Abstract: Presented are apparatus and methods for generating an inhalable medium. An apparatus including a container holding a liquid, a heater for volatizing the liquid, and a plurality of discrete material elements is used. The liquid held in the container is volatized. At least one of a vapor and an aerosol formed by the volatized liquid is passed through one or more of the plurality of discrete material elements. One or more constituents of the one or more of the plurality of discrete material elements is thereby entrained in the at least one of a vapor and an aerosol to produce the inhalable medium.

Abstract: A process for the bio-neutralisation of red mud, the process including: feeding an alkaline red mud into a bio-digester; feeding biomass including insoluble organic matter into the bio-digester, the biomass supporting a microbial consortium; mediating the digestion of the biomass in the bio-digester or through a train of bio-digesters with microbes in the microbial consortium, to thereby produce organic acid(s) which neutralise alkalinity of the red mud and reduce pH of the red mud; producing a bio-neutralised red mud product having a pH of 10 or less.

Abstract: A system to digitally scan an object in three dimensions is disclosed. The system includes a server system, a memory system, a website and a scanner that scans an object and transfers any number of scanner data to the memory system, the scanner data resides on the digitally scan an object in three dimensions non-transitory storage media and includes any number of object dimensions such as length, width and height of the object, a three-dimensional object file and any number of raw video or any number of images of the object. The system includes a corresponding method for digitally scanning an object in three dimensions and a non-transitory computer storage media having instructions stored thereon which, when executed, execute the method for digitally scanning an object in three dimensions.

Abstract: A process for the bio-neutralisation of red mud, the process including: feeding an alkaline red mud into a bio-digester; feeding biomass including insoluble organic matter into the bio-digester, the biomass supporting a microbial consortium; mediating the digestion of the biomass in the bio-digester or through a train of bio-digesters with microbes in the microbial consortium, to thereby produce organic acid(s) which neutralise alkalinity of the red mud and reduce pH of the red mud; producing a bio-neutralised red mud product having a pH of 10 or less.

Abstract: A system to digitally scan an object in three dimensions is disclosed. The system includes a server system, a memory system, a website and a scanner that scans an object and transfers any number of scanner data to the memory system, the scanner data resides on the digitally scan an object in three dimensions non-transitory storage media and includes any number of object dimensions such as length, width and height of the object, a three-dimensional object file and any number of raw video or any number of images of the object. The system includes a corresponding method for digitally scanning an object in three dimensions and a non-transitory computer storage media having instructions stored thereon which, when executed, execute the method for digitally scanning an object in three dimensions.

Abstract: The invention is a sealing mechanism for a steam chest (14) used in the manufacture of textile materials. This invention is a device for heating continuous textile material comprising: a steam chest (14) having a steam inlet, a material inlet (18), and a material outlet (18). A first seal means (16) is located adjacent to the material inlet (18). A second seal means (16) is located adjacent to the material outlet (19). One of the seal means (16) comprising a plurality of expansion chambers (32) located along a curvilinear path.

Abstract: The invention is a sealing mechanism for a steam chest (14) used in the manufacture of textile materials. This invention is a device for heating continuous textile material comprising: a steam chest (14) having a steam inlet, a material inlet (18), and a material outlet (18). A first seal means (16) is located adjacent to the material inlet (18). A second seal means (16) is located adjacent to the material outlet (19). One of the seal means (16) comprising a plurality of expansion chambers (32) located along a curvilinear path.

Abstract: An apparatus to increase the orifice density in a spinneret by using an elongate boss having a plurality of orifices. The apparatus is for spinning bicomponent sheath/core filaments. The apparatus includes a distributor plate, and spinneret and a shim position between the distributor plate and the spinneret. The spinneret includes a plurality of elongate bosses spaced apart by channels. Each boss having a plurality of orifices of which the distance between the orifices are restricted only by manufacturing tolerances.

Abstract: An apparatus for spinning hollow bicomponent filaments. The apparatus includes a distributor, a spinneret having holes and a shim having openings fixed between the distributor plate and the spinneret. The distributor supplies a first polymer having an MV to a first part of the spinneret holes and a second polymer having a lower MV to a recessed section of the spinneret. The shim openings are positioned above the spinneret holes and extend away from the first part of the holes to allow the second polymer to flow from the recessed section, through the shim openings, to a second part of the spinneret holes. The two polymers travel along the opposed first and second parts of the holes until exiting the spinneret through respective asymmetric C-shaped apertures. The apertures are sized so that hydraulic split does not occur between the polymers and consequently potential filament kneeing is obviated. Upon exiting the apertures, the polymers self-join to form hollow filaments and are quenched.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for spinning hollow bicomponent filaments. The apparatus includes a distributor, a spinneret having holes and a shim having openings fixed between the distributor plate and the spinneret. The distributor supplies a first polymer having an MV to a first part of the spinneret holes and a second polymer having a lower MV to a recessed section of the spinneret. The shim openings are positioned above the spinneret holes and extend away from the first part of the holes to allow the second polymer to flow from the recessed section, through the shim openings, to a second part of the spinneret holes. The two polymers travel along the opposed first and second parts of the holes until exiting the spinneret through respective asymmetric C-shaped apertures. The apertures are sized so that hydraulic split does not occur between the polymers and consequently potential filament kneeing is obviated. Upon exiting the apertures, the polymers self-join to form hollow filaments and are quenched.

