Abstract: An initial chemical composition comprising selected surfactants, dispersants, and degreasers that liquefy, disperse, demulsify, degrease, inhibit corrosion and scale formation, and lower the pour point of a petroleum, coal, Fischer-Tropsch synthesized, or naturally occurring paraffin-based wax and asphaltene. Such a product is capable of converting crystalline wax (paraffin) in, for example, slop oil into an amorphous form of wax at room temperature, allowing the wax to be dissolved in, for example, crude oil without the need for heating, and maintaining it in solution at room temperature, substantially reducing, indeed in some applications, preventing, for example, wax build-up in pipelines, processing and transportation equipment, etc., and the recovery of the hydrocarbons in the slop oil. In a second aspect of the invention, the pre-blend addition of a hydrotrope-demulsifier, a chelating agent and a wax plasticizer can result in a BS&W of zero for the recovered hydrocarbon blend.

Abstract: A high heat producing system which encapsulates a deflected rotating laser beam in a chamber and propagates it through a gaseous medium within the chamber. The heat energy of the deflected rotating laser beam agitates the molecules of the gaseous medium such that the temperature of the gaseous medium increases to at least about two thousand (2000° F.) degrees Fahrenheit, thereby increasing the temperature of the high heat producing device. In the preferred embodiment, the high heat producing device is in direct heat transfer with a working fluid in an expansion chamber for powering, for example, a turbine or the like.

Abstract: A “safe delivery”SM system for delivering perishable groceries (120/120′), including an inexpensive, corrugated cardboard box (100); a source of cold (or heat as needed) maintaining the temperature inside the box within a desired temperature range for hours, using an all encompassing pouch of packet material (110/10), used individually (FIGS. 2 & 3) or collectively (FIGS. 5 & 6), with each packet (17) containing a super-absorbent polymer (14, FIG. 12) which is hydrated (14′, FIG. 12A) and then either frozen (e.g., in a freezer) or heated (e.g., in a microwave), without producing moisture as the polymer returns to its natural state; a protective cover (130) protecting the box and its contents from heat radiation (e.g., sunlight). Other components (e.g.

Abstract: A massive choke coil [e.g. exceeding about three henries, with at least a thousand turns and a relatively low internal resistance of about eleven ohms] placed in parallel with the A/C line, that is, preferably across the A/C line's “hot” and “common” lines, quenching the reflected signal (or back emf) that is developed when any power amplifier or other load places its demands upon the incoming A/C power line. Due to its electromagnetic characteristics, the choke tends to provide a momentary high current source of energy when needed by, e.g., a power amplifier (or other appropriate load) when transient demand is called for. The parallel choke approach tends to have a reversing effect on this signal, at least substantially reducing its presence on the A/C line, providing a greatly enhanced A/C power line signal quality, without which the otherwise untreated signals are able to modulate the A/C line.

Abstract: A computing device to classify, manipulate, store, search, and selectively retrieve items from image databases, using a method & apparatus including a computer processor to analyze the configured disposition of a multiplicity of linear motion paths that constitute a glyph delineated within a defined planar rendering area and to process, manipulate, and compare data representing said configured disposition of said linear motion paths, comprising (a) a template analytic lattice constituted of a predetermined multiplicity of cell partitions, the totality of the analytic lattice being coextensive with the defined rendering area of the glyph and in the plane of motion of the linear motion paths of the glyph; (b) means of interpreting each linear motion path as a sequence of displacement vectors, determining which displacement vectors intersect specific boundaries of specific cells of the analytic lattice, and registering each cell boundary intersection by both recording the intersecting vector inclination grad

Abstract: A sling (10, 10′, FIGS. 1-3) for lifting a heavy work piece (e.g. a pipe section; FIGS. 5, 6), including a single strap made of flexible, in-elastic fabric material over-lappingly converging upon itself to form a top strap member and a bottom strap member to form a two-ply strap member; a first, integral, eye-loop end; a second, integral eye-loop end; at least one, intermediately spaced, bi-directional loop (50, 150a-d) coupled to the two-ply strap member between the first and second, eye-loop ends. Each bi-directional loop serves to distribute suspension stresses in two directions, longitudinally, along the lifting sling when used to complete the closed lifting loop and distribute pulling forces in either of two directions, longitudinally, along the sling when pulled in any or either longitudinal direction. Additionally, since crane time is very expensive to operate, a sling system which can accommodate the lifting of a plurality of heavy pipes or other heavy objects simultaneously is provided (FIGS.

Abstract: A chemical composition comprising selected surfactants, dispersants, and degreasers that liquefy, disperse, demulsify, degrease, inhibit corrosion and scale formation, and lower the pour point of a petroleum, coal, Fischer-Tropsch synthesized, or naturally occurring paraffin-based wax and asphaltene. The composition preferably contains (1) a mixture of oil soluble, surface active polyethoxylated compounds; (2) a mixture of organic solvents (non-hydrocarbon) used as degreasing agents, pine oil, and butyl cellusolve; (3) a mixture of oil- and water-soluble dispersing copolymers of partially sulfonated, maleic anhydride and polystyrene with a molecular weight ranging from about 2,000 to about 2,000,000; and (4) a mixture of saturated higher fatty acids and an alkyl-phenolic based compound acting as corrosion inhibitors.

