Abstract: Disclosed is a tape closure device for securing the neck of a bag with an adhesive film and a non-adhesive backing. The device preferably includes a closure application assembly that has a guide rail, a contact member and a cutting member. The guide rail preferably includes a contact section, a gathering section and a staging section. The contact member preferably includes a contact surface adjacent the contact section of the guide rail. The tape closure device also preferably includes a tape feed assembly, a paper feed assembly and a bag feed assembly.

Abstract: An agitator assembly for use in a gas separator includes a central hub and at least one blade affixed to the central hub. The blade includes a leading end, a trailing end, a first curved portion adjacent to the leading end and a second curved portion adjacent to the trailing end. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the first and second curved portions are substantially parabolic and have foci on opposite sides of the blade.

Abstract: A gas separator is configured to separate gas from a two-phase fluid. The gas separator includes a rotatable shaft, a plurality of separation stages and an outer housing. Each of the plurality of separation stages includes a rotor connected to the rotatable shaft, a diffuser downstream from the rotor and a crossover downstream from the diffuser. Each crossover is configured to remove gas from its respective separation stage. The outer housing includes a separate group of discharge ports for each separation stage to permit the removal of gas from each separation stage.

Abstract: Disclosed is a microemulsion well treatment microemulsion that is formed by combining a solvent-surfactant blend with a carrier fluid. In preferred embodiments, the solvent-surfactant blend includes a surfactant and a solvent selected from the group consisting of terpenes and alkyl or aryl esters of short chain alcohols. The disclosed well treatment microemulsion can be used in well remediation, stimulation and hydrogen sulfide mitigation operations. Additionally, the well treatment microemulsion can be used in the production of benzothiophenes through interaction with hydrogen sulfide.

Abstract: A thrust section for use above a motor preferably includes a housing, a thrust shaft, a thrust runner connected to the thrust shaft, a thrust bearing connected to the housing, and a motor lead guard. The motor is preferably positioned above a pump assembly. The thrust runner and thrust bearing prevent upward movement of the shaft.

Abstract: A submersible pumping system includes a pump, a motor that drives the pump and a separator assembly. The separator assembly is for separating gas from the fluid and includes an intake and a vent above the intake. Fluid enters the separator assembly at the intake and the vent returns a portion of the fluid into wellbore for recirculation into the intake.

Abstract: A mechanical seal having a stationary ring and a rotating portion. The rotating portion includes a runner adjacent the stationary ring, an elastomer bellows adjacent the runner, a spring retainer plate and a spacer positioned between the elastomer bellows and the spring retainer plate. The spacer sets and maintains the elastomer bellows in proper position adjacent the runner.

Abstract: A method for conducting credit card transactions at a business having a plurality of remote customer interfaces includes the steps of electronically transmitting a customer's order from one of the plurality of remote customer interfaces to a transaction hub, entering the customer's order into the transaction hub, transmitting payment information for the customer's order from the transaction hub to a credit card interface at the one of the plurality of remote customer interfaces, electronically transmitting credit card information from the credit card interface to the transaction hub and conducting a credit card approval procedure. A presently preferred apparatus includes a system that includes a remote customer interface and a transaction hub. The remote customer interface preferably includes a credit card interface and a radio client. The transaction hub preferably includes a central server and a radio client.

Abstract: A seal section for a downhole pumping system includes a fluid exchange pathway and a rotatable gravity separator. The rotatable gravity separator preferably includes a chamber, a backwash inlet connecting the chamber to the fluid exchange pathway and a backwash outlet connecting the chamber to the fluid exchange pathway. The rotatable gravity separator further includes a weight that causes the rotatable gravity separator to remain in a substantially constant orientation with respect to the force of gravity.

Abstract: An emission prevention system for use on an open-ended line includes an end-cap and a proximity sensor. The proximity sensor is preferably configured to detect a change in the extent of engagement between the end-cap and the open-ended line. A method of monitoring the engagement of the end-cap and the open-ended line includes the steps of measuring the engagement between the end-cap and the open-ended line with a proximity sensor, producing a position signal representative of the engagement between the end-cap and the open-ended line and transmitting the position signal to an operator terminal. A monitoring network may be established by monitoring a plurality of emission prevention systems.

Abstract: Disclosed is an injection molding apparatus that includes an extruder configured to produce a continuous flow of molten plastic. The injection molding apparatus also includes a plurality of mold assemblies and a delivery system that provides an uninterrupted transfer of the continuous flow of molten plastic from the extruder to the plurality of mold assemblies. The present invention also includes an process for using the injection molding apparatus that includes forcing a continuous flow of molten plastic into a delivery system and sequentially routing the continuous flow of molten plastic from the delivery system into a plurality of mold assemblies without interruption.

