Abstract: There is disclosed a hollow-form wheel formed entirely by injection molding of plastic. The wheel has an integral, central sleeve to receive a wheel hub assembly, at least three, hollow-form, integral spokes that are symmetrically located at equal angular spacings about the hub, and an integrally formed annular rim having a peripheral channel to receive a tire. The wall thickness of the sidewalls of the rims and spokes and the central hub area of the wheel are of uniform thickness to provide the strength and stiffness propeties at least equal to those of a metal spoked wheel.

Abstract: High speed turning of elongate confectionery bars through 90.degree. is executed in two stages. The bars are turned through an acute angle in a first stage by a timed blast of air from an air jet while the bar are in flight between first and second conveyors and through a further acute angle by a pair of diverging differential speed conveyors. The timing of the air blast is achieved by detecting the leading edge of the bar by sensors prior to projection. The orientation of the bar is checked by further sensors after initial transfer to the differential speed conveyors, and the relative speeds of those conveyors is adjusted if necessary to complete the turn.

Abstract: To reduce noise inside a motor car passenger compartment, two loudspeakers 37.sub.1, 37.sub.2 are driven by signals derived from a reference signal x(n) by adaptive filtering carried out by a programmed microprocessor and memory unit 36 which adapts the filtering in dependence on error signals e.sub.l (n) from four microphones 42.sub.1, 42.sub.2, 42.sub.3 and 42.sub.4 distributed in the passenger compartment. Reference filtering coefficients are initially determined by analysis of finite impulse responses when white noise is acoustically coupled from the loudspeakers 37 to the microphones 42, a white noise generator 48 being coupled to the unit 36. The reference signal x(n) is restricted to one or more selected harmonics or subharmonics of the fundamental noise frequency by a filter 34 which tracks the selected frequency. The selected frequency may be obtained from a coil 31 in the ignition circuit of the vehicle.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for incinerating burnable wastes, such as plastics, and to the treatment of the gases generated by such incineration. The waste materials are buried in a landfill, combustion is initiated with an explosion which simultaneously creates a combustion chamber as well as initiating incineration. A fuel and an oxidizing gas are supplied to the combustion chamber and conduits are provided for discharging the gases formed during the incineration process. The angle of introduction of the fuel and/or fuel and air mixture controls the direction of the incineration process. Landfill gases can be fed into the fuel conduit pipe for utilization as a combustion fuel. In addition, when using a liquid fuel, good results have been achieved by combining a suspension of a carbonate or bicarbonate in the fuel which serves to reduce chloride gases such as phosgene which are generated during the decomposition of plastics such as polyvinylchloride.

Abstract: There is disclosed a granular filtration system having a separator trough with an air deflection baffle of improved shape and operation, preferably combined with an airlift mechanism for cleaning or removing settled granular media particles from the upper surface of the air deflection baffle. The air deflection baffle is used in a regeneration method for the granular media filtration system in which the granular media is purged of filtered solids by backflushing with air and water. In this application, the air-deflection baffle is installed beneath and adjacent to the open throat of a solids separation vessel, typically which is in the form of a trough spanning the width of the filtration vessel and having an inclined bottom wall with an open throat. The improved configuration of the air deflection baffle is generally an inverted W-shape. A plurality of open-ended tubes are secured on the air deflection baffle, transversely to the longitudinal axis thereof.

Abstract: A container, e.g., case or bag, has an internal compartment with an access opening that is entirely closed with a cover having a clasp that cooperates with a latch of an electronic lock carried on the container. Preferably, the cover carries a key pad on its external surface and the key pad is in circuit to an alarm system that includes a control unit, power supply, motion and/or shock detector, and an audible alarm such as a siren. Most preferably, the power supply comprises one and preferably a pair of panels of solar cells which are also located on an external surface of the top cover. The container has one or more handles which can include a shoulder carrying strap. Preferably the container is formed of a thermally insulating material so that the container also serves as a cooler for beverage cans and the like.

