Abstract: A watering device includes a main body having a main inlet for receiving pressurized water and an intermediate cap member in fluid communication and sealingly engaged with the main body. The watering device also includes a top cap member sealingly engaged with the intermediate cap member. The top cap member includes at least one watering outlet. The watering device also includes a diaphragm substantially covering a base portion of the intermediate cap member and arranged to interact with water flowing from the main body to divert water to function as a pressure compensator for substantially maintaining the flow rate of the watering device.

Abstract: In a method and system for forming microbeads, a polymer solution includes particles and a polymer dissolved in a solvent. A stream of the polymer solution flows into a chamber. A focusing fluid contacts and focuses the polymer stream in the chamber. The focusing fluid and the focused polymer stream flow, as a single flow stream, out from the chamber. Pendant droplets detach from a leading end of the single flow stream to form the microbeads. The focusing fluid reacts with the polymer solution to form functional groups at a surface of the microbeads for binding with biorecognition molecules. In the system, a flow focusing apparatus includes a flow focusing body shaped to define the chamber. Microbeads formed according to the methods and systems are also disclosed.

Abstract: A hose heater for use in outdoor or unheated interior spaces of a home, construction office or farm. The hose heater includes an enclosure having a hose reel for storing the hose also having an electrical heating unit to warm the stored hose between uses. A heating core located in the center of the reel provides heat, keeping the hose from freezing. The enclosure which itself may be heated or unheated, blankets the hose to provide heat to the outer hose coils to ensure that the extremities are maintained at a freeze-free temperature. This can be used in small scale farming, outside use, and other areas where animals and ice rinks need watering in winter with a hose.

Abstract: An in-line system of mini sprinklers comprising a tubular conduit having inner and outer surface areas, and fitted for the flow of pressurized liquids. This tubular conduit has one or more openings along its length, and at least one mini sprinkler unit embedded within the tubular conduit at each opening. Each mini sprinkler unit comprises a liquid distributing assembly and biasing means. As pressure within the tubular conduit increases, inward force exerted by the biasing means is overcome, and the liquid distributing assembly moves outward. As the liquid distributing assembly protrudes beyond the outer surface of the tubular conduit, liquid escapes and sprinkles onto the ground. As pressure is decreased within the tubular conduit, the biasing means force the liquid distributing assembly back to its original position.

Abstract: A stowable device for ejecting fluids onto the underside and wheel regions of a vehicle includes a base member joined at one end to a handle member such that the angle between the members can be controllably varied and retained at a desired angle. A source of fluid is coupled through flexible tubing terminating in a fluid jet disposed adjacent the base member distal end. The desired angle is determined by a length of cord extending from base to handle member. The exposed cord length is user-controllable by lockably spooling excess cord length into a rotatable spool reservoir attached to the handle member. User-adjustment of the desired angle also determined handle height above ground. Alternatively, the desired angle (and handle height above ground) is user-determined by adjusting effective length of a rigid rod.

Abstract: A linearly self-actuated hose for use in transporting fluids (liquids, gases, solid particles, and combinations of these three). Hose (30) has a biasing spring (36) that extends along its full length, and can comprise single or multiple springs and/or multiple diameter spring coils. Spring (36) is covered with hose cover material (32) on the outside and hose cover material (34) on the inside to form a sealed hose and are bowed inward or outward radially between the individual spring coils depending on the intended use of hose (30) to give the cover materials room to move out of the way when the hose retracts and the coils of spring (36) are forced close together. The Linearly Retractable Hose is operated by changing internal pressure within the hose relative to the ambient pressure on the exterior of the hose. Control of fluid pressure within hose (30) is what allows the hose to operate as an automatically extendable and retractable hose. The biasing of spring (36) depends on the type of use for the hose.

Abstract: An irrigating apparatus whose hose drum is propelled by water power to take up the hose. A hose guide is movable back and forth across the drum to deposit the hose in layers thereon and the hose guide is coupled to a threaded spindle on which a nut rides. A link connects this nut to a valve which throttles the flow to the water-power motor for the drum to progressively decrease the angular velocity of the drum as the hose is taken up.

Abstract: A sludge sprayer comprises a land sledge with spray gun and a mobile winching hose reel with power coupling for connection to a tractor power take-off. The sprayer has a compressor which fills an air reservoir automatically when the apparatus is in use. A release mechanism is provided to release the compressed air in the reservoir through the hose to the spray gun, thus emptying substantially of the sludge therein, when pumping of the liquid sludge ceases. An automatic stop mechanism decouples the winching hose reel from the power take-off upon return of the sledge to the reel.