Abstract: A foldable portable crib comprises a pair of opposing side assemblies and a pair of opposing end assemblies supporting a mattress therebetween to form a crib frame. A mattress support platform is pivotally mounted to a pair of first corner posts, and moveable from an open, generally horizontal position to a folded, generally vertical position. In the folded position, the mattress support platform is positioned from a first side assembly a sufficient distance to stow a mattress and detached second side assembly therebetween. A portion of the end assembly is pivotally moveable about first corner posts for folding against the mattress support platform. A curved hinge joint and hinge brackets are provided for enhanced stability of the crib in its open, usable position. In the folded position, the portable crib is in a unitary, compact, and freestanding configuration.

Abstract: An industrial burner assembly comprising a manifold with a fuel inlet and a longitudinal axis, and a plurality of elongated burners positioned radially about the longitudinal axis having fuel ports in communication with the manifold and fuel inlet, wherein each elongated burner has an outer mixing tube, an inner mixing tube positioned coaxially within the outer mixing tube to form an annular space therebetween in communication with the fuel port, the inner mixing tube having an inner surface forming a passage for air flow through the burner assembly, and a plurality of apertures formed in the inner mixing tube to allow introduction of fuel from the annular space into the air flow passage to provide for efficient mixture of air and fuel in the burner assembly prior to combustion.

Abstract: A bulk dispensing apparatus uses a number of storage units for dispensing granular food products, i.e. candy, coffee, sugar, food supplements, etc. Each storage unit has a discharge hole with a valve operatively connected to the hole. The valve is attached at a dispensing station above a catch basin, which catches the minimal spillage. By using a number of variously colored and flavored granular products, specifically candy, a creative, decorative, edible art form in a clear container is easily fashioned and saved.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a replaceable oil filter and method of using a replaceable oil filter that allows the oil filter to be disengaged from an engine without the spillage of residual used oil. The present invention relates to a replaceable oil filter comprising a housing having an upper portion with a top end forming an opening for threaded engagement with an engine, a filtration unit positioned within the upper portion, a lower portion forming a reservoir subjacent the upper portion, an impermeable barrier separating the upper portion and the lower portion to prevent fluid communication therebetween, and a means for establishing fluid communication between the upper portion and the lower portion to drain residual used oil from the upper portion into the reservoir prior to disengaging the replaceable oil filter from an engine. The present invention also comprises a method for easily replacing an oil filter with minimal or no spillage of residual used oil.

Abstract: A food handling fork having a plurality of elongated tines having an upper surface, a lower surface, a base end, and a point and a release plate forming a plurality of tine openings through which said tines extend. The release plate has a proximal end positioned above the upper surface of the tines, a curved portion positioned below the bottom surface of the tines, and a distal end terminating in at least one tongue having a tip extending upwardly to at least the lower surface of the tines. The present invention further comprises a means for slidably advancing the release plate along the tines from an initial position where the tongue is a predetermined distance between the base end and point of the tines to a release position where at least a portion of the tongue is forward the point of the tines.

Abstract: An improved anti-corrosive material used to protect buried conduits from corrosion. The anti-corrosive material is comprised of a conduit contacting layer of polyolefin having the anti-corrosive agents impregnated therein. The preferred embodiment of the material is a multi-layered co-extruded, calendered, or laminated polyolefin. The material has an outer layer, or environment contacting layer, preferably comprised of a low density polyethylene having characteristically strong tensile strength and elongation properties to provide conventional protection from soil, water, air, or other potentially damaging elements. The material has a center layer preferably comprised of a high density polyethylene having superior tensile strength to provide a high density barrier between the outer layer and an inner layer. The inner layer, or conduit contacting layer, is preferably comprised of a low density polyethylene impregnated with one or more antimicrobial additives.

Abstract: An improved hood enclosure for isolating wood pulp washing equipment from the ambient environment. The hood has a pair of end members, a pair of skirts along each side to connect to the end member together, and an upper spine also connected at each end to the end members. A pair of clamshell style doors are mounted to the spine along longitudinal hinge lines and are opened vertically. A plurality of access doors are positioned within the skirts, and a plurality of spray or shower pipes penetrate the hood through an end panel to deliver wash liquid to the internal wash drums positioned within the wash vat. Several sealing methods are incorporated to provide sealable access for the access doors, the clamshell doors, and access to the interior of the washing vat for the shower pipes. The clamshell doors abut a peripheral neoprene sealing gasket and are held against the gasket by their own weight.

