Abstract: A device for securing a refuse container to a tilt frame of a refuse hauling truck. The device comprising a latch assembly including at least two latch bars, pivotally mounted on the tilt frame for releasably engaging the container. The latch bars being pivotable between a container engaging position and a disengaged position. An actuator switch is used to activate an associated pneumatic system which pivots the latching bars to engage the container and prevent further movement of the container.

Abstract: A thread form for a tubular connection of the type having a pin member adapted to be made-up with a box member to form a pipe joint as shown. The pin member has pin threads with thread crests and thread roots which are adapted to be made-up with a mating box member having a complimentary thread structure. The pin thread crests are formed between a stab flank and a load flank of the pin thread. The pin thread has a multi-facited complex profile stab flank for engaging a mating stab flank on the complimentary box member to provide a wedging interfit between the surfaces of the pin and box threads. The pin and box threads are also helically structured as a wedge.

Abstract: A mobile spreader is shown for distributing composted materials over a ground surface. The spreader has a hopper for receiving material to be transported and distributed and a ground engaging wheel assembly for supporting the hopper for transport across the ground. A combination mixing and distribution element is rotatably mounted in the interior of the hopper for conveying material received in the hopper interior to an elongated outlet located in a discharge area of the hopper. The combination mixing and distribution element comprises a shaft having a longitudinal axis with a number of discs located at spaced axial distances thereon. The discs are uniformly inclined at an angle in the range of 15-20° relative to line drawn perpendicular the longitudinal axis of the shaft. The discs are separated by one or more tines located on the shaft and also inclined at an angle in the range of 15-20° relative to a line drawn perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the shaft.

Abstract: A boxed end container is shown having one end closed by a transverse ridge seal and carrying a pull tab. The pull tab allows a separating force to be applied to the ridge seal of the sealed container to separate at least part of the ridge seal and thus open the container and allow discharge of its contents. The pull tab is a generally planar member having an axially extending shank member with a proximal end portion which can be gripped and pulled by a user and a distal end portion having foot members extending transversely to each side of thereof. The shank and foot members are substantially co-planar with one another. The pull tab is secured by the foot members externally to a wall of the container at or adjacent to the ridge seal of the container.

Abstract: Composition for treating and stabilizing soils, in particular wet soils, comprising, in the form of a powder having a particle size less than 5 mm, quicklime and/or calcium-based hydraulic binders, as well as a non-aqueous fluid additive capable of agglomerating the finer particles of the composition together.

Abstract: A device is shown for transporting asphalt repair materials for use in repairing potholes in asphalt pavements. The device has a body with a hopper compartment for transporting and dispensing asphalt mix materials. A dry, radiant heat source is located in a heating chamber below the hopper compartment and heats the asphalt mix. Exhaust stacks in communication with the dry heat means have a damper system for retaining heat within the heating chamber, the damper system being electronically controlled in response to the temperature within the body of the device.

Abstract: A refuse-hauling vehicle has a dumping bed for inclining containers carried on the bed. The bed pivots on a lateral axis forward of the rear end of the bed, the rear end of the bed moving downward as the forward end of the bed moves upward. A cylindrical roller is removably mounted to and between frame rails near the rear end of the bed, the roller being free to rotate on a lateral axis. The roller is installed by inserting a shaft in each end of the roller, the shafts being connected to mounting plates. Each plate is then attached to a bracket mounted on the frame rails. When installed, a lower portion of the outer surface of the roller is positioned to be the lowest point on the bed when the bed is in an inclined, or dumping, position. The roller contacts a support surface, preventing damage to the bed.

Abstract: An improved pipe belling process is shown which features a mandrel having a specially designed backup or forming collar. The backup collar has an exposed lip portion which forms a complimentary angle with the outer sloped surface of the gasket which it abuts. The complimentary angles of the backup collar and gasket form a wedge shaped contact area which serves to retain the gasket in its initial circumferential position on the working surface of the mandrel as the heated pipe is forced over the mandrel and gasket.

Abstract: A modified casing coupling and burst disk assembly are used to prevent critical annular pressure buildup in an offshore well. The modified casing coupling includes a receptacle, or receptacles, for a modular burst disk assembly. The burst disk assembly is retained by threads or a snap ring and is sealed by the retaining threads, or an integral o-ring seal. The disk fails at pressure specified by the user but before trapped annular pressure threatens the integrity of the outer casing. The design allows for the burst disk assembly to be installed on location or before pipe shipment.

