Abstract: The invention is related to water vending systems for the automatic dispensing of purified water from a machine which is preferably activated by coin or other form of payment. Reverse osmosis filtration of local water together with other water treatment operations is used to improve the quality of the vended water. Stagnation of stored permeate is automatically prevented to assure the freshness of dispensed water. The system is designed to reduce the frequency of servicing and the life of components without decreasing the quality of the vended water. In one embodiment the vending system comprises control means for automatically dumping the filtered water stored in a tank in the system if there has not been at least a predetermined number of vends of water within a predetermined period of time. After the storage tank has been dumped the drain is automatically closed and fresh filtered water is produced to refill the storage tank.

Abstract: A gel-forming composition is provided comprising a first substance selected from the group consisting of a polyvinyl alcohol, a polyvinyl alcohol copolymer, and mixtures thereof, glutaraldehyde, and water, and which does not require a separately provided acidic catalyst to crosslink and form a gel. The gel-forming composition is useful for retarding the flow of fluids in subterranean formations. For example, a method is provided for retarding the flow of water in high permeability channels in an oil reservoir. Such method is particularly useful in waterflood operations to increase the sweep efficiency of the oil recovery process. Since these gels have very good stability at elevated temperature they can be used in reservoirs having an average in situ temperature of 80.degree. C. or higher.

Abstract: A composite structure is disclosed which is especially useful as a sidewall for trailers. The structure, however, because it is very strong can be used for end walls, roofs or floors and even prefabricated housing. The composite structure provides all the advantages of wood framing and aluminum framing and has good raking characteristics. A method of producing the structure is also disclosed which can be used in a production line assembly operation.

Abstract: This invention is for an apparatus and method for automatically forming unitary bonded board structures from a source of boards and a single continuous piece of tape. In one embodiment of this invention board pairs are automatically fed into the machine. In another embodiment a gusset is automatically formed in the unitary bonded board structure without scoring the tape. The method and machine operate automatically on the boards and tape for the most part in an in-line arrangement travelling along a horizontal plane in one direction that is about thirty inches off the floor so that the entire operation can be observed and controlled by a single operator.

Abstract: A filtering device includes a head intended to be permanently installed in a fluid dispensing machine and a disposable canister therefor. A central chamber is formed in the head which chamber is in communication with an inlet port and an outlet port for receiving an unfiltered liquid and supplying a filtered liquid, respectively. The disposable canister has a flask shaped main body with a flat top and a neck of substantially uniform diameter on the top. The neck fits in the central chamber. A tube extending through the neck defines an annular clearance between the tube and the interior of the neck which annular clearance is in fluid communication with the inlet port. The opening into the tube located at the top of the neck is in fluid communication with the outlet port in the head. A pair of tab receptacle on the head and a complementary pair of tabs on the canister are engageable with one another by 1/4 rotation of the canister to lock the canister to the head.

Abstract: An acidizing composition and method for slowly dissolving siliceous material by the slow production of very low concentrations of hydrofluoric acid is provided by this invention. The continual generation of very low concentrations of hydrofluoric acid is accomplished by the hydrolysis of hexafluorotitanate-containing compounds. The acidizing composition is particularly useful and advantageous for the solubilization of siliceous clay in or adjacent the pores of subterranean hydrocarbon formations thereby increasing the permeability of said formations. Because of the very low concentration of hydrofluoric acid in the acidizing composition solubilization of siliceous clay deposits is possible at relatively large distances from the point of injection into the formation, for acidizing formations which are too sensitive for more reactive acidizing compositions, for acidizing formations containing chlorite clays, and/or for acidizing formations having an elevated temperature including formation temperatures of 125.

Abstract: This invention is a nozzle system for use on a water craft and in particular a water craft such as a jet ski. A jet ski is a small engine powered surface water craft, usually designed for one person usage, and generally having a small aft deck suitable for standing on by the user. Heretofore, nozzles used on jet skis were pivotally mounted and were used solely to propel or to propel and steer the craft in the water. This invention is for a modified nozzle that additionally produces a small but substantial secondary jet of water directed upwards that breaks through the surface of the water behind the craft and produces a "rooster tail" effect which adds to the safety, excitement and pleasure of the user and produces a spectacular water display that is enjoyed by those observing the craft and its user in action.

Abstract: A gel-forming composition is provided comprising a first substance selected from the group consisting of a polyvinyl alcohols, polyvinyl alcohol copolymers, and mixtures thereof, a second substance selected from the group consisting of aldehydes, aldehyde generating substances, acetals, acetal generating substances, and mixtures thereof capable of crosslinking with the first substance through the formation of acetal crosslinkages, and water, and which requires contacting with a sorbed substance or brine which has sorbed substantial amounts of carbon dioxide before the gel-forming composition will form a gel. The gel-forming composition is useful for retarding the flow of carbon dioxide and other fluids in subterranean formations. For example, a method is provided for preventing the loss of carbon dioxide to nonproductive parts of an oil reservoir.

Abstract: A gel-forming composition is provided comprising a PVA based substance selected from the group consisting of a polyvinyl alcohol, a polyvinyl alcohol copolymer, and mixtures thereof, an aldehyde operable for crosslinking with the PVA based substance, and water. The gel-forming composition is useful for reducing steam channeling in subterranean formations. For example, a method is provided for diverting the flow of injected steam in nonproductive steam channels in an oil reservoir during waterflood and steam cycling operations.

Abstract: A polyvinyl alcohol-aldehyde gel having a high water content and low degree of crosslinking is provided which has improved stability. The gel can be used to retard the flow of water in subterranean formation encountered in hydrocarbon production. One embodiment of the invention provides a method of forming the gel in-situ in the pores of subterranean zones thereby retarding or blocking the flow of water therein.

Abstract: A gel-forming composition is provided comprising a PVA based substance selected from the group consisting of a polyvinyl alcohol, a polyvinyl alcohol copolymer, and mixtures thereof, aldehyde, and water. The gel-forming compositions are preheated to effect a predetermined amount of partial crosslinking of the PVA based substance and the aldehyde thereby enabling a lower aldehyde concentration to be used which in turn produces a more stable gel. The gel-forming compositions are useful for retarding the flow of fluids in subterranean formations. For example, for retarding the flow of water in high permeability channels in oil reservoirs. The gels and method of use herein provided are particularly useful in waterflood operations to increase the sweep efficiency of the oil recovery process.

Abstract: A polyvinyl alcohol-aldehyde gel having a high water content and low degree of crosslinking is provided which has improved stability. The gel can be used to retard the flow of water in subterranean formations encountered in hydrocarbon production. One embodiment of the invention provides a method of forming the gel in-situ in the pores of subterranean zones thereby retarding or blocking the flow of water therein.