Abstract: A weather instrumentation station including a louvered instrument housing containing weather instruments. An exterior double-walled housing radiation shield is disposed over the instrument housing in spaced relation thereto to shield the instrument housing from the sun. A double-walled auxiliary shield may be positioned over at least one open side of the housing shield in spaced relation thereto to shield sun rays from the instrument housing on such open side. The housing shield and the auxiliary shield inner walls are formed of thermoplastic or aluminized asbestos material, and the outer walls of stainless steel. The housing shield roof is peaked to forestall accumulation of water and snow thereon. The instrumentation station may have a chimney to increase interior air circulation.There is also provided a rainwater gauge including a rainwater receiving flask with a funnel disposed over the flask to channel rainwater therein.

Abstract: A variable thickness fabric mat for use with railroad track right of way beneath the track structure. The mat has a central portion of predetermined thickness, and lateral shoulder portions of a reduced thickness as compared to said cental portion, with the central portion being of a predetermined width of adequate dimension to generally completely underlie the railroad track structure. The mat provides a method for transmission of force from a train on the railroad track structure to be spread over a greater area of the underlying earth bearing surface, and with the mat possessing the capability of passing water, and aiding in draining water from the soil beneath the mat, as well as from the top and sides of the track support.

Abstract: A filter connection for peritoneal dialysis is presented including, in a flow line from a source of fresh dialysate solution carried on the patient's body, and under pressure, through a bacteria filter of sub-micron porosity for removing microorganisms generally greater than about 0.2 microns (nominal size) together with tubular connections leading from the filter toward a catheter inserted in the patient's peritoneum including in order from the filter, a first check valve permitting flow only away from the filter, then an outflow port with check valve permitting used dialysis flow only away from the patient, and finally the connection to the catheter tube.

Abstract: A system for the production of dipped taper candles, including an overhead conveyor system supporting mobile carrier racks for formation of the candles in suspended relation from the rack, and including a wicking station for providing rows of candle wicks in generally tensioned suspended relation from a carrier rack, a dipping station for automatically dipping said wicks on the rack through a predetermined number of dipping cycles, a cutoff station for cutting off the bases including the wick tensioning weights of the candles suspended from the carrier rack, a butt forming station for heat forming the cut butt ends of candles suspended from the carrier rack, and a cut down station for expeditiously cutting down the carrier rack rows of the candles formed on the candle wicks and for collecting the same for further processing. The invention also provides a novel method of producing plysically uniform candles in mass production batches.

Abstract: A containment and storage system for liquids, such as petroleum based liquids, for use for instance in a railroad track environment, comprising a walled containment reservoir formed in the ground and opening upwardly, with the containment reservoir including a flexible impervious liner to prevent escape of liquid through the liner from the containment space, and a receiving or storage reservoir disposed in spaced relation to the containment reservoir and means coacting between the reservoirs for transferring liquid caught in the containment reservoir, to the storage reservoir. In one embodiment, a mechanical pump is utilized for transferring to the storage reservoir liquid caught in the containment reservoir. In another embodiment, gravity flow is utilized for transferring such liquid. An improved arrangement is disclosed for handling liquid caught in the containment reservoir, and preventing leakage from the reservoir, at the exit point from the containment reservoir.

Abstract: A containment reservoir for a liquid, such as petroleum oil, comprising, a walled ground containment space or pit, opening upwardly, with the space containing a liquid impervious flexible liner generally following the contour of the space, and with the liner comprising a layer of pervious fabric material having on at least one of its sides a layer of liquid impervious material, such as rubber, the liner being operable to prevent escape of liquid through the liner from the containment space; means are provided coacting with the liner covered containment space for removing liquid from the reservoir. A covering layer of pervious fabric material filters anything, including liquid, passing into the reservoir. A method of forming the reservoir from predetermined width strips of liner stock, and a method of retaining and salvaging oil spilled along a railroad track environment is also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for installing wicking in a formed candle body; the apparatus comprising a bore forming station, a clean out station, a feeding station, and conveying means for moving a candle body from one station to the next station in the process of inserting a wick therein. A novel candle product is also disclosed.

Abstract: A mixture of solids, mostly finely divided, and oil, such as usually mixed with mill scale, and water is the feed material for this process. Most of the water is first drawn off. Then the material is fed through a plurality of mixers, and after each mixer the entire composition is passed through a separator, herein described as a dewetting apparatus, which separates the fine solids from the oil and returns the expended solvent upstream toward the feed point. The diminished volume of material then passes through a final dewetting screen where the solids are washed by a small stream of fresh solvent and the fine solids then pass through a dryer. All expended solvent is collected and passed through a fractionating still which separates the recovered oil, for storage, and the solvent vapors pass through a condenser to a regenerated solvent storage tank. All of the expended solvent is saved and used over and over.

Abstract: A tank pressure and vacuum relief mechanism for relieving excess pressure or vacuum in a tank interior. The mechanism includes a housing disposed in a wall of the tank, such housing containing a one-way, normally-closed pressure relief valve for venting excessive pressure in the tank to the atmosphere. The housing also contains a one-way, normally-closed vacuum relief valve for admitting atmospheric pressure to the tank interior to relieve excessive vacuum therein. The mechanism seals completely on tank roll-over at any angle to prevent tank product leakage.

