Abstract: A filtered blower for extinguishing candles on a dessert is provided. The filtered blower includes (1) a substantially tubular body having (a) a plurality of body sections adjoined to each other along their length to form a substantially hollow space, a mouthpiece, and a nozzle, (b) a raised lip surrounding the mouthpiece, and (c) a slot within the body, between the mouthpiece and nozzle, with a first portion and a second portion, wherein the first portion retains substantially unchanged dimensions, and the second portion narrows distally from the slot to the nozzle, and (2) a screen within the slot with holes sized for allowing passage of air while filtering passage of liquid and projectiles, whereby upon a person blowing air through the filtered blower, candles are extinguished while liquid and projectiles are prevented from reaching the dessert.

Abstract: Diverse existing non-zero waste reverse osmosis systems are retrofittable by unskilled labor to become zero waste by a method using integrally-packaged subassemblies (1, 2, 3) placed in-line in the inlet to the RO unit and in each of the outlets from the RO unit. Using the subassemblies, the retrofit most typically requires only six connections thereby simplifying system installation, improving system reliability, and extending system longevity.

Abstract: Monolithically-molded subassemblies (1, 2, 3) are used to retrofit existing reverse osmosis systems into zero waste RO systems. The subassemblies reduce the number of connections necessary such that the retrofitting may be accomplished by unskilled labor. The subassemblies may be integrally packaged together on a backboard 45 and are placed in-line in the inlet to the RO unit and in each of the outlets from the RO unit. For example, the first subassembly 1 (FIG. 9) includes an input port 10 for connecting to source of water to be purified, an first portal 103 communicating with a pressure switch, a second portal 102 communicating with a pressure gauge and an output port 12 communicating with the RO unit inlet. Using the subassemblies, the retrofit most typically requires only six connections thereby simplifying system installation, improving system reliability, and extending system longevity.

Abstract: Preferably three monolithic sub-assemblies—preferably molded from plastic, mounted together as one single assembly and packaged as a kit—permit the retrofit of diverse existing non-zero-waste reverse osmosis (RO) systems by unskilled labor to become zero waste. The retrofit preferably transpires by simple screwed connection of, most typically, six fittings so as to connect, most typically, some eight (8) RO system components present in three (3) total major flow paths. By use of the monolithic sub-assemblies, new zero-waste RO systems are similarly modularly constructed at a high degree of integration, thereby simplifying system installation, improving system reliability, and extending system longevity.

Abstract: The operational range of the evaporative cooler means, particularly one chilling air and/or water to 79° F. or less when the outside ambient air temperature rises to 120° F. at a relative humidity as high as 50%, is extended by pre-cooling the intake water with a thermoelectric heating/cooling element, typically of about 5 kw. capacity. The extension of the operational range of the evaporative cooler so realized obviates, or reduces, use of an expensive parallel air conditioning system in the cooling of buildings, particularly houses, in hot but generally dry climates, such as in the inland regions of the Southwestern United States.

Abstract: A water station, or cabinet, or console, particularly for use in kitchens and in restaurant kitchens and in oriental restaurant kitchens, contains (i) a reverse osmosis system, and (ii) a sink. The water cabinet dispenses copious amounts of (i) water purified by reverse osmosis ("RO water"), as well as (ii) tap, or supply, water and (iii) waste water from the reverse osmosis (RO) process, respectively from three faucets in position over the sink. The cabinet is compact: it fits within the footprint of, and replaces, a conventional restaurant sink. The RO water purification performed by the RO system completely within the cabinet is water-conserving, typically producing RO purified water and waste water at a ratio as low as one-to one (1:1) by using an adjustable feedback path for waste water. Operational status is clearly visible. Maintenance is easy, with sediment filters replaceable on-line.