Abstract: A filtration system for a particulate-laden stream of gas utilizes a group of fabric bags within the upper chamber of a housing as the means by which particulate matter is filtered out of the gas. The gas inlet into a lower chamber of the housing is provided with an inlet guide that directs the incoming gas against the lower side of a porous diffuser located below the group of bags and spanning at least most of the separation zone defined by the bags. Passages through the diffuser are configured to present an array of nozzles so that the gas is subjected to a pressure drop across the diffuser before flowing to the bags. The nozzle effect causes the particulate-laden gas to spread out evenly on the lower, upstream side of the diffuser and pass through the diffuser at substantially equal velocity at all passages, thereby smoothing the flow and distributing it evenly to all bags.

Abstract: A method of closing a vehicular system having a moveable front bow and a moveable rear bow. The method includes moving the front bow forward, releasing tension from the rear bow, moving the front bow to a closed position, and moving the rear bow to a closed position. In another aspect, a method of minimizing buffeting in a vehicle interior compartment from a sunroof. The method includes moving a first end bow of the sunroof to an open position and moving a second end bow of the sunroof away from a seal.

Abstract: A modified oilseed material formed from oilseed-based material is described. The modified oilseed material can be utilized in a variety of nutritional applications, including the preparation of protein supplemented food products such as beverages, processed meats, frozen desserts, confectionery products, dairy-type products, and cereal grain products. The modified oilseed material typically includes at least 85 wt. % protein (dry solids basis), at least about 40 wt % of the protein in the modified oilseed material has an apparent molecular weight of at least 300 kDa, and/or the modified oilseed material has a MW50 of at least about 200 kDa.

Abstract: Modified oilseed material with a high gel strength is described. The modified oilseed material can be utilized in a variety of nutritional applications, including the preparation of protein supplemented food products such as processed meat products. The modified oilseed material typically includes at least 85 wt. % protein (dry solids basis) and has excellent functional properties. For example, the modified oilseed material can include at least about 40 wt. % of the protein has an apparent molecular weight of greater than 300 kDa, a gel breaking strength of at least 0.50 N, and/or the protein has a MW50 of at least about 200 kDa.

Abstract: A sealing member is disclosed having an outer surface that supports segments of a pipe coupling for joining pipe elements in end to end relation. The segments are supported in spaced relation to permit the pipe elements to be inserted into the coupling without disassembly. The sealing member is a flexible ring that has conical lips around its inner circumference to engage and guide the pipe elements into the coupling. A tongue extends radially inwardly between the lips, the tongue having conical shoulders which engage and guide the pipe ends. The tongue locates the coupling segments relatively to the pipe elements.

Abstract: An embedment device includes a first integrally formed elongate shaft rotatably secured to the support frame and having a first plurality of axially spaced disks axially fixed to the first shaft, a second integrally formed elongate shaft rotatably secured to the support frame and having a second plurality of axially spaced disks axially fixed to the second shaft, the first shaft being disposed relative to the second shaft to be horizontally aligned and so that the disks intermesh with each other, and wherein, when viewed from the side, peripheries of the first and second pluralities of disks overlap each other.

Abstract: A coupling for joining pipe elements in end to end relation is disclosed. The coupling includes interconnectable coupling segments having connection members at opposite ends. The connection members are tightenable for drawing the segments toward one another and into engagement with the pipe elements. Each segment has a concavity positioned between inwardly projecting arcuate surfaces that engage grooves in the pipe elements. The concavities house a sealing member that extends circumferentially around the pipe elements. Angularly oriented surfaces are positioned adjacent to the connection members. The surfaces on facing segments engage one another and cause the segments to rotate in opposite directions about an axis perpendicular to the pipe elements. The concavities are angularly oriented with respect to the axis so that when the segments rotate, the cavities receive the sealing member without distorting it. A method of joining pipe elements end to end is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for producing a soy and corn dough mass is disclosed, the soy and corn dough mass comprising hydrated cracked corn and soy. The soy component of the soy and corn dough mass can be hydrated soy or non-hydrated soy. In one embodiment, both non-hydrated and hydrated soy can be part of the soy and corn dough mass. Tortillas and other traditional corn products can be made from the soy and corn dough mass.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to the use of corn steep liquor, which is a co-product of wet corn milling to make fermentation products, which may be used, in animal feeds and fermentation media.

Abstract: A welding head employs a carriage assembly for guiding the welding head along a track or guide. A torch assembly, mounted on the carriage assembly, is configurable for multiple welding processes. The torch assembly includes a torch block and a GTA filler wire guide mounted together on a mounting plate, whereby the GTA filler wire guide is placed in general proximity of a welding torch mounted on the torch block. The torch block accommodates the mounting of either of a GMA torch and a GTA torch. Additionally, the torch block accommodates placement of a GMA adapter sleeve within the torch block to feed a filler wire through the GMA torch. A system control unit provides manual, semi-automated, or automated control of welding system resources including a welding power supply, a supply of one or more shielding gasses, and a fluid coolant supply.

