Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure may include a system for returning a golf ball to a golfer playing simulated golf or hitting a golf ball towards any vertical surface or hitting it into a net or such, the system including a ball catcher tray assembly adapted to receive a golf ball after the golfer has hit the ball against an impact surface, the ball catcher tray optionally including ball catcher tray sections connected together. Embodiments may also include a golf ball launcher adapted to receive the golf ball as it rolls from the ball catcher tray assembly. Embodiments may also include a modular track system comprised of interconnected track sections, at least one of which may be connected to the golf ball launcher and may be adapted to receive the golf ball from the golf ball launcher as the ball may be propelled toward the golfer.

Abstract: A process for the production of a polymeric film comprising a copolyester having an acid component and a diol component, said acid component comprising a dicarboxylic acid and a sulfomonomer containing a sulfonate group attached to the aromatic nucleus of an aromatic dicarboxylic acid, said process comprising the steps of: (i) melt-extruding a layer of said copolyester; (ii) stretching the extrudate in at least one direction; (iii) heat-setting the film by raising the temperature of the stretched film to a temperature T1 in a first heating zone such that (TM?T1 is in the range of from 5 to 30° C., and then raising the temperature of the film to a temperature T2 in a second heating zone such that (TM?T2 is in the range of from 0 to 10° C.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in cutting a mortice pocket in a leading edge of a door in-situ, the apparatus comprising: at least one elongate guide means; clamping means for clamping the elongate guide means to a door or other workpiece; a drill guide means mounted on the elongate guide means; and translating means; wherein the drill guide means comprises a bearing block and a saddle member, the saddle member having a bearing block aperture formed therethrough arranged to releasably receive the bearing block therein, the bearing block having a hole therethrough adapted snugly to receive a drill shaft such that the drill shaft is supported, directly or indirectly, by the bearings of the bearing block and is rotatable therein, and wherein at least one of the bearing block aperture and the bearing block is tapered.

Abstract: A process for the production of a polymeric film comprising a copolyester having an acid component and a diol component, said acid component comprising a dicarboxylic acid and a sulfomonomer containing a sulfonate group attached to the aromatic nucleus of an aromatic dicarboxylic acid, said process comprising the steps of: (i) melt-extruding a layer of said copolyester; (ii) stretching the extrudate in at least one direction; (iii) heat-setting the film by raising the temperature of the stretched film to a temperature T1 in a first heating zone such that (TM?T1 is in the range of from 5 to 30° C., and then raising the temperature of the film to a temperature T2 in a second heating zone such that (TM?T2 is in the range of from 0 to 10° C.

Abstract: A process for the production of a polymeric film comprising a copolyester having an acid component and a diol component, said acid component comprising a dicarboxylic acid and a sulfomonomer containing a sulfonate group attached to the aromatic nucleus of an aromatic dicarboxylic acid, said process comprising the steps of: (i) melt-extruding a layer of said copolyester; (ii) stretching the extrudate in at least one direction; (iii) heat-setting the film by raising the temperature of the stretched film to a temperature T1 in a first heating zone such that (TM-T1) is in the range of from 5 to 30° C., and then raising the temperature of the film to a temperature T2 in a second heating zone such that (TM-T2 is in the range of from 0 to 10° C.

Abstract: A saw guide intended for guiding the blade of a saw during cutting of a workpiece (220). The saw guide (10) comprises: a body portion (120) having a basal surface (115) and a guide surface (105) adapted to be positioned on a workpiece (220) to be cut, such that with the basal surface (115) engaging a surface (200) of the workpiece (220), the guide surface (105) extends across the surface to be cut at a forward position of the body portion, such that a cutting member (300) in face to face contact with the guide surface (105) may be guided during cutting of the workpiece (220), and measuring means for measuring a position of the guide surface (105) with respect to a workpiece (220) such that, in use, the position of the guide surface (105) may be monitored by reference to said measuring means, during a cutting operation of the workpiece (220). The saw guide enables a cut to be made with continual reference to the measuring means.

Abstract: An NIR (near infra red) spectrum is obtained from a cereal grain sample and processed to deduce characteristics related to possible weather damage, for the purpose of assessing sample quality. In addition or alternatively, cereal grain is subjected to a compression test, for example to obtain data below the yield point of the shell of the grain, to determine state of any weather damage. An embodiment includes data processing to assess weather damage from data of NIR spectrum analysis and/or data from compression test analysis; a cross correlation is relevant where either of the NIR and compression tests alone are not sufficiently decisive.

Abstract: An electromagnetic vibrator has a movable magnet that can move linearly in an axial direction. A field coil surrounds the movable magnet. Magnetic bumpers are disposed on opposite ends of the vibrator, and are oriented to repel the movable magnet. When an alternating current is provided in the field coil, the movable magnet oscillates linearly in the axial direction, bumping against the magnetic field of the bumper magnets and thereby creating vibration. The movable magnet may have a toroidal shape and be disposed on an axial shaft to linearly constrain the motion of the movable magnet. Two field coils can be provided to simultaneously create push and pull forces on the movable magnet. The bumper magnets can be replaced with compression springs. The electromagnetic vibrator can be very small and energy efficient; it is well suited for use in portable electronic devices, cell phones, toys, industrial mixers, and massage devices.

Abstract: A method of introducing an oil field or gas field production chemical into a hydrocarbon-bearing porous subterranean formation penetrated by a wellbore comprising: injecting a gelling composition comprising an aqueous liquid, an oil field or gas field production chemical, and a gellable polymer through the wellbore into the porous subterranean formation wherein the gellable polymer forms a gel within the pores of the subterranean formation thereby encapsulating the production chemical in the gel; and controllably releasing the production chemical from the gel into a formation fluid.

