Abstract: Various embodiments of a plastic blister system are shown and described. The blister system is comprised of a blister to which a lid or backing of the same material may be tightly fitted and sealed by virtue of one or more cooperating "steps" near the outer perimeters of the blister and or lid, and by virtue of the outer perimeters of the blister and lid being continuously sealed to the cardboard or other planar sheet of backing. When the blister pack is thus sealed and attached to the cardboard, any odors or vapors which may possibly emit from the product, which is encased within the sealed blister, are also totally sealed in and cannot escape. Also, the sealed blister prevents outside moisture and gasses from contacting the product until the blister is opened.

Abstract: Embodiments of a two-sided or reversible saw guide for cutting I-beams are disclosed. Each embodiment includes a first set of surfaces and a second set of surfaces, with each of the two sets being adapted for use with a different size of I-beam. The first and second sets of surfaces each include a surface or surfaces for bracing the guide in between the edge bars of the I-beam, a surface for supporting the saw, and a surface for guiding the saw as it moves across the I-beam. The first and second sets of surfaces are sized relative to each other so that the guide may be flipped or turned to one orientation for one size of I-beam and then flipped or turned to the second orientation for the second size of I-beam. The preferred guide has the shape of two generally parallel plates connected to each other so that their longitudinal axis are at about 90.degree. to each other, with each plate being sized to fit onto the web section of a different size of I-beam. The guide may be flipped over and turned about 90.

Abstract: Embodiments of a remediation reactor and mixer/contactor blade for the reactor are shown and described, the reactor being for containing a liquid slurry, suspension or settled bed of solid particles containing microorganisms. Inside the vessel is a supply conduit and at least one generally horizontal stirrer blade in fluid connection with the supply conduit. The stirrer blade is a mixer/contactor which has a leading side having openings through which fluid may pass. The stirrer blade rotates in the vessel, and this rotation is made easier by the hydraulic forces of fluid flowing out from the stirrer blade. The flowing fluid creates a fluidization zone in the slurry, suspension or settled bed at or near the leading edge of the stirrer blade. The fluidization zone is less dense than the rest of the sediment bed, and the stirrer blade tends to rotate into the fluidization zone.

Abstract: Embodiments of a measuring and dispensing device are described, for attachment to an open container for neat and consistent dispensing of particulate. The device has a generally cup-shaped dome with a swinging and lockable partition inside the dome for changing the volume inside the dome that receives particulate. A lid snaps onto the bottom of the dome to separate the dome interior space from the open container. To prepare the dispenser for receiving and measuring particulate, the dome is rotated relative to the lid to align an inlet port in the lid with the selected dome volume, and the container-dispenser unit is turned up-side-down. The dome then is rotated to close off the inlet port against a blocking surface, and the particulate is poured out through an uncapped outlet port. The device features simple, smooth construction, which results in easy cleaning and sanitary use.

Abstract: Embodiments of an punch machine are shown and described, each comprising a quick-change die assembly. The die assembly may be quickly installed and removed from the punch machine, without bolting or unbolting of either machine housing or the die assembly itself. The die assembly is slid into the machine through a hole in the machine housing and into a position which mates part of the die assembly with the push-bar. A clamp, with a handle outside the machine, is then pivoted against the die assembly. The push-bar is adapted to be self-supporting without being bolted to the die assembly, keeping the push-bar in place without manual adjustment and alignment. The die assembly preferably includes a die, pin retainer, and punch pins, but does not require additional structure to secure the pins to the retainer or to connect the die and retainer.

Abstract: Various embodiments of a fencing anchor are described, each including a heavy block with a substantially curved or slanted bottom surface for resting on uneven ground and for directing force to the bottom end edges of the block. The end edges act as a wedge which bite into the ground, and the broad, curved or slanted bottom surface sits stably on a variety of ground contours. A height-extension may be used to increase the height of the system, without making the anchor significantly more top-heavy.

