Abstract: An article of jewelry preferably in the form of a pendant having a hollow compartment therein which is accessible by a threaded or press fitted cap which upon opening the container permits access to an article retaining apparatus. The article retaining apparatus can be solid, hollow or formed of a mesh material which permits visibility of the retained object and includes a slot for insertion of a retained object. The article retained may be an object having a reference to luck, power, love or protection and may include either hair or paper or small object.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for applying various different coating on surfaces including but not limited to roadways, parking lots, bridge decks, airport runways, offshore heliports and workboat walkways. Preferably, an applicator is provided that allows numerous different coatings to be applied to a surface. The coatings may be protective, decorative, non-skid and/or reflective in nature. Preferably, the applicator allows for the dispensing of two or more materials in at least two different manners (e.g., (i) two or more materials simultaneously applied to the surface to be coated; and, (ii) one material applied followed by application of one or more additional materials). Preferably, the applicator is lightweight and compact so that a single individual can carry the applicator while applying a coating to a surface to be coated. This allows the applicator to be used to coat surfaces in constricted areas including but not limited to workboat walkways.

Abstract: A filter system for filtering water and/or wastewater including a sludge blanket clarifier for removing at least some impurities from influent. The sludge blanket clarifier includes a clarifier compartment in which a sludge blanket is to be formed to remove at least some impurities from influent directed into the clarifier compartment and through the sludge blanket. The clarifier compartment has at least one vertical sidewall extending from a bottom of the clarifier compartment to a top of the clarifier compartment. The clarifier compartment has a cross-sectional area that varies over at least a portion of a height of the clarifier compartment such that the velocity of influent just prior to entry into the sludge blanket is less than the velocity of influent just after entering the clarifier compartment.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for monitoring an underdrain in a filter system for filtering water or wastewater. At least one diagnostic condition relating to the performance of the underdrain is monitored to determine if the underdrain is operating in an acceptable manner.

Abstract: A system and method for uniformly distributing fluids (e.g., washing and in-service) through a filter bed of a filter. The system and method of the present invention can be used with any type of filter that uses media to remove impurities from a fluid. The filter bed can include one or more layers of media. The media can be natural (e.g., sand, gravel, anthracite, etc.) or can be fabricated (e.g., plastic). The filter media can be supported by one or more layers of gravel. Alternatively, the filter media can be supported by a porous plate or other support designed to replace the gravel layers. The present invention includes a system having a distribution member configured to uniformly distribute a fluid through a filter bed of a filter. Preferably, the distribution member can be readily installed by relatively unskilled labor in both existing filters and new filters.

Abstract: A method, means, and apparatus to prevent and treat infections and disorders using germicidal light to inactivate and/or kill the organisms or cells that cause infections and other disorders. The method of treatment comprises irradiating the area to be treated using electromagnetic radiation of a germicidal nature. The method utilizes a previously unrecognized ability of germicidal light to penetrate the skin, nails, and other membranes sufficiently to successfully treat and prevent disorders. The electromagnetic radiation damages the organisms and cells that cause disorders such as skin and nail infections and renders them substantially incapable of reproducing. Without the ability to replicate the organism cannot continue to infest the skin and nails. The damage inflicted can also be sufficient to kill the organism outright. An infection is thereby prevented (if organisms are present, but infection has not yet begun), and the infection is cured if the infection already exists.

Abstract: An electronic fund transfer system that provides vital marketing information to participating merchants and purchasing records to customers while offering the most efficient and effective system to deliver the best terms and conditions for the products and services requested by customers. The system includes an electronic funds transfer card that can be used as a debit or charge card to purchase goods and services. At checkout, the system operates invisibly to the consumer and the cashier. Approval of the transaction operates similarly to a conventional debit card or credit card. All discounts are managed by the data clearinghouse which receives consumer data and merchant data. The clearinghouse communicates with the financial institution and forwards a statement which displays the accumulated discounts to the consumer.

Abstract: The invention relates to a double seat valve with cleanable seats, the valve including first and second closing elements (3, 4) and a leakage cavity (5). An intermediate seal (8) seals the closing elements (3, 4) in their opening and closing movements and in the open position against each other, is arranged in the second closing element (4). The second closing element (4) abuts in its closed position at a transition area (2e, 2e*) with a stop face (4e) arranged at a front face of a cylindrical lug (4*) and that directly adjacent to a first seat (2a, 2g), a central recess (4d) is provided in a front face of a second cylindrical lug (4*).

