57 results about "Flexible collar" patented technology

System and methods are disclosed for fluid measurements which may be utilized to determine mass flow rates such as instantaneous mass flow of a fluid stream. In a preferred embodiment, the present invention may be utilized to compare an input mass flow to an output mass flow of a drilling fluid circulation stream. In one embodiment, a fluid flow rate is determined by utilizing a microwave detector in combination with an acoustic sensor. The acoustic signal is utilized to eliminate 2 pi phase ambiguities in a reflected microwave signal. In another embodiment, a fluid flow rate may be determined by detecting a phase shift of an acoustic signal across two different predetermined transmission paths. A fluid density may be determined by detecting a calibrated phase shift of an acoustic signal through the fluid. In another embodiment, a second acoustic signal may be transmitted through the fluid to define a particular 2pi phase range which defines the phase shift. The present invention may comprise multiple transmitters / receivers operating at different frequencies to measure instantaneous fuel levels of cryogenic fuels within containers positioned in zero or near zero gravity environments. In one embodiment, a moveable flexible collar of transmitter / receivers may be utilized to determine inhomogenuities within solid rocket fuel tubes.

System and methods are disclosed for fluid measurements which may be utilized to determine mass flow rates such as instantaneous mass flow of a fluid stream. In a preferred embodiment, the present invention may be utilized to compare an input mass flow to an output mass flow of a drilling fluid circulation stream. In one embodiment, a fluid flow rate is determined by utilizing a microwave detector in combination with an acoustic sensor. The acoustic signal is utilized to eliminate 2pi phase ambiguities in a reflected microwave signal. In another embodiment, a fluid flow rate may be determined by detecting a phase shift of an acoustic signal across two different predetermined transmission paths. A fluid density may be determined by detecting a calibrated phase shift of an acoustic signal through the fluid. In another embodiment, a second acoustic signal may be transmitted through the fluid to define a particular 2pi phase range which defines the phase shift. The present invention may comprise multiple transmitters / receivers operating at different frequencies to measure instantaneous fuel levels of cryogenic fuels within containers positioned in zero or near zero gravity environments. In one embodiment, a moveable flexible collar of transmitter / receivers may be utilized to determine inhomogenuities within solid rocket fuel tubes.

A pet collar with an integral, retractable leash mechanism includes a flexible collar portion with a releasable buckle and means for length adjustment. A retractable cable is contained in a housing mounted on the collar. The retractable cable is normally biased to retract into the housing, but can be prevented from retracting by engaging a manual lock, so that the cable may be used as a leash. The cable terminates in a swivel attachment, which is itself connected to a hand strap portion. The hand strap includes means for releasable attachment to itself and to the collar, so that the hand strap may be secured flush against the collar when not in use.

An immersion bag system for use with an ultrasound probe to overcome near field artifact includes a flexible thin wall thickness immersion bag with an attached flexible collar having an integral internal seal. The immersion bag contains a gel or other ultrasound transmission medium and is sealingly and removably attached to the tip end of an ultrasound probe by use of the flexible collar having the integral internal seal. The immersion bag is able to conform to a cornea as well as to other surfaces whether flat or irregular, thereby enabling an ultrasound probe to be used easily on such surfaces. An ultrasound probe in use with the immersion bag system is maintained at a distance above the contact surface of the immersion bag and is positionable about the vertical axis while the immersion bag maintains stationary conformal contact with the structure against which it is in contact.

An improved durable golf tee comprises a separate upper portion and a separate lower portion that are axially aligned and enclosed within a flexible collar. The upper portion has an upper end for supporting a golf ball, an upper shank and a lower end having an upper annular flange. The lower portion has a pointed lower end for inserting the tee into the ground, a lower shank and an upper end having a lower annular flange. The flexible collar encloses the lower end of the upper portion and the upper end of the lower portion, forming an integral golf tee, whereby the upper portion and the lower portion are independently flexible within the collar.In a second embodiment, the interior tee portions are molded as a single tee component having the upper portion and the lower portion interconnected by a reduced-diameter (break-away) center portion. The center portion and the respective inner ends of the upper and lower portions are enclosed within the flexible collar. Once the break-away center portion is fractured, the upper portion and the lower portion are independently flexible within the flexible collar.The durable golf tee is formed by a method including the steps of: molding the upper portion and lower portion of a strong, tough plastic (nylon) material; and over-molding the upper shank, upper flange, lower shank, and lower flange with a flexible (rubber) collar.

