Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for handling tubulars and drilling with tubulars such as casing into a formation. In one aspect of the invention, the apparatus comprises a circulating head and a cementing head operatively connectible to a gripping member. The circulating head is used to circulate drilling fluid while drilling with casing, and the cementing head is used to cement the casing string within the formation at a desired depth. The present invention also relates to methods and apparatus for isolating a tensile load from a drilling apparatus rotated by a top drive. In one aspect, the present invention provides a load isolator apparatus having an isolator body operatively connected to the top drive and a torque body at least partially disposed in the isolator body. In operation, the bearing assembly transfers the tensile load from the torque body to the isolator body.

Abstract: A torque head for gripping tubular members, in at least some aspects, has a housing, grip mechanism secured within the housing, the grip mechanism for selectively gripping a tubular member, the grip mechanism including at least one jaw selectively movable toward and away from a portion of a tubular member within the housing, the at least one jaw having mounted thereon slip apparatus for engaging the portion of the tubular member, the slip apparatus including die apparatus movably mounted to the at least one jaw, the die apparatus movable with respect to the at least one jaw so that relative movement of the tubular with respect to the torque head is possible to the extent that the die apparatus is movable.

Abstract: Thickened aqueous compositions comprising soluble peracids, particularly peracetic acid, are provided. The compositions are thickened by the use of one or more aliphatic alcohol ethoxylates having the general formula: R.sup.1 R.sup.2 CH-- (OCH.sub.2 CH.sub.2).sub.n --OH in which R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are each either hydrogen or linear or branched alkyl such that R.sup.1 plus R.sup.2 has a total of from 7 to 22 carbon atoms, and n is selected in the range of 1 to 15, such that the number ratio of carbon atoms in R.sup.1 plus R.sup.2 :n is greater than or equal to 3:1; a co-surfactant selected from the group consisting of anionic surfactants, amine oxides, amphoteric surfactants and quaternary ammonium compounds; and one or more aliphatic alcohol ethoxylates in which the ratio of the number of carbon atoms in the alcohol moiety to the average number of ethoxylate groups is less than 3:1, and/or alkylphenol ethoxylates.

Abstract: The current invention relates to the stabilisation of peroxyacid solutions. There is provided a tin based stabiliser composition obtained by the ageing of an alkaline solution of a tin compound and a phosphorus containing compound. The stabiliser is particularly suitable for the stabilisation of non-equilibrium solutions of peroxyacids.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for purifying DNA which has relatively high molecular weight from a biological sample containing DNA is described. The method comprises the steps (1) lysing the red blood cells in the sample; 2) lysing DNA-containing cells; (3) precipitating the proteins from sample; and (4) and rehydrating and recovering the DNA. method offers the advantages of performance in less than 15 minutes, not requiring organic or poisonous materials, compatibility with most anticoagulants, and requiring less solutions than conventional purification procedures, thus making it simpler and more economical to use.

Abstract: Neutral or alkaline thickened aqueous hydrogen peroxide compositions and processes for the production thereof are provided. The compositions are thickened with a polymeric thickener comprising a polyethylene backbone, with pendant carboxylate groups and pendant groups of the formula --(OCH.sub.2 CH.sub.2).sub.m (OCHXCHY).sub.n --O--R, where m is a position integer, n is zero or a positive integer, X and Y are independently selected from hydrogen atoms, methyl and ethyl groups and R is a hydrophobic group comprising eight or more carbon atoms; and one or more surfactants selected from the group consisting of alcohol ethyoxylates, alkylbenzenesulphonates comprising ten or more carbon atoms, alkylsulphates comprising six or more carbon atoms, alcohol ether sulphates, alpha-sulphoesters and alkylglucosides.

Abstract: A toy vehicle launcher having a hand grip which can be squeezed to move expandable scissors members forward in order to launch a toy vehicle. The scissors members form an expandable parallelogram linkage which is slidable mounted inside the launcher. When the hand grip is squeezed, a trigger member pivotably mounted to the grip moves a sliding plate mounted inside the launcher. As the sliding plate moves, two pins attached to the sliding plate operably engage elongated slots in two of the scissors members, pulling the two members backward and causing the linkage to expand forward. A launching plate supported on top of the scissors members moves forward with the expanding linkage pushing a toy vehicle forward. Since the linkage expands forward in a relatively smooth and uniform manner, the toy vehicle is also launched in a relatively uniform manner, helping to avoid activating or damaging any impact-activated mechanisms in the vehicle.

Abstract: A log splitting apparatus comprising an elongated driving shaft, a wedge shaped splitting tip attached at one end of the driving shaft and an elongated driver sleeve in which the driving shaft is telescopically mounted. The driving sleeve includes a catch coupled through the sleeve wall and adapted for releasable engagement with respect to the driver shaft. The catch is biased to a nonengaging position to allow the driver shaft to freely move within the encasement except when the catch is depressed by the user. When depressed, the catch locks the shaft in an intermediate position to enable the user to transport the apparatus in a vertical orientation.