Abstract: A luminaria kit which includes a luminaria bag, ballast, a candle, and a container having an interior volume for holding the ballast to stabilize the container. The container has a flat bottom for positioning the bag, with the container inside, on a surface. The container has a top having at least a portion thereof in a plane generally parallel to the surface on which the container is placed. A port is located on the container for sealingly adding ballast thereto. The candle is mounted to the container by inserting it into a candle mount that is located on the portion of the top. The mount includes a plurality of concentric circular rings extending into the interior of the container to form a plurality of ring like steps having a progressively smaller diameters as the steps extend further therein. In a preferred embodiment, the candle mount includes at least three ring like steps, each having the same general depth into the container.

Abstract: A dual dental tray assembly is provided which includes a pliable resilient outer dental tray using a pre-formed thin inner tray of thermoplastic material that nests inside the pliable outer tray. The two are heated to between 145.degree.-160.degree. F. During this time the inner tray is more formable, allowing for the inner tray to be accurately formed over the patient's teeth. The outer tray also prolongs the time during which the inner tray is moldable. The outer tray also operates as a seal with the gums to create a better vacuum created by the patient's sucking. Thus, the inner tray, once formed and cooled, becomes hard and flexible again and provides a thin hard dental tray as accurate as dental trays produced by dentists in their labs on models. The thinner, hard dental tray can then be used for dental treatments including bleaching, fluoride applications, and other dental operations, including provisional crowns and other dental work. The outer tray is usable for fluoride gel treatments.

Abstract: A minimally invasive bioactivated endoprosthesis device for vessel repair. The device comprises a stent which is formed from metal or polymers into a predetermined shape which may include a plurality of holes patterned with a desired size, shape and number. The stent is then coated with a polymer or is formed from a polymer which contains a bioactive substance which achieves an equilibrium with the surrounding body tissues or fluids, with the equilibrium being controlled by charge distribution, concentration and molecular weight of the bioactive substance in relation to the pore size of the polymeric carrier for controlled prolonged release of said bioactive substance.

Abstract: A cleaning composition and method for use, comprising molded wafer of citric acid and sodium bicarbonate compressed together in an amount effective to give a compaction sufficient to produce effervescence for at least 15 minutes. It includes a quantity of detergent admixed into said compressed wafer prior to formation of said wafer in an amount sufficient to form a detergent solution in water. The preferred detergent is anionic. The wafer is packaged in an outer package sealingly protecting the wafer from air and moisture until the package is opened for use.

Abstract: A battery having a positive electrode comprising delta Li.sub.x V.sub.2 O.sub.5, wherein x ranges from 0.9 to 1.0, wherein the Li.sub.x V.sub.2 O.sub.5 has admixed therewith a conductive material. The delta Li.sub.x V.sub.2 O.sub.5 may be formed chemically by reacting V.sub.2 O.sub.5 with a lithium salt to transform all of the V.sub.2 O.sub.5 into Li.sub.x V.sub.2 O.sub.5. Alternatively, and preferred is to form it by electrochemically reacting an admixture of V.sub.2 O.sub.5 and a lithium metal containing electrode in an electrochemical reactor cell having a lithium containing electrolyte in a non-aqueous solvent to transform all of the V.sub.2 O.sub.5 into Li.sub.x V.sub.2 O.sub.5, after which the Li.sub.x V.sub.2 O.sub.5 is removed from the cell and used as a predetermined electrode configuration for use in a lithium metal free secondary cell. The positive electrode is delta LiV.sub.2 O.sub.5 with a conductive material therewith. The delta form of LiV.sub.2 O.sub.

Abstract: A dual dental tray assembly is provided which includes a pliable resilient outer dental tray using a pre-formed thin inner tray of thermoplastic material that nests inside the pliable outer tray. The two are heated to between 145.degree.-160.degree. F. During this time the inner tray is more formable, allowing for the inner tray to be accurately formed over the patient's teeth. The outer tray also prolongs the time during which the inner tray is moldable. The outer tray also operates as a seal with the gums to create a better vacuum created by the patient's sucking. Thus, the inner tray, once formed and cooled, becomes hard and flexible again and provides a thin hard dental tray as accurate as dental trays produced by dentists in their labs on models. The thinner, hard dental tray can then be used for dental treatments including bleaching, fluoride applications, and other dental operations, including provisional crowns and other dental work. The outer tray is usable for fluoride gel treatments.

