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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] (a) Field of the Invention
[0002] This invention relates to a composition and method for achieving weight loss or reduction in a human being. More particularly, it relates to a composition containing a herbal substance found in the Amazon forest and elsewhere that is dissolved in or otherwise incorporated into a suitable carrier, and to a method of facilitating weight loss that involves administering a physiologically effective amount of the composition to a person desiring to lose weight.
[0003] It is generally known that in the United States of America, 60% of the population is overweight (100 million) or obese (40 million) or morbidly obese (3 million). Among children 77% are overweight and 17% are obese, a 300% increase over 1980. These conditions are associated with numerous medical problems, such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes and various forms of cancer. Effective treatment options are somewhat limited, are expensive and/or encumbered with high risks.
[0004] There are many factors that cause human beings to become overweight. Some pathways are set forth below.
Pathways to Overweight & Obesity
[0000]
1. Appetite derangement—over eating
2. Abnormal Cortisol metabolism and insulin receptor insensitivity
3. Chronic increased sugar levels in blood
4. Abnormal Leptin activity
The foregoing conditions are caused by:
1. Dysfunctional Pituitary-Hypothalamus-Adrenal (PHA) a major Master Control Center located in the brain. Increased glandular hyper activity is an Automatic reflex as a result to emotional stress (boss, work, fear, anxiety) or physical stress (sickness, injury, over consumption of food and sugar).
2. Pituitary gland over producing ACTH (adrenal corticotropin hormone) which in turn stimulates the adrenal gland to produce Cortisol *( The Stress of Life by Hans Selye, MD., McGraw Hill Co.) & gluco corticoid. Both of these hormones increase production of sugar in the circulating blood.
3. Overeating, saturated fat, refined sugar (soda, punch, chips, sweets, candy, cake)
4. Leptin in production from fat cells causing food addiction & increasing food consumption.
[0013] Increased Chronic Cortisol activity leads to increased circulation of blood sugar resulting in overproduction of insulin to lower the blood sugar which in time causes diminished efficiency or insensitivity of insulin receptors (moves available circulating sugar into the cell) that actually leads to continued elevation (Type II Diabetes) of blood sugar for prolonged periods.
[0014] The body reacts to prolonged excess blood glucose by depositing the excess sugar into fat cells as storage for future use, typically in the body mid-section, i.e., the waist area and hips in apple shaped body types and hips and thighs in pear shaped bodies.
[0015] Chronic overproduction of cortisol also causes loss of muscle (skinny legs and fat butt and waist) and lower thyroid metabolism by lowering production of active thyroid as as decreased conversion of T4 deiodinase activity to T3. *(C. Tsigos et al. J. Psycho SOM. Res 2002:53:865-71).Typically these individuals consume large quantities of high fats *(J. Knipers, et al. J. Phys. Endo. Met. 2000. 279:1286-93) and processed sugar (pops, sodas, ice cream, chocolate) and proportional larger percentage of diet in high glycemic refined carbohydrate (pasta, potato French fries, breads, chips, breading) These diets exacerbate the vicious cycle and dysfunctional PHA axis.
[0016] Lastly, there is a Gut-Brain Axis control where a normal functioning stomach with food will generate a hormone, and signal the brain to stop eating. This “fullness hormone” is called Leptin. This hormone is produced by the fat cells & lining of the stomach. The more one eats, the more it is produced. Higher Leptin levels cause increased eating, a vicious cycle. Leptin activity in the hypothalamus gland establishes a “Set Point” for the body's weight. (Friedman J M. The Function of Leptin in Nutrition, Weight and Physiology. Nutr. Rev. October 2002, 60); ( Meister B Control of food intake via Leptin receptors in the hypothalamus. Vitam Horm 2000; 9:265-304.) Leptin causes craving and addiction for food by up regulating increased Dopamine. Higher levels of craving for food, giving a pleasure and reward response to individual. (Krugel U, et al. Eur. J. Pharma Dec. 15, 2003:482,185-7). Increased sugar stimulates excessive production of Leptin, the sweet receptors and taste buds of the tongue enhances behavior to eat more sugar cravings. (Shiglmura N. et al. Endocrinology February 2004 145(2): 839-47) Very much like the mechanism of cocaine, heroin, or sucrose addiction and behavior reinforcing addictive conditioning. (Di Ciano P Neuropharmacology 2004:47)
[0017] Scientists of Univ. of College of London have identified yet another set of hormones called PZY I & PZY II. These hormones allow for the slow and fast relaxation of the stomach to accommodate more food. At resting state the stomach hollow is approximately 75 ml (2½ oz). With the help of these hormones, the stomach expands to 25 fold in volume to accept additional food 1.9 liters or 62.5 oz or 4 lbs. The increased consumption of dietary fat (long chain fat) shows activation of inflammatory Adipokines causing further dysfunction of the Gut Brain Axis of communication suppressing normal production of fullness hormone communication with the P.H.A. axis. This is a Leptin caused inflammation (Trayhurn P et al, Br. J. Nutr. September 2004:92(3) 347-55) Increased inflammation (C-Reactive Protein) and visceral adiposity (Saigoy Y. Diab. Obes. Met Jul. 6, 2004(9) 249-58.) The increase in Leptin and CRP is the primary risk and cause of heart attack (Thoagersan A M. Et al., Eur. J. Cardio. Preventive Rehab. Feb. 11, 2004(1) 53-40.)
[0018] The search for safe and effective anti-obesity agents is ongoing. It has now been discovered that the use of a composition containing a herbal substance known as Bauhinia is effective in causing weight loss in overweight individuals when administered in physiologically effective amounts.
[0019] (b) Description of Related Art
[0020] The following references are background material relating to the invention.
1. Hobbs, L. The New Diet Pills. Ch. 7-9. Pragmatic Press, Ca. 2000. 2. Taylor, L. The Healing Power of Rainforest Herbs. Square One Publishers, NJ. 2005. 3. Estrada, O., et al. Evaluation of flavonoids from Bauhinia megalandra leaves as inhibitors of glucose-6-phosphatase system. Phytother. Res. 2005; 19(10): 859-63. 4. Lemus, I., et al. Hypoglycemic activity of four plants used in Chilean popular medicine. Phytother. Res. 1999; 13(2): 91-4. 5. Juliani, C. Hypoglycemic action of bauintrato ( Bauhinia forficata preparation) new clinical and experimental study. J. Clin. 1941; 22: 17. 6. Fuentes, O., et al. Hypoglycemic activity of Bauhinia candicans in diabetic induced rabbits. Fitoterapia. September 2004; 75 (6): 527-32. 7. Lino, S., et al. Antidiabetic activity of Bauhinia forficata decoction in alloxan-diabetic rats. Biol. Pharm. Bull. 2004; 27(1): 125-7. 8. de Sousa, E., et al. Hypoglycemic effect and antioxidant potential of kaempferol-4,7-O-(alpha)-dirhamnoside from Bauhinia forficata leaves. J. Nat. Prod. 2004; 67(5): 829-32. 9. Damasceno, D. C., et al. Effect of Bauhinia forficata extract in diabetic pregnant rats: maternal repercussions. Phytomedicine. 2004; 11(2-3): 196201. 10. Pepato, M. T., et al. Evaluation of toxicity after one-months treatment with Bauhinia forficata decoction in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. BMC Complement. Altem. Med. Jun. 8, 2004; 4: 7.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0031] This invention relates to a composition and method for facilitating weight loss in human beings. The composition comprises physiologically effective amounts of the herbal substance Bauhinia in a suitable carrier. The method is a method of facilitating weight loss in human beings which comprises administering a physiologically effective amount of the composition to an individual.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0032] Bauhinia Weight Loss Solution
[0033] The weight loss composition of this invention comprises a formulation of extracts of Bauhinia— Saponins, Kempferitrin, flavanoids, astragalin, alkaloids, micro-glycosides, bauhinosides, betasitosterol, flavonols, guanidine, organic acids, quercimocides, rhamnose, and saponins.
[0034] Set forth below is a list of the Types & Species of Bauhinia that can be used in the composition and method of this invention.
[0035]
Bauhinia racemosa
[0036]
Bauhinia variegata
[0037]
Bauhinia tarapotensis
[0038]
Bauhinia divaricata
[0039]
Bauhinia monandra
[0040]
Bauhinia pauletia
[0041]
Bauhinia ungulata
[0042]
Bauhinia candicans
[0043]
Bauhinia forficata
[0044] Bauhinia grandiflora Juss
[0045] Bauhinia purpurea L.
[0046] Bauhinia candida Ait.
[0047] Bauhinia bariegata L.
[0048]
Bauhinia macranthera
[0049]
Bauhinia bartletti
[0050]
Bauhinia ramosissima
[0051]
Bauhinia retifolia
[0052]
Bauhinia cercideae
[0053]
Bauhinia caesalpinioideae
[0054]
Bauhinia fabaceae
[0055]
Bauhinia kalbreyeri
[0056]
Bauhinia mauca
[0057]
Bauhinia uruguayensis
[0058]
Bauhinia splendens
[0000] The preferred herbal substance for use in the composition and method of this invention is obtained from leaves of the Bauhinia forficata tree. This tree is found in the Amazon forest of South America, including Ecuador. However, even though it is preferred to use the leaves, the herbal substance can also be obtained from any part of the tree including the root, bark and branches of it.
[0059] Extractions: The Bauhinia herb can be used in connection with the following types of carriers:
[0060] Water
[0061] Oils
[0062] Alcohol
[0063] Glyceril
[0064] CO2
[0065] Organic solvent
[0066] Dichloromethanol
[0000] Other suitable carriers can also be used.
[0067] Delivery: The Bauhinia herb can be administered or delivered to the recipient in the following manner:
[0068] Liquid/sprays/mist/drinks
[0069] Capsules
[0070] Powders
[0071] Tincture
[0072] Liposome
[0073] Sublingual
[0074] Chewing gums/Lozenges/Candies/food
[0075] Transdermals, Skin creams, lotions, etc.
[0000] Methods of preparing herbal compositions are found in the book “The Healing Power of Rainforest Herbs” by Leslie Taylor (Square One Publishers, Inc., 2004), incorporated by reference herein. The concentration of Bauhinia herbal substance in the carrier can range from about 0.1% to 99% or more. The exact concentration will depend on the carrier, and method of administering the herbal substance.
[0076] A series of tests were run to demonstrate the efficacy of the composition and method of the invention.
EXAMPLE 1
[0077] In these tests, the Bauhinia herbal substance was a mixture of four varieties of Bauhinia in substantially equal amounts. The varieties were: Bauhinia racemosa, Bauhinia tarapotensis, Bauhinia purpurea L., and Bauhinia candicans.
[0000] Test Subjects Subject A - Male 60 year old, 5 ft. 11 in. Taken Bauhinia water/alcohol extract 5 grams leaves in 10 cc concentrate taken 3 times daily, 15 minutes before meal. No changes in dietary habits, exercise, or medication. Test run for 6 weeks. Before wt: 7158# After wt: 147# Before BMI: 22 After BMI: 20 Before Waist: 33 After Waist: 29 Net wt. loss: 11 lbs. BMI deceased: 2 Waist measurement decreased: 4 inches Subject B - Female 55 year old, 5 ft. 5 in. Taken Bauhinia leaves dried powder 5 grams 3 times daily before meal. No changes in dietary habits, exercise, or medication. Test run for 6 weeks. Before wt: 174# After wt: 168# Before BMI: 29 After BMI: 28 Before Waist: 37 After Waist: 36 Net wt. loss: 6 lbs. BMI deceased: 1 Waist measurement decreased: 1 inch Subject C - Male 58 year old, 5 ft. 8 in. Taken 10 drops Bauhinia extract concentrate in a food candy bar, once times daily in middle of the day on full stomach. No changes in dietary habits, exercise, or medication. Test run for 6 weeks. Before wt: 181# After wt: 174# Before BMI: 26.7 After BMI: 25.7 Before Waist: 38.5 After Waist: 37 Net wt. loss: 7 lbs. BMI deceased: 1 Waist measurement decreased: 1.5 inches Subject D - Female 46 year old, 5 ft. 4 in. Taken Bauhinia water extracted powder with 1 gram 2 times daily on empty stomach 30 minutes before meals. No changes in dietary habits, exercise, or medication. Test run for 6 weeks. Before wt: 188# After wt: 178# Before BMI: 32.3 After BMI: 30.6 Before Waist: 38 After Waist: 35.5 Net wt. loss: 10 lbs. BMI deceased: 1.7 Waist measurement decreased: 2.5 inches
The foregoing test results indicate that weight loss in human beings can be facilitated by administering physiologically effective amounts of Bauhinia herbal substance to individuals. The Bauhinia in the above tests was administered in the form of powders of dried leaves or extracts. As used herein, the term “physiologically effective amount” refers to that amount of herbal substance which, when administered, is effective to cause loss of weight in an individual.
[0078] Another series of tests were conducted to further demonstrate the efficacy of the compositions and method of the invention.
EXAMPLE 2
[0079] In this example, the results of a four week pilot project studying the effect of the herbal substance, Bauhinia forficata, on weight loss in overweight humans in the absence of dietary or exercise intervention is provided.
[0080] Methods and Materials
[0000] A total of 31 patients (18 male, 13 female) were recruited for the study. They each signed a consent form and were told the study involved an herb used in South America for weight loss and other purposes, and that the substance to be taken was generally regarded as safe. They were instructed to keep their diet and exercise unchanged. Patients were randomly assigned to a treatment or placebo group and instructed to take 5 ml. of the test material (either Bauhinia leaf extract or a placebo solution) 30 minutes before each meal. They were also given a vitamin/mineral supplement to take each morning.
[0081] Measurements of weight and circumference of waist, chest, and hips were made and recorded at the start of the study and four weeks. Participants were asked about side effects at each visit. Results were recorded for those who completed the study and analyzed by ANOVA.
[0000]
TABLE 1
Demographic Data
Group A (Placebo)
Group B (Treatment)
Number
17
14
Gender
Male 11, Female 6
Male 7, Female 7
Age (M years)
50.8
54.3
Weight (lbs)
242.41
216.36
Height (inches)
69.14
67.96
BMI (mean)
35.26
32.35
Waist (inches)
44.94
42.29
Hip (inches)
46.97
46.21
Chest (inches)
44.74
44.26
[0082] Results
[0000] All subjects completed the study. Table 2 below summarizes the changes in various measurements over the study period treatment for each of the groups. Comparing each group's final to initial values revealed no statistically significant changes, although the differences approached significance for the following parameters in the treatment group: weight (p=0.06), BMI (p=0.06), waist circumference (p=0.06), and waist to hip ratio (0.888). Comparing the amount of change between the two groups revealed that there was a statistically significant difference (p<0.008) in the change in BMI between the two groups. There were no reported adverse effects in either group during the duration of the study. Several subjects reported increased energy or improved sense of well being. One reported “darkening of hair” as a beneficial side effect. The statistically significant effect of the bauhinia extract on weight loss and various measurements did not include dietary or exercise intervention. There was no evidence of toxicity.
[0000]
TABLE 2
Comparison of Results
Group A (Placebo)
Group B (Treatment
Initial
Final
(change)
N = 33
A
17
B
14
Gender
A
Male 11, Female 6
B
Male 7, Female 7
**Age (years)
A
50.8
B
54.3
**Weight (years)
A
242.410
242.941
0.529
B
216.360
211.696
−4.661
**BMI
A
35.259
35.318
0.0588*
B
32.350
31.973
−0.557
**Waist (inches)
A
44.941
44.941
0.000
B
42.286
40.693
−1.593
**Hip (inches)
A
46.971
47.235
0.265
B
46.214
44.893
−1.324
**Waist-Hip Ratio (WHR)
A
0.953
0.947
−0.006
B
0.914
0.905
−0.008
P Value in (change) = 0.007637
Results listed as means
[0083] Bauhinia forficata is a small tree that grows in a small area of the Amazonian plateau in Ecuador. It has long held a place in the folk medicine of South America. Its bark has been used as an anti-diarrheal and was not used in the preparation involved in the present study. The leaves have been used for a variety of purposes, including in the treatment of diabetes, as a general tonic, as an antivenin and as a vermifuge . It has also been associated with beneficial changes in lipid levels indicating there were no toxic effects in either normal or diabetic rats, including pregnant diabetic rats.
[0084] Mechanism of Weight Loss
[0000] It is not known precisely why the administration of the bauhinia herbal substance is effective to facilitate weight loss in various individuals, however it is postulated that the Bauhinia normalizes PHA-Leptin-Insulin receptor insensitivity and central satiety physiology. Whatever the mechanism, it is clear that it is effective to facilitate weight loss in human beings who take it in physiologically effective amounts.
[0085] Although various illustrative embodiments of the composition and method of the invention have been described and shown herein, it is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the precise embodiments described, and that various other changes and modifications may be affected therein by one skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. All such changes and modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. | Disclosed is a composition and method for facilitating weight loss in individuals. The composition is a physiologically effective amount of the herbal substance Bauhinia in a suitable carrier. The carrier can be water, alcohol, mixtures thereof, capsules, powders, tinctures, liposomes, chewing gum, lozenges, candies, food, skin creams, or lotions. The method is to administer a physiologically effective amount of the herbal substance to an individual seeking to lose weight. The preferred herbal substance is obtained from the leaves of a Bauhinia forficata tree. | 2,852 |
TECHNICAL FIELD
This invention relates to eye surgery and more particularly to cornea marker apparatus and means of marking for corrective surgery such as radial and chordal refractive keratotomy (RK).
