Abstract: An adapter for rotatably connecting a sprinkler head to a water-transporting standpipe having a cylindrical upper end. The adapter includes three parts: a cup-like base adapted to rest on the upper end of the standpipe in sealed fashion, a male stem adapted to rotatably and scalingly seat in the cup-like base, and an oversleeve adapted to fit over the stem and the base and to be locked to the upper end of the standpipe by threaded connection such that a portion of the male stem protrudes from the oversleeve to be secured to the sprinkler head for rotation therewith. The adapter is sealed at several points internally to positively prevent water leaks, and is easily disassembled for replacement, repair, or cleaning, by hand or with simple hand tools, since no permanent connection is required between the adapter, the standpipe, and the sprinkler head.

Abstract: Rechargeable dispensers, in particular spray bottle dispensers including at least one chemical reservoir for recharging the spray bottle dispenser. Preferably, a plurality of separate chemical reservoirs containing chemical concentrate are provided within the spray bottle dispenser to fully contain any inadvertent spillage of chemicals, and to insure a high degree of safety against accidental spills, and/or accidental ingestion by children.

Abstract: A method of heating fuel includes providing a fuel injector having an internal heater and a reciprocable needle valve; providing fuel to the fuel injector; passing the fuel through at least one flow-disturbing element; and heating the fuel.

Abstract: A first air assist fuel injector configured for operation with a two stroke engine and a second air assist fuel injector configured for operation with a four stroke engine. The first air assist fuel injector and the second air assist fuel injector share one or more common items, such as a solenoid coil assembly and/or an armature, even though the air assist fuel injectors are configured for different applications.

Abstract: A truck having a material spreader and a control mechanism to regulate the velocity of materials ejected from the material spreader. The material spreader includes a material guider to guide the trajectory of substantially all the materials in a direction substantially opposite the direction of forward movement of the truck. The control mechanism includes a velocity sensor adapted to detect the velocity of the truck and to send a signal indicative of the truck velocity to a velocity controller. The velocity controller sends a signal to the material spreader which is dependent on the truck velocity to control the velocity of the materials ejected from the material spreader. The material spreader is mounted to the truck to allow the material spreader to be moved between a non-operational and operational position. The material spreader is also mounted to allow for lateral and/or upward movement upon encountering a predetermined force.

Abstract: In the present device is provided for irrigating lawn and garden areas. Buried below ground level are a pop-up sprinkler and a housing chamber. The underground pop-up sprinkler has a bottom inlet with a female fitting mechanism affixed therein. Concentrically positioned within the housing chamber is an inner pipe member with a female fitting mechanism affixed within the opened bottom of the inner pipe member. Interconnecting the pop-up to the housing is an U-shaped second pipe member having two legs with male fitting mechansim affixed to the upper end of each leg. The male fitting mechanism of the first leg is securely attached to the female fitting mechanism of the pop-up sprinkler. The male fitting mechansim of the second leg is securely attached to the female fitting mechanism attached to the bottom of the inner pipe member situated within the housing chamber.

Abstract: A liquid is held in a high viscosity solids suspension in a reservoir and is separated from the suspension by a capillary element which transfers the liquid to a vibrating orifice plate from which the liquid is ejected in the form of aerosolized liquid droplets.

Abstract: A process for forming nanofibers comprising the steps of feeding a fiber-forming material into an annular column, the column having an exit orifice, directing the fiber-forming material into an gas jet space, thereby forming an annular film of fiber-forming material, the annular film having an inner circumference, simultaneously forcing gas through a gas column, which is concentrically positioned within the annular column, and into the gas jet space, thereby causing the gas to contact the inner circumference of the annular film, and ejects the fiber-forming material from the exit orifice of the annular column in the form of a plurality of strands of fiber-forming material that solidify and form nanofibers having a diameter up to about 3,000 nanometers.

Abstract: A system for dispensing liquid material onto a moving substrate includes a liquid dispenser fluidly connected to a source of liquid material and a source of pressurized air. The liquid dispenser includes a pair of outer liquid material outlets and a plurality of inner liquid material outlets therebetween spaced along a common axis at one end of the dispenser for dispensing a plurality of strands of liquid material toward the substrate. The liquid dispenser further includes a pair of air outlets associated with each of the inner liquid material outlets and a single air outlet associated with each of the outer liquid material outlets for emitting pressurized air that is operable to oscillate the dispensed strands in directions predominantly parallel with the common axis of the liquid material outlets during flight toward the substrate to form an overlapping pattern of liquid material on the moving substrate. Methods for dispensing liquid material onto a moving substrate are also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a piezoelectric liquid delivery system or atomizer for production of droplets of liquid or liquid suspensions by a battery operated dispenser utilizing an orifice plate in communication with a piezoelectric element. By control of the viscosity and surface tension of the liquid to be dispersed, an improved method of dispensing such liquid is achieved.

Abstract: An in-ground sensor having an exterior porous filter, a porous inner screen finer than the outer filter designed to further filter solid particles from the inner portion of the device, a float assembly with a sliding member moving upward in response to buoyant forces for activating a control device which sends a signal indicating the level of moisture within the device proportional to the level of the float. The components are preferably made of a material which is temperature and corrosion-resistant in an environment which may be constantly or repeatedly exposed to moisture and temperature variation.

