Abstract: The present invention is directed to a biocidal water treatment composition, water treatment apparatus, and method of treating water to reduce levels of pathogens. The composition contains sources of copper, zinc, and silver metal ions within a crosslinked polymer matrix. Examples of these ion sources include copper sulfate, zinc sulfate, and silver nitrate. An example of the crosslinked polymer matrix is crosslinked chitosan, which also serves to clarify the water and release the metal ions over time. The product is easy to manufacture, and allows the use of decreased halogen sanitizer, as well as decreased copper ion, thereby decreasing the likelihood of staining. The product simultaneously provides good bactericidal and algaecidal properties, despite low levels of copper ion and low chlorine levels.

Abstract: A pneumatic boat comprising a generally U-shaped float open towards the rear and made up of at least one pneumatically inflatable tube, the rear ends of which are braced by a rear board, a rigid floor disposed at least transversely inside the float and a hull with a V-shaped cross section formed by a flexible canvas fixed to the float and to the rear board and held taut by a longitudinal inflatable keel inserted between said floor and said canvas; the inflatable keel is formed by an elongate enclosure delimited by two substantially flat and approximately parallel main walls extending longitudinally and approximately perpendicular to the floor, these walls being braced by a plurality of flexible links; and this enclosure is inflated to a relatively high pressure.

Abstract: An in-line, in-pool system for chemically treating water in conjunction with an automatic swimming pool cleaner is disclosed. Incorporating a head and a cartridge, the system is design for placement within a swimming pool for treating water therein. Purification media may be placed within the cartridge to effect sanitization of the water.

Abstract: A suspension clamp for suspending and clamping an elongate flexible member, the clamp having: (i) a saddle in which the elongate flexible member may sit, ii) a mounting to support the saddle with respect to a fixture, (iii) a closure latch to restrain the elongate flexible member in the saddle, and (iv) a resilient member mounted to the closure latch and having a bottom face adapted to clamp an elongate flexible member positioned within the saddle when the closure latch is closed.

Abstract: A pneumatic boat comprising at least one inflatable fender (1) forming two approximately parallel branches (2) and a transom (4) extending between these two branches (2), each branch (2) being constituted by several tubular compartments (8, 9) placed side by side longitudinally and superposed having a poly-lobed cross section the major axis of which is tilted in relation to the horizontal; the lower compartment (9) of each branch (2) includes a flexible casing (11) integral with the compartment immediately above (8) and retaining a detachable float (12); the casing and the float are mutually shaped so that the float is applied by the casing against the compartment immediately above and that the external lateral part (10) of the casing is stretched approximately tangentially between these, forming with a horizontal plane an average angle of between 5 and 45° approximately.

Abstract: Multi-port valve assemblies with, typically, two-piece housings are disclosed. Particularly useful in connection with swimming pools and associated water pumps, the assemblies avoid reliance on an elongated handle to effect rotation of the internal structure of the valve. Instead, the assemblies utilize a knob—which users need not lift—coupled to a post in which an elongated slot is formed. Doing so avoids breakage problems associated with use of elongated handles while reducing wear of internal seals. Each valve assembly additionally may include a cam having non-semicircular, asymmetrically-shaped recesses into which followers attached to a shaft passing through the elongated slot are received.

Abstract: Support base for supporting accessories on the flexible wall of an inflatable body and an pneumatic boat fitted therewith. A mounting base (10) intended for the fixing of an accessory onto the flexible wall of an inflatable body, such as an inflatable buoyancy fender of an inflatable boat, characterized in that it includes a stack (11) of several layers of flexible material fixed one to the other and passed through by at least one fitting (16) appropriate to the fixing of the aforesaid accessory, the aforesaid mounting base being fixable to the inflatable body flexible wall, the number of layers of the stack being determined so that the thickness of the stack corresponds approximately to the height of an anchoring part of the fitting.