BACKGROUND ART
For the functional correction of eye disorders such as myopia and astigmatism due to abnormal curvature of the central clear zone of the cornea of the eye, a refractive keratotomy procedure provides benefit. In this procedure, for restoration of a flat clear zone, based on pre-operative patient selection and measurement of visual parameters such as corneal thickness, the cornea is first marked in a predetermined radially balanced pattern by making a circular cut (cf. U.S. Pat. No. 4,357,941) or a series of shallow incisions (cf. U.S. Pat. No. 4,417,579) in the annular corneal surface surrounding the clear zone. Visualization of the incisions is facilitated by delineation with a suitable dye such as fluorescein or gentian violet. The marking is done by free hand marking or preferably by a hand-held radial marker instrument of conventional spider-wheel design. One commercially available marker of this design is described in the work by Sanders et al. entitled "Radial Keratotomy," pages 31 and 32, 1984, Slack Inc., Thorofare, N.J.
The marking procedure is then followed first by corneal thickness measurements (pachymetry) and then by making refractive incisions on the marked pattern of lines, using a diamond knife.
The prior art method of free hand marking often is unreliable whereas the method employing a spiderwheel marker tends to be unreliable in certain particulars. One problem, not generally recognized as important, is that the ends of each blade edge are not readily visible, and especially the inner end is not visible for purposes of centration and spacing from the clear zone. Another problem of the kind is that the marker lacks means for correctly and reliably aligning the marker to the corneal surface of an eye with astigmatism, for example, astigmatism with the rule where the vertical meridian has the greater curvature, or astigmatism against the rule where the horizontal meridian has the greater curvature, or irregular astigmatism due to uneven bulges, corneal scarring and the like.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide improved cornea marker apparatus having marker blades that are conspicuous for purposes of concentric placement and spacing from the central clear zone of the corneal surface.
It is another object of the invention to provide improved cornea marker apparatus having a marker blade assembly holder and a rotary blade assembly that can be controllably rotated in the holder to achieve correct placement for radially marking selected meridians of the corneal surface.
It is still another object of the invention to provide apparatus of the kind described in which the rotary blade assembly can be replaced in the holder with a different rotary blade assembly that may differ in shape, size, or radial orientation of the blades.
It is yet another object to provide improved methods for marking the corneal surface for purposes of corrective surgery.
These and other objects, features and advantages will be seen from the following description and accompanying drawings.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
The invention in one preferred aspect concerns improved surgical apparatus for concentric placement on the cornea of the eye and for radially marking selected meridians of the corneal surface surrounding the central clear zone of the eye. The apparatus comprises a circumferential support frame having a central opening dimensioned for concentric alignment exposing the clear zone, and a pair of diametrically opposed co-planar radially disposed knife blades for each of said selected meridians. Each blade has a cutting edge with concave curvature adapted in 3-dimensioned blade assembly profile for co-extensive matching contact with the convex curvature of the outer corneal surface. Also, each blade is unitary with and supported on the support frame with its inner blade end projecting into the central opening whereby the blade inner ends are conspicuously exposed in the support frame opening for enabling precise placement of the blades in the corneal field. Preferably, the opening in the support frame is circular or elliptical.
In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus comprises a blade assembly holder and a rotary knife blade assembly. The holder has a central opening and a concentric circumferential bearing surface for engagement with the bearing surface of the rotary knife blade assembly.
The knife blade assembly includes a circumferential support frame having a central opening, preferably circular or elliptical, dimensioned for concentric alignment exposing the clear zone, and a pair of diametrically oppose co-planar radially disposed knife blades for each of the meridians selected for marking. Each blade has a cutting edge with concave curvature adapted in profile for co-extensive matching contract with the convex curvature of the outer corneal surface. Each blade is unitary with and supported on the support frame, the assembly being configured with a peripheral bearing surface adapted for engagement with said concentric bearing surface and allowing rotation with respect to the blade holder. Preferably, the inner end of each blade is conspicuously exposed in the support frame opening. Preferably, the knife blade assembly comprises blade guide indicia coinciding with the diametral alignment of each blade pair.
In a preferred embodiment, the blade holder comprises meridial indicia referable to the degree of rotation of a rotary knife blade assembly contained in the blade holder. In another preferred embodiment, the support frame is elliptical and the cutting edges of the blades of the knife blade assembly are configured with a 3-dimensional concave elliptical curvature for coextensive matching contact with the convex curvature of an ellipitcal astigmatic outer corneal surface. The blade assembly holder and the rotary blade assembly in a preferred embodiment are adapted to be removably fitted together, preferably in a snap fit, to a position for controlled rotation of the blade assembly to predetermined positions for marking of selected meridians. The holder and rotary blade assembly preferably are adapted to be disengageable for replacement of a different rotary blade assembly in the blade assembly holder.
The invention in another preferred aspect concerns an improved method for marking selected meridians of the outer corneal surface surrounding the open central zone of the cornea of the eye. The eye to be treated may be astigmatic, having greater curvature in a meridian that may be a vertical, horizontal, or other meridian. The method includes the step of providing a blade assembly holder with meridial indicia and a rotary knife blade assembly that is rotatable in the holder. The knife blade assembly has a marking surface substantially matching the outer corneal surface. The assembly has a predetermined pattern, circular or preferably elliptical, of opposed knife blade edges aligned in a pair for placement across the open corneal zone for each of the selected meridians. The method further comprises placing the knife blade edges of the marking surface in a selected meridian alignment with the corneal surface, and marking the cornea by knife edge cutting sufficient for visualization of the resulting meridial incisions. In a preferred embodiment, the blade assembly comprises blades having the curvature of about 47 diopters.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The invention will be more fully understood by reference to the following detailed description and accompanying drawings in which:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view partly segmented of a preferred cornea marker according to the invention;
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 2--2 of FIG. 1 showing the marker blade curvature in relation to curvature of the cornea of the eye;
FIG. 3 is an exploded view similar to the view of FIG. 1;
FIGS. 4 to 7 are plan views illustrating different preferred patterns of radially disposed paired marker blades of a cornea marker according to the invention;
FIG. 8 is a plan view of another preferred embodiment illustrating an elliptically disposed marker blade assembly with exposed inner and outer blade ends;
FIG. 9 is a side view of a blade assembly holder in section taken on line 9--9 of FIG. 8;
FIG. 10 is a side view of paired marker blades on a frame support partly in section taken on line 10--10 of FIG. 8; AND
FIG. 11 is a bottom view of the marker blade assembly of FIG. 8.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
In the embodiment of FIG. 1 a cornea marker 10 is shown with a marker blade assembly 30 having a blade support frame 30a in the form of an annular cap. As seen in FIG. 2, the frame or cap 30a carries on its underside a pattern or array of edge-mounted radially disposed knife blade pairs 32a and 32b. The frame has a central opening 31 with inner and outer edges 31a,31b. The frame also has a circumferential skirt 30b depending from its underside that together define a circumferential skirt groove 30c. The top side of the frame carries blade alignment indicia 30d. As seen in FIG. 2, the blades have a cutting edge 33 with concave curvature terminating at an inner end 34 and an outer end 35. In relation to the surface of the cornea 20 for purposes of marking, the cutting edges of the blade pair 32a,32b are located for concentric placement in co-extensive matching contact with the corneal surface. The inner edges 34 of the blades are spaced from the clear zone 21 while the outer edges 35 are spaced away from the corneal limbus 22. Also as seen in FIG. 2, the blade assembly is supported for rotation in a holder 40 having an annular base plate 41 carried for manipulation by a handle 42. The base plate has meridian indicia 46 on its upper face and has inner and outer edges 44,45 and the inner edge defining a circular opening and being configured for engagement with the skirt groove 30c, also circular. In a preferred embodiment, the two parts 30 and 40 are constructed such that they can be assembled together and disassembled (as shown in FIG. 3), as desired, preferably by means of a snap fit allowing relative rotation as between the two parts. When the blade assembly 30 is rotated, the same can be advanced to any desired position for marking by setting the blade alignment indicia 30d to coincide with the meridian indicia 46 requiring marking, such as the vertical (90°) meridian or the horizontal (0° or 180°) meridian. Different patterns of marking can be achieved by using any of the different blade configurations shown in FIGS. 4 to 7. A preferred embodiment of the cornea marker is illustrated in FIG. 8. The blase assembly 30 has a circumferential groove 35a that is circular and the holder 40 has an inner edge 44 defining a matching central opening 43 so that when assembled the two parts can be rotated relative to each other. The blade assembly has an annular cap 30a that is elliptical with an elliptical central opening 31. The blade pairs are secured to the cap 30a by suitable means such as welding and are arranged with their inner and outer ends 34,35 open to view for precise placement and marking when held in the operative position shown in FIG. 8.
In operation, by marking methods which will be understood by those skilled in eye surgery, a blade assembly of the invention is selected that provides the most suitable pattern of marking for the particular surgical procedure, whether for correction of myopia, astigmatism or a combination of these. The appropriate blade assembly and the holder are assembled, and the assembly is rotated if necessary to the desired meridial alignment, for example the alignment shown in FIG. 8 for a marking pattern to correct for astigmatism. The marker is then placed in a marking position such as that shown in FIG. 2 (with the long axis blade pair on the horizontal meridian), and the corneal surface surrounding and adjacent to the clear zone is marked for purposes of pachymetry and refractive keratotomy.
What is desired to claim as my exclusive property in the invention, as described, is the following. | Cornea marker apparatus and a method of corneal marking are provided for purposes of corrective surgery. The apparatus features a blade assembly having readily visible blade ends as well as a blade assembly concept with a radial guide allowing rotation of the blades to selected meridian alignments for precise marking of the surface of the cornea. | 2,056 |
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application is a divisional application of Ser. No. 07/459,273 filed Dec. 29, 1989, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,026,734 issued Jun. 25, 1991, which is a continuation-in-part application of Ser. No. 07/297,185 filed Jan. 12, 1989, now abandoned.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Most of the pesticides in use today are expensive toxic chemicals that must be carefully applied and frequently monitored in order to insure that their toxic residues do not get into the food chain or otherwise harm either humans, animals or the environment. My discovery provides substantial benefits over the toxic chemicals that have heretofore been used in that the use of the alkyloxypolyethyleneoxyethanols of the present invention are not injurious to plants, do not disturb the biological balance and do not possess the undesirable pollution aspects inherent in the use of so many known pesticides.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to the discovery that a very particular kind of nonionic surfactant, namely an alkyloxypolyethyleneoxyethanol can be used as the sole active ingredient to control fungus, mites, worms, termites, nematodes and other insects. It is believed that these alkyloxypolyethyleneoxyethanols can be represented by the formula: ##STR2## wherein n is from 9 to 15 and m is from 3 to 40.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
The aforementioned alkyloxypolyethyleneoxyethanols are biodegradable nonionic surfactants consisting of a mixture of ethoxylates of secondary alcohols having from 9 to 15 carbon atoms in the aliphatic hydrophobic chain, and which have an average of 3 to 5, 7, 9, 12, 15, 20, 30 or 40 moles of ethylene oxide, respectively in the hydrophillic entity. Materials which correspond to the compositions are available commerically as TERGITOL 15-S series of ethylene oxide derivatives manufactured by Union Carbide Corporation(i.e. 15-S-3, 15-S-5, 15-S-7, 15-S-9, 15-S-12, and 15-S-15.) One method for the manufacture of such nonionic surface active agents is believed to be set forth in U.S. Pat. No. 2,870,220 of Union Carbide. A blend or combination of these secondary alcohol ethoxylates such as TERGITOL 15-S-3 added to TERGITOL 15-S-9 results in clear, easily handled materials for application. Of the available ethoxylates of secondary alcohols, TERGITOL 15-S-9 is preferred. As indicated above, it is understood that these nonionic surfactants can be represented by the formula: ##STR3## where n is from 9 to 15 and m is from 3 to 40.
Union Carbide characterizes its above TERGITOLS with the empirical formula:
C.sub.11-15 H.sub.23-31 O(CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 O).sub.x H
in its Material Safety Data Sheets.
The above nonionic surfactants in the same instances can be applied to targets (buildings, soils, etc.) in technical strength if desired. However, because of the active nature of the secondary alcohol ethoxylates, it is recommended that they be admixed with a suitable carrier, this is especially true when applied to targets such as plants, foilage and animals. Suitable inexpensive carriers that are preferred are either water or vegetable oil. Other more expensive carriers can also be used. In accordance with my invention, the above nonionic surfactants are applied in an amount of approximately 8 oz. to about 16 oz. per acre. The amount of water or vegetable oil used as the carrier can vary considerably as long as about 8 oz. to about 16 oz. of the nonionic surfactant is applied to the plants per acre. Because vegetable oil is capable of forming a much finer mist than is possible with water, a substantially less volume of oil can be used with the surfactant compared to the same amount of surfactant in water.
The following examples are presented for the purpose of further illustrating and explaining the present invention and are not to be taken as limiting in any regard.
EXAMPLE 1
______________________________________TERGITOL 15-S-9 16.0 oz.Water 250.0 gallons 250.16 - total solution in gallons______________________________________
This solution was sprayed on mature citrus trees with severe rust mite infestation. A rate of 250.16 gallons of solution per treated acre was used with temperatures in the low 60° F. range. After three days, the only detectable rust mites to be found were "inside" the canopy of the dense foliage of the trees. Only carcasses of dead mites were detected in over 98% of those trees inspected. Depending upon the type of spray application, tests indicated that solutions including as little as 15 gallons of water could be applied per acre and be effective.
EXAMPLE 2
______________________________________TERGITOL 15-S-9 8.0 oz.Water 5.0 gallons______________________________________
This solution was applied to one acre of cotton severely infested with bollworms of approximately 1/4 inch to 1/64 of an inch in length by means of fixed-wing aircraft. Within twenty minutes of application only bollworms one inch in length or larger were found alive in the field.
EXAMPLE 3
______________________________________TERGITOL 15-S-9 8.0 oz.Vegetable oil 32.0 oz. 40.0 oz. total solution______________________________________
This solution was applied to cotton infested with bollworms, aphids and spider mites at the rate of 40.0 oz. per acre by means of a fixed-wing aircraft. Within twenty minutes of application, no live pests were found.
EXAMPLE 4
______________________________________TERGITOL 15-S-9 8.0 oz.Water 1-2 gallons______________________________________
This solution was applied to the floor of a residential kitchen in a semi-tropical area of Florida. It was noted that brown spiders, and two other types of insects, carpenter ants and a centipede died after being placed in contact with the wet floor within 10 minutes of contact.
EXAMPLE 5
______________________________________TERGITOL 15-S-9 1.0 oz.Water 5-20.0 gallons______________________________________
This solution was used as a "bath" for a dog which had been in contact with ticks and fleas found in hunting areas in south Georgia. After being place in the bath container for a period of several minutes, no live parasitic insects were found on the dog.
EXAMPLE 6
______________________________________TERGITOL 15-S-9 8.0 oz.Water 5.0 gallons______________________________________
This solution was applied to peanuts during one entire production year. No other fungicide was applied until two weeks prior to digging. At that point the product BRAVO was applied at recommended rates. There was no leaf spot present when the fungicide BRAVO was applied. No additional insecticide was used during the production year to the acreage treated with the surfactant. The yield on the test areas was in excess of 1.75 tons/acre.
EXAMPLE 7
______________________________________TERGITOL 15-S-9 8.0 oz.Water 5.0 gallons______________________________________
This solution was applied to an area of a building foundation where termites were found. The solution was injected into the termite bed area beneath the surface of the soil. After a twelve hour period, the "bed" area under and around the infested area was excavated. All termites found, were dead. No other fumigant was used.
EXAMPLE 8
______________________________________TERGITOL 15-S-9 2.0 oz.Water 15.0 gallons (minimum)______________________________________
This solution was sprayed around shrubs and ornamental flowers of a south Georgia residence, where mosquitos were present in large numbers. Spraying resulted in killing of the pests, with no reinfestation for a period of three days. Stronger solutions of TERGITOL may result in leaf damage.
EXAMPLE 9
A plot of land was tested and found to have a nematode count of 400 per test soil sample, which made the land unsuitable for raising cotton. In view of the soil unsuitability, peanuts were selected to be planted in the plot. The land was thereafter treated in accordance with my invention by first ground spraying with a solution consisting of TERGITOL 15-S-9 (16 ounces per acre) and water (10-20 gallons per acre) and thereafter tilling. The land was thereafter sprayed with a liquid composition from a plane at a per acre concentration of 8-16 ounces of TERGITOL 15-S-9 and 10-20 gallons of water. Similar applications were made every 6-10 days for several months. At the end of several months another soil test was made and the nematode count was essentially zero per test soil sample. In addition, the peanuts were free of insects and white mold during the entire growing season.
EXAMPLE 10
A plot of land was prepared for cotton by initially ground spraying approximately 16 oz./acre of TERGITOL 15-S-9 with 10-20 gallons of water/acre and then tilling the land. Thereafter the cotton crop was periodically sprayed by air plane utilizing 8-16 oz. TERGITOL 15-S-9 and 3-5 gallons of water/per acre except when small worms were noted and then the TERGITOL 15-S-9 was applied at 8-16 oz. with 26-34 oz. of vegetable oil per acre. The spraying applications were effective in controlling eggs, bollworms, mites, white flies, and aphids.
EXAMPLE 11
Several orange trees in Florida were treated for rust mites by spraying with a solution of approximately 2 oz. of TERGITOL 15-S-9 and approximately 15 gallons of water. The treatment eliminated the rust mite problems.
The surfactant solutions of the present invention have also been tested and found effective for controlling lice on hogs, aphids on roses and pecan trees, mold on pecan trees, fungus on shrubs, and insects on garden and vegetable plants.
