Abstract: A method and apparatus for a dust collecting work station that utilizes a positive pressure air flow to entrap particulate material from within the work station. The dust collecting work station is especially suited for use by dental technicians, goldsmiths and jewelers. The work station can be economically manufactured, operated with typically available compressed air supply, and can be constructed to fit upon a table top. The dust collecting work station includes a collection base with a back shield that together enclose a work area. A positive pressure air flow is provided to the work area for removing particulate material by impacting the particulate with the positive pressure air flow. A filter media positioned proximately to the collection base entrains the particulate material that is knocked down by the positive pressure air flow. The positive pressure airflow can be supplied by a nozzle located proximate to the face of a user or supplied by a nozzle located proximate to the back shield.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for recovering a product from a filing line being used to fill containers with the product. The filling line comprises at least a filler, a pump, a check valve, compressed air/gas, a water source, and a holding tank containing the product, all interconnected by a product line. In the method, the filling line is rinsed, and the rinse water is then evacuated from the filling line using compressed air/gas. Next, using a pump, the product is transferred from the holding tank through the filler line to the filler, and then into containers. The transfer continues until the pump is no longer primed with the product. The remaining product is then pushed with the compressed air/gas through the filler line into the filler and then into containers, thereby recovering substantially all the product remaining in the filler line. The product recovery method minimizes the amount of waste product that must be discarded from a bottling line.

Abstract: An improved filling valve specially configured for attachment onto a conventional, high speed liquid filling machine that is typically utilized in food product container packaging lines to quickly fill large numbers of containers, such as bottle or cans. A filler valve has several improvements that result in greater reliability in operation, increased operational speed, and easier adjustment in operational parameters. The filler valve including a manifold that receives a manifold insert and a spring nut that abuts to a slider. The slider is the only moving part of the filler valve. A filler stem is received through the slider and attaches to the manifold. For filling, the top opening of a bottle is placed against a spanner nut and the manifold lowered, thereby compressing the slider into the manifold to insert the stem into the container. A liquid is then injected into the container, while displaced air is exhausted into the co-axial annular space between the stem and the slider.

Abstract: An ultraviolet (UV) light disinfection method and apparatus is provided that disinfects produce products such as fruits and vegetables by direct exposure to ultraviolet light. The disinfecting UV light eliminates pathogens, such as molds and bacteria from the surfaces that it illuminates. The produce product is disinfected over its entire surface. The produce product can be rotated on a conveyor, to illuminate all of the exterior surface of the produce product with a disinfecting UV light source. To better respond to produce products of varying height and size, the UV light disinfection apparatus can include an automatic actuator. The automatic actuator maintains the UV light source at a preselected level of separation between the produce product and the UV light source. The automatic actuator is responsive to a height sensor that detects the top height of the produce product.

Abstract: A building stud having a slidable insert that provides the stud with an adjustable length. The stud includes an runner and a sleeve. The runner slides into the sleeve to form a stud having an adjustable length. Tabs can be utilized to nail the stud to a structure, or a frame member. The tabs can also be modified to allow the attachment of the stud to a segment of rebar, or set directly into an earthen grade or a concrete material. A siding material can be directly attached to the stud. The stud is especially useful as a framing member for skirting of manufactured homes. The stud is preferably manufactured from a heavy gauge of aluminum or alternatively from a galvanized sheet metal. The stud can include a staked end for insertion directly into soil surfaces or wet concrete. The stud can be installed on a heaving surface to provide a self adjusting siding system that does not buckle or gap, with small changes in the surface upon which it is mounted.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for an animal decoy and specifically a goose decoy are provided. The decoy includes a body with a body surface. An image substrate is applied to the body surface, and the image substrate includes a fabric material. A decoy image is printed upon the fabric image substrate. The animal decoy of is a photo-reproduced image, based upon a photograph of an actual animal. The image substrate can include a bonding surface. The bonding surface adheres to the body surface. The first substrate includes a bonding surrface that can include an elastomeric coating, for bonding to the decoy body. An adhesive is utilized to laminate the fabric substrate to the decoy body, and an image is then applied to the fabric substrate.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for recovering a product from a filling line being used to fill containers with the product. The filling line comprises at least a filler, a pump, a check valve, compressed air/gas, a water source, and a holding tank containing the product, all interconnected by a product line. In the method, the filling line is rinsed, and the rinse water is then evacuated from the filling line using compressed air/gas. Next, using a pump, the product is transferred from the holding tank through the filler line to the filler, and then into containers. The transfer continues until the pump is no longer primed with the product. The remaining product is then pushed with the compressed air/gas through the filler line into the filler and then into containers, thereby recovering substantially all the product remaining in the filler line. The product recovery method minimizes the amount of waste product that must be discarded from a bottling line.

