Abstract: A paintball pocket for a crotch type slingshot, having a pocket strap with opposing elongate end portions, each end portion defining a hole to releasably interconnect with an elastomeric draw strap communicating with the slingshot. The pocket strap having a paintball cavity defined by four tear stop holes and two intersecting through cuts that create four adjacent triangular flaps that bend rearwardly to frictionally engage with a circumferential surface of a spherical paintball, the cavity having a diameter approximately equal to the diameter of the paintball. A pocket handle having a horizontal loop and a vertical loop, each loop having strap connecting ends stitched to the pocket strap adjacent opposing triangular flaps, and a gripping portion wound circumferentially with thread forming a tapered funnel structure adjacent rearward the pocket strap and the paintball cavity that limits rearward movement of the paintball into the paintball cavity.

Abstract: A paintball pocket for a crotch type slingshot, having a pocket strap with opposing elongate end portions, each end portion defining a hole to releasably interconnect with an elastomeric draw strap communicating with the slingshot. The pocket strap having a paintball cavity defined by four tear stop holes and two intersecting through cuts that create four adjacent triangular flaps that bend rearwardly to frictionally engage with a circumferential surface of a spherical paintball, the cavity having a diameter approximately equal to the diameter of the paintball. A pocket handle having a horizontal loop and a vertical loop, each loop having strap connecting ends stitched to the pocket strap adjacent opposing triangular flaps, and a gripping portion wound circumferentially with thread forming a tapered funnel structure adjacent rearward the pocket strap and the paintball cavity that limits rearward movement of the paintball into the paintball cavity.

Abstract: A more efficient utilization of geothermal energy by allowing flashing of the produced water to a lower temperature. This is accomplished by causing additional quantities of silica to precipitate out of the geothermal water as particles rather than as scale on process equipment. These particles are tertiary aggregate amorphous silica of Type I, II or III, which have high surface areas, good oil absorption and high reflectivity. They are useful as additives and opacifiers for paper, paints, rubbers, and plastics; as thixotropic thickening agents; and as absorbents. The improved energy recovery is accomplished by utilizing the addition (including recycle) of previously produced particles of amorphous tertiary aggregate silica of a selected Type I, II or III, as a heterogeneous precipitation agent, alone or in combination with other more conventional precipitation agents.

Abstract: A method of obtaining precipitated amorphous silicas with substantially a tertiary aggregate structure (whether as an aqueous slurry, as cake, gel or otherwise) useful for coating and/or incorporation in paper and other substrates (e.g. rubber, plastics and the like) from a geothermal fluid (naturally or artificially generated--natural, including water infusion into geothermal systems) having sufficient silicic acid concentration, said method comprising:A. ageing the fluid to effect polymerization, thus establishing a silica sol, ageing meaning a process in which the source fluid after being made supersaturated with respect to amorphous silica is held for a period of time,B. optionally (prior to, with and/or after step A--preferably prior to in order to reduce arsenic adsorption) reducing the temperature of the geothermal fluid and/or sol as the case may be,C. inducing precipitation of amorphous silica from the sol under conditions that will provide the tertiary aggregate structure, andD.

Abstract: A heatable dilation catheter includes an elongated flexible catheter which has an inflatable balloon attached to its distal end. The balloon has a heating element attached to it. A lumen provides a passageway which allows fluid to be introduced to inflate the balloon so that the heating element is in close proximity to tissue to be treated. The heating element is activated for an appropriate period of time to heat the tissue.