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. 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: Liners are typically formed by several sheets of liner material that are welded together along an edge. Securing a liner in place could be vastly improved if a cable could be fixed to the liner. Therefore, several methods of securing a cable to the liner have been disclosed. In one embodiment, a passage is placed into a hot shoe wedge welder used in welding the liner sheets together. A cable is fed through the passage as thus is captured between the two portions of adjacent sheets being welded together. The cable can be unsheathed or slidable within a sheath. In the later case, the sheath would be fixed between the welded sheets, but the cable would still be slidable within the sheath. A sheathed cable could also be attached to a liner by melting a portion of the sheath and a portion of the liner and then pressing the two together. A modified hot shoe could be used in that process as well. Finally, a cable can be placed onto a liner and a plastic bead applied over the cable, attaching it to the liner.

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: A method of manufacturing a sock having anti-microbial properties including the steps of providing a quantity of a thermoplastic resin including an 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; and knitting the anti-microbial members into an anti-microbial sock having predetermined microbial inhibition characteristics.

Abstract: A forced convective track oven comprises a track conveyor including first and second circular spirals, the first circular spiral for conveying bakery trays and dough products upwardly and the second circular spiral portion for conveying bakery trays and dough products downwardly, thereby minimizing the number of changes of direction of the bakery trays as they travel along the track conveyor. A plurality of burners discharge heated air through discharge tubes and discharge nozzles into engagement with bakery trays carried by the track conveyor. First and second oval spirals may be used in lieu of the circular spirals when the track oven is used in a reduced ceiling height environment.

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. 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 combined with the hydroxyl ions to form methanol.

Abstract: In a process for bleaching chemically tanned skin and discolored nails, a bleaching composition is applied to the skin or nails to be bleached or lightened. The applied composition may be left undisturbed or may be rubbed into the skin continuously. The treatment period is about 30 seconds to 10 minutes in the case of skin, and about 5 minutes to 30 minutes in the case of nails. Thereafter the applied composition is removed from the skin or nails by a combination of towel wiping and water rinsing. The bleaching composition may include a bleaching agent comprising hydrogen peroxide and may include an activator comprising ammonium bicarbonate. The bleaching composition may also include an exfoliant comprising fine abrasive particles such as ground walnut shells, pumice or sand.

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 combined with the hydroxyl ions to form methanol.

Abstract: The decelerator pin is supported on a pin stop of the type used to locate a jigskid at a manufacturing location. The decelerator pin is supported with pivotal movement between a first position wherein it is positioned ahead of the pin stop with respect to the path of travel of the jigskid and a second position wherein the jigskid engages the pin stop. The decelerator pin is operatively connected to a shock absorber which slows the movement of the jigskid as it approaches the pin stop.

Abstract: In a method of removing organic contaminants from a liquid, an oxidizing gas is formed into sub-micron size bubbles which are dispersed into a flowing initially contaminated liquid, after which the treated liquid is recovered. The oxidizing gas is preferably selected from a group including ozone and chlorine dioxide and is utilized immediately upon its manufacture.

Abstract: A surface access hemostatic valve comprises a tube and a hemostatic valve mounted at the distal end of the tube for positioning at the surface of the skin of the patient. The graft having the surface access hemostatic valve mounted thereon is surgically installed in the skin of the patient. Thereafter the interior of the tube is sterilized and an access member is inserted through the hemostatic valve, through the tube, and into the interior of the graft.

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 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: 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 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: A forced convective track oven comprises a track conveyor including first and second cylindrical spirals, the first cylindrical spiral for conveying bakery trays and dough products upwardly and the second spiral spiral portion for conveying bakery trays and dough products downwardly, thereby minimizing the number of changes of direction of the bakery trays as they travel along the track conveyor. A plurality of burners discharge heated air through discharge tubes and discharge nozzles into engagement with bakery trays carried by the track conveyor.

Abstract: A portable workshop includes a storage cabinet having shelves in lower portions thereof for receiving relatively large, heavy items and drawers in the upper portion thereof for receiving relatively small tools, accessories, and supplies. The storage cabinet is supported on wheels and casters for movement. The storage cabinet includes a top comprising the work surface. A work table top is supported on the storage cabinet for pivotal movement between a storage orientation and a working orientation. A retractable handle is utilized for manipulating the portable workshop on the wheels and casters.

Abstract: A double spiral conveyor includes two spiral chutes, each chute being positioned diametrically opposite the other in a helical relationship about a central axis of a central tubular support. The spiral chutes begin in the same upper horizontal plane and terminate in the same lower horizontal plane. The spiral conveyor further includes a rotatable discharge pan that receives the transported product as it is discharged from the two spiral chutes and directs the product to a predetermined location.

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: A surface access double hemostatic valve comprises a first hemostatic valve mounted in the wall of a hemodialysis graft, a chamber extending from the first hemostatic valve, and a second hemostatic valve mounted at the distal end of the chamber for positioning at the surface of the skin of the patient. The graft having the surface access double hemostatic valve mounted thereon is surgically installed in the skin of the patient. Thereafter the interior of the chamber is sterilized and a blood access member is inserted through the second hemostatic valve, through the chamber, through the second hemostatic valve, and into the interior of the graft for access to blood flowing therethrough to effect hemodialysis.