Abstract: A downhole tool for sealing a wellbore. The downhole tool includes a packer with a ball seat defined therein. A sealing ball is carried with the packer into the well. The movement of the sealing ball away from the ball seat is limited by a ball cage which is attached to the upper end of the packer. The ball cage has a plurality of ports therethrough for allowing flow into the ball cage and through the packer at certain flow rates. A spring is disposed in a longitudinal opening of the packer and engages the sealing ball to prevent the sealing ball from engaging the ball seat until a predetermined flow rate is reached. When the packer is set in the hole, flow through the frac plug below a predetermined flow rate is permitted. Once a predetermined flow rate in the well is reached, a spring force of the spring will be overcome and the sealing ball will engage the ball seat so that no flow through the frac plug is permitted.

Abstract: A downhole tool for sealing a wellbore. The downhole tool includes a packer with a ball seat defined therein. A sealing ball is carried with the packer into the well. The movement of the sealing ball away from the ball seat is limited by a ball cage which is attached to the upper end of the packer. The ball cage has a plurality of ports therethrough for allowing flow into the ball cage and through the packer at certain flow rates. A spring is disposed in a longitudinal opening of the packer and engages the sealing ball to prevent the sealing ball from engaging the ball seat until a predetermined flow rate is reached. When the packer is set in the hole, flow through the frac plug below a predetermined flow rate is permitted. Once a predetermined flow rate in the well is reached, a spring force of the spring will be overcome and the sealing ball will engage the ball seat so that no flow through the frac plug is permitted.

Abstract: There is disclosed a metal sheet product, more particularly formed food container stock and/or industrial sheet product, which has been treated with a lubricant composition having a vegetable oil portion which is less than about 60% monounsaturate in character, said composition comprising: (a) about 10-90 wt. % of a technical white mineral oil, preferably a polyalphaolefin, and/or white mineral oil, said component having an average molecular weight greater than about 400; and (b) about 10-90 wt. % of an edible vegetable oil selected from the group consisting of: safflower oil, canola oil, sunflower oil, corn oil, olive oil, cottonseed oil and combinations thereof. Preferably, the latter additive is a combination of about 8-20 wt. % safflower oil and about 25-50 wt. % canola oil. When applied in total deposited weights of about 0.

Abstract: An inspection system for evaluating rotationally asymmetric workpieces for conformance to configuration criteria having a track for causing the workpieces to translate through a test section, the test section including a plurality of electromagnetic energy sources, the plurality of electromagnetic energy sources oriented with respect to the track means such that the workpieces occlude the plurality of electromagnetic energy sources upon passing through the test section, the test section further having electromagnetic energy detectors for receiving the electromagnetic energy to provide output signals related to the intensity of the occluded electromagnetic energy incident on the electromagnetic energy detectors, and a signal processing means for receiving said output signals.

Abstract: A low pressure, high temperature composite bridge plug. The bridge plug comprises a mandrel with a plurality of slips disposed therearound. A wedge is initially attached to said mandrel and in planar contact with the slips for forcing the slips radially outwardly into gripping engagement with a wellbore. An elastomeric sealing element is disposed on the mandrel and compressed between the wedge and a shoulder on the mandrel to expand the packing element radially outward into sealing engagement with the wellbore. A plurality of ratchets retained in a ratchet body grippingly engage the mandrel to prevent the plug from unsetting. The mandrel, slips, wedge and ratchet body are preferably made of non-metallic, composite materials for easy drilling.

Abstract: There is disclosed a metal sheet product, more particularly formed food container stock and/or industrial sheet product, which has been treated with an ester-free, lubricant composition that is suitable for direct food contact. This composition consists essentially of: (i) about 10-90 wt. % of a polyalphaolefin; (ii) about 10-90 wt. % of an oleic acid; (iii) about 0-60 wt. % of an isostearic acid; and preferably, about 10-35 wt. % isostearic acid. It should be noted that especially good smudge testing results were observed with the presence of oleic acid. In alternative embodiments, the lubricant composition further includes: (iv) up to about 5 wt. % of an antioxidant, preferably about 0.1-3 wt. % butylated hydroxytoluene; and (v) up to about 10 wt. % of a conductivity enhancer, such as about 2-7 wt. % lecithin. When applied in total deposited weights of about 0.