Abstract: A wall hanger particularly adapted for supporting heavy objects includes as a base, a plate which defines a front and a rear face, the rear face being contiguous with the external surface of the wall when the device is installed. A hanger element extends from the front face of the plate and includes a supporting surface for an object to be carried by the device. An arcuate arm extends from the rear face of the plate and is adapted to be inserted through a hole in the wall. The free end of the arcuate arm is blunt so as to provide support for the device when the end of the arm contacts the rear surface of the wall member, but avoids any penetration of the rear surface of the wall member. In a preferred embodiment, the arcuate arm includes a flange which extends substantially the entire length of the arm and which extends downwardly to provide a reinforcing rib along the length of the arm. Preferably, the flange is notched adjacent the arm where it joins the rear face of the plate.

Abstract: There is disclosed a composition useful for medicated treatment of hooves of live animals. The composition comprises a major portion of a carrier and hoof penetrant, a minor amount of a filler comprising chiefly polyolefin fibers, and an oil-in-water emulsifier to form a staple composition. The composition can include optional quantities of a medicinal compound. A specific example of the compound comprises approximately 12 weight percent of chopped fibers of a polyolefin such as polyethylene or polypropylene, about 69 percent of a carrier comprising pine tar, paraffin wax and coconut oil, and an oil-in-water emulsifier such as an aliphatic alcohol or alkyl glucose fatty acid ester. Preferably, the composition also includes a medicinal compound such as alcohol, iodine or a soluble iodide. The method comprises packing the hooves of live animals such as horses with the composition.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method for the removal and recovery of hydrocarbons which are contained within the air/vapor mixture in bulk oil or gasoline storage tanks using fractional condensation with cryogenic cooling. The air/vapor mixture is flushed from the tank with fresh air and passed, successively, through several stages of a portable condenser train. When necessary, the first stage of the treatment comprises a caustic wash stage where the air/vapor mixture is contacted completely with a caustic solution to remove sulfur compounds. The desulfurized air/vapor mixture is then passed to the first condenser stage which condenses and removes substantially all moisture within the mixture. The de-humidified, desulfurized mixture is then passed to an intermediate stage where the heavier hydrocarbon fractions are condensed and separated and is then passed to a final condenser stage where it is cooled to a temperature of at least -100 degrees F.

Abstract: There is disclosed a game where the players wear vests with Velcro.RTM. surfaced targets and are provided with soft elastic balls surfaced with complimentary Velcro.RTM. fabric. The players throw the balls at each other and attempt to stick the balls to the target areas, which can be assigned numerical scores depending on location and exposure. The players can duck or and try to avoid being hit and the player with the highest score wins the game. The invention also includes an elastic, soft ball formed of foamed elastomer which has a single through passageway along a diameter thereof and is partially covered with a plurality of bands of Velcro.RTM. attachment fabric which extend along great circle arcs on the exterior surface of the ball and pass through the internal passageway of the ball, thereby securely attaching the Velcro.RTM. bands to the ball. This attachment of the bands can be augmented by adhesive bonding between the Velcro.RTM. bands and the exterior surface of the ball.

Abstract: There is disclosed a can crusher formed entirely of wood components that can be easily fabricated by an amateur wood worker. The can crusher has a channel body which, at its upper end, provides a slide for a mechanical wooden ram and, at its lower portion, a crushing station to receive and crush aluminum beverage cans. The front of the crusher is covered with a protective plate which limits access to the slide above the can, thus preventing one, such as a child, from inserting fingers between the can and the ram. The ram is carried on the end of a push rod which is linked to a lever which has its fulcrum at a location, relative to the pivot link between the rod and the lever, which insures that the ram moves over center at the completion of the stroke, thereby withdrawing the ram from the can and preventing jamming of the crushing mechanism.

Abstract: A portable security grill apparatus which may be installed in window openings of buildings includes two rectangular grill sections longitudinally telescopically fastened to one another. Opposite longitudinal ends of the two grill sections have beams disposed perpendicularly to the axis of longitudinal telescoping movability of the two grill sections, the beams having flat outer surfaces adapted to abut a window edge at one end of the grill apparatus, and a window frame edge, at the other end of the apparatus. At least one toggle clamp connected between telescopically joined members of the two grill sections is capable of exerting a large outward extension force when in a closed, clamped position, thereby exerting compressive forces on the window and window frame sufficient to prevent the grill apparatus from being removed from the window opening.

