Abstract: An annular scraper ring assembly for a packing arrangement that can form a seal with a plunger included in a fluid end of a reciprocating pump includes a first ring having an upstream face and an inner surface cooperatively forming an edge and a second ring having a downstream face configured to engage the upstream face of the first ring and urge the edge of the first ring inwards so that the edge of the first ring is positioned inwardly beyond the second ring.

Abstract: A valve component utilized in a fluid end assembly of a reciprocating pump may contain a multi-piece construction. The valve component may include a valve body portion, a leg assembly portion, a sealing element, and an insert at least partially captured between the valve body portion and the leg assembly portion. The insert may be constructed from a carbide or a ceramic material, and, when the valve component is fully assembled, may be compressed between the valve body portion and the leg assembly portion. The insert may at least partially form the strike surface of the valve component. The valve body portion and the leg assembly portion may both be constructed from a metallic material, and the valve body portion may define a sealing seat. The sealing element may be constructed from an elastomeric material that may be pre-formed and then compression molded onto the seat of the valve body.

Abstract: A valve component utilized in a fluid end assembly of a reciprocating pump may contain a multi-piece construction. The valve component may include a valve body portion, a leg assembly portion, a sealing element, and an insert at least partially captured between the valve body portion and the leg assembly portion. The insert may be constructed from a carbide or a ceramic material, and, when the valve component is fully assembled, may be compressed between the valve body portion and the leg assembly portion. The insert may at least partially form the strike surface of the valve component. The valve body portion and the leg assembly portion may both be constructed from a metallic material, and the valve body portion may define a sealing seat. The sealing element may be constructed from an elastomeric material that may be pre-formed and then compression molded onto the seat of the valve body.

Abstract: A valve component utilized in a fluid end assembly of a reciprocating pump may contain a multi-piece construction. The valve component may include a valve body portion, a leg assembly portion, a sealing element, and an insert at least partially captured between the valve body portion and the leg assembly portion. The insert may be constructed from a carbide or a ceramic material, and, when the valve component is fully assembled, may be compressed between the valve body portion and the leg assembly portion. The insert may at least partially form the strike surface of the valve component. The valve body portion and the leg assembly portion may both be constructed from a metallic material, and the valve body portion may define a sealing seat. The sealing element may be constructed from an elastomeric material that may be pre-formed and then compression molded onto the seat of the valve body.

Abstract: A laptop case and shade component system. The clamshell style laptop case provides a lid and a base connected via a case hinge which joins the lid and the base along their corresponding rear edges. The lid and base, respectively, each have a front edge portion and left and right side edge portions. Two gussets interconnect the lid to the base along their respective two side edge portions. A shade component can be attached to a portion of the front edge and left and right side edge portions of the lid to shield a laptop device placed within the opened laptop case from direct sunlight. The shade component can be moved to its collapsed position via a hinge at its bottommost point, detached from the lid, and retained along the interior surface of the case's lid for storage purposes.

Abstract: A valve component utilized in a fluid end assembly of a high pressure reciprocating pump includes a valve body and a sealing element. The valve body defines a recess configured to receive the sealing element. The sealing element is composed of a fiber reinforced material. The valve component is configured to be disposed in a closed position with respect to a valve seat such that a sealing surface of the sealing element engages with a corresponding sealing surface of the valve seat in the closed position.

Abstract: An annular scraper ring assembly for a packing arrangement that can form a seal with a plunger included in a fluid end of a reciprocating pump includes a first ring having an upstream face and an inner surface cooperatively forming an edge and a second ring having a downstream face configured to engage the upstream face of the first ring and urge the edge of the first ring inwards so that the edge of the first ring is positioned inwardly beyond the second ring.

Abstract: Recombinant DPO4-type DNA polymerase variants with amino acid substitutions that confer modified properties upon the polymerase for improved single molecule sequencing applications are provided. Such properties may include enhanced binding and accurate incorporation of bulky nucleotide analog substrates into daughter strands and the like. Also provided are compositions comprising such DPO4 variants and nucleotide analogs, as well as nucleic acids which encode the polymerases with the aforementioned phenotypes.

Abstract: An annular scraper ring for a packing arrangement is disclosed. The annular scraper ring that can form a seal with a plunger included in a fluid end of a reciprocating pump and includes a planar upstream face and an inner surface with a tapered section. The tapered section tapers away from the plunger along a downstream direction so that the scraper ring is widest at the planar upstream face.

