Abstract: This invention comprises a compressor valve wherein the area of the tapered port in the inlet seat is larger than the area of the tapered exhaust port in the plates and guard. In addition, the exhaust ports are formed in the plate and guard around the respective inlet ports in the form of a staggered annulus. The larger open area in the seat enables the plate to be opened with lower pressure loss and the staggered annulus configuration produces substantially more open area through the valve for reduced plate lift and improved breathing.There is also disclosed a second embodiment of the invention which utilizes pins for aligning and guiding movable and flexible discs between the seat and guard.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for cleaning up an animal feces deposit from its situs by positioning an open-ended receptacle with its open end overlying and in close proximity to the animal feces deposit and providing a suction to pick up the animal feces deposit and deliver same into the interior of the receptacle whereby the receptacle containing the picked up animal feces deposit can be discarded conveniently and cleaning up has been achieved without any physical contact with the animal feces deposit by the person performing the cleaning up.

Abstract: A collar for fitting onto a pipe, particularly for the purpose of inserting said pipe into another without damaging the lagging on the pipe of smaller diameter. Said collar consists of a flexible band with meshing teeth, which is wrapped about a pipe and its ends. This collar is secured by bringing said teeth into contact and thus closing the band around said pipe.

Abstract: A machine for holding the legs of animal carcasses to support a carcass during an up-pull skinning operation is provided with a jaw means for gripping a pair of legs of the carcass individually and holding the gripped legs in a side-by-side relation, means for moving the jaw means between open and closed positions and means for moving the jaw means to a desired elevated position.

Abstract: A method for preparing aromatic aldehydes and ketones in which the aldehydo or keto group is bonded directly to the aromatic ring; which comprises oxidizing an alkyl substituted aromatic compound or an aromatic compound which is substituted by an alpha-hydroxyalkyl moiety, via treatment with a persulfate and a metal catalyst. The metal catalysts include, for example, (1) iron salts and silver salts, or (2) a redox pair of salts such as an iron salt in combination with a copper salt or a silver salt in combination with a copper salt.