Abstract: A lifting method and apparatus is provided that is especially suited for mounting on a towing vehicle and for lifting a vehicle. The apparatus is compact and efficient and especially suited for mounting to a tow truck. The lifting apparatus includes a boom and a riser pivotably mounted to a frame. A riser plate is mounted to the top end of the riser. A camming crank is pivotably attached to the riser plate. A riser pivot hingeably connects the camming crank to the riser plate. An arm anchor is also mounted to the frame. Link arms connect the arm anchor to the camming crank. A crank actuator rotates the camming crank to pivot the riser. The crank actuator can rotate the camming crank to selectively pivot the riser toward or away from the arm anchor, to respectively raise or lower the attached boom. The crank actuator for rotating the camming crank is an extending and retracting hydraulic actuator, such as a hydraulic cylinder and piston.

Abstract: An improved protective growing fruit bag is applied to fruit growing on a plant for protecting the fruit from disease, insects, birds and especially from sunburn caused by irradiation by sunlight. The bag has at least an inner bag, which is made of black wax paper and an outer bag, whose interior is black. The fruit bag provides sufficient light shielding until the bag removal time. When the fruit is sufficiently grown, the entire bag is removed in one step during daytime when the temperature inside the bag is sufficiently high, preventing sunburning of the fruit.

Abstract: A modular load unit that is received in a muzzle loading firearm having a bore and a rifling defined therein. The modular load unit has a hull, a projectile in a projectile receiving compartment, a projectile retaining cap removably received over the projectile, a cushion, a propellant in a propellant receiving compartment, and a propellant retaining cap removably received over the propellant. The modular load unit can be inserted into the bore of the muzzle loading firearm at any angle. Upon firing of the muzzle loading firearm, the cushion and the propellant receiving compartment sealingly engage the rifling.

Abstract: A safety brake apparatus for a vehicle lifting and towing mechanism is provided that includes a minimum of a single riser plate mounted near the top of the vehicle lift's riser member. The riser plate includes a slider plate keyway and a cam bracket. A slider plate is received onto the riser plate. The slider plate includes a slider plate key and at least a single post rest. The slider plate key is received into the slider plate keyway of the riser plate. A brake actuator is also mounted to the riser plate. The brake actuator slides the slider plate from a rearward or retracted position, to a forward or safety position, as the slider plate key travels forward or rearward within the riser plate keyway. In the safety position, the boom of the vehicle lifting apparatus is prevented from lowering. The boom is attached to the riser member and pivotably mounted to a frame member.

Abstract: A eucalyptus floral product and a method for producing the same is provided. The floral product is non-perishable and permanent, while appearing to be naturally grown as opposed to artificially manufactured. The eucalyptus leaf floral product comprises a plurality of eucalyptus leaves attached to a central stem to substantially resemble a corolla. Additionally, the corolla preferably resembles a rosette. The central stem is preferably a length of wire, and the eucalyptus leaves are preferably preserved eucalyptus leaves. The corolla includes an underside, and a plurality of smaller eucalyptus leaves attached to the underside of the corolla form to substantially resemble a calyx. Additionally, the leaves can be soaked in a mildly acidic solution, such as vinegar, before the leaves are formed into the floral product.

