Abstract: A one piece foldable eating utensil having a food holding section and a handle with a pair of reduced thickness portions forming flexible hinges for folding into a packaged position for accompanying a food product and a useable position for consuming the food product.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing waste streams wherein a slipstream is formed on the upstream side of an ultrafiltration membrane (120) to carry collected and concentrated filter reject to a microfilter (170) via a slipstream through a conduit (155) at a very low flux through the microfilter. The low flux gives the particles in this stream a chance to interact and thus form an irregular matrix that itself helps to trap particles. The effluent from this matrix and microfilter is returned upstream of the ultrafiltration membrane via a conduit (165) to be repeatedly collected and concentrated. The suspended solids removed from the reject stream and microfilter may then be disposed of directly without further processing. For metal ions, the removal efficiency of ultrafiltration membrane can be improved by injecting sulfide compounds or other compounds upstream of ultrafiltration membrane.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for preventing the culturing of microorganisms, including molds, mildew, fungus, viruses, bacteria and insects, within the walls (10), ceilings (15) and floors (45) of a building (12) to eliminate these as a source of respiratory illness and fungal disease among the occupants of a building (12). The method comprises circulating drier, cleaner air into the space (24) between the interior surface (18) and exterior surface (20) of the wall (10), ceiling (15) and floor (45) of the building (12). The apparatus includes a pump (28) and a network of piping (26) installed in the walls (10), ceilings (15) and floors (45) and adapted to create a flow of dry air within the them that absorbs moisture which would otherwise promote the culturing of the microorganisms. Preferably, sensors (32) inside the wall (10), ceiling (15) and floor (45) are connected to a controller (30) to activate the pump (28) when the moisture level rises to a predetermined level.

Abstract: Nickel aluminum alloys are welded utilizing a nickel based alloy containing zirconium but substantially free of titanium and niobium which reduces the tendency to crack.