Abstract: A multi-layer slab insulation having an aluminum layer, a first foam layer positioned on one side of the aluminum layer, and a second foam layer positioned on another side of the aluminum layer. In one embodiment, the first and second foam layers are polyolefin foam layers such as polyethylene foam and polypropylene foam. The aluminum layer is an aluminum foil and may be provided with strengthening layers. Alternatively, the aluminum layer is a metallized film. Preferably, the various layers are laminated together. In another embodiment, a multi-layer slab insulation includes a first foam layer, and a second foam layer laminated to the first foam layer, at least one of the foam layers being provided with at least one extending lip sized to allow interlocking of the multi-layer slab insulation with an adjacent multi-layer slab insulation.

Abstract: A multilayer insulation having a plurality of layers laminated together, and a plurality of depressions positioned proximate to edges of the multilayer insulation, the plurality of depressions forming insulated tabs on the multilayer insulation. An adhesive layer may be provided on one or more insulated tabs. In one embodiment, the depressions are positioned and sized to allow folding of the insulated tabs to form an integrated spacer. In another embodiment, the depressions are positioned and sized to allow receiving of an insulated tab of an adjacent insulation. In this regard, the depressions and the insulated tabs are preferably sized the same width to allow interlocking of the multilayer insulation to an adjacent multilayer insulation. A method of installing insulation is also described for providing an integrated spacer or interlocking adjacent insulation pieces. A method of manufacturing insulation with a depression that defines an insulated tab is also described.

Abstract: A pizza packaging system, pizza packaging blank and method for packaging more than one pizza in a stacked configuration. An upper level insert is provided for insertion into the pizza receiving compartment, the upper level insert being elevated above a bottom panel and providing an upper level surface adapted to receive and support a second pizza. The upper level insert is supported by at least one support flap and may be further supported by at least one support member. In addition, the pizza box packaging system and pizza box blank may be provided with perforations to allow the division of the pizza box for use as plates and/or to facilitate disposal. The upper level insert may also be provided with a venting means to allow heat transfer between the pizza receiving compartments, and/or elevating tabs that elevate the pizza box off a support surface.

Abstract: A modular drain for receiving drainage liquid with a polygonal upper portion and a lower portion. The upper portion has a substantially lateral surface, a first vertical surface and a second vertical surface that define an upper cavity, the substantially lateral surface having a plurality of openings thereon. The lower portion is joined to the upper portion, the lower portion including a substantially semi-circular surface sized to receive a tube section of a connector therein. In one embodiment, at least one of the first vertical surface and the second vertical surface includes a retention mechanism that is sized and positioned to retain the tube section in the lower portion. In another embodiment, the vertical surfaces are provided with interlocking interfaces.

Abstract: A support device having a substantially rigid support plate, a headrest supported on the support plate, the headrest being adapted to support the user's head, and a support pad at least partially supported on the support plate, the support pad being adapted to support the user's torso. In addition, a support pad for supporting torso of a user with enhanced comfort is provided, the support pad including a center pad, two side pads, and a stomach pad where the center pad has a durometer/compliance which is stiffer than the two side pads.

Abstract: An integrated semi-independent suspension and drivetrain system including a swing arm with a swing mount, an axle assembly rotatable along a transverse axle rotation axis, an axle carrier for mounting the axle assembly, the axle carrier being rotatably mounted to the swing arm, a driven sprocket, a drive sprocket, a flexible coupling mechanically linking the driven sprocket to the drive sprocket, a roll movement device for allowing the flexible coupling to maintain the mechanical link between the driven and drive sprockets as the driven sprocket rolls about the suspension roll axis, and at least two shock mounts for mounting a shock absorber or a spring, the two shock mounts being positioned along sides of the axle carrier flanking the suspension roll axis at a distance away from the suspension roll axis. In another embodiment, the transverse axle rotation axis of the axle assembly is elevated above the suspension roll axis.

