Abstract: Perivascular infiltration of liquid being administered to a patient is detected by the method of altering the temperature of a region of the patient's skin adjacent the site of a transcutaneous puncture and providing an output indicative of the difference between the altered skin temperature and the temperature of the infiltrated liquid.

Abstract: A grain drying apparatus including a body member into which grain is fed, within which heated air passes through the grain bed to dry it, and from which it is discharged by a metering device, the retention time of the grain in the drying zone being determined by its rate of discharge, the discharge rate of the metering device being variable, and a modulating control system for regulating the metering device to vary its discharge rate in generally direct ratio to grain temperature attained within the drying zone, whereby continuous discharge of grain at a predetermined moisture content is obtained despite variations in the moisture content of the grain supplied to the drying zone.

Abstract: An apparatus, for example, an intravenous drop-feed apparatus for sensing the rate at which liquid drops fall along a predetermined vertical path and for regulating this drop rate to be substantially equal to a preselected drop rate includes a disposable drip chamber which defines a vertical drop path. The drip chamber is formed with an indentation having an upper wall that projects into the drop path to be impinged by drops falling on its interior surface. A probe is removably mounted on the outside of the chamber in interfitting engagement with the chamber indentation and includes an electrically conductive element located to contact the exterior surface of the upper indentation wall. The element, which is electrically but not thermally isolated from falling drops, exhibits conductivity that varies significantly with its temperature and, accordingly, generates pulses at a rate that corresponds to the periodic rate of the falling drops.

Abstract: An osmotic dispenser comprised of (1) a water permeable membrane forming part or all of the walls of an enclosure surrounding (2) an active agent, and in some cases (3) an additional compound known as an osmotic attractant which together exhibits an osmotic pressure against water. When placed in an aqueous environment water is osmotically drawn into the enclosure by the combined action of the agents (2) and (3) which distends and swells the enclosure until the membrane or some other part of the enclosure wall reaches the point of ultimate elongation and a portion of the wall yields and ruptures releasing the contents of the enclosure to the environment.

Abstract: A dispensing device adapted to be disposed within a toilet tank for sanitizing the tank and the bowl. The dispensing device includes a substantially closed receptacle containing therein a suitable dry chemical, such as calcium hypochloride, which mixes with water to form a saturated solution within the receptacle. A standpipe of selected diameter and length extends through the top wall of the receptacle to permit communication between the interior of the receptacle and the interior of the tank. During flushing of the tank, the turbulence of the flow within the tank causes a metered amount of saturated solution to be withdrawn from the dispensing device and mixed with the tank water. By using a standpipe having a preselected diameter and length, optimum and uniform diffusing of the chemical solution through the standpipe is achieved.

Abstract: A heat-responsive valve construction for use with pressurized containers such as aerosol cans and the like, comprising an annular mounting cup in which there is contained an apertured sealing gasket and also a rigid washer engaged with the gasket. Passing through the cup, gasket and washer is an axially shiftable valve stem having an axial bore in its outer end and having lateral or side orifices intermediate its ends, which communicate with the bore. The outer end of the valve stem also has a plurality of heat-sensing arms extending radially and then axially from the end of the stem in spaced relation thereto, said arms being engaged with the top of the mounting cup. A connector ring joins the ends of the arms where they engage the cup. The other end portion of the valve stem carries a compression spring which is engaged with the rigid washer in the cup and also with an abutment on the stem.

Abstract: This invention is a method and apparatus for dispensing a predetermined weight of liquid. The apparatus comprises a calibrated vessel having an elongated tubular section in open communication with the top of the vessel, means to fill the vessel to a level in the elongated tubular section, a displacement means which provides an area of reduced cross section at the liquid level in the tubular section, means to monitor the temperature of the liquid, means to adjust the position of the displacement means in response to temperature changes of the liquid and means to dispense the liquid. The apparatus can dispense a predetermined weight of liquid over a broad temperature range. The method comprises the steps necessary to dispense the predetermined weight of liquid.