Abstract: A sizing device is described using traveling conveying spool rollers. The rollers are of a configuration using various openings that allow the produce to be sized as to shape or cross section diameter. Rollers are constructed of a plastic polymer with a very low friction coefficient, thus avoiding the scuffing damage to the produce. The variant surface speed of the spools encountered by the produce coupled with the speed of the whole creates movement of the produce which assures that the size openings are available and encountered by the undersized pieces.

Abstract: A hammock which has a netted fabric covering and a tarp suspended above it, form a structure similar to a tent suspended above ground. The tarp, made of waterproof lightweight fabric, is attached to the netted fabric in the middle and hangs down on either side of the hammock. The tarp can also be pulled out by the corners to form a canopy over the hammock by means of ropes tied to a branch of a tree or other support. Pockets attached to the underside of the hammock are large enough to hold clothing and other gear. These pockets also provide insulation from the cold. The main support comes from a single rope for each end attached through a sleeve which gives extreme stability. Elastic straps connected to the ends of the tarp adjust for stress to the tarp and netting as weight is applied to the hammock. A section of webbing sewn to the top of the head end of the netting and to the underside of the tarp provide a drop space between the tarp and netting which allows for condensation run off.

Abstract: A beverage dispensing apparatus having a recirculating channel circulating refrigerant to and through a dispenser head to keep cooled product at a constant temperature at all times to the point of emergence from the dispenser.

Abstract: The invention pertains to the art of direct push soil sampling that uses the art of dual tube to retrieve subsurface soil samples. It is a means of applying the dual tube art that allows deeper sampling depths to be achieved by configuring the tooling string in such a manner that the inner tooling is non-rigidly attached to the outer tooling string both rotationally and axially. The non-rigidity of integration of the two tooling strings allows deeper penetration of the sampling apparatus by reducing the friction between soil entering the sample chamber of the inner tooling string and the sample chamber. In addition deeper depths of penetration are possible because the inner and outer tooling strings are driven both concurrently and independently of each other.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining and communicating shortest elapsed time route information to users wherein information of desired origin and destination combinations is received from the users in a central processor or computer, instant rates of travel on multiple route segments interconnecting various possible origins and destinations being monitored and transferred to the central processor which then calculates the route segment or segment combination providing shortest elapsed time routes for each origin-destination combination and transmitting that information to the respective user. Communication between the central processor and the users is preferably by telephone and more preferably by cellular telephone.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for the manufacturing of concentrated and commercially-sterile forms of yogurt milk mix/additive blends that can be stored at room temperature for several months without microbiological, physical, or chemical changes. Reverse osmosis concentration of fat-adjusted milk creates the yogurt milk mix with the appropriate and desired fat and nonfat milk solids levels. Food substances/additives that are desired in the final yogurt product are added at appropriate level(s) to the concentrated form of yogurt milk mix to produce a yogurt milk mix/additive blend. The yogurt milk mix/additive blend is ultra-high temperature processed and aseptically-packaged to create a commercially-sterile yogurt mix/milk additive blend that can be stored at room temperature until use in the manufacture of yogurt products.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for the manufacturing of concentrated and commercially-sterile forms of ice cream mix that can be stored at room temperature for several months without microbiological, physical, or chemical changes. Reverse osmosis concentration of fat-adjusted milk creates the milk concentrate with the appropriate and desired fat and nonfat milk solids levels. Food substances/additives that are desired in the final ice cream product are added at appropriate level(s) to the concentrated milk to produce an ice cream mix. The ice cream mix is ultra-high temperature processed and aseptically-packaged to create a commercially-sterilize ice cream mix that can be stored at room temperature until use in the manufacture of ice cream products.

Abstract: The dagger described has a spring device. A pointed blade (24) is mounted so that it can move in a housing (20) from a retracted position to a projecting position. A spring (30) is fitted between the housing (20) and the blade (24) to bias the blade (24) towards the projecting position. A releasable catch (26) fitted to the housing (20) engages in a recess (28) in the blade (24) when the blade (24) is in the retracted position and secures the blade so that it cannot be forced back into the housing (20) when the blade (24) is in the projecting position. The catch (26) has a release element (44) made of flexible, high-tensile strength material in the form of a loop (46) in which a finger can be inserted. The housing (20) has a baseplate (40) and attachment straps by means of which the dagger can be secured to the user's forearm (41).

