Abstract: A grooming tool for use on an animal includes a base arrangement sized for grasping by a human hand. A first section of grooming members is secured to the base arrangement and includes flexible members. A second section of grooming members is spaced from the first section and includes flexible members. A third section of rigid grooming members are positioned between the first section and second section of grooming members. The tool can include a grip assembly having a pivotable grip member.

Abstract: Shipping system for temperature-sensitive materials. In one embodiment, the shipping system may include an insulated container. The insulated container may include a frame surrounding a payload space, the frame including a door providing access to the payload space. The shipping system may additionally include a door brace assembly. The door brace assembly may be mounted within the payload space just inside the door and may include a door plug configured to substantially close the payload space. The door brace assembly may additionally include a door brace mounted within the door plug. The door brace may be transformable between a retracted state and an expanded state. When in its retracted state, the door brace assembly may be loaded into or removed from the insulated container. When in its expanded state, the door brace assembly engages the four corners of the frame just inside the door to keep the frame square.

Abstract: Shipping system for temperature-sensitive materials. In one embodiment, the shipping system may include a frame defining an enclosure. The frame may include a bottom, a top, a front, a rear, a left side, a right side, a left corner gusset, and a right corner gusset. The front may serve as a door. Thermal breaks may be provided in one or more of the bottom, the front, the left corner gusset, and the right corner gusset. Vacuum insulated panels may be positioned along all sides of the frame. Many of the vacuum insulated panels may be encapsulated between the frame and an outer shell. A plurality of phase-change material assemblies may be positioned within the frame along all sides. Heat-spreaders may be positioned interior to the phase-change material assemblies. The shipping system may be dimensioned so that four such shipping systems may be seated on a prorate manual cargo sheet.

Abstract: An actuator latching mechanism for a disk drive device is provided. The latching mechanism includes a rotatable body portion, a rigid air vane portion and a latching arm. When a data storage disk of the disk drive is not being rotated, the latching mechanism maintains a transducer actuator assembly of the disk drive in a locked position by engaging the transducer actuator assembly in the latching arm. When the data storage disk is rotated, airflow is generated proximate to the surface of the disk, in the same direction in which the disk is rotated. The latching mechanism is disposed in a space between the edge of the data storage disk and a side wall of the housing so that the peripheral effects of the airflow exerts a force on the air vane portion, rotating the latching mechanism towards the side wall to release the actuator assembly from the latching arm. Once disk rotation stops, the air vane portion returns to its original position and the latching arm engages the actuator assembly in the locked position.

Abstract: Water draining from a septic tank contains ammonium, which traditionally is oxidized to nitrate in an aerobic soakaway. When the effluent enters the groundwater, the resulting nitrate concentration can be troublesome. A body of organic carbon, e.g. wood chppings, is provided, and the nitrate-laden effluent is passed through the carbon. The carbon is placed in the ground so as to be anaerobic: for example, the carbon may be placed below the water table; or the carbon may be mixed into a layer of fine silt, which is maintained in a state of tension-saturation by the effluent. Under anaerobic conditions, the nitrate is reduced by micro-biological action. The carbon is located such that the effluent naturally flows through the carbon, no pumps etc being required. The carbon may be located directly below the soakaway, or the carbon may be in a trench positioned to the side if the groundwater has a lateral component of flow.