Abstract: A method of desulphurizing and cracking of hydrocarbons to produce fuel oil. The fuel oil is first admixed with a sensitizer and solid source of hydrogen and, preferably, with a catalyst and a desulphurizing agent. The admixture is then subjected to microwave energy. The method acts to reduce the sulphur content of the fuel oil and cracks the fuel oil into a useful source of clean, burnable energy.

Abstract: A speaker system comprises a housing that includes a front wall with a plurality of openings, and first and second exterior sidewalls. A plurality of vertically arranged speakers are each placed into an associated one of the plurality of openings and secured to the housing. A hemispherical concave interior wall is positioned in back of the plurality of speakers and within said first and second sidewalls to disperse and attenuate audio waves within the housing. The first and second interior sidewalls extend from front to back and preferably taper inward from back to front of the speaker system, wherein the first and second interior sidewalls each mate with the hemispherical concave interior wall. The plurality of speakers preferably include mid-range drivers and tweeters.

Abstract: Plastic lumber having sufficient stiffness and strength to allow its use in structural and load-bearing applications. The plastic lumber is composed of a thermoplastic polymer, a thermosetting polymer cured with reinforcing fibers and, preferably, a coupling agent and foaming or blowing agent. As a preferred embodiment, the thermosetting polymer and reinforcing fibers are sourced from recycled materials, specifically, sheet molding compounds and bulk molding compounds.

Abstract: A device for the injection and mixing of steam into a tank containing a fluid such as water. A primary steam conduit receives steam and discharges it into a plurality of secondary steam conduits. The primary steam conduit is provided with at least one mixing element for inducing an angular velocity to the steam passing through it. A plurality of secondary steam conduits are provided for receiving steam from the primary steam conduit and for discharging steam into the fluid contained in the tank. Each secondary steam conduit is also provided with at least one mixing element proximate the discharge ends of the secondary steam conduits wherein all such mixing elements induce a rotational angular velocity to the steam.

Abstract: A composition of L-glutathione (reduced) and selenium and an epidermal growth factor in a topical carrier and method of using the composition to reduce and repair ultraviolet radiation-induced skin damage, both acute injury (sunburn) and chronic damage (photoaging and cutaneous malignancies).

Abstract: A composition and method of treating cutaneous infection and resulting inflammation in animals known as hot spots and mange, respectively, as well as related veterinarian dermatological conditions. The composition includes L-glutathione and a source of selenium which act synergistically and which are included in a suitable topical carrier for topical application.

Abstract: A tent having a fabric body defining an internal volume and a door for entering and exiting the internal volume and for providing ventilation to the internal volume. A continuous zipper is located on the periphery of the door and on the door opening. A pair of zipper slides is configured for traversing the continuous zipper enabling the door to completely open, completely close and open partially in any one of a number of orientations.

Abstract: A sleeping bag device which includes a warmth retaining body section having a length and width and comprised of insulating material. The body section is sized to accommodate a user's torso and includes a zippered opening running the length of the body section. An insert is provided having a length and width and zippered edges running the length of the insert. The insert can be zippered to the body section to increase the width of the body section noting that the insert is provided with a plurality of elastic elements to compress the width of it.

Abstract: A device and method for its use for separating particulate matter into fractional components. The device is characterized as being in the shape of a substantially vertical column having a feed port for feeding the particulate matter thereto. A top is provided for removing a light fraction of the particulate matter and a bottom for collecting a heavy fraction of the particulate matter and a longitudinal axis between the top and bottom portions of the column. Provision is made for drawing current of fluid such as air through the column which contains a channel characterized as having a series of angular bends with respect to the longitudinal axis, the bends being more acute to the longitudinal axis as the distance increases from the feed port.

Abstract: A molding system for use in producing a solidified article having a predetermined composite pattern formed of at least two kinds of viscous fluids distinct from each other in color, the system including: at least one discrete passage per each of the viscous fluids, and at least one discrete passage outlet per each of the viscous fluids separately guided through the at least one discrete passage, a method for producing the solidified article, an apparatus for producing the solidified article, and a method for producing the solidified articles.

