Abstract: An apparatus for introducing steam into an airstream in an HVAC humidification system includes a steam supply header, a steam dispersion tube mounted above the supply header, a drain connected to a bottom end of the steam dispersion tube and a steam supply tube positioned within the steam dispersion tube. The steam supply tube has a lower end communicated with the supply header and an upper end that is communicated with the top end of the steam dispersion tube. Since steam is introduced into the top end of the steam dispersion tube, rather than the bottom end, moisture droplets that are entrained in the steam will be urged downwardly by the steam flow toward the drain rather than held up within the steam dispersion tube, significantly increasing the rate at which steam may be introduced into the airstream without spitting.

Abstract: A composition for a clumping animal litter forms agglomerates upon contact with relatively small amounts of an aqueous liquid, such as an animal body fluid, yet rapidly disperses upon disposal in a household plumbing system to produce only non-swelling clay particles and biodegradable end products. The animal litter composition is substantially dust-free, and can be safely ingested by pets. The composition includes non-swelling clay and/or diatomaceous earth particles and a galactomannan gum that has been distributed in a non-toxic liquid vehicle on the surface of the free-flowing clay particles. The galactomannan gum may be a guar gum or a locust bean gum, or an ether derivative of guar gum or locust bean gum. The animal litter composition may also include borax, xanthan gum, a carrageenan gum, or an alginate.

Abstract: An axial flow filtration cartridge, a system, a support assembly, an apparatus, as well as a process are provided for removing particulate matter as well as dissolved heavy metal ions and the like from an aqueous effluent stream. The invention is useful for removing contaminants from industrial waste streams. The cartridge contains features which make it relatively resistant to fouling by solid particles. Additionally, the cartridge has no central void volume. No separate housing for the cartridges is required. In a system embodiment the cartridge has a filtering chamber containing absorbent clay particles confined between porous liquid-permeable retainer means. An upstream cartridge cap and a downstream cartridge cap removably receive the ends of the filter cartridge in a liquid-tight seal. The flow of aqueous effluent to each of the cartridges is individually controlled.

Abstract: An improved apparatus for introducing steam into an airstream in heating, ventilating and air conditioning system includes a supply header, steam dispersing structure and structure for collecting condensation from the steam dispersing structure. The supply header is adapted for connection to a source of steam and is preferably elevated with respect to the return header, so that condensation in the supply header and steam dispersing structure is forced into the return header under the influence of steam pressure and gravity. One embodiment of the invention presents a unique modular design whereby the steam dispersing structure can be quickly connected and disconnected from the headers. This allows the apparatus to be broken down and assembled on site, which simplifies and reduces the expense of installation.

Abstract: Apparatus for drying damp carpet and carpeting materials is disclosed. The apparatus includes a blower (22) for blowing air under the carpet, and a clamp (24) affixed to the blower (22), for securing the carpet to the blower (22). The blower (22) includes a blower housing (26) with a head (28) having air intake openings (32) and a sleeve (30) that forms an air outlet opening (36); and a powered fan (34) attached within the head (28) of the blower housing (26) for blowing air out of the sleeve opening (36). The clamp (24) comprises a mounting bracket (44) affixed to the blower housing (26), a rod (46) slidably coupled to the mounting bracket (44) and a restraint mechanism (54) for preventing the rod (46) from sliding upward away from the carpet. The restraint mechanism (54) is attached to the mounting bracket (44). The clamp (24) also includes a foot ( 48) attached at the lower end of the rod (46) for holding the carpet against the sleeve (30) of the blower housing (26).

Abstract: Individual transistor or logic unit testing is accomplished by a specially fabricated flexible tester surface made in one embodiment of several layers of flexible silicon dioxide, each layer containing vias and conductive traces leading to thousands of microscopic metal probe points on one side of the test surface. The probe points electrically contact the contacts on the wafer under test by fluid pressure.

Abstract: A heat exchange humidifier for generation of steam-to-steam or fluid-to-steam humidity may include at least one steam tube in a heat exchanger array which may be coated with a non-stick surface such as tetrafluoroethylene (TEFLON.RTM.) coating or the like, to prevent the build-up of minerals. The steam tubes in the heat exchanger array are in a substantially layered configuration, each layer being offset and below the preceding upper layer, or in helical configuration. This organization of the tubes in the heat exchanger array maximizes convection currents in a fluid surrounding the steam tubes to minimize dead water films and maximize heat transfer from the steam or fluid inside of the tubes to the surrounding water, resulting in an overall increase in boil-off capacity for adding humidity to the air.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to substantially dust-free granules. The granules are constituted by a normally dusty inorganic solid material and a water-dispersible nonionic vinyl polymer distributed thereon. The vinyl polymer promotes retention of dust size particles to the granules of the inorganic solid material.

Abstract: The present invention contemplates a method for treating oils having undesirable color impurities and an oil bleaching composition suitable for use in this method. The method comprises contacting the oil with the oil bleaching composition for a time period sufficient to reduce the amount of color impurities of the oil. The oil bleaching composition includes a neutral bleaching clay and a chelating polycarboxylic acid. The spent bleaching composition resists spontaneous combustion.

