Abstract: Novel materials for controlling molluscs, such as snails and slugs, using carbohydrates including celluloses, hemicellulose complexes, and/or lignin, for inducing death in molluscs. The materials are non-toxic, will not contaminate a drinking water supply, will not harm fish, birds or wild life, will not cause any harmful effects if swallowed or absorbed through the skin, will not harm children or pets, and can be safely eaten by domestic animals and livestock that may consume such dead molluscs. The materials may be applied in various formulations at various water contents. The materials do not provide nutrition to the molluscs, and disrupt normal bodily functions resulting in death. An attractant may be included to encourage ingestion by the molluscs.

Abstract: The present invention is a modified ball joint assembly for attachment to a steering knuckle made up of a body and a spacer. The body includes a ball joint at one end, a set of attachment openings at the other end, and a variably spaced segment between the ends. The spacer inserts into a void in the lower control arm of the vehicle, and includes a plurality of complementary attachment openings for use in attaching the body and the spacer to the lower control arm. The modified ball joint assembly lowers the position of the lower control arm of the vehicle relative to the steering knuckle thereby lowering the ride height of a vehicle a desired amount without requiring the removal of or modification of the steering knuckle. The present invention allows the factory-supplied steering knuckle and tires to be used, providing a considerable cost savings to the end user.

Abstract: The present invention is an air injection collar for use in the drilling industry that is used to reduce the weight of the column of returning drilling mud and debris without causing unnecessary frictional wear on the drill pipe. The invention is a unique sleeve that is coupled to a drill casing that includes an input port for receiving the pressurized air or other fluid from the surface, an annular plenum extending around the drill casing, and a series of openings in the plenum leading to the inside of the drill casing. These openings disperse the pressurized air or other fluid into the upflowing mud around the central drill pipe so that it is not concentrated in one place, especially the center of the casing, where it could cause frictional damage to the drill pipe.

Abstract: This invention is a vending machine and components parts that include a sophisticated positioning system, gripper and trays for improved efficiency in product retrieval and delivery. Following product selection, the positioning system quickly transports the gripper through the X-Y plane to the front of a tray queue containing the selected product. The gripper is extended in the Z-direction, and its fingers grasp the foremost product container in the queue. The gripper then retracts, and the positioning system transports the gripper carrying the product container to a delivery port. The gripper then releases the product which slides down a chute into a delivery bucket that is then tilted outward for customer pick up. Unique product storage trays are provided which work in conjunction with the gripper to allow only the foremost product to be removed from a tray queue. A specially designed door is provided to accommodate the X-Y positioning system.

Abstract: The present invention includes methods for artificially inseminating animals using an improved artificial insemination device that prevents contaminants from entering the opening at the end of an insemination sheath during insertion through the reproductive tract of an animal. A thin protective cover or membrane is provided at the tip of the sheath to seal it, the membrane being designed to rupture under the pressure from the seminal fluid being applied by the plunger used to eject the semen from the insemination gun. The protective cover can be an integrated portion of the sheath itself, or a material applied to the tip of the sheath. The protective cover is minimal in size as to not increase the diameter of the artificial insemination device so that there is no loss in tactile sensitivity to the breeder who must maneuver the invention through the animal's reproductive tract.

Abstract: The present invention discloses methods for artificially splitting nuts in a manner that ensures that the nuts split in the same manner as naturally split nuts. The methods include placing a batch of closed-shell nuts into a water filled vessel, sealing it, and reducing the pressure inside the vessel by removing air. This also causes air to be removed from inside the nuts. The air pressure in the vessel is then normalized, causing the air removed from the nuts to be replaced with water from the vessel. The nuts are then promptly transferred from the vessel and exposed to forces that cause the water inside the nuts to rapidly expand, creating internal pressure that forces the shells to split open along the longitudinal suture of the nut.

Abstract: The present invention includes methods and apparatus for producing and using an improved artificial insemination device that prevents contaminants from entering the opening at the end of an insemination sheath during insertion through the reproductive tract. A thin protective cover or membrane is provided at the tip of the sheath to seal it, the membrane being designed to rupture under the pressure from the seminal fluid being applied by the plunger used to eject the semen from the insemination gun. The protective cover can be an integrated portion of the sheath itself, or a material applied to the tip of the sheath. The protective cover is minimal in size as to not increase the diameter of the artificial insemination device so that there is no loss in tactile sensitivity to the breeder who must maneuver the invention through the reproductive tract.

