Abstract: A device for cleaning and lubricating threaded valve stems. In one form the device comprises a bracket attached to a valve hand wheel comprising a circular wire brush which is adjustable to engage the threads of the valve stem at one side with provisions of dropping oil on the brush to lubricate the valve stem. In another form means are provided for supporting diametrically opposed wire brushes to engage the opposite sides of the valve stem for cleaning the threads. In still another form, a circular ring-like holder is provided with a internal wire brush and means are provided for slipping the wire brush over the end of the valve stem and clamping it to the valve bushing. Where the valve stem area to be cleaned is not easily accessible as in the interior of the valve yoke a wire brush holder comprised of split half rings with internal brushes is adapted to be fitted together around the valve stem with clamping means for holding the half rings together and fastening the holder to the valve bushing.

Abstract: A packing sealer plug for use with valve flanges or the like. The packing sealer plug is adapted to be used in tapped openings leading to the interface between the valve flanges or other types of fittings in which packing is to be introduced by a high pressure packing gun. The plug is comprised of an externally threaded end insertable in the opening and an axial passage way leading to an opposite end of the plug which has a threaded opening adapted to receive a nozzle of the packing gun or the like for introduction of the packing. The end of the plug adjacent the threaded opening has a hexagonal square or circular exterior for reception of a wrench for connecting the plug to the flange opening. A cut-off passage way intersects with the axial passage way radially and is threaded to receive a cut-off bolt to seal the plug.

Abstract: A catfish holder for killing and cleaning catfish. The holder is comprised of a flat board-like member supporting the body of the catfish and a positioning and restraining box-like member to hold the head of the catfish. A hinged plate on the top of the box-like structure holds a spike which is adapted to be driven into the head of the catfish by a handle connected to the hinged plate. The top of the box-like structure serves as a stop to prevent the spike from being driven into the board while the handle is rotatable to be rotated out of the way in the fish cleaning operation.

Abstract: A sewage treatment tank for aeration of raw sewage. The tank comprises an aeration compartment and a clarifying compartment separated by a vertical baffle-like wall having a steeply inclined lower portion which provides a hopper-like bottom in the clarifier compartment. A submerged pump is provided in the aeration compartment having an outlet discharging into the aeration compartment with specially devised aspirating means for drawing air through the outlet by aspiration to mix with the raw sewage discharged through the outlet to provide a high velocity air fluid stream for aerobic treatment. A separate curved baffle at the bottom of the lower portion of the vertical baffle imparts a circular roll-like stream to the aerating stream and by close spacing to the tank bottom provides a narrow throat-like passage to the clarifier compartment which facilitates drawing any heavy solids therein back to the aerating compartment for further treatment.

Abstract: A wooden box-like container for the aging of alcoholic beverages. The container is in the form of a box having six panels or sides in which any three mutually adjacent panels are mutually perpendicular to one another and join one another at a corner. Any one of the panels of a group of three mutually adjacent panels contacts one adjacent panel in face to edge relation and the third panel of the group in edge to face relation. Each of the corners are formed in this fashion and all of the panels are held together in tight box-like form by prestressing means. This preserves the liquid tight contact at the face to edge and edge to face junction of the panels. Where the panels meet a cubical gap is left which is plugged by plug means. The prestressing means may be in the form of clamps of headers connected by prestress rods provided with tightening nuts.

Abstract: A metric system teaching and measuring device. The device is in the form of a tubular meter stick having an internal cross sectional area of ten square centimeters producing the volume of one liter for one meter length of the stick. An attachable base provides means for closing the bottom of the stick to form a graduate cylinder. Markings provided through a one meter ruler having centimeter and millimeter markings enable the reading of volume corresponding to centiliters and milliliters respectively. In the graduate form the device may contain a 1 kilogram mass of water with each cubic centimeter or milliliter of water corresponding to 1 gram. By the use of a float the device can be used to determine the mass (or weight) of small objects heavier than the displaced fluid such as water when the object is placed inside the float using known mass of the float as tare.

