Abstract: A truck bed handle assembly is formed from a handle formed from an elongated handle body having an upper end and lower end. The truck bed handle assembly further includes a handle receiver assembly that is configured for mounting to a sidewall of a truck bed. The handle receiver assembly has a handle receiving portion that engages the lower end of the elongate handle body to hold the handle body in a generally upright orientation. The handle may be a collapsible or non-collapsible handle.

Abstract: A method of modifying a zeolite catalyst to increase para-xylene selectivity of the zeolite catalyst in toluene methylation reactions is provided. The method includes forming a slurry of a ZSM-5-type zeolite and an aqueous solution of a phosphorus compound. Water is removed from the slurry to provide a non-steamed, phosphorus treated ZSM-5 zeolite catalyst without deposition of phosphorus onto the catalyst by organophosphorus vapor deposition. The resulting non-steamed, phosphorus treated ZSM-5 zeolite catalyst has a pore volume of from 0.2 ml/g or less and provides greater than 80% para-xylene selectivity of mixed xylenes when used in toluene methylation.

Abstract: A gas/liquid separator assembly for use in a tubing string located in a borehole of a well is provided. The separator assembly includes a tubular outer conduit having a lower inlet for introducing gas and liquids within the interior of the outer conduit. The outer conduit has an upper outlet to allow fluids to pass to the exterior of the outer conduit. A tubular inner conduit is disposed within the interior of the outer conduit. The inner conduit has a flow passage and an inlet for introducing liquids discharged from the outer conduit into the flow passage. The inner and outer conduits are rigidly joined together at a first end. An adaptor engages the inner and outer conduits at a second end to prevent lateral movement of the second end of the inner conduit within the outer conduit, while allowing relative longitudinal movement of the outer and inner conduits from longitudinal compression or tension forces applied to the outer conduit.

Abstract: A method of modifying a ZSM-5-type zeolite catalyst to increase selectivity of the catalyst for para-isomers in aromatic alkylation reactions is provided. The method includes contacting a ZSM-5-type zeolite catalyst with a fluoride-containing compound. The fluoride-containing zeolite catalyst can be used in aromatic alkylation to provide di-alkyl aromatic products. A method of preparing a xylene product is also accomplished by providing a fluoride-treated ZSM-5-type zeolite catalyst within a reactor. The fluoride-treated ZSM-5 zeolite catalyst is contacted with a toluene/methanol feed under reaction conditions conditions suitable for toluene methylation to form a xylene product containing at least 50% para-xylene by total mixed xylenes.

Abstract: A method of preparing a xylene product is carried out in a reactor containing a phosphorus-treated ZSM-5-type zeolite catalyst. The method includes initiating a unique start-up of a toluene methylation reaction by contacting the catalyst with a toluene/methanol feed and a cofeed of hydrogen introduced into the reactor at certain start-up conditions. By utilizing the start-up conditions high selectivity for p-xylene can be achieved while providing stable catalytic activity over extended periods.

Abstract: A catalyst for use in aromatic alkylation, such as toluene alkylation with methanol, is comprised of a zeolite with pore size from about 5.0 to about 7.0 ? containing a hydrogenating metal. The catalyst may be used in preparing an alkyl aromatic product by providing the catalyst within a reactor. The catalyst may be contacted with an aromatic hydrocarbon and an alkylating agent in the presence of hydrogen under reaction conditions suitable for aromatic alkylation. The catalyst may also be treated to further increase its stability. This is accomplished by heating the hydrogenating metal loaded zeolite catalyst in the presence of a reducing agent prior to use in an aromatic alkylation reaction to a temperature of from about 400° C. to about 500 ° C. for about 0.5 to about 10 hours.

Abstract: A system and method for monitoring passengers during boarding or disembarking of a passenger carrier is provided. This includes providing a passenger monitoring system at a gateway area for boarding or disembarking of a passenger carrier for a designated carrier event. The passenger monitoring system may include a passenger data collecting device, an instruction input device, a video monitor display device and a data processor that is in communication with a remotely located central database containing stored carrier and passenger data for the carrier event. Passenger boarding or disembarking data from at least one passenger is collected during boarding or disembarking operations at the gateway area with the passenger monitoring system. The stored carrier and passenger data is updated with the collected data. The stored carrier and passenger data is displayed on the display device of the passenger monitoring system upon inquiry instruction input into the instruction input device.

Abstract: A mobile data reading system for reading bulky data-associated articles being manually handled by a user includes a frame mounted on rollers to facilitate moving the frame over a support surface to selected locations. A reader having a reader head is mounted to the frame for receiving a data signal from a data-associated item to be read when the article is brought within a proximal distance to the reader head without requiring handling of the reader head by the user during scanning of articles. The mobile data reading system also includes a data storage device for receiving and storing data associated with the received data signal and a power supply for supplying power to the reader.

Abstract: A system and method for cooling air includes using a refrigerant cooling system and further using a refrigerant liquefaction subsystem or method that includes using a heat sink cooler (“pre-cooler”) to cool the heat sink coolant before it is used to cool the refrigerant in the condenser. One aspect of the refrigerant liquefaction subsystem may use a water mist, which may be prepared by atomizers, high pressure nozzles, piezo-electric ultrasonic nebulizers, or the like, to cool the heat sink coolant.

