Abstract: A water heater includes a tank 10 arranged inside a casing 20 with a burner 16 below the tank so that a heat exchange zone 15 surrounding the tank receives the combustion products. The tank 10 is supported on three edge contact projections 26 resting on ledges 27 located a substantial distance up the sides of the tank. The casing 20 narrows in the upwards direction and a heat shield 30 is coaxially located in the lower portion of the casing where the hottest gases are. A downwardly extending flue 49 outside the casing provides a heat trap. The burner 15 has a burner ring 60 with a unique arrangement of burner ports 62 and a secondary air guide 80. The thermostat probe 14 for the gas valve 17 passes through the heat exchange zone 15 to be intentionally affected by the heat and reduce the achieved operating temperature differential.

Abstract: This invention discloses slow release formulations for use in application of volatile insect repellents. A copolymer of polyvinyl pyrrolidone and an alkyl group of 4-30 carbons provides the slow release properties. The formulations are characterized by high residual action, low skin penetration, and high resistance to removal by water.

Abstract: An automatic oil-water separator which separates wastewater into oil or grease and water fractions is disclosed. The separator does not include any mechanical pumps in its structure and therefore does not generate oil or grease and water emulsions which are characteristic of separators using pumps and which are very difficult to separate. The separator is constructed without moving parts, filters or coalescing plates and operated without the addition of chemicals or the use of electricity.

Abstract: An improved measuring tape which allows both inside and outside dimensions to be read directly from the same printed face of the tape. The tape measure comprises a case having a tape coiled inside the case and extending out of the case through a slot in the case. Inside the case is a guide wheel which guides the tape along a bottom wall of the case. The front wall of the case is transparent so that the graduations on the tape can be seen adjacent to the bottom wall. A pointer on the case points to the graduations such that when the tape is fully retracted, the pointer points to a measurement corresponding to the width if the case. This enables the case and the tape to be used to make inside measurements. Another embodiment includes a lock which secures the tape at any extended position, and a brake which slows the tape on retraction and prevents damage to the tape or to the end hook.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a new vaccine composition for HSV-1 and HSV-2 comprising a whole live HSV-2 virus having the oncogene deleted. Methods of using the vaccine composition are also included.

Abstract: The automatic grease separator receives wastewater containing grease and other light fluids, separates the water portion from the light fluids portion, and stores the light fluids portion. A computer is used to control the operation of separator functions including automatic transfer of light fluids from the separator to grease containers and automatic shut-down of the separator when its capacity is exceeded. Warning devices which indicate malfunction or the need for maintenance also are controlled by the computer. The grease separator uses grease level sensors based on capacitive level sensing. These sensors are insensitive to coating of the sensors by grease and oil. The grease and other light fluids are maintained in a fluid phase by the thermostatic-controlled addition of hot water. This feature provides an added element of safety by eliminating the need to heat the separator by a resistant heater which introduces the possibility of a grease fire.

Abstract: Protozoan parasites of the phylum Apicomplexa include some of the most important causative agents of human and animal diseases, in particular, malaria. The discovery that an organelle found inside parasites of this phylum probably stems from a plastid of plant origin has stimulated research on the effect of chemical herbicidal agents on Apicomplexa. Members of the triazine family and of the dinitroaniline family of herbicides have been found to be active against some Apicomplexa. The present invention extends the list of chemical herbicidal agents active against Apicomplexa to include classes of herbicides active as carotenoid synthesis inhibitory agents in plants and herbicidal agents effective against fatty acid synthesis in plants.

Abstract: Protozoan parasites of the phylum Apicomplexa include some of the most important causative agents of human and animal diseases, in particular, malaria. The discovery that an organelle found inside parasites of this phylum probably stems from a plastid of plant origin has stimulated research on the effect of chemical herbicidal agents on Apicomplexa. Members of the triazine family and of the dinitroaniline family of herbicides have been found to be active against some Apicomplexa. The present invention extends the list of chemical herbicidal agents active against Apicomplexa to include classes of herbicides active as carotenoid synthesis inhibitory agents in plants and herbicidal agents effective against fatty acid synthesis in plants.

Abstract: Imides reduce odors. Imides are especially efficient at reducing the odors of odoriferous an amine or ammonia. The imides may be incorporated in pads which are the recipients of odoriferous waste materials, dispersed in holding tanks or lagoons or dispersed over human and animal wastes. Polysuccinimide, copolymers of polysuccinimide, polyglutarimide and mixtures thereof are especially useful for the reduction of odors, especially of ammonia and an amine.