Abstract: A valve actuation assembly for an internal combustion engine is disclosed in which a rotatable rocker arm assembly is actuated by an engine driven camshaft to move a poppet valve reciprocably. The rocker arm assembly includes a hydraulic lash adjuster for disposition between the rocker arm and the valve stem. The lash adjuster includes an actuator at one end having an axially extending neck which terminates in an enlarged head. The enlarged head engages a foot assembly which includes a disk having a socket in which the head is positioned. A retainer ring is disposed in the socket and includes a wall portion which operates to establish an interference fit with the socket so as to fix the ring in the socket and a radially inwardly extending flange member which operates to define an opening through which the actuator neck extends but having a diameter less than that of the enlarged head portion of the actuator to thereby prevent removal of the head from the socket.

Abstract: A mobile, self-propelled, multicapability apparatus useful for gripping, lifting, moving, rotating, and otherwise manipulating heavy articles. The inventive apparatus comprises: a base structure; a turret rotatably attached to the base structure; a first boom structure having a first end portion pivotably attached to the turret; a second boom structure having a first end portion pivotably connected to the distal end portion of the first boom structure; a first hydraulic assembly for pivoting the first boom structure with respect to the turret; a second hydraulic assembly for pivoting the second boom structure with respect to the first boom structure; a head assembly having a first end portion and a second end portion; and a third hydraulic assembly, connected to the second boom structure and to the first end portion of the head assembly, for pivoting the head assembly with respect to the distal end of the second boom structure.

Abstract: An improved downhole tool apparatus including, but not limited to, packers and bridge plugs which more fully utilize highly stressed non-metallic components, including slips, slip wedges, and packer element retaining shoes than prior tools. The non-metallic packer element retaining shoes of the present invention are preferably made of separate shoe segments initially held in place by at least one retaining band. Such non-metallic packer element shoes do away with troublesome prior art metallic shoes and backups which tended to spin upon each other or about the mandrel while milling or drilling the tool out of a wellbore. Therefore, the subject invention increases the ability to drill or mill downhole tools out of a well bore in less time than it would take with using conventional or non-conventional drilling or milling techniques or equipment.

Abstract: A hydraulic setting tool for setting a packer with a sliding valve therein in an operating position in a well bore. The setting tool comprises an outer housing portion slidably disposed with respect to an inner mandrel portion. A piston is connected to the outer housing portion and slidable with respect to the inner portion. The piston is responsive to tubing pressure for setting the packer. A locking dog is provided for locking said piston against further movement after setting of the packer. An actuating mandrel forms a part of the inner mandrel portion and is adapted for engaging a valve in the packer. Longitudinal movement of the tool string allows selective opening and closing of the valve in the packer.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of anchoring a work string to a packer set in a wellbore and releasing therefrom. The apparatus includes a stinger, a collet slidably disposed on the stinger and having a plurality of collet fingers adapted for engaging the packer, a shear ring member shearably attached to the stringer and adapted for holding the collet fingers into engagement with the packer. The packer may be normally released by applying torque to the work string such that the collet fingers are unthreaded from the packer. Torque is applied from the stinger to the collet fingers by a load ring attached to the stinger and having splines extending between the collet fingers so that torque may be applied to the collet without applying torque to the shear ring member.

Abstract: A filler material for use in a polymer or paper system. The filler material is formed by heating hydrotalcite to less than approximately 600.degree. C. to remove most of the carbonate and water of hydration; submersing the hydrotalcite in a NaBr solution for 1-24 hours in a nitrogen atmosphere to form a bromide intercalated hydrotalcite; and adding the bromide intercalated hydrotalcite as a 25-65 wt % filler in a polymer system selected from the group of polypropylene, polybutylene terephtalate, nylon, and acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene.

Abstract: An improved release system for heat transferable laminates wherein a transferable substrate which contains a design layer is transferred from a carrier web onto an article such as a plastic bottle or container upon application of heat and pressure. The carrier web includes a nonwax polyethylene layer.The improved release system includes a polyethylene layer portion of the carrier web in contact with and adhered to a nonwax transfer layer portion of the transferable substrate. The transferable substrate including the ink design layer transfers to the article upon application of heat to the carrier while the article contacts the laminate. The transferred substrate on the article is clear and exhibits improved scuff and abrasion resistance. The nonwax transfer layer portion of the transferable substrate advantageously contains an oil which becomes activated upon application of heat to promote release of the transferable substrate from the carrier web to the article.

