Abstract: A plant protector is positionable about the base of a young tree or other plant. The protector has first and second shells, each formed of a rigid material and having a semi-cylindrical shaped portion and with flanges extending outwardly from and running longitudinally along the semi-cylindrical portions. Each semi-cylindrical portion may have raised circumferential ribs which are spaced apart at regular intervals to increase strength and rigidity. The opposed flanges abut and the semi-cylindrical portions form a cylindrical tube when the shells are engaged together. The shells are locked together by locking structures formed on at least one of the flanges of the shells. The shells may be held together at one edge by a hinge extending longitudinally along edges of the shells. Various locking structures may be used, such as mating bosses and indentations formed on the flanges on opposite sides of the first and second shells.

Abstract: Apparatus for recovering meat from the head of a slaughtered animal. A jaw support clamps and supports the head by clamping the jaw. Cheek pullers having clamps engage with and hold the cheeks of the animal head in the vicinity of the mouth. A drive arrangement has a lateral drive for moving the cheek pullers outwardly away from each other and has a posterior drive for moving the cheek pullers in the posterior direction so as to pull tissues from both the jaw and the skull. A jaw separation means comprises a snout ring to be fitted to the snout of the skull and a drive moves the snout ring so as to move the skull relative to the jaw with an at least partially arcuate path of movement so as to continue to open the mouth wider as or after the cheek meat is removed from the animal head.

Abstract: A fishing lure made of soft flexible material. The various shapes of the lure resemble fish, bait, squid, lizards, crayfish, jig trailers, swimbaits, reapers, jerk baits, and other shapes. The tail portion of the fish shaped lure normally has a paddle type tail, which when pulled through the water moves horizontally from side to side, imitating the swimming action of fish. These fish lures are often called swimbaits or paddle tails. The lure has a piece of reflective foil, larger than the size of glitter common to prior art, placed on the surface of the lure or within the lure. The reflective strip normally has a holographic design pattern, such as fish scales or other patterns.

Abstract: An animal feeder is comprised of a feed hopper for the containment of animal feed and having feed discharge drums located in a lower section of the hopper. The drums are provided with feed transport cavities to transport feed from the hopper to a feed trough disposed below the hopper. The drum is maintained at a predetermined inoperative position by means of a weighted bar element which is actuated by an animal to displace the drum and transfer feed from the hopper to the feed trough. A feed arresting bar is horizontally secured at a predetermined location in each feed transport cavity to obstruct free flow of feed when the drum is in motion to a discharge position.

Abstract: A spacecraft has internal structure which generates heat, and a radiator element in thermal communication with the spacecraft internal structure. The radiator element has a radiating surface and a coating on the radiating surface including a white thermal control paint. The paint has an initial solar absorptance of not greater than 0.16 and an initial infrared emittance of not less than about 0.80. The standard end-of-life projected solar absorptance is not more than about 0.33 for a paint with an inorganic binder, and the standard end-of-life projected solar absorptance is not more than about 0.6 for a paint with an organic binder.

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention encompasses a fish bait comprising a fish attractant and at least one magnet within the fish attractant. In another aspect, the invention encompasses a fish bait comprising a fish attractant and a plurality of magnetizable particles distributed throughout the fish attractant to a concentration sufficient to adhere a visible amount of the fish attractant to a magnet. In yet another aspect, the invention encompasses a fishing bait and hook kit, comprising: a) a hook joined to a magnet; and b) a bait having one or more magnetizable particles distributed therein. In yet another aspect, the invention encompasses a jig comprising a fishhook, and a jighead joined to the fishhook. The jighead comprises a magnet. In yet another aspect, the invention encompasses a fishhook assembly comprising a fishhook, a magnet joined to the fishhook, and a plurality of magnetizable particles magnetically attracted to the magnet of the fishhook.

Abstract: Acoustic devices, attached to fishing nets, reduce or avoid by-catch of marine animals during fishing operations. The acoustic devices emit a deterrent signal to a particular marine animal on actuation by the approach of the animal. At least one of the devices is an active device that detects marine animal emitted stimuli and responds with a suitable response emission.

Abstract: A pneumatic spear gun (11) comprising a barrel (27) having an open end (33) through which a shaft (15) of a spear (13) can be received. A first piston (35) is slidingly and sealingly received in the barrel (27) for movement towards and away from a retracted position. A retaining means (41) is provided for releasably retaining the piston (35) in the retracted position. A source of compressible fluid such as air is contained in a reservoir (59) and is arranged to undergo compression upon movement of the piston (35) into the retracted position and to propel the piston along the barrel (27) from the retracted position upon release of the piston thereby to propel the spear (13). A control means is provided for selectively increasing the pressure of the compressible fluid for varying the propulsive force applied to the piston (35). The control means includes a cylinder (43) forming part of the resevoir (59) and having a second piston (45) slidingly and sealingly mounted therein.

Abstract: In a fuel transport container, basket has a basket hole including at least two adjacent inner side walls to be fit to a fuel assembly for housing the fuel assembly element in the basket hole. The fuel assembly element is directly housed in the basket hole of the basket. The fuel assembly housed in the basket hole is slid by bias means toward the two adjacent inner side walls thereof without pushing the fuel assembly thereby biasing the housed fuel assembly so that the fuel assembly element is in contact with the two adjacent inner side walls of the basket hole.

