Abstract: A method and related apparatus for torrefaction of associated biomass which includes providing an enclosed chamber having a body and a door having an open position allowing passage into and out of the enclosed chamber and a closed position in which the door is disposed in sealing engagement with the body, providing the enclosed chamber with walls capable of sustaining both a negative pressure and a positive pressure within the enclosed chamber; moving the door to an open position; depositing a liquid heat transfer fluid within the enclosed chamber at a temperature sufficient to achieve torrefication of the biomass and a first quantity of biomass material in the enclosed chamber that is substantially totally immersed in the liquid heat transfer fluid whereby heat transfer occurs between the liquid heat transfer fluid and the biomass immersed therein; moving the door to a closed position in sealing engagement with the body; and allowing the pressure within the enclosed chamber to rise to a pressure above the va

Abstract: A fastener apparatus for joining an associated first object having a first bore extending therethrough and a second object having a second bore extending therethrough which includes an elongated flexible member having a plurality of notches on a face thereof and first and second axial extremities; anchoring structure at the first axial extremity; and a first discrete locking member having a pawl and ratcheting mechanism dimensioned and configured for engagement with the plurality of notches. also disclosed is apparatus for supporting an associated ventilation apparatus which includes an engagement member for engaging and gripping a plurality of teeth of the user; an adjustment assembly for connecting the engagement member to associated ventilation apparatus. The adjustment assembly includes an elongated flexible member having a plurality of notches thereon. The apparatus may further including a first discrete locking member and the elongated flexible member may have a bulbous axial extremity.

Abstract: An apparatus for cooperation with associated ventilation apparatus which includes an engagement member for engaging and gripping a plurality of teeth of the user. The apparatus also includes an adjustment assembly for connecting the engagement member to associated ventilation apparatus. The adjustment assembly includes an elongated flexible member having a plurality of notches thereon and may further including a first discrete locking member and the elongated flexible member may have a bulbous axial extremity.

Abstract: A storm water treatment device that is installed under the grate of new or existing catch basins, and more commonly referred to as an insert. The catch basin decontamination apparatus has a universal housing and support ring that allows one design to fit most applications. Adjustable chains allow for proper position below grate and a semi-flexible molded or rigid deflector directs incoming drain water to the housing. A slip-on filter/absorber cartridge fits over a perforated drain tube, in the center of the housing, allowing the drain water to first pass through the filter/absorber media before exiting through the drain tube and out the bottom of the housing. The filter/absorber cartridge includes a variety of absorber materials that absorb oil and repel water. Activated carbon, microbes and other site specific absorbents can be used in the replaceable slip-on cartridge. A leaf pre-strainer helps prevent leaves and debris from entering the housing.

Abstract: A storm water treatment device that is installed under the grate of new or existing catch basins, and more commonly referred to as an insert. The catch basin decontamination apparatus has a universal housing and support ring that allows one design to fit most applications. Adjustable chains allow for proper position below grate and a semi-flexible molded or rigid deflector directs incoming drain water to the housing. A slip-on filter/absorber cartridge fits over a perforated drain tube, in the center of the housing, allowing the drain water to first pass through the filter/absorber media before exiting through the drain tube and out the bottom of the housing. The filter/absorber cartridge includes a variety of absorber materials that absorb oil and repel water. Activated carbon, microbes and other site specific absorbents can be used in the replaceable slip-on cartridge. A leaf pre-strainer helps prevent leaves and debris from entering the housing.

Abstract: A storm water treatment device that is installed under the grate of new or existing catch basins, and more commonly referred to as an insert. The catch basin decontamination apparatus has a universal housing and support ring that allows one design to fit most applications. Adjustable chains allow for proper position below grate and a semi-flexible molded or rigid deflector directs incoming drain water to the housing. A slip-on filter/absorber cartridge fits over a perforated drain tube, in the center of the housing, allowing the drain water to first pass through the filter/absorber media before exiting through the drain tube and out the bottom of the housing. The filter/absorber cartridge includes a variety of absorber materials that absorb oil and repel water. Activated carbon, microbes and other site specific absorbents can be used in the replaceable slip-on cartridge. A leaf pre-strainer helps prevent leaves and debris from entering the housing.

Abstract: A method for torrefaction of wood which includes providing a first endless conveyor belt; heating the first endless belt; and positioning a planar wood product on the first belt to heat the wood product by conduction to achieve torrefaction. Other forms provide a second endless belt that disposed in sandwich relation to wood to be torrefied. Some embodiments of the method provide a metal chamber having opposed planar sides dimensioned and configured for receiving a wood sheet with the respective opposed sides of the wood sheet in intimate thermal contact with respective opposed sides of the metal chamber. Other embodiments include the apparatus for torrefaction of an associated wood sheet.

