Abstract: An easily breakable variable viscosity gel composition comprising a mixture of water, pH adjusting agents, gelling agents, and property enhancing additives evenly dispersed into the mixture, and an alkaline electrolyte viscosity increasing agent that raises the pH of the mixture to instantaneously trigger formation of a smooth homogeneous stable gel of desired viscosity for firefighting and fire suppression, explosion suppression and other uses. The gel also has the capacity to cling to, and build upon, vertical and horizontal surfaces which deprives fires of air while simultaneously profoundly and almost instantly lowering the temperature of the burning fuel, yet when effortlessly broken to a liquid by the simple addition of calcium or similar compositions, is easily rinsed away as a non-hazardous environmentally safe liquid. Additionally, when used to surround explosives, the gel grants exceptional explosion suppression.

Abstract: A surgical stapler having a tissue spacer at its forward end. The spacer is inserted between lateral sides of a wound to be closed and holds the tissue on lateral sides of the wound apart while the tines of a staple are driven into the tissue margins and bent around the staple bending surface of the staple anvil to draw the tissue captured between the tines toward each other. The tissue spacer has a width greater than the width of the staple bending surface of the anvil and less than the distance between the tines of the staple in an unbent condition such that when inserted between lateral sides of the wound it will space the facing tissue margins of the wound apart a distance sufficient to provide a metered amount of tissue lateral sides of the wound that will be captured between the tines and drawn together as the tines are bent toward each other to close the wound without crushing or overlapping of the captured tissue.

Abstract: A smooth stable viscous gelled printing ink composition comprising a mixture of water, a gelling agent, a chelating agent, and a colorant or pigment, property enhancing additives evenly dispersed into the mixture, and an alkaline electrolyte viscosity increasing agent that raises the pH of the mixture and forms a smooth homogeneous stable gel with a viscosity level having the consistency of a custard or jelly. In addition to the colorants or pigments, additives may also include drying oils, resins, surfactants, film forming components, water flight agents, and other additives. The stabilized gel prevents separation and settling of the homogeneously suspended colorants, pigments, and property enhancing additives, and significantly improves storage stability. The ink compositions do not require shaking, stirring, or mixing prior to use are fast drying on paper, and do not dry on the printing press, in the storage containers, or in the ink jet or bubble jet injector nozzles.

Abstract: A smooth stable viscous gelled surface polish composition comprising a mixture of water, a gelling agent, a chelating agent, an abrasive, and colorant or pigment and other property enhancing additives evenly dispersed into the mixture, and an alkaline electrolyte viscosity increasing agent that raises the pH of the mixture and forms a smooth homogeneous stable gel with a viscosity level having the consistency of a custard or jelly which prevents separation of the abrasives and additives and does not require shaking or mixing prior to use. Additionally other suitable additives such as antioxidants, waxes, and oils may be used in the composition. The smooth homogeneous stable gel is also resistant to drying and the formation of a surface “skin”.

Abstract: Multi-use homogeneous breakable gelled adhesives and adhesive mastics which can be used “as is” for the installation of various types of tile, including tiles with deeply grooved backs, stone, marble, and other floor and wall coverings, flexible sheet goods, carpet and other uses, and can be mixed with a Portland cement powder to form a powerful latex-modified mortar having the added utility of a crack suppressive adhesive and functioning as a waterproofing membrane. The stabilized gelled adhesive or adhesive mastic prevents the separation and settling of components, and when Portland powdered cement is added, becomes a high strength latex modified mortar. The gelled adhesive or adhesive mastic is usable as a latex modified dry-set mortar.

Abstract: An organic, easy to use, dual function adhesive in the form of a single package ready-to-use stabilized gelled mastic adhesive which prevents the separation and settling of components, for use in the installation of ceramic tile as an ordinary mastic adhesive when used as furnished for ceiling and wall tiles and, when Portland powdered cement is added, becomes a high strength latex modified dry-set mortar because of the unique breakable gel properties of the mastic adhesive. The gelled mastic adhesive is usable as the water component for dry-set mortar because, on the addition of portland cement, the gel will break and become a free-flowing liquid with additives thereby allowing precise quantitation and easy mixing to produce a homogeneous dry-set mortar with the strength and water resistance of a latex modified Portland cement based composition and also functions as a waterproofing and crack suppressing membrane adhesive.

Abstract: Multi-use homogeneous breakable gelled adhesives and adhesive mastics which can be used “as is” for the installation of various types of tile, including tiles with deeply grooved backs, stone, marble, and other floor and wall coverings, flexible sheet goods, carpet and other uses, and can be mixed with a Portland cement powder to form a powerful latex-modified mortar having the added utility of a crack suppressive adhesive and functioning as a waterproofing membrane. The stabilized gelled adhesive or adhesive mastic prevents the separation and settling of components, and when Portland powdered cement is added, becomes a high strength latex modified mortar. The gelled adhesive or adhesive mastic is usable as a latex modified dry-set mortar.

Abstract: A substrate bioavailability enhancing chemical mixture and bioremediation method is disclosed which increases substrate availability in microbial bioremediation and results in increased biodegradation efficiency and completeness while significantly shortening operating time. The mixture contains a surfactant, an emulsifier, an emulsifying solvent, a sequestering agent, and a pH control agent. A preferred mixture also contains a biocatalyst which stimulates the reproductive cycle and rapid multiplication of microbes and thus increases the number of microbes.