Abstract: An improvement to a stair module support system includes a flexible engagement between a post and a channel attached to the underside of a stair module. The flexible engagement enables the stair module support system to be assembled and placed into a stored configuration with each post received by a corresponding channel. The system may then be shipped to an installation site where the posts may be rotated to a deployed position without requiring further assembly or tools.

Abstract: A method for assembling a conveyor belt and a conveyor belt is provided, the conveyor belt including a plurality of elongated rods, a plurality of slide-in overlay elements, and a plurality of retaining overlay elements having a vertical opening to allow vertical insertion of the retaining overlay element on to an elongated rod. In one embodiment, the vertical opening includes a retainer such as a clip that resists removal of the retaining overlay element from the elongated rod. In another embodiment, the slide-in overlay element includes a lock mechanism which locks the retaining overlay element with the slide-in overlay element to resist removal of the retaining overlay element. The lock mechanism preferably includes a lock protrusion on the slide-in overlay element, and an interlock protrusion provided on the retaining overlay element offset relative to one another to allow interlocking of the lock protrusion with the interlock protrusion.

Abstract: A modular trench drainage system for placement in a trench of a natural surface or pavement. The system includes a base conduit, a grate cover pivotably secured to the base conduit for covering the base member, a coupling mechanism for pivotably securing the grate cover to the base conduit, an alignment mechanism for aligning the grate cover with respect to the base conduit when the grate cover is placed in a closed position over the base conduit, and a locking mechanism for locking the grate cover to the base conduit.

Abstract: An apparatus and methods for effectively determining the start of combustion in a cylinder of an internal combustion engine where the start of combustion is calculated by obtaining cylinder pressure data (P), processing the cylinder pressure data (P) into a processed pressure value indicative of the occurrence of SOC, comparing the processed pressure value to a predetermined threshold value, if the processed pressure value crosses the predetermined threshold value, determining that SOC has occurred, and calculating a crank shaft location at which the predetermined threshold value was crossed by the processed pressure value thereby identifying the crank shaft location at which SOC occurred. In alternative embodiments, optional steps may be provided including a verification step, a windowing step, a filtering step, determining occurrence of misfire, and determining occurrence of retarded timing.

Abstract: A clamping device of disc adapted to flatten a defective disc warped in the opposite direction (upward direction) of disc pick-up for enabling an easy reproduction of data recorded in the disc, the clamping device of disc so constructed as to allow a disc placed on a tray to be arranged between a turntable rotor mounted at a deck body and a clamp mounted at a deck cover for clamping, wherein the clamp is integrally formed with a plurality of pressing protruders at an outer periphery and disc pressing surface at an inner periphery to simultaneously press an inner non-recording surface and an outer non-recording surface of the disc accommodated on the turntable rotor.

Abstract: A method of controlling algae in a municipal water plant including the step of adding an algicide-flocculant solution including 25-50 wt % acidic flocculent, 0-10 wt % polymer flocculant aid, an algicide consisting essentially of copper having a concentration of 0.025-1.275 wt % in the form of a water soluble copper salt, balance water. The algicide-flocculant solution may be added to the water via a clarifier of the water plant, a basin of the water plant, or a mixing chamber. The mixing chamber may be located within the clarifier, adjacent to the basin, or upstream of the clarifier and/or the basin.

Abstract: An improved mounting system for mounting a forklift on a carrier vehicle where the forklift includes a frame, a mast connected to the frame, and a fork carriage having a pair of forks extending therefrom. The fork carriage is adapted to be vertically displaceable on the mast and laterally extendable relative to the mast. The carrier vehicle includes a mounting end with at least one fork receiver adapted to receive the pair of forks therein and to allow complete lifting of the forklift off of a ground surface by vertically displacing the fork carriage. At least one hook is attached to either the mast of the forklift or the mounting end of the carrier vehicle, and an engagement bar is secured to the other of the mast or the mounting end. The engagement bar is sized to be received within the at least one hook to thereby securely mount the forklift to the mounting end of the carrier vehicle. In one embodiment the at least one hook is two hooks rigidly attached to base portions of the mast.