Abstract: A foam concentrate or fire fighting composition for extinguishing and/or retarding fires is provided that meets UL162, Class B performance criteria for at least one of AFFF agents, AR-AFFF agents and fluoroprotein (FP) agents. The concentrate is used to form the fire fighting composition when mixed with water. The concentrate or fire fighting composition includes a high molecular weight fluoropolymer and water and may have a fluorine content wherein less than about 0.008% fluorine by weight of the fire fighting composition is provided from any fluorochemical surfactant. Further, the composition may meet the UL162, Class B performance criteria without forming a stable seal on cyclohexane.

Abstract: A foam concentrate provides a fire-fighting composition when mixed with water so that the fire-fighting composition does not form a stable seal on cyclohexane and meets UL 162, Class B performance criteria for at least one of AFFF agents and fluoroprotein (FP) agents without requiring organic fluorine. The concentrate is formed from water and a high molecular weight acidic polymer (HMWAP) and a coordinating salt.

Abstract: A high chair is provided that can be used in different modes. The high chair is provided with a seating surface for supporting a child in an elevated position in one mode. The chair can be inverted and used to support a child carrier at an elevated position in a second mode. The chair is configured so that it rests on a generally flat support surface in a non-tilted orientation. A stabilizer may also be provided to further stabilize the chair. A stabilizer is also provided for use with the high chair or high chair of conventional design when such chairs are inverted and used to support child carriers.

Abstract: A method of refining a petroleum product to remove aromatics and to separate paraffinic oils and waxes is provided. The method involves the utilization of phase equilibria wherein crystallized or solidified waxes, normally present in the petroleum product, are used to remove oils from a liquid solvent phase containing dissolved aromatics present in the unrefined petroleum product. The wax containing the oils is separated from the aromatic-containing solvent and is further processed to separate the waxes and oils. For petroleum products containing little, if any, wax, additional wax may be added and recycled back for further use in removing oils from the petroleum product. The method has particular application in preparing lubricating oils having a high viscosity index, where the presence of aromatics and wax can be detrimental.

Abstract: A vending system is provided that includes a vending machine housing. At least two different pet-related items are offered for vending, with the at least two different pet-related items being housed within the vending housing. At least one of the two different pet-related offered items is a non-pet-food pet-related item. The vending system also includes a vended item display for displaying information regarding the offered items. An exchange medium receptor capable of receiving an exchange medium and a dispensing mechanism for dispensing a selected offered item is also provided. The dispensing mechanism is operable upon receipt of a selected exchange medium by the exchange medium receptor and is non-operable when the exchange medium receptor has not received the selected exchange medium, and wherein the selected item is accessible and removable from the housing upon dispensing by the dispensing mechanism.

Abstract: Uses of syndiotactic/atactic block polypropylene are provided in which the molecular weight thereof is preferably at least 120kD. The syndiotactic/atactic block polypropylene may be used as a polypropylene modifier, a component in an adhesive composition, a shock absorber component, a waterproof membrane component, a packaging film or component thereof, a shapable composition component, and an acoustic absorbent material component, a composition for moulding into a footwear component, a bitumen modifier, a compatibiliser, an emulgator or an emulsifier, as a viscosity improver, and as a spilled oil absorber.

Abstract: A process where the need to circulate hydrogen through the catalyst is eliminated. This is accomplished by mixing and/or flashing the hydrogen and the oil to be treated in the presence of a solvent or diluent in which the hydrogen solubility is “high” relative to the oil feed. The type and amount of diluent added, as well as the reactor conditions, can be set so that all of the hydrogen required in the hydroprocessing reactions is available in solution. The oil/diluent/hydrogen solution can then be fed to a plug flow reactor packed with catalyst where the oil and hydrogen react. No additional hydrogen is required, therefore, hydrogen recirculation is avoided and trickle bed operation of the reactor is avoided. Therefore, the large trickle bed reactors can be replaced by much smaller tubular reactor.

Abstract: An obstacle device for use on a playing field is formed from an elongate support member. A frame member in the form of a resilient, flexible hoop is coupled to the support member. The frame member has an expanded configuration that defines an expanded frame area. The frame member is resiliently deformable to a collapsed configuration that defines a collapsed frame area that is less than the expanded frame area. A layer of fabric material is attached to the frame member so that the fabric material is spread by the frame when the frame is in the expanded configuration.

Abstract: A visual stimulation attachment for amusing an infant riding in a child safety seat or child in a vehicle that has headliner includes a visually-stimulating background member and an attachment device (e.g., a micro-hook material) secured to the background member and operable to releasably couple the background member to the headliner of the vehicle. The visual stimulation attachment may have one or more tether lines with a dangling member attached to it. A method of amusing an infant with a visually stimulating attachment and of manufacturing a visually stimulating attachment are also presented.

Abstract: A device for holding scalpels or other instruments is provided. The device includes a non-fixed sterile body having at least one instrument mounting station that includes a holding portion for releasably holding the proximal end of a surgical or medical instrument while allowing access to the proximal end for grasping and removal of the instrument from the device by a user. The device has a recessed area for receiving the distal end of the instrument to facilitate preventing of inadvertent contact of the distal end by the user while the instrument is held by the device.

Abstract: A system and method for cooling air includes using a refrigerant cooling system and further using a refrigerant liquefaction subsystem or method that includes using a heat sink cooler (“pre-cooler”) to cool the heat sink coolant before it is used to cool the refrigerant in the condenser. One aspect of the refrigerant liquefaction subsystem may use a water mist, which may be prepared by atomizers, high pressure nozzles, piezo-electric ultrasonic nebulizers, or the like, to cool the heat sink coolant.