Abstract: An improved digestion process applicable to aerobic and anaerobic digesters is provided for waste treatment facilities during normal and overload conditions. The digestion system utilizes the addition of a lactobacillus fermentation product in a concentration sufficient to improve the digestion of units without deleteriously affecting the digestion system during normal load conditions. In addition, the use of the lactobacillus fermentation product facilitates recovery of digester systems from sour digestion conditions ("stuck digesters") in relatively short periods of time. Further, the ability of the digestion system to operate at higher-than-normal loadings and lower-than-normal detention times permits the use of existing facilities at not only peak periods which would otherwise be subjected to overloadings, but to be able to actually operate a system at twice designed loading, thus allowing for increased digester system capacity without incurring new capital equipment costs.

Abstract: A method of and an apparatus for producing a seat cushion member by laminating a sheet of decorative surface material, a sheet of usual polyurethane foam material and a reinforcing web of fabric material in the above order, and subjecting the laminate to heating by a conventional heating unit and, at the same time, to high-frequency dielectric heating by a high-frequency welder to locally fuse required portions of the sheet of usual polyurethane foam material thereby welding the three layers into an integral structure.

Abstract: A device for fixing members to panels, or joining panels, which has a body moulded from a resilient plastic, comprising a head part and a tail part joined by strip-like connectors which distort when the tail part is pulled towards the head part, and including outwardly deflected wings displaceable inwards to allow the fixing device to be applied.

Abstract: A method for freeze-drying flower arrangements whereby freshly cut flowers and foliage may be arranged and placed into a glass container with the arrangement subsequently dehydrated by a freeze-drying process. This process rapidly sets the arrangement such that wilting and distortion are minimized. Any color loss in the arrangement from the dehydration process is restored by spray tinting techniques. After the dehydration and tinting process, the container is sealed for protection from the ambiance. The method of the invention allows a floral arrangement to be dried as a whole, eliminating the delicate operation experienced when pre-dried flowers and foliage are used in assembling the dried arrangement.

Abstract: A medication that penetrates the surface of the skin is provided. The articular and muscular areas subject to discomfort may be relieved by the topical application of the medication. The medication has a penetrant of dimethyl sulfoxide, an anti-inflammatory agent, made from glucocorticoids, and a topical anesthetic compound. The medication greatly relieves pain and reduces swelling.

Abstract: An arrangement for assisting handling of sheep which comprises a pen having at each end gates which can be both opened or closed simultaneously and which are used by being opened to attract sheep within the pen and there is provided an automatic device to effect a closing of both gates upon location of the sheep within the pen. Members are provided to automatically re-open the gates with the withdrawal of a sheep from the side of the pen using the movement of a divertible panel in the side. There are also other members to assist causing a sheep to be off balance when in the pen to assist in withdrawal from the side.

Abstract: The earth pressure in the underground working area is effectively alleviated by injecting high-pressure liquid into a weak ground stratum underlying the ore bed being excavated thereby to enlarge the stress envelope formed around the working face. The liquid injection hole is formed as by drill means to extend from the working face or a neighboring gateway through an intermediate layer into the weak stratum preferably at a point outside of the stress envelope initially formed.

Abstract: A receptacle storage package is disclosed, having oblique base surfaces converging in such a manner as to tilt the receptacles towards one another. The receptacles would contact each other, in storage, but for the placement of a receptacle restraining piece position between the upper surfaces of the receptacles. Should the restraining piece be removed, the receptacles will contact under gravitational force.

Abstract: A photographic direct-print system for producing a screened print from a continuous tone negative. Fundamentally, the invention includes an enlarger having a main lamp associated therewith for receiving a negative and casting an image thereof upon an easel. Flashlamps are maintained in juxtaposition to the easel for further illuminating the same. A density read-out circuit, comprising a photodiode presenting an output to a digital volt meter, is included for measuring the light intensity of various areas of the image, such read-out determining the lens setting of the enlarger and the intensity of the flashlamps, as regulated by a power phase control circuit. A timer is included for controlling a period of simultaneous energization of the enlarger and flashlamps, the timer being controlled by a clock having a frequency which is dependent upon the intensity of the main lamp of the enlarger.

Abstract: A luminant pointer for use in a meter is disclosed, which comprises a finger portion having a trapezoidal sectional shape with the transverse width of its upper face being selected to be longer than that of its lower face, and a layer of color paint provided on the lower face of the finger portion. The entire upper face of the finger portion of the pointer having such a construction can thus glow with the color of the paint in spite of the fact that the color paint layer is provided merely on the lower face having a considerably smaller area than that of the upper face of the finger portion of the pointer. Therefore, the amount of the paint required for the luminant indication purpose is decreased to reduce the rate of absorption of light by the paint, thereby obviating the tendency of sharp reductions in the intensity of light advancing from the radially inner end toward the radially outer end of the finger portion of the pointer on the meter dial.