In addition to the surfactants of the present invention being useful in controlling fungus, mites, nematodes, worms, mold and other insects, it is believed that the surfactants function as soil neutrilizers. As a result of some of the tests set forth above, it has been noted that the soil ph in the test plots has been increased and remains between approximately 6.5 to less than 7.0 without the use of lime being necessary. In one test plot, several acres of the soil were generally non-productive due to soil ph levels of less than 6.0. After repeated applications of the surfactants as set forth above over an entire test plot, it was noted that the previously unproductive acres became productive. Tests indicated that the ph levels had been raised to above 6.5.
Although my invention has been described in connection with the above examples, it is not limited by these examples and should be construed in connection with the following claims and obvious equivalents thereof. For instance, TERGITOL 15-S-3, 15-S-7, 15-S-12 and 15-S-15 have been used for similar applications and the same rates as set forth in the examples in oil and/or water solutions with similar results being achieved. Therefore, it is believed that the nonionic surfactants of the TERGITOL-15-S series are believed to fall within the scope of the present invention. | This invention relates to the discovery that a very particular kind of nonionic surfactant, namely an alkyloxypolyethyleneoxyethanol can be used as the sole active ingredient to control fungus, mites, worms, termites, nematodes and other insects. It is believed that these alkyloxypolyethyleneoxyethanols can be represented by the formula: ##STR1## wherein n is from 9 to 15 and m is from 3 to 40. | 1,741 |
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates generally to an adjustable display rack for foodstuffs and the like. More specifically this invention relates to an adjustable display rack in which the angle can be easily adjusted for optimal display appearance.
Creative display of merchandise is important to the sales of items and merchandisers are constantly searching for improved methods of displaying their items. This is especially important in produce sales since a full rack is more attractive to a customer than a sparsely populated shelf, as known in the art.
Many display racks have been developed which aid in attempts to insure that the display appears full, as exemplified in U.S. Pat. No. 3,385,453, for example. While display racks of this type do lend the appearance of being full, any adjustment is difficult and often requires the attendant to remove the displayed items prior to adjusting the shelf. Another problem with the display racks currently known in the art is the inability to rigidly lock the shelf in place. As merchandise is removed, and replaced, the shelves can frequently be caused to fall potentially harming the contents.
There has been a long felt need in the art to provide an adjustable display rack which can be easily adjusted with merchandise still in the storage bin. There has also been a need to provide such a display rack which is sturdy and provides limited risk of moving due to removing and restocking merchandise.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide an adjustable display rack which allows for easy adjustment of the angle of the display bin.
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide an adjustable display rack which is sturdy and capable of maintaining a predetermined position.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide an adjustable display rack which can be adjusted without removing the displayed items from the rack.
A particular feature of the present invention is the constant engagement of the adjustable support member with the bottom frame and the bin.
Yet another particular feature of the present invention is the ease with which the adjustment can be actuated and the minimal manipulation required to do so.
These and other advantages, as will be apparent from the description herein, are provided in an adjustable display rack comprising: a bottom frame comprising a front end and a rear end; a bin pivotally mounted to said front end of said bottom frame; at least one adjustable support rotatably mounted to said frame; wherein said adjustable support comprises: a tube; an elongated member slidably mounted to said tube; a locking element for reversibly fixing the position of said elongated member relative to said tube; a mounting bracket pivotally attached to one end of said elongated member; wherein said mounting bracket is rigidly attached to said bin.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 shows an adjustable rack of the present invention.
FIG. 2 shows a cutaway view of one embodiment of the frame members of the present invention.
FIG. 3 shows an embodiment of an adjustable support member of the present invention.
FIG. 4 shows another embodiment of an adjustable support member of the present invention.
FIG. 5 shows a partial side view of one embodiment of bin construction in the present invention.
FIG. 6 shows an embodiment of the present invention further comprising a drawer.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Throughout the following description similar elements are numbered accordingly.
FIG. 1 shows an adjustable rack of the present invention. In FIG. 1, a bottom frame is defined by a front member, 1, a pair of side members, 2, and a rear member, 3. Pivotally attached to the front member of the frame is a bin suitable for holding merchandise. The bin is defined by a front wall, 4, a pair of side walls, 5, and a floor, 6. The bin can pivot between two extremes. In one extreme the floor can be substantially parallel to the bottom frame. In the other extreme the floor can be substantially perpendicular to the bottom frame. Attached to the rearward portion of the bottom frame and the rearward portion of the bin is at least one adjustable support member, 7, suitable for maintaining a predetermined angle between the floor of the bin and the bottom frame. A multiplicity of legs, 8, are optionally attached to the bottom frame.
FIG. 2 shows a cutaway view of one embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 2 the bin floor and walls are not shown. The bottom frame, legs and adjustable support members are similar to similarly numbered elements in FIG. 1. A bin frame, comprising front bin frame member, 9, a pair of side bin frame members, 10 and a back bin frame member, 11, is pivotally attached to the front member, 1, by a pair of hinges, 12. The rearward portion of the bin frame is connected to the rearward portion of the bottom frame by a pair of adjustable support members, 7.
FIG. 3 shows one embodiment of an adjustable support member of the present invention. The adjustable support member comprises a finger, 21, suitable for mating with a substantially round void, 22, in a bottom frame member, 23. Rigidly attached to the finger, 21, is a tube, 24, capable of accepting a discrete sliding member, 25, therein. The discrete sliding member, 25, comprises a multiplicity of adjustment holes, 26, each of which are capable of aligning with a tube hole, 27, in the tube, 24. To change the length of the adjustable support member, a predetermined adjustment hole, 26, is aligned with the tube hole, 27, and a pin, 28, is inserted through the pair of aligned holes. The upper extent of the discrete sliding member comprises a mounting bracket, 29, rotatably mounted to the discrete sliding member on an axle, 30. The mounting bracket, 29, preferably comprises a multiplicity of mounting holes, 31, for attachment to the bin. One advantage offered with the present invention is the simplicity of operation and the rigidity of the adjustable support member. The adjustable support member can rotate on the axis defined by the finger, 21, as shown by the arrows A and B. The mounting bracket, 29, is also capable of rotating on the axis defined by the axle, 30 as shown by the arrows C and D. As the adjustable support member is lengthened the entire adjustable support member rotates on the axis defined by the finger, 21, in the direction of arrow A and the mounting bracket, 29, rotates on the axis defined by the axle, 30, in the direction of arrow C. It would be apparent to one skilled in the art that this allows the entire bin to be raised and lowered with minimal manipulation since the only part of the adjustable support member which must be manipulated is the pin, 28.
FIG. 4 shows another embodiment of the adjustable support member. In FIG. 4 the finger, 21, substantially round void, 22, bottom frame member, 23, tube, 24, mounting bracket, 29 and axle, 30, are similar to the similarly numbered elements in FIG. 3. The tube, 24, comprises a threaded hole, 32. A similarly threaded pin, 33, mates with the threaded hole to abut against the continuously adjustable sliding member, 34, and retain the continuously adjustable sliding member in place. The length of the adjustable support member can be altered by twisting the threaded pin, 33, until it sufficiently disengages with the continuously adjustable sliding member to allow free movement of the continuously adjustable member within the tube. The continuously adjustable sliding member is then moved to the desired position in the tube, the threaded pin is then twisted to abut against the continuously adjustable sliding member. The mounting bracket, 29, is secured to a bin member, 35, by attachment means, 36, such as glue, screws, nails, bolts and the like.
FIG. 5 shows a partial side view of a preferred embodiment of the bin of the present invention. The bin comprises a frame element, 37, with a multiplicity of floor joist elements, 38, attached thereabove. The wall element, 39, is attached to the top of the bin by a multiplicity of attachment means, 40, such as screws, nails, bolts and the like. The floor joist elements may be attached to the frame element by glue, screws, nails, or any similar attachment means known to the art.
FIG. 6 shows an embodiment of the present invention wherein the elements similar to those of FIG. 1 are numbered accordingly. A shelf is slidably attached to the slotted front member, 41, of the bottom frame. The shelf comprises a shelf frame member, 42, shelf floor, 43, and front wall, 44. The shelf is attached to the front member of the bottom frame with drawer brackets (not shown) as known in the art.
The overall shape of the produce table is preferably rectangular or square. Other shapes are considered within the teachings of the present invention including triangular, semicircular, or multifaceted such as expected from half of a hexagon, octagon or the like. The bottom frame and bin may be the same shape or they may be of a different shape. Limitations on the combinations of shapes available would be apparent to one skilled in the art yet the constraints to be considered are limited to those combinations which allow for a pivotal attachment at the front and a suitable mounting position for the adjustable support member in the rearward portion of the produce stand.
The bottom frame is preferably a rectangle, or square, as illustrated in the drawings. Also considered within the teachings of the present invention are frames which are shaped substantially like the letter "H". While four sides are preferred it is considered within the teachings to employ a three sided frame and in fact this may be so preferred if weight is a concern for the intended application. The bottom frame members may be constructed from wood, metal, plastic, hardened resin, graphite and the like and the members may be secured one to the other in any conventional method including, nails, screws, bolts, glue, weld, rivet, framing brackets, or by common joining techniques such as rabbet joints, tongue and groove and the like, as known in the art.
The bin configuration is preferably rectangular or square, as described above, yet other shapes are considered within the teachings of the present invention. The bin may comprise a frame such as that illustrated in FIG. 2 with a floor and sides attached thereto. The bin may also comprise a floor element with the walls, adjustable support member, and pivotal attachment means attached directly to the floor. In this embodiment the floor member acts as the support frame and should be of sufficient strength to provide rigidity to the bin. A particularly preferred embodiment comprises a bin frame, substantially as illustrated in FIG. 2, with a multiplicity of substantially parallel slats attached to the bin frame as illustrated in FIG. 5. Walls are then attached to either the sides of the bin frame (not illustrated) or to the top of the slats as shown in FIG. 5. This embodiment is particularly preferred since water can be applied to the contents of the bin and the excess water will drop directly below the stand. The bin preferably comprises at least one wall to insure that contents do not fall out of the bin. It is most preferred that the one wall be on the same side of the bin as the pivotal connection to the bottom frame. Up to four outer walls may be employed as would be readily realized by one skilled in the art. It would also be realized to one skilled in the art to include a multiplicity of walls within the outer walls to define compartments within which various items could be placed for display.
It is preferable, but not necessary, for the produce stand to have a multiplicity of legs. It is most preferable that the length of the legs be adjustable as known in the art and it is most preferred that the legs have wheels in which the rotation of the wheels are capable of being locked and released as known in the art.
The bin is pivotally mounted to the front member of the bottom frame. The pivotal mount is preferably a hinge. Any conventional hinge known to the art is considered within the teachings of the present invention. A single hinge may be employed as well as a multiplicity of hinges.
The finger may be unthreaded or threaded and preferably extends through the bottom frame member. To insure that the finger does not become dislodged from the bottom frame member a keeper is preferred such as a "C" shaped spring in a slot of the finger, a cotter pin, a threaded nut and the like.
The tube may be substantially square, substantially round or any other shape commonly employed for tubes. It is most preferred that the tube and sliding member are substantially of the same shape.
The sliding member may slide on the inside of the tube, as illustrated in the drawings, or it may slide on the outside of the tube. If the sliding member slides on the outside of the tube it is most preferably that the cross-section of the sliding member be shaped substantially like the letter "C" to allow the finger to traverse the open side of the sliding member. It would be apparent to one skilled in the art that the tube may be solid when the sliding member is exterior thereto and that the sliding member may be solid when the tube is exterior thereto. The holes in the sliding member and tube preferably align at various increments and the inserted pin maintains the alignment. The pin may go completely through the tube and sliding member or it may stop within the interior of the inner member.
A threaded pin may be employed with, or without, associated holes in the sliding member. When the sliding member is exterior to the tube the threaded hole may be integral to the sliding member.
Drawer brackets are well known in the art and many varieties are commercially available and suitable for the invention described herein. Most desirable is a drawer bracket which comprises a pair of tracks mounted to both the drawer and the frame wherein the tracks are capable of sliding one in the other. | An adjustable display rack is detailed which provides several advantages including ease of operation and stability. The adjustable display rack comprises a bottom frame, a bin pivotally mounted to the bottom frame, an adjustable support member connecting the rearward portion of the bottom frame and bin, optional legs, optional walls and optional drawers. | 2,471 |
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to an x-ray apparatus for producing transversal layer images of a photographic subject, including an x-ray source, a diaphragm for condensing the x-rays into a narrow x-ray beam whose cross-sectional spread is equal to the thickness of the layer in a direction perpendicular to the layer and substantially equal to or less than the thickness of the layer in a direction parallel to the layer, and with a measuring arrangement for measuring the intensity of radiation which is impinged upon by the central ray of the x-ray beam, in which, for penetrating the subject from different directions, the x-ray source and the measuring arrangement are arranged together on a rotating frame which is rotatable through equidistant angular steps about a point situated on the central ray of the total radiation emanating from the x-ray tube and in which the measuring arrangement is mounted on the rotating frame on a carriage which is displaceable by a motor perpendicularly of the central ray and the axis of rotation, and further including a cumputer for determining the absorption values of the points of intersection of the radiation in the subject from the intensity of the radiation received by the measuring arrangement.
An x-ray apparatus of this type is described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,778,614. In this known x-ray apparatus, the x-ray tube is arranged on the same carriage as the measuring arrangement so that it is displaceable together with the measuring arrangement perpendicularly of the central ray of the x-ray beam and the axis of rotation. The diaphragm is stationary in relation to the x-ray tube. An x-ray tube is a relatively heavy component so that the mechanics involved in the mounting and displacement of the x-ray tube/measuring arrangement unit are relatively complicated. In addition, guide means are required for the high-tension lead to the x-ray tube to allow linear displacement of the x-ray tube during the scanning operation.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The object of the present invention is to considerably simplify an x-ray apparatus of the type described above in regard to the mounting and adjustment mechanism for the x-ray tube and the measuring arrangement in relation to the prior art.
According to the invention, this object is achieved by virtue of the fact that the x-ray source is fixedly arranged on the rotating frame, by virtue of the fact that the diaphragm is mounted for displacement parallel to the adjustment path of the measuring arrangement and by virtue of the fact that a motor for displacing the diaphragm is connected to a control device which conrols this motor and also the motor for displacing the measuring arrangement in such a way that, during its displacement, the measuring arrangement is struck by the x-ray beam in each position. In the x-ray apparatus according to the invention, the x-ray tube is not displaced for a linear scanning of the subject under examination. It is merely the measuring arrangement and a relatively lightweight x-ray diaphragm which are displaced. The structure of the x-ray apparatus can be considerably simplified by virtue of the small linearly moved masses in relation to the prior art.
Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying sheet of drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 shows those parts of an x-ray apparatus according to the invention which are of importance to the invention;
FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic illustration explaining the concept on which the invention is based; and
FIG. 3 is a plan view of a patient explaining the dimensions of the x-ray beam issuing from the x-ray tube.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
In the apparatus shown in FIG. 1, a rotating frame 2 is mounted on a frame member 1 for rotating about an axis 4 which substantially coincides with the longitudinal axis of a subject 3 to be examined. An x-ray tube 5 and a radiation measuring arrangement 6 are mounted on the rotating frame 2. The x-ray tube 5 is fixed to the rotating frame 2, whereas the measuring arrangement 6 is arranged on a rail 9 for linear movement perpendicularly of the central ray of the x-ray tube 5 and the axis of rotation 4. The rotating frame 2 is rotated about the axis 4 by a drive system 10. Another drive system 11 produces the linear scanning movement of the measuring arrangement 6 by means of a cable 12.
A box-shaped (or cuboid) compensating element 13, of a strong plastics material equivalent to body tissue in its density, for example acrylic glass, is also fixedly connected to the rotating frame 2. This compensating body 13 comprises, symmetrically to the axis of rotation 4, a cylindrical recess into which a form-body in the shape of a ring 14, which also consists of a strong plastics material equivalent to body tissue in its density, is slidingly inserted in a form locking manner. A contouring member 15 of an elastic material is attached to the inside of the ring 14. This contouring member 15 can be filled with water by means of a pump (not shown) so that under selectable pressure it will fit firmly against the outside of the photographic subject, which may be the head of a patient, for example. The ring 14 is fixedly connected to a supporting table 17 by means of a bracket or plate 16 so that, despite the rotational movement of the compensating element 13, no torque is applied to the photographic subject 3 resting on the supporting table 17.
The x-ray tube 5 is connected to an x-ray generator 18 which supplies it with constant electrical voltage of selectable magnitude. The radiation receiver 6 is connected via a circuit arrangement or measurand converter 19 to a computer 20 which delivers the data computed by it to a page printer 21 and/or to a data display unit 22 for documentation and/or visual evaluation. The drive system 10 for the circular movement and 11 for the linear movement are connected to a control device 23 which controls the two movements in accordance with a principle of motion to be explained hereinafter.
The x-ray tube 5 is fixedly arranged on the rotating frame 2 and comprises a primary diaphragm 24 which is fixedly arranged in relation to the x-ray tube 5 and which determines the beam (or aperture) angle of the issuing x-rays in accordance with the scanning range of the measuring arrangement 6. Preceding the opening accommodating the photographic subject 3 with respect to the radiation direction is a diaphragm 25 which is displaceable parallel to the path of the measuring arrangement 6 and which is attached to a cable 26 by means of a supporting bar 7. The cable 26 is moved by a drive system 27 including an adjustment motor 27a, the drive system 27 also being connected to the drive control device 23. The diaphragm 25 has a narrow slit 28 which transmits a part of the x-radiation issuing from the x-ray tube 5 which is condensed by the primary diaphragm 24. The x-ray beam allowed through by the slit 28 is used for penetrating the photographic subject 3, and its cross-sectional spread perpendicularly of the layer under examination is equal to the thickness of that layer. Parallel to this layer, the extent of the beam transmitted by primary diaphragm 24 is substantially equal to or less than the thickness of the layer.