Abstract: A fragrance extender releases fragrance from a fragrance producing composition over a prolonged interval of time. The fragrance includes a piece of ceramic material of sufficient porosity to permit penetration of the fragrance emitting substance and the carrier liquid therefor. A support structure supports the piece of material relative to a support surface so that the exposed surface area that receives the fragrance emitting substance is at a removed location. A method of retarding the evaporation of a selected fragrance producing composition is also disclosed. The method includes the steps of providing a piece of ceramic material and then contacting a portion of the exposed surface of the ceramic material with the selected composition.

Abstract: The present device provides a fuel injector including a two-input, self-triggering monostable driver circuit for an electromechanical valve is disclosed. Upon receipt of an initiation signal, the driver circuit generates a predetermined current profile in a coil. A current sensing mechanism senses the current flowing through the coil, enabling a current threshold generator to detect a preset peak current threshold state. Upon detection of the preset peak current threshold state, the current threshold generator establishes a new hold current threshold state in the coil. A rapid decay generator forces a rapid transition from peak current to hold current within the coil. The hold current is maintained within preset hysteretic limits until the valve cycle is terminated by removing the initiation signal from the inputs.

Abstract: A fluid product dispenser and a dispensing head for a fluid product dispenser are provided. The fluid product dispenser dispenses fluid product in the form of any one of a jet and a spray. The dispensing head includes a body or first piece having an inlet conduit. The inlet conduit communicates with a stem of any one of a pump and valve of the fluid product dispenser. The dispensing head also includes a second piece mounted on the first piece. The first piece includes a dispensing orifice which can be detachably placed in communication with the inlet conduit. The second piece is movable at will, with respect to the body or first piece, in an X-direction, wherein the X-direction is different from a Y-direction defined as the fluid product outlet direction of the jet or spray of the fluid product. The second piece is movable in order to clean the inlet conduit.

Abstract: In a sprinkler system for warehouse freezers or other cold environments, a sprinkler system piping connected to a water supply through a check valve and extends through a freezing cold environment to sprinkler heads positioned to discharge extinguishant. The sprinkler system piping within the cold environment is filled with a solution of potassium lactate. When a fire occurs causing one or more of the sprinkler heads to be activated, the sprinkler heads will discharge the potassium lactate onto the fire. This action will reduce the pressure in the sprinkler system piping bellow that of the water supply so that water flows from the water supply through the sprinkler system piping through the activated sprinkler heads to be discharged upon the fire.

Abstract: The spray nozzle comprises a mixing chamber into which a liquid, forming a first and a second liquid stream, can flow through two inlet openings and which comprises an outlet opening, disposed downstream, for a spray jet. A mixing chamber wall acts as a guide surface for the liquid streams and is shaped at the outlet opening such that the liquid streams meet at an angle at the outlet opening and then form the spray jet. Given an angle of impact of approximately 90°, this spraying process delivers droplets with a high level of kinetic energy and a broad uniform fan-out of the droplet paths. Large areas can therefore be uniformly sprayed with the spray nozzle from a considerable distance.

Abstract: A wildfire protection system has rotating sprinklers (1) on sprinkler legs (2) positioned temporarily or indefinitely as needed on roofs (10) with the sprinkler legs resting on opposite slopes (6) from a ridge (5) of the roof and removed for sprinkler irrigation or easily disassembled for compact storage when not in use for wildfire protection. The rotating sprinklers can wet not only roof tops but also nearby trees (13), shrubs (14) and areas for protection against flying sparks and burning particles. The rotating sprinklers are preferably a low-weight plastic type and the sprinkler legs are preferably four low-weight plastic members that intersect at a series connection for garden-hose water supply to one or more of the rotating sprinklers. The rotating sprinklers are saddled on a roof top with two of the sprinkler legs placed on each of two opposite roof slopes. Low weight of the rotating sprinklers allows them to be placed easily on roofs with access by ladder or structured to be positioned indefinitely.

Abstract: Kits for consumer activated dispensers of active materials, such as air fresheners, are provided, comprising an inert carrier material, an active material, and a coloring agent. The inert carrier material is specifically designated as being rice hulls, a waste product of the milling of rice for consumption. The kit may take various forms, such as a container in which are packaged the appropriate amounts of rice hulls, fragrance, and colorant. In another form, the kit may comprise a sachet or pad containing the above materials. Further, a pad or sachet, containing rice hulls and a coloring agent if desired, may be subjected to the controlled continuous feed of a water solution of a fragrance, whereby a long term, consistent fragrancing is obtained.

Abstract: A receptacle is fitted with a dispenser head which includes a body and a nozzle secured to the body. The nozzle is provided with a dispenser orifice, made through an elastically deformable wall organized to bulge outwards under the effect of the pressure of a substance. The nozzle is closed at rest and is opened by deformation of the elastically deformable wall under the effect of the pressure of the substance being dispensed.

Abstract: A vehicle washer nozzle liquid spray system having a source of washer liquid under pressure, a fluidic oscillator comprising a housing and a fluidic insert having a power nozzle, an oscillation chamber having an upstream end coupled to the power nozzle for issuing a jet of washer liquid into the oscillation chamber and a downstream end having an outlet aperture for issuing a jet of wash liquid to ambient, and side and top and bottom walls, an oscillation inducing silhouette in the oscillation chamber for causing said jet of wash liquid to rhythmically sweep back and forth between the sidewalls in the oscillation chamber. Top and bottom walls of the oscillation chamber first diverge for a predetermined distance in a downstream direction and then converge towards each other through said outlet aperture. This enables the deflection angle to be adjusted for different vehicles uses and applications by changes to the fluidic insert without changes to the housing.