Abstract: An apparatus for connecting collar components to an elongate member is disclosed. The apparatus includes a frame structure having a central opening that is configured to receive an elongate member and that includes at least a first gripping station and a second gripping station. Each gripping station includes a reference surface and a clamp device that is configured to force a collar component against the reference surface. The first and second gripping stations are configured to control relative spatial location of a first collar component held by the first gripping station relative to a second collar component gripped by the second gripping station, prior to connecting the first and second collar components to the elongate member.

Abstract: A method of treating wood chips to be used as a media for ameliorating oil spills on land or water involves heating in a mixture of petroleum wax and vegetable oil to remove moisture content and open the pores of the wood chip to allow the oil/wax blend to penetrate into the interior of the wood chips and subsequently grinding up the chips to a predetermined mesh size. The ground chips impregnated with wax/oil are then blended with magnetic iron ore concentrate and packaged/bagged for later distribution on an oil slick. The magnetic iron ore concentrate clings to the ground, oil/wax coated wood chips and facilitates retrieving the ground chips that have absorbed the spilled oil using a magnetic pick-up.

Abstract: A method of treating wood chips to be used as a media for ameliorating oil spills on land or water involves heating in a mixture of petroleum wax and vegetable oil to remove moisture content and open the pores of the wood chip to allow the oil/wax blend to penetrate into the interior of the wood chips and subsequently grinding up the chips to a predetermined mesh size. The ground chips impregnated with wax/oil are then blended with magnetic iron ore concentrate and packaged/bagged for later distribution on an oil slick. The magnetic iron ore concentrate clings to the ground, oil/wax coated wood chips and facilitates retrieving the ground chips that have absorbed the spilled oil using a magnetic pick-up.

Abstract: A pump is positioned on the upper surface of the mat adjacent to one edge. A spray nozzle on the upper surface of the mat is positioned to dispense a spray upwardly. Tubing has an input end coupled to the pump. The tubing has an output end coupled to the spray nozzle. An actuator pedal is coupled to the pump. In this manner when the pedal is depressed, the pump will move cleaning/disinfecting fluid from the pump and then through the tubing and then through the spray nozzle. Further in this manner a misty layer of cleaning/disinfecting fluid will be gently wafted onto the upper surface of the mat.

Abstract: Metallic iron is produced from a composition formed from a mixture of iron ore particles and particles of a reductant made of a biomass material, a coal or coke in a particulate form together with a flux and is processed in a loose, un-agglomerated non-pelletized, non-briquetted form in a reducing furnace to produce metallic iron directly from the ore. An excess of biomass or coal or coke reductant can be used to provide CO and H that can be recovered as a synthetic gas and converted to electrical or other energy. Metallic iron nuggets or slabs can be produced from manganiferous ores or concentrates. Manganese can be caused to enter the nugget or slab or the slag by adjusting the furnace temperature. Titaniferous ores or concentrates can be used to produce metallic iron slabs or nuggets and a titanium-rich slag.

Abstract: Metallic iron is produced from a composition formed from a mixture of iron ore particles and particles of a reductant made of a biomass material, a coal or coke in a particulate form together with a flux and is processed in a loose, un-agglomerated non-pelletized, non-briquetted form in a reducing furnace to produce metallic iron directly from the ore. An excess of biomass or coal or coke reductant can be used to provide CO and H that can be recovered as a synthetic gas and converted to electrical or other energy. Metallic iron nuggets or slabs can be produced from manganiferous ores or concentrates. Manganese can be caused to enter the nugget or slab or the slag by adjusting the furnace temperature. Titaniferous ores or concentrates can be used to produce metallic iron slabs or nuggets and a titanium-rich slag.

Abstract: There is provided a process for the capture and sequestration of carbon dioxide that would otherwise enter the atmosphere and contribute to global warming and other problems. CO2 capture is accomplished by reacting carbon dioxide in flue gas with an alkali metal carbonate, or a metal oxide, particularly containing an alkaline earth metal or iron, to form a carbonate salt. A preferred carbonate for CO2 capture is a dilute aqueous solution of additive-free (Na2CO3). Other carbonates include (K2CO3) or other metal ion that can produce both a carbonate and a bicarbonate salt. Examples of suitable metal oxides include several alkaline earths including Cac and MgO. The captured CO2 is preferably sequestered using any available mineral or industrial waste that contains calcium magnesium or iron in non-carbonate forms, or iron in the Fe+2 oxidation state.

