Abstract: A method and apparatus for the removal of contaminants from soil. The soil is pulverized, and then heated to volatilize the contaminants. The volatilized contaminants are then burned as fuel in an internal combustion engine.

Abstract: An apparatus for removing floor covering which has a frame supported by wheels. Some of the wheels are used to drive the frame and these wheels are powered by a structurally independent power source. A tool secured to the frame, may be used to push up floor covering.

Abstract: A shipping carton including a box assembly and a plurality of floral grouping assemblies. The box assembly has an inner surface partially enclosing a retaining space. An adhesive or cohesive is applied to at least a portion of the inner surface of the box assembly. The floral grouping assemblies are disposed in the retaining space and a portion of each of the floral grouping assemblies is removably and adhesively or cohesively connected to the box assembly for preventing substantial movement of the floral grouping assemblies during shipment.

Abstract: A test apparatus for testing an electric starter, a solenoid and a key operated switch of a two or four cylinder engine of an outdoor apparatus. The test apparatus includes a component box for removably supporting the key operated switch, the solenoid and the electric starter. When the key operated starter is closed by turning a key, a light indicator provides a visually perceivable output indication indicating the key operated switch functions to properly close. When the solenoid is connected to the power supply, the solenoid provides an audible output indication indicating the solenoid properly is engaged. When the electric starter is connected to the power supply, the electric starter engages and provides an audible and visual output indication indicating the starter properly is engaged or is properly operating.

Abstract: A top-entry check valve having a valve body, a valve cartridge assembly and a removable bonnet utilizes pin fasteners to prevent movement of the valve cartridge assembly in the downstream direction. The valve cartridge assembly includes a seat, a cage, a disc and a pair of downstream extensions. A fastener slot extends through each downstream extension of the valve cartridge assembly and the valve body has a mating opening corresponding to each fastener slot. Insertion of a pin fastener through each fastener slot and into the corresponding mating opening prevents the valve cartridge assembly from moving in the downstream direction. An annular shoulder in the valve body prevents movement of the seat, cage and disc in the upstream direction. The disc has a hinge pin which is cradled in hinge pin supports of the cage to hold the disc in place. Removal of the bonnet allows access to the valve chamber for replacement of the seat, cage, disc or pin fasteners.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for adjusting the air-fuel ratio of a burner in order to minimize the presence of undesirable emissions in exhaust gases of the burner combustion. A burner calibration is performed by selecting a number of calibration points corresponding to burner fuel positions. Air flow is varied for each calibration point as an exhaust gas analyzer determines the content of exhaust gases of the burner combustion. Air settings for optimal combustion are determined for each calibration point and are stored in a programmable logic controller and software. During plant operation, the programmable logic controller and software adjust the air supplied to the combustion of the burner according to the calibration data and the fuel position of the burner.

Abstract: An apparatus for cutting blocks of ice has a frame which defines a feed chute slightly larger than the uncut block of ice. Four saws are mounted to the frame in pairs. Each pair of saws includes two counter rotating, radial saw blades aligned opposite each other and extending toward one another into the feed chute of the frame. To facilitate the transfer of the uncut block of ice into the feed chute, a feed assembly is attached to the frame. A discharge assembly is secured to the frame to assist in removing the cut ice from the frame. The frame is mounted on a stand in an inclined position with the feed assembly higher than the discharge assembly to allow gravity feed of the ice. A gang of blades may be used with the saws in order to cut the block of ice into smaller sized blocks with one pass through the feed chute. The saw blades have carbide-tipped saw teeth to extend the amount of use between resharpening or replacement.

Abstract: An apparatus for pulverizing a surface such as a road bed, parking lot, an interstate shoulder or the like. The apparatus comprises a frame with a cutting means secured thereto. A bidirectional drive and control means is also provided to enable the apparatus to make multiple passes over a surface while in an operating condition without turning the apparatus around. A system for adding liquid to the surface being pulverized may also be included.

Abstract: A game-alarm clock including an electronic clock, an alarm and an electronic game. The electronic game is connected between the electronic clock and the alarm whereby an individual must successfully play the electronic game in order to prevent the alarm from sounding or to turn the alarm sound off.

Abstract: Compositions and methods of the synthesis of hybrid streptokinase with fibrin binding domains based on gene fusion technology. Recombinant DNA methods have been used to fuse gene segments for streptokinase and for fibrin-binding domains and express the fused gene in prokaryotic microorganisms, and the respective expressed protein is subsequently obtained by biotechnologic fermentation for the purpose of use in clinical medicine.

