-resistant package for a product is provided. The package comprises a double cover comprised of separate outer and inner layers, wherein the outer layer is disposed adjacent the inner layer, and a barrier disposed adjacent the inner layer of the double cover, wherein the inner layer and the barrier together define at least one compartment into which a product can be positioned. Also included are embodiments where the cover is a single layer and the bottom barrier is a double layer, and where both the cover and barrier are multiple layers. Included in the invention is a method of making a child-resistant package consistent with the package of the invention.

Abstract: A plurality of candy and gum containers with a variety of shapes and features. The shapes of the different embodiments include a guitar, a race car, a surfboard, a book, a star, a rectangle, a lighter and an ice cream cone. All embodiments are made of metal and the upper portion of each embodiment can be hinged together to the lower portion of that embodiment or the upper portion of each embodiment can be separated from the lower portion of that embodiment.

Abstract: A kitchen utensil kit including a multi-tool device having a single handle with one or more easily attachable accessories such as peelers, pizza cutters, cheese slicers, zesters, ice cream scoops, graters, juicers, jar openers, etc. The kit includes stationary or slidable attachable and/or stackable holders or trays for the compact, organized storage of the kitchen implements in drawers or on countertops. Indicia are provided for each receptacle to identify the implement which the receptacle is designed to hold. The preferred indicia is the shape of the receptacle, which matches the shape of the article.

Abstract: A toothbrush and toothpaste case in which two housings are fastened together at their open edges by snap fittings to form a partially split chamber that contains both a toothbrush and a tube of toothpaste. One of the two housings has a single chamber. The other housing has a dual chamber wherein the two chambers are separated by a septum. The septum preferably includes an elongated slit. Each of the two housings is made of a single piece of molded plastic.

Abstract: The invention provides a packing article where a packing cost and a transportation fee can be kept low and a buffering function is further enhanced. The invention provides a packing article including: a packing box; a lower-side buffering member to provide packing including a concave portion, which is located at the lower side of the packing box, and which locates an item to be packed in the center; an item to be packed, located in the concave portion of the lower-side buffering member to provide packing; and a partition member located on the upper side of the item to be packed and a storing member, which is located between the partition member and the upper surface of the packing box, and which stores an attached part and/or an instruction manual.

Abstract: A wafer pod or container fitted with at least one magnifying lens for magnifying the size of a lot number or other identifying indicia typically inscribed on a wafer inside the pod or container. The magnifying lens enables quick and accurate visual identification of the wafers by lot number or other identifying indicia as the wafers are transported in a semiconductor wafer fabrication facility.

Abstract: This invention provides a method for controlling solids circulation in a gas-solids reaction system. The method entails aerating solid particles in a standpipe. Aeration fluid is injected into the standpipe at the appropriate location to increase apparent density of the solid particles.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for sorting particles moving through a closed channel system of capillary size comprises a bubble valve for selectively generating a pressure pulse to separate a particle having a predetermined characteristic from a stream of particles. The particle sorting system may further include a buffer for absorbing the pressure pulse. The particle sorting system may include a plurality of closely coupled sorting modules which are combined to further increase the sorting rate. The particle sorting system may comprise a multi-stage sorting device for serially sorting streams of particles, in order to decrease the error rate.

Abstract: A method is made available for conducting an integrity test of filter elements (3), in particular of sterile filters. The integrity test involves direct measurement, at constant pressure, of a liquid flow on the inflow side of the filter element (3) to be tested. The test method is practically independent of changing environmental conditions, provides a result which is not distorted by a change of pressure on the inflow side of the filter element, and permits a very short measurement time.

Abstract: The mineral water making apparatus has a structure that includes a water tank having a mineral eluting material disposed therein, a water supply pipe for introducing raw water such as tap water into the water tank, and a water intake pipe for intaking mineral water made in the water tank; and an acidic food-additive supply apparatus for supplying an acidic food additive into the water tank is further installed. Since the acid concentration in the water tank thereby rises, the mineral-eluting efficiency of the mineral eluting material is improved, and the mineral concentration is elevated.

Abstract: The prevent invention provides an oil filter comprising a filter element housed in a casing, the filter element being formed of two or more cylindrical element pieces piled on top of another in the height direction and attachably and detachably connected through connecting members. Accordingly, the efficiency in each of manufacture, stock control and storage of the filter element can be improved, and the cost can be also reduced.

