Abstract: A roof ridge vent having a ventilation component integrally secured to a waterproof outer covering. During installation of the vent, both the ventilation component and outer covering are simultaneously installed in a single process step. The use and separate installation of cap shingles or the like over a pre-installed vent is eliminated. The vent and covering are provided in an elongate, continuous length in a spiral roll and are installed as a single continuous length on a roof ridge overlying an elongate open ventilation slot.

Abstract: A chimney damper that includes a rigid first peripheral frame surrounding an open window area, a cap moveable toward and away from the open window to selectively close and open the same and springs interconnecting the cap and frame resiliently urging the cap to an open position. The springs are connected at the upper ends thereof to second rigid frame. The cap is mounted on the second frame and the latter is allowed to pivot relative to the cap. The springs and the arrangement thereof are such as to cause the second frame to rotate relative to the first frame during opening and closing of the damper with the rotation being about one quarter turn. An articulated link interconnects the first frame and coupling between the second frame and the cap so as to prevent pivoting of the cap when moving the cap from one to the other of an open and a closed position.

Abstract: The present invention relates to melting plate candles which employ heat conductive elements to distribute heat from a burning flame at a wick to a support plate for a solid fuel and to the body of said solid fuel, so as to more rapidly liquefy the solid fuel, such as paraffin wax, and to more uniformly and intensely heat such fuels to increase the efficiency of consumption thereof and to more rapidly release volatile materials contained within said fuels. The heat conductive support plate is configured so as to have a capillary pedestal upon the surface thereof, which cooperatively engages a wick holder comprising a preferably consumable wick and heat conductive fins which conduct heat from a flame upon said wick to said support plate. The wick holder also provides capillary fins by which liquified fuel is transported from said support plate to said flame, Said wick holder further engages said capillary pedestal in such a locking manner as to resist accidental removal from said pedestal.

Abstract: A slot ventilator including a housing and a closure member. The housing includes a face with an airflow opening defined in said face. When the closure member is in a first position, the closure member abuts against the face and generally closes the airflow opening. When the closure member is in a second position, the closure member is offset from the face and the airflow opening is generally unobstructed by the closure member. The housing further provides a drive mechanism for displacing the closure member from the housing.

Abstract: A stove comprising a frame bounding an area to receive a burner, a heating cavity assembly mounted on the frame and having four side walls and a bottom wall having an opening therein, and a collar mounted in the heating cavity assembly around the opening. Front, rear, and side panels are mounted on the frame to enclose the side walls of the heating cavity assembly. A diffuser plate is mounted on the heating cavity assembly and covers an open top portion thereof, the diffuser plate being configured to receive heated gases rising from the burner and collar, and to distribute the heated gases evenly proximate an upper surface of the diffuser plate. A griddle plate is mounted above the diffuser plate and spaced therefrom, an undersurface of the griddle plate being opposed to the diffuser plate upper surface. The griddle plate provides an upper surface for cooking operations.

Abstract: A folding camping stove. The folding camping stove may be formed in a clamshell configuration, having two clamshells that fold outward to expose at least two cooking surfaces. Two pivot points are provided on the folding camping stove. Each of the clamshells folds about a separate pivot point. Fuel trains for the clamshells are positioned at the pivot points. A regulator and manifold assembly is provided for providing gas from a canister to the folding stove. The manifold splits the gas coming from the regulator and directs it to opposite sides of the folding stove. Each of the clamshells includes a cooking grate. The cooking grates appear symmetrical from a top view, but are slightly offset relative to one another so that the clamshells may be folded inward relative to each other and the grates may nest together.

Abstract: This invention relates to a laborsaving lighter, and more particularly relates to a laborsaving and safe lighter, which includes a casing (101), and a piezoelectric assembly and a gas emitting assembly disposed in the casing. The piezoelectric assembly includes a piezoelectric push rod (104) and a button (105). A vertical slot opening (106) is formed in the end face of the button (105), and a safety piece (107) is disposed in the slot opening (106). There is a rock arm (109) between the gas emitting assembly and the safety piece (107). In the lighter's non-operative state, the upper end of the rock arm (109) rests against the lower part (107a) of the safety piece (107). The middle part of the rock arm is contacted with the piezoelectric push rod (104), and the lower end of the rock arm is connected pivotally to the inner surface of the casing (101). According to the principle of lever, the present invention is laborsaving as well as safety.

Abstract: A cook top includes a one-piece drip pan beneath all burners for collecting spillage and drips originating at the burners. Burner assemblies having burners therein are located by and supported on the drip pan. Grates are provided above the burners and have chamfered flame-facing surfaces.