Abstract: An improvement to the enclosure of fireplace apertures is provided by a sealing strip which engages pivotable glass doors having metallic frames and the frame of the fireplace enclosure. This sealing strip may be a lightweight gauge of brass, bronze, aluminum alloy, steel alloy, or other material capable of withstanding the heat of combustion inside the fireplace but having sufficient spring tension to effect a seal. The strip extends around the entire junction of the glass doors with the fireplace enclosure frame. The sealing strip is insertable into the conjunction of the glass with the glass door frame. Optionally, the strip may extend between moving doors to complete the sealing operation.

Abstract: Compositions of and a method for preparing polymeric formulations that gradually, continuously and uniformly release various compounds over a long period of time in ionic form that are well recognized as essential to the growth of agricultural commodities. The compounds, such as inorganic salts of varying water solubilities, are monolithically incorporated in a thermoplastic polymeric matrix usually of two thermoplastic polymers, for example, a copolymer of poly(ethylene-vinyl acetate) or a copolymer of ethylene and propylene. Release is generally conditioned upon the presence of moisture and is proportional to the moisture content of soil treated with the subject invention. Release rate is tailored to a given desirable condition by regulation of the free volume and/or porosity within the polymer matrix and through dispenser geometry.

Abstract: This scrap metal preheat apparatus includes a conveyor made from deck plates which are of generally U-shape in vertical section, and an apertured or wire mesh metal support layer positioned on and conforming to the contour of the interior of the deck plate but spaced therefrom, which deck plate and support screen are of flattened U-shape in section, and supports for the deck plate, the apertured support layer being operatively secured to the supports and/or deck plate at the upper edge portions of the apertured support layer which overlap upper edges of the deck plate, and the apparatus includes support members for the support layer aiding in spacing it from the deck plate.

Abstract: An inflatable tent is disclosed wherein the tent comprises a plurality of inflatable frames for supporting the tent; an air passage tube for interconnecting the frames and permitting air to flow therein; a plurality of blockage mechanisms installed on the air passage tube for partitioning the air system in the tent into several independent parts; a water-proof film integrally formed with the frames and the tube for filling the gaps therebetween; an inlet and an outlet for receiving and releasing air respectively; and a plurality of handles for easy set up of the tent under various environments.

Abstract: Article packing or unpacking apparatus, including two correlated driven conveyors, the first for articles and the second for moving cases through a fixed course having a horizontal section and with both conveyors having fixed orbits, the article conveyor being in a vertical plane above the horizontal section of the second conveyor; and article grippers are positioned by carrier bars engaged with the article conveyor, which grippers depend from the carrier bars in a lower reach of such article conveyor. A pair of control arms are individually secured to each carrier bar at different ends thereof to engage guides as the article conveyor is moved downwardly towards an inflection area so that the article grippers are presented on vertical axes as they are moved into, along with cases moving through the horizontal section of the case conveyor fixed course.

Abstract: A child's stroller, pusher, pram which folds into a compact unit. The handle, seat, frame and undercarriage are interconnected by a linkage so that the components fold down towards the wheels as the wheels move towards each other.

Abstract: A coffee brewing device of the percolator type. Fundamentally, the invention comprises a pot for receiving liquid therein and having positioned at the bottom thereof a cylindrical pump member characterized by an essentially flat top and by a tubular pump chamber of greater radial length than the vertical depth of the pump chamber at the top of the pump member. Six to ten uniform holes or orifices of a total area of between about 0.0258 and 0.043 square inches are provided in uniformly spaced relationship about the bottom of the pump assembly. Received within the pump is a dual element fat-topped heater consisting of a core having two heating element wires wrapped thereabout in a parallel spiraling fashion. The flat top of the pump member is spaced from between 1/16" and 1/8" from the flat top of the heater.

Abstract: The method of handling sheep which includes the steps of locating a sheep on apparatus as set out in any one of the preceding claims and including the steps of firstly locating the sheep on the table on its back and immobilizing the sheep while in this position by urging the yoke against its rear portion at a location between jointly its rear legs and its body, then removing the said yoke from an engaging position against the sheep, rolling the sheep over onto its side and bringing together the two said members whereby to hold the front legs and the back legs at a location adjacent an upper end of each leg where this adjoins the body by having a "U" shaped space encompass the front and rear legs respectively, and then rolling the sheep over while its legs are so retained so that it eventually rolls to be fully supported on the restraining means holding its four legs and then pulling the two members apart so as to release the sheep.