Abstract: There is provided a process for the capture and sequestration of carbon dioxide that would otherwise enter the atmosphere and contribute to global warming and other problems. CO2 capture is accomplished by reacting carbon dioxide in flue gas with an alkali metal carbonate, or a metal oxide, particularly containing an alkaline earth metal or iron, to form a carbonate salt. A preferred carbonate for CO2 capture is a dilute aqueous solution of additive-free (Na2CO3). Other carbonates include (K2CO3) or other metal ion that can produce both a carbonate and a bicarbonate salt. Examples of suitable metal oxides include several alkaline earths including CaO and MgO. The captured CO2 is preferably sequestered using any available mineral or industrial waste that contains calcium magnesium or iron in non-carbonate forms, or iron in the Fe+2 oxidation state.

Abstract: There is provided a process for the capture and sequestration of carbon dioxide that would otherwise enter the atmosphere and contribute to global warming and other problems. CO2 capture is accomplished by reacting carbon dioxide in flue gas with an alkali metal carbonate, or a metal oxide, particularly containing an alkaline earth metal or iron, to form a carbonate salt. A preferred carbonate for CO2 capture is a dilute aqueous solution of additive-free (Na2CO3). Other carbonates include (K2CO3) or other metal ion that can produce both a carbonate and a bicarbonate salt. Examples of suitable metal oxides include several alkaline earths including CaO and MgO. The captured CO2 is preferably sequestered using any available mineral or industrial waste that contains calcium magnesium or iron in non-carbonate forms, or iron in the Fe+2 oxidation state.

Abstract: Invention provides a temperature regulating cap for heating or cooling the head of the user having a removable and replaceable heating or cooling insert with a releasable connector for fastening the insert to the cap in which the insert has two portions including a first portion in contact with the top of the user's head for heating or cooling the head and a second portion that depends downwardly from the first portion and is located generally in the forehead region of the person's head to cool the forehead and to absorb perspiration. The insert can be removed and replaced when required for washing or for immersion in water to absorb moisture which is then retained in the insert for the purpose of providing evaporative cooling.

Abstract: A passenger restraint has a lap belt and a shoulder belt. The lap belt extends across the lap between a vehicular bracket and a buckle which is secured to the vehicle. A shoulder belt extends from the buckle to an elevated vehicular bracket. A flexible positioning and retaining band encircles both belts in the lap area and is slidable on a generally horizontal axis across the lap of the user to hold the lap belt and shoulder belt proximate to one another between the band and the buckle. The lap belt and shoulder belt diverge at the band such that the shoulder belt extends upwardly to the elevated vehicular bracket at an angle determined by the lateral position of the band that has been selected. The band has a surface texture at least on the side that engages the belts to provide sufficient friction between the band and the belts so that the band remains in the location thereon that is selected by the user to maintain the shoulder belt in a comfortable position that does not chafe the user's body.

Abstract: Invention provides a temperature regulating cap for heating or cooling the head of the user having a removable and replaceable heating or cooling insert with a releasable connector for fastening the insert to the cap in which the insert has two portions including a first portion in contact with the top of the user's head for heating or cooling the head and a second portion that depends downwardly from the first portion and is located generally in the forehead region of the person's head to cool the forehead and to absorb perspiration. The insert can be removed and replaced when required for washing or for immersion in water to absorb moisture which is then retained in the insert for the purpose of providing evaporative cooling.

