Abstract: A continuous loop reactor system has flow channels in the form of 3-dimensional spirals, defined by a pair of nested vortical walls and vanes which extend from the innermost of the vortical walls towards the outermost wall without contact. The vanes in combination with the vortical walls define a false bottom ditch for treating waste water, particularly for oxidative denitrification. Air exposure is limited to the beginning portion of the spiral flow pattern where the process is still in its aerobic stage. Denitrification is completed in an anoxic stage as waste water progresses further along the pattern. Aeration and motivation are provided by a lift tube/aerator assembly. By employing a false bottom, frictional surface area is decreased and sediment accumulation is eliminated between two vertically adjacent flow paths to provide energy efficient water treatment at low minimum flow rates.

Abstract: A pick-up game includes a plurality of elongated strands each having an identical bead attached to one end. Attached to the other end of each strand is an animal shaped figure of a distinct color. Each strand and its attachments constitute a game piece. The object of the game, which is played by more than one player, is to choose a bead and withdraw the strand to which that bead is attached (from a pile formed from a plurality of game pieces) in the hope of pulling out a game piece that matches the game piece originally selected by each player at the beginning of the game. When a newly selected game piece is dissimilar to the game piece originally selected by the player, the newly selected game piece is returned to the pile taking care not to disturb the random order of the game pieces. The players continue to alternately withdraw game pieces from the pile until one player becomes the winner by being the first to successfully withdraw all the game pieces matching the originally selected game piece.

Abstract: A plant feeder includes a reservoir container, a stand supporting the container, a fluid feed line, and a flow control valve. The reservoir container provides a source of fluid nourishment for feeding plants, and includes an outlet for dispensing the fluid nourishment, and an inlet which provides aeration. The stand supports the reservoir container through a releasable securing mechanism, such as a lattice harness. The stand includes mutually adjustable vertical supports, a stand foot, and a reservoir support. The feed line is attached on one end to the outlet of the reservoir container. The flow control valve is disposed in the feed line to provide controlled meter dosing of fluid nourishment from the container, and may be adjustably attached through a casing and lateral supports to the stand. A control valve with a flexible valve line and an impinging annular ring adjusted through a radial pin structure is described.