Abstract: The present invention is an intra-aortic circulatory enhancing apparatus for use in human patients to improve blood flow to other arteries continuous with the aorta of the patient. The apparatus comprises an internal inflation means located within the aorta of the patient and an external inflation means located outside of the patient. The internal inflation means can be an internal balloon coupled to a hollow extent which is operatively coupled to a blood communication means. The blood communication means can be a first hollow catheter tube in one embodiment. The external inflation means can be an external balloon coupled to a hollow extent running through the center of the balloon and continuous with a second hollow catheter tube. The blood communication means is coupled to the internal and external inflation means, allowing blood within the aorta to communicate with the secondary inflation means.

Abstract: An intervertebral prosthesis for implantation between adjacent vertebrae of the human spine is shown. The prosthesis is formed as a unitary cage body configured and sized to be inserted between adjacent vertebrae in a single step implantation procedure. The cage body is banana shaped as viewed from above, the body having an exterior surface and an interior surface, the interior surface defining an internal recess for receiving cancellous bone material during an implantation procedure. The cage body can be formed as an interlinked mesh.

Abstract: A lockable box (2) for a DVD or other disc has at least two releasably interengageable locking members (10,20) (110,120) which, when interengaged, prevent the box from being opened. The locking members are entirely contained within the box when the box is closed, and they can be disengaged only with the use of a special tool.

Abstract: The present invention provides a two stage process of thermal separation of CFCs and HCFCs followed by vitrification of the waste into a commercially viable glass. In the first stage, the hydrogenated compounds are reacted at elevated temperature with water and a metal oxide such as calcium oxide to form a halide salt and carbon dioxide. In the second stage of the process, the brine slag is reacted at elevated temperature with the carbon dioxide from stage one and glass-forming raw materials such as silicon dioxide to produce a glass. The final glass product incorporates the halide into the glass.

Abstract: Glyoxal in an aqueous solution is used in a fuel additive in order to reduce pollutants in the exhaust gases of gasoline and diesel engines. It is sufficient to add glyoxal in aqueous solution to gasoline in the dilution in the ratio of 1:10 000 and higher in order to obtain a reduction of unburned hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide in vehicles with catalytic converters at idle and at increased idle of almost 100%. Esterified aliphats and polyethyleneglycol are added as emulsifiers and solubilizers. Additionally, glyoxal can be used in form of its acetals and hemiacetals with the resultant product being added to the fuel in combustion engines in order to reduce the pollutant emission and carbon particles/deposits.

Abstract: A method and system for stabilizing and demodulating an interferometer at quadrature are described. In response to receipt of a signal indicative of optical power of the interferometer, an interferometer control system determines an optical path length correction required to stabilize the interferometer at quadrature utilizing signal amplitudes appearing at multiple harmonics of the signal. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the signal amplitudes are calculated utilizing the Goertzel algorithm, a computationally efficient discrete Fourier transform. The interferometer control system then outputs an error signal indicative of the optical path length correction. In a preferred embodiment, the error signal forms the DC component of a composite stabilization signal, whose AC component is the reference modulation signal utilized to excite a transducer to modulate the optical path length of the interferometer.

Abstract: The invention relates to a boxed end container having one end closed by a transverse ridge seal and carrying a pull tab whereby a separating force can be applied to the ridge seal of the sealed container so as to separate at least part of the ridge seal and thus open the container and allow discharge of its contents, which pull table comprises a generally planar member having an axially extending shank member with a proximal end portion adapted to the gripped and pulled by a user and a distal end portion having foot members extending transversely to each side of thereof, the shank and foot members being substantially co-planar with one another, the pull tab being secured by the foot members externally to a wall of the container at or adjacent to the ridge seal of the container.

Abstract: A crashworthy aircraft seat for protecting a passenger during a crash of the aircraft includes a support structure coupled to the aircraft, a seat assembly slidingly associated with the support structure, guide means coupled to the support structure for guiding upright members of the seat assembly as the seat assembly slides relative to the support structure, and means for variably attenuating kinetic energy as the seat assembly and the passenger move downward relative to the support structure from an initial static start position to an end position during the crash.