A footwear upper having a collar assembly that is joined at its forward edge to the lower portion of the upper by a flexible region of material so that the collar may flex forward and rearward in relation to the lower portion of the upper. In one aspect of the invention, the upper includes a neck portion that is telescopically overlapped by the collar. In another aspect, the upper includes a gusset that extends between the lower portion and the collar, with at least a portion of the gusset being substantially hidden from view.

A method for installation of a flexible resin impregnable liner for lining a lateral pipe which leads into a main pipe having at one end a flexible collar for installation at the location where the lateral liner meets the main, wherein after installation the collar extends along the interior of the main seating against the opening of the lateral. The flexible liner is installed by inserting the liner into the lateral pipe and using fluid under pressure to expand the lining against the lateral wall to form seals with the collar at the lateral / main pipe junction.

A collapsible bowl made of pliable materials that can be flattened or configured into an easily disposable or reusable bowl. A flexible collar is also provided which used with a sealable plastic baggy produces a collapsible bowl.

A lighter-holder apparatus for use with a water pipe involving a flexible collar. The flexible collar includes a gripping feature for accommodating a lighter and a hooking feature for facilitating disposition of the apparatus around the water pipe. The hooking feature is coupled with the gripping feature.

An immersion bag system for use with an ultrasound probe to overcome near field artifact includes a flexible thin wall thickness immersion bag with an attached flexible collar having an integral internal seal. The immersion bag contains a gel or other ultrasound transmission medium and is sealingly and removably attached by a mutually formed probe / seal valve to the tip end of an ultrasound probe. The immersion bag is able to conform to a cornea, as well as to other surfaces, whether flat or irregular, thereby enabling an ultrasound probe to be used easily on such surfaces. An ultrasound probe in use with the immersion bag system is maintained at a distance above the contact surface of the immersion bag and is positionable about the vertical axis while the immersion bag maintains stationary conformal contact with the structure against which it is in contact.

An inflatable evacuation slide system includes a slide pack that is ejected from its enclosure by means of an ejection bag, which inflates rapidly to force the evacuation slide out of the enclosure. The high accelerations imposed on the uninflated evacuation slide by the ejection bag make the slide prone to tearing on the edge of the fuselage as the slide pack is forced through the opening. Accordingly, the enclosure is provided with a chafing skirt, which comprises a flexible collar that deploys outward from the enclosure and lays flat against the aircraft fuselage to provide a smooth transition region between the enclosure and the aircraft skin.

A footwear upper having a collar assembly that is joined at its forward edge to the lower portion of the upper by a flexible region of material so that the collar may flex forward and rearward in relation to the lower portion of the upper. In one aspect of the invention, the upper includes a neck portion that is telescopically overlapped by the collar. In another aspect, the upper includes a gusset that extends between the lower portion and the collar, with at least a portion of the gusset being substantially hidden from view.

A protective garment comprising a gown and an improved collar mechanism and method of use for securing protective gowns, typically used in health care settings, around the neck of a user without the need to secure with ties, tabs, snaps or other securing devices. The collar mechanism is made of a stiff material that is pliable enough to be deformed without fracture when force is applied but with a sufficient memory that allows the collar to return to its original position once the force is removed.

A collar-mounted location sensor and stimulation unit includes a body. Quick-mount retention clips extend from the body superior and inferior lateral edges, bend in a 90 degree angle towards the center, and extend toward each other for a short distance before terminating. A flexible collar is pinched between the quick-mount clips, then released to expand within the space between retention clips and the ends of the body. A generally planar stimulation unit and impedance-based fur detector in combination protect the animal from harmful stimulation. At least one sensory stimulator is configured to provide at least one of auditory, kinesthetic, and visual stimulation responsive to an output of a location sensor. An electrode cover in a first disabling position electrically isolates the plurality of stimulation electrodes from animal, and in a second enabling position permits electrical engagement between the plurality of stimulation electrodes and a fur of the animal.

