Abstract: This invention provides methods for producing furfural-urea resins and adhesives. The includes dissolving urea in hot water to produce a hot aqueous solution, mixing furfural with the aqueous solution, adding an acid catalyst such as maleic anhydride to the furfural containing aqueous solution upon which a resinification reaction begins immediately. The resinification reaction is quenched by cooling to a pre-selected temperature to produce a resin or adhesive.

Abstract: An online Skycap Service provides for the use of managing luggage handling services across multiple service partners and destinations. It further provides for the tracking of luggage via an embedded RF chip. Users and Service Providers initially register with the mySkyCap Service and are provided additional functionality. For users, the system provides for families to schedule all the individual travel segments separately and have the entire itinerary transaction acted upon as a single financial transaction. It also allows for a hassle-free method for the transportation of luggage between travel destinations. For Service Providers, the ability to track luggage and associate it with travelers provides for increased security. A distinct advantage of this system is that it allows for the pickup and drop off of luggage at the convenience of the traveler and allows them to travel without worrying about their luggage.

Abstract: This invention provides methods for preparing mixtures of styrene and maleic anhydride co-monomer, applying that mixture to the surface of a solid porous substance like wood, allowing the mixture to penetrate the surface zone of the material such as wood and causing it to quickly cure in the surface zone of the material. The keys are the low viscosity of the mixture that causes it to penetrate quickly and well, and its reactivity that causes it to cure before it either evaporates or becomes too dispersed within the material. The polymer reinforcement and hardening is therefore effectively restricted to the surface zone or shell. This produces a reinforced, hardened, protective shell around the porous material.

Abstract: This invention is a method preparing solutions or mixtures of oligimer or polymer in a solution of polymerizable monomer, applying that solution to the surface of a solid porous substance like wood, heating to drive the mixture into the surface zone of the substance and causing the polymerizable monomer to cure. This produces a reinforced, hardened, protective shell around the porous substance.

Abstract: This invention provides methods of furfural-urea modification of wood, and more particularly the present invention relates to the impregnation, and polymerization of, furfural-urea formulations under conditions of high weight percent gain (WPG) into wood. Wood is modified by impregnating wood first with furfural, thereafter impregnating the wood with a solution of urea, water and an acidic catalyst for polymerizing the mixture of furfural and urea in the wood. The wood is then dried and cured at the same time.

Abstract: This invention provides methods for producing furfural-urea resins and adhesives. The includes dissolving urea in hot water to produce a hot aqueous solution, mixing furfural with the aqueous solution, adding an acid catalyst such as maleic anhydride to the furfural containing aqueous solution upon which a resinification reaction begins immediately. The resinification reaction is quenched by cooling to a pre-selected temperature to produce a resin or adhesive.

Abstract: This invention provides water-based furfural-urea resins for impregnation of same into wood in order to impart decay, mold, marine borer and termite resistance and improve moisture resistance and mechanical properties. The waterborne wood modification composition for impregnation into wood, includes water, furfural, urea, an acidic catalyst, and a buffer present in an amount to give a pH in a range from about 2.96 to about 5.13.

Abstract: An online Skycap Service provides for the use of managing luggage handling services across multiple service partners and destinations. It further provides for the tracking of luggage via an embedded RF chip. Users and Service Providers initially register with the mySkyCap Service and are provided additional functionality. For users, the system provides for families to schedule all the individual travel segments separately and have the entire itinerary transaction acted upon as a single financial transaction. It also allows for a hassle-free method for the transportation of luggage between travel destinations. For Service Providers, the ability to track luggage and associate it with travelers provides for increased security. A distinct advantage of this system is that it allows for the pickup and drop off of luggage at the convenience of the traveler and allows them to travel without worrying about their luggage.

Abstract: A two-piece interlocking handle assembly which provides a rigid hand hold for a hose and coupling device received thereby, the handle assembly being particularly useful when coupling a glad hand operatively mounted to the hose and coupling device extending from a trailer of a semi-tractor to a glad hand operatively mounted to a mating air brake line extending from the semi-tractor. The handle assembly includes two opposing halves which are releasably connectable by slidably engaging projecting members of one half with associated slots of the other half. Resilient locking members mounted on one half engage the other half to securely connect the halves together.

Abstract: It has been found possible to ferment the pentose D-xylose directly to ethanol with the selected yeast Pachysolen tannophilus. At least an initial aerobic stage is desirable. Improved yields have been obtained when the yeast cells are recycled continually at high cell densities. Fermentation of D-galactose and other hexoses along with D-xylose has been found possible with selected strains or mutants.