Abstract: An agitation mechanism for a gypsum processing apparatus which includes a housing having a bottom wall and at least one side wall. The housing can be constructed and arranged to receive and process gypsum-based products. An agitator frame having a similarly shaped cross-section to the cross-section of the housing is provided and positioned adjacent the bottom wall of the housing. The agitator frame is pivotally connected internally to the housing for reciprocating movement between first and second positions. The agitation mechanism is operable for preventing fluid channeling to ensure good fluidization of the gypsum products from collecting adjacent the bottom wall of the housing.

Abstract: Devices, systems and methods for thawing, heating and/or glazing previously frozen baked goods and other dough-based products, wherein the products can be thawed in an environment having a selected temperature and elevated humidity; the conveyor is configured to prevent early and excessive insertion of the products into the oven; the oven is configured to heat the products to greater than a selected surface temperature; and wherein the glazer is configured to apply glaze to the products when the surface temperature of the product is within a desired range.

Abstract: A method and system for automatically instantiating built-in-system test (BIST) modules in memory designs is disclosed. The method and system include providing a server over a network that integrates a set of design tools, including an automated front-end software process and an automated back-end software process. According to the method and system, a user may access the server over the network and enter a request for a memory design. The front-end software process is then executed to automatically generate a netlist of a BIST from the user request. Thereafter, the back-end software process is executed to automatically generate a placement and route view of the BIST.

Abstract: A system for providing self watering of plants on a display structure. The system includes a top on the display structure having sides and a bottom forming a water tight structure. A reservoir having a series of perforations forming a honeycomb pattern is placed in the top. A water supply pipe having a series of spaced perforations extends along one side of the top. A capillary mat is placed over the reservoir for plants to sit upon. In use, water is supplied through the perforations of the water supply pipe evenly across the reservoir. The capillary mat absorbs the water until the mat is saturated. This water is absorbed by the roots of the plants in containers on the mat as needed.

Abstract: Heat-exchanging devices for cooling or heating liquids in a bottle or can, which include in a first embodiment, an elongated cooling or heating tube having a tube bore filled with a refrigerant/heating fluid such as water and sealed at the top, with liquid flow openings provided in the tube, or in a tube connector attached to the tube above a tube seal. The tube or tube connector is fitted with a cap having internal threads for engaging the external threads of the bottle neck of the bottle into which the cooling tube is inserted. In second and third embodiments the insertable tube contains a pair of interconnected reservoirs containing liquids that will create an exothermic or endothermic reaction when mixed. A disc separating the liquids is ruptured by button action at the base of the tube to facilitate mixing of the liquids by gravity.

Abstract: The present invention is a nutrient delivery system including an extruded fiber source. Extruding fibers causes many changes to the structure and function of the fiber. Many of these changes make it possible to include higher levels of the extruded fiber source in food products, substantially without a concomitant adverse effect on the functional or organoleptic properties of the food product, as compared to using unextruded fiber sources. Some of the changes that occur during the extrusion of a fiber source may affect its affinity for water in the food product. The nutrient delivery system of the present invention can be used to prepare food products that meet US FDA and other regulatory guidelines for food nutrition labeling.

Abstract: Heat-exchanging devices for cooling or heating liquids in a bottle or can, which include in a first embodiment, an elongated cooling or heating tube having a tube bore filled with a refrigerant/heating fluid such as water and sealed at the top, with liquid flow openings provided in the tube, or in a tube connector attached to the tube above a tube seal. The tube or tube connector is fitted with a cap having internal threads for engaging the external threads of the bottle neck of the bottle into which the cooling tube is inserted. In second and third embodiments the insertable tube contains a pair of interconnected reservoirs containing liquids that will create an exothermic or endothermic reaction when mixed. A disc separating the liquids is ruptured by button action at the base of the tube to facilitate mixing of the liquids by gravity.

Abstract: The present invention is an apparatus and process for cooling and de-steaming hot calcined stucco used in the production of gypsum boards or bagged plaster. The apparatus is a fluid bed stucco cooler and comprises a cooler housing having a plenum having a stucco inlet and stucco outlet. The stucco cooler includes a rotating disk in the plenum. The rotating disk includes nozzle for spraying fluid, and is attached to a rotable shaft extending from the side of the cooler also includes a fluidization pad and agitator to help to mix the air and the stucco powder to insure fluidization, prevent channeling, and prevent the stucco powder from building up on the various components. The air also forces steam from the hot calcined stucco out through an air outlet located at the top of the stucco cooler, thereby de-steaming the stucco. The stucco flows through the plenum and passes over the cooling coils, thereby cooling the stucco as it reaches the stucco outlet.

Abstract: A sealing member is disclosed having an outer surface that supports segments of a pipe coupling for joining pipe elements in end to end relation. The segments are supported in spaced relation to permit the pipe elements to be inserted into the coupling without disassembly. The sealing member is a flexible ring that has conical lips around its inner circumference to engage and guide the pipe elements into the coupling. A tongue extends radially inwardly between the lips, the tongue having conical shoulders which engage and guide the pipe ends. The tongue locates the coupling segments relatively to the pipe elements.

Abstract: The subject matter described herein relates to compositions with high protein concentrations that can be readily dispersed in aqueous liquids. The compositions include protein and a surfactant such as hydroxylated lecithin, which assists in readily dispersing the composition in aqueous liquids. A method for making the composition is disclosed which includes spraying the protein with an aqueous solution that includes the surfactant.