Abstract: A food handling apparatus utilizes a web designed to cooperate with go box, as used by commercial food establishments such as restaurants and delicatessens, and connected to a handle such that a food service worker may grasp the handle with the go box lid open and safely ladle food into the box. The handle is angled to permit the box to overlie the handle and hand, thereby ensuring no contact with the internal surfaces of the box.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for scaring deer and other unwanted animals away from agricultural crop production areas using unnatural audible and visual stimuli. The invention generally comprises a substantially hollow housing having a removable top portion mounted atop a rigid support frame member. The exterior of the housing includes a plurality of light and sound emitting devices attached thereto, in addition to at least two rotatably mounted elongated arms having a hollow interior portion with a flowable metal particulate contained therein for producing unnatural sounds upon rotation of such for scaring deer and other unwanted animals away. The interior portion of the housing includes an electronic controller in electrical connection with a power relay for energizing the aforementioned electrical components, along with a motor assembly for imparting rotational motion to the rotatably mounted elongated arms on the exterior of the housing.

Abstract: An automated apparatus for cleaning golf balls constructed of light weight, portable type material and operable via standard battery power. The apparatus utilizes a housing having a fluid reservoir in the lower portion for holding a cleaning fluid, and a screw-type driven auger along with a pair of driven brushes and a fluid spray nozzle in the upper portion. A driven pump transports the cleaning fluid from the reservoir to the nozzle, which sprays the cleaning fluid on the golf ball as the auger and brushes engage the ball and remove the soil, respectively. Multiple sensing means are employed to energize and disable the apparatus upon the occurrence of predetermined events.

Abstract: A matte ink composition and method for using the composition to produce a superior matte-gloss contrast finish. The matte ink composition comprises (1) an oleoresinous component, (2) a matte agent to impart a matte finish, (3) a cobalt catalyst to accelerate drying of the composition, and (4) an etching agent to condition a gloss surface to promote adherence of the ink composition to the gloss surface. To prepare a matte-gloss finish according to the present invention, a printing substrate is first coated with a gloss film lamination and, after the gloss coating has adequately dried, the matte ink composition of the present invention is lithography printed onto the gloss surface. This novel matte ink composition provides a superior matte-gloss contrast finish without the need for specialized UV equipment and procedures.

Abstract: An improved nesting pad for use in poultry houses with bays for egg laying poultry utilizing an extension portion to extend over an associated egg gathering conveyor to maintain the vertical relation between the pad and the conveyor such that the conveyor is below the pad, thereby assuring that eggs and debris will pass from the nesting pad onto the conveyor rather than under the conveyor. The pad and extension may be unitary or may be formed separately and cooperatively inserted into the bays.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing grass sprigs from bulk sod, evenly distributing the grass sprigs on the ground to be planted, and thereafter planting the grass sprigs. The apparatus comprises a rigid frame member having a driven conveyor assembly, a bulk sod shredding assembly, and a planting assembly. The driven conveyor transports bulk sod to the shredder assembly at a rate proportional to the ground speed of the apparatus, thus providing the proper sprig output rate from the shredder. The shredding assembly utilizes a rotating shaft having a plurality of shredding members extending therefrom for shredding the bulk sod cooperatively with a shredder bar. The planting assembly comprises a sizable chute for guiding the sprigs from the shredder to the ground to be planted without clogging, a plurality of coulters for pressing the sprigs into the ground, and a plurality of press wheels for firming the soil planted subsequent to the coulters.

Abstract: An improved anti-corrosive material used to protect buried conduits from corrosion. The material is a multi-layered co-extruded, calendered, or laminated polyolefin. The material has an outer layer, or environment contacting layer, preferably comprised of a low density polyethylene having characteristically strong tensile strength and elongation properties to provide conventional protection from soil, water, air, or other potentially damaging elements. The material has a center layer preferably comprised of a high density polyethylene having superior tensile strength to provide a high density barrier between the outer layer and an inner layer. The inner layer, or conduit contacting layer, is preferably comprised of a low density polyethylene impregnated with a biocide, a volatile corrosion inhibitor (VCI), or both.

Abstract: An anti-corrosive material used to protect buried conduits from microbiologically-influenced corrosion, or “MIC”. The material preferably comprises a low, medium, or high density polyethylene sleeve having a bactericide impregnated therein such that said bactericide can migrate within the polymer matrix to contact the conduit surface and thereby prevent MIC therein. The material may further comprise a barrier layer of high density polyethylene between the bactericide-containing layer and the environment. The bactericide is able to migrate through the low or medium density polyethylene but the rate of migration of the bactericide is considerably slowed through the high density polyethylene. Thus, the bactericide is substantially prevented from entering the surrounding environment, but rather, is trapped within a “protection zone” adjacent the conduit surface to provide extended protection against microbiologically-influenced corrosion.