Abstract: In one embodiment, a system for removing a plastic wrap from a cylindrical module includes a conveyor transporting the cylindrical module toward a disperser with the cylindrical axis of the module parallel to the direction of conveyor movement. In another embodiment, the disperser is a travelling head disperser thereby providing relative movement between the modules and the disperser. The direction of the wrap around the module is determined and the cover is removed during rotation of the module, either by unwrapping the plastic or by slitting the plastic and then rotating the module. The equipment used to handle a cylindrical module is moved out of the path of movement of a conventional rectangular module so an installation can handle both rectangular and wrapped cylindrical modules.

Abstract: Liquid aluminum is sprayed as a fine mist onto an alloyed iron article to produce a thin tenacious non-corrodible layer. In some embodiments, air is heated and delivered through insulated tubing to a container having solid aluminum therein. In some embodiments the air is heated by an electric induction coil. In some embodiments, the container is heated independently of the heated air. In some embodiments, the container is heated by an electric induction coil.

Abstract: A seed cotton dryer comprises an array of electromagnetic wave energy generators in a cotton gin and a cotton picker/stripper. An appropriate amount of energy is used to evaporate a considerable amount of moisture in the seed cotton without producing enough energy to pop the cotton seeds. Seed cotton dried by wave energy is much easier to separate the cotton seeds and lint from leaves, stems and other plant parts. The seed cotton is preferably transported through the dryer in a conduit having flat sides which reflects the wave energy more efficiently than through a round conduit. Provisions are made to prevent arcing in the transport conduit when extraneous metal pieces are inadvertently mixed with the seed cotton. In some embodiments, heated air from a diesel engine is used to dry crops as they are being harvested.

Abstract: A bottom snagging sinker kit includes a retaining ring, a series of anchor wires and a nose. Rather than manufacture a wide range of specially designed sinkers having weights of different size, a bottom snagging sinker is assembled from the kit by using a standard sinker weight of the type having a passage therethrough. A fisherman or other person may assemble the sinker by connecting the retaining ring to the sinker weight with a connector, such as a cotter pin. The anchor wires are assembled to the nose or between the nose and the retaining ring. The nose is then attached to the retaining ring. When the sinker is cast into water, the sinker descends to the bottom where the anchor wires are aimed generally at the fisherman to minimize movement of the sinker. When the fisherman pulls on the fishing line, the anchor wires deflect to a position allowing easy retrieval of the sinker.

Abstract: A system for removing plastic wrapping from round cotton modules includes a gantry having a stationary base located in front of a disperser. A separate conveyor between the gantry and the disperser receives unwrapped round cotton modules from the gantry. Because the gantry is stationary while the disperser digests an upstream module, a gap is created between the upstream module and the module being unwrapped. This gap is closed up when the most recently unwrapped module is placed on the separate conveyor which is driven at a high rate of speed to abut, nor nearly abut, the modules.

Abstract: An onshore oil or gas well is completed with a coiled tubing unit. A completion liquid is circulated through coiled tubing and thereby removing solids from the well. The completion liquid and drilled solids pass into a tank where the solids are removed and the cleansed completion liquid is redelivered into the well. In some embodiments, drilled solids from the completion liquid are dewatered to a suitable extent in the tank and dumped into a bin where they are mixed with cotton motes to sorb any free liquid. In some embodiments, drilled solids from drilling an onshore subterranean well are mixed with cotton motes to sorb free liquid. The mixture of cotton motes and drilled solids are disposed of in a manner consistent with appropriate regulations, as by delivery to a commercial landfill, which may be either privately or municipally owned.

Abstract: The eyes of a contact lens wearer are protected from the effects of a liquid disinfecting solution by providing a contact lens container having a catalyst therein and a container of the disinfecting solution of unusual design. The openings of the contact lens container and the solution container are configured so only the contact lens container is able to receive solution from the solution container. This prevents the user from directly removing disinfecting solution from the solution container and thereby prevents the user from directly applying the disinfecting solution to the eye.

Abstract: An electrical storage device comprises a capacitor or capacitor bank capable of storing significant quantities of electricity. An inverter in circuit with the capacitor converts direct energy of the capacitor into alternating current. A variable ratio transformer is in circuit with the output of the inverter to produce an alternating current output of controlled voltage. The impedance of the transformer acts to prolong discharge of the capacitor over a significant time period. To further control the rate of discharge of the energy storage capacitor, an additional capacitor may be provided in the transformer circuit.

Abstract: A bird feeder comprises a feed container, a connector having an open passage therethrough, a feeding tray, a funnel and a collection container. The feeding tray includes a sleeve into which the connector extends to provide a self refilling feed mound from which birds eat. Discarded seeds and seed hulls fall into the funnel and into the collection container. The feeding tray includes a disk located below an upper edge of the funnel to maximize collection of seed hulls and discarded seeds. In some embodiments, the feeding tray is pivotally attached to the connector.

Abstract: A stabilizer assembly is at least 12? long and preferably at least 14? long and is used to drill a straight bore hole in the earth. A central passage through the assembly closely follows a centerline as may be determined by measuring the wall thickness of the tube at a variety of locations in a single plane. At least three stabilizing sections are integral with the tube and include alternating ribs and flutes. Hardbanding on the ribs is ground down to tolerances with a grinding machine or face plate lathe having centers sufficient to receive the 12? long stabilizer assembly.