After the apparatus has been switched on, the drive control 23 initially actuates the drive system 10 which moves the rotating frame 2 into a starting position offset through 90° relative to the position illustrated. Once this position has been reached, scanning of the object 3 to be examined begins with the drive systems 11 and 27 putting the measuring arrangement 6 and the diaphragm 25 into a linear scanning movement, during which the desired transversal layer of subject 3 is penetrated and scanned with the aid of the x-rays which have been condensed into a narrow beam by means of the diaphragm 25.
The linear scanning of parts 6, 24 and 25 is shown in FIG. 2. During a scanning movement, the diaphragm 25 and the measuring arrangement 6 are displaced in the direction of the arrows 29 and 30 in such a way that, during its displacement, the measuring arrangement 6 is struck in each position by the x-ray beam which is defined by the aperture 28 of diaphragm 25. The synchronous displacement of the components 6 and 25 is ensured by the control device 23 by way of the drive motors 11a, 27a, FIG. 1. A further position of the beam 31 and measuring arrangement 6 is indicated by dash lines at 31' and 6' in FIG. 2.
The radiation which has penetrated the photographic subject 3 is measured by the measuring arrangement 6 and the measured values are fed by the circuit arrangement 19 into the computer 20 where they are initially stored. During each scanning movement, the output of the measuring arrangement 6 is probed (or sampled) by the circuit arrangement 19 in such a way that, during this movement, approximately 100 individual values are determined and fed into the computer 20. On completion of the first scanning movement, the control device 23 actuates the drive system 10 which rotates the rotating frame 2 through an angle of, for example, 2°. Thereafter, the control device 23 again sets the drive systems 11 and 27 in motion in a direction opposite to the instance described above, so that a second linear scanning movement can take place. On completion of this second scanning movement, the control device 23 switches the drive system 10 on again so that the rotating frame 2 again rotates through an angle of about 2°. Thereafter the control device 23 reactivates the drive systems 11 and 27 so that a third scan can be carried out. This operation is repeated, for example, 90 times. During these scanning movements, the computer 20 computes an image of the penetrated layer on the basis of the measured values fed into it. This image appears either in digital form on the page printer 21 or on the data display unit 22.
FIG. 3 illustrates a plan view of the photographic subject 3. By way of example, the examined body layer 30 is illustrated. This body layer is scanned by an x-ray beam 31 which is condensed by means of diaphragm 25; namely through its slit 28. In the example, the x-ray beam has an approximately circular cross-section whose diameter is equal to the thickness of layer 30. However, it is also possible within the framework of the invention to limit (or define) the x-ray beam in such a manner that its cross-sectional spread, perpendicular to layer 30, is equal to the thickness of this layer, and that, parallel to layer 30, it is less than the layer thickness.
It will be apparent that many modifications and variations may be effected without departing from the scope of the novel concepts and teachings of the present invention. | In an illustrated embodiment linear scanning of a narrow x-ray beam is produced by linear movement of an apertured diaphragm interposed between the x-ray source and the patient receiving space, a measuring arrangement being linearly moved in step with the diaphragm aperture so as to provide a desired number of samples such as one hundred, for each angular position of the components. In the illustrated embodiment a primary diaphragm is interposed between the x-ray source and the linearly movable diaphragm and serves to determine the beam angle in accordance with the scanning range of the measuring arrangement. | 1,951 |
BACKGROUND
[0001] 1. Field of Invention
[0002] This invention relates generally a device to assist a smaller person with applying the Heimlich maneuver to a larger person.
[0003] 2. Prior Art
[0004] The Heimlich Maneuver is a well understood procedure for assisting a person that is choking on a piece of food lodged in his throat. It involves getting behind the choking victim, reaching around the victim with both hands, making a fist of one hand and placing it just below the rib cage of the victim, covering it with the second hand and performing a quick upward jerking motion, compressing the diaphragm and forcing air to flow rapidly through the esophagus dislodging the obstruction.
[0005] There are several problems with the standard approach to the Heimlich Maneuver. First if the victim is a much larger person than the care giver she might not be able to reach around him to get her hands in the proper position. In most food choking incidents the victim is sitting in a dining room chair which further complicates the reach around problem. Many other choking incidents occur when the victim is eating alone and there is no one around to institute the life saving technique.
[0006] There have been many attempts to resolve these problems as indicated in the cited patents and advertising literature. There are several that utilize a round ball shape as an approximation of the human fist. Some show use with one hand while others have either straight, rigid handles or flexible handles that serve to extend the caregiver's reach. Others have an active interface end mounted on some type of shaft that is be placed against some immovable object allowing the solitary victim to fall against the device, dislodging the obstruction.
[0007] None of the prior art devices however take the shape of the human breast plate and rib cage into consideration of the designs of their interface to the body. Many, even though they offer some reach extenders, do not provide sufficient reach for very large victims or small caregivers. The rounded or blunt interfaces do not allow for decreasing resistance to penetration that is achieved with sharper sloped interface surfaces.
SUMMARY
[0008] The general object of the present invention is to provide an improved choking assist device.
[0009] The specific objectives of this invention are to provide a very low cost device for the assistance of choking victims by caregivers that:
1. are either too small or insufficiently trained in the Heimlich maneuver to effectively carry out the manual procedure. 2. can be utilized while choking victim is still seated. 3. can be utilized by a solitary victim on himself. 4. can be utilized while victim is lying on his back. 5. takes into account the shape of the sternum and rib cage for maximum pressure on the diaphragm while minimizing the potential damage to the ribs.
DRAWINGS
[0015] In order that the invention may be more fully understood it will now be described by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
[0016] FIG. 1 is a front view of an Adjustable Heimlich Maneuver Device;
[0017] FIG. 2 is a rear view thereof showing the desk side support notch for self use;
[0018] FIG. 3 is a top view thereof;
[0019] FIG. 4 is a bottom view thereof;
[0020] FIG. 5 is a right side elevational view thereof, the left side elevational view being a mirror image;
[0021] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an Adjustable Heimlich Maneuver Device;
[0022] FIG. 7 with victim sitting,
[0023] FIG. 8 with victim standing,
[0024] FIG. 9 with solitary victim and
[0025] FIG. 10 with victim lying on floor are perspective views of an Adjustable Heimlich Maneuver Device shown in positions of use wherein the broken line showings of the persons and the furniture are for illustrative purposes only and form no part of the claimed design.
REFERENCE NUMERALS
[0026] The same reference numbers are used to refer to the same or similar parts in the various views.
[0000]
12 - Adjustable Heimlich Maneuver
Device
14 - body
16 - strap
18 - front surface
20 - back surface
22 - desk side support notch
24 - front directional indicator
26 - back directional indicator
28 - hand rest
DESCRIPTION
[0027] In order that the invention may be more fully understood, Adjustable Heimlich Maneuver Device 12 will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0028] FIGS. 1-6 illustrate Adjustable Heimlich Maneuver Device 12 . It is comprised of body 14 and strap 16 . Body 14 has front surface 18 that has a concave shape, narrower at the front and top and wider at the back and bottom as illustrated in FIGS. 1-5 . Body 14 's back surface 20 has desk side support notch 22 embedded at approximately a 45 degree angle as shown in FIGS. 2-5 . It also has hand rest 28 across the bottom of back surface 20 for manually applying force to body 14 when victim is in prone position as in FIG. 10 . Strap 16 is a flexible strap that is either connected on each side of body 14 or body 14 has a slip fit slot through body 14 on which body 14 slides on strap 16 as shown in FIG. 6 and is of sufficient length to allow even a small caregiver to reach around a very large adult.
Operation:
[0029] FIG. 7 illustrates a standard use of Adjustable Heimlich Maneuver Device 12 as body 14 is shown placed between the navel and sternum and strap 16 is wrapped around the hands of a caregiver and utilized to pull body 14 rapidly upward in a jerking motion to expel a large burst of air by applying force to the stomach, diaphragm and lungs. The shape of body 14 's front surface 18 is critical to the improved function relative to standard spherical shapes and is designed to fit between the navel and the sternum. The narrowing at the interface front edge allows for the force to be concentrated in a smaller area increasing the local pressure at point of attack. The top to bottom taper allows body 14 to be nestled close to the sternum directly over the diaphragm without putting pressure on the victim's ribs which suffer the most damage from improperly applied Heimlich Maneuvers.
[0030] The fact that strap 16 is quite long allows a similar application even though the victim remains seated, perhaps even slumped over as shown in FIG. 8 .
[0031] FIG. 9 shows an application of Adjustable Heimlich Maneuver Device by a solitary victim. In this case the victim places back surface 20 of body 14 at desk side support notch 22 on any square cornered solid piece of furniture, places his abdomen against front surface 18 of body 14 and leans sharply in a rearward and down motion forcing a burst of air, clearing the breathing channel.
[0032] FIG. 10 shows yet another method of use of Adjustable Heimlich Maneuver Device 12 where the victim has already fallen to the floor. In this case the victim is rolled onto his back and body 14 is placed in the same position as before and the heel of the care giver's hand is placed on hand rest 28 and a sharp downward and forward force is applied again forcing a burst of air through the larynx and clearing the air way. | This invention relates generally to a device to assist a smaller person in applying the Heimlich maneuver to a larger person that is sitting, standing or lying prone on his back or in performing the maneuver on himself. | 1,284 |
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to dental implants.
2. Description of the Related Art
Applicant believes that the closest reference corresponds to the implants sold by Stryker Dental Implants, Kalamazoo, Mich. 49001 and particularly, Stryker Fin Implant model nos. 260-135-008 and equivalents. However, the devices published and sold by this manufacturer differ from the present invention because they fail to provide a termination having a multi-sided body (hexagonal portion) and a beveled portion adjacent thereto with the consequent compatible interface surface for engaging a prosthetic abutment free from debris traps. Also, the prior fails to teach an anti-rotational mechanism for the abutment further, the prior does not disclose a cylinder root form implant fixture with helical grooves or a screw type root form.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is one of the primary objects of the present invention to provide an implant device that is free from debris traps or pockets where saliva, blood bacteria, soft tissue invagination or any other substances can be collected.
It is another object of the present invention to provide an implant device that includes a beveled portion for cooperative engagement with a cooperating abutment.
Still another object of the invention is to provide a versatile implant device to which different types of prosthetic abutments could be mounted.
Yet another object of this invention is to provide a hexagonal element that facilitates the application of the rotational force necessary to insert the implant in the bone and to prevent rotation of the abutment head on an individual or single tooth implant.
It is yet another object of this invention to provide such a device that is inexpensive to manufacture and maintain while retaining its effectiveness.
Further objects of the invention will be brought out in the following part of the specification, wherein detailed description is for the purpose of fully disclosing the invention without placing limitations thereon.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
With the above and other related objects in view, the invention consists in the details of construction and combination of parts as will be more fully understood from the following description, when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:
FIG. 1 represents a side elevational view of one of the preferred embodiments for a dental root form implant fixture of the threaded shaft type with an abutment having a smooth engagement tapered shaft.
FIG. 2 represents an alternate embodiment wherein the smooth engagement tapered shaft includes a threaded end, and the anchorage section is partially shown in cross-section taken along line 2 in FIG. 5.
FIG. 3 represents a side elevational view of a second alternate embodiment for a root form implant fixture of the fin type.
FIG. 4 is a partial representation of a third alternate embodiment for a cylinder form implant fixture of the helical groove type.
FIG. 5 is a top view of the second alternate embodiment.
FIG. 6 shows an elevational view of a fourth alternate embodiment, with partial cross-sections, having a removable abutment head.
FIG. 7 represents the components shown in FIG. 6 after being assembled.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring now to FIG. 1, where the preferred embodiment for the present invention is generally referred to with numeral 10, it can be observed that it basically includes root form implant fixture 20 and abutment member 100. Root form implant fixture 20 includes anchorage section 30 and engagement section (neck) 40.
Anchorage section 30 includes shaft 32 with threads 34 having sufficient separation of its threads to permit the bone in which it is inserted to occupy the space in between for best anchorage results. Shaft 32 can also be of the type known in the art as the fin type, as shown in FIG. 3 under numeral 32, wherein several disks are rigidly, and positioned in a spaced apart parallel relationship with respect to each other, mounted to shaft 32'. Another type of shaft 32' is the one shown in FIG. 4 and it corresponds to a cylinder with a helical grooves.
As shown in FIG. 1, engagement section 40 is integrally built at one of the ends of shaft 32 and it includes cylindrical portion 60, beveled portion 70 and multi-face portion 80, all adjacent to each other in that order. Multi-face portion 80 has a hexagonal shape, in the preferred embodiment.
Central and longitudinally extending cavity 90 extends through the center of cylindrical, beveled and multi-face portions 60, 70 and 80, as well as part of shaft 32, as best seen in FIG. 2. In the preferred as well as the alternate embodiment shown in FIG. 2, cavity 90 narrows down (tapers) as it extends toward anchorage section 30. At the end of cavity 90, in the alternate embodiment shown in FIG. 2, there is a threaded bottom part 92. It should be noted that for both, the preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 1 and the alternate embodiment of FIG. 2, the same cavity 90 is used even if the abutment's post 120 of the preferred embodiment lacks a mating thread.
Abutment member 100 has head 110 with elongated post 120 that is built in, as seen in FIG. 1. The angle of head 110 with respect to the longitudinal axis of member 100 varies depending on the correction for parallelism that may be necessary. In the figures applicant has shown abutments with 0 degrees of connection to facilitate the description of the invention. Lack of parallelism is undesirable and it arises when fixtures 20 are not positioned parallel to each other. Elongated post 120, in the preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 1, is smooth and bites against internal walls of central cavity 90 thereby locking it in place. The metal to metal biting engagement of post 120 and internal walls of cavity 90 provides a retention of abutment 100 and hermetic seal for any unoccupied space inside cavity 90 thereby preventing the collection of saliva, blood or any other decaying substance.
In FIG. 2, alternate abutment member 100' includes threaded pin 130' rigidly mounted at the distal end of post 120'. Threaded pin 130' cooperatively engages with threaded bottom part 92 of cavity 90.
The second and third alternate embodiments shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 for fixtures 20" and 20'" are basically similar to those shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 except that shafts 32" and 32'" of anchorage sections 30" and, 30'" are of the fin and helical groove types, respectively.
A fourth alternate embodiment is shown in FIG. 6 and is generally referred to with numeral 10"". Root form implant fixture 20"" used with dental implant device 10"" is identical to the one used with devices 10 and 10'. Fixture 20"" can be of any type (threaded, fin or cylinder). Abutment head 110"" is removably mounted over fixture 20"" and in cooperative non-rotational engagement thereon. Inwardly chamfered rim 112"" matingly comes in complementary abutting contact with beveled portion 70"". This flat face to face engagement of rim 112"" and beveled portion 70"" will create a hermetic seal that will prevent the infiltration of saliva, bacteria, exudate or soft tissue invagination or any other foreign bodies. Internal multi-faced socket 114"" similarly matingly and cooperatively engages with multi-face portion 80"", thereby preventing rotation of abutment 110".
Post 120"" is coaxially inserted through central opening 111"" of abutment head 110"" and pin member 130"" at one end protrudes through rim 112"" to engage with cavity 90"" in fixture 20"". This engagement is accomplished in the same manner as described for the preferred and the first alternate embodiments. The only difference being that post 120"" is also provided with an internal socket 122"" to permit rotating it and causing sleeve 124"" to come in contact with counterbore surface 116"", thereby holding abutment head 110"" down.
Screw member 200"" is designed to hold the prosthesis (fixed or removable) to abutment head 110"", as best seen in FIG. 7.
The foregoing description conveys the best understanding of the objectives and advantages of the present invention. Different embodiments may be made of the inventive concept of this invention. It is to be understood that all matter disclosed herein is to be interpreted merely as illustrative, and not in a limiting sense. | A dental implant device for mounting a prosthesis and minimizing the lodging of extraneous substances in interstitial spaces. A root form implant fixture is permanently implanted in a user's jaw bone. The fixture includes anchorage and engagement sections. The engagement section includes a cylindrical portion adjacent to the anchorage section, a beveled portion that is adjacent to and coaxially disposed with respect to the cylindrical portion and a hexagonal portion adjacent to and coaxially disposed with respect to the beveled portion. | 1,456 |
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates generally to orthopedic lumbosacral supports and more particularly to lumbosacral supports manufactured with a specific geometrical shape which provides for the optimized fitting of different wearer body types or sizes using a minimum inventory of supports and employing an inventive fitting method.
While lumbosacral support belts are known, current designs require a large number of belts to accommodate differing wearer body types. This either limits the number of individuals that can be fitted without special order or requires a large inventory. In addition, current fitting techniques do not adequately take into account relationships of the body for optimum fit.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a series of lumbosacral support belts for wearers having a range of body sizes wherein a minimum of standard sizes will accommodate most wearers.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a series of improved orthopedic devices for protecting and supporting a body portion wherein the device comprises a trapezoidal back panel having parallel top and bottom edges and first and second side panels extending from side edges thereof, wherein each of the devices in the series has a total length L total and each device includes a back panel comprising a resilient stretchable material with support members attached thereto for stiffening selected regions of the panel, said back panel having a length along its top edge of L top and having a length along its bottom edge of L bottom that is a selected percentage of the total length L total of the device, said back panel having a height H between its bottom edge and its top edge wherein H in inches is equal to a fixed minimum width plus a distance substantially equal to the difference between L bottom and L top multiplied by a fixed multiplier where the multiplier is the same for each of the devices in the series; and also including first and second side panels, each of which is attached at one end thereof to a side edge of the back panel, the other end of each of said side panels also comprising fastening means for securing the device with the support members of the back panel supporting the lumbosacral area of the wearer with the top edge of the back panel adjacent the waist of the wearer and the lower edge of the back portion adjacent to the hips of the wearer.