Abstract: A horizontal centrifuge has a basket rotatably mounted within a housing. The basket has a plurality of rings disposed between open and closed ends of the basket and a plurality of guide rails circumferentially spaced with respect to the rings. The guide rails have respective lengths extending between the open and the closed ends of the basket and provide a plurality of respective bearing surfaces. A tubular screen is supported in the basket by the plurality of bearing surfaces of the guide rails. A scroll with helical screw flights is also rotatably mounted within the basket. In various aspects of the invention, the tubular screen is made from six arcuate screen segments; the bearing surfaces of the guide rods and the peripheral edges of the helical screw flights are machined surfaces; and the scroll is fabricated.

Abstract: A filtering device includes a container, a cover attached on top of the container having a space communicating with an inlet opening and a chamber of the container, and a filter screen received in the container for filtering the fluid from the inlet opening to the chamber of the container. The filter screen includes an upper peripheral flange having a peripheral wall or a peripheral flap for making an excellent seal between the container and the cover. The space of the cover includes a changing volume for decreasing the flowing speed of the fluid.

Abstract: Large diameter nodes integrally formed on a linear fiber at an appropriate interval to form a fiber body, so that multiple fiber bodies are attached to a support member in a state where slits are formed between adjoining fibers due to the large diameter nodes by arranging multiple fiber bodies in parallel with one another or laminating the multiple fiber bodies with one another. It is preferable that a thickness of the fiber of the fiber body is set to range from 0.003 to 0.05 mm, and an outer diameter of each large diameter node is set to be 1.03 to 1.50 times as large as the thickness of the fiber, and an interval of the large diameter nodes is set to be 5 to 100 times as large as the thickness of the fiber. With such a construction, it is possible to obtain the filtrating filter which is simple in construction and manufactured with ease, particularly capable of easily forming slits to have an arbitrary size through which liquid or gas to be suitably filtrated.

Abstract: Septic systems are treated with alkane-utilizing bacteria. Alkanes such as butane are injected into septic system wastewater in order to enhance growth of alkane-utilizing bacteria which degrade wastes. Aerobic processes may be achieved by injecting an oxygen-containing gas into the septic system. Alternatively, anaerobic processes may be used. The alkane and oxygen-containing gas may be injected at any suitable stage of the septic system, such as injection into a septic tank, drainfield and/or grease or oil interceptor tank.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling treatment of the sewage/waste water. The method includes measuring attributes of inflow water flowing into a sewage/waste water treatment plant, attributes of an internal condition of a reaction tank having a first story and a second story, and fluid present values (PVs) of efficiency attributes of outflow water. The method also includes collecting data of the measured fluid PVs and operation-processing the data to convert the data into physical quantity data. The method also includes obtaining each optimum set point (SP) of each dissolved oxygen (DO) and solids retention time (SRT) of the first story and the second story of an exhalation tank by comparing PVs of the measured attributes using a neural network control program with a back-propagation algorithm.

Abstract: Currently, wastewater treatment or processing decisions are based on pH, dissolved oxygen and biological oxygen demand of the water. These are narrow ranged indices and do not present information about complete biological status of water. There is no set protocol governing the addition of chemicals to wastewater. The management as well as operators use this information and decide the processing steps based on their ‘gut feeling’ or experience. As a result, many a times the addition a chemical to correct one problem creates another problem(s). As noted by the inventor at Detroit Wastewater Treatment Plant, often this practice leads to catastrophic results with serious legal violations and technical problems costing millions of dollars.

Abstract: A magnetohydrodynamic fluidic system includes a reagent source containing a reagent fluid and a sample source containing a sample fluid that includes a constituent. A reactor is operatively connected to the supply reagent source and the sample source. MHD pumps utilize a magnetohydrodynamic drive to move the reagent fluid and the sample fluid in a flow such that the reagent fluid and the sample fluid form an interface causing the constituent to be separated from the sample fluid.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reducing volume of feed liquid required in a porous membrane filtration system having a number of porous membranes (6) submersed in a volume of feed liquid to be filtered is provided, the method comprising the step of providing filler elements (9) within said volume of feed liquid to be filtered.

