Abstract: A method and apparatus for removing debris from the propulsion system of a vehicle such as a battle tank, including a tank in which the vehicle is positioned, means for lifting the vehicle in the tank, and means to wash the vehicle's propulsion system while the vehicle is in raised position.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for removing debris from the propulsion system of a vehicle such as a battle tank, including a tank in which the vehicle is positioned, means for lifting the vehicle in the tank, and means to wash the vehicle's propulsion system while the vehicle is in raised position.

Abstract: Apparatus for washing the wheels and tires of heavy duty vehicles includes a wash trough in which the wheels and tires are washed, and a refuse trough in which refuse from the vehicles is deposited for facile removal. The troughs are separated by a wall having a space therein through which debris from the wash trough is impelled, by a stream of water into the refuse trough.

Abstract: Apparatus for washing the wheels and tires of heavy duty vehicles includes a wash trough in which the wheels and tires are washed, and a refuse trough in which refuse from the vehicles is deposited for facile removal. The troughs are separated by a wall having a space therein through which debris from the wash trough is impelled by a stream of water into the refuse trough.

Abstract: Apparatus for washing the wheels and tires of a vehicle includes an elongated tank into which vehicle to be washed enters and exits, and a plurality of impediments spaced along the bottom of the tank. The impediments are in the form of hollow angle irons with apertures formed in at least one of their side walls, and means is provided for spraying water through the apertures in the direction of the vehicle wheels and tires as the vehicle passes over the angle irons.

Abstract: A vehicle tire and track washing apparatus including an elongated trough with side walls and a bottom, and grates for supporting vehicles in the trough, in which the grates are supported by feet mounted at their outwardly extending edges substantially horizontal to the bottom. When the grates have been pivoted upwardly, the trough is free of impediment to the removal of debris washed from the vehicles tires or tracks.

Abstract: A self-propelled skimmer is provided for removing debris from the surface of a pool. A pump driven propulsion system intakes water at one end and forcefully expels it at the other end. A filter is located at the intake to trap debris for ultimate removal and disposal. To clear the entire surface of the pool, the expulsion of the liquid is randomly altered in a center-right-left sweep. A pressure sensitive transducer or switch is provided at the front of the skimmer to activate a reverse movement if the skimmer front impacts a pool edge or other obstacle.

Abstract: A portable tire washing apparatus is mounted on a towable trailer bed or on a platform and has drivable rollers for rotating truck tires while they are sprayed by jets of water. Additional roller assemblies or bumpers are provided to prevent sideway movement of the tires. The platform-mounted apparatus may be installed on level ground or in a depression dug in the ground.

Abstract: An absorbent structure for collecting and retaining exuded fluids from food products such as meat and poultry is disclosed herein. The structure has a fluid permeable top sheet and a fluid impermeable bottom sheet with an absorbent core of pulp coform material located therebetween. In a preferred embodiment the periphery of the top and bottom sheets are sealed to form a pouch and the pulp coform material is stratified into a first top layer and a second bottom layer. Superabsorbents such as carboxymethylcellulose may be added to the coform material to aid in fluid retention. In the preferred embodiment the superabsorbent is located in the bottom layer of pulp coform while the top layer of the pulp coform is substantially devoid of the superabsorbent.

Abstract: An in-the-ground truck tire washing appartaus having steel grates on which the truck rides. The grates are mounted above the bottom of a concrete trough and are hinged so that the trough can be opened to remove accumulated sediment from the bottom thereof. The grates cause flexing of the tire to enhance the cleansing motion of water which is above the level of the top surfaces of the grates. The top edges of the grates may be smooth or serrated. The serrated grates dislodge mud and dirt embedded in the treads of the tires. In a portable embodiment of the invention, a tire washing apparatus is mounted on a trailer bed and has driven rollers for rotating the truck tires while they are sprayed by jets of water. Additional roller assemblies are provided to prevent sideway movement of the tires.

Abstract: There is disclosed an absorbent food pad which absorbs exudate from food products in a package and inhibits the propagation of food-borne pathogens. The absorbent food pad contains an effective amount of an antimicrobial composition of one or more acids having the structure:R--COOHwhere R is selected from the group consisting of lower alkyl; substituted lower alkyl; carboxy lower alkyl; carboxy, hydroxy lower alkyl; carboxy, halo lower alkyl; carboxy, dihydroxy lower alkyl, dicarboxy, hydroxy lower alkyl; lower alkenyl; carboxy lower alkenyl; dicarboxyl lower alkenyl; phenyl and substituted phenyl groups. In addition, the antimicrobial composition may include an anionic surfactant. More particularlly, the antimicrobial composition comprises a mixture of citric acid, malic acid, and sodium lauryl sulfate in a rate ratio of 10:5:2 by weight respectively. The antimicrobial composition is disbursed within the absorbent medium of the absorbent food pad at a concentration of between 0.04% and 0.

Abstract: A disposable two-stage spin-on liquid separating device having particular use for separating water from hydrocarbon fuels. The device includes an outer casing having an open upper end which is enclosed by a cover assembly. The cover assembly includes a liquid inlet conduit and a liquid outlet conduit with one of said conduits being located axially of the cover assembly and having a threaded connection for attachment to a liquid flow system. Located within the casing is a two-stage separating unit composed of a coalescing assembly and a separator stage which is located downstream of the coalescing assembly. The coalescing assembly includes a coalescing element and upper and lower end caps are secured to the ends of the element. The peripheral edge of the upper end cap extends radially outward and is secured to the upper end of the separator stage. Attachment of the cover assembly in the casing acts to clamp the separating unit between the cover assembly and the bottom of the casing.