Abstract: A method and device for the filtration and/or purification of fluids water or other solutions containing microbiological contaminants, such as fluids containing including bacteria and/or viruses, where the fluid water is passed through a purification material composed of apatite and absorption media in a fixed binder matrix.

Abstract: A processing system for a spatial light modulator in the form of an array of defomable mirror devices receives a gamma-corrected, video input signal. A de-gamma processor removes all or part of the gamma-correction of the video input signal to match the data to the form of the spatial light modulator.

Abstract: Disclosed is use of a vitreous inorganic fiber in the knowledge that it has a composition meeting the criterion that the calculated sum of the free energies of hydration of the compounds that would or could be present at equilibrium (on the basis of knowledge, informed belief or reasonable assumption) is more negative than −10 kcal/100 grams of composition. Such compositions are saline soluble.

Abstract: A method and device for the filtration and/or purification of fluids water or other solutions containing microbiological contaminants, such as fluids containing including bacteria and/or viruses, where the fluid water is passed through a purification material composed of apatite and absorption media in a fixed binder matrix.

Abstract: An automatically inflatable boat including at least two separate compartments which are connected to one another by an intercommunicating valve which can be opened to connect adjacent compartments or closed to isolate adjacent compartments. The inflatable boat is provided with a gas pump permanently mounted on the boat and in fluid communication with a connection for receiving pressurized gas of at least one of the inflatable compartments. The pump can be actuated in order to automatically inflate the inflatable compartments of the boat to a preset pressure. Also shown is an inflatable enclosure which can be deflated and inflated and to house an adult and a commode to provide privacy.

Abstract: A sampling system controller includes a control unit for interfacing with a collection chamber module having a plurality of sampling chambers. The control unit controls the times at which the sampling chambers acquire samples of a fluid flow and control flow rates into the sampling chambers. The timing of the sampling chambers and the flow rates may be programmed by a user and downloaded into the control unit through an interface. The control unit measures the flow rate of the fluid flow to be sampled and controls the flow rate through each sampling chambers in order to achieve a desired and known rate through the sampling chambers. The flow rates through the fluid flow and through the sampling chambers are recorded on a data module. The control unit may be equipped with a portable weather station for monitoring weather conditions and with a global positioning system for determining a geographic position of the sampling chambers. The weather and location information may be recorded on the data module.

Abstract: An arc lamp suitable for use as a high intensity light source in a projection system is described. A reflector is arranged to reflect the light produced by the arc into a directional light beam, secondary reflection means being arranged to direct part of the reflected beam so as to compensate for regions which are obscured by the electrodes. Means are provided within the light source to dissipate heat generated by the electrodes.

Abstract: A method and system for creating game cards incorporates a removable scratch-off coating to hide printed symbols. The card is constructed so that the scratch-off coating is selectively retained by the card, in the form of symbols, when the scratch-off coating is removed. The selective retention of scratch-off coating material to the card is accomplished by incorporating into the card, between the substrate and the scratch-off coating, a clear release coat laser-engraved to form symbols. A laser creates the desired symbols in the release coat. The laser may be manually controlled or computer-controlled using software and drivers for the laser assembly. When the scratch-off coating material is applied to the card during construction, it adheres directly to the substrate in the form of symbols. When a player rubs the scratch-off coating material, it releases from the release coat and remains adhered to the substrate to create the symbols.

Abstract: The device includes selectively operable article re-orienting means, allowing groups of articles to be packed together in a variety of orientations using a single standard packaging machine. An infeed conveyor carries the articles in a predetermined orientation using a single standard packaging machine. An infeed conveyor carries the articles in a predetermined orientation in a plurality of lanes. A group collator comprising a set of lane brakes and a movable backstop aligns a group of articles in one or more rows transverse to conveyor. A paddle transfers the group to the packaging machine. The re-orienting means turn a sub-group of articles making up the group to a specified orientation for such transfer, each article sub-group being turned about a respective axis normal to the plane of the infeed conveyor.