Abstract: An environmental protection and detection system includes a vapor and gas impervious barrier extending beneath at least part of the area of an enclosure to prevent fluids leaked or spilled within the enclosure for flowing downwardly into the underlying soil and ground water and to prevent vapors and gases emanating from sources beneath the enclosure from percolating upwardly into the enclosure. Lengths of perforated pipe are positioned above the barrier and are connected to points outside the enclosure for use in detecting and removing contaminants leaked or spilled within the enclosure. Lengths of perforated pipe are positioned beneath the barrier and are vented to the atmosphere for preventing accumulations of fluids emanating from sources beneath the enclosure.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a conveyor comprises identical carriages and apparatus for connecting the carriages end-to-end. The carriages each include first wheel pairs supported for a rotation about spaced apart parallel axes and a second wheel pair supported for rotation about a perpendicular axis. The first and second wheel pairs are rotatably supported by self-lubricated bearings. The connection apparatus may comprise either connection rods or a wire rope. In another embodiment, the conveyor comprises identical links each including first and second link portions. The link portions are pivotally interconnected by a first connecting pin which also supports a first pair of wheels. Adjacent links are interconnected by a second connecting pin which also supports a second wheel pair. The first and second wheel pairs are rotatably supported by self-lubricated bearings.

Abstract: A flexible membrane keyboard comprises opposed flexible plastic membranes having pressure sensitive switches embedded therebetween. Each pressure sensitive switch is individual to a particular letter, numeral, symbol, or function. A microprocessor is connected to each of the pressure sensitive switches and generates a keyboard output indicative of the pressure sensitive switch or group of pressure sensitive switches that is actuated at any particular time.

Abstract: In a method of improving the quality of diesel fuel, an oxidizing gas is formed into sub-micron size bubbles which are dispersed into diesel fuel, after which the treated fuel is recovered. The oxidizing gas is preferably ozone and is utilized immediately upon its manufacture. By means of the method, sulfur is removed from the diesel fuel and the cetane rating thereof is increased.

Abstract: An anti-microbial container for food items is formed from a polymeric resin which contains an anti-microbial agent. In one embodiment the container comprises an anti-microbial liner for a container which is utilized in receiving, storing, transporting, and displaying food items. In another embodiment the container comprises a plurality of cavities each for receiving a food item and an overlying transparent anti-microbial film for securing the food items in the containers. In yet another embodiment the container comprises a tube for receiving food items and having permanent or releaseable seals at the ends thereof.

Abstract: The intrusion of insects into a home or similar building is controlled by utilizing insect controlling plastic materials in the construction of the building. The insect controlling plastic building materials are manufactured by first blending one or more plastic resins with one or more insect controlling chemical agents to form a blended plastic resin/insect controlling chemical agent material. The blended plastic resin/insect controlling chemical agent material is then utilized to manufacture plastic films, sheets, non-woven fabrics, woven fabrics, insulating foams, flooring materials, wall covering materials, and the like utilizing conventional manufacturing techniques.

Abstract: A flexible, collapsible receptacle (hereinafter bag) for handling flowable materials which is fabricated from polymeric fabric and which provides (1) improved static control; (2) improved corrosion inhibition; and/or (3) improved microbial inhibition characteristics. The bag is manufactured by providing a quantity of thermoplastic resin having a predetermined conductivity (anti-static resin); forming the anti-static resin into relatively long, narrow, thin lengths of anti-static material (anti-static tapes); weaving the anti-static tapes into an anti-static fabric having a predetermined, controlled electrical resistivity; cutting the anti-static fabric into a plurality of pieces; and joining the pieces of anti-static fabric together thereby constructing the anti-static bag. Similar methods are disclosed for manufacturing bags having improved corrosion inhibition and/or improved microbial inhibition characteristics.

Abstract: In a packaging system for coiled goods, a length of flexible material is wound into a coil. A hole is extended diametrically through the coil and a rod is extended through the hole. Fasteners are secured to the opposite end of the rod to secure the flexible material in the coiled configuration.

