Abstract: A heating tape comprises an insulated heating element that includes a heating element layer comprising a polymer composite having conductive particles and at least one set of conductive electrodes at least partially embedded in the polymer composite and extending along at least a substantial portion of the length of the heating tape. A heating tape system for a pipe or other surface, further includes a power ramp controller having a solid state relay component to regulate an in-rush of current to the heating element. The heating tape system also includes a connector having multiple contact points.

Abstract: A heating tape comprises an insulated heating element that includes a heating element layer comprising a polymer composite having conductive particles and at least one set of conductive electrodes at least partially embedded in the polymer composite and extending along at least a substantial portion of the length of the heating tape. A heating tape system for a pipe or other surface, further includes a power ramp controller having a solid state relay component to regulate an in-rush of current to the heating element. The heating tape system also includes a connector having multiple contact points.

Abstract: An adapter is provided for placement within a furnace filter bay having a flow of air therethrough. The filter bay is for receiving a furnace filter. The adapter includes a filter abutment face for abutment with at least a portion of the furnace filter, a mounting face parallel to the flow of air and attachment means permitting removable attachment of the adapter to the furnace filter bay. The adapter allows filters of smaller depth than the filters originally designed for use within the filter bay to be used, thereby eliminating the need for purchasing the original filters. A brace is also provided for the same purpose. A kit is described that includes the adapter and/or brace, along with instructions for installation thereof within the filter bay.

Abstract: A portable cooling or respiratory blower system of the type carried by a user's body includes a housing having two air flow chambers. An impeller is rotatably disposed between the two air flow chambers and includes a base wall that places the two air flow chambers in non-fluidic communication when the impeller is rotated. A separate plurality of blades is provided on each side of the base wall.

Abstract: An adapter is provided for placement within a furnace filter bay having a flow of air therethrough. The filter bay is for receiving a furnace filter. The adapter includes a filter abutment face for abutment with at least a portion of the furnace filter, a mounting face parallel to the flow of air and attachment means permitting removable attachment of the adapter to the furnace filter bay. The adapter allows filters of smaller depth than the filters originally designed for use within the filter bay to be used, thereby eliminating the need for purchasing the original filters. A brace is also provided for the same purpose. A kit is described that includes the adapter and/or brace, along with instructions for installation thereof within the filter bay.

Abstract: A dive accessory has an outer shell that encompasses a light maker and a noise maker. The light maker is waterproofed and has a light source electrically connected to an electrical power source for powering the light source. A light switch selectively opens and closes the electrical connection to switch the light source on and off. The noise maker has a hollow chamber containing a solid object that is movable within the hollow chamber to produce a noise when the solid object strikes a wall of the hollow chamber. The solid object may be restrained from moving to prevent the solid object from making noise. Combining a light maker and a noise maker provides a more effective dive accessory.

Abstract: A pipe comprises an outer surface and an inner surface, where the inner surface includes an abrasion resistant material layer covering a substantial portion thereof. An adhesive layer affixes the abrasion resistant material layer to the inner surface. The abrasion resistant layer can reduce and prevent erosion-corrosion of the inner surface of a pipe transporting slurry.

Abstract: An apparatus spreads flowable materials such as adhesives and/or sealants on a surface such as a floor and/or a wall. The apparatus has a pad retainer for a removable spreader pad and a reservoir chamber for flowable material pivotally attached to the pad retainer to permit pivoting of the reservoir chamber frontwards and backwards. The reservoir chamber has an adjustable gate through which the flowable material may exit. The gate is proximal the bottom of the reservoir chamber and complementary to the width of the pad retaining means to permit more uniform spreading of the flowable material. A handle is attached to and extends from the reservoir chamber. The handle may pivot from side to side on the reservoir chamber and may be hollow to house a cable associated with the means for opening the gate.

Abstract: A spreading apparatus is provided for spreading flowable materials such as adhesives and/or sealants on a surface such as a floor and/or a wall. The apparatus has a pad retainer for retaining a removable spreader pad and a reservoir chamber for flowable material pivotally attached to the pad retainer to permit pivoting of the reservoir chamber frontwards and backwards. The spreader pad comprises an elongated resilient foam member sufficiently thick to fit within and frictionally engage the pad retainer, and sufficiently high to extend below the pad retainer so that the spreader pad rather than the pad retainer contacts the surface when the spreader pad is retained by the pad retainer.