Abstract: A composition comprising a magnesium halide coated macroporous carbonaceous substrate is provided for effecting moisture removal from a hydrogen halide fluid. Moisture removal is effected by intimately contacting the hydrogen halide fluid with the magnesium halide coated macroporous carbonaceous substrate and separating the fluid from the coated substrate.

Abstract: A method of separation and recovery of elements from radioactive liquid wastes, includes a step of bringing into contact a high-level radioactive liquid waste containing separation target elements including Americium, Curium, Zirconium, Molybdenum, Palladium and rare earth elements with solid absorbent containing organophosphorus compounds so that the separation target elements are absorbed in the solid absorbent, a step of bringing into contact the solid absorbent with an acidic solution containing diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid so that Americium, Curium, Zirconium, Molybdenum, Palladium and heavy rare earth elements are eluted from the solid absorbent, and a step of bringing into contact the solid absorbent underwent the first elution step with water or dilute nitric acid so that light rare earth elements are eluted from the solid absorbent.

Abstract: A process for treating ground water containing nitrogen compounds, including ammonia, urea and nitrate, is provided. The ground water is extracted downgradient of the source of contamination and mixed with a chemical oxidant to oxidize the nitrogen component to nitrogen gas. The chemical oxidant may be any suitable oxidant, including a halogenated oxidant, such as a hypochlorite, hypobromite or hypoiodite compound, and Fentons reagent, or combinations thereof. The ground water can be further treated as desired to remove residual oxidants, as well as nitrate, to provide a processed water having characteristics suitable for discharge with limited to no adverse impact on the discharge environment.

Abstract: A method in treating aqueous feedstream in diverse plant site environments is disclosed for improving filter flux rates, cleaning filter media and prolonging useful operative life of media. In preferred embodiments the method is provided with steps for contacting, reacting, pressurizing and equalizing ozone and feedstream within a central area or multiple areas and sustaining high pressure throughout the system to achieve qualitatively and quantitatively improved permeate products, and reject for recycle. The method and system provide an improved cleaning and processing system characterized by an ozone-concentrated, homogeneous single phase liquid conversion of a generated ozone gas mixture and a feedstream source containing organic and inorganic pollutants. The method improves and monitors ozone oxidizing power and reflecting ORP values, and provides further media cleaning and improved oxidation reactions for attack on pollutants on each cycle/recycle operation.

Abstract: A filter for removing leukocytes from blood comprises a filter media enclosed in a housing. The filter media includes a main filter region comprising a porous membrane structure extending between first and second skin surfaces. The porous membrane structure is formed by intersecting cells having a range of diameters. The cells adjacent to the first skin surface have diameters generally smaller than the diameters of the cells adjacent to the second skin surface. The first skin surface includes an open area defined by pores, which are formed by the intersection of cells with the first skin surface. The majority of the open area is defined by pores having a diameter of between about 12 &mgr;m and 28 &mgr;m.

Abstract: A pre-separator feed well for use with hydrous slurry feed is provided in a hindered-bed separator that includes an elongate body defining an interior space with upper and lower portions. The feed well is elongate and includes a vertically adjustable conical plate adjacent the bottom thereof for control of downward flow of heavy material. The top of the feed well includes an overflow weir including an overflow ring having a plurality of vertical slots through which flows the lighter material onto an overflow weir adjacent an overflow launder and to an outlet pipe. Feed is introduced into the upper portion of the feed well in a tangential manner. A perforated barrier may be mounted below the feed well in some circumstances. Teeter flow is introduced in a lower portion of the feed well and flows upwardly. Alternatively, the lower part of the feedwell can be perforated for heavy/coarse material discharge.

Abstract: A merchandising system for presenting and storing products includes a first compartment to receive at least one product in a vertical orientation, and a second compartment provided below the first compartment. The second compartment includes a first portion to receive at least one product in a vertical orientation and a second portion to receive at least one product only in a horizontal orientation.