Abstract: Embodiments of a pet litter cabinet and methods of litter area control are shown and described. Each embodiment includes a cabinet-style enclosure with a door allowing access to a plurality of removable litter drawers. The drawers are adapted to be interchangable inside the cabinet and each drawer includes a screened or perforated bottom and a slide for temporarily covering the bottom openings. To clean the litter area, the cabinet door is opened and top drawer slide is pulled to uncover the bottom opening of the top drawer. This allows clean, loose granules of adsorbent to fall into the bottom drawer, leaving the dirty clumps and waste behind in the top drawer. The clumps and waste are then emptied from the top drawer, and the two drawers are switched in position inside the cabinet.

Abstract: Embodiments of a slurry reactor and slurry mixer/contactor are shown and described. Each embodiment of the reactor includes a vessel for containing a liquid slurry or suspension of particles and microorganisms. In the inside of the vessel, generally along its centerline, is a vertical conduit extending from near the top to near the bottom. At the bottom of the vertical conduit is at least one generally horizontal, hollow, stirrer blade in fluid connection with the vertical conduit. The stirrer blade is a mixer/contactor which has openings near its leading edge so fluid may pass therethrough. The stirrer blade may rotate around the vertical conduit if the conduit is fixed, or the conduit, with the stirrer blade fixed to it, may rotate around in the vessel. In any event, the rotation of the stirrer blade is caused by the hydraulic forces of fluid flowing out from the stirrer blade. The flowing fluid creates a fluidization zone in the slurry sediment bed at the leading edge of the stirrer.

Abstract: Various embodiments of a sliding cue for gaming tables are shown and described. Each embodiment has a front portion for being held generally stationary in the user's front hand on the table and a back portion for being held in the user's back hand and for being moved forward and backward relative to the front portion. This forward and backward relative motion allows the user to accurately aim his shot, while holding the cue tip stably and generally motionless against or near the ball. The final forward motion of the back portion results in an impact between some part of the back portion and some part of the front portion, thus transferring kinetic energy to the front portion and, thus, to the tip of the front portion, so that the tip impacts the ball and completes the shot. An air-venting or regulating system may be included to adjust the amount of cushioning of the relative movements of the front and back portion of the cue.

Abstract: Embodiments of a fluid filtering assembly are shown and described, each embodiment including a valve head that routes fluid to and from a filter cartridge and that includes a valve system that automatically opens and closes when the filter cartridge is inserted and removed, respectively. The valve system preferably includes a generally-cylindrical piston with a hollow interior space, which receives a stem member. The stem member has a bottom-end seat or sealing member and has a central body shape that allows fluid to flow up through the piston interior space, either through or up around the stem member. Upon removal of the filter cartridge, the piston is biased to move down into an "off" position, to close both the inlet and outlet fluid passages. In this "off" position, the piston exterior surface blocks off radial fluid inlets and the piston interior surface seals with the stem bottom end seat to prevent fluid backflow out of the piston interior space.

Abstract: The present invention is a fireproof and hurricane proof building having a concrete floor, a plurality of special wall assemblies, and a special roof assembly. Each special wall assembly comprises a reinforced cinder block wall, foam, stucco, fireproof coatings, steel studs, and fire retardant gypsum plaster. The special roof assembly comprises steel trusses, steel joists, metal sheets, and fireproof tiles. The windows and doors are fireproof and hurricane proof. The special wall assemblies, special roof assembly, and concrete floor are interconnected to form an air tight, fireproof and hurricane proof enclosure.

Abstract: Embodiments of a limb clamp assembly are shown and described, each having one or more articulated arms for wrapping at least partially around a leg or other extremity, for holding the leg motionless for examination or surgery. The preferred arm or arms extend generally horizontally when open, so that the limb enters the clamp from the side. a strap means may extend around the outside of the arm or arms to further encircle the limb and to close the clamp by its being pulled tight and fastened at each of its ends to the clamp. Preferably, the clamp has one or two arms, each with a joint connecting the arm to a rigid base and a joint connecting two sections of the arm. Preferably, the clamp assembly is used by inserting the limb into the interior of the clamp, swinging a strap up around the outside of the arm or arms, tightening the strap to pull the arms around the limb, and locking the strap to the base. A cam system or gear wheel system are examples of devices for tightening and locking the strap in position.