Abstract: A hook for hanging articles is capable of holding the weight of a typical garment or knapsack while permitting the release of heavier objects. The hook has a base with two spaced-apart outwardly extending brackets and an arm pivotally mounted to and between the brackets. The arm is pivotable between a load bearing and load releasing position. A first magnet is secured to the arm and a second magnet is secured to the base. The first magnet is magnetically connected to the second magnet to maintain the arm in the load bearing position. The magnetic connection is releasable to permit the arm to move towards the load releasing position when a load having a weight in excess of a predetermined weight is applied to the arm. The first magnet provides weight for returning the arm to the load bearing position after the load has been released. Such hooks are particularly useful in schools to reduce the possibility of children being hung from hooks.

Abstract: Provided is a dispenser for dispensing particles onto a surface comprising a hopper for receiving particles, wherein the hopper has an opening at its bottom, a screen having openings and located adjacent the opening of the hopper, wherein the screen openings are uniformly sized and spaced and are sufficiently large to let the largest particles pass through during dispensing yet sufficiently small to hold the particles back when the dispenser is not operating, and means, located outside of the hopper, for moving particles from the hopper through the screen, and onto the surface. Also provided is a method of making a web with embedded particles comprising the sequential steps of making the web receptive to the particles by heating, eliminating static charges present on the web, dispensing the particles onto the web, dispersing the particles to minimize particle clumping in the web, and embedding the dispensed particles in the web.

Abstract: The present invention provides a switchable pressure activated electronic device. The switchable electronic device includes a composite material disposed between two conductors. The composite material electrically connects the two conductors when pressure is applied between them, and electrically isolates the two conductors when pressure is not applied between them. The composite includes conductive particles at least partially embedded in an insulating material. The conductive particles are disposed so that substantially all electrical connections made between the first and second conductors are through single particles.

Abstract: The present invention provides a switchable pressure activated electronic device. The switchable electronic device includes a composite material disposed between two conductors. The composite material electrically connects the two conductors when pressure is applied between them, and electrically isolates the two conductors when pressure is not applied between them. The composite includes conductive particles at least partially embedded in an insulating material. The conductive particles are disposed so that substantially all electrical connections made between the first and second conductors are through single particles.

Abstract: Provided is a dispenser for dispensing particles onto a surface comprising a hopper for receiving particles, wherein the hopper has an opening at its bottom, a screen having openings and located adjacent the opening of the hopper, wherein the screen openings are uniformly sized and spaced and are sufficiently large to let the largest particles pass through during dispensing yet sufficiently small to hold the particles back when the dispenser is not operating, and means, located outside of the hopper, for moving particles from the hopper through the screen, and onto the surface. Also provided is a method of making a web with embedded particles comprising the sequential steps of making the web receptive to the particles by heating, eliminating static charges present on the web, dispensing the particles onto the web, dispersing the particles to minimize particle clumping in the web, and embedding the dispensed particles in the web.

Abstract: A method for dispensing particles onto a surface. The steps of the process include holding the particles in a hopper having a dispensing opening covered by a screen which has uniformly sized openings that are sufficiently large to allow the largest particles to pass through, yet sufficiently small to hold the particles back when the dispenser is not operating; rotating, outside the hopper, a cylindrical brush covered with regularly spaced bristles and positioned such that the bristles protrude through openings in the screen and draw particles through the screen to dispense them onto the surface; and varying the dispensing rate of the particles by at least one of (a) varying the rotation speed of the brush, (b) adjusting the distance from the screen to the central longitudinal axis of the brush, (c) adjusting the screen opening size, (d) adjusting the brush-to-screen pressure, or (e) adjusting the tension of the screen. A method of making a web with embedded particles.

Abstract: A regenerable air cleaning device is disclosed which comprises a filter holder supporting a regenerable filter that includes activated carbon fibers (ACF) and a control system that is adapted to determine when to regenerate the regenerable filter. The device exhibits high performance and longevity over many regeneration cycles.