Abstract: An apparatus and method to increase the orifice density in a spinneret by using an elongate boss having a plurality of orifices. An apparatus and method for spinning bicomponent sheath/core filaments. The apparatus includes a distributor plate, and spinneret and a shim position between the distributor plate and the spinneret. The spinneret includes a plurality of elongate bosses spaced apart by channels. Each boss having a plurality of orifices of which the distance between the orifices are restricted only by manufacturing tolerances.

Abstract: A for the production of polymeric fibers in the form of a tow includes drawing and heat setting, with and without crimping, in which the tow has a constant denier per inch during the processing. The process permits very large drawn tows to be produced having a thickness of at least 150,000 denier per inch of width during processing through the production equipment/apparatus. The production apparatus includes a conventional stacker, followed by drawing apparatus, followed by heat setting apparatus, and optionally followed by crimping apparatus. Positioning the stacker before the drawing apparatus allows very large tows to be produced using drawing and heat setting apparatus having rolls significantly shorter than is conventionally known.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for melt spinning molten polymeric material into filaments, preferably embodied in the form of a spin pack assembly, utilizes an annular polymer filter formed of a screen mesh material to have a U-shaped axial cross-section defining an open end oriented to face upwardly for receiving polymer within the annular interior of the screen to flow outwardly therefrom to a downstream spinneret for extrusion. The filter eliminates any need to utilize sand or other filter material contained by the screen as a primary or auxiliary filtration medium and enables effective polymer flow substantially through the entire surface area of the screen without stagnation of material flow.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for steam-treating yarn, films, fibers, fiber tow and other polymeric articles is described. The apparatus includes a first orifice for generating minimum pressure areas and a second orifice to provide a sonic shock region operative to isolate the pressure in one chamber from the pressure in another chamber.

Abstract: A mixture and process for tempering feed grain by adding a natural surfactant in the form of a extract of the yucca plant to the grain. The yucca extract contains generally 10 to 11 percent sarsasaponin by weight which is diluted with water and sprayed on grain just prior to processing in rollers for flaking to increase water intake and gelatinization and may also contains small amounts of copper sulfate and sodium benzoate as perservatives. The mixture also contains a penetration agent, or surfactant, consisting of a compound known by the generic name of Oxirane and Nonylphenoxypoly (Ethyleneoxy) Ethanol at approximately a 10% volume/volume rate basis. A freeze resistant ingredient such as calcium chloride can also be added to improve resistance to cold temperatures for use in climates that encounter temperatures below 0.degree. Fahrenheit.

Abstract: A mixture and process for tempering feed grain by adding a natural surfactant in the form of a extract of the yucca plant to the grain. The yucca extract contains generally 10 to 11 percent sarsasaponin by weight which is diluted with water and sprayed on grain just prior to processing in rollers for flaking to increase water intake and gelatinization. The mixture also contains small amounts of copper sulfate and sodium benzoate as preservatives. Combinations of the mixture can also be used such as combinations with other known grain tempering compositions. The grain tempering yucca extract mixture is either sprayed on the grain as it is dumped into a steam cabinet or is sprayed on the grain which is then allowed to sit in a conditioning tank for a predetermined period of time.

Abstract: A mixture and process for tempering feed grain by adding a natural surfactant in the form of a extract of the yucca plant to the grain. The yucca extract contains generally 10 to 11 percent sarsasaponin by weight which is diluted with water and sprayed on grain just prior to processing in rollers for flaking to increase water intake and gelatinization. The mixture also contains small amounts of copper sulfate and sodium benzoate as preservatives. Combinations of the mixture can also be used such as combinations with other known grain tempering compositions. The grain tempering yucca extract mixture is either sprayed on the grain as it is dumped into a steam cabinet or is sprayed on the grain which is then allowed to sit in a conditioning tank for a predetermined period of time.

Abstract: An apparatus for communicating a vehicle parameter to a location remote and apart from where the vehicle parameter is measured is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a sensor responsive to the parameter being measured, with the sensor producing an output analog signal proportional to the vehicle parameter being measured. The output analog signal is subsequently converted into a digital signal whereby the vehicle parameter being measured is represented by an N-bit digital code. The N-bit digital code is subsequently transmitted to a location remote and apart from where the vehicle parameter is being measured, and is converted into a continuous analog signal representing the vehicle parameter being measured. The analog signal is subsequently displayed in a viewer usable form. The disclosed apparatus also includes a calibration means which simulates the sensor output analog signal and is switchable therewith to enable end-to-end calibration of the disclosed apparatus.