Abstract: The present invention is a fluid dispensing device that includes a reusable outer housing that defines a bladder-receiving region. An independently deformable bladder, that contains media to be dispensed therein, resides in the bladder-receiving region. A pump, which is accessible from the outside of the housing by a user, is installed in fluid communication with the bladder to dispense media from the bladder for use. When media is depleted from the bladder, the bladder and pump arrangement can be easily replaced with a full bladder and new pump for installation into the reusable outer housing.

Abstract: The sponge construction (100) includes two layers (102, 104) connected together. A layer of cellulose material (102) and a layer of urethane material (104) are connected to each other. For example, the layer of cellulose material (102) is laminated, bonded or adhered using an adhesive to the urethane material (104). The urethane material (104) is preferably reticulated foam. In an alternative embodiment, it is also possible that the sponge construction (200) integrally includes a dispensing device (202). For example, the dispensing device (202) is preferably a liquid pump (204) that pumps liquid (206) from a storage chamber (210) to location that is suitable for use, such as proximal to the layer of cellulose material (214) and/or the layer of urethane material (216) so that one of the layers (214, 216) can assist in distributing and applying the liquid (206) to be dispensed.

Abstract: A thermoformed cushioning material, a method of making and products formed with the cushioning material are provided herein.

Abstract: The stand-up fluid dispensing device (10, 100) includes a container (42) with an outer surface, opening, interior fluid storage region (44) therein and an exterior outer region. A support structure (60) is affixed to the container (42) to maintain the container (42) in an upright condition at all times. Throughout the life of the product and regardless of amount of media (12) in the device (10, 100), it will remain standing upright to better display the package at all times. The support structure (60) is preferably a jacket filled with a gas, such as air. The jacket (60) can include a plurality of pockets (62), such as tubes filled with air. The stand-up fluid dispensing device (10, 100) may also include a metering pump (64) that can include a leakage control mechanism to control the dispensing of media (12) from the device (10, 100).

Abstract: An adjustable wrist rest assembly includes a base housing and a pump assembly residing in the housing. A bladder is provided in fluid communication with the pump where the bladder is configured and arranged to receive a user's wrist region thereon. A optional pump button may be connected to the pump assembly with an optional release button connected to the pump assembly. The configuration of the bladder custom adjusts the receipt of the user's wrist region thereon and the comfort associated therewith.

Abstract: A guided vehicle adapted for travel at high speeds on a roadway. The vehicle has front and rear wheels pivotably coupled to a vehicle body. A front steering mechanism is coupled to the front wheels and a rear steering mechanism is coupled to the rear wheels. At least one sensing unit is carried by the body for sensing a plurality of guidepath indicators extending along the roadway for providing a signal indicative of the position of the body relative to the guidepath indicators. A controller is coupled to the at least one sensing unit and the front and rear steering mechanisms for controlling the pivoting of the front and rear wheels as a function of the signal. A method for operating a guided vehicle is provided.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for sampling semivolatile compounds is disclosed. A collection bag is placed around an air conditioning vent on an aircraft. An opening in the collection bag receives air from the air conditioning vent into the bag. An exit in the collection bag allows the air sample to escape from the collection bag. Vacuum applied by tubing at the exit pulls the air sample from the bag. Flow is adjusted so that the inflow into the collection bag exceeds the outtake, thereby inflating the bag. The inflation of the collection bag assures that the air being sampled is only air originating from the air conditioning vent.

Abstract: An adapter for use with a low volume PUF sampler is described. The adapter is affixed over the open end of a PUF (polyurethane foam) sample cartridge. Sample tubing is affixed to an aperture in the adapter, and the free end of the sample tubing is then positioned at a desired sample location such as within an aircraft interior. As a vacuum is applied to the PUF cartridge, the adapter allows air collected at the sample point to pass through the tubing and through the interior of the PUF cartridge while preventing air surrounding the PUF cartridge from being drawn into the PUF cartridge except through the sample tubing. In this manner the sample point of a desired air sample can be selected at a point remote from the PUF cartridge. Additionally, use of multiple PUF cartridges and adapters allows the simultaneous collection of separate air samples.

