Abstract: A cover assembly for covering a vessel comprising a main cover comprising at least a first outlet opening adapted for connection to a pipe, and a second opening surrounded by a flat region adapted for placement of a gasket; an access cover comprising a flat region adapted for mating with the flat region of the main cover; and provisions for the sealing of at least one cord passing between the main cover and the access cover. In other embodiments, the cover assembly is provided with an engagement feature adapted for engagement with a hook-shaped hanger rod. Sewage basin assemblies are also provided which incorporate these cover assemblies.

Abstract: A method for tapping of steel from a steelmaking furnace to a receiving vessel comprising the steps of providing a steelmaking furnace comprising a tapping hole, and means for angular positioning of the furnace to vary the depth of molten steel and slag contained in the furnace above the tapping hole; determining a guidance profile for the tapping of the furnace, the guidance profile including the parameters of minimum tapping angle, maximum tapping angle, and time of rotation from the minimum tapping angle to the maximum tapping angle; performing an initial angular rotation of the furnace from an initial position to the minimum tapping angle; beginning the transfer of molten steel from the furnace through the tapping hole to a receiving vessel; rotating the furnace to the maximum tapping angle in accordance with the guidance profile; and ceasing the flow of molten steel through the tapping hole.

Abstract: A coaxial cable connector comprising a fastener, a tubular post, and a compression sleeve. The fastener is comprised of a forward end and a rearward end, and includes an axial bore therethrough having a first and second engagement surfaces. The tubular post is comprised of a first engagement portion located in the axial bore at the forward end of the fastener, and a tubular extension extending rearwardly from the first engagement portion. The compression sleeve is configured to receive a prepared coaxial cable, and is movable between first and second positions. In the first position, a first end of the compression sleeve is engaged with the first engagement surface. Axial advancement of the compression sleeve to the second position causes the first end of the compression sleeve to engage with the second engagement surface of the fastener. A method of securing a coaxial cable in the connector is also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus for the sanitary dispensing of small stirring straws comprising a dispensing apparatus for dispensing rod-shaped objects comprising a hopper assembly comprised of a hopper bin, and a cylindrical cavity formed beneath said hopper bin; disposed within said cylindrical cavity of said hopper assembly, a conveyor drum for acquiring and indexing at least one rod shaped object; a wheel for accepting and discharging an indexed rod shaped object; and a linkage for triggering said dispensing apparatus to effect the discharge of a rod shaped object.

Abstract: A walker apparatus comprised of a first front support leg assembly, a second front support leg assembly, a first sliding joint, a second sliding joint, a central hinge joint, a first rear support leg assembly, a second rear support leg assembly, a first support member, a second support member, a front leg collapsing assembly, and a rear leg collapsing assembly. The walker apparatus is adapted to be is collapsed to a compact shape in a continuous collapsing motion.

Abstract: A safety lighting system comprising an H-field backscatter generator adapted to receive at least one electrical signal indicating the application of electrical power to at least one light circuit and comprising means for encoding and transmitting at least one encoded signal; a magnetic coupling receiver located separately from the H-field backscatter generator and adapted to receive the first encoded signal; and a light display electrically connected to the magnetic coupling receiver, the light display comprising at least one illuminatable lamp.

Abstract: A highly absorptive open cell foam having a ratio of cell size to pore size of between about 1 and about 10. A juice absorbing food package comprising a tray having a bottom bounded by an upwardly extending lip around the perimeter of the bottom and a liquid-absorbing pad comprised of polymer foam joined to the bottom of said tray, wherein the polymer foam is a highly absorptive open cell foam having a ratio of cell size to pore size of between about 1 and about 10. The tray of the juice-absorbing package may be overwrapped with gas permeable film, and may be provided with an oxygen absorbing substance therein. Alternatively, the overwrapped tray may be placed in a sealed barrier bag that is subsequently purged with a non-oxidizing gas such as carbon dioxide.

Abstract: A cutting assembly for a grinder pump comprised of a rotary cutter rotatable against an opposing plate cutter. The cutting edges of the plate cutter include a plurality of V-slice cutting teeth, which create bridging spaces to pinch material which is being sucked in to ports and begin cutting along the V-slice and then for cut material to pass through and onward into the volute of the pump. The rotary cutter has a ground edge with a rake angle which shears the gathered material in cooperation with the cutting edges of the plate cutter. A grinder pump including the cutter assembly is also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus for closing a member against a substantially horizontal surface of an object, wherein the member comprises a first end and a second end thereby defining a longitudinal axis of the member, and wherein the first end of the member is hingably attached by a first hinge and a second hinge to the substantially horizontal surface and the second end of the member is separated from the substantially horizontal surface with the longitudinal axis at a non-perpendicular angle to the substantially horizontal surface.

Abstract: An apparatus, which can be secured to a vehicle, and which can be used to affix, transport, and deploy shooting sports equipment such as a target dispenser, or a gun-sighting bench rest assembly. The apparatus is most commonly secured to and transported by an all-terrain vehicle.

Abstract: A device for pet training comprising a rigid tube formed with at least one elbow, and having a cavity in at least the distal end thereof for insertion of edible rewards therein; a handle, attached at the proximal end of the rigid tube, a flexible plunger rod disposed within the rigid tube, comprising a proximal end extending through the handle, and a distal end extending proximate to the cavity in the distal end of the rigid tube; a thumb ring joined to the proximal end of the flexible plunger rod; and a plunger disposed within the cavity and joined to the distal end of the flexible plunger rod, wherein a user of the device may hold the rigid tube by the handle, move the thumb ring, and cause an edible reward to be dispensed from the cavity on the distal end of the rigid tube.