Abstract: An apparatus for releasing additive into cement pumped into an annular space between a wall of a wellbore and a casing inserted into the wellbore include a cement additive enclosed in a container disposed in the annular space at at least one selected position along the wellbore. The container is configured to release the additive at a selected time.

Abstract: A method for reducing the water influx into a wellbore which penetrates a natural gas hydrocarbon-containing formation having a communication channel that extends from the wellbore into the formation and that is filled with proppant particles. In one embodiment, an aqueous particulate dispersion is introduced into the formation until a volume of the dispersion particles introduced is equal to or greater than one-half a water zone volume of the communication channel.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a rake head for a lawn or garden rake having plural rows of tines. The rake head includes a support member having a first and second edge. The rake head has a first and a second row of tines to be retained such that they have a substantially equal degree and range of movement and stress in a generally upward direction. Further, a first plurality of tines attached to a substantially planar support member defines a first plane that is intersected by a second plurality of tines attached to the support member and defines a second plane. Each of the tines of the second plurality of tines extends between and adjacent the tines of the first plurality of tines outside of the second edge. A separation of the tines is provided, thus forming two substantially identical rows of raking tines.

Abstract: A breathing exercise device which promotes proper resistance breathing for a user is disclosed. The device includes a substantially enclosed elongate air flow column which is disposed vertically and which has a cross-sectional interior dimension which increases in size upwardly in graduated increments. An air inlet is provided adjacent the bottom of the air flow column and at least one air outlet is located above this air inlet. The user exhales through a tube which is connected to the air inlet and causes an air flotation element movably disposed in the air flow column to be lifted in the column. The air flotation element is sized so as to fit relatively closely within the column so that a given exhalation effort causes the flotation element to stabilize at a position in the column relative to the cross-sectional dimension which corresponds to the given exhalation rate of air flow through the column. The air flotation element is visible by the user through the air outlet.

Abstract: This invention relates to apparatus and a method by which a liquid is applied in desired configurations to a continuous web which travels at a relatively high rate. The liquid may be that which is applied by jets or the like. According to this invention after the liquid is applied to the web excess quantities of fusible powder material are applied to the web during travel thereof. Some of the powder material adheres to the liquid, and powder material which does not adhere to the liquid is removed from the web prior to heating of the web to dry the liquid and to fuse the powder material.The liquid which is applied to the web in desired configurations may be a clear or colorless liquid, such as water or the like. The liquid may be a water-base ink or the like. The powder material applied to the wet configurations provide desired color or aesthetic qualities or protective qualities to the configurations and to the web.

Abstract: An improved method for reducing fluid loss during high pressure hydraulic fracturing of well formations using an aqueous foam involving adding to the foam from about 0.0005 to 0.5% by weight of an additive selected from the group consisting of a C.sub.5 to C.sub.10 unsubstituted monocarboxylic aliphatic acid, a C.sub.5 to C.sub.10 unsubstituted aliphatic alcohol, malonic acid, lower n-alkyl diesters of malonic acid and their mixtures. The new additives are shown to be as effective in reducing fluid loss during fracturing as the commercial practice employing hydroxy ethyl cellulose at a fraction of the cost of hydroxy ethyl cellulose without depositing polymer within the formation.

Abstract: Disclosed is a chest drainage collection system including a suction control container, a water seal container, and at least one collection container. A first passage provides communication between the collection container and a patient's pleural cavity for communicating air and/or liquid to the collection container. A second passage provides communication between the seal container and the collection container. A third passage communicates between the suction control container and the seal container. A fourth passage communicates between a source of vacuum pressure and the water seal container. A float is disposed in the lower end of a tube in the water seal container to provide visual identification that the system is operational. A baffle overlies the water in the suction control container to preclude water entrainment and consequent water loss. The fourth passage contains a check valve for automatically sealing the fourth passage when the fourth passage is exposed to atmospheric pressure.

Abstract: A method for shutting off or decreasing the production of water from an oil well. An oil well producing excess water is taken off production and a gas is injected into the well, followed by a slug of clean oil containing an emulsifier. The well is then produced as fast as possible. The previously injected gas and water in water-producing zones begin to finger back through the oil slug and forms a viscous emulsion which blocks the further flow of water into the producing well.