Abstract: The bulk bag comprising a bottom wall, double layer end walls extending upwardly from the bottom wall, double layer side wall portions extending upwardly from the bottom wall and perpendicularly to the end walls, double layer pivotally supported side walls hingedly secured to the side wall portions, stiffening panels received between the double layers of the end walls, the side wall portions, and the pivotally supported side walls, and fasteners for securing the pivotally supported side walls in alignment with the side wall portions.

Abstract: A machine tool has a cam shaft and indexing drive mechanism which is driven by a servomotor and is therefore adapted for operation within a wide range of operational parameters. An encoder mechanism provides feedback to the servo drive mechanism to effect operational control. The machine tool further comprises a variable frequency drive motor which operates the spindles of the machine tool independently of the cam shaft and indexing drive. A servo-operated threading mechanism is operable at one or more workstations of the machine tool to provide threading of parts manufactured thereby. A computer control system controls and monitors the entire operation of the machine tool.

Abstract: A baffle-type bulk bag is reinforced with triangular support members positioned in the triangular corners of the bulk bag to facilitate stacking. The bulk bag may include double layer side walls having support panels received therein.

Abstract: A pet carrier for use in transporting pets within the passenger compartments of aircraft includes selectively closeable windows formed from mesh fabric, a fully openable end and a fully openable side for providing access to the interior of the pet carrier, an access port in the top having a full length double zipper closure and a rotatable locking member for securing the access port in the closed condition, a multi-function strap securable to the opposite ends of the pet carrier for use as a shoulder strap and securable to one end of the pet carrier for use as a pulling strap, individually removable rollers supporting the pet carrier for rolling movement over an underlying surface, and a removable floor.

Abstract: A rotary furnace includes a drum and a frame supporting the frame for rotation about a nominally horizontal rotational axis. The frame and the drum are supported for pivotal movement about a horizontal pivotal axis. A door supported on the frame normally closes the front end of the drum and is selectively pivotal to an open position to facilitate charging of the drum. The door includes a pouring door which is openable to facilitate discharge of molten material from the drum.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a shoe lining having anti-microbial properties having the steps of: providing a quantity of a thermoplastic resin including an inorganic zinc-based anti-microbial agent admixture having a predetermined microbial inhibition characteristic; blending the thermoplastic resin with a polyethylene resin to form an anti-microbial feedstock; forming the anti-microbial feedstock into relatively long, narrow, thin lengths of anti-microbial members; weaving the anti-microbial members into an anti-microbial fabric having predetermined microbial inhibition characteristics; cutting the anti-microbial fabric into a plurality of pieces in accordance with a predetermined pattern; and joining the pieces of anti-microbial fabric together thereby constructing the anti-microbial shoe lining. A sock liner may be knitted from anti-microbial members as noted above.

Abstract: An apparatus for grinding foodstuffs includes a grinding chamber comprising a housing having fixed and driven grinding members positioned therein. The driven grinding member is mounted at one end of a drive shaft, and apparatus is provided at the opposite end of the drive shaft for positioning the drive shaft longitudinally and thereby positioning the driven grinding member relative to the fixed grinding member. The housing supports the driven grinding member and is mounted for pivotal movement about horizontal and vertical axes to vary the parallelism of the fixed grinding member relative to the driven grinding member.

Abstract: An anti-static film comprises one or more polymeric film layers having a layer of conductive, low capacitance material secured thereto. The polymeric film layer(s)may have pinholes formed therethrough. The conductive, low capacitance layer comprises one or more strands of conductive, low capacitance fiber arranged in a predetermined pattern. The polymeric film layer(s) are bonded to the conductive, low capacitance material using a polymeric layer formed from the same material as the film layers. Alternatively, the layer of conductive, low capacitance material may be omitted, with the adhesive layer being extruded onto the polymeric layer having pinholes formed therethrough. Similarly, an anti-static fabric comprises one or more layers of woven polymeric material having a layer of conductive, low capacitance material secured thereto. Alternatively, the fabric may have a polymeric layer extruded thereon in which pinholes are formed.

Abstract: A bulk bag for receiving, storing, transporting, and discharging liquids comprising four double layer side walls connected end to end to define four corners, four sleeves located at the four corners of the side walls, stiffener panels received between the double layers of the side walls, and stiffener rods received in the sleeves. The bulk bag may be provided with double layer baffles extending across the interior corners of the bulk bag and stiffeners received between the double layers of the baffles. The bulk bag may be provided with double layer dividers which extend across the interior of the bulk bag from the midpoints of the side walls and having stiffener panels therein.