An adapter is disclosed for an ostomy coupling. The adapter provides a floatable coupling characteristic to an ostomy body fitment that has a non-floatable coupling part. The adapter comprises a first coupling part for attaching to the non-floating coupling part of the body fitment, a second coupling part for releasably attaching to an ostomy appliance, and a flexible collar between the first and second coupling parts. The flexible collar permits the second coupling part to be displaced away from the first coupling part, thereby creating a space for an ostomate to manually brace the second coupling part against an attachment force when an appliance is fitted.

A collapsible bowl made of pliable materials that can be flattened or configured into an easily disposable or reusable bowl. A flexible collar is also provided which used with a sealable plastic baggy produces a collapsible bowl.

A universal adapter device facilitates transfer of liquid from a neck of a liquid dispenser to a receiving container. The device includes a hollow body. The hollow body includes a flexible liquid inlet with an inwardly sloping flexible collar, a liquid outlet, and a one-way valve for allowing air into the hollow body when a pressure within the hollow body is less than ambient pressure.

A breast shield for a breast pump for pumping human breast milk, comprising a rigid base part having a tubular connecting piece and a funnel that is integrally formed therewith and that expands away from the connecting piece for accommodating a mother's breast. The breast shield includes a flexible collar, which is arranged on the funnel at the end of the funnel facing away from the connection piece, and which is designed to be placed on the mother's breast. The end of the funnel forms a first contact surface, and an end of the collar facing the funnel forms a second contact surface (22), which in a circumferential connecting seam adjoin each other in a blunt way. The funnel has a first wall thickness and the collar has a second wall thickness, wherein said second wall thickness is approximately equal to the first wall thickness. The breast shield can be produced simply and inexpensively, nevertheless allowing a high degree of wearing comfort and a tight fit on the mother's breast.

An inflatable evacuation slide system includes a slide pack that is ejected from its enclosure by means of an ejection bag, which inflates rapidly to force the evacuation slide out of the enclosure. The high accelerations imposed on the uninflated evacuation slide by the ejection bag make the slide prone to tearing on the edge of the fuselage as the slide pack is forced through the opening. Accordingly, the enclosure is provided with a chafing skirt, which comprises a flexible collar that deploys outward from the enclosure and lays flat against the aircraft fuselage to provide a smooth transition region between the enclosure and the aircraft skin.

A device (1) for fastening elongate elements (2) such as cables or bundles of cables or the like to a structure (S) includes at least a first flexible self-gripping strip (3) having a loop-closure system on a first face (30) and a second flexible selfgripping strip (4) with a hookclosure system on a first face (40) The first and second flexible strips (3 and 4) adhere at least in par.t one against the other via their second faces (35 and 45) that are self-adhesive, so as to form a flexible collar (C) by uniting at least their facing free end zones (51 and 52) The device further includes a rigid plate (10) for constituting a support for fastening the device (1) to the structure (S).

Included in this disclosure is a downspout drain filter for rain gutter downspouts. The downspout drain filer comprises elongated housing having an axis, a top portion, and a bottom portion. A transition portion connects the top portion to the bottom portion. The top portion includes an intake opening, a top portion perimeter, a debris opening, a filter attachment location, and a downspout attachment location. The downspout attachment location includes a flexible collar that defines a downspout attachment location perimeter that is less than the top portion perimeter. The bottom portion includes a flexible collapsible body that extends from the transition portion. A connection end is positioned opposite the transition portion as a part of the bottom portion. A filter is positioned in the top portion to direct debris out the debris opening and to permit liquid to pass to the bottom portion.

An ostomy coupling is disclosed comprising a floatable coupling part. The coupling part is supported with respect to an adhesive wafer by means of a flexible support collar that permits displacement of the coupling part in a floatable manner. The flexible collar comprises plastics film and has bistable shapes. The collar is configured to hold the coupling part stably in (i) an extended position spaced from the adhesive wafer, to facilitate an ostomate to manually brace the coupling part in order to relieve the attachment force when an ostomy appliance is press fitted to the coupling part, and (ii) in a retracted position close to the adhesive wafer.

