Abstract: The present disclosure provides a self-draining hose. The self-draining hose includes a flexible hose connected to an inlet end fitting and an outlet end fitting and defines a fluid passage through the flexible hose. The flexible hose is made from an elastomer material having a memory with a cross-sectional flat profile defining a collapsed position closing the fluid passage, and has is expandable to an expanded position opening the fluid passage. In use, upon introduction of a pressurized fluid at the inlet end fitting the flexible hose expands from the collapsed position to the expanded position to permit flow of the fluid through the fluid passage towards the outlet end fitting. Upon termination of the introduction of the pressurized fluid at the inlet end fitting the memory of the elastomer material collapses the flexible hose from the expanded position to the collapsed position expelling the fluid from the fluid passage.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a self-draining hose. The self-draining hose includes a flexible hose connected to an inlet end fitting and an outlet end fitting and defines a fluid passage through the flexible hose. The flexible hose is made from an elastomer material having a memory with a cross-sectional flat profile defining a collapsed position closing the fluid passage, and has is expandable to an expanded position opening the fluid passage. In use, upon introduction of a pressurized fluid at the inlet end fitting the flexible hose expands from the collapsed position to the expanded position to permit flow of the fluid through the fluid passage towards the outlet end fitting. Upon termination of the introduction of the pressurized fluid at the inlet end fitting the memory of the elastomer material collapses the flexible hose from the expanded position to the collapsed position expelling the fluid from the fluid passage.

Abstract: A low-cost, light-weight, high strength, resilent plastic strapping tie is of simple, substantially rectangular extruded form, used in combination with slip-on adjustable tie attachment means. One laterally applied/removed slip-on attachment has a spring ring coil, for applying anywhere along the length of a tie, or to couple ties together, including embodiments having a hook portion to secure the tie to a tie-down point. The subject strapping tie may be knotted, and may be relatively readily unknotted. Ties of polyolefin and polyurethane can have ultimate tensile strength of up to 8,000 pounds per square inch of strap cross section; with a dog-bone, substantially rectangular cross-sectional profile with enlarged rounded edges. The range of small, lightweight attachment fittings includes a mini shock cord equipped with a hook.

Abstract: An exercise/play loop is formed from a strap of predetermined length, cross-section, strength and extensibility, being selected from polyolefin and polyurethane elastomers and rubber, with a cross-section having a width to thickness ratio greater than five, and having the elastic extensibility of the loop limited to about 100%. A polyurethane elastomer is selected from the group consisting of polyester and polyether urethanes whch may be extruded and mechanically conditioned to provide a modified molecular structure of enhanced elasticity and reduced plasticity, having tensile strength of up to about 6,000 lbs per square inch. The polyolefin elastomers have a hardness number of at least about Shore 80. The ends of the plastic strap are thermally welded to each other, to form the loop. A method of mechanically enhancing the plastics is given.

Abstract: An improved cutting filament for use in a rotary trimmer is an extruded resin, being subject to vertical extrusion to sustain true-section profile, and to structural orientation to enhance the strength and toughness of the material. One embodiment, a polygonal extruded section is drawn down in size, being found to possess improved abrasive, herbiage-cutting characteristics. One embodiment has a finned profile with at least one fin in the form of a projecting rib, preferably with a scarified surface, to enhance its abrasive characteristics. In a polygonal section, the fin portions of the section are located at the apices of the polygon. The draw-down molecular orientation process enables the use of an extrusion die of sufficient size that the scarified finning provision is readily incorporated into the die.

Abstract: An improved cutting filament for use in a rotary trimmer is an extruded resin, being subject to vertical extrusionto sustain true-section profile, and to structural orientation to enhance the strength and toughness of the material. One embodiment, a polygonal extruded section is drawn down in size, being found to possess improved abrasive, herbiage-cutting characteristics. One embodiment has a finned profile with at least one fin in the form of a projecting rib, preferably with a scarified surface, to enhance its abrasive characteristics. In a polygonal section, the fin portions of the section are located at the apices of the polygon. The draw-down molecular orientation process enables the use of an extrusion die of sufficient size that the scarified finning provision is readily incorporated into the die.

Abstract: A liquid transfer system for liquids that are subject to solidification uses a pipeline, with compressed gas as the liquid displacement medium. The pipeline comprises a substantially rigid outer line and a flexible inner hose, forming with the outer line an intermediate interstitial zone along the inner hose; a check valve located adjacent each end of the inner hose provides uni-directional flow within the system. A gas compressor connected with the interstitial zone by way of a flow control selectively applies pressurized gas or vacuum to the zone. The three possible phases of operation comprise; a first phase, when vacuum is applied to the interstitial zone, to expand the inner hose and induce liquid from the source to substantially fill the inner hose; a second phase when gas pressure is applied to the interstitial zone, to compress the inner hose and expel the liquid toward the point of delivery. The first and second phases are repeatable, to provide cumulative delivery of the liquid.

Abstract: A frost-free water supply system drains down to avoid freeze-up during non-pumping periods, its operation being responsive to air pressure within the system. A compound hose used may have an inner hose part co-extruded with the outer hose. The inner hose portion is preferably of flattened section, which facilitates threading of the inner hose within the outer hose, when not co-extruded. The compound hose with a flattened inner section, when its air cavity is sealed at atmospheric pressure conditions, provides an inbuilt air cushion that can generate initial de-watering pressure as high as about 716 gms per square cm (10 psi). The elastic memory, due to its initial flattened shape, also contributes to the de-watering capability of the inner hose. One unepected result, upon draining the liquids, is an unusual "bump" in the residual pressure of the air trapped within the outer hose, whereby the inner hose is more thoroughly flattened and more completely de-watered.

Abstract: In a frost-free water supply system that drains down to avoid freezing, during non-pumping periods, operation of the system is responsive to pressure changes within the system. A pneumatic relay sensitive to changes in one of the fluid pressures operative in the system is located in a portion of the system subject both to water pressure and to the air pressure operating in the system, to provide a pneumatic signal that activates or de-activates one or more system components. One arrangement has a water line discharging into an animal watering bowl within a protected environment. The pneumatic relay is in pressure sensing relation with a localized portion of the water line that remains undrained when the major length of the hose is drained. The pneumatic relay subsequently senses a drop in water pressure, responsive to the re-filling of the bowl. The pneumatic relay is connected to a distant relay, to switch on the pump and recharge the water line, to re-supply the bowl.

Abstract: A system for pumping liquids that are subject to solidification in the line, uses a compressed gas as an expulsion medium for the liquid. A compound hose pipeline is used, having a variable volume gas chamber adjacent a transfer passage, extending the length of the line. The line may comprise an outer hose that provides an air annulus about a collapsible inner hose, through which the pumped liquid can flow. Air or other gas admitted to the annulus operates to expel the liquid from the inner hose, either upon the loss of pressurization of the liquid in the inner hose, or upon the application of adequate pressure within the gas annulus to discharge the liquid from the inner hose. A compartmented hose has a separating disphragm running the length of the hose, where admission of gas to one side of the diaphragm diminishes the adjoining chamber of the hose. When liquid is pumped, the diaphragm is displaced laterally, permitting full flow in the hose.