Abstract: A minimally invasive bioactivated endoprosthesis device for vessel repair. The device comprises a stent which is formed from metal or polymers into a predetermined shape which includes a plurality of holes patterned with a desired size, shape and number to provide a desired bending modulus. The stent is then coated with a polymer or is formed from a polymer which contains a bioactive substance which achieves an equilibrium with the surrounding body tissues or fluids, with the equilibrium being controlled by charge distribution, concentration and molecular weight of the bioactive substance in relation to the pore size of the polymeric carrier for controlled prolonged release of said bioactive substance.

Abstract: A cleaning composition and method for use with golf equipment and the like, comprising at least one molded wafer of citric acid and sodium bicarbonate in a quantity and with compaction sufficient to produce effervescence in at least one gallon of water for at least 15 minutes. The citric acid ranges from about 10% to about 30% and preferably about 18% to about 24% by weight of the weight of the formulation. The sodium bicarbonate ranges from about 35% to about 55% and preferably from 40% to about 44% by weight of the total weight. It includes a detergent selected from sodium lauryl sulfate, alkyl aryl sulfonate, tetra sodium ethylene diamine tetra acetic acid, and mixtures thereof which has been admixed into the compressed wafer in an amount sufficient to form a soap solution in at least one gallon of water. Preferably, the surfactant comprises about 6% to 10% of sodium lauryl sulfate, about 12% to 18% of alkyl aryl sulfonate, and about 4% to 6% of tetra sodium ethylene diamine tetra acetic acid.

Abstract: A cleaning composition and method for use with jewelry and the like, comprising a molded wafer of citric acid and sodium bicarbonate compressed together to produce effervescence for at least 15 minutes. The citric acid ranges from about 10% to about 30% and preferably about 18% to about 24% by weight of the weight of the formulation. The sodium bicarbonate ranges from about 35% to about 55% and preferably from 40% to about 44% by weight of the total weight. It includes a detergent selected from sodium lauryl sulfate, alkyl aryl sulfonate, tetra sodium ethylene diamine tetra acetic acid, and mixtures thereof which has been admixed into the compressed wafer in an amount sufficient to form a soap solution in up to two cups of water. Preferably, the surfactant comprises about 6% to 10% of sodium lauryl sulfate, about 12% to 18% of alkyl aryl sulfonate, and about 4% to 6% of tetra sodium ethylene diamine tetra acetic acid.

Abstract: A segmented barrel extruder device for extrusion and having a plurality of segments enclosing an extruder barrel aligned on an axis. The segments include axially perpendicular rectangular end flanges having exposed sides and a central portion for housing an extruder barrel. The flanges have aligned straight line paths for fluid flow in a plane perpendicular to the axis. Accordingly, the paths each intersect two exposed sides without intersecting the central portion. The segments also include an extruder bore between the flanges. The segments have a housing having straight axial channels which are connected to the paths in the flanges to conduct fluid from points along one path in each path to of points along a corresponding path. The extruder bore also includes a centered portion aligned with the flange central portion and a radial feeder device. The radial feeder device includes a seal and a mount which is adapted to mount the seal without sealing force on the bore.

Abstract: A segmented barrel extruder device for extrusion and having a plurality of segments enclosing an extruder barrel aligned on an axis. The segments include axially perpendicular rectangular end flanges having exposed sides and a central portion for housing an extruder barrel. The flanges have aligned straight line paths for fluid flow in a plane perpendicular to the axis. Accordingly, the paths each intersect two exposed sides without intersecting the central portion. The segments also include an extruder barrel between flanges. The segments have a housing having straight axial channels which are connected to the paths in the flanges to conduct fluid from points along one path in each path to of points along a corresponding path. The barrel extruder also includes a centered portion aligned with the flange central portion. There is also provided an extruder barrel insert sized to fit in the centered portion of the barrel having a key for preventing rotational movement.

Abstract: A hydraulic chuck device for testing the integrity of a ferrule sealed to a tube proximate one end of the tube. The device includes a chuck body having an inlet end with an internal collet engaging surface and a second end. Collets are mounted inside the inlet end of the body. The collet has faces shaped to conform to a ferrule on a tube, and normally urges the collets against the engaging surface of the body. An actuator is connected to a source of fluid, and is mounted in the body. The actuator includes a ferrule seal which is normally in a ferrule engaging position for introducing the fluid to the tube. A handle is provided for inserting a ferrule and tube into the device to allow the collets to engage the ferrule on one side of its seal to the tube and the ferrule seal to engage the ferrule on the other side of its seal to the tube when fluid is introduced into the tube.