Abstract: A particulate absorbent material is constituted by discrete clay granules and paper granules, and usually exhibits a bulk density of about 10 lbs/ft.sup.3 to about 30 lbs/ft.sup.3. The weight ratio of paper granules-to-clay granules is about 0.09 to about 9. The particle size distribution for the clay granules is relatively wider than for the paper granules.

Abstract: An improved apparatus for introduicng steam into an airstream in a heating, ventilating and air conditioning system includes a supply header, steam dispersing structure and structure for collecting condensation from the steam dispersing structure. The supply header is adapted for connection to a source of steam and is preferably elevated with respect to the return header, so that condensation in the supply header is forced into the return header under the influence of steam pressure and gravity. Both headers may further be inclined to improve drainage of condensation. The invention optionally may utilize fenders in conjunction with the steam dispersing structure to minimize heat transfer to the airstream.

Abstract: The animal litter that forms clumps upon wetting by the animal is constituted by particulate non-swelling clay and an organic clumping agent distributed over individual clay particles in an oleaginous vehicle such as mineral oil. A preferred organic clumping agent is a cellulose ether, e.g., hydroxypropylmethylcellulose.

Abstract: A humidifier unit is used with a forced air heating system and includes a water reservoir, a water inlet connection to the reservoir, control means for maintaining the water level at a predetermined depth, and a heat exchanger for heating the water to produce steam. This reservoir has a removable top plate for closing the open top defined by the upper edges of side and end walls. Horizontal flanges extend inward from the upper edges of the reservoir side and end walls and act as a gasket base. Lips extend upward from the inner edges of those horizontal flanges and act as an internal horizontal gasket retainer. Finally, flanges depend from all sides of the top plate and are positioned to surround the upper edges of the side walls and to act as an external horizontal gasket retainer.

Abstract: An apparatus suitable for making a granular absorbent from cellulosic fibrous material includes a housing which defines an elongated internal cavity, and an inlet and an outlet communicating with the internal cavity. A rotatably driven shaft extends within the cavity of the housing, with the apparatus including an impeller arrangement mounted on the shaft for rotation therewith. The impeller arrangement includes resiliently flexible bristles which cooperate with the interior surface of the internal cavity for effecting agitation, blending, and agglomeration of the cellulosic fibrous feed stock. A pellet-like granular absorbent is produced.

Abstract: The present invention contemplates a method for treating oils having undesirable color impurities and an oil bleaching composition suitable for use in this method. The method comprises contacting the oil with the oil bleaching composition for a time period sufficient to reduce the amount of color impurities of the oil. The oil bleaching composition includes a neutral bleaching clay and a chelating polycarboxylic acid. The spent bleaching composition resists spontaneous combustion.

Abstract: A water-steam separator is used in conjunction with a steam humidifier system to maintain the relative humidity within a desired range in buildings. The separator includes a container, a vapor inlet supply pipe, and an outlet steam distribution pipe. One portion of the outlet steam distribution pipe extends outwardly from the container and has apertures therein for distributing dry steam. Another portion of the outlet steam distribution pipe extends inwardly toward the center of the container and has an opening spaced inwardly from the container wall to reduce condensates entering the outlet pipe.

Abstract: The present invention contemplates a particulate, free-flowing pelleting agent with energy value. The pelleting agent is constituted by discrete, free-flowing absorbent clay agglomerates that include clay and molasses in a clay-to-molasses weight ratio of at least about 1.5:1, respectively.

Abstract: A golf club handle drying device comprising a tubular piece that is closed at a first end and open at a second end, a cap, a desiccant, and means for removing desiccant from the golf club handle. A wet golf handle is dried by placing it in the tubular piece in contact with the desiccant.

Abstract: A humidifier for use with a forced air heating system. The humidifier comprises a water reservoir in the form of a sealed container having a water inlet connection and suitable control means for maintaining the level of the water at a predetermined depth within the reservoir. An electric immersion type heater is also provided within the sealed container at a level which is normally below the water level and, when energized, heats the water to produce steam. The reservoir can be mounted completely external to a duct of the forced air heating system, but an inverted U-shaped tube having preparations along the base thereof is disposed within the duct and has its parallel legs passing through the duct and reservoir so as to communicate with the portion of the reservoir above the level of the water therein. As such, the steam passes through the U-shaped tube and out its perforations to thereby add moisture to the air passing through the duct.

Abstract: A humidifier unit is used with a forced air heating system and includes a water reservoir, a water inlet connection to the reservoir, control means for maintaining the water level at a predetermined depth, and a heat exchanger for heating the water to produce steam. This reservoir has a removable top plate for closing the open top defined by the upper edges of side and end walls. Horizontal flanges extend inward from the upper edges of the reservoir side and end walls and act as a gasket base. Lips extend upward from the inner edges of those horizontal flanges and act as an internal horizontal gasket retainer. Finally, flanges depend from all sides of the top plate and are positioned to surround the upper edges of the side walls and to act as an external horizontal gasket retainer.