Abstract: An annular scraper ring assembly for a packing arrangement is disclosed. The annular scraper ring assembly can form a seal with a plunger included in a fluid end of a reciprocating pump and includes two or more rings, including a first ring and a second ring. The first ring is formed from a resilient material configured to form a seal against a plunger included in a fluid end of a reciprocating pump and includes an upstream face and an inner surface. The second ring defines a caroming surface configured to engage the upstream face of the first ring and cam the inner surface inwards when the first ring is compressed against the second ring.

Abstract: Recombinant DPO4-type DNA polymerase variants with amino acid substitutions that confer modified properties upon the polymerase for improved single molecule sequencing applications are provided. Such properties may include enhanced binding and accurate incorporation of bulky nucleotide analog substrates into daughter strands and the like. Also provided are compositions comprising such DPO4 variants and nucleotide analogs, as well as nucleic acids which encode the polymerases with the aforementioned phenotypes.

Abstract: An annular scraper ring assembly for a packing arrangement is disclosed. The annular scraper ring assembly can form a seal with a plunger included in a fluid end of a reciprocating pump and includes two or more rings, including a first ring and a second ring. The first ring is formed from a resilient material configured to form a seal against a plunger included in a fluid end of a reciprocating pump and includes an upstream face and an inner surface. The second ring defines a caroming surface configured to engage the upstream face of the first ring and cam the inner surface inwards when the first ring is compressed against the second ring.

Abstract: An annular scraper ring for a packing arrangement is disclosed. The annular scraper ring that can form a seal with a plunger included in a fluid end of a reciprocating pump and includes a planar upstream face and an inner surface with a tapered section. The tapered section tapers away from the plunger along a downstream direction so that the scraper ring is widest at the planar upstream face.

Abstract: A shade and platform device configured to support and partially enclose and shelter a laptop, notebook computer, or other electronic or non-electronic item from sun exposure, allowing users to use their laptop, notebook computer or other electronic or non-electronic item outdoors while reducing screen glare and risk of the sheltered item overheating due to direct sun exposure. The platform component may contain functionality that enables it to fold into a carrying case for the shade, awning, canopy, or hood component. The shade, awning, canopy, or hood component may be collapsed, optionally detached from the platform component, and folded so that it can be compactly secured and stored within the platform case. Furthermore, the platform case may include an attachment element for a stand, such as a tripod, on which the platform case may be supported.

Abstract: Methods for making oleosome-based cannabinoid formulations are disclosed herein. The methods include preparing and/or providing an oleosome suspension from a selected plant species, then combining the oleosome suspension with one or more cannabinoid compounds to thereby prepare a cannabinoid formulation. The cannabinoid formulations may be used to prepare various types of consumer products such as food products, personal care products, nutraceutical products, and pharmaceutical products, among others. Related compositions are also disclosed.

Abstract: A chair including a plurality of legs having glides attached to the legs is provided with glide socks that are assembled over each of the glides. The glide socks each have a fabric body that envelops a floor facing surface of the glide and an inwardly extending top surface of the glide. The glide socks each include a band of elastic material sewn to an inner edge of the fabric body that is retained in the recess by the band of elastic material. A method of making a glide sock includes the step of providing a blank of a fabric having a perimeter and sewing a band of elastic to the perimeter of the blank. The band of elastic material is stretched as it is sewn to the perimeter of the blank.

Abstract: The present invention relates to products that are derived from renewable biobased 1,3-propanediol (“1,3-PDO”). In this regard, aspects of the present invention involve the use of “green chemistry” in that products of the present invention are capable of being made from a renewable source of raw material.

Abstract: Recombinant DPO4-type DNA polymerase variants with amino acid substitutions that confer modified properties upon the polymerase for improved single molecule sequencing applications are provided. Such properties may include enhanced binding and accurate incorporation of bulky nucleotide analog substrates into daughter strands and the like. Also provided are compositions comprising such DPO4 variants and nucleotide analogs, as well as nucleic acids which encode the polymerases with the aforementioned phenotypes.

Abstract: A packing arrangement for a fluid end of a reciprocating pump is received within a packing box and is arranged to form a seal with a plunger. The packing arrangement includes a plurality of separate annular rings arranged in an abutting relationship with one another within the packing box, and a header ring disposed within the plurality of separate annular rings, the header ring including an inner surface that is non-cylindrical and that is arranged to abut the plunger, a high pressure side that is arranged in a female chevron shape, and a low pressure side opposite the high pressure side. A packing nut is engaged with the fluid end and operable to compress the header ring and the plurality of separate annular rings within the packing box.