Abstract: A water device for use in a water game in accordance with an embodiment of the present application includes a valve device providing a variable flow of water to a flat hose with a plurality of holes formed therein to allow water to spray from the top thereof. A user races the water in the flat hose to a finishing member to try beat the water there. An indicator may indicate if the user has won.

Abstract: The invention relates to soluble metal oxides and mixed metal oxides and to solutions comprising metal oxides and mixed metal oxides. The invention further relates to a process for preparing a soluble metal oxide and a soluble mixed metal oxide and additionally relates to a process for modifying the solubility of a soluble metal oxide. The metal oxides, mixed metal oxides and solutions thereof have a number of applications and in particular are suitable for use as catalysts and also as precursors for the formation of metal films.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a spot cleaner that includes a first absorbent pad and a second absorbent pad. The first absorbent pad includes a cleaner. The spot cleaner further includes a moisture proof barrier that is between the first absorbent pad and the second absorbent pad. The moisture proof barrier encloses the first absorbent pad to keep the cleaner inside the moisture proof barrier. In some embodiments, the moisture proof barrier has a first layer that is attached to the first absorbent pad and a second layer that is attached to the second absorbent pad. The first and second layers of the moisture proof barrier may be separable to allow a hand to be inserted between the first and second layers so that the hand is able to manipulate the spot cleaner without any portion of the spot or cleaner contacting the hand.

Abstract: The invention relates to soluble metal oxides and mixed metal oxides and to solutions comprising metal oxides and mixed metal oxides. The invention further relates to a process for preparing a soluble metal oxide and a soluble mixed metal oxide and additionally relates to a process for modifying the solubility of a soluble metal oxide. The metal oxides, mixed metal oxides and solutions thereof have a number of applications and in particular are suitable for use as catalysts and also as precursors for the formation of metal oxide coatings. The present invention is also suitable for coating medical devices, and can be used for coating drug cocktails to produce sustained release tablets. Similarly, the coatings may be used for the sustained release of pesticides, insecticides, dyes and fragrances. Further uses include the application of the present invention to coat the moving parts of engines and machinery.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a composition for forming fibers of synthetic detergents. The composition includes a synthetic wax, a primary surfactant added to the synthetic wax, and a secondary surfactant added to the synthetic wax. The present invention also relates to a method for developing fibers of synthetic detergents. The method includes adding a primary surfactant to a synthetic wax; adding a secondary surfactant to the synthetic wax; and forming the synthetic wax into fibers. In another form, the present invention relates to a fiber that includes a synthetic wax, a primary surfactant embedded in the synthetic wax, and a secondary surfactant embedded in the synthetic wax. The present invention also relates to a fibrous matrix of synthetic detergents. The fibrous matrix includes fibers formed of a synthetic wax and a primary surfactant embedded in the fibers. The fibrous matrix further includes a secondary surfactant embedded in the fibers.

Abstract: The invention relates to soluble metal oxides and mixed metal oxides and to solutions comprising metal oxides and mixed metal oxides. The invention further relates to a process for preparing a soluble metal oxide and a soluble mixed metal oxide and additionally relates to a process for modifying the solubility of a soluble metal oxide. The metal oxides, mixed metal oxides and solutions thereof have a number of applications and in particular are suitable for use as catalysts and also as precursors for the formation of metal films.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a fibrous matrix of synthetic detergents. The fibrous matrix includes fibers formed of a synthetic wax and a primary surfactant embedded in the fibers. The fibrous matrix further includes a secondary surfactant embedded in the fibers.

Abstract: A risk assessment system includes a plurality of elements each having an attribute for determining if an event causes the respective element to fail. The risk assessment system also includes a repair component configured to repair each of the plurality of elements that has failed. The risk assessment system further includes an event generation component configured to generate an event to effect repair of the plurality of elements that have failed. The repair component performs a particular repair of each of the failed elements based on the event generated by the event generation component.

Abstract: A monitoring system for monitoring fluid in a fluid supply vessel during operation including dispensing of fluid from the fluid supply vessel. The monitoring system includes (i) one or more sensors for monitoring a characteristic of the fluid supply vessel or the fluid dispensed therefrom, (ii) a data acquisition module operatively coupled to the one or more sensors to receive monitoring data therefrom and responsively generate an output correlative to the characteristic monitored by the one or more sensors, and (iii) a processor and display operatively coupled with the data acquisition module and arranged to process the output from the data acquisition module and responsively output a graphical representation of fluid in the fluid supply vessel.

