Abstract: A process and apparatus for chilling and aging the front portions of poultry carcasses. The process and apparatus preferably comprise and provide for (a) separating eviscerated poultry carcasses into front portions and back portions, (b) washing the front portions, (c) conducting a fecal inspection of at least some of the front portions, (d) pre-chilling the front portions in water, (e) delivering the front portions through a reconditioning washer when the fecal inspection indicates that a failure has occurred, and (f) conducting a secondary inspection at the reconditioning wash.

Abstract: An improved combustion assembly including a venturi mixer and a combustion tip attached to the discharge end of the venturi divergent section. The improvement comprises eliminating abrupt contractions and sudden expansions of the interior flow passage at the venturi mixer and combustion tip interface.

Abstract: A device for supplying an alternate gas fuel to a gas-burning apparatus such that the gas-burning apparatus will receive and burn the alternate gas fuel, the gas-burning apparatus being of a type intended to burn a gas fuel which is different from the alternate fuel and is supplied at a pressure substantially different from that of the alternate fuel. The inventive device comprises: an inlet coupling attachable to a discharge fitting provided on the alternate fuel container and an outlet coupling downstream of the inlet coupling and attachable to an inlet fitting provided on the gas-burning apparatus. When the pressure of the alternate gas fuel is significantly greater than that of the intended fuel, the inventive device preferably also includes a restricting element for restricting flow of the alternate fuel through the device from the inlet coupling to the outlet coupling.

Abstract: An apparatus for releasably attaching a temple to a lense frame. In one aspect, the inventive apparatus comprises: a grasping mechanism, at the forward end of the temple, for releasably, pivotably, and directly grasping a hinge pin provided on the lense frame, and a finger-operatable actuator for actuating the grasping mechanism to selectively release and pivotably grasp the hinge pin. When the grasping mechanism is secured to the hinge pin, the forward end of the temple will preferably be positioned directly adjacent to the lense frame such that the grasping structure is substantially hidden from outside view. Alternatively, the apparatus can comprise: an insert structure pivotably attached to the lense frame; a cavity provided in the forward end of the temple for receiving the insert structure; and a catch mechanism for releasably retaining the insert structure in the cavity.

Abstract: An apparatus, and method for cooking and smoking food items and a smoked product produced by the inventive method. The inventive apparatus preferably comprises (a) an oven including a belt-type conveyor, for continuously conveying food items through the oven, and a circulation system for circulating a cooking medium in the oven such that the cooking medium contacts and cooks the food items and (b) a smoke generation and delivery system for delivering smoke to the circulating system such that the smoke contacts the food items along with the cooking medium. The inventive method preferably comprises the steps of (a) continuously conveying food items through an oven and (b) delivering smoke into the oven such that the smoke contacts the food items. The oven used in the inventive apparatus and inventive method is preferably an indirect-fired oven. The smoke most preferably contacts the food items in an impinging manner.

Abstract: A freezing apparatus comprising: a container having an opening at the top thereof; a cover removably positionable over the opening; and a cooling unit which includes a cooling element and an air circulating fan. The cover has a port provided therein for receiving the cooling element and air circulation fan.

Abstract: A cogeneration apparatus comprising: a transporting structure, including a support frame, for transporting the cogeneration apparatus; an electrical generator, mountable on the support frame, for generating an electrical current; a driver, mountable on the support frame, for driving the electrical generator, said driver producing an exhaust gas when operated; and a heat recovery assembly, mountable on the support frame, for recovering heat from the exhaust gas. A novel valve and a novel boiler system preferred for use in the inventive cogeneration apparatus are also provided.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an epoxy resin composition is provided comprising: an epoxy resin and a partially reduced aromatic amine hardening agent. In another embodiment, a well treating composition is provided comprising: an epoxy resin; a partially reduced aromatic amine hardening agent; a solid particulate material; and a carrier fluid. In yet another embodiment, a method of treating a subterranean formation is provided. The inventive method comprises the step of placing the inventive well treating composition into the formation.

Abstract: A burner apparatus comprising: a liquid fuel discharge means for discharging a liquid fuel; an ignition chamber wherein an ignitable gaseous composition can be ignited to yield an ignited composition; and a gas delivery means for delivering a gaseous, free oxygen source and a combustible gas to the ignition chamber such that the ignitable gaseous composition is provided in the combustion chamber. The ignition chamber is positioned with respect to the liquid fuel discharge means such that, upon leaving the ignition chamber, the ignited gaseous composition will ignite the liquid fuel as the liquid fuel is discharged from the discharge means. Preferably, the gas delivery means includes a conduit through which the free oxygen source is conducted into the ignition chamber. The gas delivery means also preferably includes a passageway, adjacent the exterior of the conduit, through which the combustible gas is conducted into the ignition chamber.