Abstract: A hot water apparatus is provided in which heat recovery is performed as much as possible allowing condensate to be generated and excellent heat efficiency is achieved without providing a plurality of heat exchangers by effectively evaporating generated condensate. In a water heater 1, the condensate evaporator 11 is disposed inclining so that its side facing the high temperature portion of the heat exchanger 10 is at a lower position. The generated condensate drops on the condensate receiver guiding portion 28, and moves by its own weight to the side facing the high temperature portion. Then the condensate is heated and evaporated. In this evaporation, the same amount of heat as that of recovered latent heat is discharged to the exhaust gas, however, sensible heat can be recovered as much as possible without limiting condensate generation in the heat exchanger 10.

Abstract: A steam oven includes a heating chamber or boiler in which steam is generated. Water fill and refill operations of the heating chamber are controlled in attempt to account for water expansion and/or to enable substantially regular production of steam.

Abstract: A building protection system comprises a filtration unit, an air handling unit, an emergency exhaust subsystem, a first damper positioned between the filtration unit and the air handling unit, and a second damper positioned between the emergency exhaust subsystem and the filtration unit. The first damper is selectively opened and the second damper is selectively closed to filter outside air as it enters a building, and the first damper is selectively closed and the second damper is selectively opened to filter inside air as it is exhausted from, the building.

Abstract: A covering material for solar thermal power generation system, characterized in that it is made of a film which has a tensile yield strength of at least 10 N/mm2 according to JIS K7127, a solar radiation transmittance of at least 85% according to JIS R3106, and a retention of at least 80% against the initial value of the tensile breakage strength after 5000 hours of the sunshine carbon arc lamp weather test according to JIS B7753.

Abstract: A filter window adapter unit adapted for use with a main split-sash window of school buses is provided. The adapter unit includes a mounting frame adapted to be installed over the main split-sash window of the school buses. An inner sash is disposed fixedly in a lower position in an inner track portion and carries a pane of glass. An outer sash is disposed movably in an outer track portion and carries an air filter. The outer sash is raised upwardly so as to cover a main window opening when the main split-sash is opened. As a result, the air filter prevents diesel fumes from the school buses from entering into the interior thereof.

Abstract: A candle assembly includes a support base, a melting plate having a capillary pedestal, a wick holder that fits onto the capillary pedestal, and a fuel element that fits over the wick holder. The wick holder includes a sleeve having first and second open ends. A wick fits into the sleeve and extends between the open ends. The sleeve has a constricted portion, which is disposed between the open ends and has a cross-sectional area less than any other cross-sectional area between the open ends. The constricted portion reduces an effective capillary fluid flow capacity of the wick between the open ends, which may thereby regulate how quickly fuel is consumed when the candle assembly is burning. A capillary well disposed between the wick holder and the capillary pedestal may be adapted to promote a successful relight after an initial burn of the candle assembly.

Abstract: A method of verifying proper operation of an electromagnetic valve. The method includes providing a mechanism to effect opening of the valve, verifying that the valve opened as a result of employing the mechanism to effect opening of the valve and after verifying the valve opened, signaling the valve to close after a first period of time has elapsed. The method further includes, after signaling the valve to close, signaling the valve to re-open after a second period of time has elapsed and detecting the occurrence or non-occurrence of an event associated with the closing or re-opening of the valve.

Abstract: A liquid fuel lamp is provided with a wick carrying composite safety cap which is mountable to and removable from the liquid fuel container only by simultaneous pressing and turning actions. The safety cap has a spring biassed latch and a wick guard surrounding in a spaced manner around the upper end portion of the wick.

Abstract: Hydrocarbon streams are heated uniformly and directly using one or more flameless oxidation burners. Flameless oxidation burners may control the temperature within a range of about 50° C. to reduce the tendency to coking due to localized “hot spots”. The hydrocarbon streams, which may be monomer streams, may pass cross-current (perpendicular) to burners having a longitudinal design or configuration, or may pass parallel to such burners.

Abstract: A candle assembly includes a support base, a melting plate having a capillary pedestal, a wick holder that fits onto the capillary pedestal, and a fuel element that fits over the wick holder. The wick holder includes a sleeve having first and second open ends. A wick fits into the sleeve and extends between the open ends. The sleeve has a constricted portion, which is disposed between the open ends and has a cross-sectional area less than any other cross-sectional area between the open ends. The constricted portion reduces an effective capillary fluid flow capacity of the wick between the open ends, which may thereby regulate how quickly fuel is consumed when the candle assembly is burning. A capillary well disposed between the wick holder and the capillary pedestal may be adapted to promote a successful relight after an initial burn of the candle assembly.

Abstract: A system, computer software product and a method for ordering goods and/or services with respect to digital images over a communication network. A server provided for sending e-mail to a receiving site of a customer over the communication network. The e-mail has a static section for containing static text and/or graphics and a dynamic area/section for containing dynamic data, the dynamic data is automatically forwarded to the receiving site only upon opening of the e-mail at the receiving site. The dynamic data comprising at least digital data files containing digital images. The static section contains an order section for ordering of goods and/or services with respect to said dynamic data. The order is automatically forwarded to and fulfilled by a remote service provider.