The object above can be attained by provision of an improved orthopedic device for protecting and supporting a body portion wherein the device comprises a trapezoidal back panel having parallel top and bottom edges and first and second side panels extending from the side edges thereof, wherein the device has a total length L total and includes a back panel comprising a resilient stretchable material with support members attached thereto for stiffening selected regions of the panel, said back panel having a length along its top edge of L top and a length along its bottom edge of L bottom that is approximately one third the length of the total length L total of the support, said back panel having a height H between its bottom edge and its top edge wherein H, in inches, is equal to approximately 4+2(L bottom -L top ); and also includes first and second side panels, each of which is attached at one end thereof to a side edge of the back panel, the other end of each of said side panels also comprising fastening means for securing the device with the support members of the back panel supporting the lumbosacral area of the wearer with the top edge of the back panel adjacent the waist of the wearer and the lower edge of the back portion adjacent to the hips of the wearer.
It is a still further object of the invention to provide a method for fitting lumbosacral belts to a wearer comprising the steps of measuring the circumference of the waist of the wearer; measuring the circumference of the hips of the wearer; and selecting a belt from an inventory of belts manufactured in varying sizes as described above where the selected belt has a hip to waist differential closest to the measured hip to waist differential of the wearer.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a back perspective view of the preferred lumbosacral back support system of the present invention illustrated as it would be operatively positioned on the human body;
FIG. 2 is a plan view of a back support device as shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a graph showing the relationship between the height of the back panel of a support belt and the differential between the hip and waist circumferential measurements; and
FIG. 4 is a graph showing the relationship between the width of the back panel of a support belt and the total length of the support belt.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
An orthopedic device 10 in accordance with the present invention is shown in FIG. 1 as it is positioned on a human body to support the lumbosacral region consisting of the five lumbar vertebrae and the sacrum. Specifically, device 10 in the embodiment shown is a belt or brace or support which is comprised of a trapezoidal back panel 12 and first and second side panels 14 and 16. Spinous stays 18 are support members attached to back panel 12. Additional support members in the form of lateral stays 20 are positioned as seen in FIGS. 1 or 2 at the side edges of back panel 12.
FIG. 2 shows device 10 opened flat with the top edge 22 corresponding to the portion which is adjacent to the wearer's waist and the bottom edge 24 corresponding to the portion which is adjacent to the wearer's hips. Spinous members or stays 18 are shown as oriented parallel to the vertical midline 26 of back panel 12. Spinous stays 18 are displaced from vertical midline 26 by a distance sufficient to place them closely adjacent to the spine but not in contact with it when the device is worn by the wearer as shown in FIG. 1. Stays 18 are placed 1.25 inches on center from the midpoint of device 12. In the preferred embodiment shown, the gap between the inside edges of the spinous stays is approximately 1.5 inches. Although most of the measurements of devices 10 may vary considerably in the various size configurations of the series of orthopedic devices, the separation of the spinous stays remains at the same distance throughout the series of varying size belts because the distance necessary to keep the stays from directly contacting the spine is essentially the same over the entire range in sizes.
In the embodiments shown herein back panel 12 is formed of a suitable stretchable fabric such as 100% stretch elastic or a stretchable Spandex material. Side panels 14 and 16 are made from loop fabrics while fastening means or hook material 28 is attached on the outside of left side panel 14 so that device 12 is closed by pulling right side panel 16 over left side panel 14 so that hook material 28 engages the loops on the outside surface of left side panel 14. The loop material of side panels 14 and 16 and hook material 28 may be of any type well known in the industry which would form a hook type fastener such as Velcro (registered trademark) brand. The loop materials are relatively non-stretchable.
In order to provide an adjustable additional tension on the supported portion of the back, adjustable support straps 30 are provided. One end of support straps 30 is anchored adjacent to spinous stays 18 while the other end is connected to a Velcro hook closure 32 which has the operable side facing side panels 14 or 24 for engagement therewith at selected locations in accordance with wearer preference and comfort. In the preferred embodiment shown, support strap hook closures 32 are 3.5 inches in length with 2.75 inches thereof overlapping side panels 14 and 16 as a guard against peeling. Closures 32 are centered on the ends of elastic panels 14 and 16.
As shown in FIG. 2, there are two support straps on each side of the centerline of device 10. The total span of support straps 30 is proportionately varied for the various supports in the inventory of supports necessary to fit an optimal percentage of the wearer population. In accordance with the present invention, the total length of the unstretched support straps 32 is approximately 0.45 times the total length L total of device 10.
In accordance with the present invention it can be seen that a series of belts may be manufactured in varying sizes using the dimensional relationships outlined above. For example a series of belts might include the six sizes listed on the graphs of FIGS. 3 and 4. It has been determined that belts manufactured in the sizes indicated will be suitable for a very high percentage of the potential wearer population.
In order to fit a potential wearer to a belt in a series of belts manufactured in accordance with the present invention, the waist and hip circumference of the wearer would be measured and the hip to waist differential would be calculated. The suitable belt would be determined by selecting a belt within the series having a hip to waist differential closest to the measured hip to waist differential.
Since the hip to waist differential determines the length of the belt, the height and the length of the support straps, there is no need to provide multiple belts in each waist size with varying belt widths as has been previously necessary using conventional belt fitting and sizing methods.
Although the present invention has been described in terms of the presently preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that such disclosure is not to be interpreted as limiting. Various alterations and modifications will no doubt become apparent to those skilled in the art after having read the above disclosure. Accordingly, it is intended that the appended claims be interpreted as covering all alterations and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention. | A lumbosacral support belt, a series of lumbosacral support belts, and a method of fitting lumbosacral support belts which are manufactured with specific relationships of certain dimensions so that a minimum inventory of belts fits a large percentage of the wearer population. In particular the hip to waist differential and the total waist measurement determine the height of the belt, the dimensions of the back panel and the length of the adjustable support straps. | 1,786 |
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates to a method and apparatus for marking bakery products. In particular, the invention relates primarily to the marking of biscuits for animals and humans. However, it should be appreciated that the method may be used for other bakery products such as breads, pastries or the like.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] For many years biscuit manufacturers have been branding their biscuits so that consumers are able to recognise the type of biscuits they are consuming. This allows consumers to identify the biscuit and hopefully repurchase the biscuit if it is to their taste. It also allows manufactures to place other types of adverting material on their biscuits if the manufacturers so desire.
[0003] The most common method of branding biscuits is to cause valleys and ridges to be formed in the biscuit to provide viewable shapes, patterns, letters and/or words. The valleys and/or ridges are usually obtained by shaping biscuit dough prior to baking of the biscuits. The shaping of the biscuits is usually obtained by making a mould that has corresponding valleys and/or ridges located within the mould. Biscuit dough is pressed into the mould and when the dough is removed, the top of the biscuit dough has the associated valleys and/or moulds. The biscuit dough is then baked to form biscuits with desired markings.
[0004] There are several problems with marking biscuits using a mould. Firstly, the moulds are expensive to manufacture and can only be used to provide only that shape. Secondly, placing biscuit dough into the moulds is labour intensive and time consuming. Lastly, the shapes, patterns, letters and/or words formed on the biscuit are of the same colour biscuit as the other part of the biscuit. Therefore, the shapes, patterns, letters and/or words are often difficult to recognise. A consumer therefore has to make a conscious effort to look at the top of the biscuit to be able to read the shape, patterns, letters and/or words.
[0005] U.S. Pat. No. 4,670,271 describes an apparatus for and method of printing edible inks onto a transfer sheet such as paper, fabric, cellophane, polyethylene or other forms of plastic. The printed transfer sheet is then placed onto a cake. The transfer sheet is used to separate the ink and the cake, to prevent bleeding of the ink and spoiling the artwork.
[0006] GB 2,186,782 is similar to U.S. Pat. No. 4,670,271 in that it describes an ink composition of sucrose; water and dye, printed onto rice paper. This method is commonly referred to in the art as “copy printing”. These copy printing type processes involve a two step process, printing the transfer sheet and applying to the cake, thus making them rather time consuming.
[0007] U.S. Pat. No. 5,534,281 describes a high speed printing and cutting device for the production of cookies, crackers and the like. Whilst the specification describes a general method of continuously printing onto dough and prior to baking, the apparatus is not suitable for use with a broad range of commercially available inks as they are still subject to bleeding and deformation of the artwork, during the printing and/or baking steps.
[0008] Currently available apparatus and methods for printing or marking bakery products result in unattractive products due to bleeding of the inks.
OBJECT OF THE INVENTION
[0009] It is an object of the invention to overcome or alleviate one or more of the above disadvantages or to provide the consumer with a useful or commercial choice.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] In one form, although not necessarily the broadest or only form, the invention resides in a method of marking bakery products including the steps of:
[0011] mixing a bakery dough to make a bakery product;
[0012] applying an ink to the bakery dough; and
[0013] baking the bakery dough to make the bakery product;
[0000] wherein the ink has a sufficiently low surface tension to prevent beading when applied to said bakery dough and comprises:
[0014] glycerol between the percentages 0 to 60 percent by volume;
[0015] solvent between the percentages 10 to 60 percent by volume;
[0016] sucrose between the percentages 5 to 60 percent by volume;
[0017] water between the percentages 1 to 55 percent by volume; and
[0018] colouring agent between the percentages 0.5 to 20 percent by volume.
[0019] The mixing of the bakery product may be completed by hand and/or using machinery.
[0020] The ink may be applied manually or automatically through the use of a machine. Preferably, the ink is applied to the bakery product using a stamp.
[0021] The bakery dough is normally baked in a conventional manner, that is, using an oven.
[0022] The method preferably utilises an ink comprising:
glycerol between the percentages 0 to 30 percent by volume; solvent between the percentages 20 to 45 percent by volume; sucrose between the percentages 5 to 35 percent by volume; water between the percentages 10 to 35 percent by volume; and colouring agent between the percentages 1 to 8 percent by volume.
[0028] The method more suitably utilises an ink comprising:
glycerol between the percentages 6 to 26 percent by volume; solvent between the percentages 28 to 40 percent by volume; sucrose between the percentages 9 to 30 percent by volume; water between the percentages 15 to 30 percent by volume; and colouring agent between the percentages 2.5 to 7.5 percent by volume.
[0034] The method may utilise an ink comprising;
26% glycerol, 39.5% solvent, 9% sucrose, 18% water, and 7.5% colouring agent.
[0040] Alternatively, the method may utilise an ink comprising;
6% glycerol, 32% solvent, 30% sucrose, 25% water, and 7% colouring agent.
[0046] In another alternative, the method may utilise an ink comprising;
20% glycerol, 28% solvent, 25% sucrose, 20% water, and 7% colouring agent.
[0052] In yet another alternative, the method may utilise an ink comprising;
20% glycerol, 28% solvent, 25% sucrose, 23.5% water, and 3.5% colouring agent.
[0058] The solvent is preferably an organic solvent. Solvents that may be used include ethanol, isopropyl alcohol, and propanol. Most preferably, the solvent is food-grade ethanol or isopropyl alcohol.
[0059] The colouring agent may vary depending on the desired colour of the ink. Suitable colouring agents include one or more pigments or dyes such as allura red 129, carbon black 153, sunset yellow 110, carmiosine 122, carmines 120, fast green 143, ponceau R4 124, tartrazine 102, brilliant blue 133, HT brown 155 and other similar colouring agents suitable for use in food products. The colouring agent may also comprise suitable solvents including water and food grade acids. Suitable food grade acids include formic acid, acetic acid, citric acid and the like.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0060] Embodiments of the invention will be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
[0061] FIG. 1 is a combined hand stamp and cutter used to produce ink marked biscuits.
[0062] FIG. 2 is a photo comparison between biscuits marked using the method of the invention and biscuits marked using readily available edible inks.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0063] FIG. 1 shows a combined hand stamp and cutter 10 used to make biscuits. The hand stamp and cutter 10 has been combined so that biscuit dough can be cut to a desired shape and stamped at the same time.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Example 1
[0064] 55 grams of carmiosine red pigment and 20 grams of ponceau R4 124 red pigment, 90 g sucrose is added to 180 mls of water and boiled until the carmiosine red and sucrose are dissolved. 260 mls of glycerol and 395 mls of ethanol is then added to form the following 1 litre of ink composition
26% glycerol 39.5% ethanol 9% sucrose 18% water and 7.5% colouring agent.
[0070] It will be readily appreciated by a person skilled in the art that solvents other than water may be used to dissolve the pigment or dye in the formation of the colouring agent will vary according to the pigment or dye being used. Other solvents may include appropriate food acids, such as formic acid.
[0071] Depending on the dye or pigment used in the formation of the ink the dye or pigment may be ground finely and suspended in the ink composition.
[0072] The percentage composition of ink outlined in Example 1 has been found to be effective for food grade red, blue and brown dye pigments.
Example 2
[0073] In a similar manner to Example 1 ink was formed using brilliant blue dye pigment to create an ink comprising;
6% glycerol 32% ethanol 30% sucrose 25% water and 7% colouring agent.
Example 3
[0079] In a similar manner to Example 1 ink was formed using HT Brown dye pigment to create an ink comprising;
20% glycerol 28% ethanol 25% sucrose 20% water and 7% colouring agent.
Example 4
[0085] In a similar manner to Example 1 ink was formed using tartrazine dye pigment to create an ink comprising;
20% glycerol 28% ethanol 25% sucrose 23.5% water and 3.5% colouring agent.
[0091] It is preferable when forming inks comprising tartrazine as the colouring agent that the colouring agent is present in a concentration of between 2.5 to 4.5% to prevent the ink from becoming to viscose.
[0092] It will be appreciated by the person skilled in the art that a number of dye pigments may be used in the formation of a suitable ink in order to create a broad range of colours, e.g. combining brilliant blue and tartrazine to form a green colouring agent.
Example 5
[0093] The combined stamp and cutter 10 includes a hollow cylindrical housing 11 . A circular edge 12 of the housing is sharp and is used to cut biscuit dough into a circular shape. It should be appreciated that shape of the edge 12 may be changed to vary the shape of the biscuits.
[0094] A shaft 13 extends through the housing 11 substantially along a central axis of the housing 11 . The shaft 13 is mounted to a top of the housing and is able to reciprocate with respect to the housing 11 .
[0095] A stop 14 is located on the shaft to prevent the shaft from being reciprocated past a predetermined point. An internal spring 15 and an external spring 16 are mounted to the shaft locate the shaft 13 in a desired rest position.
[0096] A stamp 17 is located at the end of the shaft and is located within the housing 11 . The stamp 17 comprises a backing plate 18 and a stamping plate 19 . The backing plate 18 is attached to an end of the shaft 13 and is removably attached to the stamping plate 19 . The stamping plate 19 is normally made of plastic or rubber. The stamping plate 19 is cut to reflect the desired impression to be placed on a biscuit.
[0097] To make a batch of marked biscuits, biscuit dough is mixed and rolled into a sheet of desired thickness. The ink of any one of the above examples is applied to the stamp plate 19 through the use of an inkpad (not shown). The combined stamp plate 19 and cutter 10 is located over the inkpad and the top of the shaft 13 is pushed toward the top of the housing 11 until the stamping plate 19 contacts the inkpad. The shaft 13 is released and returns to the rest position.
[0098] The combined stamp and cutter 10 is placed on the sheet of biscuit dough and force is again applied to the shaft 13 . This causes the stamping plate 19 to contact the biscuit dough and apply ink to the biscuit dough. At the same time, the edge 12 of the housing 11 cuts the biscuit dough to produce an image. This process is repeated until all the biscuit dough is cut. The biscuit dough is then baked to produce the batch of biscuits.
[0099] FIG. 2 show a comparison of a biscuit dough stamped using the method of the invention in a similar manner to that described in Example 5 (A), compared with biscuit dough stamped with commercially available inks using a hand stamp (B). It can be readily seen that the method of the invention provides a printed biscuit that has a clear image and can convey fine detail. Whilst the printing using commercially available ink results in bleeding of the ink to the extent that detail of the image is lost thorough the ink bleeding over the biscuit.
[0100] The method of the invention and the ink used within the method provides the advantage that when applied to the biscuit dough, the ink does not bleed into the biscuit dough and hence a clear, crisp image can be produced on the biscuit. Further, the ink is not affected by baking and does not burn. The application of ink allows a quick and efficient image to be placed on a biscuit. Different colours can be used to create a more noticeable image.
[0101] It has found that by altering the solvent; glycerol; water content of a commercially available ink that surprising improvements in quality and appearance of marking or printing on bakery products can be achieved. It is believed that currently available edible inks bleed when printing onto bakery products because on initial application the ink beads, as it settles into the bakery product the bead spreads to cause a disperse area of colouring, or bleeding. It has surprisingly been found that by increasing the ethanol and glycerol contents of commercially available edible inks compositions to create inks which have a surface tension which is sufficiently low to prevent beading of the ink on application to bakery product, thus preventing bleeding and allowing the producing of a printed or marked product having a clear and image, patter, words and/or letters.
