Abstract: A propane tank cover, which safely covers, protects, and locks a propane tank having a protective cage. The propane tank cover has a protective cover, a safety cover, a tabletop, and a tablecloth for use as an end table. The safety cover has an upper circular plate having an outer edge for covering the protective cage, and a lower locking collar for fitting around the protective cage. The tabletop has a bottom surface having a centrally positioned track having a slotted channel. The slotted channel receives the outer edge of the upper circular plate for securing the tabletop to the safety cover and propane tank. The tablecloth is draped over the tabletop for fully covering the tabletop, safety cover, and propane tank.

Abstract: An exhaust gas treatment device for internal combustion engines and the like includes inlet and outlet end caps, two catalyst substrates, and a two-piece housing. A first, cylindrically-shaped housing member has a hollow interior in which one of the substrates is retained, a first end sealingly connected with the inlet end cap, and an opposite second end with a radially reduced section. A second cylindrically-shaped housing member has a hollow interior in which the other one of the substrates is retained, a first end sealingly connected with the outlet end cap, and an opposite second end with a radially enlarged section sized to receive therein the second end of the first housing member, whereby the reduced section of the first housing member and the enlarge section of the second housing member are spaced radially apart a predetermined distance to define an annularly-shaped space or gap which thermally insulates the associated portion of the exhaust gas treatment device.

Abstract: A thermally-activated exhaust treatment device, such as a catalytic converter, for vehicles includes a core having an inner housing and a catalytic material. A jacket includes an outer housing enclosing the inner housing, but characteristically not contacting the inner housing. The inner and outer housings include walls forming a vacuum-drawn sealed insulation cavity around the inner housing. A temperature-activated variable insulator device is positioned within the outer housing and includes a hydrogen source and controls for controlling the variable insulator device. A vacuum-maintenance device is incorporated into the insulation cavity, and includes a small container, getter material positioned in the container, and a porous member allowing gas in the insulation cavity to communicate with the getter material. A multi-layered radiation shield is positioned in the vacuum space and is loosely coupled to the inner housing. A vacuum detector includes a visible indicator of the vacuum in the insulation cavity.