Abstract: An improved release system for heat transferable laminates wherein a transferable substrate which contains a design layer is transferred from a carrier web onto an article such as a plastic bottle or container upon application of heat and pressure. The carrier web includes a nonwax polyethylene layer.The improved release system includes a polyethylene layer portion of the carrier web in contact with and adhered to a nonwax transfer layer portion of the transferable substrate. The transferable substrate including the ink design layer transfers to the article upon application of heat to the carrier while the article contacts the laminate. The transferred substrate with design layers on the article is clear and exhibits improved scuff and abrasion resistance.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for protecting a portion of hair from hair treatment chemicals. The apparatus comprises a protective socket and a core receivable within the socket. The method comprises wrapping the portion of hair to be protected on the core and placing the core with the protected portion of hair within the socket and with the unprotected portion of hair extending outwardly from the socket. A conditioner is applied to the hair at the socket to prevent entry of the hair treatment chemicals into the socket.

Abstract: A decorative laminate and method of transferring designs onto articles. The laminate is formed of a transfer substrate affixed to a support member. The transfer substrate is composed of a protective layer, an ink layer, and a nonwax-based adhesive/release layer. The adhesive/release layer is in direct contact with the support member and use of a wax layer intermediate the adhesive/release layer and the support is excluded. Optionally, a barrier layer is provided between the adhesive/release layer and the ink layer. In many applications the protective coating layer may be omitted. The laminate is applied to an article using a heated silicone rubber transfer pad to which the transfer substrate adheres during the transfer process.

Abstract: An improved release formulation for use in a heat transferable laminate wherein an ink design image is transferred from a carrier support to an article by application of heat to the carrier support. On transfer the release splits from the carrier and forms a protective coating over the transfered design. The improved release is coated onto the carrier as a solvent based-wax release. The release coating is then dried to evaporate the solvent contained therein. The improved release has the property that its constituents remain in solution down to temperatures approaching ambient temperature. Upon transfer, the release forms a protective coat which may be subjected to hot water. The improved release contains a montan wax, a rosin ester or hydrocarbon resin, a solvent, and ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer having a low vinyl acetate content.

Abstract: Apparatus for heat transfer labelling of articles using a resilient pad maintained at elevated temperatures. Decorative laminates affixed to a support member such as a web are fed to a heated platen. A resilient pad consisting of a silicone elastomer is pressed against the laminate at the heated platen, whereby the laminate adheres to the pad when it retracts from the platen. The heated pad is then pressed against an article to be labelled, to which the transfer substrate adheres in preference to the pad surface. The resilient pad is typically heated to a temperature above ambient temperature but lower than that of the heated platen. The pad is heated by repetitive contact with the platen, and additionally by an independent heater. The pad may include one or more interior heating elements, or an exterior radiant heater located adjacent the pad during periods between label transfers. This apparatus is well suited to the labelling of articles of a wide variety of sizes, shapes, and materials.

Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing materials, such as toothpaste, stick deodorant, lipstick and the like, comprising a hollow handle for containing material, a dispenser drive member reciprocally disposed in the handle and at least one rotatable operator provided at one end of the handle and operably connected to the drive member for longitudinally moving the drive member within the handle in order to force the material therein out of the opposite end. Also a disposable, collapsible paste material cartridge for containing material to be dispensed within the handle and cooperating with the drive member.

Abstract: A new type of overspeed control system for a rotor driven by wind or some other fluid flow. The rotor support is mounted so that it can move back some small distance along the direction of the fluid flow, the rotor axis remaining in substantially the same direction during this movement. This backward movement is in response to the thrust generated by the lift and drag forces on the rotor impellers. At a predetermined thrust force, indicating that the rotor is operating in a fluid velocity high enough to cause overspeeding, the backward movement of the rotor engages a brake to slow the rotor. Essential to the invention is the use of the backward movement of the rotor to brake the rotor.