Abstract: A process for the preparation of a liquid-absorbing material from fibrous waste sludge is disclosed comprising the steps of partially dewatering the waste sludge to yield a semi-dry fibrous mass, forming the fibrous mass into a pelletized configuration, and drying the pellets into a resultant pellet product having a bulk density not exceeding 400 kg/m.sup.3 and a water content of 0.5 through 10 percent by weight. Suitable dyes, odorants and/or biologically active compounds such as insecticides, fungicides, and bactericides may be added to the fibrous mass to adapt the resultant dried pellet product for use in particular absorption applications.

Abstract: A relatively simple and low-cost body puppet is disclosed comprising a garment worn about the trunk of a user which includes artwork and other indicia depicting a humanized face and mouth. The garment is formed of a substantially resilient material which when manually stretched by the hands of the user, causes the indicia on the puppet to momentarily distort and assume varying facial expressions. The body puppet of the present invention is additionally adapted to serve as a teaching aid, permitting children to non-verbally communicate with others and predict and record the actual response of a viewer.

Abstract: A low cost sun screen device for use on motor vehicles is disclosed comprising a perforated polymer laminate sheet which is affixed to the interior surface of the vehicle rear window. The outermost surface of the laminate sheet includes artwork and other indicia formed thereon which when viewed by an observer through the rear window of the vehicle, simulates the appearance of a three-dimensional mechanical window louvre structure. The perforated laminate sheet provides an aesthetically pleasing, effective sunshield which reduces the temperature of the interior compartment of the vehicle by as much as forty percent while insuring that occupant visibility is not adversely affected.

Abstract: A portable tool for enabling a workman (while maintaining a comfortable standing position) to bind a pair of concrete re-enforcement rod structural members (which may be disposed in proximity to the feet of the workman) together by utilizing a supply of wire that is carried on a reel as part of the tool. Disposed adjacent the lower end of the tool is a pair of jaws which are normally open to introduce the structural members into a hole defined by the jaws when closed. The tool is fully automatic and a sequence of binding events is started by depressing a trigger which is disposed adjacent the upper end of the tool. The binding sequence is completed in a few seconds which, of course, enables the workman to accomplish considerably more work than normal.

Abstract: A body member has a cavity with an opening adapted and constructed to receive a plug member in sealed engagement therewith, the plug member having a chamber which opens into the cavity when the plug member is engaged in the opening of the cavity, the chamber in the plug member being constructed and adapted to receive and hold a substantial portion of the length of a roll of paper containing written information such that when the plug is secured in the opening in the cavity of the body member the chamber and its contents are enclosed without restriction and protected by the body member and when the plug member is removed from the body member the chamber and its contents are exposed and readily accessible for removal and examination of the contents.

Abstract: An improved hydraulic mining tool is disclosed wherein the major components of the tool are formed as separate discrete modules, each including a high torsional strength common mounting flange which permits the modules to be interchangeably attached to one another in varying axial orientations to yield a composite mining tool structure adapted to meet the particular mining requirements of the mineral formation. The mining tool discloses axial and radial slurry inlets, both of which include means for feeding quantities of mined minerals toward the slurry pump of the tool. The feeding means may be adjusted from ground surface during the mining operation to meter the amount of material entering into the slurry pump, thereby maximizing mining efficiency in varying consistency mineral formations.

Abstract: An improved hydraulic mining tool for recovering minerals, particularly bitumen, and other viscous crude oils, from subterranian formations is disclosed, composed generally of a radially directed cutting jet nozzle which discharges a high velocity liquid to dislodge bitumen, viscous crude oils, and sand particles from the formation and a venturi-type pump and jet nozzle which lifts the dislodged material upward to the surface. The mining tool includes a rock crushing mechanism having means to vary its impact force and reciprocation frequency and an Archimedes feed screw which provides a variable quantity, continuous feed of mined material into the jet pump inlet.

Abstract: A tool for slurrying and recovering minerals, including bitumen, from a single bore hole by hydraulic mining and jet pumping to the surface in which the tool includes conduits for pumping water into a venturi throat, a generally concentric bottom inlet to the venturi throat and a collection device below the venturi for lifting mineral into the venturi. The tool additionally includes means for selectively adjusting the distance between the screw and venturi throat to vary the proportion of suction applied to the bottom and side inlets to the venturi thereby accommodating variations in slurry concentrations and density.