Abstract: Pipes or pipelines for transporting sewage, water, slurries, liquid and gaseous hydrocarbons, and the like are interlined with flexible composite tubular lining material. The lining material is matched to the crosswise dimension of the pipe and is adapted to be insertable thereinto and to fit snugly against the inner wall thereof. The lining material comprises a flexible matrix member having a netlike open-meshed configuration, thereby being adapted to receive into its interstices foamable material adapted to expand outwardly upon foaming, into and about irregularities in the wall surface, and to solidify there. The matrix member preferably is extensible lengthwise, and thus reducible in size crosswise, when under axial tension. When released from axial tension, the matrix member recovers to its previous dimensions, except as it may be confined, as against an inside wall of a pipe or pipeline.

Abstract: Aquatic vessels having inflatable hull envelopes that receive transversely (i.e., are transected by) tie members for carrying framework upon which decking, propulsion devices, etc. are supported. The hull envelopes, which are generally cigar-shaped, are located side by side, with or without spacing of adjacent envelopes apart. Engine-propulsion and/or wind-propulsion devices can be supported on the framework, with or without adaptation of the envelopes thereto. Such vessels are useful for general transportation or for special recreational uses such as carrying persons for deep-sea fishing, or pulling persons on water skies along the surface, or persons held aloft by a parachute-like sail (or "parasail") above the surface, and are capable of high-speed travel.

Abstract: Electrical receptacle safety covering means and method, to protect persons too young to appreciate the hazards of electricity from access to the outlets of electrical receptacles by requiring skills of an older child or adult to uncover such a receptacle. Spring-biased security is provided in which an action separate from closing a cover over an electrical receptacle is required to latch the cover, and unlatching it can not be accomplished by pulling on the cover in its opening direction but necessitates overcoming a latching spring-bias in a separate preliminary unlatching step. A combination of a receptacle plate (more or less flush with the receptacle) and a cover for the front thereof has at least one spring and a cooperating slide adapted to move relative thereto between a latched position free of spring bias and an unlatched position subject to spring bias.

Abstract: Means and method for mounting utility boxes, panels, or like housings, as between studding in the framework of a building. A self-supporting tool is provided that can be interposed manually between a pair of flanking wooden studs or equivalent vertical structural members at desired height and depth of insertion. The tool, when manually released, engages the studs forcibly enough, as by indenting their sides, to be held in place while a utility box or panel is placed on the tool by the user of the tool, who then secures the box or panel in place by inserting fastening means, such as nails or screws, through its side and into the sides of the studs. The tool gauges the depth of insertion of the box or panel between the studs, by contact with the front surfaces of the studs and the rear surface of the box or panel.

Abstract: Construction of projects such as buildings, bridges, dams, industrial plants, means of transport, or the like with the aid of means and methods for incremental depiction of such buildings, etc. Complex structural features of the construction project are divided into discrete increments and characterized by ordered work activities essential to their construction, then are depicted as in construction drawings to assist in supervision of the project itself. Such characterization and depiction enable urgencies to be emphasized, as by shading structural features due to be started or finished by some given time in the construction schedule differently from those not due until later--or to have been completed earlier. Likewise, during actual construction, deviations from the project schedule can be distinguished readily, as by depicting structural features due (or overdue) in boldest shading and by diminishing the boldness of shading the more time is available within which to complete subsequent features.

Abstract: Conditioning of the vaginal tract for sexual activity, by a method including adjusting and controlling its surface pH, with soluble means for accomplishing such conditioning. The specified conditioning favors increased duration of sexual intercourse, as is often desired, and is compatible here with such diverse goals as favoring or discouraging conception. Normally the human vagina is strongly acidic, which may render intercourse with some males unduly brief. Through this invention the vaginal pH is increased about several pH units, by applying thereto a capsule, tablet, or suppository containing an alkalizer, to be released upon dissolution, so that the surface of the vaginal tract nears and preferably reaches or somewhat exceeds a neutral pH of 7 for a desired period of time. Thereafter, the vagina is enabled to return to its normally acidic condition, or is preferably actively returned thereto by subsequent release of an acidifier from such topically applied means.

