Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method and apparatus for treating goods, such as, for example, fumigating and re-cooling perishable goods, such as fruit, using a tarp and floor seal. The apparatus encloses goods on a surface and includes a canopy that is substantially impermeable to flowable materials, such as gas, liquid, or a combination thereof; an upper perimeter for supporting an upper portion of the canopy; a lower perimeter for supporting a lower portion of the canopy, the lower perimeter to be placed in proximity to the surface; a support structure for supporting the upper perimeter and lower perimeters; and a gasket in communication with the lower perimeter, wherein the gasket is deformable to substantially seal the chamber by compressing the gasket against the surface. The apparatus may also include an intermediate support structure for providing support to the canopy and a conduit in communication with the chamber to supply cool air to the chamber.

Abstract: The present invention is directed toward a method, apparatus and system for cooling goods, such as, for example, agricultural products, in a substantially sealed chamber. A method of the invention includes placing goods on a surface; forming a chamber over the goods on the surface; positioning a cooling apparatus having a first portion and a second portion proximate to the goods; enclosing the first portion of the cooling apparatus in the chamber; substantially sealing the chamber; and cooling the goods. A cooling system of the invention comprises a first support having a carrier; an evaporation coil mounted to the first support; a second support having a carrier; a compressor mounted to the second support, the compressor coupled to the evaporation coil; and a substantially sealed enclosure positioned over the evaporation coil and such that the compressor is positioned without the chamber.

Abstract: The present invention is directed toward a method, apparatus and system for cooling goods, such as, for example, agricultural products, in a substantially sealed chamber. A method of the invention includes placing goods on a surface; forming a chamber over the goods on the surface; positioning a cooling apparatus having a first portion and a second portion proximate to the goods; enclosing the first portion of the cooling apparatus in the chamber; substantially sealing the chamber; and cooling the goods. A cooling system of the invention comprises a first support having a carrier; an evaporation coil mounted to the first support; a second support having a carrier; a compressor mounted to the second support, the compressor coupled to the evaporation coil; and a substantially sealed enclosure positioned over the evaporation coil and such that the compressor is positioned without the chamber.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method and apparatus for treating goods, such as, for example, fumigating and re-cooling perishable goods, such as fruit, using a tarp and floor seal. The apparatus encloses goods on a surface and includes a canopy that is substantially impermeable to flowable materials, such as gas, liquid, or a combination thereof; an upper perimeter for supporting an upper portion of the canopy; a lower perimeter for supporting a lower portion of the canopy, the lower perimeter to be placed in proximity to the surface; a support structure for supporting the upper perimeter and lower perimeters; and a gasket in communication with the lower perimeter, wherein the gasket is deformable to substantially seal the chamber by compressing the gasket against the surface. The apparatus may also include an intermediate support structure for providing support to the canopy and a conduit in communication with the chamber to supply cool air to the chamber.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a tubular fabric for receiving an underwire in a garment such as a bra. The tubular fabric is formed by arranging a fusible yarn, such as Grilon (Registered Trade Mark), on the interior surface of the tube and melting said yarn to coat the interior surface.On cooling the melted yarn sets to form a durable lining which exhibits excellent resistance to penetration by underwires.The invention also relates to garments, such as bras, basques and swimming costumes, incorporating the tubular fabric of the invention.

Abstract: A Payment Authorization and Information Device for users of credit cards and other forms of credit receives billing information by tape or the like from the provider of the credit cards or from any such provider of credit. In the preferred embodiment, such information, encoded and identified as to the particular user, is broadcast during the retrace time of a television broadcast signal. A user has a receiver that is tuned to the particular channel in which the credit information is broadcast. A Payment Authorization and Information Device at the user's location is enabled to read the billing information into memory and tell the user that he has been billed. The Payment Authorization and Information Device is connected by a modem to the telephone line to signal the provider or the Information Center that the information has been received.

Abstract: Flutter in received radio signals at and above 150 MHz is reduced by a system having a plurality of directional antennas with receiving patterns that can be caused to rotate to sweep in azimuth. The antenna that receives the strongest signal is stopped from sweeping until another antenna receives a stronger signal, at which time it is stopped from sweeping and the antenna that was stopped is swept. Signals from all antennas are combined in a maximal-ratio diversity receiver to provide a combination of the signals that is additive regardless of their relative phase.

Abstract: For testing wooden poles, a transmitter unit including a piezo electric transducer, energized to produce repetitive pulses of ultrasonic frequency, is held against the pole. The transmitter unit produces an audible sound synchronously with each ultrasonic pulse. A portable receiver unit having a probe coupled to a piezo electric transducer is held against the pole. This receiver unit includes a signal level comparator which causes a lamp to flash on for each received ultrasonic pulse above a predetermined amplitude. The receiver is held in a plurality of positions and readings are noted where the lamp flashes synchronously with the audible signal. From these readings the strength remaining in the pole to resist bending forces is calculated.

Abstract: A towing vehicle which has a frame and a drive train for propulsion of the vehicle along a roadway and which includes a turntable mounted on the frame for rotation about a vertical axis, a boom assembly fixedly attached to the turntable, a telescoping boom mounted on the boom assembly, and a cable winch mounted on the boom assembly and cooperating with pulleys such that the towing cable passes along the underside of the telescoping boom, around a pulley, and upwardly to the winch. The boom assembly is adjustable about a horizontal axis by an assembly which includes a carriage and a slider cooperating with a support cable to adjustably preselect the angular position of the pivotal boom assembly with respect to the turntable.