Abstract: Pyrolysis methods for disassociating an organic mass, or coating from an article, by placing the article in an air tight processing chamber, circulating a gaseous mixture of ambient air and at least 40% water vapor from an opening, through the processing chamber and out of an exhaust port, and maintaining the processing chamber at a temperature above 650 degrees Fahrenheit for a sufficient time to disassociate the organic material. A batch oven and a continuous processing oven including entrance and exit air closures that utilize the pyrolysis methods are described.

Abstract: A single tool functioning as a screwdriver, a socket wrench and a brush. A shaft serves as an element of a screwdriver, the shaft of a socket wrench and a handle and support for a brush; In one embodiment, a tube with sockets at both ends is attached at its center to one end of a shaft that is also slidably disposed within an axial channel through a brush, and the other end of the shaft is shaped as a screwdriver blade.

Abstract: A coupler with an elongated inner member with an axial channel therethrough that is adapted to be removably disposed within a passage extending through an outer member. The inner member has a surface at one end that is adapted to engage and seal on a surface of the outer member and a recess on the outer surface that accommodates a plurality of cams pivotally mounted on axes exterior to the outer member. The outer member has a slot extending therethrough confronting each cam, and each cam has a lever arm extending therefrom, each lever arm having a closed position in which the lever arm is disposed adjacent to the outer member and an open position outwardly of the outer member. A strap is mounted on a lever arms that has hooks on one side and loops on the other side, the hooks and loops adhering together when pressed together.

Abstract: An isolation plating medium for the identification of Salmonella bacteria in a sample containing a plurality of different bacteria comprising a mixture of a carbohydrate capable of being a metabolic source for Salmonella bacteria and supporting colonies of Salmonella bacteria, a pH indicator dye that changes the color of the plating medium to a first color different from the color of the medium responsive to a change in the pH of the medium, a first substrate that does not react with Salmonella bacteria and injects color into the medium of a second color responsive to the presence of beta-galactosidase, the second color contrasting with the first color and the color of the medium, a second substrate that does not react with Salmonella bacteria and injects color into the medium of substantially the same color as the second color responsive to the presence of beta=galactosidase, and an ingredient for thickening the mixture in sufficient quantity to solidify the mixture.

Abstract: A solid growth plating medium in which Shigella organisms will grow and form colonies in the medium, and substantially, other microorganisms are inhibited or their colonies are differentiated from Shigella organisms. In one embodiment of the invention, colonies produced by Shigella appear with the color of the plating medium, usually a clear off-white color, that can be readily observed. In another embodiment, the fact that Shigella boydii and Shigella sonnei produce the enzyme alpha-galactosidase, but most Shigella dysenteriae and Shigella flexneri strains do not, is utilized with a chromogenic substrate to produce colonies of these microorganisms of a distinguishing color.

Abstract: An isolation plating medium for use in processes for the presumptive identification of Escherichia coli 0157:H7 from a sample that also contains other strains of Escherichia coli. The plating medium comprises at least one carbohydrate that Escherichia coli 0157:H7 is incapable of fermenting, but other strains of Escherichia coli do ferment said carbohydrate, a pH indicator dye that changes the color of the plating medium to a first color when the pH of the medium changes, a chromogenic substrate that reacts to beta-galactosidase to form a precipitate in the plating medium of a second color which contrasts with the first color.

Abstract: An isolation plating medium and mixture for simultaneously identifying Bacillus species are disclosed. The specific bacilli identified are Bacillus thuringiensis and Bacillus cereus. The medium and mixture contain nutrients, inhibitory ingredients to inhibit the growth of other bacteria yeast and molds and a chromogenic substrate. The substrate changes color in response to the production of phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C for the identification of the bacteria.

Abstract: A nontoxic sanitizing cleaner comprising an organic acid having a pH less than 3, a chelating agent, and a surfactant. The invention also contemplates a buffering agent in the cleaner. In a preferred embodiment, the sanitizing cleanser is in the form of a solution containing 94% citric acid, 4% EDTA, 1% sodium laurel sulfate, and 1% monosodium phosphate, by weight. The invention also contemplates using the nontoxic sanitizing cleaner in a cosmetic lotion, and in processes for cleaning and sanitizing food processing equipment.

