Abstract: A disposable cat litter box comprising a single sheet of stiff paperboard which is folded and perforated for assembly into an open top, generally rectangular cat litter box is disclosed. The box is prepackaged with cat litter and may be assembled to form a cat litter box. The box preferably includes a horizontally extending bottom attached to upwardly extending side and end walls. The side and end walls having foldable portions which may be folded over and sealed to define a substantially rectangular closed box. For use, the upper portions of the side and end walls are unfolded and positioned substantially perpendicular to the bottom portion. End flaps on the side and end walls may be folded inwardly forming a rigid perimeter defining an open, generally rectangular box. After use, the side and end walls may be collapsed and folded over to enclose the cat litter for disposal.

Abstract: An elongated tubular member for retrieving and dispensing deformable balls, such as tennis balls, is provided with retrieving structure at one extremity and dispensing structure at the opposite extremity. The retrieving structure forms an inlet opening having internal projections requiring deformation of a ball being forced through the inlet opening. The dispensing structure forms primary and secondary dispensing openings and a restraining lip preventing inadvertent movement of the lowermost ball through the primary dispensing opening. The dispensing structure also forms a manual access opening, permitting access to the lowermost ball by the fingers of the user to permit dispensing movement of the lowermost ball. The dispensing structure also includes a closure and dispensing cap positionable for closing the dispensing opening to secure balls within the tubular member for storage and positionable to permit dispensing of balls from the dispensing opening.

Abstract: An integrated pump and sample vessel which eliminates dead volume between the point of collection of the sample and the sample vessel. The pump has a body with a longitudinal bore therethrough, a fluid flow passage in the body which allows fluid to enter and exit the pump, a resilient member located in the bore which has a face with a cavity therein exposed to the fluid flow passage and a sleeve which confines the resilient member. A sample vessel is adapted to be detachably mounted to the pump body with a face exposed to the fluid flow passage. A check valve is located in the sample vessel to selectively enable the entry of fluid from the flow passage of the pump. In the preferred embodiment, the check valve is located in an easily removable pod to facilitate service or adjustment. A diaphragm motor or other moving apparatus drives the face of the resilient member into contact with the face of an adapter or the face of the sample vessel which traps a sample of fluid in the cavity.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are set forth for measuring flow velocity of an element of interest in a compound within a pipe. In the preferred and illustrated embodiment, a static magnetic field is imposed on the flowing material of interest. Preferably, a uniform field of finite width is imposed. There is a first coil around the path for imposing an RF magnetic field at right angles to the static magnetic field. There is a relationship between the flowing material including the element, frequency of the RF field and static magnetic field intensity which aligns nuclei or electrons of the element. There is a second (detection) coil spaced downstream from the first coil, the second coil also being around the pipe. By turning the first coil off or on, the NMR or EMR signal observed at the second coil can be made to change abruptly as the "tagged" element flows to the second coil. By measuring the time of travel of the element of interest evidenced by the second coil signal, the flow velocity can be measured.

Abstract: A trailer-mounted sand hopper having a trailer pivotally mountable at the front end of a motor-driven truck. The sand hopper is tiltably mounted on the rear portion of the trailer and is releasably secured to the rear portion of the trailer. The hopper is capable of being tilted to vertical and horizontal positions with respect to the trailer by engagement of a winch and cable system. The hopper is provided with backing plates which facilitate the engagement and disengagement of the hopper from the trailer.

Abstract: A piezoelectric device is used to determine a ratio of a second weight with an original weight where the second weight is less than the original weight. A piezoelectric driver is resiliently attached to a base that is isolated from vibrations. A piezoelectric receiver and a reed are resiliently attached to the piezoelectric driver so that (1) the read is moved in response to motion of the piezoelectric driver, and (2) the piezoelectric receiver gives an electric signal out proportional to motion of the system. The entire system is set to operate on the leading edge of the resonant frequency for the system. By applying an oscillating sine wave voltage, such as 140 hertz, to the piezoelectric driver, and by applying an unknown mass to the tip of the reed, a first output is obtained from the piezoelectric receiver which represents the original weight. Next by removing part of the mass by any convenient means, such as heat, a second output is obtained that represents the second weight.

Abstract: A portable, pocket sized check writing apparatus adapted to perform standard check writing functions incorporates a rectangular box-like housing open at one end for receiving a check cartridge. A keyboard is provided on the exterior of the housing for entry of data. A microprocessor is housed within the housing for receiving, storing and retrieving data. The microprocessor is operatively connected to liquid crystal display means for visually displaying data. A print head positionable relative to the face of a check is provided for printing entries on a check which is sequentially ejected from a stack of checks contained in the check cartridge.

Abstract: A tractor supported and driven mechanism for removing tree stumps and splitting logs which causes linear movement of a rotary cutter disk for milling away stumps from the side portions thereof and a ram assembly forcing a log against a wedge member. The mechanism incorporates a frame structure having a hydraulically driven slide supported and guided by parallel structural members of the frame. The cutter disk is rotatably supported on the slide structure and is driven by the power take-off of the tractor by means of an elongated non-circular drive shaft which is received in driving engagement by a central non-circular drive opening of the cutter. The cutter disk is movable along the length of the non-circular drive shaft while maintaining driving engagement therewith.