Abstract: A carrier for transportation of a plurality of bottles comprising a rigid rectangular frame enclosing a plurality of generally hexagonal forms, each form provided with a plastic liner for supporting a bottle while transporting the same through a bottle washing machine.

Abstract: An adjustable support for varying the height of a manhole cover after a street surface has been resurfaced is presented including vertically disposed posts in a downward position on each end of each adjustable section. These posts provide the location for bolts connecting adjacent ends of two adjustable sections so that the entire structure permits the units to be expanded and contracted to fit a plurality of different diameters of manholes. Also an upwardly extending radially outwardly positioned projection on the outer surface of the base member of the adjustable section ensures a more stable engagement of the base member of the adjustable section with the manhole housing on which it is adapted to rest.

Abstract: A one piece plastic injection molded snow shovel in which the blade, synthetic plastic handle stem and D-top handle are molded in one operation and a finished unit is produced from one cycle of the molding machine. A generally rectangular scoop of synthetic plastic has an integral generally cylindrical hollow handle stem extending centrally outwardly from the rear edge of the scoop. One embodiment has an inwardly reinforced cylindrical stem extending inward of the scoop for several inches from the back edge and then outward for a space normally grasped by a hand of the shoveller. A second embodiment has the handle stem entering from the back of the scoop with a section including an arcuate shell having an arc between about 220.degree.-235.degree. and with a central reinforcing rib diametetrically of the arc. In either case, much of the outwardly extending handle stem consists of upwardly opening arcuate shell between about 220.degree.-235.degree.

Abstract: A decorative and lockable end cap for fluorescent lamps in the form of an enclosure which covers and conceals the base of the fluorescent lamp and its lampholder, whereby enhancing the appearance of bare bulb fluorescent lamp luminaires, thus improving their acceptance as energy conservation lighting fixtures and also deterring lamp theft when the fixtures are located within easy reach in public places.

Abstract: An injection molding apparatus capable of producing disposable wax patterns or the like and which apparatus includes a logic control and a servo-control especially designed to provide a substantially automatic molding process and to continuously monitor and to dynamically control certain variable parameters which are encountered during the molding process, as for example, in the present embodiment of apparatus, the control of the dynamics of fluid (wax) flow and pressure for providing substantially an automatic molding process.The servo-control is a "closed loop" servo type of control which, in the present embodiment of apparatus, continuously provides signals which relate to the fluid (wax) flow, i.e.

Abstract: A separate insulator pad generally L-shaped in section, has a longer leg which is flat and which is held firmly between the inclined flange of the rail on one side and the inclined surface of the holding clip on the other side. The pad has upstanding shoulders on opposite sides in the direction of rail travel and the clip fits between the shoulders to prevent longitudinal slippage of the pad relative to the clip. The shorter leg of the pad extends snugly between the outer edge of the rail flange and a downwardly extending leg of the clip thus preventing lateral movement of the rail and at the same time, insulating the rail from the fastener structure.

Abstract: A trash bag holding stand that may be manually assembled without the use of tools to support a pliable bag (such as a plastic bag) in open fillable position.The stand includes a rectangular frame with its corners formed of right angle pipe elbows having sockets disposed at right angles to each other. The sides of the frame are elongated members such as pipes which are telescoped into the respective sockets of the elbows to form the frame. The elbows also have leg-receiving sockets into which legs are telescoped to support the frame. Upstanding pins are disposed on the top surface of the elbows for detachably receiving the plastic bag. The stand may be provided with a cloth bag for receiving the plastic bag to protect it from breaking. A funnel may be provided to facilitate flow of waste material into the plastic bag.

Abstract: An oil pan for internal combustion engines having a piston--piston rod--crankshaft assembly effecting "splash" lubrication and having a pressurized engine lubrication system. The oil pan substantially reduces unnecessary "splash" and thus increases engine efficiency. The oil pan has a main sump disposed below the bottom wall of the pan for containing oil. There is a side sump disposed in one side wall of the oil pan and in fluid flow communication with the main sump. An elongated windage tray, semi-circular in cross-section, is provided and is positioned longitudinally in the oil pan adjacent the side sump with the convex side down and is spaced above the pan bottom wall. A coacting elongated skimmer bar is positioned above and spaced from an upper edge of the tray adjacent and slightly above the side sump for channeling oil skimmed off the tray into the side sump and then into the main sump in controlled flow.

Abstract: A sectional ingot mold formed of a plurality of side wall sections which when assembled define at least the side periphery of a mold cavity, with means coacting on the side wall sections for coupling the wall sections together into an integral unitary ingot mold; said means, providing for automatic compensation for expansion and retraction of the mold assembly sections when molten metal is poured into the ingot mold by providing for expeditious expansion of the mold assembly sections with respect to one another while aiding in sealing the mold sections from leakage of molten metal during the pouring and cooling of the ingot in the mold. In certain embodiments, yieldable gasket material is disposed between the wall sections at their junctions for aiding in preventing leakage of molten metal from the ingot mold assembly during pouring and solidification of an ingot in the mold.