Abstract: A modular panel is described which has a flexible planar sheet form body with peripheral edges. Zippers are positioned along each of the four peripheral edges. The zippers along the peripheral edges of the body enable the peripheral edges to be mated with each other or other bodies to form articles of clothing, clothing accessories and the like.

Abstract: An image acquisition device for microfiche images which uses solid state sensor and supporting electronics to continuously digitize the image at high frame rates, and uses the correlation function of the current frame with respect to the previously saved reference frame to derive the image motion vector, keeping only frames whose image motion vector indicates motion of more than 1 unit of resolution, and reconstruct the acquired image as a mosaic of the save image frames and its associated motion vector.

Abstract: A method of treating waste water is described. Firstly, providing specially acclimatized microbial consortia with relatively low sensitivity to changes in pH and changes in temperature, such that the microbial consortia is capable of metabolizing contaminants efficiently within a predetermined broad pH range and broad temperature range. Secondly, maintain the microbial consortia in a space limited and a substrate limited mode within an immobilized bioreactor operating within the predetermined pH range and the predetermined temperature range. Thirdly, introduce waste water with liquified insoluble organic contaminants into the immobilized bioreactor. The organic contaminants are metabolized by the microbial consortia working under space limited and substrate limited conditions, thereby treating the waste water with a minimal sludge production rate.

Abstract: A method of deploying a plurality of conveyor sections is described. Firstly, provide a first conveyor section and a second conveyor section. The second conveyor section includes a frame having a top, a bottom, opposed sides, a first end and a second end. Ground engaging wheels are rotatably mounted along the opposed sides at the bottom of the frame. A drive motor is mounted to the frame and coupled to at least one of the wheels, whereby motive force is supplied to the wheels to propel the first conveyor section. The first conveyor section includes a frame having a top, a bottom, opposed sides, a first end and a second end. The first end is downwardly sloped at the first end from the top toward the bottom. Wheel engaging tracks are positioned along the opposed sides at the top of the free. Secondly, stack the second conveyor section on top of the first conveyor section by positioning the wheels of the second conveyor section into the wheel engaging tracks of the first conveyor section.

Abstract: A process for the rendering of an effluent stream from a food processing plant, in which the effluent has or is made to have an acidic pH and carries proteinaceous material. The effluent is contacted with an inorganic coagulant (clay) that together with the acidic pH effectively neutralizes ionic charges on the proteinaceous material to cause the proteinaceous material to precipitate out of solution. The effluent stream is contacted with a biologically derived polymeric flocculant to facilitate settling of the precipitated proteinaceous material as flocs. The inorganic coagulant is present in an amount by weight of at least 1.5 times or 2.5 times the amount by weight of polymeric flocculant. Flocs are removed from the effluent stream to thereby render the effluent stream. A biologically derived co-flocculant is added to the effluent stream after contact with the effluent stream by coagulant and flocculant.

Abstract: A ground closer kit for attachment to a seeding/fertilizing apparatus includes a support frame having a first end, a second end, and a bottom edge. The first end is adapted for pivotally mounting the support frame to a ground opener. A ground closer plate is secured to the bottom edge of the support frame at the second end. A rod is pivotally mounted to the second end of the support frame. A receptacle is provided for attachment to a seed/fertilizer delivery tube. The rod is securable within the receptacle at one of a plurality of attachment positions along the length of the rod.

Abstract: A method for limiting eccentric deviations of a rotating polished rod which extends through a stuffing box in a downhole rotary pumping application. The method includes the step of positioning below the stuffing box at least two centralizing members having arcuate contact surfaces that engage the rotating polished rod to dampen eccentric deviations. According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided an apparatus having a housing with a central polished rod receiving passage. At least two centralizing members extend radially inwardly into the central polished rod receiving passage to engage a rotating polished rod positioned in the central polished rod receiving passage.

Abstract: A balloon sculpturing apparatus is described which includes a support and a plurality of inverted receptacles with balloon receiving cavities disposed about the support. Balloons filled with lighter than air gas are retained by buoyancy in the balloon receiving cavities of the inverted receptacles. The balloon sculpturing apparatus produces a consistent bouquet in a time efficient manner.

Abstract: A grid for a photographer's soft box or like device is made from flexible fabric. The grid is formed by intersecting and interlocking strips of fabric, formed in two sets, strips of one set intersecting the strips of the other set. The strips of intersecting sets are slotted in a complimentary manner. A wire may be used to keep the grid taut if necessary. In some instances, strips of one set may be omitted, such that the grid is formed only of strips extending in one direction. Reflecting material may be placed on inside edges of peripheral strips to guide the light.

Abstract: A pressure switch has a housing with an interior bore extending from one end to the other. A rod slidable within the bore and operated by external fluid pressure extends between a piston at one end of the housing and a mechanically operated electrical switch at the other end of the housing. A spring is disposed about the rod between a first stop on the rod and a second stop on the housing. The spring provides resistance against movement of the rod under external pressure. The resistance of the spring to movement is adjusted by a sleeve engaging the spring, with the sleeve threaded into the bore of the housing for movement longitudinally within the housing. The sleeve includes plural radially extending slots disposed around the sleeve. A port in the housing allows access to the sleeve and a cover is provided for the port. The cover includes a ring disposed around the housing and threaded onto the housing over the port.

