Abstract: The medication dispensing assembly includes a housing having an interior. A medication bottle is disposed in the interior with its cap assembly facing vertically downwardly. The cap assembly includes outer, middle, and inner pieces. The outer and inner pieces are fixed with one another, and the middle piece is fixed with the bottle. A drive unit is disposed in the interior of the housing and is configured to rotate the bottle and the middle piece of the cap assembly about a vertical axis. The three pieces of the cap assembly have respective medication openings, and rotating the bottle causes individual pills to travel first from the bottle into the inner piece, then into the middle piece, then around the vertical axis, and then outside of the cap assembly through the medication opening of the outer piece.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for trapping particles disposed in a fluid. The apparatus may comprise one or more cavities disposed axially along a length of a tubular housing, one or more connecting components disposed at opposing ends of the housing, and may optionally comprise a check valve system. Alternate embodiments are provided for forming each of the one or more cavities, which may comprise a combination of a cavity frame and cavity surface. The method may comprise flowing a fluid into a first end of a particle trap apparatus at a rate of fluid flow, directing the fluid flow at least partially through one or more cavity sub-assemblies disposed in the particle trap apparatus, collecting the particulate matter in one or more of the cavity sub-assemblies when the rate of fluid flow may slow or become suspended, and clearing collected particles from the one or more cavity sub-assemblies upon restoration of fluid flow in a primary direction of travel.

Abstract: A thermally modulating roof system wherein a climate space between an existing and new roof is occupied by a phase change material assembly. The system maintains an industry standard of no more than a distance of about 4 inches between the roofs while still incorporating a substantial capacity to modulate an otherwise rising temperature of a facility during the day. Unique methods of installing the system, utilizing it and circulating air through the system to enhance performance are detailed. The system may also be of the capacity to modulate an otherwise lowering temperature of the facility during exposure to colder environmental periods or conditions.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for trapping particles disposed in a fluid. The apparatus may comprise one or more cavities disposed axially along a length of a tubular housing, one or more connecting components disposed at opposing ends of the housing, and may optionally comprise a check valve system. Alternate embodiments are provided for forming each of the one or more cavities, which may comprise a combination of a cavity frame and cavity surface. The method may comprise flowing a fluid into a first end of a particle trap apparatus at a rate of fluid flow, directing the fluid flow at least partially through one or more cavity sub-assemblies disposed in the particle trap apparatus, collecting the particulate matter in one or more of the cavity sub-assemblies when the rate of fluid flow may slow or become suspended, and clearing collected particles from the one or more cavity sub-assemblies upon restoration of fluid flow in a primary direction of travel.

Abstract: An adhesive mixture comprising an organic slurry dispersion for use in the manufacture of wood-based composites is described herein. The adhesive mixture includes an adhesive resin; water; one or more fillers, and an organic slurry dispersion. The organic slurry dispersion includes water; a natural biopolymer insoluble in the water, the natural biopolymer comprising lignocelluloses, lignocellulosic agricultural residue, lignin materials, lignin derivatives or mixtures thereof; and a defoamer. During manufacturing, the components of the organic slurry dispersion are combined and mixed by imparting a high degree of shear and mixing. The adhesive mixture may be applied to wood material for use in manufacturing a wood-based composite product.

Abstract: A thermally modulating roof system wherein a minority of climate space between an existing and new roof is occupied by a phase change material assembly. The system maintains an industry standard of no more than a distance of about 4 inches between the roofs while still incorporating a substantial capacity to modulate an otherwise rising temperature of a facility during the day. Unique methods of installing the system, utilizing it and circulating air through the system to enhance performance are detailed.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for trapping particles disposed in a fluid. The apparatus may comprise one or more cavities disposed axially along a length of a tubular housing, one or more connecting components disposed at opposing ends of the housing, and may optionally comprise a check valve system. Alternate embodiments are provided for forming each of the one or more cavities, which may comprise a combination of a cavity frame and cavity surface. The method may comprise flowing a fluid into a first end of a particle trap apparatus at a rate of fluid flow, directing the fluid flow at least partially through one or more cavity sub-assemblies disposed in the particle trap apparatus, collecting the particulate matter in one or more of the cavity sub-assemblies when the rate of fluid flow may slow or become suspended, and clearing collected particles from the one or more cavity sub-assemblies upon restoration of fluid flow in a primary direction of travel.

Abstract: A ductwork system including a temperature modulating blanket with phase change material. The system allows for attic installation of ductwork while substantially avoiding effects of excessive temperatures and temperature gradients of the attic space on conditioned air run through the ductwork. Thus, smaller HVAC and overall power requirements may be realized for air conditioning applications in structural facilities. This may be of particular benefit for structural facilities retrofitted with HVAC systems where attic space is more likely to be made greater use of for accommodating ductwork.

Abstract: A slip insert is provided. The slip insert may include a concave surface formed therein. An edge can be formed between a first two-dimensional planer surface and the concave surface. The slip insert may include an edge formed between an intersection of a first two-dimensional planer surface and a second two-dimensional planer surface extending form the concave surface.

Abstract: A device for mitigating the replication of pathogens at a user's nose. The device may include architecture and techniques for both introducing heat to nostril locations while at the same time, mitigating the temperature level at the nose for sake of long-term user comfort. In one embodiment this may be achieved through a device that utilizes a heat-generating substance layer in combination with a temperature modulating substance layer that employs a phase change material to attain the temperature modulation. In this type of construction, the phase change material may also be employed to take on and store heat that is later released to extend the effective life of the device as a pathogen mitigator. Alternative architecture and techniques may also be employed.