Abstract: A ligature for securing an orthodontic bracket to an orthodontic archwire is formed from nylon and comprises a thin, elongate member having sufficient tensile strength to withstand orthodontic forces. A locking member receives the ligature therethrough and prevents disengagement of the ligature from an orthodontic bracket and an orthodontic archwire following installation. In one embodiment the ligature has locking teeth at one end and a locking member at the other end for cooperation with the locking teeth to prevent disengagement of the ligature. In another embodiment the ligature has locking teeth at both ends which engage one another and a locking tube to prevent disengagement of the ligature. In another embodiment the locking member is initially open and is closable to secure the ligature therein, thereby preventing disengagement of the ligature from an orthodontic bracket and an orthodontic archwire following installation.

Abstract: In a system for coating human skin, a chemical composition, such as a cosmetic or medical formulation, is uniformly coated over the entire body or selected parts of the body of the person being coated. The system includes atomization of the coating composition, containment of the atomized spray, and residual recovery which together yield a novel method for applying chemical compositions.

Abstract: A valve stem has a thickness of hardfaced material on its outer diameter in the area contacting the stem packing where the seal is formed which prevents corrosion, erosion and/or scratching of the valve stem, thereby preventing formation of leak paths.

Abstract: A tip-over dischargeable bulk bag comprises a bottom wall and four double layer side walls extending upwardly from the bottom wall and secured end to end to form four corners which define the rectangular enclosure. Stiffeners are received between the double layers of the side walls and are secured either by sewn seams or by releaseable fasteners. Baffles extend across the corners of the bulk bag and receive stiffeners which are secured by sewn seams or by releaseable fasteners. The baffles may be provided with apertures to facilitate the complete filling of the bulk bag.

Abstract: In a method of and apparatus for producing sub-micron bubbles in liquids, slurries, and sludges, gas is maintained on the interior of the gas permeable partition at predetermined pressure. Relative movement between the gas permeable partition and the surrounding material forms sub-micron sized bubbles in the liquid, slurry, or sludge.

Abstract: In a method of and apparatus for manufacturing methanol and higher alcohols from natural gas a catalytic area is formed on the exterior of a gas permeable partition. Natural gas is maintained on the interior of the gas permeable partition at predetermined pressure. Relative movement between the gas permeable partition and the water forms sub-micron sized bubbles of natural gas. Electromagnetic radiation is directed onto the catalytic surface to form hydroxyl radicals from the water. Methyl, ethyl, and propyl ions from the natural gas combine with the hydroxyl ions to form methanol, ethanol, and propanol.

Abstract: A butterfly valve comprises a valve housing, a valve member mounted within the valve housing, and a valve stem supporting the valve member within the valve housing for rotation between open and closed positions. At least one magnet is mounted on the valve stem for rotation with the valve member. At least one sensor is positioned for actuation by the magnet to indicate that the valve member is in its fully closed position.

Abstract: In a method of removing acidic compounds, color, and polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons, and for removing or converting hydrocarbons containing heteroatoms from used oil distillate, phase transfer catalysts are employed to facilitate the transfer of inorganic or organic bases to the substrate of the oil distillate. An inorganic or organic base, a phase transfer catalyst selected from the group including quaternary ammonium salts, polyol ethers and crown ethers, and used oil distillate are mixed and heated. Thereafter, contaminants are removed from the used oil distillate through distillation.

Abstract: In a method of and apparatus for manufacturing methanol from methane a catalytic area is formed on the exterior of a hollow sintered stainless steel tube. Methane is maintained within the sintered stainless steel tube at predetermined pressure, and water continuously flowing across the exterior surface thereof strips the methane forming sub-micron sized methane bubbles. Ultraviolet light energy is directed onto the catalytic surface to form hydroxyl radicals from the flowing water. The hydroxyl radicals cleave the carbon-hydrogen bonds of the methane to form methyl ions which combine with the hydroxyl ions to form methanol.

Abstract: A woven polypropylene fabric flexible intermediate bulk container (“bulk bag”) is formed with a polypropylene lining bonded directly to the material of the fabric, thereby eliminating any possibility of displacement of the lining relative to the bulk bag. An improved discharge chute having an exterior woven polypropylene fabric tube and an interior polypropylene fabric film liner tube may be used in the bulk bag. In a second embodiment, a polypropylene woven fabric tube is positioned around a polypropylene film tube. The tubes are heat sealed circumferentially to each other to form a tubular blank.

Abstract: A multi-spindle CNC lathe comprises a frame assembly mounted on a base and including spaced apart, rigidly interconnected subframes defining spaced, parallel alignment surfaces. A plurality of spindles each includes a collet for rotating a stock about a spindle axis. An indexing mechanism positions the spindles in alignment with stations located at equally spaced intervals about a central axis. Internal tool slides mounted on the alignment surface of one of the subframes each comprise a servo mechanism for advancing and retracting a cutting tool along a work station axis. External tool slides mounted on the alignment surface of the other subframe each comprise a first servo mechanism for advancing and retracting a cutting tool toward and away from the work station axis and a second servo mechanism for selectively moving the cutting tool back and forth along a path extending parallel to the work station axis.