Abstract: An extended, box-like, metal, industrial size, insulated container (1/101, two embodiments disclosed, FIGS. 1-1G & FIGS. 2A-2D) including a rigid, structural framework (12/13) for safely and reliably transporting and/or storing relatively large quantities of temperature sensitive items (food, medical supplies, ice, human corpses, etc.) over a long distance (e.g., from an on-shore food center to an offshore platform) and/or for a substantial period of time (7+days), useful for such delivery/storage and in emergencies, disasters, etc. The container includes at its ends a structurally protected, enclosed equipment section (2/102), which includes all operating machinery (e.g. compressor, motor, fuel tank, control mechanisms, etc., in isolated sub-compartments) and associated equipment, and a freezer/cooler section (3/103A-103B) for the temperature sensitive items. The second embodiment includes two, separate, freezer and cooler sections (103A/103B) with separate, side doors (105A/105B).

Abstract: A moving system (1) made up of a number of separable but intergratable parts and platform sections (10-90/110-190), including an elastically biased, pivoted, integral end ramp section (10) which is moved down allowing the load (e.g. a copier with “convenience casters”) to be rolled up onto platform sections (40 & 50/140 & 150) for movement from one location to another. Also included are additional parts or sections—in one embodiment or the other a supplemental ramp piece (120), usually stored on the exterior side of the ramp end section (110) when not in use but connectable to the end of the main ramp section to extend the effective ramping distance; a protective pad (30/130) for the ramp end section; a first platform section (40/140); a second platform section (50/150), an auxiliary, pivoting, intermediate braking support member (160); a handle end section (70/170); an extendible handle (80/180); and an interconnecting, ninety (90°) degree, leg section (90/190).

Abstract: A hydratable packet pad (10) comprising a series of spaced, packet cells (17) made up of a backing sheet (11), preferably of an impervious plastic sheet material, e.g., polyester film, and an upper, porous, sheet (12) permeable to water, of, for example, non-woven polypropylene without any additive(s), with a tacky sealant (13), [e.g., 22.5% ethylene-methyl-acrylate (EMA)], used to affix and seal the two sheets together in a process forming the cells and to initially hold the polymer powder in the cell areas, which are initially deposited on the film in a squat cone, prior to the cells being formed. Within each cell of the packet is a superabsorbent polymeric material (14) of a multiply-cross-linked polymer, for example, a doubly cross-linked sodium polyacrylate polymer. The superabsorbent material also preferably includes no alcohol (OH) functional groups, and the sheeting materials preferably contain no cellulose materials.

Abstract: A binder assembly system, without a metal spine but only paper or paper-like material at its channel spine (15), for binding together a series of sheet materials (20), using an “hard cover” book-like, single-piece binding cover (10), made up of a number of main, structural parts, including two, side boards (11A & 11B), a sheet (12) of book covering material, and a centrally located, special paper spine element (13), with an internal, paper cover (14) which over-lies the combined width of the side boards and the paper spine element, all of which when combined together form the book-like binder cover using pre-heating and forming step(s). The various cover parts are pre-assembled together in their respective positions. The channel area of the cover is first pre-heated to facilitate forming in the range from about one hundred and fifty to four hundred (˜150-400) degrees Fahrenheit and dwell times from about two to about thirty (˜2-30) seconds.

Abstract: Implements for attaching to a hand-held, powered “Weed-Eater” type device to perform various work or chores (filament cutting, blade cutting, brushing, blowing, mixing, etc.). After disconnecting the device's original implement typically a spool of filament (6) with a bumper feed (7), an initial, cultivator/cutter implement (10), cylindrical in shape with a substantially solid, circular top (12) and a relatively thin, continuous wall of constant thickness, is attached by an appropriate threaded member (e.g. a nut or bolt, usually with one or more washers) to the bottom end of the powered device (FIGS. 1A-D) through a central opening (13). The cultivator's top includes a series of circumferentially spaced, “snap-in” openings (14; e.g. two or more) through and into which other implements (e.g. those of FIGS. 3-20) can be attached (FIGS.

Abstract: A trash container system, particularly for marine pleasure craft, for disposing of refuse wherein the trash container system comprises a trash bag holding device having laterally projecting extensions and a trash receptacle having a resilient, elastomeric, inlet mouth at its top, couplable to the trash bag holding device about and over the lateral extensions, and a sealable (e.g. zippered), refuse expelling outlet at its bottom. The resilient elastomeric inlet mouth functions to (1) securely couple the trash receptacle to the trash bag holding device via the collapsible elastomeric properties of the resilient elastomeric inlet mouth; (2) hold refuse in the trash receptacle; and (3) expand, easily and effortlessly, to receive therethrough refuse having a myriad of dimensions and shapes.