[0102] The method of the invention provides greater flexibility to a baker in that with the method of the invention they may now clearly printing or marking a broad range of bakery products, including the pastry crust of pies, bread rolls and loaves, shortcrust etc. Prior to the development of the method of the invention it was not possible to produce a clear printed or marked bread roll or loaf, without scorching the image onto the roll or loaf that affected the taste of the bread. Furthermore, a broad range of printing apparatus may be utilised to in the method of the invention.
[0103] It should be appreciated that the ink may be applied to the biscuit dough using any number of different methods. For example, a self-inking stamp and cutter may be used so that the inkpad is unnecessary. Alternatively, the biscuit dough may be cut separately and a separate stamp used to apply the ink to the biscuit dough. Still alternatively, the ink may be used with an automatic baking machine in which the ink is applied in an automated fashion.
[0104] The bakery product may be printed using a roller stamping method, a mechanical stamping method, stencil spraying and/or laser and ink jet printing techniques. The stamping surface may be selected from gun metal, brass, cast steel, natural rubber, synthetic rubber, and food grade elastomeric materials.
[0105] It is anticipated that if the above method employs a laser jet or ink jet printing apparatus it may be necessary lower the glycol content to less than 1% of the ink. The glycerol is required help the dye pigment to dry as a thin film but needs to be in sufficiently low concentrations to prevent fouling of the printing head. Without the glycerol the dye pigment dries as a powder during baking of the bakery product.
[0106] It will be appreciated by the person skilled in the art that the ink compositions described above may be altered or customised within the defined ranges to suit the various printing techniques, apparatus or stamp surfaces that may be utilised to apply the ink to a bakery product prior to baking.
[0107] The methods and inks described above may also be applied to bakery products for animal consumption, such as dog and cat biscuits.
[0108] It should be appreciated that various other changes and modifications may be made to the invention described without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. | The invention provides a method of marking bakery products including the steps of: mixing a bakery dough to make a bakery product; applying an ink to the bakery dough and baking the bakery dough to make the bakery product. The ink has a sufficiently low surface tension to prevent beading when applied to said bakery dough and comprises: glycerol between the percentages 0 to 60% by volume; solvent between the percentages 10 to 60% by volume; sucrose between the percentages 5 to 60% by volume; water between the percentages 1 to 55% by volume; and colouring agent between the percentages 0.5 to 20% by volume. | 2,823 |
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a decorative garment which can be worn in a wide variety of styles.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In the past, there have been numerous types of garments, such as ponchos, which are composed of a piece of fabric with an opening centrally arranged in it. Often such products are worn over the shoulders and are rectangular with a portion draping down over the front and rear of the wearer. This invention is of a somewhat similar structure; however, in its simplest form, it is composed of a decorative fabric, as opposed to a protective fabric, and, additionally, because of the versatility needed for the various styles in which the garment can be utilized, there is about the central opening, a pocket defining structure in which there is captivated a drawstring. Manipulation of the drawstring and, indeed, of the fabric itself of wnhich the garment is composed, provides for a wide variety of styles that can be achieved utilizing the garment. In an alternative embodiment, a cruciform sheet may be utilized which provides a further range of styles. It will be noted that there are no seams peripherally of the garment so that, preferably, it has a flowing draped characteristic which provides highly unusual and pleasing styles.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of this invention to provide a garment of the type described which is simple and inexpensive to manufactur, which is versatile and that a large number of styles may be achieved utilizing a single piece of fabric structured as set forth hereinafter.
In accordance with these and other objects, the instant invention will now be described on reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a plan view of the garment;
FIG. 2 is a plan view of an alternative embodiment of the garment; and
FIG. 3 is a third alternative embodiment of the decorative garment.
FIG. 4 is a view in cross-section taken on the plane indicated by the line 4--4 of FIG. 3 and looking in the direction of the arrows.
FIG. 5 is yet another alternate embodiment of the structure of the present invention being utilized as a drape for various objects.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Generally, as shown in FIG. 1, the decorative garment is designated by the numeral 12 and is seen to be composed of a sheet of fabric 14 which is rectangular in shape and which has a cutout 16 in the central zone of it. The cutout is bounded by a pocket defining structure 18, see also FIG. 4. Within this pocket defining peripheral structure about the cutout, there is provided a drawstring 118 which may be, either, of elastic or non-elastic material. In the preferred embodiment, the drawstring is not of elastic material. Also, end portions of drawstring 118 extend outwardly from an opening in the pocket for manipulation thereof. Extending outwardly from the cutout there are two pairs of opposing wing zones or portions. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, these wing portions are designated by the numerals 20 and 21 in the case of the first pair and, in the case of the second pair, these are designated by the numerals 24 and 26. It is seen that the pairs of wing zones are perpendicular to one another. This is indicated by an imaginary line through the center 28 of the garment and the center of each pair of right angularly arranged wing portions. These imaginary centerlines are designated by the numerals 29 and 30 and define lines of symmetry. In other words, the decorative garment is symmetrical with respect to these centerlines through the wing portions.
In a preferred embodiment, the distance around the periphery of the central cutout is about 44 inches. This is so that the garment may be positioned over the head and/or shoulders of a user, or, indeed, about the waist of a user.
In use, the garment is capable of being worn in a wide variety of styles. For example, it mauy be worn if rolled upon itself into a string as a belt or sash. Additionally, it may be worn as a cape, an overskirt, or in various ways over the shoulders of a wearer. It can also be utilized as a halter and generaly has a wide variety of optional uses whereby a wearer can adapt it for the particular type of garment preferred. Also as set forth in greater detail in FIG. 5, the garment can be converted and/or used as a drape for other objects. The fabric is preferably highly decorative and may be of silk or hand-painted. It will be noted that there are no seams except at the center which provides a flowing garment capable of being draped or gathered into a wide variety of styles.
In the preferred embodiment, the overall longitudinal dimension of the garment is about 6 foot while the transverse dimension is between 3 and 5 feet.
Referring now to FIG. 2, there is shown a similar garment 12' which differs from that previously described only in that the central cutout 16' is oval.
Referring to the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the sheet is of cruciform and preferably has an oval central opening. In this embodiment, the sheet 112 is provided with the oval opening 114 which is bounded by the pocket structure 116 in which there is a drawstring 118. The first pair of wing portions is designated by the numerals 120 and 122 while the second pair of wing portions are designated by the numerals 124 and 126. It is seen, once again, that a centerline through the center of the cutout and through the wing portions defines a line of symmetry with respect to each of the pairs of wing portions.
As shown in FIG. 4 the pocket structure 18 about the cutout may be composed of the edge 130. The cutout is folded back upon itself and stitched together as by the seam 132 so that the drawstring 134 may be captivated therein with the ends thereof extending outwardly through a suitable opening,not shown, for tightening the drawstring as also shown in FIG. 3.
FIG. 5 is directed to yet another embodiment of the present invention wherein the garment 12 is converted into a decorative drape positionable over various portions of a lampand/or lamp/table combination generally indicated as 100. In this embodiment, any of the structural configurations of the garment as appears in FIGS. 1, 2 or 3 can be utilized by draping such garment now generally indicated as 12" over a lampshade structure 102 such that the central orifice 18 substantially surrounds and engages the preferred upper periphery of the shade structure 102 in the manner shown in FIG. 5. The remainder or the body portion including both wing zones can then hang, due to gravity, along the outer surface of the shade 102 and to a certain extent or length therebeyond as generally indicated as 104. Alternately, a table portion of the lamp structure 100 now being generally indicated as 106 could have its underportion covered by the convertible garment/drape 12" wherein the cutout portion 18 surrounds a periphery of a horizontal platform or table surface 108 and extends downwardly therefrom in surrounding relation to any type of base used to support the planar table 108 on the floor or like supporting surface. It should be readily apparent therefore that the versatility of the garment 12', 12", 112, and 12" is increased due to the convertibility of the garment into a decorative drape for various objects or pieces of furniture as demonstrated in FIG. 5.
It is thus seen that there has been provided a simple, inexpensive, highly versatile decorative structure which can be worn as a garment in a wide variety of styles and which is either stored when not in use or used as a drape as demonstrated in the embodiment of FIG. 5.
While the instant invention has been shown and described in what is considered to be three practical and preferred embodiments, it is recognized that departures may be made within the spirit and scope of the claims which follow and this invention is therefore not to be limited except as set forth in the claims within the doctrine of equivalents. | A decorative garment comprising a sheet of fabric having a central opening therein sized for passage of the head, shoulders, or waist of a wearer. There is pocket structure about the cutout to accommodate a drawstring so that the size of the cutout may be varied. The garment is adapted to be draped over the body in a wide variety of fashions. | 1,452 |
REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/639,309, filed Aug. 14, 2000, which claims priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 60/148,913, filed Aug. 13, 1999; and is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/688,716, filed Oct. 16, 2000, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/638,726, filed Aug. 14, 2000, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,340,369. The entire content of each application is incorporated herein by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This invention relates generally to the treatment of intervertebral discs, and more particularly, to apparatus and methods for providing supplemental nutrition to intervertebral discs.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Intervertebral discs provide mobility and a cushion between the vertebrae. At the center of each disc is the nucleus pulposus which, in the adult human, is composed of cells and an insoluble extracellular matrix which is produced by the nucleus itself. The extracellular matrix is composed of collagen, proteoglycans, water, and noncollagenous proteins. The nucleus pulposus is surrounded by the annulus fibrosis, which is composed of cells (fibrocyte-like and chondrocyte-like), collagen fibers, and non-fibrillar extracellular matrix. The components of the annulus are arranged in 15-25 lamellae around the nucleus pulposus.
[0004] The cells of the nucleus pulposus have chondrocyte-like features. In an adult human, the cells of the nucleus pulposis obtain nutrients and eliminate waste by diffusion through blood vessels in the endplates of the vertebrae adjacent to the disc. Blood vessels do not course into the nucleus pulposis. The relative vascular isolation of the nucleus pulposis imparts isolation of nucleus pulposis cells from the body's immune system.
[0005] To date, the treatment of degenerative disc disease has relied for the most part on eliminating the defective disc or disc function. This may be accomplished by fusing the vertebra on either side of the disc. In terms of replacement, most prior-art techniques use synthetic materials to replace the entire disc or a portion thereof. My pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/415,382 discloses disc replacement methods and apparatus using synthetic materials.
[0006] Unfortunately, disc replacement using synthetic materials does not restore normal disc shape, physiology, or mechanical properties. Synthetic disc replacements tend to wear out, resulting in premature failure. The problems associated with the wear of prosthetic hip and knees are well known to those skilled in orthopedic surgery. The future of treating degenerative disc disease therefore lies in treatments which preserve disc function. If disc function could be restored with biologic replacement or augmentation, the risk of premature wearout would be minimized, if not eliminated.
[0007] However, some researchers believe the vertebral endplates of vertebrae involved in degenerative disc disease do not allow sufficient diffusion of nutrition to the disc cells. Diseased endplates could thus lead to death of the intradiscal cells. Accordingly, any technique capable of providing or augmenting the delivery of such nutrition would be welcomed by patients and the medical community.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] This invention is directed to a method of treating an intervertebral disc by providing supplemental nutrition to increase viability and longevity. In the preferred embodiment, the invention uses one or more porous stents that function to irrigate the disc space. The stents provide channels for diffusion of fluids and nutrients from the vertebral endplates. The stents may extend across the vertebral endplates to facilitate the transfer of nutrients and oxygen from the vertebral bodies.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0009] The invention resides in a methods and apparatus for providing nutrients to an intervertebral disc situated between the endplates of upper and lower vertebra. According to the method, a passageway is formed into the disc space. The process further includes the steps of placing a cannulated element in the passageway, and providing one or more substances beneficial to the intervertebral disc through the cannulated element. In the preferred embodiment, the cannulated elements take the form of porous stents which extend through the vertebral endplates.
[0010] The endplate stents according to the invention may be used to feed the disc cells within the disc naturally, and/or cells transplanted into the disc. In one application, transplanted disc tissue is placed around the disc stents at the time the disc tissue is added to the disc. Alternatively, the cells are grown in culture around the stents. In this way, the stents may support the growth of larger colonies of cells in cell culture. Given that colonies of cells grown in culture can reach a critical size where the cells in the center of the group can become deprived of nutrition, the stents would provide a channel for nutrients to the cells in the center of the colony.
[0011] In the embodiments involving the transplantation of biologic material in the form of nucleus pulposis cells or other tissues, live cells or tissues are harvested from a human or animal donor and introduced into the disc being treated. The harvested biologic materials are preferably kept viable until placed into the disc being treated. The harvested biologic materials may be introduced into the disc using any suitable transfer technique, including the formation of a passageway through the annulus fibrosis and the use of a needle and syringe or small cannula. Alternatively the step of transplanting may include percutaneously or laparoscopically injecting the cells or tissues into the disc being treated.
[0012] The invention may further include the use of an optional reservoir filled with therapeutic materials to aid the disc cells. For example, a refillable reservoir may be filled with cell-culture nutrients and placed in an accessible location under the skin of the flank. Other applicable therapeutic substances include, growth factors, differentiation factors, hydrogels, polymers, antibiotics, anti-inflammatory medications, or immunosuppressive medications.
[0013] If a transplanted nucleus pulposis is utilized, it is preferably harvested from a live human, though recently deceased human or animal donors may alternatively be used. Depending upon the extent of the harvest, the recipient may function at least in part as a donor, or the tissues from others, including fetal or embryo sources, may be used, preferably having a familial relationship to minimize or avoid the need for immunosuppressive substances. Guidelines for tissue procurement including surgical technique of removal, number of hours between death of the donor and tissue procurement, and testing of the donor for infectious disease, are well described in the literature.
[0014] Similarly, the guidelines for storage of living tissues are well known to those skilled in the art. The text “Organ Preservation for Transplantation” by Karow and Pego, 1981, describes such methods. Briefly, the tissue storage method must maintain cell viability and preserve sterility. Examples of present storage methods include: refrigeration, refrigeration with tissue culture medium such as: hemolyzed serum, autologous serum, Medium 199 with 5% dextran (McCarey-Kaufman medium), Medium 199 with chondroitin sulfate, Medium 199 supplemented with inorganic salts, short chain fatty acids, and/or ketone bodies, and cryopreservation techniques, among others. Details are provided in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,695,536 and 4,873,186, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
[0015] To minimize exposure to the recipient's immune system, the harvested nucleus pulposis is preferably inserted through a small hole in the annulus fibrosis using a blunttipped needle or cannula forced through the laminae. Upon withdraw of the needle, after injecting the transplanted nucleus pulposis, the separated fibers of the lamella return to their normal position, thereby sealing the annulus.
[0016] The annulus fibrosis is thicker in the anterior and lateral portion of the disc. Thus, the needle would preferably be inserted into the anterior or lateral portion of the disc. Those skilled in the art will realize the needle could be directed into the lateral portion of the disc percutaneously with fluourscopic guidance and into the anterior portion of the disc laparoscopically.
[0017] The host nucleus pulposis may be morselized to allow insertion into the disc through a small cannula or needle. The increased surface area of the nucleus pulposis after morsellization may also aid diffusion of nutrients and wastes products to and from transplanted disc cells. Alternatively large sections of the transplanted nucleus pulposis could be added to the disc if the annular defect was sealed after transplantation.
[0018] The transplanted nucleus is preferably added to the patient's nucleus pulposis. Alternatively, the patient's nucleus could be removed with standard techniques (enzymatically (chymopapain) or with the aid of a laser, suction device, shaver, or other surgical instrument). If the nucleus is removed the hole in the annulus should be small and sealed to prevent the ingrowth of vascular tissue. Vascular ingrowth could lead to a graft versus host reaction.
[0019] Additional therapeutic substances could be added to the transplanted nucleus. For example, resorbable culture medium, tissue growth or differentiation factors (recombinant generated morphogenetic proteins, PDGF, TGF-β, EGF/TGF-α, IGF-I, βFGF), hydrogels, absorbable or nonresorbable synthetic or natural polymers (collagen, fibrin, polyglycolic acid, polylactic acid, polytetrafluoroethylene, etc.), antibiotics, antiinflammatory medication, immunosuppressive medications, etc. could be beneficial. | An intervertebral disc is treated by providing supplemental nutrition to increase viability and longevity. In the preferred embodiment, the invention uses one or more porous stents that function to irrigate the disc space. The stents provide channels for diffusion of fluids and nutrients from the vertebral endplates. The stents may extend across the vertebral endplates to facilitate the transfer of nutrients and oxygen from the vertebral bodies. | 1,551 |
BACKGROUND
[0001] Sexual intercourse is a rewarding part of a healthy and active adult life. In the case of vaginal intercourse, the female physiology is particularly suited to facilitate the act through various changes that take place in the female reproductive system, including lengthening of the vaginal canal, contraction of the muscles surrounding the vagina, and secretions of several glands at the back of the vagina, secretions (sweating) directly from the interior vaginal wall, and secretion of the Bartholins glands at the entrance of the vagina, which secrete relatively minute amounts of fluid (one or two droplets of fluid when the female is sexually aroused). These minute droplets of fluid for lubrication were once believed to be important for lubricating the vagina, but research from Masters and Johnson demonstrated that vaginal lubrication comes primarily from deep within the vagina. The (Bartholins gland) fluid may slightly moisten the labial opening of the vagina, serving to make contact with this sensitive area more comfortable for the woman. Given the vast array of commercially available lubricants for external application, it is clear that for a variety of reasons, some herein discussed, the naturally secreted minor lubrication from the labial opening, is insufficient in many cases, to provide adequate lubrication, with the vast majority of secretions coming from deep within the vagina. All of these changes take place in a healthy female and promote a pleasurable experience for each participant.