Abstract: This tested invention, for use with an unmodified hammer (402), is a simple attachment (31) whose fastener-receiving region (57), and fastener-holding apparatus (54), along with a magnetism and support extender (542), allow safe, one-handed starting of a wide range of size and types of fasteners (562), including nails, screws, tacks, and staples. With the attachment, a fastener can be easily started with the usual initial hammer swing and then driven to the desired depth by striking it with the hammer face in the conventional manner with an unbroken rhythm. The attaching mechanism (72) enables attaching to and detaching from a hammer with only one hand. Spacers (202), or tailor forming of the attachment body (32), allow it to fit all of the common household hammers. Alternative holding fingers (314, 316, 318 FIG. 20) handle nonmagnetic fasteners.

Abstract: A process for removing metal ions from crude oil comprising contacting a non-ionic amphiphilic solvent with the crude oil, optionally, in the presence of water, so as to produce a metal ion-containing phase, and separating the metal ion-containing phase from the crude oil.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for deacidifying a crude oil system, said process comprising the steps of: a) contacting the crude oil system with a polar solvent, such that at least part of the organic acid present in the oil is extracted into the solvent as an extract phase, and b) separating said extract phase from the treated crude oil system of step a).

Abstract: An improved process is disclosed for removing trace acidic compounds from liquid hydrocarbons. Traces of acidic compounds, including carboxylic acids, H2S, naphthenic acids, et al., are present in most hydrocarbon streams. The presence of these acidic compounds is considered deleterious to accepted product specifications. The trace acidic compounds which interfere are removed via injection of a dilute aqueous alkaline solution into the hydrocarbon stream and passage of this stream through a coalescing bed.

Abstract: A method of inhibiting or retarding formation of hydrates from water and a lower alkane, such as methane or ethane, involves adding additives which comprise (i) a corrosion inhibitor and (ii) a salt which is of formula [R1(R2)XR3]+Y−, wherein each of R1, R2 and R3 is bonded directly to X, each of R1 and R2, which may be the same or different is an alkyl group of at least 4 carbons, X is S, NR4 or PR4, wherein each of R3 and R4 which may be the same or different represents hydrogen or an organic group, with the proviso that at least one of R3 and R4 is an organic group of at least 4 carbons, and Y is an anion, the additives being added in an amount effective to inhibit or retard hydrate formation, to a medium susceptible to hydrate formation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a rapid and non-evasive method of monitoring dough development and dough mixing properties using near infrared (NIR) spectroscopy. In particular, the present invention relates to a method of measuring the change in constituents of a grain flour dough during mixing.

Abstract: Inhibitors of wax deposition for crude oils are polymers of a monomer with structural units derived from at least one ester (i) of an aliphatic carboxylic acid with an aliphatic alcohol, wherein one of the acid and alcohol is ethylenically unsaturated and the other of the acid and alcohol has a long chain group of 14-40 carbons, and a monomer with structural units derived from a corresponding ester (3) with structural units derived from an aliphatic carboxylic acid and an aliphatic alcohol, wherein one of the acid and alcohol is ethylenically unsaturated and the other has an aliphatic group of 1-13 carbons, such that at least 30% preferably 50-90% of the said aliphatic groups have 15-35 carbons. They are preferably made by transesterification. Blends of such polymers and/or the corresponding homopolymers or copolymers of ester 1 and/or polyalkylene imines with long side chains, and optionally with monomeric polar additives may be used as inhibitors.

Abstract: A hydrate inhibitor comprising a blend of an additive (i) and at least one of an additive (ii) and an additive (iii) wherein additive (i) is a polymer of an ethylenically unsaturated N-heterocyclic carbonyl compound, with 6-8 ring atoms in the heterocyclic ring, additive (ii) is a corrosion inhibitor and additive (iii) is a salt of formula (I):[R1(R2)XR3]+Y− 1/v, I wherein each of R1, R2 and R3 is bonded directly to X, each of R1 and R2, which may be the same or different is an alkyl group of at least 4 carbons, X is S, NR4 or PR4, wherein each of R3 and R4 which may be the same or different represents hydrogen or an organic group, with the proviso that at least one of R3 and R4 is an organic group of at least 4 carbons, especially at least 5 carbons, and Y is an anion of valency v, wherein v is an integer of 1-4.

Abstract: A method of reducing the deposition of wax from a crude oil containing wax which comprises adding thereto at least one N-substituted polyalkylene imine which has at least one organic substituent that is a hydroxy-substituted alkyl group of 12-24 carbon atoms.

Abstract: A method of inhibiting or retarding formation of hydrates from water and a lower alkane, such as methane or ethane, involves adding additives which comprise (i) a corrosion inhibitor and (ii) a salt which is of formula [R.sup.1 (R.sup.2)XR.sup.3 ].sup.+ Y.sup.-, wherein each of R.sup.1, R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 is bonded directly to X, each of R.sup.1 and R.sup.2, which may be the same or different is an alkyl group of at least 4 carbons, X is S, NR.sup.4 or PR.sup.4, wherein each of R.sup.3 and R.sup.4 which may be the same or different represents hydrogen or an organic group, with the proviso that at least one of R.sup.3 and R.sup.4 is an organic group of at least 4 carbons, and Y is an anion, the additives being added in an amount effective to inhibit or retard hydrate formation, to a medium susceptible to hydrate formation.