Abstract: Pipelines for transporting sewage, water, slurries, liquid and gaseous hydrocarbons, and like materials are interlined with a composite tubular lining having an inner skin layer and a foamed layer contiguous with the inner skin layer. The foamed layer is either contiguous also, along its opposite surface, with the inner wall of the pipe or may be spaced therefrom by an outer skin layer of the composite lining. The lining may be applied either before the pipeline is placed into service or afterward, whether in situ or removed for maintenance or repair. For application in situ the lining is preferably more flexible than will suffice for insertion into new pipes.

Abstract: A self-contained mount, for a spindle-driven rotary abrasive tool or the like, able to compensate for slight non-concentricity of the threading on the end of a drive spindle for the rotary tool. The mount includes an internally threaded cylindrical sleeve with an outside diameter small enough to be inserted into a longitudinal axial bore in such tool, and a retaining ring to maintain the sleeve fixed longitudinally therein while permitting it to adjust its position relative to the rotational axis, if necessary, upon being screwed onto a threaded end portion of the spindle, while supporting the tool coaxially therewith.

Abstract: A poach-resistant system enabling cable television subscribers to receive upon request certain programs otherwise unavailable (i.e., "secure") while precluding such reception by non-requesting subscribers as well as non-subscribers. Before transmission of such a secure program the roster of subscribers is scanned at a central control station having complied subscribers' requests for that program, and a resulting string of pulses corresponding in sequence to the respective subscribers is punctuated with program command pulses timed to designate those subscribers who have requested the program. Transmission of the resultant program command signal string over the cable to junctions with leads to the respective subscribers' television sets results in unblocking of such junction for each of the requesting subscribers only. Allocation of plural clocking pulses to each subscriber enables program availability to be tiered as desired.

Abstract: Color photo-reproduction of copy is assured by measuring and storing optical densities of the copy plus calibration data for densitometric equipment used in such measurement, as well as values of other pertinent parameters. This system involves interaction between a human operator and an inanimate assistant commonly recognized as a computer. The operator does such acts as juxtaposing a densitometric component of the system to parts of the copy, to density standards, and to trial reproductions so as to input density data retrievably to the computer memory. The operator also may supply, either by measurement or specification, actinic, chromatic, dimensional, and other relevant data. The computer displays, for the guidance of the operator, various announcements, inquiries, and instructions, as well as empirical and calculated values of data. The information variously supplied is processed by the computer according to appropriate procedures and computational rules.

Abstract: Portable swaging tool for affixing a battery terminal onto an electrically conducting cable, such as for the starting motor of an internal combustion engine, especially with the cable already installed in the confined space of a vehicle engine compartment. Portions of a short handle member and a pivoted clamping member have cooperating jaws to receive a battery terminal between them. The handle member carries clamping means adapted to engage the clamping member to force the jaws together sufficiently to swage a terminal onto a cable end inserted into a bore in the terminal.

Abstract: Photographic reproduction of copy, with or without a halftone or vignetting dot type of screen, is controlled by measuring and storing optical densities of copy to be reproduced and calibration data for equipment used in such density measurement, as well as values of other pertinent parameters. This system involves interaction between a human operator and an inanimate assistant commonly recognized as a computer. The operator does such acts as juxtaposing a densitometer component of the system to selected parts of the copy, to density standards, and to test or trial reproductions to obtain and input data. The operator also may supply, either by measurement or specification, such other relevant data as actinic, chromatic, dimensional, etc. To assist the operator the computer displays various announcements, inquiries, and instructions, as well as data and computation results.

Abstract: A portable swaging tool for affixing, onto the end of an electrical cable, a terminal of the type that fits on the terminal post of an electrical storage battery such as may be used to drive the starting motor of an internal combustion engine. A handle carrying one of a pair of cooperating jaws has pivoted to it a clamping member carrying the other cooperating jaw so as to be juxtaposed to the first jaw when the free end of the clamping member is swung to and against the handle. The handle also carries clamping screw means for forcing the clamping member against the handle to clamp a terminal pre-inserted between the jaws and to swage the terminal tightly onto the end of a battery cable pre-inserted into a bore in the terminal.