[0002] While these changes in a woman's body occur during intercourse, many women complain about insufficient secretions causing vaginal discomfort and irritation during or after intercourse. In addition to the absence of the frequent vulvo-vaginal inflammatory-infectious conditions, and of the dryness and hypotrophy of these organs resulting from the post-menopausal estrogen fall, one of the causes for this vaginal irritation during and after intercourse, is vaginal penetration before women are adequately aroused. Considering that the first reaction of the female genitals to sexual excitement is vaginal lubrication, if a woman is penetrated without being properly aroused and, therefore, without the occurrence of the necessary physiological vaginal lubrication, several symptoms of vulvo-vaginal discomfort may occur. In addition, even when adequately aroused, many women suffer from insufficient lubrication for a variety of reasons, some of which have already been mentioned. Insufficient lubrication may also cause a degree of discomfort and irritation to the male penis.
[0003] Transudation is the process resulting in vaginal lubrication. When a female is sexually aroused, blood flows into the area surrounding the walls of the vagina in a process called vasocongestion. The pressure of the increased blood causes a seepage of moisture from the spaces between the cells. This moisture cresses the vaginal lining, first appearing as tiny droplets. Eventually, the fluid builds up in sufficient quantity to moisten the entire inner walls of the vagina. In the excitement phase, blood flow to the vagina increases which, in turn, pushes fluid into the vaginal canal. This lubricating process allows for comfortable penile insertion, and repetitive insertions during intercourse.
[0004] Natural cyclic hormonal alterations, stress, and the use of combined or progestin-only hormonal contraceptives, if applicable, affect the amount and the consistency of vaginal lubrication during normal daily activities and during sexual arousal. Many medications that women use to treat other conditions can adversely affect vaginal lubrication. These medications include antihistamines, anticholinergics, antihypertensives, and most psychoactive agents, particularly SSRIs and benzodiazepines. Women of any age have various reasons for augmenting their natural vaginal secretions with lubricants or moisturizers to facilitate comfort before, during, and after sexual activity. Additionally, repetitive penetration during intercourse may cause the drying out of the lubrication prior to the completion of the activity. Many men, as well as women, also prefer additional lubrication during sexual activity to increase both their and their partner's enjoyment of sexuality.
[0005] One problem with traditional methods and products for augmenting the body's natural lubrication system is that the lubricant is applied at the entrance to the vaginal (or anal) opening. This is unsatisfactory for several reasons. The female body's natural lubrication system secretes lubricant from deep inside the body lumen, where the act of intercourse spreads the lubricant along the walls of the vagina. If the lubricant is applied either to the penis or the entrance of the vagina, the large majority of the lubricant is sheared, and wiped off by the penetrating motion of the penis, greatly diminishing the lubricant's usefulness. Existing commercial products to augment a woman's natural lubrication system are applied, at or close to the vaginal opening, and cannot reproduce the body's design to lubricate from well within the body lumen. The present invention is intended to overcome this shortcoming.
[0006] A condom is a sheath that is closed on one end and worn over the penis during sexual intercourse. When used properly latex condoms can lower the risk of spreading many sexually transmitted diseases. More importantly, condoms do not have the serious side effects for their users that are sometimes associated with other birth control methods. Condoms generally come pre-lubricated but some condoms are lubricated more than others. Condoms without lubrication are also available. However, oil-based lubricants should never be used with latex and polyisoprene condoms because oil may weaken the condom material. While lubricated condoms are well known in the art, they suffer the same issue as discussed above, in that the lubrication can be driven off at the entrance of the body cavity by the tissue surrounding the entrance of the body cavity. The present invention seeks to overcome this shortcoming.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] The present invention is a lubricating condom that includes a parabolic, or U-shaped packet of lubrication affixed to the tip of the condom. When the condom is placed on the penis, the U-shaped packet of lubricant is preferably over the glans at the leading edge, where it can enter the cavity prior to the rest of the condom. Prior to intercourse, the packet can be pierced, pricked, or otherwise unsealed, slowly releasing lubrication from the tip of the condom at the back of, and all along, the body lumen. During intercourse, by the action of intercourse, pressure on the packet releases lubricant slowly and continuously inside the body cavity, where it is spread over the lumen walls by the condom. Because the lubricant is released inside the body cavity, the problem of the lubrication being wiped away during penetration and intercourse is obviated. In this manner, lubrication is released within the body cavity in a manner similar to the body's own lubrication system. The shape of the packet allows the condom's customary reservoir tip to sit in a void in the packet. As the pouch is depleted of the lubricating material, the intended space for the reservoir tip of the condom is made available for its intended purpose.
[0008] It should be noted that while the present invention is described herein with respect to the application of lubricant, it is to be understood that the present invention has other uses as well, including delivery of medicinal products, vitamins, nutrients, and other materials that from time to time need to be inserted into a body lumen. Accordingly, the invention is intended to encompass all such applications and uses, and is not to be limited to those described herein.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] The invention is described below in the detailed description of the preferred embodiments, which reference the following drawings accompanying this application.
[0010] FIG. 1 an elevated, perspective view of a condom and packet combination of the present invention in the rolled up state;
[0011] FIG. 2 is a top view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 ;
[0012] FIG. 3 an enlarged, elevated perspective view of the condom while deployed; and
[0013] FIG. 4 is an elevated perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 3 after the packet is depleted.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0014] FIGS. 1 through 3 illustrate a first preferred embodiment of the present invention characterized by a condom 10 that is similar to various condoms that are sold in the market today, and who's description and composition are well known in the art. The condom 10 is shown in the “rolled-up” condition looking down from above in FIG. 1 . In the compact or rolled-up condition, the material that forms the body of the condom is collected in a circumferential ring 12 , leaving an exposed top portion 14 . As can be seen in FIG. 2 , a reservoir tip 29 is located on the distal end of the condom 10 . In the condom 10 of the present invention, a separate, self-contained, U-shaped packet 20 is affixed to the top portion 14 of the condom 10 . The U-shaped packet 20 may be affixed by a biocompatible adhesive, heat melt, or other suitable mechanical attachment method, or pre manufactured as a multi-part ‘to be assembled’ condom set, or as a single compartmentalized condom, that will ensure that the packet 20 will remain affixed to the condom 10 throughout the act. The packet 20 may be sold separately from the condom 10 to be attached to the users condom of choice, or it may be sold as a condom with packet, multi-part set, or as pre manufactured compartmentalized single condom units. Manufacturing issues of latex condoms may make it more desirable to have a two-piece arrangement that are assembled prior to use, where the packet 20 is placed over the condom 10 with a quick acting biocompatible adhesive just prior to intercourse.
[0015] Although the packet can take various shapes, the preferred shape is a U-shaped configuration that includes a semi-spherical upper surface and has an underside that includes a void to accommodate the condom's reservoir tip. The lubricant containing packet can be prepared to release the contained fluid in various ways, although the most efficient is simply pricking the upper surface with a needle or pin 32 . Other means for releasing the lubricant include a small tab 25 that seals the upper surface of the packet 20 . The tab 25 can be pulled back prior to penetration, revealing a small hole 30 that allows lubricant inside the packet 20 to slowly leak out as the penis penetrates the body lumen. The hole 30 formed when the tab 25 is pulled back is correctly sized, so that the lubricant will be emitted slowly and continuously over the course of the act of intercourse, providing continuing lubrication during the act. Further, the lubrication will be dispensed inside the body cavity as opposed to outside the cavity, where it can be sheared off during penetration. In this manner, the condom 10 of the present invention lubricates the body lumen in a manner similar to the body's own lubrication system. Additionally, when the packet is pierced, a tiny amount of lubricant can begin to leak out providing lubricant at the entrance of the body lumen upon penetration, and continue to release lubricant well within the body lumen, as described.
[0016] An ordinary pin 32 (see FIG. 3 ) or a pin type object can be enclosed with the product, and can be used to prick the packet 20 to create a small seepage hole 30 a through which the lubricant can leak out, or the packet 20 can have one or more small pin holes that are covered by a small piece of tape or removable cover (not shown). The packet 20 may be sold as a separate item that is placed on the condom of the user's choice, either before unfurling the condom or after the condom is placed on the penis. In this example, the packet 20 will include a multipurpose adhesive that can reliably affix to latex, lubricated, non-lubricated, natural materials such as sheep skin or the like. The adhesive should be safe and bio-compatible so as not to cause irritation or damage to the involved tissues. A vegetable gum might be an example of a safe biocompatible adhesive. Moreover, the packet 20 can be filled with various lubricants that are known in the art.
[0017] As shown in FIG. 4 , the packet 20 creates a void as it emits the lubricant until the packet 20 is depleted. Typically condoms include a reservoir tip 29 to collect semen that is ejaculated. The condom's reservoir tip in the present invention can thus replace the void created by the empty packet once the lubricant is expelled therefrom. This exchange allows the condom 10 of the present invention to create virtually no more space than existing condoms while adding a unique and beneficial lubrication function. In this manner, the condom of the present invention is an advance in the art.
[0018] The embodiments just described and depicted in the accompanying drawings are not intended to be limited, but rather exemplary of the modes and uses of the present invention. It is to be understood that various modifications and alternate uses are envisioned, and the present invention is intended to encompass all such modifications and alternate uses as would be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. | A condom that includes a lubrication packet affixed thereto, the lubrication packet occupying a space that coincides with a fluid receptacle. The packet is filled with lubricant and the integrity of the packet is breached prior to intercourse, releasing the lubricant inside the body lumen over a period of time. Once the packet is substantially depleted, a void created by the depleted packet can be used by the receptacle. | 2,248 |
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
This is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/151,800, filed Jun. 2, 2011, which is a nonprovisional of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/350,826, filed Jun. 2, 2010, both of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference.
This is a nonprovisional of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61,438,077, filed Jan. 31, 2011, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.
Priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/350,826, filed Jun. 2, 2010, incorporated herein by reference, is hereby claimed.
Priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/438,077, filed Jan. 31, 2011, incorporated herein by reference, is hereby claimed.
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
Not applicable
REFERENCE TO A “MICROFICHE APPENDIX”
Not applicable
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to food grilling racks that can be used to contain food and then be placed upon a cooking surface such as an outdoor grilling surface. The present invention also relates to a method and apparatus for stuffing a selected food stuffing into a food item such as a pepper or other vegetable food item. More particularly, the present invention relates to an apparatus that holds a volume of food stuffing material (e.g., a rice based stuffing, cheese based stuffing or a mixture of meat and cheese and possibly other food items).
2. General Background of the Invention
Food items are often placed upon a perforated plate, which is then placed upon a barbecue pit, outdoor grill or other outdoor cooking surface. Such perforated plates are commercially available. At times, they are provided with handles for enabling a user to lift and move the plate before and after use. It is common and known to grill a number of different food items on such perforated grilling plates, such as onions, peppers, corn, and other food items.
Some food items such as jalapeno peppers or bell peppers can be stuffed with food items such as a breaded mixture of rice and meat or seafood. In such a case, users often cut the pepper transversely or longitudinally and fill each of the cut halves with a selected stuffing or filling.
One of the problems with the prior art grilling racks is that the food items can often fall in between the openings or become stuck in the openings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
For a further understanding of the nature, objects, and advantages of the present invention, reference should be had to the following detailed description, read in conjunction with the following drawings, wherein like reference numerals denote like elements and wherein:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a partially cut away perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along lines 3 - 3 of FIG. 2 ;
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention showing the upper plate removed;
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention;
FIG. 6 is a sectional view of an alternate embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention taken along lines 6 - 6 of FIG. 5 ;
FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention;
FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention;
FIG. 9 is a partial sectional view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention showing the food dispensing funnel;
FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention showing the food dispensing plunger or push rod;
FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention showing the food dispensing plunger and push rod;
FIGS. 12-13 are sectional views illustrating the method of the present invention; and
FIG. 14 is a perspective view illustrating the method of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
FIGS. 1-4 show a preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention designated generally by the numeral 10 . Grilling rack 10 is in the form of a two part frame 11 which can be metallic (e.g., aluminum or stainless steel). Frame 11 has a lower section 12 and an upper section 13 . Upper section 13 is a removable plate that can be perforated or apertured.
The upper section or plate 13 can be in the form of a perforated plate that can be removed from the lower section 12 by lifting the upper section 13 upwardly. Lower section 12 has a corrugated bottom panel 20 (see FIGS. 2-4 ) that has troughs 21 and peaks 22 (See FIGS. 2-3 ). Bottom panel 20 can be of a mesh material (e.g., stainless steel mesh) or of solid plate metal (e.g., stainless steel). Lower section 12 can be generally rectangular, providing side walls 14 , 15 and end walls 16 , 17 . Each end wall 16 , 17 can be provided with a handle. End wall 16 has a handle 23 . End wall 17 has a handle 24 . Each trough 21 and peak 22 is connected with an inclined panel 25 . (See FIG. 4 .) While multiple troughs 21 are shown, a single trough 21 could be provided on an elongated lower section 12 having a single row of openings 19 in an upper section 13 (as an alternate embodiment).
The upper section or plate 13 nests within the side walls 14 , 15 and end walls 16 , 17 and rests upon the plurality of peaks 22 of corrugated bottom panel 20 (see FIGS. 1-3 ). The lower section 12 can be of welded metal construction including troughs 21 which can be formed of sections of angle members, flanged members or the like that are welded together. Alternatively, a single sheet of material can be corrugated to the shape of lower section 12 using a stamp or die.
Each trough 21 has a trough 21 lower end 26 that is centered upon the center 27 of an opening 19 as seen by referring to reference line 28 in FIG. 3 . In this fashion, when an elongated food item (such as an elongated pepper 18 ) is placed in an opening 19 , the lower end of the pepper 18 also registers in the V-shaped trough 21 and more particularly in the lower most portion 26 thereof (see FIG. 3 ).
When grilling stuffed elongated peppers (e.g., a jalapeno), the upper section or plate 13 is placed upon the lower section 12 (see FIGS. 1-3 ). Notice in FIG. 3 that the center 27 of each opening 19 is vertically aligned with the lowest end 26 of a trough 21 as indicated by the dotted reference line 28 in FIG. 3 . Lower end 29 of pepper 18 rests in lower end 26 of trough 21 . Circular edge 30 that defines each opening 19 engages and supports pepper 18 in between its upper end 39 and lower end 29 as seen in FIGS. 2-3 . Upper section or plate 13 is shown having an array of openings 19 . In FIGS. 1-2 , there are seven rows of openings 19 , six openings 19 in each row. However, more or fewer rows can be provided. Each row can provide any selected number of openings 19 .
In FIGS. 5-8 , an alternate version of the grilling rack is designated by the numeral 10 A in FIGS. 5-6 and 8 and numeral 10 B in FIG. 7 . For the racks 10 A- 10 B, there is no upper section or plate 13 .
In FIGS. 5, 6, and 8 , the rack 10 A includes a pair of cylinders or cylindrically shaped members or receptacles 31 . Each cylinder 31 has an open top 32 and an interior 33 for holding a vegetable or other food item or a container of seasoning such as an opened can 34 of any selected beverage. Rack 10 B in FIG. 7 provides only cylinder 31 . Each receptacle 31 is attached to corrugated bottom panel 20 . Receptacle 31 can be placed anywhere on the rack 10 A. Panel 20 can be a single sheet of corrugated material or a plurality of tapered or V-shaped members welded together. Corrugated panel 20 can have handles 23 , 24 connected thereto (e.g., welded).
The present invention provides an improved grilling rack apparatus that enables a user to cook many food items including elongated peppers that have been stuffed with a filler or filling. For the embodiment of FIGS. 4-8 , food item 35 such as poultry can be supported upon (e.g. skewered) a cylinder 31 that contains flavoring (e.g. opened can 34 of any selected liquid or spices or vegetables). Arrow 36 in FIG. 8 illustrates placement of can 34 within interior 33 of cylinder 31 via open top 32 . A food item 35 such as a chicken can be placed over (e.g., skewered) the combination of opened can 34 and cylinder 31 as indicated by arrows 37 in FIG. 8 . Such final position of the food item (e.g., poultry carcass, chicken, etc.) is designated as 38 in FIG. 8 wherein the can 34 (or other spice or flavoring) occupies interior 33 of cylinder/receptacle 31 and the food item 35 is skewered over both cylinder 31 and the contained can 34 or spice or flavoring. Receptacle 31 can be placed anywhere on the rack 10 B.
FIGS. 9-11 show the food dispensing funnel, plunger, push rod. FIGS. 12-14 show the method of the present invention. In FIG. 11 there is a food stuffing apparatus, designated generally by the numeral 40 . Food stuffing apparatus 40 includes a receptacle or funnel 41 that can contain a volume of a selected food stuffing 58 (e.g., rice or cheese or meat based stuffing or dressing). Receptacle 41 can be of metallic (e.g., stainless steel) or plastic (e.g., any food grade plastic) construction. This food stuffing or dressing 58 can be added to interior 53 of receptacle 41 via an open top 44 at upper end portion 43 . The receptacle 41 has upper end portion 43 and lower end portion 45 . Tapered portion 47 joins upper end portion 43 to lower end portion 45 . (See FIGS. 9, 11 .)
Upper end portion 43 can include a circular rim or edge 56 . A dispensing outlet opening 46 is provided at lower end portion 45 . Receptacle 41 can be manually supported and manipulated using handle 42 which is attached to the outer surface of receptacle 41 at attachments 54 , 55 . (See FIGS. 9, 11 .)
Plunger 48 has head 49 with lower end portion 50 . Head 49 has a circular, generally flat end surface 51 . Plunger 48 has a handle 57 attached at joint 52 to plunger head 49 . Head 49 can be generally cylindrically shaped or can have a taper as shown in FIG. 10 . Outlet opening 46 has a circular configuration that closely matches the size and shape of end surface 51 of plunger 48 . Outlet opening 46 can be of the same diameter or slightly larger in diameter than plunger 48 surface 51 . Head 49 is preferably of a food grade plastic or metal material. Handle 57 can be of wood, plastic or metal.
