Abstract: Composition and method for enhancing the moisture content of growing and cut trees and plants, including the steps of providing a polyacrylimide polymer in crystalline form, mixing salt with the polymer wherein the salt comprises about 5% by weight relative to the polymer, treating the mixture in a reaction tube for about 60 seconds, and applying the mixture to the tree or plant to enhance the ability thereof to absorb and retain moisture.

Abstract: A clamp for closing a polymer bag, including a pair of opposed clamp members wherein said clamp members are movable between a closed and an opened condition, each one of said pair of clamp members having a long axis and an inner and an outer surface. A hinge attaches the pair of clamp members and biases the clamp members into a closed condition. In holding a bag in a closed condition, a blade disposed on the inner surface of one of the clamp members is urged by the hinge against and an opposed recessed anvil, disposed on the inner surface of the other clamp member. In addition, a plurality of ribs disposed parallel to the clamp member long axis and located on the inner surface of each one of said pair of clamp members aid in gripping the bag within the clamp by intercalation of the ribs of one clamp with those of the other clamp. During the bag opening process, the ribs stretch the bag material for effective cutting when the material is moved past the blade.

Abstract: A carpet seam repair tool, and a method, for repairing a seam in installed carpet wherein a first carpet portion is separated from a second carpet portion along a seam rift and the seam overlies an adhesive tape. The repair tool includes a pair of legs joined by a pin at and end thereof for enabling coplanar movement of the legs about the pin. In use, the tool is inserted in the seam rift and a setscrew fixes the legs in a selected spaced relationship, thereby holding the carpet portions apart. The repair tool includes a wheel, rotatably attached at an end of each leg, opposite the pin. During a repair operation, the tool is drawn along the seam rift while the wheels hold the carpet portions away from the underlying tape. By holding the carpet portions away from each other, and by separating them from the tape, the repair tool enables convenient deposition of adhesive along the tape, while reducing the likelihood of getting the adhesive on the carpet portions.

Abstract: An information processing system includes an unattended low-resolution wide area pre scanning station and an unattended high-resolution line scanning station. The low-resolution station automatically identifies active image areas and borders on a plurality of light passing documents transported in seriatim along a prescan path. The unattended low-resolution scanning station generates a plurality of active image area signals indicative of the active image areas and borders in a plurality of light passing documents. The unattended high resolution line scanning station includes a high resolution line scanner that responds to the individual ones of said plurality of active image area signals.

Abstract: Apparatus and method of processing microfiche images. The apparatus includes an unattended low-resolution wide area pre scanning station and an unattended high-resolution line scanning station. The low-resolution station automatically identifies active image areas and borders on a plurality of light passing documents transported in seriatim along a prescan path. The unattended low resolution scanning station generates a plurality of active image area signals indicative of the active image areas and borders in a plurality of light passing documents. The unattended high-resolution line scanning station includes a high-resolution line scanner that responds to the individual ones of said plurality of active image area signals.

Abstract: An odor control system and method for removing unwanted odorous airborne constituents in which the gas stream is flowed through a compact, boxlike housing having a plurality of sequentially communicating treatment chambers. Gas stream pretreatment is accomplished in a first chamber, in fluid communication with a sump, as the gas flows through a packed bed wetted by suitable chemical reagents. After pretreatment, the gas stream is passed through downstream chambers, also utilizing wetted packed beds. These chambers are in fluid communication with a second, separate sump. Because of the first chamber/separate sump combination, influent gas treatment, by stages, can be accomplished. In this manner, different, contemporaneous chemical treatments are possible, within the single housing, with different chemical reagents utilized as needed. Such treatments are possible even in cases where otherwise incompatible chemical reagents are used.

Abstract: A light fixture having a base for housing a light producing source and a flat plate disposed within the base. The plate has a well formed in it, the well having light reflecting walls. A lamp socket is located in a light reflecting bottom wall of the well. A plurality of light reflecting elements is attached to the plate and a pair of light reflecting assemblies, one on either side of the well, is fixed to the plate. Each light reflecting assembly includes a plurality of light reflecting fins affixed to the plate and projecting at an angle away from the plate. A frame having a convex lens affixed thereto is hingedly attached to the base. A light shield is fixed to the frame for reducing dispersion of unwanted light.