Abstract: A hydraulic chuck device for enlarging the end of a tube, which includes a chuck body having first and second inlets for a source of fluid under pressure. The device has a tube receiving end where the tube to be enlarged is inserted. Also included is a piston mounted in the body which is adapted to move toward the tube receiving end upon introduction of fluid under pressure to the first inlet and away from the tube receiving end upon introduction of fluid under pressure to the second inlet. The piston has a tube engaging sizing ball on one end for enlarging a tube inserted into the tube receiving end of the body when the piston moves toward that end. Also provided are collets mounted in the body at the receiving end to engage the tube and prevent movement thereof with respect to the body. The collets are cooperatively attached to the piston to engage and release the tube as the piston moves toward and away from the tube receiving end.

Abstract: An optical fiber switch and modulator component comprising applying a signal, such as, an electrical, magnetic, or microwave signal to a single optical fiber which has a region of uncladding, i.e.

Abstract: A device for positioning reading material for use by a person in the horizontal position. The device includes a frame, including a base, a vertical arm extending above the base, and a horizontal arm extending over the location of the person. Also included is a housing for mounting the horizontal portion of the frame. The housing includes a back plate extending horizontally in the frame and a reader plate frame for housing a reader plate. The reader plate frame is below the back plate and is spaced therefrom to position reading material in an open orientation facing the person.Also include are first and second clear reader plates mounted horizontally in the reader plate frame to enclose both sides of reading material while leaving a spaced region between the plates for access to the reading material by a person in the horizontal position.

Abstract: A segmented extruder device for extrusion along a longitudinal axis. The device has a plurality of segments enclosing a barrel aligned on the axis. The segments each include a pair of axially perpendicular end flanges for each segment. Each of the flanges have exposed sides and a central portion for housing an extruder barrel. The flanges have a plurality of straight line paths for fluid flow into and out of the flanges in a plane perpendicular to the axis. A port is provided to give access to each straight line path from at least one side of each flange. A housing portion is placed between each of the pair of flanges for housing the extruder barrel. The housing has a plurality of straight axial channels operably connecting the flanges to conduct fluid along the barrel from each of the straight line paths in one flange to a corresponding straight line path in the other flange. Finally, the device includes an inlet and an outlet for introducing fluid into and removing fluid from selective paths and channels.

Abstract: A pallet is provided and shaped to facilitate movement of the pallet around a corner portion of a transfer mechanism. The pallet comprises a sidewall having an arcuate surface. The pallet further includes a cavity which imparts vertical and horizontal lift upon engagement with an engaging bar end.

Abstract: This invention is directed to an apparatus for the combustion of coal comprising a heated tubular reactor having combined air and granular coal inlet means for tangentially introducing air and granular coal into the reactor, external heating means, insulation means, and an outlet means wherein the coal is partially burned in the heated tubular reactor to a temperature 50 to 100 degrees Fahrenheit below the fusion temperature of the ash produced from the coal to be used to produce partial combustion products composed of coke, ash and combustion gases. The partially combusted products exiting from the tubular reactor are tangentially introduced with additional air into a second tubular reactor here they are completely burned.

Abstract: This invention is directed to an apparatus for the combustion of coal comprising a heated tubular reactor having combined air and granular coal inlet means for tangentially introducing air and granular coal into the reactor, external heating means, insulation means, and an outlet means wherein the coal is partially burned in the heated tubular reactor to a temperature 50 to 100 degrees Fahrenheit below the fusion temperature of the ash produced from the coal to be used to produce partial combustion products composed of coke, ash and combustion gases. The partially combusted products exiting from the tubular reactor are tangentially introduced with additional air into a second tubular reactor where they are completely burned.

Abstract: A system and method is provided to remove a pallet from a moving transfer mechanism and for accurately locking the pallet at a precise location. More specifically, the system and method permits very accurate location, positioning, lifting and locking of a pallet to permit work station functions on devices carried by the pallets. The system is particularly well suited for non-synchronous assembly line operations.