Abstract: A choke coil [e.g exceeding about three (3) henries] placed in parallel with the A/C line, that is, preferably across the A/C line's “hot” and “common” lines, quenching the reflected signal (or back emf) that is developed when any power amplifier or other load places it's demands upon the incoming A/C power line. Due to its electromagnetic characteristics, the choke tends to provide a momentary high current source of energy when needed by, e.g., a power amplifier (or other appropriate load) when transient demand is called for. The invention's parallel choke approach, due to the fact that it must be magnetically charged by electricity [either from the A/C line or back electromotive force (emf) from it's load] tends to have a reversing effect on this signal, preventing, eliminating or at least substantially reducing it's presence on the A/C line, thereby providing a greatly enhanced A/C power line signal quality for the load.

Abstract: A hull design with a maximally narrowed lower hull comprised of a stepped inboard chine and a concave centerline section resulting in the center of buoyancy and center of gravity preferably being in the same longitudinal position. The narrow lower hull optimally reduces the wetted surface area required, thereby reducing power requirements, fuel costs, and increasing speed potential. Exemplary dimensions for a forty-five (45′) foot hull are disclosed. The hull has a much deeper transverse step (note FIG. 3) to more effectively exploit the potential advantages of internal chines and lifting strakes, which deeper transverse step effectively achieves a bi-modal hull form—displacement and planing. The hull form consistently achieves and maintains the flow separation needed to assure the low surface area needed for minimum planing resistance and minimum sea wave impact acceleration.

Abstract: A moving system (1/101) made up of a number of separable but intergratable parts and platform sections (10-90/110-190), including an elastically biased, pivoted, integral end ramp section (10) which can be pivoted and moved down to allow the load (e.g. a copier with "convenience casters") to be rolled up onto platform sections (40 & 50/140 & 150) for movement from one location to another. The moving system also includes the following additional parts or sections--in one embodiment or the other a supplemental ramp piece (120) which is usually stored on the exterior side of the ramp end section (110) when not in use but is connectable to the end of the main ramp section to extend the effective ramping distance; a protective pad (30/130) for the ramp end section; a first platform section (40/140); a second platform section (50/150), as well as an auxiliary, pivoting, intermediate braking support member (160); a handle end section (70/170); an extendible handle (80/180); and an interconnecting, ninety (90.degree.

Abstract: A system for detecting the presence of smoke within a building and providing means to remove the smoke, into the airspace above the ceiling thereby preventing or at least alleviating smoke inhalation, property damage, and allowing more time for the safe evacuation from the premises. The system is comprised of a conventional smoke detector which activates control means for raising and lowering a generally planar panel which is installed in a ceiling. Smoke is removed from the airspace below the ceiling to the airspace above the ceiling. An optional fan, remote fan relay, exhaust vent and back draft damper further aid in the exhausting of the smoke from the building. A fusible link in the control means protects the ceiling fire rating.

Abstract: A high heat producing system which transforms a alternating current or a pulsating direct current having a relatively low voltage such as one hundred and ten (110v) volts to a very high electric volt arc wherein the very high electric volt arc has a base temperature of, preferably, at least two thousand (2,000.degree. F.) degrees Fahrenheit. A very high electric volt arc is created and encapsulated in a chamber and is propagated through a fuel medium within such chamber to a rotating arc mobilizer. The heat energy of the very high electric volt arc increases the temperature of the fuel medium to further increase the temperature of the high heat producing system. In the preferred embodiment, the high heat producing system is in direct heat transfer with a working fluid in an expansion chamber for powering a turbine or the like.

Abstract: A concealed joint construction system for installing and securing sheet material such as laminated plastic wall boards, plywood and the like for finishing off bathtub and/or shower walls, counter-tops and back-splashes, and the like. The joint construction system includes an extending channel attached to one wallboard via multiple teeth sunk into matching grooves cut out of the wallboards edge. An adjacent wallboard can be easily and quickly inserted into the extending channel and is secured by pressure flanges perforated from the wall of the channel. The joint construction system is easily installed, secure, and compact, and is completely invisible after installation.

Abstract: An automated florist system, including an associated cooler (20, FIG. 1) and order taking control unit (22, FIG. 2) for automated vending and order placements specifically for flowers and gift items. The system, with the control unit being pre-programmed using appropriate logic (FIG. 3), allows a walk-up or drive-up customer to select from a variety of pre-made flower arrangements from discrete cells equipped with the necessary refrigeration for immediate purchase, or, alternatively, a selection may be made, and information entered, for remote delivery at a specified time and place (note displayed "order form" of FIG. 5). Further, the operating, host florist of the vending system can remotely monitor and conduct all business with the vending machine from the operating florist's shop (FIG. 4), with the sole exception of stocking the machine with items for immediate purchase; while the sending of an order to an affiliated florist for a distant delivery is fully automated; see FIG. 6.