Abstract: Composition and method for enhancing the moisture content of growing and cut trees and plants, including the steps of providing a polyacrylimide polymer in crystalline form, mixing salt with the polymer wherein the salt comprises about 5% by weight relative to the polymer, treating the mixture in a reaction tube for about 60 seconds, and applying the mixture to the tree or plant to enhance the ability thereof to absorb and retain moisture.

Abstract: A polymer bag dispenser, having a header for receiving a plurality of stacked bags, the header having a leading edge. A plurality of bags is stacked and retained within the header. Each one of the bags has a back panel and a front panel wherein the back panel is longer than the front panel. Each bag includes a lip connected to the bag back panel. A line of perforations is formed in the back panel and the line of perforation is substantially adjacent to, and parallel with, the header leading edge. The line of perforations is created after a stack of bags has been formed in the header. In order to ensure clean separation of a bag from the header and a sharp and uniform edge for lips retained within the header, the line of perforations is disposed at a distance of about 1/4 inch away from the header leading edge. Each one of the panel lips is retained by the header when a bag is separated therefrom, along the line of perforations.

Abstract: A clamp for closing polymer bags. The clamp includes a pair of clamp members movable between a closed and an opened condition, each one of the clamp members having a jaw for engagement of a bag. Each clamp member has an inner and an outer surface. A hinge attaches the clamp members while biasing the clamp members into a closed configuration. Gripping means are disposed on the inner surface of each one of the clamp members. The gripping means include opposed striations on the inner surface of each clamp member. In addition, a blade having a blunted top surface is disposed on the inner surface of one of the clamp members and an anvil is disposed opposite the blade. When the clamp is in a closed, bag sealing configuration, the blunted blade surface abuts the anvil as the blade and anvil cooperate in securing the bag within the clamp. The blade includes a cutting edge for opening a bag when the clamp is moved across the bag surface.

Abstract: A device for retaining and restraining hot irons. The device includes a plate and a pair of spaced and opposed upstanding iron supports movably attached to the plate top surface. Each one of the supports includes a base and a pair of spaced leg members removably attached to the base. Each base is movable along a slot formed in the plate to permit varying the distance between the opposed upstanding iron supports, thereby providing a capability for retaining and restraining irons having a variety of sole plate widths. In a preferred embodiment, the leg members are pivotally attached to the base so as to be erected for use and folded against the plate for storing or packaging during non-use.

Abstract: Apparatus for controlling automatically the delivery of feed, such as hay flakes, to a feeding receptacle. The apparatus includes an housing having an upper feed receiving portion and a lower feed delivering portion, the lower portion having an opening for passage of feed into the receptacle. A first door is disposed in the housing between the upper feed receiving portion and the lower feed delivering portion, the door being movable between a closed condition preventing feed from entering the lower portion and an opened condition permitting feed to enter the lower portion. A second door disposed in the upper feed receiving portion enables delivery of feed thereto. A cable interconnects the first and second door to hold one door in a closed condition when the other door is opened. An electromagnet, coupled to an electrical timer, controls operation of the first door so that feed is delivered automatically to the receptacle at a predetermined time.

Abstract: A strap retainer including a base having an integrally formed post projecting therefrom, and a post receiving member, spaced from the base wherein the post receiving member has an opening formed therein for receipt of the post. A member connects the base and the post receiving member and the post generally includes a cylindrical body portion, a generally cylindrical plug portion, each one of which has a diameter greater than the diameter of the opening in the post receiving member. The post includes a neck interposed between the body portion and the plug portion, the neck having a diameter less than the diameter of the post receiving member opening. The plug portion of the post includes a tapered end portion having a longitudinal slot formed therein for enabling deformation of the plug so that the plug portion contracts when the plug is pressed into the post receiving member opening for retention therein.