Disclosed is a blood pressure meter provided with a cuff unit (10) and a display unit. The cuff unit (10) comprises an air bag (20) for compressing the upper arm, a flexible collar (24) that is positioned outside the air bag (20) and is formed in a ring shape to encircle the upper arm, and an outer cover (12) that encloses the air bag (20) and the collar (24). On the outer surface of the collar (24) are disposed a pressurizing pump (41) and an exhaust valve that cause the air bag (20) to expand or contract, a pressure sensor (43) that detects the internal pressure of the air bag (20), and a battery (50) that serves as a power source. The outer cover (12) encloses all of these. The display unit is provided with a display part, an operating part and a power source part. The cuff unit (10) and the display unit are each provided with a communication part, and wireless communication is performed via these communication parts. Such a configuration enables the construction in a small size ofa blood pressure meter having excellent handling ability and portability.

An ostomy coupling is disclosed comprising a floatable coupling part. The coupling part is supported with respect to an adhesive wafer by means of a flexible support collar that permits displacement of the coupling part in a floatable manner. The flexible collar comprises plastics film and has bistable shapes. The collar is configured to hold the coupling part stably in (i) an extended position spaced from the adhesive wafer, to facilitate an ostomate to manually brace the coupling part in order to relieve the attachment force when an ostomy appliance is press fitted to the coupling part, and (ii) in a retracted position close to the adhesive wafer.

The invention relates to an attachment fastener that comprises a body (1) extending in an axial direction, with a head (2), a leg (3) and a skirt-shaped flexible collar (4) provided between the head (2) and the leg (3), and an annular sealing washer (5) for sealing the length of a peripheral edge (42) of the collar (4), said annular sealing washer (5) having a lower surface (57) directed towards the opposite side of the collar (4) having at least one annular bead defining a first sealing line on the lower surface (57) of the annular washer (5). The annular sealing washer (5) is adapted to be removably attached onto said peripheral edge (32) of the collar (4), and comprises an upper surface opposite the lower surface (57), which defines an annular shoulder protruding on the side of the collar (4) and on which bears said peripheral edge (42) of the collar (4), said annular shoulder defining another sealing line on the upper surface of the annular washer (5).

An improved durable golf tee comprises a separate upper portion and a separate lower portion that are axially aligned and enclosed within a flexible collar. The upper portion has an upper end for supporting a golf ball, an upper shank and a lower end having an upper annular flange. The lower portion has a pointed lower end for inserting the tee into the ground, a lower shank and an upper end having a lower annular flange. The flexible collar encloses the lower end of the upper portion and the upper end of the lower portion, forming an integral golf tee, whereby the upper portion and the lower portion are independently flexible within the collar. In a second embodiment, the interior tee portions are molded as a single tee component having the upper portion and the lower portion interconnected by a reduced-diameter (break-away) center portion. The center portion and the respective inner ends of the upper and lower portions are enclosed within the flexible collar. Once the break-away center portion is fractured, the upper portion and the lower portion are independently flexible within the flexible collar. The durable golf tee is formed by a method including the steps of: molding the upper portion and lower portion of a strong, tough plastic (nylon) material; and over-molding the upper shank, upper flange, lower shank, and lower flange with a flexible (rubber) collar.

A neck support / brace for protecting a neck has a flexible collar with a top wall, bottom wall, sidewalls and sectional walls disposed therebetween that form compartments therein. A plurality of cells are disposed within the compartment. Each of the fluid cells have a valve element disposed therein. When the pressure acting upon the cells is below a threshold pressure, fluid or air flows through the valve element to allow movement of the neck. Alternatively when the pressure on the cells is above the threshold pressure the valve element closes preventing fluid or air flow out of the fluid cell thus causing the cell to stay inflated and provide resistance to a neck movement.

An immersion bag system for use with an ultrasound probe to overcome near field artifact including a flexible thin wall thickness immersion bag with an attached flexible collar having an integral internal seal. The immersion bag contains a gel or other ultrasound transmission medium and is sealingly and removably attached by a mutually formed probe / seal valve to the tip end of an ultrasound probe. The immersion bag is able to conform to a cornea, as well as to other surfaces, whether flat or irregular, thereby enabling an ultrasound probe to be used easily on such surfaces. An ultrasound probe, in use with the immersion bag system, is maintained at a distance above the contact surface of the immersion bag and is positionable about the vertical axis while the immersion bag maintains stationary conformal contact with the structure against which it is in contact.