Abstract: A distributor for use on a dip tube in the particulate bed of a water conditioner includes a sleeve mounted on the dip tube, a plurality of resilient vanes extending radially outwardly from the sleeve, thin membranes on the vanes, and holes in the membranes, whereby water flowing through the bed is evenly distributed throughout the bed and the bed is agitated by up and down flexing of the distributor in the bed.

Abstract: A head and neck protector for use by a race car or other driver includes a yoke which is mounted on the shoulders of the driver, and a helmet which is mounted on a portion of the yoke extending around the sides and back of the driver's neck. The helmet is securely latched to the yoke to prevent rotation of the helmet relative to the yoke. The interior volume of the helmet is sufficiently large that the driver can freely move his or her head without corresponding movement of the helmet.

Abstract: An effective sensor for indicating exposure to a toxic gas includes a non-conductive, inert substrate such as glass or polyethylene, a two-dimensional film of nanoparticles of a conductive metal such as silver or copper on the substrate and an electrode connected to each end of the film. When an electrical current passes through the film and the sensor is exposed to a toxic gas, changes in the electrical resistance of the film provides an indication of the presence of the toxic gas.

Abstract: The invention disclosed relates to an apparatus and method for recovering acetic acid from an aqueous feed stream containing acetic acid, in particular a stream generated during terephthalic acid production. The apparatus includes: a liquid-liquid extraction column to which water-rich feed streams are fed, having a guard bed situated near the top and within the extraction column for conversion by reaction with acetic acid of alcohol within the mixture to the corresponding ester; and an azeotropic distillation column to remove residual water from acetic acid, to which water-poor feed streams are fed directly at a height of the azeotropic distillation column at which the mixture therein has a similar water concentration. The liquid-liquid extraction column produces an extract comprising an extraction solvent and acetic acid which is sent to the azeotropic distillation column to separate residual water and acetic acid.

Abstract: A combination level/try square includes an elongated body with an arm at one end thereof. The arm is rotatable between a non-use position against the body and a use position in which the body and the arm define a try square. The body incorporates three indicators, namely a plumb indicator, a level indicator and a slope indicator. In a second embodiment, a laser pointer is provided on one end of the body.

Abstract: A holder for a container such as a tissue box includes a lower jaw for mounting on a wall or other vertical surface, and an upper jaw telescopically slidable in the lower jaw. The jaws include opposed, outwardly extending ledges for clamping a container therebetween. Meshing teeth on the jaws permit releasable locking of the jaws in a container clamping position.

Abstract: A thermal camouflage material for use on a tank or other military vehicle in a desert environment includes an outer layer of knitted fiberglass alone or with polyester having an outer coating of PVC and carbon black, and an inner film of aluminum; and an inner layer defined by a three-dimensional decoupling fabric between the aluminum film on the outer layer. The decoupling fabric is formed of outer and inner polyester mesh films with polyaramid sandwiched therebetween.

Abstract: An end-of-service life indicator for a sorbent filter includes a tube containing a noble metal nanoparticle film on an optically transparent substrate, the substrate being perpendicular to the axis of the tube. An opening in the tube adjacent to the film allows chemical vapor to accumulate in the tube and be absorbed by the film. A light source located at one end of the tube and a light detector at the other end determines the amount of light absorbed by the nanoparticle film due to exposure to chemical vapor. A signal from the light detector is applied to an electronic processor that determines attenuation of light by the film, and the processor is connected to an indicator to provide an indication of the exposure of the film to the vapor.

Abstract: A vibration damping device for use in a work glove includes a planar plastic body having palm, thumb and finger areas, and a plurality of resilient, compressible projections extending outwardly from at least one surface of the body. Planar areas or webs in the knuckle and finger joint areas of the body make the device flexible for easy grasping of a tool and bunching of projections in such areas. Bunching of the projections is also avoided or reduced by arranging the projections in parallel, arcuate rows extending from the thumb side rearwardly toward the wrist end of the body.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for making higher olefins by oligomerization of a lower olefin e.g ethylene, to higher olefins, using catalytic distillation conditions. Simultaneously and interdependently, the lower olefin is catalytically oligomerized to higher olefins, and said higher olefins are separated and recovered as liquid.

Abstract: A one-pass bucket includes a top wall, a bottom wall, a rear wall and a pair of side walls diverging forwardly from the rear wall to an open front end of the bucket, wherein the curved end walls extend convexly from the bottom wall to the top of the end wall at a forward edge thereof, and extending substantially diagonally upwardly from the bottom at a rearward edge so that the forward edge of the curved end wall curves upwardly towards the plane of the top wall so as to intersect the plane of the top wall non-tangentially and the rearward edge extends diagonally to intersect the plane of the top wall whereby a round bottom ditch is formed by rotating one of the curved end walls down and dragging that curved end wall through the soil longitudinally of the proposed ditch in a single pass.

Abstract: The invention disclosed relates to functionalized zwitterionic chromophores of structural formula III and III?. Wherein A is a linear or branched alkyl group having up to 20 carbon atoms and the desired functional groups, B is hydrogen, alkyl, aryl, halo, heterocyclic, alkoxy or nitro groups at 2, 3, 5 or 6 positions on the pyridine ring, C is hydrogen, aryl or a linear or branched alkyl group at 2?, 3?, 5? or 6? positions on the benzene ring, which has up to 70 carbon atoms and contains the desired functional group, D is a linear or branched alkyl, aryl or substituted aryl group, which has up to 70 carbon atoms and contains the desired functional group, R is C1-C4 alkyl or aryl, and m is an integer of from 0 to 4.

Abstract: A radiant tube heater assembly includes a housing containing a blower and a burner, which is aligned with an opening in the housing through which a flame and products of combustion flow into a U-shaped burner tube. The closed downstream end of the burner tube is in close proximity to the housing. In order to prevent or reduce the likelihood of the products of combustion entering the blower, an exhaust tube is mounted in a downstream leg of the burner tube and extends outwardly through the U-shaped outer end of the tube remote from the housing.

Abstract: A load binder for use in connection with a typical tie strap for securing a load for transport is provided. The load binder includes elements that are conformable to the shape of a particular load and which prevent the tie down from twisting upon itself. The load binder essentially comprises a body having and a handle pivotally attached to the body, a link pivotally attached to the handle, a first tie down engaging element attached to the link by a ball joint and a second tie down engaging element attached to the threaded shaft by a ball joint. The freely movable ball joints coupling the tie engaging elements to the binder allow the binder to conform to the shape of the load and also prevent the tie down from twisting upon itself. Additionally, a safety latch is incorporated into the binder which positively locks the handle in position relative to the body.