Abstract: A stop member for an operator chain in a chain operator, wherein the operator chain has a width, rivet holes and rivets, constitutes a pin arranged in a rivet hole not occupied by a rivet in the operator chain, wherein the pin has a length exceeding the width of the operator chain. The pin can be cylindrical with a diameter corresponding essentially to that of the rivet hole, and the diameter of the pin can be slightly smaller than that of the rivet hole, so as to be loosely held in the rivet hole.

Abstract: A cooking apparatus has a food support with food engaging structure, such as a rotisserie spit. A firebed is mounted under the food support to heat food at the food support. A heat reflective vault is mounted over the food support for reflecting radiant heat back down toward the food support. The vault extends over the food support while still providing access from the side. A drive mechanism can vertically adjust the firebed to adjust heat flowing toward the food support. An elevator motor may be coupled to the drive mechanism for vertically positioning the firebed. A thermostat responsive to heat from the firebed and coupled to the elevator motor can control elevation of the firebed.

Abstract: A method for activating a sprinkler system comprises maintaining a liquid extinguishant in system pipes under a standby pressure that is less than the operating pressure, determining an arrangement of the sprinklers that will control a fire, and opening the sprinkler system valve in response to a drop in pressure in each of the pipes to which at least one of the sprinklers of the arrangement is connected. An alternate method comprises providing a bypass around the system valve, and opening the system valve in response to (1) a predetermined flow of liquid extinguishant through the bypass and (2) a drop in pressure in the sprinkler system below a predetermined pressure. In a variation of the alternate method, the system valve is opened in response only to a predetermined flow of liquid extinguishant through the bypass.

Abstract: A double seat valve in which a second closing element (4), in its closed position, rests with a stopping surface (4f) on a face of its cylindrical projection (4*) directly upon a first seat (2a) and, together with a peripheral wall (4c, 4h), forms a second wraparound edge (U2) upon an interface (2e, 2e*). The peripheral wall (4c), at its end facing away from a first closing element (3), merges into a rotationally symmetric reversing surface (4d) that leads to a face (4e) of a recess (4b) oriented essentially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the second closing element (4). In meridian section, the reversing surface (4b) has a contour (K) with a bend-free curve, a direction vector in the leading point of the reversing surface (4d) points into a discharge borehole (3d, 3d*) central in the first closing element (3) without colliding with the first closing element (3) in the vicinity of its areas bordering the leakage cavity (5) and forming dynamic pressure.

Abstract: The invention relates to a vehicle equipped with seats and/or equipment for use in areas in which the detonation of mines or the like are feared, wherein walls, floor and ceiling are provided with an arrangement that can withdraw energy from the blast wave of a detonation by deformation, and the floor is suspended only through ropes, rods or chains with separable connections. At least one pressure sensor and/or acceleration sensor is provided, which reacts to a blast wave, outputs a signal and ignites explosive charges thereby. The explosive charges (11) are arranged at the separable connections (8) and these are broken before the blast wave of a detonation has reached the floor (10).

Abstract: Enterprises procure a large number of licenses of a large number of software packages. Software package inventory is one of the high cost items in these enterprises. It is necessary to contain this recurring expenditure on software packages by optimally utilizing the procured licenses. Disclosed is a system and method for maximizing software package license utilization. The system includes components for enabling managers of an enterprise to describe their need for software packages in project plans and users to use the software packages based on such plans. Further, the system also manages unplanned demands to use software packages and maintains a near-optimal inventory of licenses of software packages.

Abstract: A filter system for filtering water and/or wastewater which includes an underdrain system having a plurality of laterals that are anchored to the floor of a filter by a hold-down assembly. Preferably, the hold-down assembly does not rely on grout or other substance that is applied in a viscous or semi-viscous state and subsequently hardened as the primary means for connecting the underdrain laterals to the floor of the filter. Preferably, the hold-down assembly includes hold-down clips that can move relative to an anchor assembly and corresponding underdrain blocks so that the hold-down clips can cooperate with any desired portion of the corresponding underdrain blocks.