Abstract: An omnibus process of pulping and bleaching lignocellulosic materials in which a charge of a lignocellulosic material is biopulped and/or water extracted prior to pulping and bleaching. The lignocellulosic material may be mechanically pulped and bleached in the presence of an enzyme that breaks lignin-carbohydrate complexes. The aqueous extract in embodiments including a water extract step is separated into acetic acid and hemicellulose sugar aqueous solutions.

Abstract: Apparatuses are disclosed where in a lever binder may include an adjuster that when manipulated adjusts the binding length of the lever binder. In various embodiments, a lever binder is disclosed including an automatic latching mechanism to help resist undesired movement of a lever from a binding position.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a cargo guard that is readily coupled to and/or removed from a binding strap, and further readily adapted to be repositioned with respect to the strap. The cargo guard may include one or more segments and/or one or more retainers.

Abstract: A load binder including a clamp mechanism for clamping onto container members such side boards of a shipping container. The clamp mechanism includes arms having connecting members adapted to couple to a binding strap, as well as gripping members and a gripping pad adapted to clamp against the container member in response to an urging of connecting members towards one another. The arms and the gripping pad may be pivotal about a common axis. Further enhanced binding action may be achieved via a cam buckle provided with double lining.

Abstract: A trailer hitch jack for rapidly raising and lowering the tongue of a trailer.

Abstract: An apparatus for tensioning spring arms used in conjunction with a weight distribution hitch. The apparatus may comprise a mechanical linkage that may be operable to multiply an input force provided by a jack to an output force of sufficient magnitude to tension the spring arms. The mechanical linkage may comprise a pair of rigid arms that are linked to a support post of a trailer jack. The pair of rigid arms may automatically be raised in conjunction with the support post being operated from a lowered position to a raised position. The rigid arms may exert a force on a cross-piece member extending between the spring arms. Alternatively, the mechanical linkage may comprise a flexible member for placing the spring arms under tension.

Abstract: Apparatuses are disclosed where in a lever binder may include an adjuster that when manipulated adjusts the binding length of the lever binder. In various embodiments, a lever binder is disclosed including an automatic latching mechanism to help resist undesired movement of a lever from a binding position.

Abstract: Stabilizing devices having elongate telescoping tube segments and end clamps. The end clamps of certain of the devices are clamped onto side rails of a cargo bed for segmenting a cargo bed length way. The end clamps of other of the devices are clamped to the tube segments of the first devices for segmenting a cargo bed width way. Thus providing stabilization of segmented loads having length and/or width dimensions less than the length and/or width of the cargo bed.

Abstract: A load binder including a clamp mechanism for clamping onto container members such side boards of a shipping container. The clamp mechanism includes arms having connecting members adapted to couple to a binding strap, as well as gripping members and a gripping pad adapted to clamp against the container member in response to an urging of connecting members towards one another. The arms and the gripping pad may be pivotal about a common axis. Further enhanced binding action may be achieved via a cam buckle provided with double lining.

Abstract: A cargo bar for retaining loads in a cargo container having opposing side walls. The cargo bar includes telescoping sections and end devices at the opposed ends of the cargo bar. The end devices are elastameric and absorb excessive forces that induce pressure grip extension of the telescoping sections.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a cargo guard that is readily coupled to and/or removed from a binding strap, and further readily adapted to be repositioned with respect to the strap. The cargo guard may include one or more segments and/or one or more retainers.

Abstract: The present invention is a method for producing pulp from fibrous lignocellulose material using a treatment step which exposes the material to oxalic acid, or oxalic acid and sodium bisulfite, prior to pulping. The pulping of the resulting product requires less energy input and provides a pulp having enhanced physical properties as compared to untreated materials.

Abstract: A tool for binding and securing the binding of a load, said binding including a tube having a pawl disposed in a housing adapted to engage a gear that may be coupled to a tube, wherein rotation of the gear can cause extension and contraction of shafts with respect to the tube. The pawl having more than one operation configuration, such as a load tightening, load loosening and a free spin position. An indicator coupled to the pawl and adapted to move relative to the housing to indicate the operational configuration by pointing to corresponding markings disposed on the housing.

Abstract: A tire chain for adding traction to a vehicle tire riding on snow and/or ice. The tire chain includes side members encircling the sides of the tires and cross members that extend across the tread from side member to side member. Securement devices secure the cross members to the side members. The securement devices include a hook shape defining an enclosure and an opening to the enclosure and a biasing member that spans the opening. The securement device is secured to one of the members and is snap locked onto the other member to enable manual removal of a selected one of the cross members for replacement.

Abstract: The present invention is a method for producing pulp from fibrous lignocellulose material using a treatment step which exposes the material to oxalic acid, or oxalic acid and sodium bisulfite, prior to pulping. The pulping of the resulting product requires less energy input and provides a pulp having enhanced physical properties as compared to untreated materials.

Abstract: A method using biological processes in the production of pulp from industrial wood waste is described. The process makes use of various species of white-rot fungi which selectively degrade lignin. The industrial wood waste must be cleaned and hydrated prior to inoculation with the fungus. Paper produced by this process has excellent strength characteristics as compared to both non-treated industrial wood waste and pulp produced from virgin wood chips. Substantial energy savings are also realized when the biopulped industrial wood waste chips are further refined by conventional mechanical pulping procedures. Kraft pulping of wood waste resulted in strength properties comparable to those of virgin wood. Fungal pretreatment subsequently enhanced the resulting kraft pulp properties.

Abstract: A storage space for pickup trucks many times larger and more conveniently accessible than those previously available. This is accomplished by using all the space from the outside of the truck bed to the inside of the wheel wells using the inside surface formed by the storage container. The angled top and rounded rear surfaces of the storage container inner surfaces integrate naturally with the pickup bed interior so that there is virtually no perceived reduction of the main cargo area. The storage container is characterized as having: 1. Openings at the top of the enclosure that are at a specific angle so they allow full access to the interior of the enclosure including that covered by the bed rail; 2. Lids for the top of the enclosure made to wrap around the back of the enclosure for the loading of long items and improved access from the end of the bed; 3.

Abstract: A fender flare removably secured to a vehicle fender. The flare has an upper edge abutting the fender surface and an intermediate bowed configuration terminating in a flange that underlies an inturned flange of the fender. The flanges are secured together and the upper edge of the flare is fitted with a bonding strip that bonds the full length of the edge to the fender surface. The bonding strip is characterized in having a sufficient thickness to prevent rubbing of the flare edge against the fender, seals the juncture against leaking of contaminants into the cavity defined by the flare, and securely adheres the upper edge of the flare to the fender surface.

Abstract: A running board removably mounted to a vehicle on a sub frame support system. The sub frame support system has brackets adjustably mounted to the vehicle frame which support a receiving frame. The receiving frame is adjustably mounted to the brackets and has a pair of sockets for receiving the supporting members of the running board. The running board is a structural member having shaped support members extending from its ends and configured to mount in the sockets of the receiving frame. The running board is mounted to the vehicle by inserting the supporting members of the running board into the sockets of the receiving frame. Pins retain the support members in the sockets. The running board is removed from the vehicle by merely removing the pins and removing the running board from the receiving frame.