Abstract: A bulk bag for dense materials includes side walls seamed together end-to-end to form a rectangular enclosure and at least a bottom wall secured to the lower ends of the side walls. Baffles are secured in the side wall seams and extend diagonally across the interior of the bulk bag to maintain the bulk bag in a rectangular cross-sectional configuration when filled with dense materials.

Abstract: In a first embodiment a support system for cubicles comprises a handle having a document engaging surface and a document and fabric penetrating member including a first relatively short horizontally disposed portion and a second relatively long vertically disposed portion which extends to a fabric penetrating tip. In a second embodiment the support system for cubicles includes a hook, a pair of fabric engaging members extending outwardly from the hook, and a pair of fabric penetrating members extending downwardly from the fabric engaging members to fabric penetrating tips.

Abstract: An environmental protection and detection system includes a vapor and gas impervious barrier extending beneath at least part of the area of an enclosure to prevent fluids leaked or spilled within the enclosure for flowing downwardly into the underlying soil and ground water and to prevent vapors and gases emanating from sources beneath the enclosure from percolating upwardly into the enclosure. Lengths of perforated pipe are positioned above the barrier and are connected to points outside the enclosure for use in detecting and removing contaminants leaked or spilled within the enclosure. Lengths of perforated pipe are positioned beneath the barrier and are vented to the atmosphere for preventing accumulations of fluids emanating from sources beneath the enclosure.

Abstract: A drier for commercial printers comprises an air receiving and discharging member having end walls, side walls, and a bottom wall and characterized by air receiving slots formed in the side walls and air discharging slots formed at the intersections between the side walls and the bottom wall. A lamp support frame having an imperforate top wall is positioned within the air receiving and discharging member. A fan support plate positions a fan above the top plate of the lamp frame for directing air onto the top plate thereof then downwardly along the side walls of the air receiving and discharging member and out through the air discharging slots thereof.

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 geomembrane comprising a unitary structure fabricated by co-extrusion including a center core, a thermoplastic adhesive layer secured on one side of the center core, and a textured layer secured on the opposite side of the center core. The geomembrane is utilized in the manufacture of a liner for earthen constructions by employing the thermoplastic layer of the geomembrane to secure the geomembrane to a geosynthetic clay liner.

Abstract: In a method of converting alkanes to their corresponding alcohols and ethers a vessel comprises a hollow, unsegregated interior defined first, second, and third zones. In a first embodiment of the invention oxygen reacts with metal bromide in the first zone to provide bromine; bromine reacts with the alkane in the second zone to form alkyl bromide; and the alkyl bromide reacts with metal oxide in the third zone to form the corresponding alcohol and/or ether. Metal bromide from the third zone is transported through the vessel to the first zone and metal oxide from the first zone is recycled to the third zone. A second embodiment of the invention differs from the first embodiment in that metal oxide is transported through the vessel from the first zone to the third zone and metal bromide is recycled from the third zone to the first zone.

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 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. A valve packing comprises a vertically stacked array comprising alternating metal pressure rings and graphite seals.

Abstract: Alcohols, ethers, and olefins are manufactured from alkanes by mixing an alkane and bromine in a reactor to form alkyl bromide and hydrogen bromide. The alkyl bromide only or the alkyl bromide and the hydrogen bromide are directed into contact with metal oxide to form an alcohol and/or an ether, or an olefin and metal bromide. The metal bromide is oxidized to form original metal oxide and bromine, both of which are recycled.

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: Methanol and/or dimethyl ether are manufactured from methane by mixing methane and bromine in a reactor to form methyl bromide and hydrogen bromide. The methyl bromide only or the methyl bromide and the hydrogen bromide are directed into contact with metal oxide to form methanol and/or dimethyl ether and a metal bromide. The metal bromide is oxidized to form original metal oxide catalyst and bromine, both of which are recycled.