Abstract: The invention relates to a material conveying assembly (10) of the kind comprising an outer tubular casing (11) and a rotary feed screw (12) mounted within the casing (11) on a tubular drive shaft (13), wherein the intake end of the auger is provided with a replacement intake auger sub-assembly (14) comprising flexible helical flighting (15) freely rotatably mounted on a drive shaft extension (17) which is connected to the main drive shaft (13) and a clutch device (30) which drivingly connects the intake flighting shaft portion (25) to the drive shaft extension (17). The clutch device is arranged so that it will automatically disengage drive to the shaft portion (25) in the event of an overload occurring. A soft pliable extension sleeve (19) is co-axially fitted over the open leading end of the outer casing (11) and is arranged to encircle a portion of the intake flighting (15).

Abstract: Shock is a life threatening complication in situations associated with trauma including burns, surgery, ischemia, sepsis, and other critical care applications. Shock is induced by pancreatic proteases when they are released into the small intestine when the tissue is compromised due to trauma. Administration of protease inhibitors into the small intestine, either orally, intraveneously, or by direct lavage, was demonstrated to prevent shock in rats as determined by both survival time and molecular and histological analysis.

Abstract: A shelving system includes a plurality of shelves each having spaced front and rear hooks projecting from each side edge, each rear hook being spaced forwardly from the rear edge of the shelf, and a support framework for adjustably supporting the shelves at spaced intervals. The framework has a pair of support posts located on each side of the shelves, each pair of support posts comprising a front support post located adjacent the front hooks of the shelves and a rear support post located adjacent the rear hooks of the shelves. Each support post has a series of vertically spaced openings for receiving the shelf hooks. The posts are positioned so they are much less vulnerable to damage, and can be made out of light material with an open configuration. Brackets attach to the shelf to allow the easy addition of useful accessories to the standard shelf.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the decontamination of fluid ammonia are described. Liquid or gaseous ammonia is purified of contaminants by passage through an adsorbent bed, the contaminants accumulating in the bed. A portion of the purified ammonia discharged from the bed is decomposed to hydrogen and nitrogen. The hydrogen is used to regenerate an adsorbent bed which has accumulated sufficient contaminants to reduce its ability to further decontaminate incoming ammonia satisfactorily. Preferably there are a plurality of interconnected adsorbent beds, with some being operated for ammonia decontamination while others are being regenerated, with their operations being reversed as needed to maintain a continual production of decontaminated ammonia from the plurality of beds. Computers or other controllers can be used to control such bed operations and interchanges. Internal production of hydrogen makes the system self-contained and no addition of hydrogen is needed.

Abstract: A ball hitting practice device featuring a practice ball slidably locateable upon a tether. The tether is attached to a support structure thereby placing the practice ball in a target position to be hit by a user. The support structure may be any versatile pole or pole like structure upon which fasteners at the ends of the tether will attach. The best mode features cuffs mounted at both ends of the tether which open and reengage to provide an easy encircling mount to the support structure for the tether. The ball is slidably mounted to the tether and is positioned in a target position for striking by a user by a ball positioner also located on the tether in a fixed position that is either adjustable or permanent.

Abstract: A gas purification system has at least one purifier in a purifier line with a gas supply inlet at one end and a process outlet at an opposite end for connection to a process tool using the purified gas. A vent line having a vent outlet is connected to the outlet end of the purifier. A control valve in the vent line controls connection of the purifier outlet to the vent outlet, and a control valve in the purifier line controls connection of the purifier outlet to the process outlet. A flow controller in the purifier line controls flow rate through the purifier. The system is controlled to provide an increased flow rate through the purifier and to connect the purifier outlet to the vent outlet on start up of the system, and then to connect the purifier outlet to the process outlet as soon as conditioning is complete.

Abstract: This invention relates to improvements in and relating to antimicrobial compositions. More particularly, it relates to antimicrobial compositions comprising or including a mixture of oils of melaleuca alternifolia and leptospermum scoparium and/or fractions or dilutions of same. A method of producing the composition is also claimed, as are methods of producing compositions which target particular microbes.

Abstract: A dart game scoreboard intended for use in association with regulation size dartboard. The scoreboard contains a removable game piece that allows players to play established dart games such as “cricket” and “301” or “501.” Additionally, the removable game piece provides players with the opportunity to play several new games. The scoreboard contains a counter element that allows players to progressively maintain score while playing or compute final scores in games. The combination of the scoreboard's counter feature with the removable game piece allow players the flexibility of playing a variety of games using a single board that additionally maintains score.