Abstract: A modular pest control system which includes structure that is specifically designed to capitalize upon the physiology and/or behavior of a wide assortment of pests to render the system more attractive to the pests. The system is modular in nature whereby it may be configured as desired or necessary to target any combination of one or more species of pests. The modular system preferably includes, at minimum, a first component in the form of a pest control device that may be releasably connectable to a second component. The first component may contain one or more materials or structural features for controlling any individual species or combinations of species of ground crawling pests, termites and rodents. The second component may be a releasable base for securing the first component to vegetation, building surfaces and materials, or targeted areas of soil.

Abstract: A sturdy lightweight enclosure that will capture alive animals and fowl is disclosed herein. The application of a downwardly directed pressure on a trip pad on an interior portion of the trap by an animal causes the trap mechanism to release the door which falls under gravity and encloses the animal or fowl in the enclosure. The invention is characterized by having a bell crank wheel which rotatively translates a vertically downwardly directed force into a horizontally directed force which allows the trap to close. The trap is additionally provided with adjustable sensitivity to allow only animals having a desired weight to spring the trap. The sensitivity is adjusted through a plurality of holes in a rod which allows selective compression of an actuating spring. The greater initial compression on the spring the larger the animal must be to spring the trap.

Abstract: This invention relates to food preparation; in particular this invention relates to an apparatus used to prepare meats and poultry; and more particularly this invention relates to an apparatus and method to tenderize meats and poultry products.

Abstract: A modular pest control system which includes structure that is specifically designed to capitalize upon the physiology and/or behavior of a wide assortment of pests to render the system more attractive to the pests. The system is modular in nature whereby it may be configured as desired or necessary to target any combination of one or more species of pests. The modular system preferably includes, at minimum, a first component in the form of a pest control device that may be releasably connectable to a second component. The first component may contain one or more materials or structural features for controlling any individual species or combinations of species of ground crawling pests, termites and rodents. The second component may be a releasable base for securing the first component to vegetation, building surfaces and materials, or targeted areas of soil.

Abstract: A device for releaseably retaining a fishing line comprising a main body and two leg portions extending from the main body. The device further comprises resilient means acting upon at least one of the leg portions to urge the latter towards the other leg portion with a force which, for a given relative position of the two leg portions, is adjustable.

Abstract: A nuclear reactor coolant system includes a primary coolant circuit connected to a secondary coolant circuit. A desired amount of coolant is bled from the primary circuit to the secondary circuit for purification and controlling chemical composition of the coolant. Variable speed charging pumps are provided in the secondary circuit to pump coolant back into the primary circuit at variable pressures and flow rates. A pressurizer level control system is also disclosed for controlling pump speeds.

Abstract: Spacecraft cost, volume and weight are reduced with gyroscope calibration methods that can be effected with structures (e.g., a single-axis Sun sensor and a wheel system) which are typically carried by spacecraft for other purposes. In a method embodiment, these methods include an initial step 1) of calibrating a selected gyroscope and subsequent steps for each uncalibrated gyroscope of: 2) slewing the spacecraft by a slew angle and controlling attitude with the uncalibrated gyroscope for a selected time period to thereby couple its drift into the inertial axis of a calibrated gyroscope, 3) backslewing the spacecraft to return the calibrated gyroscope to its inertial axis, and 4) measuring an error angle generated by the uncalibrated gyroscope during the selected time period (e.g., with a Sun sensor or with the calibrated gyroscope).

Abstract: A device for separating bone material from meat tissue in a meat piece, such as a spine from a half part of a slaughtered animal, which device is provided with a support for the meat piece for processing and a separating member with a curved separating edge which is movably driven relative to the support and includes plate material, wherein the separating edge is provided with a series of teeth, each of which is embodied with a guide surface directed toward the inner side of the bend such that when bone material is severed it is carried away to the inside and contamination of the meat material is thereby avoided.

Abstract: A method for providing a decorative cover for a floral grouping wherein the decorative cover is provided with a design indicia bearing portion which extends above the remainder of the decorative cover and thereby enhances the visual aesthetic effect of the decorative cover. The decorative cover is formed from a sheet of material having a design indicia and an opening extending therethrough wherein the opening is offset from a central portion of the sheet of material in a direction generally away from the indicia bearing portion of the sheet of material. A lower portion of a stem end of a floral grouping is inserted through the opening in the sheet of material and the sheet of material is wrapped about the floral grouping to provide a decorative cover having a design indicia bearing portion which extends above the remainder of the decorative cover and thereby enhances the visual aesthetic effect of the decorative cover.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a system and method for saving crops by preventing premature bud formation on various agriculturally-valuable flora. The method consists in maintaining the temperature of an effective amount of the roots of a plant below that temperature at which bud formation normally ensues. The system and method is especially well suited for unusual warm spells which occur during seasonal changes and for staggering crop portions in order to effectively manage the harvest.

Abstract: A universal floral bouquet assembly secures a keepsake to a floral bouquet arrangement. In particular, a container is provided having an upright probe projecting vertically from the center of the container. Floral foam that receives a bouquet of flowers is pressed into and through the probe. A receptacle associated with the keepsake frictionally engages the opposite end of the probe to securely support the keepsake above the floral arrangement. The receptacle may be integral to the base of the keepsake or may be a component of a transition piece, called an intermediate support, upon which the keepsake, such as a cylindrical candle, is secured. The supporting components are inexpensive to manufacture and ship, simple to assemble, provide firm support for the assembled arrangement during its transportation, and are small and unobtrusive, resulting in an aesthetically pleasing, but inexpensive floral/bouquet arrangement. The components are also reusable for those applications that require this feature.