Abstract: An integral ring which is contains at least 35 weight percent of a precious metal selected from the group consisting of silver and gold and has a porosity of less than 0.1 percent, a Vickers pyramidal hardness of at least about 120, and a tensile strength at least about 60,000 pounds per square inch. The ring has an inner diameter of from about 0.55 to about 0.93 inches, and outer diameter of from about 0.61 to about 1.09 inches, a thickness of from about 0.03 to about 0.08 inches, and a circumference of from about 1.7 to about 3.5 inches. Disposed about and extending around the entire outer surface of the ring is a first annular groove and a second, spaced apart annular groove, and at least 10 adjoining recessed areas are disposed between and communicate with these annular grooves. Each of the first annular groove and the second annular groove has a width of from about 0.01 to about 0.02 inches and a depth of from about 0.008 to about 0.018 inches.

Abstract: A wild bird feeder with a transparent seed hopper, a skirt below the seed hopper, a base beneath the skirt, and a device for connecting the base and the skirt while maintaining a feeding gap between the base and the skirt. The feeding gap is formed by a top surface and a bottom surface, and the skirt contains a downwardly extending lip which extends downwardly at least to the top surface of the feeding gap.

Abstract: A foot protector which is comprised of at least about 80 weight percent of a fabric material. The fabric material is comprised of at least 50 weight percent of stretch fabric, it is made from a two sheets of fabric, and a space between the two sheets of fabric is adapted to receive volatilizable material. A hole extends through the first sheet of fabric, and the hole has a diameter of less than about 0.3 inches. A volatilizable material is disposed within the space disposed between the two sheets of fabric.

Abstract: A process for treating a body water to purify it. In this process, a portion of the water to be treated is continuously caused to flow at a rate of at least about 60 feet per minute and is continuously agitated, aerated, and fed into a biochamber within which are disposed at least five distinct strains of microorganisms. A screen is disposed in the biochamber below the microorganisms, and air is forced through such screen during the processing of the water.

Abstract: A modified atmosphere package for storing oxygen sensitive goods containing a a gas impermeable tray including flanges around the perimeter of the tray and a bottom inside surface, and a a gas impermeable film with a bottom inside surface. The film is fitted with a one-way valve and is positioned over and adjacent to the flanges of said tray, and the film is sealed to such flanges. A support extends from the bottom inside surface of the tray to the bottom inside surface of the gas impermeable film, the support being adapted to prevent the film from collapsing when the atmospheric pressure above the film exceeds the atmospheric pressure below the film.

Abstract: A rotary device containing a housing with two side plates, a shaft, an eccentric connected to the shaft, a rotor mounted on the shaft, a first gear, and a second gear. The rotor contains at least 3 sides, the housing has an interior surface defined by at least a first lobe and a second lobe, the first gear is an internal gear which is connected to the rotor, the second gear is an external gear connected to the housing, the difference between the pitch diameter of the first gear and the pitch diameter of the second gear is is equal to twice said eccentricity of the eccentric, and the ratio between the pitch diameter of the first gear and the pitch diameter of the second gear is equal to the ratio between the number of said sides in said rotor divided by the number of lobes in the interior surface of said housing.

Abstract: A modified atmosphere package for storing oxygen sensitive goods which contains a a gas permeable tray for holding the oxygen sensitive goods, a gas permeable film positioned over and adjacent to the tray forming a wrapped tray, a barrier bag with an inside surface and an outside surface within which the wrapped tray is disposed, an oxygen absorber disposed within the barrier bag, and a pressure relief valve located on the outside surface of the barrier bag. The tray contains foam material, at least about 20 volume percent of which is open cell foam with an average cell diameter of from about 0.001 to about 0.020 inches. A film of gas permeable material is disposed over and contiguous with the bottom wall of the gas permeable tray. The barrier bag has an oxygen permeability of less than 10 cubic centimeters per 100 square inches per 24 hours.

Abstract: A package for storing oxygen-sensitive goods (such as meat) which contains a gas impermeable tray wrapped in a gas permeable film, a barrier bag within which the wrapped tray is disposed, a closure for closing an open end of the barrier bag, and two one-way valves. One of the one-way valves is located on the inside of one side of the barrier bag, and the other of the one-way valves is located on the outside of the other side of the barrier bag.

Abstract: The present invention is an apparatus for use as a grate clip on a traveling stoker grate assembly in a furnace or incinerator. The grate clip apparatus includes a sloping profile along a significant portion of its underside so as to prevent the build-up of ash, fuel and metallic deposits on the grate clip as it traverses a return loop.