Abstract: Gasoline aids production of alcohol and fuel in a solvent extraction and recovery process. Alcohol/water mixtures, such as those produced by fermentation of biomass material, are separated by extraction of alcohol with a solvent especially suited to such extraction and to subsequent removal. Conventional distillation steps to concentrate alcohol and eliminate water are rendered unnecessary at a considerable reduction in heat energy requirement (usually met with fossil fuel). Addition of gasoline between the solvent extraction and solvent recovery steps not only aids the latter separation but produces alcohol already denatured for fuel use.

Abstract: Alcohol/water mixtures, such as those produced by fermentation of biomass material, are separated by extraction of alcohol with a solvent, comprising a higher aliphatic alcohol in major amount and an aliphatic hydrocarbon in minor amount, especially suited to such extraction and to subsequent removal. The solvent alcohol desirably has a branched chain, or the hydrocarbon an unsaturated bond, or both. Conventional distillation steps to concentrate alcohol and eliminate water are rendered unnecessary at a considerable reduction in heat energy requirement (usually met with fossil fuel). Optional addition of gasoline between the solvent extraction and solvent recovery steps not only aids the latter separation but produces alcohol already denatured for fuel use.

Abstract: A sewer pipe, transport pipeline, or other circumferentially enclosed passageway is lined by inserting into and along it a flexible tubular material of given diameter, with its corresponding circumference being less than the inside perimeter of the passageway. The tubular material is a laminate having a dimensionally stable skin layer facing the interior of the passageway and a contiguous layer of a composition foamable to form an expanded cellular structure. After insertion of the tubular material the contiguous layer is foamed to expand cellularly so as to fill the space between the inner skin and the inside wall of the passageway and to solidify in place. The tubular material may have an expansible outer skin layer also.

Abstract: A cord sling type of plant hanger is provided with means strung on the suspending cords for manual adjustment of the plant orientation about the vertical axis. The adjustment means include an arch-shaped member and a regular polygonal button-like member engageable snugly within the archway to retain a given orientation. The polygonal member is laterally disengageable from the arch-shaped member enabling it to be twisted about the vertical, together with a suspended plant container, and be re-engaged laterally at a different orientation.

Abstract: Game apparatus for use on a tabletop or other flat surface has modular structural pieces for forming an open-ended stadium and pucks to be propelled thereinto. The structural pieces are prismoidal, preferably folded into suitable shape from paper blanks suitably scored for folding, and provided with means for securing them end-to-end. The pucks are generally disc-shaped and provided with protrusions or "feet" to support them during propulsion along the flat surface.

Abstract: Bio-oxidative treatment of aqueous waste by means of a partially submerged rotating biological contactor (or RBC) is improved by suffusing the rising submerged quadrant of an RBC with air furnished within the RBC perimeter. Air is distributed along and outward from the rotational axis and is released between discs of the RBC. Some of the air so released is trapped by protrusions on the discs. Rotation of such RBC is accomplished or at least aided by differential buoyancy imparted by such air suffusion and trapping.

Abstract: Textile strands are dyed while being bulked or crimped by lengthwise compression. The dyestuff advantageously is supplied in finely divided liquid or preferably solid form and is injected, as by aspiration or by positive pressure methods, into fluid hot enough to vaporize it before such fluid together with such dyestuff comes into contact with strand so treated. Such strand, forwarded with or by flow of hot propellant fluid into a foraminous region in which the strand is confined laterally but from which the fluid may escape except where the strand is compressed into a compact mass, is exposed to the dyestuff by permeation with such fluid. Lateral escape of the propellant fluid is effected, preferably before such exposure, and is utilized to control an operating condition, such as temperature of strand input into and/or speed of removal of strand from the chamber, for improved uniformity of dyeing and bulking or crimping of the strand.