Abstract: The applicator-container (10) has an interior (14) within which a flowable paste material such as a caulking compound, a sealing compound, putty or the like may be contained. A threaded cap (34) is used to selectively open or close container mouth (16). One end of applicator-container (10) is tapered to provide a smooth applicator blade surface (28) which terminates in a straight edge (30). Applicator blade surface (28) and straight edge 30 simulate the configuration of a conventional putty knife and may be used to shape and smooth a flowable paste material dispensed from the applicator-container (10).

Abstract: The total base number of an oil sample of measured volume is determined by solvating the oil sample, adding a predetermined amount of acidic species to the solvated sample to react the acidic species with any basic species contained in the oil sample, extracting the remaining acidic species into an extractant phase, separating the extractant phase from the oil sample, and measuring the acidic species content of the extractant phase to determine the quantity of basic species in the oil sample. The same technique may be used to determine the total acid number of an oil sample by adding a predetermined amount of basic species to the sample and measuring the basic species content of the extractant phase.

Abstract: A connector block (10) for connecting signal transmission lines in a blast initiation system includes a body member (12) having a channel (18) formed therein for receiving and retaining a detonator (20). A locking member (28) is mounted on the body member (12) in a first position aligned with, but displaced from, its locking position. The detonator (20) is inserted into the channel (18) of the connector block (10) and, if axially misaligned, is properly seated therein by moving the locking member (28) through a passageway (36) to both axially shift the detonator (20) to its seated position and engage the locking member (28) and the detonator with each other to secure both within the channel (18). A method of assembling a detonator (20) within the connector block (10) to provide a combination of detonator (20) and connector block (10) is also provided.

Abstract: A booster explosive device (10) has a housing (12) within which is contained an explosive primer charge (14). Mechanical fastener components such as exterior screw threads (32) on housing (12) and interior screw threads (34) on an explosive accessory charge (20) may be engaged with each other in order to provide a charge assembly (30) comprised of device (10) and accessory charge (20). The outer peripheral surface (26) of accessory charge (20) is optionally concave so that accessory charge (20) optionally serves as a shaped charge to provide enhanced radial explosive output. Explosive primer charge (14) is configured so that the output tip (44b) of a detonator (44) contained therewithin is positioned below at least about 50 percent by weight of primer charge (14) and within the accessory section (10c) of device (10).

Abstract: A needle holder for use with a fluid transfer system of the type having a standard threaded cannula and a fluid container. The needle holder includes an actuation mechanism for detachably mounting a cannula to the holder, the actuation mechanism including pivotable threaded halves and an actuator operably associated therewith. In a cannula-mounting position, facing surfaces on the threaded halves cooperate to define a threaded passageway for engaging the cannula. Upon operation of the actuator, the threaded halves pivot to a retracted position to disengage from the cannula.

Abstract: The presence of hydrocarbons in soil is detected by immersing a soil sample in a water-miscible solvent capable of dissolving the hydrocarbons to extract hydrocarbons from the soil into the solvent. An aqueous developer is mixed into the solvent to produce a test mixture. The turbidity of the test mixture is observed to determine the presence of hydrocarbons in the soil. The aqueous developer may contain at least 0.5% salt, e.g., at least 1%, preferably 5% salt, and an emulsifier. Turbidity may be measured quantitatively by measuring light scattered at 90.degree. to a test light beam or by visual comparison to a reference scale.

Abstract: A detonator (10) is equipped with an input lead (29) having multiple signal transmission lines (30, 31) which provide redundant initiation signals to the target charge (14) of a detonator (10, 10') thereby increasing the reliability of initiation. The multiple signal transmission lines (30, 31) may be made of shock tube and can be part of a long or short input lead (29, 129) and may be initiated by any suitable means, for example by being disposed in signal transmission relation to a detonating cord (60, 62) to improve the reliability with which a signal is transferred from the detonating cord (60, 62) to the detonator (10, 10').

Abstract: A detonation system especially useful for initiating a plurality of substantially simultaneous seismic detonations includes an electric trunkline circuit disposed on the surface of a firing site containing boreholes, within which booster charges having respective top and base portions are disposed. The booster charges are connected without intervening detonators to the downhole ends of equal-sized lengths of low-energy detonating cord, the surface ends of which are connected to semiconductor bridge-initiated electric detonators connected in series in the firing circuit. The resulting system, because of the small deviation in function time of the semiconductor bridge detonators, has greatly reduced scatter time as compared to prior art systems utilizing conventional downhole electric detonators, and has a safety advantage in that the boreholes are free of detonators.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for transferring non-electric blasting initiation signals from detonating cord signal donor lines to signal transmission tube acceptor lines involves disposing the acceptor line in enhanced signal transfer configuration with the donor line. The acceptor line (30) may constitute the input lead (29a) of a detonator (10a). Enhanced signal transfer configuration between the input lead (29a) and the detonating cord (60) can be established by disposing input line (30) in at least partial wrap-around contact with the detonating cord (60) or in multiple abutting contact with the detonating cord (60). Enhanced signal transfer configuration can also be achieved for a detonator having at least two input lines in abutting contact with the detonating cord. A slider (44) is designed to extend contact between a detonator input lead and a detonating cord.