Abstract: A universal bike seat and exercycle seat cushion that is placed on top of conventional bike seats, having two separate matching cushioning devices whose surface area is smaller than the conventional bike seat upon which they are placed allowing unlimited placement adjustment options for the rider. The cushioning devices have multiple stages of cushioning materials including low density open cell foam, high density open cell foam and low density closed cell foam, and are semi-oval in shape, which creates a no-contact, `pressure-free` zone for the rider's tail bone, soft tissues and genitalia. The device may be secured to the bike seat by appropriate means, such as a slip cover.

Abstract: In a water treatment process using ozone, to prevent bromate formation a quantity of bromide-containing water for treatment is first set to a pH value of less than 6.5 by feeding in CO.sub.2, unless the water already contains the requisite CO.sub.2 by origin. CO.sub.2 and ozone are then simultaneously fed in for a period of several minutes. The feed stream of CO.sub.2 is designed to maintain the pH value, and sufficient ozone is fed to the quantity of water to produce oxidation and sterilization.

Abstract: The invention and process utilizes any number of biological parts to provide a proof of legitimacy and from them generate and verify a personal identification card (ID). This rendition of the invention deals mainly with fingerprints, but does not preclude the use of other biological parts. The invention is unique in being able to render complex forms into unique biological characteristic codes of the unique biological parts, especially the fingerprint, and then to be able to encode that code onto the magnetic strip of an ID card or credit card. The invention renders complex biological forms into numeric representations of the unique biological parts and especially the fingerprint. The number generated thereby is encoded onto the magnetic strip of an ID card or credit card.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining and communicating shortest elapsed time route information to users wherein information of desired origin and destination combinations is received from the users in a central processor or computer, instant rates of travel on multiple route segments interconnecting various possible origins and destinations being monitored and transferred to the central processor which then calculates the route segment or segment combination providing shortest elapsed time routes for each origin-destination combination and transmitting that information to the respective user. Communication between the central processor and the users is preferably by telephone and more preferably by cellular telephone.

Abstract: In the process whereby a time gate but especially the time gate for an expected error range 58 in a device by means of which materials are tested by ultra sound according to the impulse echo process involving a test head 20 which emits pulses that impinge diagonally on the surface 28 of a test piece 24, the test head 20 that emits diagonally is firmly connected to a test head 22 from which pulses are emitted vertically. Both test heads emit at given intervals 48, 49 ultra sound impulses and subsequently receive them. The echo signal 50 of the entry of sound of the test head 22 from which pulses emit vertically is utilized to activate the time gate of the test head from which sound is emitted diagonally.

Abstract: This device relates to a headrest for a motor vehicle seat, which consists of a head-piece and a holder. The headpiece comprises the supporting frame assuming a stress-bearing function and an upholstery body providing a padding effect. The holder is single-strutted, can be inserted into the back-rest of a motor vehicle seat, and is preferably height-adjustable. With respect to the latter, it is hinged to the head-piece, so that this can be adjusted in frictional engagement to different angular positions with respect to the holder.

Abstract: The recovery of gold, silver and platinum group metals from volcanic cinders containing iron is achieved by mixing the cinders with a suitable flux, and metallic copper, and smelting the mixture at a sufficiently high temperature to produce a molten mass of metal containing iron and copper, and a molten slag. The molten slag is separated from the molten metal mass by a suitable means. The slag is discarded and the metal mixture is cooled to a solid state. The copper and iron are then dissolved in acid, leaving an undissolved portion which can then be separated from the resulting leach liquor by filtration. Alternatively, the iron and copper bearing metal can be cast into an anode and electrolyzed in a sulfuric acid solution where copper is deposited at the cathode and iron is put into solution as iron sulfate. The insoluble residue at the anode can be recovered from the sulfuric acid solution by filtration.

Abstract: A roof support column used as a support between the roof and floor of a mine comprises a stacked series of hollow roof support cribs containing a mixture of light-weight aggregate such as volcanic lava, tuft or pumice, and a chemical foam contained in one chamber of a triple-walled high density paper tubing. The other chamber has honeycomb material therein. The combination of these materials results in a roof support crib which has the yielding characteristics of wood. Such cribs called variable yielding cribs are stacked and locked on top of one another to form a vertical cylindrical cribbing support column.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for depth compensating the amplitudes of echo signals in an ultrasonic measuring device to compensate for virtually unlimited depth measurements using an amplifier adjustment curve supplied in real time which is triggered with every radiated pulse, and using the time-synchronous clock steps of a clock pulse generator converted to an analogue output signal through a D/A-converter.