Abstract: The present invention includes an improved gasket and coupon for use with a corrosion measurement system. The gasket includes a pair of collar portions which fit into an end of the coupon. The central rib of the gasket has a pair of beveled faces each of which fit flush with the exterior edge of a coupon when the coupon and gaskets are pressure fit into the sleeve. The central rib includes a flat outer edge that contacts the inner wall of the sleeve to stabilize the coupon within the sleeve and to prevent liquid from leaking between two adjacent gaskets. The coupon includes a first material, copper, a portion of which is coated with a second material, lead/tin, such that a galvanic cell is formed. Preferably, the lead/tin coating is placed on the interior and exterior of the upper or lower half of the coupon, the other half of the galvanic cell of the coupon remains uncoated copper.

Abstract: A binder is applied to fibers to bind particles to the fibers. The fibers have hydrogen bonding functional groups. The particles have functional groups capable of forming a hydrogen bond or a coordinate covalent bond. The binder comprises binder molecules, wherein the binder molecules have at least one functional group that forms a hydrogen bond or a coordinate covalent bond with the particles, and at least one functional group that forms a hydrogen bond with the fibers. A substantial portion of the particles that may be adhered to the fibers are adhered in particulate form by hydrogen bonds or coordinate covalent bonds to the binder, and the binder in turn may be adhered to the fibers by hydrogen bonds. Fibers containing particles bound by this method are easily densified.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, a tool holder 10 is provided for carrying a cutting implement, such as a pair of lopping shears 15, having a plurality of blades 16a and 16b attached by a pivot 18 to a pair of elongated handles 20a and 20b. The tool holder includes a support backing 12, containing a plurality of vertically extending slots 34a and 34b. A waist belt 32 may be passed through the vertically extending slots so that the tool holder may be suspended from the waist belt. A support frame 42 is also attached to the support backing. A rigid cap 14 for housing the blades 16a and 16b of the lopping shears 15 is fastened to the support frame 42 and the support backing 12. The rigid cap comprises a convex surface having a longitudinal edge 14a and a latitudinal edge 14b, wherein the longitudinal edge is attached to the support backing 12.

Abstract: A goal tender apparatus comprises a goal tender body having a lower end and a longitudinal axis with an upper portion and a lower portion is disclosed. An upper attachment device pivotally attaches the goal tender body to an upper crossbar of a goal adjacent the upper portion of the longitudinal axis of the goal tender body, a lower attachment device pivotally attaches the goal tender body to side posts of a goal adjacent the lower portion of the longitudinal axis of the goal tender body, and rollers are located on the lower end of the goal tender body. A motor provides a force substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the goal tender body, and the upper attachment device, the lower attachment device and the rollers to convert the substantially perpendicular force of the motor into arcuate movement of the goal tender body in front of a goal.

Abstract: A collapsible sunshade(50) includes a pair of support arms(54a, 54b). Disposed on outer ends of the support arms are a pair of ribs (62a, 62b). A fabric sheet (51) is disposed between the ribs to form a sunshade. The support arms include a pair of outwardly extending lever arms (58a, 58b). The ribs similarly include a pair of lever arms (64a and 64b). A pair of push rods (70a, 70b) extend between the lever arms of the support arms and the ribs. As the support arms are moved from a closed position in which they are substantially parallel to an open position in which they are substantially apart, the lever arms cause the ribs to extend outward thereby extending the shade. Preferably the sun shade is designed to be fitted on a collapsible headrest such that the combination of the collapsible shade and headrest can be easily stowed and transported by a user.

Abstract: Particles are bound to fibrous material by a polymeric binder selected from the group consisting of poly(caprolactone) diol, polyamides and polyamines. The polymeric binder has a hydrogen bonding functionality or coordinate covalent bond forming functionality on each repeating unit of the polymeric binder. As a specific example, the fibrous material is cellulosic fibers and the particles are superabsorbent particles. Preferably 3-80 percent binder and 0.05-80 percent particles, by weight of the total weight of the fibrous material, binder and particles are included. The binder preferably has a molecular weight greater than 500 grams/mole, preferably 4,000-8,000 grams/mole. Particles attached to the fibers in this manner are firmly adhered and are not easily dislodged. Fibrous products produced by this method include fibers to which particles are bound, and fibers which have been treated with the binder but to which particles are not bound.

Abstract: A blend for producing refractory imitation fireplace objects comprises between 30% and 50% amorphous aluminum siliceous mineral silicate, between 1% and 5% fibre and between 40% and 60% high temperature cement. A method of producing a slurry for casting the refractory objects consists of blending the amorphous aluminum siliceous mineral silicate, the fibre, an aggregate and colorant, adding and blending a high temperature cement and a dispersant and adding between 35% and 45% by weight of water.