Abstract: A golf swing trainer, and more particularly a kinesthetic golf swing plane training device and a method for golfers to train and perfect their swinging of a golf club is provided. The golf swing training device includes a training light adapted to be attachable to a shaft of a golf club. The training light is directed to project a head beam of light and a grip beam of light. The head beam of light projects parallel to the shaft of the golf club, toward the head of the golf club and the grip beam of light projects parallel to the golf club shaft, toward the grip of the golf club. The golf swing training device also includes a swing platform that includes a ground positioned pair of parallel tracks. An optically reflective means for reflecting the head beam of light as projected by the training light, and for reflecting the grip beam of light as projected by the training light is provided on the swing platform. The swing platform is preferably adjustable to suit various club lengths and club types.

Abstract: The invention comprises an apparatus and method for the subsurface application of chemicals such as fertilizer, pesticides and fumigants in soil. A frame is shown, capable of being pulled across a field, the frame having a plurality of shanks with a shovel and an downward facing nozzle mounted at the end of each shank. The shovels all lie in a single plane, substantially horizontal to the soil's surface. Means are provided for delivering the chemical from a reservoir of such to the nozzles. The chemical is thereby applied in a single pass at a depth of up to 12 inches, and allowed to migrate upward in the soil, thereby achieving application of the chemical in a discreet layer of the soil, without unduly disturbing the soil's surface.

Abstract: An anchor comprising a curved picket is provided. The picket has a first end and a second end and an attachment element, for receiving a trainer, positioned proximate to the first end of the picket. The second end of the curved picket is penetrable into a surface of a soil or other penetrable substance, in a manner that anchors the picket. The picket penetrates the root system of the plant. The root system provides additional anchoring support for the picket and the attached trainer. A trainer is attached near the first end of the picket and a plant is trained to grow along the trainer. The anchor is a simple and inexpensive device that firmly anchors a trainer near the ground while preventing the trainer from directly contacting the ground. The anchor is more resistant to winds and erosion when compared to conventional anchors. The tension on the trainer is adjustable after the anchor is set into the soil.

Abstract: A collapsible storage device which can be attached to the underside of a surface such as a desk top. The storage device includes a top panel, a bottom panel, a first side panel, a second side panel, a rear panel, and a fastener. The top panel and bottom panel being are formed of a substantially rigid material. The first and second side panels and the rear panel are formed of a flexible material. The first side panel is affixed to the top panel and a the bottom panel. Similarly, the second side panel is affixed to the top panel, and the second side panel is affixed to the bottom panel. The rear panel is affixed to the top panel, and the rear panel is affixed to the bottom panel. Additionally, the fastener is affixed to the outward facing surface of the top panel. The storage device can also include an attachment device on the inward facing surface of the top panel. The attachment device can attach to the inward facing surface of the bottom panel.

Abstract: The invention comprises an apparatus for the subsurface application of chemicals such as metham sodium in soil. A frame is shown, capable of being pulled across a field, the frame having a plurality of shanks with a plate and a rearwardly discharging wide angle flat spray nozzle mounted at the end of each shank. The plates all lie in a single plane, substantially horizontal to the soil's surface. Structure is provided for delivering the chemical from a reservoir to the nozzles. The chemical is thereby applied in a single pass at a depth of up to 12 inches, and allowed to migrate upward in the soil, thereby achieving application of the chemical in a discrete layer of the soil, without unduly disturbing the soil's surface.

Abstract: A plant material is preserved by immersing a cross sectional surface of a severed stem, stalk, trunk or vine of a plant material into a preservative solution. The preservative solution can include a suitable dye. The plant material remains intertwined with its trellis, lattice or similar support during a preservation process. Alternatively, the plant material remains in a natural configuration during the preservation process. Also alternatively, the plant material also remains in a natural orientation during the preservation process. The cut stem, stalk, trunk or vine can be immersed in a container of preservative solution, at or near the time the stem, stalk, trunk or vine is severed. The cut stem stalk, trunk or vine of the plant can also be tied to a container of preservative solution. A rain shroud can also be placed over the container of preservative solution that contains the severed stem, stalk, trunk or vine of the severed plant, to protect the preservative solution during the preservation process.