Abstract: There is disclosed a clip which is molded of plastic and which has a design particularly adapted to retain fabrics on the crossbar of a conventional clothes hanger. The clip has a C-shaped body having opposite, coincident legs dependent from a central bight section, an integrally formed prong dependent from the bight section and an upright base leg projecting out of the plane of the clip body with a first reverse bend adjacent the base leg and a return prong section which is inclined towards the plane of the clip, and a second reverse bend in the prong to provide an upwardly curled tip which also projects out of the plane of the clip. The height of the base of the prong and the first reverse bend are sized to provide sufficient clearance from the body of the clip to permit snap-over retention of the clip on the cross bar of a hanger. Preferably, the body legs and the prong have textured or roughened opposing surfaces to enhance their gripping properties.

Abstract: Disclosed is a self service water dispensing apparatus especially adapted to be located inside a grocery store. This apparatus includes a housing which provides a rigid support structure having a base section which has integral therewith a water storage tank, and an upper section immediately above the base section which includes a plurality of water filling stations. The upper section and base section are joined together and are contiguous with each other along a common generally horizontal plane located about waist high to a typical adult user. This provides a compact and convenient to use structure. The water filling stations each comprise a recessed cubicle having a top wall with a delivery spout therein, an open front side into which a water bottle is placed beneath the spout for filling, and a floor including a drain. Manually operable control switches are at each vending station.

Abstract: Disclosed is a fence support including a generally vertically oriented main support post 31 in the form of a T shaped iron bar and a pair of braces 18. Each brace 18 includes an elongated bearing element 26 that is received in the bites of the T and a collar member 25 fits over the top of the main support post 31 and bearing elements 26 to hold them together. The braces 18 have at their bottom ends stake holders 16 and 17 which receive stakes 23 that are driven into the ground. An anchor 24 holds the main support post 31 in position.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method for treatment of an oil slick resulting from an oil spill on a body of water. The oil slick is treated with a mixture of a granular elastomeric gum comprising a block copolymer of ethylene/butylene and styrene and an oleochemical synthetic wax, the latter being used in amounts of from 1 to 33 weight percent of the mixture. The adsorbent mixture has a low density, typically from 14 to about 15 pounds per cubic foot and will absorb oil and form a dry solid which has a non-tacky and non-oily surface. The adsorbent mixture is broadcast on the surface of an oil slick in proportions from about 0.2 to about 1 part per weight part of oil. The wave action on the body of water is generally sufficiently turbulent to admix the absorbent with the oil of the oil slick, resulting in the formation of floating solids which are dry to the touch and which have a non-oily, non-tacky surface. These solids can be readily recovered from the water or from a shoreline after they have washed ashore.

Abstract: A system for marking hidden utilities such as buried gas lines, valves and the like includes a marker having highly visible indicia indicating the type of utility on one face and which is bonded to a permanent object adjacent the location of the utility. The highly visible indicia is light reflective or fluorescent or both. The indicia are also recessed in the face of the marker for protection. The marker is affixed to a permanent object such as a curb face or surveying monument in the general location of the utility. The indicia on the marker represent the type of utility and the marker may also contain indicia representing the distance and direction from the marker to the utility location. The system can be provided in kit form which includes, in addition to the marker, a bonding material for affixing the marker to a permanent object and a marker for inscribing information relating to distance and direction on the marker.

Abstract: There is disclosed a tool for the removal of locking collars of the frangible fasteners used in the aerospace industry, particularly for removal of fasteners installed in close quarters such in a deep channel where conventional tools cannot grip the collar. The tool has a collet-type chuck to grasp the collar of the fastener and has a lead screw to lock the collet chuck about the collar and permit removal of the collar. For this purpose, the collet chuck has a cylindrical neck which is received within a sleeve. The lead screw is received in the opposite end of the collet sleeve and is threadably engaged in the internally threaded bore of the collet chuck member, preferably with left hand threads, and has a head with wrenching flats. The lead screw has a central axial through bore which receives a key member which is used to immobilize the stud or bolt of the fastener system. A disk member is slidably received within the collet sleeve to eject removed collars from the collet chuck member.