Abstract: A combined container and drinking vessel comprises (i) a closable container (10) adapted, in use, to contain a liquid and having two opposed major surfaces (11, 12), one of said major surfaces (11) being substantially planar and the opposed surface (12) containing a dished portion (13), the container moreover having at least one resiliently deformable portion (21); (ii) communication means extending between the interior of the container (10) and the dished portion (13) and adapted, in use, to permit a flow of liquid from the container (10) and into the dished portion (13). In use, the container (10) is at least partly filled with a liquid and deformation of the resiliently deformable portion (21) forces said liquid, via the communication means (ii) into the dished portion (13).

Abstract: A desuperheater for reducing the superheated state of steam located within a cylindrically-shaped conduit. The desuperheater injects water droplets counter to the direction of moving superheated steam within the conduit. Downstream of the water droplet outlet is a biscuit which is aligned along the longitudinal axis of the conduit to provide a series of separate mixing elements all inducing the same rotational sign to fluids passing therethrough.

Abstract: A disposable plug for installation in a cylindrical water line to temporarily block the water line to the passage of water therethrough. The disposable plug includes a cylindrically shaped tablet having a diameter substantially equal to the diameter of the water line so that when installed within the water line, water is prevented from passing the disposable plug. The cylindrically shaped tablet is characterized as being at least partially dissolvable when contacted with water. A water impermeable membrane surrounds at least a portion of the cylindrically shaped tablet to selectively prevent water from contacting it as long as the disposable plug acts to temporarily block the water line. The water impermeable membrane can be selectively disrupted allowing water to contact the cylindrically shaped tablet to selectively remove the disposable plug when no longer needed.

Abstract: Compositions for remediating ano-rectal inflammatory processes, hemorrhoidal syndromes and ano-rectal wounds. The composition includes the synergistic combination of reduced glutathione and selenium as a selenoamino acid in a suitable carrier for topical applications.

Abstract: A pack system for holding a highly viscous liquid includes a container configured with an opening in the bottom end thereof, a valve mechanism disposed adjacent the opening for selectively controlling flow through the opening, and a pack having a pocket configured to hold the container in an upright position so that highly viscous liquid disposed within the container will gravitate toward the opening in the lower end. Preferably, the pocket has an opening in the upper end for receiving the container and an opening in the lower end for receiving the valve mechanism so that the valve mechanism is visible while the container is in the pocket.

Abstract: A tabletop has sections that are relatively movable to positions in which the tabletop is configured to support a patient in a generally kneeling prone position suitable for lumbar examination. An angular section of the tabletop has a torso support surface configured to receive the patient's torso when the patient is in the generally kneeling prone position. The angular section further has a leg support surface configured to receive the patient's upper legs when the patient is in the generally kneeling prone position. The torso and leg support surfaces of the angular section of the tabletop have a permanently fixed angular orientation relative to each other and face upward in directions that diverge from each other. This configuration of the angular section enables the tabletop to impart an especially accessible orientation to the patient's lumbar vertebrae.

Abstract: A container having insulating properties for shipping products. The container includes a flexible pouch capable of being folded to a substantially flat, two-dimensional geometry. The container further includes at least one cylindrically shaped elastomer having a radial dimension and height dimension shaped to fit within the flexible pouch and being more resistant to deformation in its height dimension than in its radial dimension and at least one cylindrically shaped metalized membrane sized to fit within the cylindrically shaped elastomer. A geometrically shaped top and bottom are each sized to fit within the cylindrically shaped elastomer which are used to determine the shape of the container as well as its internal volume.

Abstract: A sublimating card printing apparatus, the size of which is reduced with a simple construction while providing multiple functions. A sublimating card printing apparatus for recording predetermined information in a magnetic recording medium and/or semiconductor memory provided on a card material and printing an image based on a supplied printing signal on the card material.