Abstract: Distilling tube apparatus for converting salt water such as sea water into fresh water is provided. The apparatus includes a first tube through which a feed stream of heated salt water is caused to flow, the first tube being constructed of a porous material which is both water-vapor permeable and liquid water impermeable, which tube allows water vapor to permeate through its walls thereof when heated salt water flows therethrough, the vapor then condensing outside of the first tube upon cooling of the vapor thereat. This first tube is preferably constructed of porous, expanded polytetrafluoroethylene. A second tube oriented in generally parallel relationship and in close proximity to the first tube is provided through which cooling water is caused to flow. The cooling water is maintained at a temperature lower than that of the heated salt water, thereby resulting in a lowering of the temperature of the surroundings of the second tube and providing an enhanced driving force for distillation of the salt water.

Abstract: A liquid-like dispersion, pourable at room temperature, for use as a flame retardant for polymers, is provided. The dispersion has relatively low viscosity, is pumpable and dust-free and, when introduced during processing of thermoplastics, paints, rubber, thermoplastic elastomers and the like, provides flame retardancy to the finished product. The dispersion comprises a flame retardant solid powder dispersed in a liquid carrier, the dispersion containing 1 to 3 weight percent of a hyperdispersant. Preferably the solid powder is antimony oxide or a mixture of antimony oxide and another particulate solid such as an aromatic halogenated flame retardant powder or a powdered lead stabilizer.

Abstract: Improved skimmer apparatus for use in dissolved air floatation basins employed in water purification and waste water treatment plants is provided. The invention includes centrally positioned, longitudinal guide rails affixed to the basin and two or more interconnected reciprocating carriages, each carriage having a skimmer blade affixed thereto, the carriages being moveably mounted on the rails. At the effluent end of the basin is an upwardly shaped ramp, and the carriage nearest in proximity to the ramp has a ramp profile duplicating mechanism pivotally mounted to it.

Abstract: A multiple unit wok apparatus is provided for simultaneously cooking separate ingredients and, when cooked, the ingredients can be easily mixed together if desired. The individual wok units are attached together.

Abstract: A chair leg fastener is provided for use in securing wooden chair legs and/or backs to the seat of chairs. The fastener effectively prevents the loosening of the joint between the chair seat and leg as a result of temperature or humidity changes, is simple to install, is economical and provides essentially permanent fastening.

Abstract: A crab trap is provided having an open configuration prior to trapping a crab and into which a crab can crawl to retrieve bait placed therein, the trap also having a closed configuration for trapping a crab therein. The trap has a generally rectangular frame assembly comprising a base frame having two hollow bottom side connecting tubes and two hollow bottom end connecting tubes connected at their corners by corner elbow connectors. A plurality of hollow vertical corner posts is inserted in the corner elbow connectors and is three dimensionally perpendicular to the rectangular frame. The vertical corner posts each have a longitudinal opening extending from the lower end of the vertical corner post to the approximate center point of the vertical corner post along the length of the vertical corner post. The bottom side connecting tubes, bottom end connecting tubes and vertical corner posts all contain a plurality of openings to permit water to flow through.

Abstract: A material for use in fabric which has a liquid barrier layer and a noxious gas barrier layer in which the noxious gas barrier layer comprises solid particulate and a netting that protects the solid particulate.

Abstract: A flexible housing for use as a cable management system for a submarine mast is capable of flexing in a plane between predetermined limits. It comprises a conduit contained within a flexible outer jacket and formed of a plurality of abutting segments, each having an opening therethrough and forming a passage for containing transmission cables or lines. Each segment has a first pair of butting surfaces at each end on one side of the passage and a second pair of butting surfaces at the other side of the passage which prevent flexing of the housing beyond predetermined limits. The segments are coupled together by a pair of endless ligament loops which pass through channels in the segments and over pulleys at each end of the housing. The segments are of bi-concave and bi-convex complementary configurations arranged alternately along the length of the conduit.

Abstract: A multiple unit wok apparatus is provided for simultaneously cooking several separate ingredients and, when cooked, the ingredients from each wok bowl can be easily mixed together if desired. The individual wok units are attached together. The individual wok units each have mating lids which, when in place, mate with each wok bowl and form a sealing covering over the bowls.

Abstract: Portable exercise apparatus adaptable to fit a chair is provided. The apparatus comprises, in combination: (1) a back support removeably attachable to the backrest of a conventional chair; (2) at least one elongate extension member removeably and adjustably affixed to the back support such that the extension member extends through a point of reference located at a desired height on an imaginary vertical line which essentially bisects the backrest of the chair, the extension member extending through the point of reference and outwardly therefrom within a substantially vertical plane containing the line, the plane being parallel to and adjacent to the backrest of the chair, the outward end of the extension member having attached thereto, (3) a resistance mechanism to create resistance against movement, the resistance mechanism being engageable by a limb of a person when sitting in the chair.

Abstract: An improved stripline cable is provided wherein porous, expanded polytetrafluoroethylene having continuous openings therethrough is disposed between sets of substantially parallel electrical conductors and having a covering on both sides thereof holding the conductors in place. The covering is preferably of a fluororesin. Each set of conductors can be a signal conductor having a smaller cross-sectional area, i.e. small width or diameter, and a ground conductor having a larger cross-sectional area. The cable as aforesaid can also have an electromagnetic shielding material laminated to the outer sides of the covering.

Abstract: A composite, porous, liquid-permeable article is provided which is a multilayer structure of discrete, bonded layers of porous, expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (EPTFE). The composite has its interior and exterior surfaces coated with a perfluoro ion exchange polymer to render the composite hydrophilic so as to resist gas locking in aqueous media. Initially, the diaphragm may also contain a water-soluble surfactant to assist in initial water penetration into the pores of the composite. An improved electrolytic cell is provided having the composite diaphragm as the porous separator in the electrolysis of alkali halide solutions. The diaphragm is also useful as an improved filter medium.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for precisely joining two sections of dielectric waveguides to form a waveguide joint, wherein such waveguides comprise a dielectric core, preferably of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), one or more layers of dielectric cladding, preferably of PTFE, wrapped around the core, and one or more shielding layers wrapped around the cladding. A precise joint is provided wherein the two joined sections of waveguide are precisely oriented axially, radially and rotationally with respect to each other.

Abstract: A multilayer circuit board is provided having an inner porous fluororesin layer containing electrical circuits, a ground conductor layer located adjacent the fluororesin layer on one side thereof and a power supply conductor layer located adjacent the fluororesin layer on the other side thereof, and a reinforcing, solid plastic dielectric layer adjacent each conductor layer and being external to the inner fluororesin layer. In an alternate embodiment, the multilayer circuit board may have a plurality of inner porous fluororesin layers, at least one fluororesin layer containing electrical circuits, and may have ground conductors and power supply conductors adjacent each fluororesin layer, and reinforcing, solid plastic dielectric layers on the outermost surfaces of the circuit board assembly. The ground and power supply conductor layers extend over the entire surfaces, respectively, of the inner fluororesin layers.

Abstract: A flexible housing, for use in protecting one or more transmission lines in a pressurized environment comprises a conduit (10) contained within a protective outer jacekt (16). The conduit (10) is constructed of a plurality of conduit segments (18a and 18b), each segment having an opening (28) therethrough, the segments (18a and 18b) being arranged in series and caused to abut adjacent segments in such a way that the opening (28) through each segment (18a and 18b) is in communication with the openings through each of the adjacent segments so as to provide a passage to contain a microwave transmission line. Each segment (18a and 18b) is flexibly linked to its adjacent segments by coupling means (34).