Abstract: A self-sterilizing implement with a manual contact surface and an ultraviolet light source at opposite sides thereof. The implement may be constructed to facilitate any number of manually directed objectives, from opening a door, pushing a grocery cart, turning on a light switch, or operating a computer, for example. So long as the implement is prone to manipulation, particularly by multiple users, it may serve a self-sterilizing germicidal role in preventing the propagation of pathogens from one user to the next by way of the noted contact surface. Among other aspects, this is facilitated by the unique architecture of the implement and the relationship of the ultraviolet light source positioning relative the contact surface to be treated.

Abstract: An apparatus, system and method are provided for isolating a portion of a tubing string in a hydrocarbon well. The portion of isolated tubing string can be used to set a packer or test tubing integrity hydrostatically. The apparatus includes a dissolvable valve that is installed in a nipple and positioned below the portion of tubing string. The dissolvable valve includes a ball seat for receiving a dissolvable ball. When the dissolvable ball is dropped into the tubing string and seated on the ball seat of the dissolvable valve, the portion of tubing string is isolated from a second portion of tubing string below the nipple. Wellbore fluids in the hydrocarbon well dissolve the dissolvable valve and the dissolvable ball to leave behind a nipple without any restrictions.

Abstract: A system combining a setting tool and a frac plug into one assembly thus producing a much shorter and more reliable assembly. More specifically, a downhole assembly comprising a plug section, which itself comprises a top sub, a bottom sub, a slip, and an elastomeric element. The downhole assembly further comprises a power section comprising a body comprising a power charge and one or more ignitors, a firing head, a shearing pin, and a setting tool piston. Additionally, the downhole assembly comprises a check valve, wherein the check valve is positioned downhole from the power charge and inside the setting tool piston; a mandrel comprising a hydraulic chamber and a ball, wherein the mandrel is positioned inside and adjacent to the setting tool piston and the top sub; and a dog.

Abstract: A system combining a setting tool and a frac plug into one assembly thus producing a much shorter and more reliable assembly. More specifically, a downhole assembly comprising a plug section, which itself comprises a top sub, a bottom sub, a slip, and an elastomeric element. The downhole assembly further comprises a power section comprising a body comprising a power charge and one or more ignitors, a firing head, a shearing pin, and a setting tool piston. Additionally, the downhole assembly comprises a check valve, wherein the check valve is positioned downhole from the power charge and inside the setting tool piston; a mandrel comprising a hydraulic chamber and a ball, wherein the mandrel is positioned inside and adjacent to the setting tool piston and the top sub; and a dog.

Abstract: A thermally modulating roof system wherein a minority of climate space between an existing and new roof is occupied by a phase change material assembly. The system maintains an industry standard of no more than a distance of about 4 inches between the roofs while still incorporating a substantial capacity to modulate an otherwise rising temperature of a facility during the day. Unique methods of installing the system, utilizing it and circulating air through the system to enhance performance are detailed.

Abstract: A slip insert is provided. The slip insert may include a concave surface formed therein. An edge can be formed between a first two-dimensional planer surface and the concave surface. The slip insert may include an edge formed between an intersection of a first two-dimensional planer surface and a second two-dimensional planer surface extending form the concave surface.

Abstract: A frac plug is provided. The frac plug includes a plug body, a sealing element, and a slip. The plug body includes a first sub and a second sub. The first sub includes a first composite material outer sleeve, and a first metal inner core engaged with and structurally supporting the first composite material outer sleeve. The second sub includes a second composite material outer sleeve, and a second metal inner core engaged with and structurally supporting the second composite material outer sleeve. The sealing element is circumferentially disposed about the first sub and, when actuated, seals an annulus between the frac plug and a tubular section. The slip is disposed between the first sub and the second sub and, when actuated, engages the tubular section.

Abstract: A downhole communication tool is provided. The downhole communication tool may include a cylindrical housing, a plurality of ridges, and a plurality of flow control assemblies. The cylindrical housing may have an inner surface, a first end portion, and a second end portion. The inner surface may define a flowbore extending axially between the first and second end portions. The plurality of ridges may extend radially outward from the cylindrical housing between the first and second end portions. Each ridge may have a ridge outer surface and define one or more ports that extend radially between the flowbore and the ridge outer surface. Each flow control assembly may be mounted about a respective port of the one or more ports and include a dissolvable seal member extending across the respective port. Each dissolvable seal member may be configured to prevent fluid communication between the flowbore and a subterranean formation.

Abstract: A frac plug is provided. The frac plug may include a plug body, a slip, a sealing element, and a flapper. The plug body may have an inner surface, a first end portion, and a second end portion. The inner surface may define a bore extending axially between the first end portion and the second end portion. The slip may be circumferentially disposed about the plug body and configured to expand and couple the frac plug to a tubular section. The sealing element may be circumferentially disposed about the plug body and configured to compress and create a seal between the plug body and an inner surface of the tubular section. The flapper may be coupled to the plug body proximate to the first end portion and configured to seal the bore of the plug body.

Abstract: A frac plug is provided. The frac plug may include a plug body, a slip, a sealing element, and a compression ring. The plug body may have a first end portion and a second end portion. The slip may be circumferentially disposed about the plug body and configured to expand and couple the frac plug to a tubular section. The sealing element may be circumferentially disposed about the plug body and configured to create a seal between the plug body and an inner surface of the tubular section. The compression ring may be circumferentially disposed about the plug body proximate to the first end portion and abut the sealing element. The compression ring may be configured to expand when shifted along the plug body to compress the sealing element and retain the sealing element in a compressed position.