Abstract: A robotic hand and arm where the fingers are driven by rotational motors with drums, and pulled with cables using rolling friction. The hand extends into a robotic arm through a wrist wherein the wrist is controlled by pneumatic cylinders. Each finger preferably is provided with four manufactured parts and a single pulley. The thumb is provided with three pulleys for independent distal movement. Cables wraps around or over pulleys, eliminating tight bends. A glove is provided about the robotic hand which provides a compressive, liquid resistant membrane.

Abstract: The calibration of a laser caliber is described. The laser caliber uses first and second sensors to determine the distance to different sides of a sheet. A third sensor is used to determine the distance between the first and second sensors. The calibration of the first, second, and third sensors is done by positioning a test object onto the platform sensed by the third sensor. The platform is moved to multiple positions in order to calibrate the first, second and third sensors. Since the displacement of the platform moves the distance to the target of the first, second and third sensors the same amount, the sensors can be accurately calibrated for a number of different positions of the test object. A very accurate calibrating displacement measuring device such as an LVDT can be used.

Abstract: Disclosed is a toilet bowl cleaner that includes a hypochlorite generator and an effervescent system that produces a foam level approximately one inch above a water line in the toilet. The cleaner may be prepared, stored and packaged in a manner that prevents moisture from initiating premature decomposition of the cleaning components. The toilet bowl cleaner may also include a binder, lubricant, fragrance, and a surfactant mixture. Further, the toilet bowler cleaner may be in the form of a tablet, granules, or a powder. The toilet bowl cleaner may also be coated with a surfactant mixture. Also disclosed is a method for producing the toilet bowl cleaner, including the steps of: combining an effervescent system, a hypochlorite generator, and a binder to form a pre-mix; blending the pre-mix in a blender for approximately 15 to 20 minutes; adding a lubricant to the blended pre-mix; and blending the lubricant with the blended pre-mix for approximately three to four minutes to form a cleaner blend.

Abstract: An effervescent compound is disclosed which includes a liquid ingredient, an effervescent system and optionally a solvent. The solvent may be either hydrophobic or hydrophilic, and may have low solubility with effervescent ingredients. The solvent may include an alcohol, a glycol or a glycol ether, for example, but not limited to, 2-butoxyethanol. The effervescent system used in the effervescent compound may be, for example, but not limited to, an expanded perborate salt, anhydrous, or a mixture of an expanded perborate salt, anhydrous, and oxoborate or an acid and one or more of sodium bicarbonate, sodium carbonate, potassium bicarbonate and potassium carbonate. The effervescent compound may further include any one, or all, or any combination of the following ingredients: surfactants, bleaching compositions, anti-redeposition agents, binders, lubricants, colors, fragrances, corrosion inhibitors, disinfectants, pesticides, fertilizers and/or optical brighteners.

Abstract: An effervescent tablet composition for use in cleaning toilet bowls. The tablet composition includes a surfactant and an effervescent system. The effervescent system may include an acid. Further, the effervescent tablet may include a surfactant, binder, lubricant, and/or fragrance. A method of producing a toilet bowl cleaner is also presented, including mixing the starting materials, forming an effervescent tablet and, optionally, packaging the tablet in a moisture-resistant pouch.

Abstract: An effervescent compound is disclosed which includes a liquid ingredient, an effervescent system and optionally a solvent. The solvent may be both hydrophilic and have low solubility with effervescent ingredients. The solvent may include an alcohol, a glycol or a glycol ether, for example, but not limited to, 2-butoxyethanol. The effervescent system used in the effervescent compound may be, for example, but is not limited to, expanded sodium perborate and/or a mixture of any or one or more of sodium bicarbonate, sodium carbonate, potassium bicarbonate and potassium carbonate. The effervescent compound may further include any one, or all, or any combination of the following ingredients: surfactants, bleaching compositions, anti-redeposition agents, binders, lubricants, colors, fragrances, and/or optical brighteners.

Abstract: An effervescent compound is disclosed which includes a solvent and an effervescent system. The solvent may be both hydrophilic and have low solubility with organic effervescent ingredients. The solvent may include a glycol ether, for example, but not limited to, 2-butoxyethanol. The effervescent system used in the effervescent compound may be, for example, but is not limited to, expanded sodium perborate or a mixture of sodium bicarbonate, sodium carbonate, and an acid. The effervescent compound may further include any one, or all, or any combination of the following ingredients: surfactants, bleaching compositions, anti-redeposition agents, binders, lubricants, colors, fragrances, and/or optical brighteners. Also disclosed is a method for making an effervescent compound, including the steps of providing a solvent, providing an effervescent system in powder form, and mixing the solvent with the effervescent system, thereby producing a free-flowing effervescent compound.