Abstract: A removable anterior sweatband assembly suited for use in a baseball-style cap or hat that has a circular headband includes a perspiration-absorbent pad suspended from a support member between the cap headband and the forehead so as to prevent the forehead from contacting the headband of the cap. The pad includes an absorbent material for holding perspiration to help prevent the perspiration from the forehead of the person wearing the cap from contacting the cap. In one form, a four-layer structure or assembly is provided including a stiff supporting sheet and depending therefrom a laminate of three layers including the perspiration-absorbing layer, e.g., a super-absorbent cloth layer, a backing layer and a porous perspiration transferring layer between the absorbent layer and the forehead and in contact with the absorbent layer.

Abstract: A garment applies heat to the neck, head or torso with air-activated chemical heating packets. The garment is formed from cloth and is preferably soft and sufficiently supple to conform to the body contours during use. The garment has at least one pouch positioned between two layers of cloth for holding the air-activated heat-producing packet. A layer of cloth between the heating packet and the body is a high pile cloth with air-trapping qualities for diffusing heat supplied by the heating packet to distribute the heat evenly to the body for assuring comfort for the user. In one form of the invention, the garment comprises a neck wrap, scarf, bandanna, a head covering in the form of a hat liner, or a cap insert. The neck wrap, scarf or bandanna includes an elongated pouch for holding the heating packet and has overlapping ends that can be fastened together by means of hook-and-loop fasteners.

Abstract: A reversible vest is provided for heating the body core by applying heat to the torso by means of an air-activated chemical heating packet. The vest is formed from cloth and is preferably soft and sufficiently supple to conform to the body contours during use. The vest includes two layers of cloth lying adjacent to one another. A pouch is provided between these layers of cloth for holding the air-activated heat-producing packet. The layer of cloth between the hot chemical packet and the body is a high pile cloth with air-trapping qualities for diffusing heat supplied by heating packets to distribute the heat evenly to the body to assure comfort to the user. The reversible vest has front and rear panels with pouches in different positions. The pouches are in heat-conductive relationship with the body for transferring heat from the chemical heating packet to the body core.

Abstract: Wood chips, bark, sawdust and other cellulosic products containing unacceptably high quantities of water are dried and enriched in BTU content. The green or freshly cut wood product is immersed in hot oil to dry the wood. After water exits the wood pores as steam, some oil enters these interstices, impregnating the dried wood, thereby increasing its BTU content and improves its storing and burning characteristics. Chips and bark dried in and impregnated with used or waste oil, provide an environmentally acceptable means of disposing of and utilizing used or waste oils. Wood chips dried and impregnated with vegetable oil, provide a clean burning, non-toxic fuel for lighting or starting charcoal and wood.

Abstract: Oil spills on water and land may be contained and cleaned by the process of applying wood chips in direct contact with the spilled oil. The wood chips are selected from the group consisting of air-dried, kiln-dried, hot wax-dried and hot oil-dried wood chips having a water content of less than about 30% by weight. The wood chips will float on water and attract the oil. The wood chips pick up oil at a ratio of about 3:1.

Abstract: Low rank coals including lignite, brown and sub-bituminous coals, and peat containing unacceptably high quantities of water are dried and enriched in BTU content. The mined low rank coal is crushed to between about one-half inch and three inches in diameter and immersed in hot oil to dry the coal. The coal is then screened or centrifuged to remove excess oil and the resulted oil impregnated dried coal has a much higher BTU content. The dried high BTU low rank coal may be then powdered and utilized to form a coal-water liquid fuel.

Abstract: Low rank coals including lignite, brown and sub-bituminous coals, and peat containing unacceptably high quantities of water are dried and enriched in BTU content. The mine low rank coal is crushed to between about one-half inch and three inches in diameter and immersed in hot oil to dry the coal. The coal is then screened or centrifuged to remove excess oil and the resulted oil impregnated dried coal has a much higher BTU content. The dried high BTU low rank coal may be then powdered and utilized to form a coal-water liquid fuel.

Abstract: A seed coating machine comprising an upper mixing drum wherein a liquid adhesive coating is applied to seed and where the rate of application is regulated by a valve controlled by the seed feeder. Coated seed is dried to a state of tackiness and passed to a second, lower mixing drum. A variety of powders are applied onto the tacky seed after being mixed and sifted in a screen distributor. The resulting coated seed has an outer powder layer which adheres to the inner adhesive coating.