Abstract: A process for gathering data from a plurality of users at remote terminals connected to a central database that restricts the data entered into the central database by providing users with predefined responses to scripted prompts and screening the new data entered into the central database for erroneous responses by comparing the data with existing data through a series of rules. In an alternate embodiment, the present invention includes a process for gathering and analyzing information that includes maintaining a central database, accessing the central database from a remote terminal through an interface, entering information into the central database through the interface, validating the entered information against a set of rules and analyzing the validated information to generate performance indicators for the equipment placed into service. The interface preferably restricts the information entering the central database to a controlled group of responses to a series of scripted prompts.

Abstract: A system for determining the ability of a selected motor to function in a wellbore preferably includes an input device, a data storage device and a program. The program is preferably configured to determine an expected motor load based on motor input data and application input data. Using the expected motor load, the program determines a projected motor temperature increase. The program adds the projected motor temperature increase with the wellbore temperature to determine a projected operating temperature. The projected operating temperature is compared with the maximum recommended operating temperature of the selected motor, or a list of candidate motors, to determine the ability of the selected motor to function in the wellbore.

Abstract: A bailer is configured to remove particulate solids from fluid passing through the bailer. The bailer preferably includes a housing that includes an intake and an outlet to permit the flow if well fluids through the housing. The bailer also includes a magnetic plate that includes at least one aperture that provides a path for the fluid flow. The bailer optionally includes one or more elongate magnetic bars that extend along the longitudinal axis of the bailer housing. The bailer can be used in conjunction with other components in a downhole pumping system, a surface pumping system or a transport system.

Abstract: Disclosed is a submersible pump assembly for handling two-phase flow. The pump assembly preferably includes a housing and a first stage. The first stage includes an impeller assembly and a diffuser assembly, which are collectively configured to produce a diagonal flow path through the first stage.

Abstract: Disclosed is a coated synthetic shingle that exhibits increased resistance to ultra-violet radiation. The shingle is useable for roofing applications and includes a substrate having a substrate surface and a base coat that is applied to the substrate surface. The base coat preferably includes a first fluoropolymer component. The shingle can also include a top coat that is applied to the base coat. The top coat preferably includes a clear acrylic coating. A method for manufacturing the shingle is also disclosed.

Abstract: A chemical generator having inlets for receiving multiple reactant and water streams; a dilution chamber; a reaction chamber operably connected to the inlets and to the dilution chamber; an eductor operably receiving the water stream from the one of the inlets and communicating with the reaction chamber for drawing first and second reactant streams into the reaction chamber for mixing. Float control valves interrupt the water stream to the eductor when desired amounts of the first and second reactant streams have entered the reaction chamber, the eductor drawing the activated solution of first and second reactant streams from the reaction chamber into the dilution chamber. The float control valves limit the residence time of the first and second reactants in the reaction chamber and selectively interrupt flow of the water stream into the dilution chamber.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for preparing a foamer composition having an anionic surfactant and a neutralizing amine. The process includes the steps of estimating an extent to which the anionic surfactant will decompose into acidic components under an elevated temperature range, determining an effective amount of neutralizing amine needed to sufficiently neutralize the acidic components upon the decomposition of the anionic surfactant and mixing the effective amount of neutralizing amine with the anionic surfactant. Also disclosed is a foamer composition having from about 5% to about 70% by weight anionic surfactant, from about 1% to about 20% by weight neutralizing amine, from about 2% to about 10% by weight amine-based corrosion inhibitor, from about 0% to about 20% by weight solvent, from about 1% to about 10% by weight scale inhibitor and from about 0% to about 30% water.

Abstract: Disclosed is a knee pad that is configured to properly stabilize a wearer's patella. The knee pad preferably includes a body that has a generally convex outer surface and a generally concave inner surface. A patella stabilizer is preferably positioned on the inner surface of the body of the knee pad. In combination with the body of the knee pad, the patella stabilizer prevents the displacement of the wearer's patella during use.

Abstract: A submersible pumping system includes a pump assembly that is connected to a motor assembly. The pump assembly includes a pump intake having an intake hole, a pump housing connected to the pump intake and a pump discharge head connected to the pump housing. An intake seal device is connected to the pump intake and seals the pump intake prior to the initial use of the pump assembly. To further isolate the pump assembly while dormant, an outlet seal device can be fitted to the pump discharge head to isolate the pump assembly from the reservoir fluid in the production tubing.