Abstract: A multi-layered archery target of lightweight and self-closing of arrow holes characteristic. The target is made of three layers comprising a front layer of expanded polyethylene, a middle layer of relatively lightweight expanded polystyrene, and a rear layer of expanded polyethylene. The two layers of polyethylene are denser than the expanded polystyrene and have the characteristic of self-closing or healing of holes created by high speed arrows. The expanded polystyrene layer which may be thicker than the expanded polyethylene layers is of lighter weight and adds bulk as well as arrow stopping characteristics. The multi-layered target is of considerably lighter weight than conventional targets and through the self-closing and healing of target holes resists destruction for a much longer period of time.

Abstract: A sheet metal tool such as a garden rake or garden cultivator of special one piece metal construction. The garden tool such as a rake or the like is comprised of a flat body of steel which is pressed in a manufacturing operation to provide a body portion having reinforced rib strengthening structure including a continuous flange along each side thereof and a head portion bent over at right angles to the body portion and having particularly strong tines made possible by a generally U-shaped cross section at the rear but with the side walls being pressed solidly together at the tines ends to provide strength and rigidity and avoid accumulation of debris and thereby minimize rust contamination.

Abstract: A remote control handle for use with a pressure sprayer cannister for mixing a concentrated spray solution with an external liquid under pressure. The handle comprises an elongated rigid tube of about an arm's length which is connected at one end to a garden hose and at the other end to the cannister. A normally closed valve on the handle adjacent the garden hose connection is used for regulation of the flow of liquid to the cannister. A rinse hose which is normally closed is provided for rinsing the hands of the user. A specially constructed pivotable stand is connected adjacent the cannister connection end and is adapted to support the unit on the ground for unattended spraying use. A stop is provided to limit the stand's position. The stand is specially constructed of two rod-like members and a spring so that it can be fastened in collapsed position to the tubular member.

Abstract: A process for producing crystals of malic acid having a uniform high purity using maleic acid or fumaric separately or together. The reaction mixture is cooled, resulting solids are separated and the resulting liquid is concentrated and then cooled to a specified temperature range according to the concentration of malic acid in weight %. The resulting solid is separated and the remaining liquid is cooled to 19.degree. to 21.degree. C to crystallize malic acid.

Abstract: A finger nail retainer and tweezer for use with a conventional nail clipper. The retainer and tweezer is used with a conventional nail clipper having a pair of elongated cutting blades fastened together at a rear end and having cutting blades at a forward end. The retainer and tweezer is made of spring steel and is of a generally V-shaped construction fitting over the pair of cutting blades and covering the space therebetween to retain nail clippings. The retainer and tweezer when removed from the nail clipper can be squeezed together and serve a particularly advantageous function as a tweezer. The retainer is simply adapted to be fitted over the nail clipper by inturned bottom flanges on the arms and inturned guide elements spaced above the flange elements to bit over the opposed sides of the bottom cutter blade while permitting the movement of the uppermost cutter blade. The flange form a narrow throat at the rear and an enlarged opening receiving a key ring.

Abstract: Method for secondary fermentation of champagne in the bottle. In the secondary fermentation process solid of liquid yeast is introduced into the bottle permitting interchange of liquid and gaseous products of fermentation and yeast autolysis by confining the yeast in a semipermeable or porous wall or membrane to prevent the introduction or contamination of the wine with solid components. The yeast may be introduced through a special closure fitting underneath a bottle cap. After the secondary fermentation has been completed the pressure may be reduced by piercing the cap after which the cap and the device containing the yeast are removed. Sweetening of the champagne material is then accomplished to complete the process.