Abstract: A storm water treatment device that is installed under the grate of new or existing catch basins, and more commonly referred to as an insert. The catch basin decontamination apparatus has a universal housing and support ring that allows one design to fit most applications. Adjustable chains allow for proper position below grate and a semi-flexible molded or rigid deflector directs incoming drain water to the housing. A slip-on filter/absorber cartridge fits over a perforated drain tube, in the center of the housing, allowing the drain water to first pass through the filter/absorber media before exiting through the drain tube and out the bottom of the housing. The filter/absorber cartridge includes a variety of absorber materials that absorb oil and repel water. Activated carbon, microbes and other site specific absorbents can be used in the replaceable slip-on cartridge. A leaf pre-strainer helps prevent leaves and debris from entering the housing.

Abstract: Apparatus for biomass torrefaction which includes a serpentine elongated housing, the housing having three generally U-shaped axial portions having first and second axial extremities and an intermediate section, the first and second axial extremities are disposed in normal use at a higher elevation than the first and second axial extremities, the intermediate section being configured for holding a liquid. Other forms of the invention include the method for biomass torrefaction which includes providing a quantity of biomass, providing a liquid heat transfer fluid, providing at least a first housing for holding the heat transfer liquid, elevating the temperature of the liquid heat transfer liquid, heat treating the biomass by passing it through the heat transfer liquid in the first housing at a temperature and duration sufficient to accomplish torrefaction of the wood. In some forms of the method, the process further includes the step of pelletizing the biomass prior to performing the treating step.

Abstract: A plumbing fixture including, but not limited to, an aspirating type shower head operates to add a selected scent to the spray water. The showerhead utilizes a venturi assembly where the water supply passes through a venturi. A negative pressure is created at the high velocity water jet stream point, near the narrow area of the venturi. A number of small openings in the venturi, to a surrounding air chamber, allow air from the chamber, to be drawn into the venturi. The air chamber has inlet openings for the aspiration of room air. At a portion of these inlet openings is a quick connect port to receive a scented cartridge. When not in use this opening may plugged. When one is about to take a shower and a pleasant scent is desired, a small scent cartridge is selected, bent to break the seal, thereby activating the scent material to migrate on the surrounding wick. The scent cartridge is then inserted into the quick connect port of the showerhead.

Abstract: A lighting fixture which includes a base module having first and second connectors, the connectors been selected from the group that consists of male and female connectors. The apparatus also includes at least first and second lighting modules each having male and female connectors. At least one of the connectors on each of the first and second lighting modules is dimensioned and configured for engagement with a connector on the base module; each lighting module includes a light emitting diode, each of the male connectors is dimensioned configured for mating engagement with each of the female connectors to provide an electrical connection and a physical mounting limiting relative movement between respective modules having mating connectors. In some form to the invention the connectors are dimensioned configured whereby mating male and female connectors that are part of respective modules allow relative rotation therebetween. Both the lighting modules in the base module may be cylindrical.

Abstract: A fastener apparatus for joining an associated first object having a first bore extending therethrough and a second object having a second bore extending therethrough which includes an elongated flexible member having a plurality of notches on a face thereof and first and second axial extremities; anchoring structure at the first axial extremity; and a first discrete locking member having a pawl and ratcheting mechanism dimensioned and configured for engagement with the plurality of notches. also disclosed is apparatus for supporting an associated ventilation apparatus which includes an engagement member for engaging and gripping a plurality of teeth of the user; an adjustment assembly for connecting the engagement member to associated ventilation apparatus. The adjustment assembly includes an elongated flexible member having a plurality of notches thereon. The apparatus may further including a first discrete locking member and the elongated flexible member may have a bulbous axial extremity.

Abstract: A produce harvesting apparatus, such as for harvesting tomatoes, which includes apparatus for harvesting produce, such as tomatoes, which includes an enclosed vehicle and a first conveyor belt extending forward of the vehicle for moving produce and associated vines into the enclosed vehicle. The apparatus further includes a ventilation system for drawing air from within the enclosed vehicle and expelling that air through an outlet that is disposed in alignment with the first conveyer belt to direct exhaust air from the enclosed vehicle toward the produce on the first conveyor belt whereby some dirt is dislodged from the produce and vines disposed on the first conveyor belt. The apparatus may have the outlet disposed to direct a stream of air from the enclosed vehicle in a direction that is aligned with the axis of the first conveyor belt.

