Abstract: A resin cultivating base serves as seedling beds for vegetation which are planted and are partially immersed in a river, lake, marsh, pond or waterway. The resin cultivating base is a three-dimensional structure constituted by long and short filaments of thermoplastic resin. The long and short filaments are curled or looped at random, and contacted, entwined and gathered, thereby forming a low density portion and a high density portion. Vegetables planted on the low density portion of the resin cultivating base suck nutritious salt such as phosphor and nitride. Microorganisms living in the resin cultivating base decompose organisms in the water, thereby purifying the water.

Abstract: Commonly available carbon dioxide may contain unacceptable amounts of compounds containing greater than about ten carbon atoms, sulfur-containing materials, and nitrogen-containing materials which are particularly detrimental to semiconductor and silicon wafer processing-related uses of carbon dioxide. These impurities can be effectively removed by an apparatus containing a combination of metal oxide, silica gel, and activated carbon, thus permitting an on-site, on-demand, convenient, and economic method of purifying carbon dioxide ranging from laboratory scale operations to tank car scale operations.

Abstract: A filter includes at least two different adsorptive media. First, chemisorptive media, which is porous and includes an acidic functional group, is used to remove molecular bases, including ammonia, organic amines, imides and aminoalcohols, from the atmosphere used in semiconductor fabrication and other processes that require uncontaminated gaseous environments of high quality. Second, physisorptive media is able to adsorb condensable contaminants, particularly those having a boiling point greater than 150 degrees C. The physisorptive media can include untreated, activated carbon.

Abstract: An air cleaner for an internal combustion engine facilitates is made compact and maintenance work for cleaning or replacing the cleaner element of the same. An air cleaner case (14) holding a cleaner element (13) is a three-part structure essentially consisting of a body (16) having opposite open ends and provided with an air inlet (40), a bottom wall (15) detachably joined to one of the opposite open ends of the body (16) and connected to the air intake passage of the carburetor (5), and a cover (17) detachably joined to the other open end of the body (16). The bottom wall (15), the body (16) and the cover (17) are fastened together by a stud bolt (25) and a fastening nut (37). The cover (17) has a concave part (44) defining a space for receiving the fastening nut (37) and provided with drain holes (50). When the air cleaner (4) is disposed above the carburetor (5), the drain holes (50) are positioned right above the fuel flow adjusting screws (11) of the carburetor (5).

Abstract: A filter apparatus for deployment over a duct end in a forced air heating/ventilating/air conditioning system is described. The apparatus has been specifically designed for easy installation, and also for convenient cleaning and maintenance by occupants of the structure where the apparatus is employed. The apparatus preferably overhangs the duct end, thereby allowing improved filtration efficiency and reduced air pressure drop across the filter apparatus.

Abstract: A fiber spinning device and process for manufacturing a web of fibers including a homogeneous mixture of fibers of different characteristics. Monocomponent fibers of different polymers can be extruded side-by-side from the same die system. Sheath/core bicomponent fibers can be alternated with monocomponent fibers formed of the same core polymer as used in the bicomponent fibers. Bicomponent fibers having a common core polymer and different sheath polymers can be extruded from alternate spinneret orifices in the same die plate. Multiple distribution plates are provided with surface grooves or depressions to direct polymer materials from independent sources to only selected spinneret openings in an array of spinneret openings while maintaining the polymers segregated from each other.

Abstract: A cartridge dust collector for maximizing the filtration of the air and removal of the pollutants and contaminants from the air stream. The cartridge dust collector including a housing having an air inlet, an air outlet, and a transverse wall. The housing further including a chamber. Conical shaped dust collector cartridges are mounted in the chamber between the air inlet and the air outlet with each dust collector cartridge in alignment with an access opening in a side wall of the housing. Provided in the housing in alignment with each access opening are spaced apart slide rails. The dust collector cartridges including a conical shaped media pack and a head plate secured to the upper end. Each head plate is carried on the slide rails, with the slide rails being spaced apart sufficiently to receive the media pack there between. Interlocking means are privide on adjacent head plates fo that the cartridges can be assembled and removed from the housing end groups, rather than individually.

