Abstract: A sand screen having a plurality of sintered, substantially spherical plastic members covering a perforated mandrel is releasably suspended from a packer mandrel by a locking mandrel and a landing nipple. The sand screen and locking mandrel are retrievable with the assistance of a running tool which is insertable into the bore of the locking mandrel. According to this arrangement, the sand screen can be removed and replaced without retrieving the packer or the production tubing. In one embodiment, the sand screen is enclosed within the bore of a sliding side valve. The sliding side valve can be opened and closed as desired for selectively admitting production from various producing zones, or for isolation of a damaged screen. In another embodiment, an auxiliary sand screen having a plurality of sintered, substantially spherical plastic members covering a perforated mandrel is inserted into the bore of a primary screen, for example, a conventional wire-wrap sand screen.

Abstract: A safety system including a surface controlled subsurface safety valves for use in a well having annulus fluid flow. One of the safety valves has a valve closure member, and a small diameter offset piston actuator to move the valve closure member in response to control fluid pressure conducted from the well surface to its open position which allows annulus fluid flow. A spring biases the valve closure member to block annulus fluid flow. The annulus safety valve has an enlarged flow area for use in high volume gas injection wells. The annulus safety valve has metal-to-metal sealing systems to improve valve life under harsh downhole well environments.

Abstract: A gravel packing assembly which may be utilized in a method to gravel pack a well through the tubing string. The gravel pack assembly includes a crossover assembly which facilitates the pumping of a gravel slurry into a wellbore, and the taking of the fluid return through the tubing string. A gravel pack screen will be coupled in the assembly beneath the crossover assembly to facilitate the conventional placement of the gravel pack. After the placement of gravel in the well, the crossover assembly may be removed from the well, leaving the screen in place with the gravel pack.

Abstract: An apparatus for applying an article of jewelry around an individual's wrist comprising: a base; an arcuate arm connected at its proximate end to the proximate end of the base member and extending upwardly perpendicular to the base and then curving and extending over the base to terminate in a horizontal plane, thus defining a substantially horizontal portion of the arcuate arm, the horizontal portion being spaced vertically from the base a distance sufficient to accommodate the wearer's wrist, the horizontal portion of the arcuate arm having a channel provided therein and transversely thereof and positioned near the distal end thereof; and a means provided in the channel for releasably suspending the article of jewelry from the horizontal portion of the arcuate arm, whereby the article of jewelry is maintained in the spacing between the horizontal portion of the arcuate arm and the base member.

Abstract: A popcorn popper for popping unpopped corn in a microwave oven having a cavity therein and producing a source of microwave energy, comprising a popping section transparent to microwaves for popping an amount of unpopped corn; a containment portion included with the popping section for preventing an amount of popped corn, as the unpopped corn pops and becomes an amount of popped corn, from leaving the popping section and falling into the cavity of the microwave oven; and an at least partially microwave opaque section having an opening therein in open communication with the popping section for receiving the popped corn. A member included with the popping section and positioned angularly to the horizontal plane urges the popped corn into the at least partially microwave opaque section. Apparatus for supplying a liquid such as a flavoring or melted butter which may be used with the popper or other devices, provides melted butter to the popped corn after a time delay.

Abstract: Apparatus comprising a valve housing adapted to be supported on a tubular member having a bore therein and a passage in the tubular member and the valve housing for communicating fluid from the interior of the tubular member to an inflatable element supported externally on the tubular member to inflate it. Disposed in the bore is a valve for controlling fluid flow from the interior of the tubular member through the bore to the inflatable element. The valve is restrained from moving responsive to a pressure differential between a higher pressure in an annulus surrounding the tubular member and a lower pressure in the bore, and the apparatus releases the valve for movement responsive to a lower pressure differential from a higher pressure from the interior of the tubular member and a lower pressure in the annulus for further movement to a further configuration responsive to a pressure differential between a higher pressure in the annulus and a lower pressure from the interior of the tubular member.

Abstract: A valve housing is adapted to be supported on a tubular member, there being bore means in the valve housing. Passage means are provided in the tubular member and in the valve housing for communicating fluid from the interior of the tubular member through the bore means to the interior of an inflatable element carried by the tubular member for inflation of the inflatable element. First valve means in the bore means control fluid flow into the bore means, and second valve means in the bore means control fluid flow from the bore means to the inflatable element. Means retain the second valve means in position in the bore means to close off flow to the inflatable element until a first predetermined pressure is reached in the bore means and for releasing the second valve means so that it may move to communicate the bore means for flow to the interior of the inflatable element when the first predetermined pressure is reached.

Abstract: A testing or treating tool enables either squeeze packer elements or inflatable packer elements to isolate an interval of the well bore. A pump provides hydraulic pressure to move the packer elements into sealing engagement with the well bore wall by manipulation of a tubular member which supports the tool in the well bore. The tool includes a sensor which is responsive to a pressure differential between the hydrostatic pressure in the well bore and the pressure in the isolated zone, or interval, in the well to increase the hydraulic pressure acting on the elements when the pressure in the well bore exceeds the pressure in the isolated zone to inhibit creep of the packers along the well bore wall. A collection reservoir receives fluid displaced from the well bore as the packers sealably engage the well bore.