Abstract: A load relief coupling device which interconnects a lower, supporting member and an upper, supported member of a concrete forming apparatus to permit quick and easy relief of the load on the members by a formed concrete structure. The load relief coupler includes a supporting coupler member, a supported coupler member, and an inner coupler member positioned between the supporting and supported coupler member. Coacting teeth on the inner coupler member and on the supporting and supported coupler members cause the coupler to move between a loaded, expanded position and an unloaded, collapsed position upon relative pivotal movement between the inner coupler member and the two supporting and supported coupler members.

Abstract: Broadly this invention provides inbred corn line ZS02234. The methods for producing a corn plant by crossing the inbred line ZS02234 are encompassed by the invention. Additionally, the invention relates to the various parts of inbred ZS02234 including culturable cells. This invention relates to hybrid corn seeds and plants produced by crossing the inbred line ZS02234 with at least one other corn line.

Abstract: This invention relates to the in situ process for converting non-free-form xanthophylls to free xanthophylls in the biological material of the plant. The method, more particularly, relates to a method that would liberate xanthophylls by transesterification of acyl-xanthophylls in plant materials which is used as a natural food colorant.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the development of a hybrid field production method which employs preserved pollen and a pollen bank for breeding purposes. Particularly, the present invention relates to a method of employing stored pollen in hybrid field production instead of employing pollen producing plants in the production field.

Abstract: A nail polish removing composition including fatty acid methyl or ethyl esters, N-Methyl-2-pyrrolidone or similar solvent, and a surfactant. The improved nail polish remover has good polish dissolving and removal characteristics, low volatility, low flammability, very low odor, easy clean-up, and skin conditioning properties. In an alternative embodiment, a thickener is added to make the composition a non-pourable gel.

Abstract: Conversion of crude lecithin is performed by incubating the lecithin with a lipase-phospholipase mixture in a water/polyol environment. The incubation is carried out at about 40-50.degree. C. and a pH of about 7 to about 8 while stirring continuously. The reaction simultaneously produces lysolipid, lysophospholipid, monoglycerides, and diglycerides. The conversion rate of lecithin is more than 80% based on the ratio of LPC/PC (lysophosphatidylcholine/phosphatidylcholine). Calcium chloride can be added to the reaction mixture to capture released fatty acids.

Abstract: A support stand for a garbage bag. A plurality of support members are attached to a bottom hoop for pivotal movement between a storage position substantially coplanar with the bottom hoop and a substantially vertical working position. An upper hoop is constrained for movement with the support members between a collapsed, storage position and an elevated working position above the lower hoop supported on said support members. The support members and the upper hoop cooperate to retain releasably the upper hoop in its working position. A garbage bag is inserted inside the upper hoop and supported by the garbage bag support stand with its open end facing upwardly. The support stand can be lifted over a filled bag, thus avoiding having to lift a filled bag to reposition the support stand.

Abstract: A surface coating applied on a substrate as well as a method of preparing a surface coated substrate are provided. A mixture comprising about 40% polyvinyl acetate and about 60% polyvinyl alcohol is applied to a porous substrate. Then, the mixture is heated. The polyvinyl alcohol cures by evaporation, and the mixture separates into a hydrophilic layer of polyvinyl alcohol and a hydrophobic layer of polyvinyl acetate, and the hydrophilic layer is between the hydrophobic layer and the substrate. A water-soluble ink is then deposited into the surface coating, and the ink is generally repelled by the hydrophobic layer, and is generally absorbed by the hydrophilic layer. Additionally, the hydrophobic layer protects from fading the ink which is absorbed into the hydrophilic layer, causes the ink to spread less in the hydrophilic layer, allows a charge to be applied to the same side of the substrate on which the ink is deposited, and allows an enhanced surface charge to be applied.

Abstract: A mash feed treatment system including a mash feed conditioning apparatus connected in series with a roller mill and a pellet mill. The mash feed conditioning apparatus includes a housing having an interior and an inlet and outlet, a shaft mounted within the interior of the housing having an internal cavity, and mechanisms for rotating the shaft to convey feed within the interior and for introducing steam into the interior via the cavity of the shaft. The shaft and the housing preferably include pressure containment mechanisms for maintaining superatmospheric pressures within the cavity and the interior respectively.

Abstract: A decal allowing a fisherman to customize a fishing lure. The decal is printed with a life-like image of a fish on one side and the decal has an adhesive on the other side. Initially, the decal is present on a substrate. When a fisherman peels the decal from the substrate, some or all of an adhesive stays on the decal allowing the fisherman to attach the decal to a fishing lure. The image on the decal is waterproof and the decal may be applied to many different lures including spinner bait lures, blades and crank bait lures. The decal may have a scent or flavor enhancer in the waterproofing overcoat, in the ink used to create the image on the decal, in the adhesive, or in all three. Additionally, rattle eyes may be provided on the fishing lure.

Abstract: A method for continuously correcting for the baseline drift of a sensor which measures a cyclically varying parameter. The output signal of the sensor is sampled rapidly over an integer number of cycles of the measured parameter. The sampled values of the output signal are stored as a data set in a memory circuit for subsequent analysis by a computing circuit to determine the actual baseline level of the sensor, which drifts at a rate relatively slowly in comparison to the time interval during which the data set was collected. In one embodiment of the invention, baseline level is calculated as the average of a fixed percentage of the points in the data set which have the lowest values found in the data set. In another embodiment, a data mask with multiple selection segments spaced at time intervals equal to the period of the cyclically varying measured parameter is used to determine those points from the data set which are averaged to calculate the baseline level.

Abstract: A system and method for continuously measuring mass flow rate of grain in a harvester where an impact plate is disposed to be impacted by grain exiting a power driven conveyor which is a normal part of the harvester. The impact plate is mounted on force measuring apparatus which generates an electrical signal proportional to grain impact force. Computing apparatus in electrical communication with the force measuring apparatus calculates the average value of grain impact force, adjusts this value to compensate for the difference between an actual measured operating speed of the conveyor and a constant reference speed, and calculates grain mass flow rate utilizing a mass flow calibration characteristic which relates grain mass flow rate to average grain impact force, where this calibration characteristic is non-linear and has different values for different grain types and different grain moisture contents.