Abstract: An improved measuring tape which allows both inside and outside dimensions to be read directly from the same printed face of the tape. The tape measure comprises a case having a tape coiled inside the case and extending out of the case through a slot in the case. Inside the case is a guide wheel which guides the tape along a bottom wall of the case. The front wall of the case is transparent so that the graduations on the tape can be seen adjacent to the bottom wall. A pointer on the case points to the graduations such that when the tape is fully retracted, the pointer points to a measurement corresponding to the width if the case. This enables the case and the tape to be used to make inside measurements.

Abstract: This invention provides a simple and inexpensive vibrator. Upper and lower linked arms are used to hold equal weights attached at the ends of the arms. The arms are attached to collars which spin. A bent axle is used to cause displacement of the upper collar with a resultant shortening of the effective radius of rotation of one of the weights at a determined position in the circle of rotation. This shortening of the effective radius of rotation imparts a vibratory motion to the vibrator.

Abstract: Zirconium compounds reduce odors. Zirconium hydroxide and sulfated zirconium are especially efficient at reducing the odors of primary, secondary and tertiary amines or ammonia. Zirconium hydroxide and/or sulfated zirconium may be incorporated in pads which are the recipients of odoriferous waste materials, dispersed in holding tanks or lagoons or dispersed over human and animal wastes.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed which uses a high volume low pressure air curtain in an "air chisel" to inhibit and reduce the bounceback and overspray of material sprayed on a work surface. The air chisel directs a lateral air curtain along each side of a plume of sprayed material parallel to the long axis of the plume and directed toward the contact of plume and work surface. An air chisel may be attached to a spray gun or may be mounted on a stand adjacent to the work surface. Any source of high volume low pressure air may serve to provide air to an air chisel.

Abstract: A composition and method for killing insect larvae, in particular, fly larvae, in poultry houses, manure piles, or other sites of habitation are disclosed. The composition consists of one or more C.sub.2 to C.sub.6 aliphatic carboxylic acids or alkali metal, alkaline earth, ammonia, primary, secondary, tertiary, or quaternary ammonium salts in an acceptable formulation for larvacides. The formulation may be applied dry, as an aerosol, or in aqueous or organic solvents.

Abstract: Polysuccinimide, polyaspartic acid and salts of polyaspartic acid may be prepared by means of heating aspartic acid in the presence of sodium bisulfate. The molecular weight of the polymers may be increased from that obtained without the use of sodium bisulfate. The polysuccinimide, polyaspartic acid or salt of polyaspartic acid obtained have low color. Polyaspartic acid may be obtained in this manner directly from the effluent of an immobilized cell or enzyme column which catalyzes the production of L-aspartic acid without the necessity of intermediate isolation steps.

Abstract: Polymers of maleic acid may be prepared by thermally polymerizing malic acid, maleic acid or fumaric acid with less than one equivalent of ammonia. The polymers are modified by the incorporation of amines, carboxylic acids or combinations thereof. The polymers formed are excellent inhibitors of alkaline earth salt deposition, dispersants, tartar control additives, detergent additives, and water treatment agents.

Abstract: This invention is an enhancement to current automobile safety by providing addition information to a trailing vehicle concerning the rate of acceleration and deceleration of a vehicle equipped with the invention. The invention involves a weight which responses to inertial forces involved in acceleration and deceleration by the sequential activation of red lights in response to deceleration and green lights in response to acceleration.

Abstract: This incision knife is used to enlarge the incision made in a laparoscopic cholecystectomy. This enlargement allows the passage of an intact gallbladder through the incision, thereby reducing the probability of gallbladder rupture. The incision knife makes a controlled cut and has a ward which protects the gall bladder from injury by the blade.

Abstract: Polymers of maleic acid may be prepared by thermally polymerizing malic acid, maleic acid or fumaric acid with less than one equivalent of ammonia. The polymers are modified by the incorporation of amines, carboxylic acids or combinations thereof. The polymers formed are excellent inhibitors of alkaline earth salt deposition, dispersants, tartar control additives, detergent additives, and water treatment agents.

Abstract: This invention is a load shaping system which increases the energy efficiency of a compressed air system by eliminating activation of a trim compressor in response to a momentary increase in demand for compressed air. The load shaping system includes a load shaping tank which is supplied by one or more relatively small compressors with compressed air at a pressure higher than that in the main storage reservoir. A computer controlled load shaping valve responds to a decline in air pressure in the main storage reservoir by admitting air from the load shaping tank and by lowering the activation point for the trim compressor. The overall efficiency of the system is increased by avoiding activation of the trim compressor in response to momentary increases in compressed air demand.