Abstract: In one example form, the present invention relates to a decal for treating a surface. The decal includes a web and an agent for treating the surface. The agent is attached to the web. The decal further includes a bonding material that attaches the decal to the surface. The bonding material is also attached to the web. In some embodiments, the agent may be attached to the web while in other embodiments the agent may form part of the web. In addition, the agent may be at least partially, or wholly, soluble in the web, or may be suspended in the web. In another form, the present invention relates to a method of treating a surface. The method includes attaching a decal to the surface and treating the surface with the decal. Attaching a decal to the surface may include adhering the decal to the surface with an adhesive.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a spot cleaner that includes a first absorbent pad and a second absorbent pad. The first absorbent pad includes a cleaner. The spot cleaner further includes a moisture proof barrier that is between the first absorbent pad and the second absorbent pad. The moisture proof barrier encloses the first absorbent pad to keep the cleaner inside the moisture proof barrier. In some embodiments, the moisture proof barrier has a first layer that is attached to the first absorbent pad and a second layer that is attached to the second absorbent pad. The first and second layers of the moisture proof barrier may be separable to allow a hand to be inserted between the first and second layers so that the hand is able to manipulate the spot cleaner without any portion of the spot or cleaner contacting the hand.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a decal and method for treating a surface. The decal includes a web and an agent for treating the surface. The decal further includes a bonding material that attaches the decal to the surface. In some embodiments, the agent may be attached to the web while in other embodiments the agent may form part of the web. In one embodiment, the agent includes a composition formed of Urea HP and boric acid. In another embodiment, the agent includes a composition formed of polyhexamethylene biguanide and boric acid. In still another embodiment, the agent includes a composition formed of Urea HP and polyhexamethylene biguanide. In yet another embodiment, the agent includes a composition formed of polyhexamethylene biguanide and benzoic acid. In another embodiment, the agent includes a composition formed of polyhexamethylene biguanide and propionic acid.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a composition for forming fibers of synthetic detergents. The composition includes a synthetic wax, a primary surfactant added to the synthetic wax, and a secondary surfactant added to the synthetic wax. The present invention also relates to a method for developing fibers of synthetic detergents. The method includes adding a primary surfactant to a synthetic wax; adding a secondary surfactant to the synthetic wax; and forming the synthetic wax into fibers. In another form, the present invention relates to a fiber that includes a synthetic wax, a primary surfactant embedded in the synthetic wax, and a secondary surfactant embedded in the synthetic wax. The present invention also relates to a fibrous matrix of synthetic detergents. The fibrous matrix includes fibers formed of a synthetic wax and a primary surfactant embedded in the fibers. The fibrous matrix further includes a secondary surfactant embedded in the fibers.

Abstract: Crystalline 3-hydroxylactone-containing products can be prepared in high yield and purity in a one-pot process by treating the corresponding 3,5-dihydroxy acid with a strong mineral acid in a cold, aprotic, water-miscible solvent to effect lactonization, followed by addition of excess acid to effect crystallization of the lactonized product from the reaction mixture.

Abstract: Crystalline 3-hydroxylactone-containing products can be prepared in high yield and purity in a one-pot process by treating the corresponding 3,5-dihydroxy acid with a strong mineral acid in a cold, aprotic, water-miscible solvent to effect lactonization, followed by addition of excess acid to effect crystallization of the lactonized product from the reaction mixture.

Abstract: Crystalline 3-hydroxylactone-containing products can be prepared in high yield and purity in a one-pot process by treating the corresponding 3,5-dihydroxy acid with a strong mineral acid in a cold, aprotic, water-miscible solvent to effect lactonization, followed by addition of excess acid to effect crystallization of the lactonized product from the reaction mixture.

Abstract: A sub-atmospheric gas delivery system (100) with a backflow control apparatus (10) for preventing backflow into the sub-atmospheric gas source (14). The gas delivery system includes three fluidly coupled sticks: a purge stick (120), a process gas delivery stick (124) and an evacuation stick (130). The backflow control apparatus comprises a gas line (26) fluidly coupling the sub-atmospheric gas source to a chamber (50), a valve (20) attached to the sub-atmospheric gas source for blocking fluid communication between the gas source and the gas line upon receipt of a first signal, a flow restrictor (R) in fluid communication with the gas line and positioned between the valve and the chamber, and first and second pressure transducers (P1 and P2) in fluid communication with the gas line and positioned on either side of the flow restrictor. Each transducer is capable of generating a signal representative of pressure.

Abstract: A sub-atmospheric gas delivery system (100) with a backflow control apparatus (10) for preventing backflow into the sub-atmospheric gas source (14). The gas delivery system includes three fluidly coupled sticks: a purge stick (120), a process gas delivery stick (124) and an evacuation stick (130). The backflow control apparatus comprises a gas line (26) fluidly coupling the sub-atmospheric gas source to a chamber (50), a valve (20) attached to the sub-atmospheric gas source for blocking fluid communication between the gas source and the gas line upon receipt of a first signal, a flow restrictor (R) in fluid communication with the gas line and positioned between the valve and the chamber, and first and second pressure transducers (P1 and P2) in fluid communication with the gas line and positioned on either side of the flow restrictor. Each transducer is capable of generating a signal representative of pressure.