Abstract: An engine and pump assembly in which the pump has a water impermeable housing with a hollow cylindrical sleeve open at one end, and a plate mounted and sealed on the other end of the sleeve. The plate has an aperture disposed on the axis of the sleeve; and an engine is mounted on the housing with a drive shaft extending through the aperture in the plate coaxially with the sleeve. The sleeve has a port extending therethrough, and an elongated water impermeable hollow tube extends outwardly from the port to an open opposing end.

Abstract: A flexible duct for use in a heating or cooling system having an elongated wire cemented between two elongated plastic ribbons and wound into a multi-turn coil, a portion of the plastic ribbons of each turn overlapping and being cemented to a portion of the plastic ribbons of adjacent turns to form a duct, the wire forming a plurality of identical turns with each turn having a pair of U-shaped end portions and a pair of elongated portions, the elongated portion being interconnected by an end portion and being aligned with the elongated portions of adjacent turns. A method of making such duct and apparatus for making such duct are also disclosed.

Abstract: A solid plating medium for the presumptive detection of Escherichia coli 0157:H7 which comprises (1) an ingredient which promotes growth of Escherichia coli cells under incubation, (2) an ingredient which inhibits growth of gram positive microorganisms under incubation, (3) an ingredient that inhibits growth of Proteus sp.

Abstract: A multipurpose anchor assembly includes a block assembly for mounting to the upper sidewall of a cargo carrying vehicle to accommodate tie down of handled cargo. A pin is received through an aperture in the block and engages a spring mounted plate assembly which allows for engagement of the pin for locking in selective positions. The pin includes an eye formation at a top thereof to facilitate attachment of a tie down lashing member.

Abstract: An industrial oven for heat treating a series of articles by transporting the articles through a heated tunnel in an enclosure, the enclosure having air barrier closures at the entrance and exit of the tunnel, the air barrier closure at the entrance of the tunnel having a blower with an inlet for receiving a gaseous medium and a nozzle for expelling the gaseous medium in a flow and directing the medium flow across the tunnel, the blower having a heater adapted to raise the temperature of the gaseous medium expelled through the nozzle above the temperature within the tunnel, the enclosure also having an exhaust port between the air barrier closures and an exhaust blower for removing a portion of the gaseous medium from within the tunnel and reducing the pressure of the gaseous medium within the tunnel to a pressure below that of the ambient atmosphere.

Abstract: The method of making refractory ceramic products in which a slurry is formed of water, powdered alumina, and amorphous fibers containing AL.sub.2 O.sub.3 and SiO.sub.2, the volume of water in the slurry being sufficient to permit the slurry to flow under vibration but insufficient to permit the slurry to flow without vibration, the fibers having a molecular ratio of Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 to SiO.sub.2 substantially less than 3 to 2 and the molecular ratio of Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 to SiO.sub.2 in the combined slurry being at least 3 to 2, thereater placing the slurry in a liquid absorbing mold and vibrating the slurry to fill the mold, then permitting the mold to absorb a portion of the water from the slurry to form a body, then removing the body from the mold and drying the body, and thereafter heating the body to combine silica and alumina from the fibers and powdered alumina to recrystalize the fibers in the from of mullite.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a particulate hydrated filter material containing clay for refining glyceride oil, including such oil containing contaminants resulting from the cooking of food. In addition, the present invention relates to methods of making such hydrated filter materials.

Abstract: An exercise machine and transmission for converting first and second rotary inputs into a single rotary output. The machine has a first input shaft, a second input shaft coupled to the first shaft, and a shell. The shafts are mounted to the shell on a common axis, and one-way clutches are disposed between the shell and each respective shaft. The torques of the first and second shafts in one rotational direction are combined in the shell for single output to a load.

Abstract: A substantially dry filtering media for rejuvenating glyceride oils is formed by admixing a calcined metallic oxide and an expanded silicate in a tumbler having grounded, electrically conducting walls for a period of time to electrostatically produce an agglomerate. Specific examples of metallic oxides are calcined magnesium oxide, calcined aluminum oxide, calcined potassium oxide, calcined calcium oxide, calcined zinc oxide and calcined ferric oxide. Examples of the silicate are expanded perlite and expanded pumice. The agglomerate so formed is of sufficient size to facilitate filtering of the oil, and subsequent removal of the media from the rejuvenated oil.