Abstract: An overload protection device for a manual hoist lever including a pressure hub, an outer hub, a brake nut, and a dowel pin. The pressure hub includes a radially extending flange and a cantilevered boss having a threaded outer surface with an axial groove. The outer hub includes a central opening, a tapered inner surface, and a flange contact surface which frictionally contacts the radially extending flange of the pressure hub. The brake nut is disposed in the central opening of the outer hub between the outer hub and the boss of the pressure hub, and includes a frusto-conical outer surface that frictionally contacts the tapered inner surface of the outer hub, as well as a threaded inner opening with a corresponding axial groove, the threaded inner opening being sized to threadingly engage the boss. The dowel pin is received within a receiving hole formed upon alignment of the axial groove of the boss and the corresponding axial groove of the brake nut.

Abstract: An algicide-flocculant solution for use in treating raw water in a municipal water plant to control algae, the algicide-flocculant solution including 25-50 wt % of an acidic flocculant, 0-10 wt % of a polymer flocculant aid, an algicide of essentially copper having a concentration of 0.025-1.25 wt % in the form of a water soluble capper salt, and balance water. Uniform mixing of the flocculant into the raw water simultaneously uniformly mixes the algicide of the algicide-flocculant solution into the raw water. The acidic flocculant is preferably aluminium sulfate, iron sulfate, iron chloride or mixtures thereof. The water soluble copper salt is preferably copper sulfate, copper chloride, copper nitrate, copper acetate or mixtures thereof. Moreover, the flocculant aid is a high molecular weight quaternary amine such as diallyldimethylammonium chloride.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and an apparatus for coating electromagnetic wave shielding films, by which adhesive forces between coating objects and the electromagnetic wave shielding films are strengthened, and the films can be uniformly coated on the coating objects. In the method, surfaces of coating objects are etched, and then electromagnetic wave shielding films are coated on the surfaces of the coating objects. In the apparatus, a cylindrical rotating jig is disposed in a chamber and contains a plurality of coating objects loaded therein. The rotating jig is rotated at a predetermined speed. The rotating jig is put into and drawn out of the chamber. Targets functioning as cathodes are disposed inside and outside of the rotating jig. A controller controls operation of the apparatus.

Abstract: An improved pizza packaging system, pizza packaging blank and method for packaging more than one pizza in a stacked configuration and for delivery to a consumer comprising a pizza box having a bottom section and a lid panel. The bottom section includes a bottom panel bounded by a plurality of side panels extending upwardly from the bottom panel to define a pizza receiving compartment, the bottom panel being adapted to receive and support a first pizza. The lid panel is hingably attached to the bottom section in a manner to provide topographical access to contents placed within the pizza receiving compartment. An upper level insert is provided for insertion into the pizza receiving compartment, the upper level insert being elevated above the bottom panel and providing an upper level surface adapted to receive and support a second pizza.

Abstract: A bed frame insert including a pair of side frame members for supporting the bed, one end of the pair of side frame members being pivotally supported to the bed frame, at least one cross frame member extending between and interconnecting the pair of side frame members, at least one leg member secured to the cross frame member, and a pair of elevating posts for inclining the pair of side frame members relative to the bed frame during use, the pair of elevating posts being removably secured to the pair of side frame members proximate to another end of the pair of side frame members. The leg member is adapted to contact and be supported by an adjacent floor to thereby aid the pair of side frame members in supporting the bed. In one embodiment, one end of each of the pair of side frame members are pivotally mounted to the bed frame and the pair of elevating posts are also removably secured to the bed frame.

Abstract: A ski storage device including a back plate adapted to be mounted to an attachment surface, a first side panel outwardly extending away from the back plate, a second side panel outwardly extending away from the back plate and being positioned a spaced transverse distance from the first side panel thereby forming a substantially U-shape with a transverse gap between the side panels thereby forming a transverse opening for receiving skis to be stored in the transverse gap. The first and second side panels are adapted to be adjusted between a retracted position and an elongated position, and at least one of the first and second side panels is adjustably secured to the back plate to thereby allow adjustment of the transverse gap.