Abstract: An add-on storage device for flat objects, particularly CD and/or DVD cases, is made up of box-shaped housing elements which are open at the front and lie against one another with facing side walls. Clip-shaped connection elements are pushed onto adjoining side walls which form a common edge, in a predetermined fastening region from the open housing side and from the opposite bottom side, to engage over the side walls at the inner surface of the housing elements. In the fastening region, the open side at the inner surfaces of the adjoining side walls have a depression and/or elevation, and the connection element has an associated elevation and/or depression. The elevation and/or depression of the inner surface of the side wall forms a positive lock-in connection with the associated depression and/or elevation at the connection element.

Abstract: A display rack for long-handled sprinklers is mainly made up of an upper board having retaining holes disposed thereon, and a base board having holding holes disposed thereon. Said retaining holes thereof, each having arch indented grooves, protrusion edges, and an arc retaining flange disposed thereon to receive a locating section of said long handled sprinkler, can locate upright the upper section of said long-handled sprinkler thereof, while said holding holes, corresponding to said retaining holes thereof, can hold the lower section of said long-handled sprinkler in straight position so as to stably locate said long-handled sprinkler at both upper and lower sections onto said display rack. Said long-handled sprinkler having a sprinkle head disposed at the upper section can be lifted upwards for said sprinkle head to be pointed at the direction as desired before relocated back to said retaining hole for display.

Abstract: The storage system is a suspended storage system in which one or more uprights are hung from a crossbar (24) and storage elements such as shelves or cabinets are attached to the uprights (1). Each of the uprights (1) is attached to the crossbar (24) by means of a coupling hook (25) which is removeably attached to the end of the upright (1) and removeably engages with the crossbar (24). The coupling hook (25) has a hook body (26) with a pair of L-shaped hooks (34) for engagement in the slots in the upright (1) and a grub screw (33) arranged to engage with the interior wall of the upright (1) so as to prevent relative movement of the coupling hook (25) with respect to the upright (1) when attached thereto. With this arrangement of the coupling hook (25), attachment to and removal of the coupling hook (25) from the crossbar (24) does not result in consequential loosening of the attachment of the coupling hook (25) to the upright (1).

Abstract: An indexing parts rack for supporting a plurality of objects includes an elongated track having a longitudinal axis and at least one hanger assembly mounted on the track. The hanger assembly is movable along the track in a direction of the longitudinal axis and is rotatable about the longitudinal axis. The indexing parts rack also includes a stop positioned adjacent the track whereby when no object is supported from the hanger assembly, the hanger assembly assumes a first position relative to the longitudinal axis to enable the hanger assembly to move along the track past the stop. When an object is supported from the hanger assembly, the hanger assembly rotates relative to the longitudinal axis to a second position to engage the stop and prevent the hanger assembly from moving past the stop along the track.

Abstract: The invention concerns a material transloading equipment unit with an undercarriage and a turntable connected with this undercarriage by means of a track ring, on which an arm that can be pivoted by means of at least one hoisting cylinder is pivot-mounted. According to the invention, on the one hand at least one additional pivot point for the arm is provided on the turntable and/or on the boom foot, and at least one additional pivot point is provided in the arm or in a pivot plate on the arm. This allows a number of possible combinations for the kinematics of the arm.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a rail car mounting block assembly for electrical interconnections between railway cars. The assembly comprises a housing having a threaded opening therethrough adapted to receive an electrical plug and electrical cable. The assembly has a securing mechanism for attaching the housing to a rail car and the housing has a receiving means for receiving a connector of a lanyard. The invention further provides for a lanyard having a plurality of loops for encompassing an electrical cable having electrical connectors at both ends. The lanyard also has connectors at both ends with one of the connectors attaching to one of the cable's electrical connectors and the other connector attaching to the receiving means of the housing. The invention further provides for a combination of the lanyard and the electrical cable.

Abstract: A breast milk feeding and storage system is provided. The system has a liner having an open end, a holder having an open end, and an adapter system. The liner open end and the adapter system are engageable with the holder open end to allow a user to selectively insert breast milk into the liner, feed the breast milk from the liner or store the breast milk in the liner.

Abstract: A water bottle with an integrally molded handle in which the opening defined by the handle has a contour that corresponds substantially to the contours of the fingers of the hand when the bottle is held during use. The bottle can include a series of ribs and furrows approximately matching the contour of the insides of the fingers that allow the user to securely grip the bottle during use. In a second embodiment the integrally molded handle is attached by a fluted arrangement and can be extended from or collapsed to the sides of the bottle.