Abstract: A method for picking up rectangular big bales of hay, straw, or the like; placing the bales on a turntable for proper selective orientation of the bales relative to a stacker bed; and for pivoting the turntable, with bales, about a horizontal axis for depositing the bales on a stacker bed. Sideways displacement of a first bale on the turntable permits a second bale to be placed in a side by side, parallel relationship with a first bale and also permits tying of tiers of bales on the stacker bed. A novel pick-up member, which rotates one hundred eighty degrees, allows pick up of bales from a horizontal location on the ground and placement of the bales in an upside down, lengthwise and horizontal position on the turntable.

Abstract: Embodiments of a big hay bale stacker apparatus and method are shown and described. The big hay bale stacker picks up a first big hay bale cross-wise, rotates the first bale 90.degree. about an axis parallel to the long dimension of the bale, and lifts the bale and places it on the front edge of a load table. The load table rotates to tip backwards so the first bale slides to the back of the load table when the pick-up mechanism releases the bale. The load table continues to rotate and tip backwards until it also has rotated 90.degree., and, by doing so, it rotates the first bale another 90.degree. and positions it on the front edge of a load bed. The load table and pick-up mechanism then reverse their travel, and in like fashion as for the first bale, pick up a second bale. The pick-up mechanism does not release the second bale until the load table has rotated 90.degree.

Abstract: The apparatus described and illustrated is a camping furnace used for cooking or warming food outdoors. The apparatus surrounds the burning fuel and directs smoke upward. Fuel and heat are used efficiently and the danger of the spread of fire is minimized. When it is safe to do so, the apparatus may be easily moved, leaving ash and spent fuel behind. Preferably, the enclosure wall of the furnace is made of separable and/or hinged sections, for adapting the furnace to a flatter, more compact shape for storage and transport.

Abstract: Embodiments of a composite insert are shown and described, each embodiment being for attachment of bindings or other equipment onto a recreational board, such as a snowboard. Each insert is imbedded into the board in a counter-sunk hole drilled in the board. Each composite insert includes an internally-threaded core for receiving a binding bolt, and a sleeve that is secured to the core and that has a preferably non-circular base edge for anchoring the insert in the resin/cement in the snowboard hole. The core of the composite insert is preferably made of metal to supply a durable and reusable threaded bore for receiving the binding bolt. The sleeve is preferably made of plastic that is injection-molded around at least a flange or other projection from the core surface to secure the sleeve to the core.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an ornamental base attached to an ammunition magazine for magazine fed weapons, particularly handguns. The ornamental base is attached to a conventional magazine. A locking means comprising a hook shaped tab and aperture is used to keep the ornamental base securely attached to the magazine. The locking means is accessible through an elongated channel extending from the back edge of the base plate to the aperture. This type of locking means allows the entire outside surface of the base plate to be utilized for decoration as desired.

Abstract: Embodiments of a tool guide are shown and described, each guide being for placement on a ski or other surface having an edge to be sharpened. The guide abuts against and travels along the ski edge that is being beveled by the tool, so that the file contacts the edge at a constant angle along the entire length of the ski, regardless of variations in ski width. The guide has an elevation member which holds one end of the tool at an elevated position, generally in the center region of the ski base, and allows the other end of the tool to rest on the ski edge. The guide includes one or more feet which abut against the side of the ski and a spacing member to connect the elevation member to the feet, so that the elevation member is kept at constant distance from the ski edge as the guide and tool are moved along the length of the ski. Little of the guide, except for the elevation member and the feet contact the ski, resulting in a self-cleaning design.