Abstract: A constructional toy is disclosed which may be assembled in numerous different configurations employing four basic components which include a triangularly-shaped component, a rectangularly-shaped component and two elongated board components. A pair of wheels are mounted on the triangularly-shaped and rectangularly-shaped components. From these four basic components, the plurality of toys may be constructed.

Abstract: A lock and coupling apparatus for securing fire hydrants is disclosed. The two piece apparatus comprises an inner member concentrically received within an outer cylindrical member. The inner member is formed with a socket for receiving the five sided hydrant valve post. A snap ring connects the outer member to the inner member while permitting rotational movement therebetween. A square lock pin moveable between locked and unlocked positions is provided to lock the inner and outer members so that rotational movement of the outer member is transmitted to the inner member. A specifically designed wrench for imparting rotary movement to the outer member is also disclosed.

Abstract: A hammer mill for treating scrap metal including a rotary hammer means for delivering impact blows to scrap metal is shown. Discharge grates are provided for disposing of the scrap metal through discharge outlets for the hammer mill. The rotor is a disc type with rotating hammers located on pins extending through the discs. A plurality of caps are circumferentially located around each disc and attached thereto for protecting the disc against excessive wear. A dual feed roller feeds the scrap metal to the hammer mill to be shredded.

Abstract: The invention is an apparatus for controlling the temperature of a fluid contained in a receptacle. The fluid is accessible through an aligned container access port and receptacle access port. Heat exchange from the receptacle is minimized by a seal located about the container access port which conforms to the edges of the receptacle. The fluid may be heated or cooled by an appropriate temperature affecting means within the container.

Abstract: An apparatus for lowering the temperature in an air conditioning compressor is set forth. In the preferred and illustrated embodiment, the structure comprises a closed rectangular framework. Across the top, slats are adjusted at an angle to intercept the sun at its summer zenith, thereby shading the top of the equipment. For the sides, water from the evaporator is collected in a sump and is delivered through a header hose along each side. The water drips down slats which are arranged in a staggered arrangement, and the water cools the slats, thereby causing air drawn through the slats to be cooled.

Abstract: A micropower DC voltage indicator is provided that is a two terminal device with a very high input impedance. An oscillator circuit is provided by a series of inverters, such as metal-oxide semiconductors (MOS) with the power inputs connected in parallel. A suitable RC circuit connects the output of one MOS inverter to the input of another MOS inverter, otherwise the output of each MOS inverter connects directly to the input of the next MOS inverter. Across one of the MOS inverters is connected a liquid crystal display which indicates if a DC voltage within a specific range is applied to the two terminals of the DC voltage indicator. The two terminal inputs to the oscillator circuit have a very high impedance and operate over a fairly broad DC voltage range.

Abstract: A non-locking tapered plug valve is provided which prevents taper locking of the plug member by ensuring against pressure responsive plug movement toward the small extremity thereof due to positive or negative hydraulic pressure transients. The chambers at each axial extremity of the plug member are of such volumetric relation during positive pressure transients that the chamber at the small extremity of the plug reaches equilibrium with flow passage pressure before the chamber at the large extremity of the plug member thus ensuring that any pressure responsive resultant force acting on the plug member is directed toward its large extremity. To avoid taper locking during a negative pressure transient, an equalization passage with a check valve is provided to permit unidirectional flow from the large extremity of the valve chamber to the main flow passage.

Abstract: A centrifugal separator for separating liquid and solid contaminants from flowing gas and for separating certain liquids from other liquids. The centrifugal separator finds novel application as a flow stabilization system wherein the separator vessel is coupled into a natural gas flowline upstream of flow measurement equipment to minimize fluctuations of flowing natural gas, which may contain solid and liquid contaminants. The separator vessel defines an internal fluidic column within which is developed rapid cyclonic gas flow activity for separation of any liquid and solid contaminants from the gas. The vessel also defines a sump for accumulating and/or draining contaminants separated from the flowing natural gas in the fluidic column. An outlet extends into the vessel positioning an outlet opening to receive only gas from the cyclonic circulation of natural gas.

Abstract: A hyrodynamic lubricant sealing element for devices such as rotary cone rock bits, shaft seals and the like which is maintained under sufficient mechanical compression to effect a seal between relatively movable structures. The sealing element defines a sealing surface establishing a seal interface with a relatively movable circular sealing surface and forms a lubricant interface and a contaminant interface at opposite sides thereof. The lubricant interface is of such configuration as to induce a hydrodynamic lubricant wedging activity causing migration of lubricant film in the seal interface from the lubricant interface to the contaminant interface for flushing away any contaminant and for lubrication between the sealing element and sealing surface.

Abstract: A trap for catching rodents and other pests in permitting the user to selectively trap the same alive or dispose of them at the time of trapping. A container is provided having bottom and side walls and defining an opening at the upper portion thereof. A closure number is pivotally supported by a wall portions of the enclosure and is pivotal, responsive to the weight of a rodent or pest, causing the same to fall into the enclosure. The enclosure may contain water or any other material suitable for eratication. The closure structure defines a bait containing depression in which a protein containing bait such as grain may be placed to lure rodents onto the closure. The closure is urged to its substantially horizontal, closed position by a counterweight or other urging device mounted on the closure.