Abstract: A filter pack includes a filter construction and a sealing system for sealing the construction within a duct or housing. The filter construction has first and second opposite flow faces and is configured for a straight-through flow. The sealing system includes a frame construction and a compressible seal member. The compressible seal member is molded around a portion of the frame construction. The compressible seal member is sufficiently compressible to form a radial seal between and against the frame construction and a surface of a housing when the filter pack is inserted within the housing.

Abstract: Methods of increasing the relative concentration of a target molecule in a gas stream, so that it can be more easily detected by a semiconducting metal oxide based sensor. A gas stream is passed through an adsorbent, the stream containing molecules of the target molecule in a mixture containing molecules of at least one non-target molecule. Both the target and non-target molecules are adsorbed on the adsorbent. Another gas stream containing molecules of a chemical displacer is passed through the adsorbent, the molecules of the chemical displacer adsorbing on the adsorbent to selectively displace the target molecules from the adsorbent while leaving the non-target molecules adsorbed. The chemical displacement causes the displaced target molecules to enter the gas stream. The gas stream can then be passed through a semiconducting metal oxide based sensor to detect the target molecules.

Abstract: The present invention relates to pool filters. An underdrain design is disclosed that primarily relies on a peripheral ring rather than lateral projections to transfer the water to the sand. The ends of the ring are not joined so that the ring is not closed. The ring is also bent into a helical shape which allows the ring to be screwed into an opening with a smaller diameter than that of the ring. The ring is radially slotted so that water flows radially from it in all directions both toward the center of the tank and away from the center, as well as straight up and down. Since the water transfer takes place primarily along an arc located relatively near the mid-point between the center and the perimeter of the tank, the disadvantages inherent in the concentration of the water flow at the center of the tank are eliminated.

Abstract: A fiber spinning device and process for manufacturing a web of fibers including a homogeneous mixture of fibers of different characteristics. Monocomponent fibers of different polymers can be extruded side-by-side from the same die system. Sheath/core bicomponent fibers can be alternated with monocomponent fibers formed of the same core polymer as used in the bicomponent fibers. Bicomponent fibers having a common core polymer and different sheath polymers can be extruded from alternate spinneret orifices in the same die plate. Multiple distribution plates are provided with surface grooves or depressions to direct polymer materials from independent sources to only selected spinneret openings in an array of spinneret openings while maintaining the polymers segregated from each other.

Abstract: A portable, light-weight exhaust fan that can be easily and quickly carried to and set up in a localized area to safely, efficiently and substantially remove airborne materials thereby overcoming the above and other drawbacks of conventional exhaust fans. Exhaust fans in accordance with aspects of the present invention may be used to ventilate a localized area such as an enclosed room and may be placed in any aperture such as a window or doorway to remove airborne material from the air passing therethrough, and to exhaust filtered air directly or indirectly to the surrounding environment. The exhaust fan can be constructed such that air traveling along an exhaust path through the fan is prevented from contacting components of the fan that can be damaged by exposure to the airborne materials. This enables the exhaust fan to efficiently remove airborne materials from a localized area while preventing the same materials from adversely affecting the operation of the fan.

Abstract: A dirt collecting system for a vacuum cleaner includes a dirt cup formed with a first dirt collecting chamber and a second dirt collecting chamber separated by an apertured wall. An inlet opening is formed in the dirt cup and communicates with the first dirt collecting chamber for inputting a stream of dirt laden air into the first dirt collecting chamber. An exhaust opening is formed in the second dirt collecting chamber for allowing the filtered air stream to exit the dirt cup. The aperture wall includes a pre-filter for filtering coarse particles from a stream of dirt laden air and depositing the coarse particles in the first dirt collecting chamber. A filter member is positioned within the second dirt collecting chamber and communicates with the exhaust port. The filter element filters fine particles from the air stream and deposits the fine particles within the second dirt collecting chamber.

