Abstract: This invention relates to the creation of man-made islands and other like floating structures using composite materials, such as plastic foam coated with a Fiber Reinforced Coating (FRC), such as Glass Fiber Reinforced Concrete (GFRC).

Abstract: The invention is a decorative light hanger which is used in mounting the lights to a structure. The hanger has a rigid corkscrew, helix or spiral which has slots between the revolutions of the spiral to allow the decorative light wires to be rotated through the slots until the wires are securely captured in the hole or opening created in the interior of the spiral.

Abstract: A waste collection and transfer pan device is disclosed. The device includes a handle portion connected to a non-planar body portion having a planar end portion forming a cavity therebetween. The pan device is useful for collecting and transferring waste material. The planar pan end portion allows storage of the pan device in an upright orientation.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for constructing a composite structure by creating a 3-D actual or non-virtual model of the structure or feature, scanning the model into a computer program, importing the model into a Finite Element Analysis (FEA) program, meshing the model, performing a FEA on the model in the FEA program to determine the materials and the dimensions for the materials making up the composite and building the composite structure.

Abstract: The invention provides a composite building that will float if the building site is flooded. The materials of the composite are resistant to mold and mildew.

Abstract: The invention contemplates constructing a building by making composite walls in a factory using continuous or batch processing equipment. To make the walls, a Fiber Reinforced Coating (FRC) is prepared and then applied to foam core panels on their faces. Preferably, the panels are precut to the required dimensions before coating with openings for doors and windows. The coated panels are then transported to the site and bonded together to form the building.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of analyzing a building made from a core of foam plastic which is coated on the inside and outside with a strengthening coating. The building is designed in a CAD program. Then, the building surfaces are meshed in an automeshing program as one piece. Plates are added to the inner, outer and edge surfaces of the core by using copying at zero distance. The core is Solid Meshed. The boundary conditions are chosen for the boundary nodes. Appropriate characteristics of the EPS and GFRC have been assigned to the core and plates. A FEA analysis can be run.

Abstract: The invention forms a composite building by using beams made from plastic foam coated with fiber reinforced concrete.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of analyzing a building made from Expanded Poly Styrene (EPS) which is coated on the inside and outside with Glass Fiber Reinforced Concrete (GFRC) or other strengthening coating. The building is designed in a CAD program. Then, the building is divided up into small volumes in the CAD program or in a Finite Element Analysis program using an automeshing program. Plates are added to the inner and outer surfaces of the volumes using copying and automeshing commands. Appropriate characteristics of the EPS and GFRC are assigned to the volumes and plates. A FEA analysis can then be run.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of constructing a building roof made from Expanded PolyStyrene (EPS) which is coated on the inside and outside with Glass Fiber Reinforced Concrete (GFRC). The building roof is designed in a CAD program. The roof is then constructed of beams, such as I-shaped beams, of foam and GFRC.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of a naturally occurring group of biological compounds to produce a combustible fuel that may be used in either internal combustion engines or as a burnable heat source. These compounds are a set of biomolecules produced by some bacteria in nutrient limiting environmental conditions when storage of carbon is necessary. More specifically this invention envisions the use of polyhydroxy alkanoates (PHA), especially those ranging in size from C4 to C8, to produce the combustible fuel.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of manufacturing and analyzing a building made from Expanded PolyStyrene (EPS) which is coated on the inside and outside with Glass Fiber Reinforced Concrete (GFRC). The building is designed in a CAD program. Then, the building is divided up into small volumes in the CAD program or in a Finite Element Analysis program. Plates are added to the inner and outer surfaces of the volumes. Appropriate characteristics of the EPS and GFRC are assigned to the volumes and plates. A FEA analysis can then be run.

Abstract: The invention uses foam blocks in commercially available sizes to build curved structure that are used in constructing habitable buildings. The curved structure is divided into sections using a Computer Assisted Drafting program. The foam blocks are cut to the curvature of the curved structure by a Computer Assisted Manufacturing program. The blocks are joined and then coated with a high strength coating to create the curved structure.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a plastic jacket having air spaces formed by a core and a cover used to insulate hot and cold piping systems and the fittings for those systems. The jacket is made by providing a core that has portions that extends away from the element and a cover surrounding the core. The insulation value of the jacket is created by the air spaces created by the jacket. The plastic of the cover alone or the cover and core can be transparent or translucent so that the condition of the piping element and the jacketed space can be checked without removing the jacket.

Abstract: A method of constructing a building comprises the use of plastic foam pieces to form the building shape. The inner and outer surfaces of the foam are coated with glass fiber reinforced concrete to form a composite building. The invention discloses how to perform a finite element analysis using a computer on the composite building. Such an analysis allows this non-traditional building to be analyzed and permitted for construction by local building authorities.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a plastic jacket having air spaces formed by spaced walls used to insulate hot and cold piping systems and the fittings for those systems. The jacket is made from multiple segments, which are joined together along their longitudinal joints. The segments are joined to each other by tongue and groove connections. One segment can be cut longitudinally and glued to another segment to make a larger segment to fit various diameters of pipe. In a further embodiment, the plastic jacket is modified to form the duct of a heating, ventilating and air conditioning system. The inner wall of the jacket forms the air duct. In both embodiments, at least some of the segments have hinge portions created by omitting the inner wall at the hinge portions.

Abstract: The invention uses flat, transparent or opaque plastic sheets to build curved structures that are used in constructing habitable buildings. The curved structure is divided into sections using a Computer Assisted Drafting program. The plastic sheets are cut into sides and top and bottom panels by a Computer Assisted Manufacturing program. The sides are joined to form a frame. The sides have curved upper and lower edges that match the curvature of the structure. The top and bottom panels are placed on the frame formed from the sides and bent to match the curvature of the sides. The panels are joined to the sides. The sections are joined together to form the curved surface.

Abstract: An insulating jacket, that is removable and reusable, for insulating a hot or cold fluid distribution system is described. The jacket is made of a plurality of sections which mate and seal together to effectively seal the pipe section and/or fitting from the surrounding ambient atmosphere. Each of the jacket sections can be made of a clear thermoplastic material and the entire assembly is designed to employ the trapped air, between the inside wall of the jacket and the system element, as the insulator. Plural jackets are used to form plural radially spaced trapped air gaps.