Abstract: A generally cylindrical relative rotatable lock structure comprises three relatively rotatable coaxial members. The first and second members have generally opposed surfaces carrying connecting means which interengage to prevent relative axial movement between those members except in predetermined relatively rotatable positions. The third member is supported by one of the first or second members to prevent axial movement relative to the supporting member, but to permit rotatable movement. Friction between the third and non-supporting member causes the third member to rotate with the non-supporting member. The third member has connecting means cooperable with the connecting means on the member which does not support the third member to prevent relative axial movement between the third and non-supporting members except in predetermined relative position.

Abstract: A method for bioremediation of hazardous wastes is disclosed. The method can be used for anaerobic treatment of a liquid or slurry hazardous waste stream (e.g., industrial wastewater or sludge) or for treatment of contaminated groundwater. Removal of halogenated (e.g., chlorinated) hydrocarbons, such as tetrachloroethylene, trichloroethylene, 1,1,1-trichloroethane and similar xenobiotics is possible. The method involves biotransformation of (dehalogenation) halogenated hydrocarbons by means of natural methanogenic bacteria, Methanosarcina barkeri strain 227 and/or Methanosarcina vacuolata. These methanogens can accomplish cometabolism of chlorinated hydrocarbons during metabolism of a primary substrate such as hydrogen-carbon dioxide, methanol, methylamine, dimethylamine, trimethylamine and acetate. Reductive dechlorination, energy conservation and control of air pollution are accomplished.

Abstract: Packaging having a combination lock closure is rendered child resistant in a manner that maintains ease of adult use and economy of manufacture while providing adequate protection of child health. The technique comprises the steps of selecting an appropriate child resistance effectiveness, selecting an appropriate older adult use effectiveness, determining a probability of random opening that correlates with the selected child resistances effectiveness and provides at least the selected older adult use effectiveness, and configuring the combination lock closure to present to the package user said probability of random opening. Configuring the closure may include providing a plurality of tumblers, only one of which is accessible to manual manipulation.

Abstract: A child-resistant buckle and buckle guard combination is disclosed that relies for its effectiveness on differences in the ways young children and adults think rather than on presumed (but often non-existent) strength or dexterity differences. The child-resistant feature comprises a combination lock mechanism that incorporates at least one directly manipulated member, and, in some embodiments, at least one indirectly movable member. The device is buckled into a conventional safety belt buckle by means of a tongue-like connector. A housing or guard denies access to the push button of the conventional safety belt buckle.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring flow in a closed conduit under both full and less than full conditions is disclosed. The method and apparatus incorporate a tubular Venturi metering device. The cross section of the throat of the device is configured relative to the upstream section of the meter so that the throat will fill with liquid substantially simultaneously with the upstream section's filling with liquid. The present method and apparatus incorporate an improved pressure transmitting and sensing means, a data logger/controller and a data converter. The pressure transmitting and sensing means is designed to overcome the limitations of prior art means of transmitting and sensing pressures. One embodiment involves using submersible sensors to measure invert liquid pressures and a single bubbler system to transmit the throat (reference) pressure to the ends of the sensor vents (in the instrument case), thus allowing differential pressures to be measured.

Abstract: A child-resistant safety belt buckle is disclosed that relies for its effectiveness on differences in the ways young children and adults think rather than on presumed (but often non-existant) strength or dexterity differences. The child-resistant feature comprises a combination lock mechanism that incorporates at least one directly manipulated member, and, in some embodiments, at least one indirectly movable member.

Abstract: Underground pipelines that carry wastewater water, natural gas and industrial fluids deteriorate with age. Shown is a process and apparatus for installing a thermoplastic liner in such existing pipelines to accomplish in situ rehabilitation. It involves extruding a tube of thermoplastic liner material within the interior of a pipeline in situ, said tube having an outside diameter smaller than the inside diameter of said pipeline. The tube is next expanded so that the outside diameter of said tube is essentially equal to the inside diameter of said pipeline. The expanded tube is then cooled and hardened in a liner configuration.

Abstract: The child-resistant feature comprises a combination lock mechanism that incorporates at least one directly manipulated member, and, in some embodiments, at least one indirectly movable member. Some embodiments incorporate a feature that arrests rotation of the spark wheel when the thumb lever is locked in the child-resistant condition.

Abstract: This invention comprises the steps of (1) acid phase anaerobic digestion of biomass to produce volatile acids and a stabilized sludge, (2) use of the volatile acids as the carbon source and electron donor for biological sulfate reduction for removal of acidity, metals and sulfate from acid mine drainage, and to produce acetate, (3) use of the acetate solution as feed for methane phase anaerobic digestion to produce methane and to reduce the organic content of the effluent of the process, (4) and use of the methane to satisfy the energy requirements of the process. Key to the process is the use of kinetic control (i.e., a relatively short mean cell residence time) to ensure partial oxidation of higher molecular weight volatile acids (e.g., propionic, butyric, valeric) and production of acetate during the sulfate reduction step.

Abstract: A child-resistant disposable lighter relies for its effectiveness on differences in the ways young children and adults think rather than on presumed (but often non-existent) strength or dexterity differences. The child-resistant feature comprises a combination lock mechanism that incorporates at least one directly manipulated member, and, in some embodiments, at least one indirectly movable member. Some embodiments incorporate a feature that arrests rotation of the spark wheel when the thumb lever is locked in the child-resistant condition.

Abstract: A rotatable member is held within a closure cap by a circumferential ridge. Both the closure cap and the rotatable member carry inwardly projecting studs. Ribs on stepped cylindrical surfaces of the container neck are provided with channels that permit axial passage of the studs when properly aligned. Proper alignment is achieved by means of stops on the rotatable member and the closure cap which, when engaged during rotation, align the studs circumferentially with the channels. The rotatable member is provided with a frictional fit on the neck of the container, or the rib thereof, so that as the closure cap is rotated, the rotatable member will stay in position on the container neck until the stops contact one another. When the closure cap is rotated in a predetermined direction to a predetermined point, it will cause the stops to contact such as to properly index the studs on the rotatable member relative to channels in a rib on the container neck.

Abstract: A portable wastewater flow meter particularly adapted for temporary use at a single location in measuring the rate of liquid flow in a circular entrance conduit of a sewer manhole both under free flow and submerged, open channel conditions and under full pipe, surcharged conditions, comprising an apparatus having a cylindrical external surface and an inner surface that constricts the flow through the apparatus in such a manner that a relationship exists between (1) the difference between the static pressure head of liquid flowing through the entrance of the apparatus and the static pressure head of liquid flowing through the constriction, and (2) the rate of liquid flow through the apparatus.

Abstract: The gravity flow of a liquid in an open pipe is metered during open channel flow, during surcharged flow, and during the transition between the two. A tubular venturi metering device is employed, and when during open channel flow, the liquid depth rises in the section of the pipe upstream from the device, the throat of the device fills with liquid substantially simultaneously with the upstream section of the pipe, so that during the transition, the device continues to provide a flow determination.

Abstract: A child-resistant container and closure cap combination is provided by using cooperating members on the internal cylindrical sidewalls of the cap and the cylindrical walls of the container neck. The cooperating members are a pair of studs aligned with the axis on one of the cylindrical walls projecting toward the other and three collars supported on the other of said cylindrical walls. The collars have channels through which the studs must pass in placing the cap on the container or removing it and except through those channels the collars block the studs. Two of the three collars are rotatable and the third fixed. Rotation of the cap and container will cause the stud which is positioned between the relatively rotatable collars to contact and drive a stop means on one rotatable collar. By continued rotation the stop, in turn, contacts and drives a drive post on the other rotatable collar.