Abstract: A fiber spinning device and process for manufacturing a web of fibers in the nature of a homogeneous mixture of fibers of different characteristics. Monocomponent fibers of different polymers can be extruded side-by-side from the same die system. Sheath/core bicomponent fibers can be alternated with monocomponent fibers formed of the same core polymer as used in the bicomponent fibers. Bicomponent fibers having a common core polymer and different sheath polymers can be extruded from alternate spinneret orifices in the same die plate. Multiple distribution plates are provided with surface grooves or depressions to direct polymer materials from independent sources to only selected spinneret openings in an array of spinneret openings while maintaining the polymers segregated from each other.

Abstract: A fluid storage and dispensing system including a vessel containing a low heel carbon sorbent having fluid adsorbed thereon, with the system arranged to effect desorption of the fluid from the sorbent for dispensing of fluid on demand. The low heel carbon sorbent preferably is characterized by at least one of the following characteristics: (i) Heel, measured for gaseous arsine (AsH3) at 20° C. at 20 Torr, of not more than 50 grams AsH3 per liter of bed of the sorbent material; (ii) Heel, measured for gaseous boron trifluoride (BF3) at 20° C. at 20 Torr, of not more than 20 grams boron trifloride per liter of bed of the sorbent material; (iii) Heel, measured for gaseous germanium tetrafluoride (GeF4) at 20° C. at 20 Torr, of not more than 250 grams AsH3 per liter of bed of the sorbent material; (iv) Heel, measured for gaseous arsenic pentafluoride (AsF5) at 20° C.

Abstract: There is disclosed a swimming pool skimmer basket handle capable of being attached to a swimming pool skimmer basket, in which the handle has a column that positions a grip of the handle above the top of the skimmer basket when the handle is attached to the skimmer basket. The column of the handle also positions the grip of the handle above the top of the water level in a skimmer well when the handle is attached to the skimmer basket and the skimmer basket is located within the skimmer well. The improved accessibility of the grip of the handle significantly minimizes the unpleasantness associated with removing and cleaning a swimming pool skimmer basket. There is also disclosed an improved reversible weight for a skimmer basket. The reversible weight is capable of being attached to a skimmer basket in two configurations. A number of alternate embodiments of the invention are also disclosed.

Abstract: A device is disclosed for treating an exhaust gas emanating from a vehicle engine or a plant's chimney. This device has a housing having a treatment chamber defined therein, an inlet port for receiving an exhaust gas to be treated, and an outlet port for releasing a treated gas. The gas is allowed to flow in the treatment chamber from the inlet port to the outlet port defining a flowing direction. The device further has treating elements in the treatment chamber which are layers of rocks of granite alternating with layers of rocks of charcoal. The layers extend substantially in perpendicular to the flowing direction of the gas.

Abstract: The invention provided relates to the use of polyvinylpyrrolidone-iodine complexes in combination with gelling agents to produce strong disinfectants which not only physically stabilize biohazardous and infectious wastes but also kill pathogens contained in the wastes. The gelling agents include polyacyrlates that are superabsorbents.

Abstract: An air filtering enclosure for a vehicle to minimize the amount of debris entering the radiator of the vehicle is provided. The enclosure forms a shell having a set of interfitting interior and exterior members. Mounted with the interior member are clips designed to mate with a series of compatibly arranged brackets on the vehicle frame. Attached opposite the clips are handles which a user may grasp to easily install and remove the shell from a vehicle. Interior and exterior members form a frame which encases sheets of perforated screening to restrict the introduction of debris into the radiator. The shell is completed with a rubber seal enabling tight sealing of the enclosure to the vehicle on which it is attached.

Abstract: A canister having a liquefied fuel treating function capable of flexibly coping with layout restrictions without the need to bend the purging path in the middle. The canister having the liquefied fuel treating function includes a liquid storing case having an introducing path communicating with a fuel tank, and a purging path communicating with air inlet pipes of an engine; and a sucking path, provided in the liquid storing case, and sucking the liquefied fuel stored in the liquid storing case; which sucks up the liquefied fuel onto the purging path side by use of the flow of a fluid through the purging path; wherein the sucking direction of the liquefied fuel within the sucking path is caused to substantially agree with the flow direction of the fluid in the purging path.