Abstract: A connector assembly for removably holding a glove where the glove has a glove attachment device connected thereto. The connector assembly includes a holder which is foldable at a fold position. A first permanent magnet is connected to one portion of the holder and a second permanent magnet is connected to another portion of the holder. A holder attachment device is connected to the holder. A portion of the holder is removably disposed in a pocket and another portion of the folder extends over a pocket flap and position so that the first and the second permanent magnets are magnetically connected to magnetically connect the holder to the pocket. The glove attachment device is removably connectable to the holder attachment device for removably connecting the glove to the holder.

Abstract: An article and method for shaping a sheet of material around an object such as a flower pot, the article comprising a ring-shaped collar adapted to be secured around the object. The collar may comprise pinch rings or barbed piercing elements, disposed about the periphery of the collar for attaching the sheet of material to the collar, or the collar may be adapted to be secured around at least a portion of the object so that the sheet of material is held between the object and the collar. The article also may be alone for shaping a sheet of material.

Abstract: A swing check valve including a body, a seat ring, a cage ring and a retainer ring. The cage ring supports a disc and the seat ring has a seating portion facing downstream to mate with the disc. The body has an upstream end, a downstream end and a bore interconnecting the upstream and downstream ends. The bore includes an annular shoulder facing downstream toward an annular groove formed in the bore to receive the retainer ring. An annular shoulder on the seat ring mates with the annular shoulder of the bore and the retainer ring engages the cage ring to position the seat ring and cage ring in a medial portion of the bore.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for non-destructively determining fiber volume fraction and resin porosity of a composite material or prepreg wherein the composite material or prepreg is moved between a roller and a roller-transducer housing. A transducer assembly is supported in the roller-transducer housing for propagating two independent acoustic waves through the composite material. A water medium is disposed in the roller-transducer housing. The two acoustic waves are propagated through the water medium, through the thickness of the roller-transducer housing and through the composite material or prepreg. The velocity of each of two acoustic waves, V.sub.1 and V.sub.2, are determined and the thickness of the composite material or prepreg is determined. The fiber volume fraction in resin porosity of the composite material or prepreg are then determined using the velocities V.sub.1 and V.sub.2, the thickness and known parameters of density, elastic modulii of the constituent material and layup sequence.

Abstract: A storage apparatus for storing a necktie which includes a case and a lid with a first and a second tie rod connected to the lid. The case has a case opening which extends through the case forming a storage space. The case has a case length extending between a first and a second end of the case. A base is connected to the second end of the case forming a closed second end. The first and the second tie rods each are connected to the lid and each of the tie rods extends a distance from the lid. The first and the second tie rods each have a rod length which is less than the case length so that the ends of the first and the second rods each are spaced a distance from the base when the lid with the tie rods connected thereto is inserted into the case. The necktie is rolled about the tie rods and stored in the storage space in the case.

Abstract: A flower pot or flower pot cover comprising a base and a skirt connected to an upper end of the base. The base includes a plurality of overlapping folds for providing structural integrity. The skirt includes a plurality of folds which are not connected to provide an overall pleated appearance. Portions of the folds in the skirt are connected and portions of the folds in the skirt are unconnected. In one embodiment, some of the folds in the base are connected and the remaining portions of the folds in the base are unconnected.

Abstract: A method for wrapping a floral grouping wherein a plurality of sheets of material are connected into a pad of sheets of material. The pad has a top sheet of material with the other sheets of material being disposed under the top sheet of material. The floral grouping is placed on the top sheet of material. The top sheet of material is wrapped about a portion of the floral grouping and the top sheet of material and the floral grouping are rolled to wrap the floral grouping in the top sheet of material and simultaneously disconnect the top sheet of material from the pad. The sheets of material are secured about the floral grouping in a wrapped position by an adhesive or cohesive on the sheets of material and the sheets of material are secured in the form of the pad by the adhesive or cohesive materials on the sheet.

Abstract: A device for uprooting trees and brush. The device is ridigly constructed of quarter inch rectangular tubing and comprises a substantially horizontal V-shaped tree engaging member preferably having elongate blades thereon for gripping the trunk of the tree to be uprooted. An upper Y-shaped member, extending over the tree engaging member member, may be included for supporting the upper part of the tree being uprooted. The device is used by attaching it to a truck or tractor or some other suitable vehicle and pushing the tree engaging member against the tree until it is forced out of the ground. The surrounding terrain is relatively undisturbed.