Abstract: A system for treating a quantity of fluid from an associated fluid source which includes a variable volume device having an interior space, fluid communication apparatus connecting the interior space of the variable volume device to the associated fluid source, a treatment assembly communicating with an outlet of the variable volume device and apparatus biasing the variable volume device to have a smaller volume whereby the fluid is urged out of the variable volume device into the treatment assembly. In some cases the treatment assembly is a filter assembly which may include a coalescing filter. The apparatus biasing the variable volume device to have a smaller volume may be a weight on a part of the variable volume device. The system may further include apparatus biasing the variable volume device to slow the rate of increase in volume as the variable volume device approaches maximum volume.

Abstract: Apparatus for decontamination of a liquid which includes an outer envelope, apparatus for directing a liquid into the outer envelope, and apparatus for directing a liquid out of the envelope. The apparatus for directing the liquid out of the envelope includes an axial section of perforate duct and apparatus for absorbing contaminants disposed around the axial section of perforate duct, the apparatus for absorbing and the axial section of perforate duct are disposed within the outer envelope. In some forms of the invention the apparatus for absorbing contaminants is a particulate material which may be disposed within a sleeve shaped member. The apparatus for absorbing may include a central perforate tube disposed in generally concentric relationship to the sleeve shaped member and the central perforate tube may be in fluid communication with the exterior of the outer envelope. In many embodiments the outer envelope is substantially fluid impervious and may be an elongated body.

Abstract: A face protector for protecting the face against fluid splatter or splash of bodily fluids as occurs in the medical field, which includes a glassless temple frame support with two reusable double clips that are slid over the temple frames and clamped onto the ends of a disposable clear plastic face shield lens. The two reusable double clips are then carefully slid into position on the temple frames of the glassless supporting frames. Once the face protector is adjusted to fit ones face the reusable double clips are locked by set screws onto the temple frames where they can remain in place. The disposable face shield lens can simply be removed, discarded and quickly replaced without further adjustment being necessary. This device thereby provides for practical face shield protection. When soiled, scratched or contaminated the clear face shield lens may be removed and discarded.

Abstract: Apparatus for readily connecting a round branch duct take off fitting of a forced air heating or air conditioning system to any size diameter round duct main with one size semi-flexible duct take off fitting. A hole is cut into the main round duct. The take off fitting is rigidly fastened at the contact tangent point of the main duct and the flat surface of the fitting. A bendable base flange, that is connected to a semi-flexible tubular member, is then formed around the main round duct and is fastened to same. As the bendable base flange is formed the semi-flexible fabric portion deforms to accommodate any size diameter main duct. Gaskets between connecting surfaces prevent air leakage.

Abstract: A device for protecting the face including the eyes, nose, ears or mouth, which includes a rectangular shaped plastic member, first and second clips fixed to the rectangular shaped member, the first and second clips being disposed for engagement with associated eye glasses worn by the user of the device. In one form there is fixed to the top and sides of the rectangular shaped member a multiple layered fabric used as a head cover. The outer layer is fluid absorbent, the middle layer is fluid impermeable, the inside layer that touches the skin of the wearer is fluid absorbent. In one form of the invention a support frame is further included that comprises an elongated brow member, temple members having a curved section for engaging the ears of the user and respective hinge members joining the temple members and the elongated brow member, the clips are disposed on the rectangular shaped member for engagement with the temple members.

Abstract: A hydraulic system which includes an auxiliary reservoir having an elastic fluid impervious chamber and apparatus for sealing the elastic fluid impervious chamber with the interior thereof in fluid communication with the inside of an associated fluid reservoir. Apparatus is provided for preventing excessive positive or negative pressure from building in the reservoir. Some embodiments may include a desiccant to dry the air which is within the reservoir above the liquid hydraulic fluid. A moisture indicator may also be used to visually verify that a tight vapor barrier is maintained. The extended surface area of the auxiliary reservoir also acts as a means of rejecting excess heat generated by the operating hydraulic system.

Abstract: Apparatus for mixing air within a room includes a hollow leg section having, at one axial location, a circumferentially extending outlet section. The leg section is disposed in substantially perpendicular relationship to the circumferentially extending outlet section. The apparatus also includes a fan disposed in spaced relation from the lowest extremity of the leg section and oriented to push a gas into the leg section and out the circumferentially extending outlet section. The fan is dimensioned to draw primary air through the fan, the primary air drawing secondary ambient air. A sleeve shaped first member is disposed in spaced relationship to the hollow leg section and in spaced relationship from the circumferentially extending outlet section.