Abstract: Present-day harvest methods for sweet sorghum are labor intensive, and/or require that large quantities of matter be removed to a central location for processing. A field harvesting process for harvesting and further processing sweet sorghum includes cutting the crop and reducing it to its separated juice and solids in the field. The juice is stored and fermented on the farm, followed by distillation by a mobile distillation process to separate the valuable alcohol from the stillage.

Abstract: A knife for producing a butterfly cut of meat, the knife having a handle and a first knife blade attached at one end thereof to the handle, the first knife blade having a first distance between the top and the bottom thereof and being sharpened on the bottom thereof. A second knife blade is operatively attached at one end thereof to the handle, the second knife blade having a fixed position disposed generally parallel to the first knife blade, the second knife blade having being sharpened on the bottom thereof, the bottom of the second knife blade being disposed above and at a predetermined distance to one side of the bottom of the first knife blade over a major portion of the first and second knife blades when the second blade is attached to the handle in the fixed position thereof.

Abstract: Method of heat treating cultivating disc, coulter or grain drill blades made from heat quenched boron steels, such that they can be re-edged and re-sharpened using rollers, and yet retain excellent toughness, hardness and wear characteristics. The invention also includes the cultivating disc, coulter or grain drill blades made from boron steel, which have been heat treated according to the inventive method, such that can be re-edged or sharpened using pinch rollers. The cultivating blades are especially useful in the dry, sandy soils such as found in the wheat growing regions extending from central Kansas down into Texas.

Abstract: A novel three-vaned, drag-type wind turbine, wherein air, when it exits a first vane, is split into two flow paths. A first path is directed to a second vane, while a second path is directed to a third vane. The air, then, impinges on a plurality of vanes wherein the momentum of the air is altered, thus providing the force needed to drive the wind turbine. In a first embodiment, a wind shield is used to deflect a portion of the wind from entering the wind turbine, this portion being in a region where the vanes are rotating into the wind. In second embodiment, the wind shield is not used.

Abstract: Ringed tubular sheath comprising two open shells (33, 37), termed the outer (33) and inner (37) shells, both of the same diameter (D), one of which, the outer shell (33), has an opening (E1) smaller than the diameter (D) so as to engage by elastic deformation over the inner shell (37) in a closed position. In the course of this engagement, the opening (E1) of the outer shell (33) becomes stretched until it passes a point corresponding to the diameter (D) of the inner shell (37) and, beyond this point, returns to the unstretched position. In the invention, the two shells (33, 37) are connected to a hinge (17) so as to engage by pivoting about the hinge (17), the opening (E1) of the outer shell (33), which is smaller than the diameter (D), extending from the hinge (17) to an opposite edge (34) of the shell.

Abstract: A method of weigh batching for batch formulae using a number of ingredients conveyed to a weigh hopper by a number of different conveyers. Free fall weights and conveyor delivery speeds for each of the ingredients and each of the conveyors used to convey each ingredient are stored in a control system memory. The stored information is used to prepare batches of various formulated products optimizing both the weigh up time and the ingredient weight accuracy.

Abstract: Hair clip comprising two shells (1, 3) provided with claws (5, 7) which are at the front of the clip and pivot relative to one another around two shell hinges (8-12) which extend in the same axial direction (A) at the rear of the clip, from a closure position in which the claws (5, 7) are brought together or even intersect, in order to grip the hair trapped by the claws, to an opening position in which the claws are spaced apart against the deformation of a resilient return means (13, 131, 132) which tends to return the shells (1, 3) to the closure position, and comprising a support plate (17) which is designed to receive for example a jewel and two lugs (19-22) which support the support plate (17) above the two shells (1, 3) in the closure position.

Abstract: Puzzle formed by a plurality of cubes. Puzzle formed by a plurality of cubes, wherein each face (3) of each cube shows a fragment of an image, and which is formed by a quantity of cubes whose square root is a whole number. The cubes may be arranged three-dimensionally forming a bigger cube in such a way that each of the faces of the bigger cube shows an image formed by the fragments of images of each of the seen faces (3) of each of the cubes. Each of the cubes can have reversible connecting means for connecting the cube with cubes adjacent thereto preferably by means of movable magnets. The puzzle can be used as a flags construction game.

Abstract: The present invention provides an overlay for conventional signs that provides multi-dimensional visibility. The overlay includes a number of individual trim sections disposed around the peripheral edge of the sign. The trim sections have an interior slot that engages the peripheral edge, and a reflective surface on the rear portion, and optionally on the edge portion, of each trim section. A connecting cable is received in a channel of each trim section, and the free ends of the cable and connected to secure the trim sections in place around the sign.

Abstract: A coulter or disc having a plurality of directional notches therein is used in one rotational direction for one use and an opposite rotational direction for a different use. The notches are selected from many arcuate shapes and sizes. The notches taper from sharp to dull from one end to the other, but in use one can chose to lead with the dull or the sharp end of the notches. A method of making and using such coulters or discs is described and shown.

Abstract: The invention relates to an additive to the active mass of a zinc anode for an alkaline secondary electrochemical generator. Said additive contains conductive ceramic powder, preferably titanium nitride particles which is exposed to an oxidation pre-treatment prior to the incorporation thereof into the active mass of the anode. Said ceramic powder is used as electronic conduction in the anode active mass and as zincates retention which are produced by generator discharge. In order to use said retentive capacity, the powder is exposed to an oxidation pre-treatment, whereby making it possible to form the binding sites on the surface of ceramic grains. The inventive additive makes it possible, starting from the first cycles of the electrode formation, to form uniform zinc deposits, thereby increasing the service life for the cycling of the zinc anode.

Abstract: An extendible lead with an integrated excrement collector, with the lead including a casing with a collection drum. The excrement collector includes a tubular body having telescopic sections and having a flexible wire inside. One end of the wire is disposed in an opening of the tubular body and forms a lasso. A second end of the wire extends through the tubular body and out of the other end of the body and is connected to a handle.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and method for optimizing flow in an A-V dialysis graft having a selectable constricted section. Electronic pressure and flow sensors in the arterial and venous ends of the graft are electronically coupled to a monitor to detect the arterial and venous environments and change the degree of stenosis to optimize flow. The stenosis or narrowing within the graft creates resistance for the purpose of decreasing the flow rate and pressure at the outflow end. The selectable restricted section may be provided by a balloon or a thin “slit” type valve with flexible leaves to provide the required resistance. The “slit” valve allows access to wires or catheters for the purpose of any type of graft maintenance.