Abstract: This patent discloses a modular environmental control system for small cleanroom enclosures ("mini-enclosures"). Small environmental control units ("ECUs") are mounted on top of individual mini-enclosures, as near as possible to the process tool within the enclosure. Each ECU has the capability of controlling temperature, humidity, and airflow rate delivered into the enclosure. Temperature is adjusted by first cooling the air inside the ECU followed by reheating it to a selected temperature. The cooling capability is not generated by individual ECUs. Instead, a remote fluid cooling unit supplies chilled fluid to each ECU, which is circulated internally to cool the air. The same remote unit services different ECUs at the same time.

Abstract: Orchard bins for the retail food sales industry have special corner members and joining brackets that allow assembly without the use of tools, and also permit disassembly for storage. The connector system for interconnecting two panels together has a connector member with a first surface for positioning on one panel vertical strip and a second surface for positioning on a second panel vertical strip. The first surface and the second surface of the connector member each have at least one cleat aperture thereon, and at least one cleat is provided for attachment to the first panel vertical strip and at least a further cleat for attachment to the second panel vertical strip, the cleats positioned to engage the cleat apertures in the first and second surfaces of the connector member.

Abstract: The invention is a device consisting of a control module that allows a driver to electronically activate a truck's engine brakes. The brakes are activated by use of a push-button switch installed on the truck's gearshift lever. In the first embodiment of the invention, when the button is pressed and released, the control module's electronic circuitry keeps the engine brakes engaged until the clutch or throttle is used. In the second embodiment of the invention, the brakes also can be turned off by pressing the button again. The invention eliminates the need to use a truck's standard, dashboard-mounted manual switch to activate the engine brake and allows the driver to intermittently turn the engine brakes on or off.

Abstract: The present invention is a humidifier that provides uniformly controlled generation of water vapor into an air stream. Steel wool is placed into a heating section of a humidifier water reservoir, where vapor is produced, to create an even distribution of vapor exiting the humidifier. A perforated plate is horizontally inserted into the heating section above the steel wool, thereby holding it in place and aiding in the even distribution of vapor from the humidifier.

Abstract: A joint able to join three members. The joint is formed by each member having at least one channel of a width generally equal to the thickness of a member to be joined to it and a length generally equal to the width of a member to be joined to it. There is a recess in each member positionable so that, when constructed, the joint has a pathway formed by said recesses. A locking member is received by said pathway to lock the joint.

Abstract: The invention is a device for attaching a lifting cable or the like to a concrete block or other heavy object. The invention has a pair of pivoting cam members mounted to frame. The frame and cam members are dimensioned so that they can be fit within a space within the block when the device is in a relaxed condition. A linkage, which is connected to the lifting cable, drives the cam members outwardly against the walls of the space when the lifting cable is put in tension. This wedges the device in the space. The greater the tension in the lifting cable, the greater the wedging force.

Abstract: This invention is a tree protection pad for protecting the surface of trees to be left standing during a tree thinning operation. The device comprises a sheet of protective, flexible material which is attached to a tree via straps. When the straps are cinched tight, the sheet is pulled against and conforms to the surface of the tree. The protective sheet is easily removable by loosening the straps for subsequent placement on other trees or transportation to other areas.

Abstract: An air conditioning system utilizes parallel fluidized bed desiccators for reducing the temperature and humidity of supply air. While one fluidized bed removes moisture from the supply air, the other is regenerated by a heated air flow. Use of the two beds is cycled back and forth between moisture removal and regeneration during operation of the system.

Abstract: The invention disclosed and claimed here is a padded inflatable game ball. The ball is a seamed ball consisting of a spherical rubber bladder, a layer of winding surrounding the bladder, a cellular sponge layer surrounding the winding, and seams and external skin panel sections surrounding the cellular sponge layer. The sponge layer provides padding under the skin panel sections. The seams are made of narrow strips of high density rubber which cover a relatively small section of the overall surface area of the sponge layer. This allows outgassing of the sponge layer as it is foamed during the ball manufacturing process.

Abstract: The invention is a portable and lightweight soccer practice net that can be quickly attached to and removed from an existing soccer goal frame by one person. The net consists of a generally nonelastic material with webbing straps attached to its perimeter to strengthen the edges of the net. By adjusting the tension in the webbing straps, the tension of the net may be varied to allow different soccer drills to be practiced. The practice net is capable of withstanding high tension forces in excess of 350 pounds to rebound soccer balls at nearly the same speed with which they strike the practice net.

Abstract: The invention disclosed and claimed here is a lumber-straightening device for manipulating a cross-wise structural member relative to an underlying support joist. It includes a base plate which is releasably mountable to the support beam by a pair of pegs which rest on opposite side surfaces of the support beam. A hand-operated cylindrical cam head is pivotably mounted to the base plate. The point of pivotable attachment is off-center relative to the center point of the cam head. This allows the cam head to push a sliding plate against the cross-wise member for bending it into a desired position relative to the support beam. The direction of travel of the sliding plate follows a line or axis defined by the pivot point of the cam head and a separate guide pine, spaced from such pivot point, that follows a groove in the sliding plate. This relationship converts rotational force to linear force.

Abstract: Tetrahydro-iso-.alpha.-acids ("THIAA") are prepared directly from iso-.alpha.-acids ("IAA") by hydrogenation. Free IAA are first dissolved in ethanol. The solution is then hydrogenated in the presence of a particular type of noble metal catalyst. Hydrogenation is controlled naturally by the reaction between the catalyst and the IAA so that the IAA will be selectively converted to THIAA without unacceptable perhydrogenation into other forms.

Abstract: A collapsible lens designed to be used as an educational device is constructed from a pouch of polyethylene plastic that is shaped to form a convex lens when filled with water. The pouch has an edge region positioned adjacent and coextensive with a portion of the radial periphery of the pouch. The edge region has an inlet and outlet opening for use in filling and emptying the lens. The openings are closed by a channel-lock seam.