FIGS. 12-14 illustrate more particularly the method of the present invention. In FIGS. 12-14 , there can be seen an array 67 of peppers 18 placed in grilling rack 10 . As shown in the FIGS. 1-8 and as discussed in the preceding, corresponding text, the grilling rack 10 has a lower section 12 , upper section 13 , a plurality of openings 19 and a corrugated bottom panel 20 . Each pepper 18 is first cut using a knife to form a transverse cut 63 and a pepper opening 64 through which food stuffing can enter the pepper cavity 65 . The cavity 65 extends between pepper opening 64 and lower end 66 as shown in FIGS. 12 and 13 .
After each pepper 18 is cut to provide the pepper opening 64 and to expose cavity 65 , the pepper 18 is placed on rack 10 with opening 64 facing up as shown in FIG. 14 . Once each of the openings 19 of rack 10 is fitted with a pepper 18 as shown in FIG. 14 , a user fills each pepper 18 cavity 65 with food stuffing 58 of the user's choice. During the filling of each pepper 18 cavity 65 with food stuffing 58 , a user positions one hand 61 to hold the handle 42 of receptacle or funnel 41 . The user grasps plunger 48 with the other hand 60 as shown in FIG. 14 . An up and down movement of the plunger 48 relative to the receptacle 41 forces the stuffing 58 through the cylindrically shaped channel 62 at lower end portion 45 of receptacle 41 .
FIG. 12 illustrates a downward movement of plunger 48 as indicated by arrow 59 wherein stuffing 58 is pushed by plunger head 49 through lower end 45 , through channel 62 , and into pepper 18 cavity 65 . Note in FIG. 12 that the lower end portion 45 of receptacle 41 is sized and shaped to fit inside of pepper 18 lower end of cavity 66 . The external diameter of lower end portion 45 at dispensing outlet opening 46 is preferably about the same diameter or is a smaller diameter when compared to the diameter of pepper opening 64 . This arrangement can be seen in FIGS. 12 and 13 .
By using the method of the present invention, a user can prepare an entire array 67 of peppers upon grilling rack 10 for placement in a cooking device, oven, barbeque pit, or the like.
The method of the present invention enables an entire array 67 of peppers to be supported in a position that places the lower end portion of the pepper in trough 21 of grilling rack 10 while orienting the transversely cut pepper opening 64 upwardly. In this fashion, the opening 64 easily receives lower end portion 45 and opening 46 of receptacle 41 as shown in FIG. 12 . The user raises and lowers the plunger 48 repeatedly to push food stuffing into cylindrically shaped channel 62 and then into cavity 65 until the pepper 18 cavity 65 is filled with stuffing as shown in FIGS. 12 and 13 . In FIG. 14 , most of the peppers 18 have been stuffed with food stuffing 58 . A final row at 68 shows six peppers 18 that have not yet been filled with food stuffing 58 . Once the user fills the cavity 65 of each pepper 18 , the array 67 of peppers supported upon rack 10 are placed in heat transfer contact with a selected cooking device, smoker, camp fire, barbeque pit, oven or the like.
PARTS LIST
The following is a list of parts and materials suitable for use in the present invention:
Parts Number Description
10 grilling rack
10 A grilling rack
10 B grilling rack
11 frame
12 lower section
13 upper section/plate
14 side wall
15 side wall
16 end wall
17 end wall
18 pepper
19 opening
20 corrugated bottom panel
21 trough
22 peak
23 handle
24 handle
25 inclined panel
26 lower end
27 center of opening
28 reference line
29 lower end
30 circular edge
31 cylinder/receptacle
32 open top
33 interior
34 can
35 food item
36 arrow
37 arrow
38 position
39 upper end
40 food stuffer/food stuffing apparatus
41 receptacle/funnel
42 handle
43 upper end portion
44 open top
45 lower end portion
46 dispensing outlet opening
47 tapered portion
48 plunger
49 plunger head
50 lower end portion
51 flat, circular end surface
52 joint
53 interior
54 attachment
55 attachment
56 rim/edge
57 handle
58 food stuffing
59 arrow
60 user's hand
61 user's hand
62 cylindrically shaped channel
63 transverse cut
64 pepper opening
65 cavity
66 lower end of cavity
67 array of peppers
68 final row
All measurements disclosed herein are at standard temperature and pressure, at sea level on Earth, unless indicated otherwise. All materials used or intended to be used in a human being are biocompatible, unless indicated otherwise.
The foregoing embodiments are presented by way of example only; the scope of the present invention is to be limited only by the following claims. | A food grilling rack provides a frame defined by a plurality of connected side walls forming a closed geometric shape. The frame includes a lower corrugated sheet that provides multiple troughs, each trough having a lowest portion. The lower sheet is attached to at least some of the side walls. An upper sheet is supported (e.g., removably) above the lower sheet. There are a plurality of openings in the upper sheet, each opening being vertically aligned with a lowest portion of a trough. A food stuffing apparatus provides a receptacle having an interior, an upper end portion with a larger opening and a lower end portion with a smaller opening, and a tapering portion in between the upper and lower end portions. A plunger is provided having a head, a lower end portion with a shaft having a lower pushing surface and a joint, joining the head to the shaft. | 2,943 |
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
It has long been recognized that a syringe employed for withdrawing a liquid from an ampule or the like and ejecting such liquid into a medical solution such as an intravenous solution may also inject contaminants into the solution which may then be introduced into the blood stream of a person. At least as early as 1920 there was proposed in U.S. Pat. No. 1,363,128 an improvement in "Injection syringe" for the purpose of eliminating or at least minimizing the danger of drawing a contaminant into a human body so as to guard against "suppuration or any other detrimental effect." This problem has, however, persisted and more modern solutions thereof may be found in recently issued patents such as U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,736,932 and 3,938,513, for example. These latter devices and those of similar kind employ movable needle mounting, for example, or particularly constituted or configured filters which limit their widespread applicability.
There exists a need for a very simple and inexpensive unit for filtering all fluids expelled from an injection syringe, so as to positively preclude ejection of filterable contaminants therefrom. Furthermore, such a unit should require no separate operation or manipulation for the human persons employing syringes in filling and ejecting fluids therefrom may otherwise fail to employ the safeguard so that no practical advantage results therefrom.
The present invention provides a remarkably practicable solution to the problems identified above, and may be employed even by untrained personnel to produce truly superior protection of the person being administered a fluid from a syringe unit including the present invention.
SUMMARY
The present invention is provided as a physically small unit or device which removably attaches to the head of a syringe in conventional manner and which carries a forwardly extending needle. The physical aspects of the present invention are thus substantially identical to conventional disposable needle units. In addition, the present invention provides for automatically filtering fluid ejected by the syringe through the needle mounted therein irrespective of the volume of fluid which may be introduced into the syringe.
The unit of this invention is adapted to carry a forwardly projecting hollow needle and to sealingly engage the front of a syringe, all in relatively conventional manner of disposable needle mounting or attachment to a syringe. Within the unit of the present invention there is very simply provided a first passage leading from the inner end of the needle to the syringe and normally closed by a one-way valve admitting fluid flow only from the needle to syringe. Within the unit there is also provided a second passage extending from the forward or outlet end of the syringe to the needle and including not only a one-way valve admitting of fluid flow only from syringe to needle, but also a filtering material in such second passage.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES
The present invention is illustrated as to one particular preferred embodiment thereof in the accompanying drawing, wherein:
FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a syringe having a detachable needle mounting unit which may incorporate the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view in the plane 2--2 of FIG. 1 through the unit removably connecting a needle to the syringe proper;
FIG. 3 is a transverse sectional view taken in the plane 3--3 of FIG. 2; and FIGS. 4 and 5 are illustrations in the plane of FIG. 2 illustrating syringe operations to draw fluids therein and to discharge fluids therefrom, respectively.
DESCRIPTION
The present invention is particularly adapted to employment with a conventional syringe 11 as shown in FIG. 1. The syringe 11 includes a barrel 12 within which there is disposed a longitudinally movable plunger or piston 13 that may be manually operated by withdrawal to draw a fluid into the barrel at a front opening and by depression to expel fluid from the front of the barrel. Conventional practice provides a disposable mounting unit 16 which is adapted for removable attachment to the forward end of the syringe barrel 12. The unit 16 conventionally carries a hollow needle 17 extending axially forward therefrom and communicating with the front end of the syringe barrel. It will be appreciated that the retraction of the plunger 13 in the syringe 11 will produce a suction at the needle 17 so as to draw a fluid contacted by the needle 17 into the barrel of the syringe. Subsequently, physical depression of the plunger 13 in the barrel 12 of the syringe 11 will cause a fluid disposed in such barrel to be forced outwardly therefrom through the adapter 16 and thence through the needle attached thereto.
Conventional operation of an injection or hypodermic syringe provides for loading or filling thereof by drawing a fluid therein through the needle, as described above. It has long been recognized that fluid drawn into a syringe may possibly contain contaminants which may thus be drawn into the syringe and subsequently discharged through the syringe needle into an intravenous (IV) solution, for example. Injection of contaminants of any type or kind into an IV solution and thus eventually into the blood stream, for example, is at least injurious and may prove to be fatal. The present invention precludes this possibility with apparatus that is quite inexpensive and even more importantly is operated in exactly the same manner as conventional syringes so that the likelihood or even possibility of human error or laxness will not reduce the effectiveness of the invention.
Referring again to the drawing, there will be seen to be shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 a preferred embodiment of the present invention incorporated in the adapter 16.
The adapter 16 includes a housing or body 21 having a small diameter aperture or bore 22 extending therein from the front end of the adapter and dimensioned to receive and retain the rear end of the hollow needle 17. Within the body 21 the bore 22 branches into two relatively parallel passages 23 and 24 which extend to a rear opening 26 in the housing.
A hollow cylindrical portion 27 extends from the rear of the housing 21 with the opening 26 conically expanding through this portion to receive a hollow conical forward extension 28 of the syringe barrel 12. The adapter and syringe are removably joined by this mating conical or tapered connection which is commonly termed a lure lock. Alternative connections may be made; however, the one shown and described is conventional and is commonly employed by those employing disposable needles with syringes.
The adapter of the present invention provides one passage 23 for drawing fluid into the syringe and a second passage 24 for ejecting fluid from the syringe. This directed flow is herein achieved by providing a one-way or check valve 31 in the passage 23 wherein such valve admits of fluid flow only into the syringe barrel and positively prevents fluid flow in the opposite direction through the passage 23. In the passage 24 there is also provided a one-way check valve 32 which admits of fluid flow out of the syringe barrel but positively prevents fluid flow into the syringe. In accordance with the present invention there is also provided a fluid filter 33 in one of the adapter passages 23 or 24 and the filter is shown to be preferably disposed in passage 24 on the syringe side of the valve 32. By the illustrated location of the filter 33 maximum protection is afforded by the present invention, inasmuch as any and all fluid forced into the needle from the syringe must then pass through the filter for removal of any contaminants. This filter location will be seen to provide for removal even of contaminants that might have resided in the syringe barrel before the fluid was drawn therein for ejection.
The valves 31 and 32 may be formed as shown in FIG. 3, and referring to valve 31, it will be seen to be comprised as a disc 41 disposed in an expanded portion 42 of the passage 23 and normally resting against an annular shoulder 43 between the expanded portion 42 of the passage and a portion 44 of lesser diameter. The larger or expanded portion 42 of the passage extends from the rear opening 26 to the shoulder 43 and the small portion 44 extends therefrom to the front bore 22 in the adapter body 21. The disc 41 is mounted to pivot or bend away from the shoulder 43 as indicated, for example, in FIG. 4. One part of the edge or periphery of the disc is secured to the wall of the passage portion 42 or to the shoulder 43 and the disc may be flexible to bend, as shown. The disc 41 normally seats against the shoulder 43 so as to close the passage 23 as illustrated in FIG. 3. Any pressure exerted to the left on the disc 41 as shown in FIG. 2, i.e., away from the syringe end of the adapter, will only more tightly seal the disc 41 against the shoulder 43. On the other hand a suction applied to the right side of the disc 41 as shown in FIG. 2, as by retraction of a syringe plunger, will cause the disc 41 to pivot or bend away from the shoulder 43 to admit fluid flow through the valve 31.
The other valve 32 may be likewise formed by a disc 51 disposed in an expanded portion 52 of the passage 24 communicating with the needle bore 22 and normally disposed in sealing engagement with a shoulder 53 about the inner end of the expanded portion 52 and a smaller portion 54 of the passage 24 extending into communication with the rear opening 26. The valve 32 is operable to pass a fluid under pressure from the syringe 11 to the needle 17 as by deflection or pivoting of the disc 51 and to positively prevent fluid flow in the opposite direction.
It will be appreciated that the one-way valves of the present invention may be formed in a variety of different ways and the illustrated and described structure is only exemplary although advantageous. It is also possible to form the adapter housing in a variety of different ways and from various different materials. The preferred embodiment of the invention illustrated is formed of a plastic material that may, for example, be molded as separate halves and joined together after valve disc insertion.
Operation of the present invention is quite clear from the foregoing description of the elements of a preferred embodiment of the invention. There are, however, illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5 the operations of the present invention during filling or loading of a syringe equipped with the present invention, and discharge of fluid therefrom as by injection of a medicament into a bottle containing an IV solution, for example. FIG. 4 shows the position and relation of elements hereof during the drawing of fluid into a syringe, as from an ampule 61 that has had the top thereof broken off in conventional manner to provide access to the fluid therein. Such an ampule may inadvertently contain small shards of glass from breaking the top therefrom, for example. Suction in the passage 23 produced by drawing the plunger 13 rearwardly in the syringe 11 causes the disc 41 of the valve 31 to be deflected or pivoted away from the shoulder or valve seat 43, as shown in FIG. 4, to open the passage 23 to the flow of fluid from the ampule into the syringe. This fluid flow is indicated by the arrows in FIG. 4 and it will be seen that the aforementioned suction serves to even more tightly seal the valve 32 in the passage 24 so that no fluid can traverse this passage.
Discharge of a fluid from a syringe equipped with the present invention is illustrated in FIG. 5 wherein the plunger 13 of the syringe is being forced into the barrel as indicated by the large arrow and fluid pressure is thus being exerted in the upper ends of the adapter passages 23 and 24. Pressure applied above valve 31 in passage 23 will tightly seal the valve disc 41 against the shoulder or valve seat 43. Pressure applied above valve 32 in passage 24 will pivot or deflect the disc 51 of the valve 32 away from the shoulder or valve seat 53 to open this passage for the discharge of fluid therethrough to and thence through the needle 17. Fluid forced under pressure through adapter passage 24 must pass through the filter 33 which removes any and substantially all foreign particles from the fluid. The filter 33 may be comprised of a wide variety of different porous materials through which a fluid may be forced and which has the property of entrapping and retaining solids that may be carried by the fluid forced therethrough. It will be appreciated that the material of filter 33 need not be provided as a dimensionally stable element nor need the filter have any particular structural properties other than the general capability of filling the entire cross section of the passage 24 in order to insure that all fluid discharged from the syringe is, in fact, filtered. The filter 33 may, for example, be comprised simply of a fibrous material such as cotton or cellulosic material "stuffed" into the passage 24 and generally the filter may be most easily inserted in the upper portion 54 of the passage 24, as shown.
The present invention, as described above, will be seen to provide a simple but highly effective system for preventing the injection of impurities or foreign bodies into an IV solution or a human being, for example. In FIG. 5 the syringe needle 17 is shown to be inserted into an IV bottle 66 through a diaphragm 67 disposed across the top thereof as an example, and the needle might also be inserted into the body of a person. Even a minute particle entrained in the fluid injected into the body of a person may be seriously injurious or even fatal, and the present invention positively precludes this occurrence. Of further importance is the certainty of use and proper operation of the present invention to thus insure attainment of the desired result despite the presence of human error and resistance to change. Although relatively trained personnel normally are employed to fill injection syringes with fluids and to inject fluids with such syringes, it is well known that the human being is resistant to change and is prone to error in executing normal operations wherein minor changes from normal may be required. These problems are now existent in the field of the present invention wherein prior art devices intended to produce the same or similar results as the present invention fail to do so because of the human factor. Failure to take certain actions or to make certain necessary adjustments or the like may and in fact does result in failure to properly filter fluids injected into IV solutions, for example in doctors' offices and hospitals.
The present invention, on the other hand, is entirely "invisible" to the user. A technician, pharmacist, vocational nurse, registered nurse or even a medical doctor may fail to follow particular deviations in long established procedures which would ensure complete filtration of all fluids injected with prior art devices. The present invention ensures complete filtration without the operator in any way deviating from normal or standard operating procedures and in fact without any discernible change of equipment so that the operator "automatically" produces the proper results. It is indeed a practical and highly useful result that is achieved by the present invention.
The present invention has been illustrated and described with respect to a particular preferred embodiment hereof; however, it is not intended to limit the invention to the precise terms of description or details of illustration, for it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that numerous variations and modifications may be made within the spirit and scope of the invention. | A simple device which attaches to an injection syringe for preventing possible contaminants in a fluid drawn into the syringe from being expelled therefrom into an intravenous solution, for example. The device hereof is simply comprised as a needle holder adapted for removable attachment to a syringe barrel for accepting the flow of a liquid into the syringe during loading of same and which automatically filters such liquid dispensed from the syringe through the needle. | 2,758 |
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