Abstract: A pressure reduction apparatus is disclosed. Air at high pressure and temperature may be drawn from a source such as a bleed valve of a gas turbine engine that supplies the air to an airplane interior. The air is passed to a pressure reduction vessel. The vessel has sufficient volume such that the high pressure air, upon entering the vessel, will reduce in temperature and pressure. The pressure reduction apparatus allows the air to depressurize and drop in temperature to near ambient conditions. Upon exiting the pressure reduction apparatus, the air is at a temperature and pressure sufficient to allow the air to be sampled and analyzed by conventional equipment used for testing for airborne impurities such as semivolatile compounds ad particulates.

Abstract: A transportation system for use on a roadway having first and second lanes. The system has a lead vehicle adapted for travel at high speeds on the roadway and a passenger vehicle adapted for travel at high speeds on the roadway. Means for coupling the passenger vehicle to the lead vehicle while the lead vehicle and the passenger vehicle are traveling at high speeds on the roadway so that the passenger vehicle travels with the lead vehicle on the roadway is provided.

Abstract: A transportation system for use on a roadway having first and second lanes. The system has a lead vehicle adapted for travel at high speeds on the roadway and a passenger vehicle adapted for travel at high speeds on the roadway. Means for coupling the passenger vehicle to the lead vehicle while the lead vehicle and the passenger vehicle are traveling at high speeds on the roadway so that the passenger vehicle travels with the lead vehicle on the roadway is provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of a non-aqueous liquid such as phenols, glycols, aromatic hydrocarbons, diesel fuel, kerosene, and mixtures thereof as a moistening agent in a packed bed process, wherein the packed bed contains a composition for removing sulfur compounds from fluid streams, the composition containing a carrier composition, an iron oxide composition, and a non-aqueous liquid moistening agent. The non-aqueous liquid moistening agent is used in place of water and thus avoids the problems associated with using water as a moistening agent.

Abstract: Sweetening of hydrogen-sulfide polluted liquids such as water and those whose viscosity is not substantially greater, is accomplished in upright tanks of constant cross-section, which are substantially conventional except for man-way provisions which permit clean-out and replacement of contents. Each tank, which has a liquid inlet provision near its bottom, is divided by its contents into three sections: a lowermost turbulence-eliminating section, an intermediate reacting section, and an uppermost tranquil purified storage section. Increase in capacity to fill a constant demand is attained by simply increasing the depth of the reacting section, to the lessening of the purified reserve.

Abstract: A shock-absorbing innersole for use in footwear, which innersole comprises an innersole body composed of a substantially nondeformable elastomeric-type urethane cellular polymer, having a contoured molded heel and arch section and a substantially flat sheet containing a ball and toe section, the innersole having one or more shock-absorbing inserts in the innersole positioned in the heel, ball or both areas of the innersole, the insert composed of a solid elastomeric polymer which has greater shock-absorbing properties and greater surface tack than the elastomeric urethane of the innersole body.

Abstract: A shock-absorbing innersole for use in footwear, which innersole comprises an innersole body composed of a substantially nondeformable elastomeric-type urethane cellular polymer, having a contoured molded heel and arch section and a substantially flat sheet containing a ball and toe section, the innersole having one or more shock-absorbing inserts in the innersole positioned in the heel, ball or both areas of the innersole, the insert composed of a solid elastomeric polymer which has greater shock-absorbing properties and greater surface tack than the elastomeric urethane of the innersole body.

Abstract: A shoe-innersole material for use in providing cushioning and support in footwear, and a method of manufacturing the shoe-innersole material, the shoe innersole comprising a heel and an arch section composed of a molded, elastomeric polyurethane foam material of low compression set, the heel and arch sections directly bonded in the molding process to a full-sole material composed either of foam or a solid, flexible sheet material.

Abstract: An inexpensive, cellular plastic mold and method of preparation, wherein the plastic mold comprises male and female mold elements which define a mold cavity therebetween, each of the elements comprising a rigid thermoplastic foam or cellular board material having a smooth, integral, solid layer of a plastic material forming the facing surface of the mold cavity and a relatively thick, solid, supporting layer of a plastic material forming the back surface of the mold elements.