Abstract: An apparatus to educate a special needs child about shapes and hardware includes a working platform having three boards that each have one of three faces. A first face has colored areas with shaped openings in the colored areas, including round openings, square openings and triangular openings in respective ones of the colored areas. A second face has threaded openings, including openings equipped with bolts and openings to receive screws, and also including openings to receive pegs. A third face has an assortment of locks. The apparatus includes collections of pegs, threaded shafts, nuts, elastic bands and an internal box with internal compartments. The collections of items can be placed in the compartments or on the faces, as appropriate to assist a special needs child in learning skills needed in life.

Abstract: A modular tray system comprising a tray portion releasably fastenable to support members for supporting the tray which communicate with attachment means for attaching, preferably releasably attaching, the support members to transport means for transporting the tray. The modular tray system of the present invention may be advantageously utilized in a commercial process for producing bakery products from dough.

Abstract: A system to deliver a treating agent of interest to a surrounding environment over an extended period of time is described. The system comprises surrounding a treating agent or agents with one or more biodegradable materials. The biodegradable materials biodegrade at a rate that will slowly and continuously release the treating agent or agents of interest to the surrounding environment. An example of the method of the present invention is described for the treatment of wood supporting structures to prevent their decay and rotting in the earth. The method is particularly advantageous for treating wood supporting structures including, but not limited to: telephone poles, utility poles, pilings, railroad ties, posts, foundations and other building supports and the like.

Abstract: A process for the extraction and purification of TCDD (2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin) from a sample matrix. The process of the present invention overcomes a problem of prior art processes for extracting TCDD, by providing for chemical destruction of potentially interfering components in a sample matrix making the steam distillation of TCDD possible. A typical sample matrix comprises blood serum.

Abstract: A merchandise display apparatus which permits the full line of inventory to be displayed to customers while minimizing the space needed to display the goods and simplifying the process of purchasing a selected item. The merchandise display apparatus includes a display stand having a vertical support member about which a plurality of display panels are rotatably attached for a consumer to "flip" through the panels while browsing for goods. A plurality of small, display cut-out articles or tokens comprising a three-dimensional representation of the actual item are removably attached to the display panels surfaces such that a consumer selecting the item represented by the display article may remove the display article from a panel and present it to a sales clerk.

Abstract: The invention relates to a captive guided kite (1) featuring a sail (2) whose shape is maintained by means of a rod that features at least one central spar (5) oriented from nose (3) to tail (4) of guided kite (1), and arranged in the central longitudinal region between two wing sides (6, 7), whereby attached to the underside of the kite are cords (13) to control guided kite (1). In order to improve the overall flying behaviour of the captive guided kite (1), and to achieve desired flight speed reduction, it is proposed that sail (2) have a shape, at least in the tail region and longitudinally with central spar (central spars) (5), that departs from the elongated shape towards the upper side of the kite (see FIG. 1a).

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus and method for the continuous biological treatment of ship bilge water contaminated with petroleum and biodegradable materials. The apparatus includes a pumping system attached directly to the bilge or to an oil-water phase separator, for removing the biodegradable material(s) contained in the bilge waste aqueous phase, which is integrated with a means for microbiologically treating the contaminated bilge water. The means for microbiologically treating the contaminated bilge water preferably includes petroleum- and hazardous-degrading microorganisms. In operation, a phase separator system on the ship separates the free-product phase from the contaminated bilge water. The separated free-product is removed for off-site disposal. Contaminated bilge water is fed into the microbiological treatment system for further treatment with eventual discharge overboard or recirculation into the contaminated bilge area.

Abstract: Disclosed are waste disposal devices for minimizing contamination of an operating room table with blood and body fluids during and after a surgery while substantially reducing the volume of medical waste and disposable materials generated by surgery. In one embodiment the device includes a bag constructed to fit an operating room table having u-shaped margins for collecting fluid runoff, a drainage tube with valve and a closure means for sealing the bag. Upon completion of the surgery, the bag is quickly and easily removed and completely sealed to enclose contaminated fluids and draperies generated by surgery. Prior to disposal, the contaminated fluids and trapped air are vacuumed from the sealed bag thereby substantially minimizing the volume of the disposable material.

Abstract: A method to extend the functional life of wood structures by applying fundamental principles of biology and chemistry to control the activity of wood decay organisms while minimizing the use of environmentally hazardous chemicals. The method comprises applying a microbial treating solution to a portion of the wood structure subject to decay from microbial organisms; and covering the treated portion of the wood structure with a substantially insect impenetrable material. The method of the present invention is particularly advantageous for treating wood supporting structures including, but not limited to: telephone poles, utility poles, pilings, foundations and other building supports and the like. Also disclosed are novel wood structures.