Abstract: An automatic packaging machine for forming a latching flip-top box from a blank. A plurality of mandrels are coupled to a conveyor system. Each of the mandrels includes a mounting block for coupling the mandrel to the automatic packaging machine, a package-holding assembly operatively connected to the mounting block and being rotatable about a first axis from a first position to a second position, and a flap holder assembly operatively connected to the mounting block. The flap holder assembly is rotatable about a second axis substantially perpendicular to the first axis. A plurality of plows and tucker assemblies sequentially manipulate portions of the blank in order to form portions of the box.

Abstract: Disclosed is a vortex-based centrifugal separator for removing solids from a liquid/solids fluid stream in two stages. A fluid stream under pressure is introduced at the top of the cylindrical separator at a tangential angle forming helical downward flow. The first stage uses a centrally-located spin plate for reversing the cleaner interior flow of the vortex back upward, while the heavier solids settle at the bottom of the chamber for periodic removal. In the second stage, a plurality of louvered slots in an upper discharge pipe remove finer solids from the exiting upward fluid flow prior to discharge.

Abstract: A new and distinct seedless mandarin named ‘Late Seedless Mandarin’ is characterized by late fruit production in April through to late March in the citrus areas of Sicily, Italy and Riverside, Calif. The tree has high yields and bears from year three onwards. It is further characterized by being a triploid and genetically seedless. The seedless fruit is well sized, has a typical mandarin shape (round, flattened) and has acceptable rind thickness with a smooth texture. The fruit has good acid/sugar ratios, has acceptable shipping characteristics, internal and external color is excellent at harvest, and eating quality is excellent. The fruit has an average juice content of about 45% to about 60% at harvest.

Abstract: A new and distinct seedless mandarin named ‘Top Mandarin Seedless’ characterized by late bearing in January through to February in the citrus areas of Sicily, Italy and Riverside, Calif. The tree has high yields and bears from years three onwards. It is further characterized by being a triploid and genetically seedless. The fruit is well sized having a typical mandarin shape (round, flattened) and has acceptable rind thickness with a smooth texture. The fruit stores well, and has reddish pigmented flesh, good acid-sugar ratios, and good external color. The fruit has an average juice content of about 40-50% at harvest.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a new and distinct clonal system of Olea europaea cultivar ‘Arbosana OLINT’. This new invention possesses all of the resistance to olive knot and cold temperature while producing an excellent commercial crop within three to four years in the Sacramento Valley of northern California, and is primarily grown for olive oil production. The dense planting and comparatively small height provides for mechanical harvesting with a very good to excellent level of production. The plants are ideally suited for olive oil production, mechanical harvesting and high density planting. The fruit matures in northern California during the fourth week of October.

Abstract: This new invention of an olive plant is characterized by its similarity to the ‘Koroneiki Standard’ (unpatented) from the island of Crete (Greece) from which it is a clonal selection, but is distinguished therefrom by producing a very small fruit early in the age of the tree (3rd leaf), better vigor, and higher productivity. The plants are ideally suited for olive oil production, mechanical harvesting and high density planting. The fruit matures in northern California during the third week of October.

Abstract: This new invention of an olive tree is characterized by its similarity to the ‘Arbequina Standard’ from which it is a clonal selection (naturally occurring mutation) from which it is distinguished by higher productivity, larger fruit size, better pulp to stone ratio, higher oil yield, and better oil quality. The plants are ideally suited for mechanical harvesting and high density planting. The fruit matures in northern California during the first week of October.

Abstract: A new and distinct variety that is characterized by producing a freestone fruit with good coloration and that is ripe for commercial harvesting and shipment June 15-25 in the San Joaquin Valley of Central California. The new variety is closely similar to the ‘Saucer’ peach tree (non-patented) from which it is a bud sport and from which it is distinguishable in that the fruit is much more highly colored, and has yellow flesh.