Abstract: A control system for a bank of analytical instruments operates the instruments as a group rather than singly. The system includes an autoloader at a sample preparation station into which an individual loads sample vials of unknown material. A second autoloader provides sample vials of known material that can be used to calibrate instruments. A computer controls the autoloader and a conveyor system to deliver a selected one of the vials to a selected instrument. The conveyor system includes a group of distributors, typically in series, to deliver a vial to any one of a large group of instruments. The conveyor system is preferably a pneumatic system including a receiver and technique for slowing the vials down when they approach the receiver. The receiver is positioned to deliver the vial to an autoinjector of the instrument. A computer monitors and communicates with the analytical instrument to obtain inputs to control components of the system.

Abstract: A conveyor delivers a series of cylindrical wrapped fibrous modules to a station where the module is lifted off the conveyor and an operation conducted on the module. One operation is to find a tail, or unattached segment, of the cover. Another operation is to remove the cover, by slitting and then unwinding it. The cover is delivered to a storage area and the contents of the module are delivered into a hopper, or in some embodiments, into a disperser. In some embodiments, a grabber moves the slit cover from adjacent a slitting position to a storage area and includes a guide wheel for moving a conveyor up and down in response to the configuration of the round module. In one embodiments, the plastic cover is removed manually by workers guiding the plastic wrap as it is unrolled by the unrolling device.

Abstract: A hunting vehicle incorporates a roll cage having a tubular frame member. A gun rest incorporates a standard mounted on the tubular frame member and provides a support moveable up and down on the standard between a plurality of supporting positions. The standard is mounted on the frame member so a hunter may place a rifle on the support to steady the hunter's aim. The standard is mounted on the tubular member for easy rotation by the hunter so the hunter may aim in a wide arc without unfastening or loosening any fasteners and without moving the vehicle.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a specialty wrench has a handle that is movable from a first position where the wrench acts as a conventional pipe or Stillson wrench and a second position where the handle is inclined, perhaps as much as 90°. The wrench can be used to start rotation of a valve wheel. After the valve wheel has been broken or started, the wrench handle is pivoted to a position where the valve wheel may be continuously rotated to either its open or closed position. In another embodiment, the jaw end of the wrench is angularly adjustable about a longitudinal axis so the wrench has another mode of operation, i.e. where the wrench may be used on conventional threaded connections.

Abstract: A pipeline stop is used to temporarily plug a pipeline to allow repairs to the pipeline. The pipeline stop includes lateral sections expanded into a sealing position blocking flow through the pipeline. A central section is moved downwardly to expand the lateral sections. Inclined links transfer force from the central section to the lateral sections. As the central section moves downwardly, the links move from a first inclined position to a second, more nearly horizontal, position. Upward movement of the central section allows the lateral sections to retract, typically by use of springs.

Abstract: A collection tool that allows retrieval and storage of pine cones by a user while maintaining an erect posture. The tool provides an elongate tubular body having manipulative handles at its upper end portion and first connecting means to attach entry structure at its lower end portion. The entry structure provides an annular rim with second connecting means to interconnect the body and carries radially inwardly extending triangular-like fingers formed of resiliently deformable polymeric material having retentent memory. Pine cones may enter through the entry structure responsive to downwardly directed force on the collection tool but are prevented from exiting to be collected in the body channel for mass disposition.

Abstract: A screen assembly for a conventional vibratory screening machine includes a series of screens bonded to a rigid rectangular metal frame having rectangular tubular frame members and at least two and no more than ten intermediate frame members. This leaves a series of permeable areas through the screen assembly that are in the range of 2-32% of the overall area of the screen assembly. The screens include an upper fine mesh screen which passes particles below a predetermined size and rejects particles above this size. A second or blinding screen, below the first screen, acts to dislodge particles caught in the mesh of the first screen. A load bearing assembly supports the first and second screens and includes a first support screen coarser than the screens above it, a bonding layer and a second support screen coarser than the first support screen.

Abstract: A plunger lift for a hydrocarbon well includes a piston that is dropped into the well and then moved upwardly to lift liquid to the surface from adjacent a hydrocarbon formation. The piston includes a series of pads biased outwardly into engagement with an inside wall of the production string thereby providing an improved seal between the piston and the production string. The pads are biased outwardly by pressure from below or a pressure differential that is moving the piston upwardly. The force moving the pads outwardly are greater during upward movement of the piston than during downward movement. The piston includes a central one-piece mandrel having an upper end higher than any component of the piston and a lower end lower than any component of the piston so that impact forces are applied directly to the mandrel and not through a threaded component.

Abstract: A cleaning and polishing composition contains mineral spirits, a first abrasive component of particles having a median size in a range of 1-4 microns, a second abrasive component of particles having a median size in a range of 15-30 microns and a fatty acid. The composition is a free flowing liquid having the viscosity of mineral spirits and has the ability to provide a long lasting finish. After cleaning and polishing an aluminum surface and after several weeks of rough use, the surface may be washed and looks like a newly polished surface. A preferred composition is 85-90% mineral spirits, balance stearic acid and aluminum oxide. The median particle size of the abrasive is less than about six microns and a sizeable fraction is below one micron.

Abstract: A tie down system for a two wheeled vehicle includes a support plate providing a wheel chock for receiving the front wheel of the vehicle and a pair of diverging arms extending away from the wheel chock. An adjustable strut connects between the ends of the diverging arms and the frame of the vehicle rearwardly of the pivot connection between the front wheel and the frame. Once adjusted, the struts act like solid links resisting any forces applied by the vehicle when it is being towed. Suitable locks may connect the struts and the vehicle frame providing a measure of security.