Abstract: A cyclone separator having heat dissipating and structural re-inforcing means. The cyclone separator has a gas outlet tube passing through the top of the separator shell and extending into the cyclone body. In order to prevent high temperature build-up the connection of the outlet gas tube with the shell is specially designed in order that heat contact be with only one side of the outlet gas tube wall. The gas outlet tube has a lower portion extending into the top portion of the separator shell and is connected to an inverted frusto-conical upwardly diverging wall. This wall is also connected to the top wall of the cyclone separator. This structure provides an annular space to dissipate heat from high temperature gases which would otherwise in conventional structures contact both sides of the wall of the gas outlet tube and break down or liquify the metallic structure.

Abstract: A collapsible carrier for kegs and the like. The carrier is in the form of a ring-like clamp comrised of semicircular ring members piovted on opposite sides of the clamp and opening to fit around a keg or barrel. Handle bars are provided at opposite sides and when they are lifted the clamp is closed and upwardly directed tooth-like gripping members are caused to engage the keg in firm gripping engagement. The handle, ring members and gripping teeth are formed in a special angular relationship to provide an I-beam type strength to the ring members and self-clamping force through the lifting action on the handles. When not in use the carrier can be collapsed together to half its expanded size as a convenience in storage.

Abstract: A process for the purification of D,L-malic acid. An aqueous solution of D,-L-malic acid containing maleic acid and fumaric acid as impurities is treated with a strongly basic anion-exchange resin to remove the maleic acid and fumaric acid to provide substantially pure D,L-malic acid.

Abstract: A tire carrier comprises a tire support adapted to support a spare tire with the support having inverted J- or U-shaped hooks adapted to be removably fitted over the parallel slats of the stock rack. The tire is held against the rack by means of a tightening chain which is connected at one end to an inverted hook fitting over another slat in the rack with the other end fitted over a J-shaped bolt fitting through one of the conventional bolt openings in the tire rim and an adjustment nut adapted to be tightened against a threaded end of the hook to press or clamp the tire against the rack. The tightening nut is provided with a handle for manual operation and tampering is prevented by a lock having its hasp fitting through an opening in the end of the bolt and around the handle to prevent relative rotation and removal.

Abstract: A squirrel proof bird feeder having bird feeder holes of a construction to minimize loss of seed by scattering or wind blowing. The bird feeder has a removable conical top of an inverted hip roof construction with the major portion of the upper region of the top having a steep pitch with the lower eaves or border having a gentle pitch which construction tends to dump a squirrel climbing upon the roof from a suspended chain. The bird feeder housing has feeder holes which communicate with the interior through horizontal feeder tubes which are open on the bottom and closed by a baffle at the inner end which while permitting a flow of seed under the end portion of the feeder tube and under the bottom sides restricts the flow when the bird feeder is blown by the wind or otherwise disturbed by feeding birds or squirrels climbing on the top of the feeder.

Abstract: A one piece box folder that requires no tucking of flaps and can be erected from a one piece blank. The box is assembled from a unitary blank in which the panels are folded over and connected to one another by physical affixation such as hot melt glue, pressure sensitive adhesive or other means of affixation. The front of the box is formed of at least two plies with a slot between a top ply and a bottom ply receiving an end tab of a cover. The slot through its thickness easily receives the end tab of the cover in self guiding relationship and tightly packed articles do not prevent the ready insertion of the tab. The top cover with the end tab forms with the top overlaying ply of the front a closely knit assemblage which resists inadvert opening by a relatively deep width of the hinged cover tending to keep the end tab within the slot closure.

Abstract: A device for supporting an apparatus subject to high temperature differentials causing vertical as well as horizontal expansions.The device comprises a support for supporting one side of the apparatus for relative movement while the opposite side of the apparatus is connected to a fixed support. The side providing for relative movement comprises a support having a support means to provide for vertical and horizontal expansion to maintain the apparatus in horizontal alignment. The support means provides for expansion movement at an angle substantially equal to an angle whose tangent can be determined by the vertical and horizontal expansion forces acting on the apparatus and its supporting structure. The device is suited for cyclone separators supported within high temperature process vessels where one side of the support for the cyclone separator is fixed to the cyclone and the other side is fixed to a beam.