Abstract: A vacuum sealing method and system for evacuating air from and sealing a flexible plastic bag of the type having a mating male rib and a female sealing channel closure along the length of the bag opening. A flowable liquid is applied to the female channel.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring tension in guy wire systems wherein the lower end of the guy wire has a thimble adjoined by a connection pin to a yoke or clevis of a turnbuckle shackle bolt connected to an earth anchor. A block assembly is removably received beneath the clevis and a thimble-engaging jaw assembly is removably received on the guy wire above the clevis. The block assembly and jaw assembly are connected at one end by a threaded rod assembly that includes a strain sensor connected with an indicator device, and by a threaded rod at their opposed end. The jaw assembly is drawn downward by adjusting nuts on the threaded rods beneath the block assembly to engage the thimble and move it downward transferring the tension to the threaded rod and threaded rod assembly which is sensed by the strain sensor and indicated by the indicator device.

Abstract: A cargo restraint device for resisting movement of cargo items on a vehicle floor or cargo bed has a generally flat octagonal or rectangular base with a slip-resistant bottom surface to be supported on the floor or bed and a top surface for receiving at least a portion of a cargo item, and a hollow upright upper body portion that can be filled with heavy material such as sand to provide weight. The upper body portion has at least two upright members extending upwardly from the base member, each having outer surfaces for abutting the cargo item, and at least one having an aperture for receiving straps to encircle a cargo item held by the device. In one embodiment four upright members intersect at a center portion in a cross-shaped configuration. In another embodiment two upright members intersect at a center portion in an L-shaped configuration.

Abstract: Threshold calorimeter/shelf life monitors having a thermally moderating housing containing a liquid solution and one or more low melting point solids all having properties correlated relative to one another and calibrated to closely match a thermal decay profile (time-temperature profile) of a perishable product being monitored and indicate, by a change in color, electrical capacitance and/or impedance, transmitted RF signals, or combination thereof, the cumulative thermal history of the product while in transit or storage and whether its time-temperature profile has been violated to a detrimental extent or if a significant amount of shelf life has been consumed.

Abstract: A trash receptacle that receives and supports a flexible trash bag liner and sucks the empty flexible liner tight against the interior surfaces of the receptacle in a full open position absent any air pockets or billowing by extracting air trapped between the exterior surface of the liner and the interior surfaces of the receptacle.

Abstract: A desiccant-assisted air conditioning system utilizes a compressor (10), a condenser coil (11), an evaporator coil (13), supplemental desiccant coils (19, 20) connected therewith, and damper (18A, 19B) and valve arrangements that direct air and refrigerant through the system coils in several different thermodynamic operating paths. The system combines, transfers and reverses thermodynamic energies between the desiccant, the refrigerant and the crossing air, and simultaneously maximizes the refrigerant vapor compression closed cycle and desiccant vapor compression open cycle. The desiccant coils (19, 20) not only provide an effective gas phase change in their crossing air streams, but also simultaneously provide endothermic and exothermic energy exchanges between the air streams and the passing refrigerant that maximize the operating efficiency of the compressor, condenser coil, and evaporator coil, conserves energy, and produces quality conditioned air output.

Abstract: A soft flat balloon neck closure disc formed of non-rigid, soft, flexible, and resilient material for safe use with fluid filled balloons, including water filled balloons that may be thrown at a person. The device is relatively thick and has a flat top surface, a flat bottom surface, and a peripheral outer surface defining its shape. A first small hole and second small hole are each disposed inwardly from first and second segments of the peripheral outer surface in diametrically spaced apart relation and a first and second slit extend outwardly from the holes to the first and second side segments, respectively, and each has a V-shaped entrance. The first side segment is pushed onto the balloon neck such that the neck passes through the first slit and snaps into the first hole, the disc is slid down on the neck, and the neck is wrapped over the top of the disk, pulled inwardly through the second slit to snap into the second hole, and then back under the disc and upwardly through the first slit and hole.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for shearing off reinforced concrete piles and metal piles, casing and conductor pipes, and crushing reinforced concrete piles has a frame (11) with first and second ends and a cutter blade (41) movably mounted on the frame driven by hydraulic rams (21) between a retracted position adjacent to the first end and an extended position toward the second end. An abutment gate (30) pivotally mounted and latched at the frame second end has vertically spaced first and second abutment surfaces (52A, 52B) and first and second horizontal shearing surfaces (53A, 53B) disposed in parallel vertically spaced relation defining an opening (51) therebetween through which the cutting edge (41B, 41C) of the blade passes. Removable crushing attachments (60A, 60B) allow crushing of concrete piles, and removable arcuate abutment attachments (54) accommodate cylindrical piles, casing and conductor pipes.