Abstract: A drilling fluid containment apparatus for use in disconnecting a kelly from a drill string is described, which includes an open ended tubular containment chute divided along its longitudinal axis into two pivotally connected halves. An annular attachment plate is used to attach the containment chute to the kelly. The drilling fluid containment apparatus, as described, can be physically attached to a saver sub disposed below the kelly where access by conventional mud savers is restricted by the kelly bushing.

Abstract: A method of conserving water in a toilet tank. Firstly, provide a line having a first end and a second end. Secondly, secure the first end of the line to adjacent a peripheral edge of a flapper valve. Attachment can either be made to the flapper valve itself or to the base of the pull chain that extends from the flapper valve to the flush mechanism. Thirdly, secure the second end of the line to a float floating in the toilet tank. Fourthly, use a plurality of direction altering line guides to orient the line such that when the flapper valve is in the open position and the water level falls, the lowering of the float exerts a force upon the line thereby pulling the float into the closed position.

Abstract: An apparatus for drilling curved sections of well holes is described which includes a first tubular member having a bulbous first end, a second end, an exterior surface and an interior surface defining an interior bore. A plurality of pockets form a first annular ring in the exterior surface at the bulbous first end of the first tubular member. A second tubular member is provided having a first end, a second end, an exterior surface and an interior surface defining an interior bore. A socket is formed to accommodate the bulbous first end of the first tubular member at the second end of the second tubular member. The first end of the first tubular member extends into the interior bore of the second tubular member until the bulbous first end engages the socket. The bulbous first end of the first tubular member is capable of omnidirectional pivotal movement within the socket.

Abstract: A method for stacking trailers is described. Firstly, position a first trailer on a skid assembly having an upper support frame that overlies a top of the first trailer. The upper support frame has a first end and a second end. Secondly, secure a first end of a tow line to an end of a skid assembly for a second trailer. The tow line is extended over the upper support frame from the first end across to the second end and then a second end of the tow line is secured to a winch. Thirdly, activate the winch to raise the skid assembly of the second trailer to the height of upper support frame and then draw the skid assembly of the second trailer from the first end of the upper support frame across the upper support frame until the end of the skid assembly of the second trailer to which the tow line is attached is positioned at the second end of the upper support frame.

Abstract: A reversing mechanism for an overhead door opener is described. The reversing mechanism includes a channel-form trolley track. A centrally positioned longitudinal slot extends for the length of a bottom of the trolley track. Side openings are provided at a first end and the second end of the trolley track. A trolley plate is positioned in the trolley track with a control arm edge extending through the slot. A chain/cable return guide having an axial chain/cable receiving passage is secured to one of the opposed faces of the trolley plate. Channel engaging guide blocks project from opposed faces of the trolley plate to engage a top and the bottom of the trolley track thereby preventing the trolley plate from being withdrawn through the slot. A chain/cable is extended through the axial chain/cable receiving passage of the chain/cable return guide, looped into the trolley track from the first end and the second end and secured to the trolley plate.

Abstract: A truck mounted mobile paper shredder with high shredding rate incorporates a hammer mill, with a sweeping arm in a tub feeding the mill. A lifting arm lifts paper containers to an inverted position over the tub to feed paper into the tub. The hammer mill, with striking angle less than 30.degree. feeds paper into a compactor with reciprocating plunger. Compacted shredded paper passes through a movable wall into a storage area having an unloading gate. Movement of the movable wall forces compacted shredded paper out of the unloading gate.

Abstract: A method of increasing the range of controlled movement of a door opened by a treadle operated door opening assembly is described, along with a treadle operated door opening assembly constructed in accordance with the teachings of the method. The method includes the step of mounting a contact member which projects from the first face of the door adjacent to the hinge edge and the bottom edge. With this modification when a person treads upon a radially extending pedal a shaft rotates causing a point of contact between the arm and the door to move sequentially from a first position substantially parallel to the first face of the door to a second position engaging the contact member substantially perpendicular to the first face of the door.

Abstract: A waterproof money belt characterized by an access opening in the pouch having a first sidewall and a second sidewall. A first peripheral edge of the first sidewall extends past a second peripheral edge of the second sidewall such that a flap portion is formed adjacent the first peripheral edge. The flap portion of the first sidewall is movable between a position parallel to the second sidewall and a folded position in which the first sidewall overlies the second sidewall, Mating ZIPLOC closures are used to secure the first sidewall and second sidewall together, A first tape fastener is positioned adjacent a first peripheral edge on a first interior surface of the flap portion of the first sidewall. A second tape fastener is positioned adjacent a second peripheral edge on a second exterior surface of the second sidewall. The first tape fastener engages the second tape fastener when the flap portion of the first sidewall is in the folded position.