Abstract: A live animal trap includes only two basic parts, an elongate hollow tube and a pivot support stand on which the tube is pivotally mounted. The tube has a first, closed end for holding bait and a second, open end. The tube is pivotally mounted on the stand for rotation about a horizontal pivot axis transverse to the tube axis. The pivot axis is located closer to the first end of the tube than the second end. When the stand is placed on a support surface, the longer end of the tube will be slightly heavier, so that the second end of the tube will pivot downwardly into a set position in which the tube is inclined upwardly with the second end contacting the support surface. An animal can enter the open second end of the tube and move towards the bait. When the animal passes the pivot axis, the first end of the tube becomes heavier and pivots downwardly, moving the second end upwardly, until the tube reaches a vertical, actuated position with the animal trapped in the first, bottom end of the tube.

Abstract: A cable system for installation on the ocean floor or under another body of water includes a plurality of sub-sea junction boxes installed at spaced locations throughout a predetermined sub-oceanic cable network. At least some of the junction boxes are located at a predetermined distance off-shore from a respective on-shore cable junction node. A single main, high fiber count conduit extends from each off-shore junction box to the respective on-shore cable junction node. Each off-shore junction box has plurality of ports for releasable connection to a selected offshore cable terminated at the junction box, and a fiber routing unit in the junction box connects at least some of the ports to fibers in the main conduit.

Abstract: A desalination process is disclosed which combining two or more substantially different water treatment processes in a unique manner to desalinate saline water, especially sea water, to produce a high yield of high quality fresh water, including potable water, at an energy consumption equivalent to or less than much less efficient prior art desalination processes. In this process a nanofiltration step is synergistically combined with at least one of sea water reverse osmosis, multistage flash distillation. multieffect distillation of vapor compression distillation to provide an integrated desalination system by which sea water can be efficiently and economically converted to high quality potable water in yields which are at least 70%-80% greater than the yields available from the prior art processes.

Abstract: An under cabinet halogen light fixture with an internal wire raceway includes a housing having a base and a removable cover, which when mated, define a hollow interior. The light fixture also includes at least one lamp assembly mounted inside the housing. Adjacent each lamp assembly there is a corresponding bezel assembly mounted in a respective aperture formed in the cover. A wall member located in the base defines at least one internal wire raceway in the interior of the housing, which routes electrical wires to each lamp assembly from an external wire raceway, or from a hole in the base of the housing where the electrical wires enter the housing. If needed, the hole in the base of the housing is created by removing a punch out portion from the base. To mate the internal wire raceway with an external wire raceway, a breakaway portion formed in the housing adjacent the internal wire raceway is removed from the housing to create a passageway that is shaped to receive the external wire raceway.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for electronically printing a person's image onto a substrate having a predetermined site-specific background includes a compact, portable housing, and a camera that is movably mounted in the housing. An electronic printer and a microprocessor are also mounted in the housing and are electronically connected to the camera. In one embodiment, the microprocessor is a printer control board which receives an image of the camera's field of view and suppresses regions of the image that are substantially outside of the person's body image. The printer control board then causes the printer to print only the person's image onto a preselected blank area of the substrate. The remaining region of the substrate is preprinted with a site specific background.

Abstract: Apparatus and method are disclosed for production of ice and maintenance of an ice conveyance free of microbial contamination. Ozone is incorporated into water from which the ice is made, so that significant ozone content is present in the ice. This ice may be recovered for human consumption. The ice manufactured in the ice maker is conveyed through a conveyance system to one or more locations remote from the ice maker, where the ice is to be used. Ozone gas is evolved as the ice melts, sublimes or is abraded. The evolved ozone evolved penetrates into all areas of the system and kills substantially all microbial materials which are within the system. Cleanliness is thereafter maintained since passage of more ice and water though the system causes the evolution of additional ozone, which in turn kills any microbial contamination which may subsequently get into the system.

Abstract: A card guide unit for use in guiding and positioning circuit boards in a card cage, which guide unit is integral, having front and rear cross members that are integral with machined elongated card guides, having machined spaces between the card guides, and which guide units are inter-connectable to side walls of a card cage, providing identical precisioned alignment between circuit boards in the card guides so that precise electrical connections can be made between the circuit board and electrical connectors on the back plane.

Abstract: A sample/collection container includes a plurality of wells, each for separating a sample from its solid support when solvent is dispensed into the wells and the centrifuge is activated at a low speed. Operation of the centrifuge at high speed concentrates the cleaved sample in collection wells.

Abstract: A stackable weight plate for an exercise machine weight stack has a front edge, a rear edge, opposite side edges, an upper face, a lower face, and an aperture extending between the upper and lower face for receiving a weight stack selector stem. The front and rear edges having a matching arcuate curvature with one edge being convex and the other edge being concave, and the side edges are tapered at an angle from the front edge to the rear edge.

Abstract: A dual membered sound wall panel constructed of two pre-formed half-panels. The half-panels have an inner surface that contains a plurality of connectors around their periphery and an outer surface. The outer surface may be textured if desired. The half-panels are each of concrete material with an embedded layer of mesh re-bar. The half-panels are oriented so that their inner surfaces are facing each other and the embedded connectors on each face are secured to each other. Additionally, between the half-panels are contained multiple spacer plates.