Abstract: An apparatus for holding materials comprising: a container including a container wall and having a first container opening extending through the container wall; a first container flange connected to the exterior of the container wall surrounding the first container opening; and a non-metallic blanking hatch connectable to the first container flange by bolting. The non-metallic blanking hatch has a plurality of apertures extending therethrough which provide access to the interior of the container.The inventive apparatus preferably also comprises: (a) a second container flange connected to the exterior of the container wall and surrounding a second container opening extending through the container wall and (b) a non-metallic manway hatch connectable to the second container flange.

Abstract: Fracturing, frac-pack, and gravel packing procedures are provided which utilize a treating composition comprising a carrier fluid and a particulate blend. The particulate blend consists essentially of a large particulate material and a small particulate material. The large particulate material consists essentially of particles smaller than about 4 mesh but not smaller than about 40 mesh. The small particulate material consists essentially of particles smaller than about 16 mesh but not smaller than about 100 mesh. The small particulate material is present in the particulate blend in an amount in the range of from about 5% to about 60% by weight based on the amount of the large particulate material present in the particulate blend. A prepacked screening device including a large particulate/small particulate blend of the type just described is also provided.

Abstract: A well completion method comprising the steps of: (1) positioning a conduit in a wellbore such that (a) a wellbore annulus surrounding the conduit is defined between the conduit and the wall of the wellbore, (b) the wellbore annulus has a first longitudinal segment which is positioned within a producing formation, (c) the wellbore annulus has a second longitudinal segment which is positioned within a producing formation, and (d) the wellbore annulus has a third longitudinal segment which is positioned between the first longitudinal segment and the second longitudinal segment; (2) placing a gravel pack in the wellbore annulus such that the gravel pack surrounds the conduit and substantially fills the first, second, and third longitudinal segments of the wellbore annulus; and (3) injecting a hardenable hydraulic cement composition into the portion of the gravel pack located in the third longitudinal segment of the wellbore annulus such that, after the hydraulic cement composition hardens, the third longitudinal

Abstract: A well treating composition comprising: a gelled carrier; a particulate material; an epoxy resin system including at least one epoxy resin; and a finely-divided hardening agent which, when dissolved, is operable for hardening the epoxy resin. The finely-divided hardening agent is dispersed in the epoxy resin system. A method of treating a subterranean zone located in a well comprising the steps of: (a) preparing the above-described treating composition; (b) injecting the treating composition into the well such that the treating composition is placed in the subterranean zone; and (c) maintaining the finely-divided hardening agent under conditions such that, prior to injecting the treating composition into the well, the finely-divided hardening agent does not substantially dissolve.

Abstract: A method of forming a tank system and a tank system formed thereby wherein the tank system comprises a plastic tank covered by a metal shell.

Abstract: The present invention provides a hatch apparatus comprising: (a) a non-metallic base having a base flange which is connectable to a container flange by bolting and (b) a non-metallic lid which is threadedly connectable to the non-metallic base. The inventive hatch apparatus can also include a pressure relief device associatable with the non-metallic lid. In one embodiment, the non-metallic lid comprises a single lid member. In a second embodiment, the non-metallic lid comprises two lid members. The inventive hatch apparatus is highly corrosion resistant and convenient to use.

Abstract: A valve assembly comprising: a valve seat having a first end, a second end, and a valve seat passageway extending therethrough from said first end to said second end; a valve ball assembly rotatably positionable adjacent the second end of the valve seat passageway for selectively sealing the valve seat passageway; a first control arm connectable between the valve seat and the valve ball assembly, the connection between the first control arm and the valve ball assembly defining an axis of rotation for the valve ball assembly; a sealing member, reciprocatably positionable in the valve seat passageway adjacent the second end of the valve seat, for preventing fluid flow between the second end of the valve seat and the exterior of the valve ball assembly; and an urging member, positionable in the passageway, for urging the sealing member against the valve ball assembly.

Abstract: A damage-resistant containment device includes a high strength fiber covering the surface of the container and an elastomeric matrix supporting the fiber and bonding the fiber to the surface of the container. The device and method provide a damage-resistant polyolefin container which may be used to transport hazardous fluids by vehicles, such as trucks, on publicly used thoroughfares.