Abstract: This invention provides a method of, and an apparatus for, producing a near field optical head that can control a height of an optical aperture or a protuberance and an air bearing surface. A substrate and a protuberance formed on the substrate are covered with a shielding film. The shielding film is covered with an parent film for air bearing having a thickness greater than the sum of a height of the protuberance and a thickness of the shielding film. When the parent film for air bearing is etched, the shielding film covering the protuberance is exposed. Etching is stopped as soon as exposure of the shielding film is detected. Since detection of the exposure of the shielding film can be made electrically, for example, a height difference between the aperture and the surface of the air bearing can be controlled highly precisely.

Abstract: An etching processing method capable of etching a low dielectric constant layer at a reduced cost by using an etching processing apparatus comprising a vacuum vessel, a sample loading electrode disposed in the vacuum vessel, a gas introduction device for introducing a reaction gas into the vacuum vessel, an antenna for forming plasmas in the vacuum vessel, and a high frequency power supply for supplying a bias power to a sample loaded on the sample loading electrode, wherein the bias power to be supplied to the sample is 3 W/cm2 or less, and the gas introduction device introduces a gas containing chlorine atoms or bromine atoms to apply etching processing to an inorganic insulation material of low dielectric constant loaded on the loading electrode.

Abstract: A system and method for assessing the quality of spot weld joints between pieces of metal includes an ultrasound transducer probing a spot weld joint. The ultrasound transducer transmits ultrasonic radiation into the spot weld joint, receives corresponding echoes, and transforms the echoes into electrical signals. An image reconstructor connected to the ultrasound transducer transforms the electrical signals into numerical data representing an ultrasound image. A neural network connected to the image reconstructor analyzes the numerical data and an output system presents information representing the quality of the spot weld joint. The system is trained to assess the quality of spot weld joints by scanning a spot weld joint with an ultrasound transducer to produce the data set representing the joint; then physically deconstructing the joint to assess the joint quality.

Abstract: A laser machining apparatus capable of effecting a feedback control of a laser output from an early stage of operation and detecting an abnormality of the laser output quickly and precisely. A laser output command issued from a laser output commanding section is subjected to a feedback control and inputted to a laser pumping power supply for a laser oscillator. An output of a laser power sensor is amplified by an amplifier and compared with an output of a measurement simulating section for estimating the measured value of the laser output. A difference of the measured value and the simulated value of the laser output is inputted to the feedback control section and also to an output abnormality detecting section. A measurement input estimating section calculates an average power which should be outputted in a normal condition of the laser machining based on data of the laser output command. A fist order delay system can be adopted as the measurement simulating section.

Abstract: A method of welding together the parts of a boiler tube wall panel includes placing at least two parts of the panel to be welded together along a weld line and adjacent each other, and forming a weld along the weld line using a laser beam. The method can advantageously be used to weld boiler tube wall panels solely from one side of the panel. A GMAW process can also be used in combination with the laser beam to form the weld. Where the boiler tube wall panel includes a membrane between tubes, the membrane may be beveled.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved system for producing metal stents with a fine precision structure cut from a small diameter, thin-walled, cylindrical tube. The tubes are fixtured under a laser and positioned utilizing a computer generated signal to move the tube in a very intricate and precise pattern around a linear and rotary axis. The stent is cut from small diameter tubing held between a collet and clamp, one of which is periodically opened and the other reciprocably moved to position a small length of tubing, sequentially beneath the cutting head. A water system is incorporated in the apparatus to remove debris falling into the interior of the cut tube and to push discrete portions of the cut tube (or stents) into a parts catcher to separate the stent from the uncut portion of the tube.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved system for producing metal stents with a fine precision structure cut from a small diameter, thin-walled, cylindrical tube. The tubes are fixtured under a laser and positioned utilizing a computer generated signal to move the tube in a very intricate and precise pattern around a linear and rotary axis. The stent is cut from small diameter tubing held between a collet and clamp, one of which is periodically opened and the other reciprocably moved to position a small length of tubing, sequentially beneath the cutting head. A water system is incorporated in the apparatus to remove debris falling into the interior of the cut tube and to push discrete portions of the cut tube (or stents) into a parts catcher to separate the stent from the uncut portion of the tube.