Abstract: A fluid control valve having a spring biased shuttle plunger member which opens or closes fluid flow through a plurality of radially spaced apart fluid passageways disposed between an upstream chamber and downstream chamber in the valve body responsive to a fluid pressure greater than the spring force and any differential pressure between the upstream and downstream chambers to prevent fluid from being supplied at a pressure higher than a desired operating pressure and prevent high dynamic differential pressures, such as a “water hammer” or explosive pressure. Alternatively, in a normally closed embodiment, pilot fluid at a pressure greater than the spring force and any differential pressure in the upstream chamber is utilized to open the valve, which is then closed by the spring force.

Abstract: A gravity-fed drinking dispenser for unassisted self-administration of liquids by a bedridden user includes a non-pressurized liquid container adapted to be positioned above the user's head, a flexible tubing assembly connected therewith with a mouthpiece at its free end, and a normally closed solenoid valve between the container and the mouthpiece which, when opened, allows liquid to flow by gravity to the mouthpiece. A low-voltage D.C. electrical source connected with the solenoid valve supplies direct current thereto. Operation of the solenoid valve is controlled by an ergonomic pressure-sensitive microswitch connected between the power source and the solenoid valve, which has a generally oval-shaped housing with a bulbous upper portion shaped to receive the palm of the user and allow the user to put their fingers around it and actuate the microswitch by applying light pressure thereto for unassisted self-administration of liquids.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for on-line cleaning of internal surfaces of selected sections of a hydrocarbon fuel burning gas turbine and associated heat recovery equipment, during operation. Cleaning solutions containing graphite and/or molybdenum-based particles and oil soluble corrosion inhibitors, aromatic solvents, and surfactants are selectively introduced directly into the combustion chamber (combustor) of the gas turbine, into the fuel stream, water washing system, or the combustion air system (hot gas path). The cleaning process dislodges unwanted ash deposit buildup and, thereby restores the gas turbine to rated power. When introduced into the compressor section, the particles impinge on the metal surfaces, cleaning them prior to entering the hot gas section where the process may be repeated. They may also be carried through the exhaust to additionally clean attendant heat recovery equipment, if present.

Abstract: A hand cart for lifting and transporting containers that have hand grip apertures or handles in their sides or ends, or have an inverted U-shaped rim surrounding an open top end. The cart has a base with wheels rotatably mounted at respective laterally opposed ends thereof. An elongate telescoping handle secured to the base extends vertically upward therefrom and has a handgrip mounted on the top end thereof. A J-shaped hook mounted on the handle is adjustably positioned along the length of the handle and releasably connected thereto at selected heights relative to a floor surface and has an outer facing upturned portion. The handle is pivoted forwardly and then rearwardly to releasably engage the hook with the hand grip aperture, handle or rim on a proximal side or end of the container and pivoted further rearwardly to engage the base with a lower portion of the proximal side or end of the container to raise the container off of the floor surface and transport it to a desired location.

Abstract: A mobile self-contained apparatus and process for grinding, grating, macerating, chemically disinfecting, and drying infectious waste material. A trailer (10) contains a hopper (27), a grinder/grater (28), an enclosed conveyor system, drying and filter apparatus, and sources of power, chemical disinfectant, and fresh water. Bagged infectious waste material in a cart is lifted and dumped into the hopper, sprayed with a sodium hypochlorite disinfectant solution, fed to the grinder/grater, ground, grated, and macerated into small particles of confetti-like material, sprayed again, immersed in the disinfectant solution, conveyed by an upwardly inclined screw conveyor (34) and thoroughly mixed therein, dried, passed into a vertical screw conveyor (47), and passed to a discharge screw conveyor (50) which discharges the dry confetti-like material.

Abstract: A central pontoon semisubmersible floating platform for use in offshore applications has a hull configuration including vertical support columns, a central pontoon structure disposed inboard of the columns at a lower end thereof, and a deck structure supported at an upper end of the columns. The vertical columns and pontoon structure are constructed substantially of flat plate. The vertical columns are adjoined to the outer periphery of the central pontoon and have a transverse cross sectional shape with a major axis oriented radially outward from a center point of the hull, and a central vertical axis disposed a distance outward from the pontoon outer periphery. Risers can be supported on the inboard or outboard side of the pontoon and extended to the deck, and the structure can be anchored by mooring lines extending along the outboard face of the columns extending radially outward and downward from their lower ends.