Abstract: An effervescent compound is disclosed which includes a solvent and an effervescent system. The solvent may be both hydrophilic and have low solubility with organic effervescent ingredients. The solvent may include a glycol ether, for example, but not limited to, 2-butoxyethanol. The effervescent system used in the effervescent compound may be, for example, but is not limited to, expanded sodium perborate or a mixture of sodium bicarbonate, sodium carbonate, and an acid. The effervescent compound may further include any one, or all, or any combination of the following ingredients: surfactants, bleaching compositions, anti-redeposition agents, binders, lubricants, colors, fragrances, and/or optical brighteners. Also disclosed is a method for making an effervescent compound, including the steps of providing a solvent, providing an effervescent system in powder form, and mixing the solvent with the effervescent system, thereby producing a free-flowing effervescent compound.

Abstract: An effervescent compound is disclosed which includes a liquid ingredient, an effervescent system and optionally a solvent. The solvent may be either hydrophilic or hydrophilic, and may have low solubility with effervescent ingredients. The solvent may include an alcohol, a glycol or a glycol ether, for example, but not limited to, 2-butoxyethanol. The effervescent system used in the effervescent compound may be, for example, but not limited to, an expanded perborate salt, anhydrous, or a mixture of an expanded perborate salt, anhydrous, and oxoborate or an acid and one or more of sodium bicarbonate, sodium carbonate, potassium bicarbonate and potassium carbonate. The effervescent compound may further include any one, or all, or any combination of the following ingredients: surfactants, bleaching compositions, anti-redeposition agents, binders, lubricants, colors, fragrances, corrosion inhibitors, disinfectants, pesticides, fertilizers and/or optical brighteners.

Abstract: An effervescent compound is disclosed which includes a liquid ingredient, an effervescent system and optionally a solvent. The solvent may be both hydrophilic and have low solubility with effervescent ingredients. The solvent may include an alcohol, a glycol or a glycol ether, for example, but not limited to, 2-butoxyethanol. The effervescent system used in the effervescent compound may be, for example, but is not limited to, expanded sodium perborate and/or a mixture of any or one or more of sodium bicarbonate, sodium carbonate, potassium bicarbonate and potassium carbonate. The effervescent compound may further include any one, or all, or any combination of the following ingredients: surfactants, bleaching compositions, anti-redeposition agents, binders, lubricants, colors, fragrances, and/or optical brighteners.

Abstract: An effervescent compound is disclosed which includes a liquid ingredient, an effervescent system and optionally a solvent. The solvent may be both hydrophilic and have low solubility with effervescent ingredients. The solvent may include an alcohol, a glycol or a glycol ether, for example, but not limited to, 2-butoxyethanol. The effervescent system used in the effervescent compound may be, for example, but not limited to, an expanded perborate salt, anhydrous, or a mixture of an expanded perborate salt, anhydrous, and one or more of sodium bicarbonate, sodium carbonate, potassium bicarbonate and potassium carbonate. The effervescent compound may further include any one, or all, or any combination of the following ingredients: surfactants, bleaching compositions, anti-redeposition agents, binders, lubricants, colors, fragrances, and/or optical brighteners. Further disclosed is a method of producing the expanded perborate salt, anhydrous.

Abstract: A stump grinder including a frame, a drive shaft, a gearbox, a rotatable shaft, a grinding drum, and a shroud cover. The frame extends longitudinally and supports at its free end a transversely mounted rotatable shaft upon which is mounted a grinding drum. One end of the rotatable shaft is rotatably mounted in the frame, and the other end of the rotatable shaft is rotatably connected to a gearbox. The gearbox is driven by the drive shaft which is configured for coupling to the power take off shaft of a conventional tractor. The opposite end of the frame includes a plurality of fastening means for securely fastening the frame to the tractor. The grinding drum is designed so that its upper circumference rotates away from the tractor and thus away from the operator so that any loose debris is thrust outwardly from the operator. Grinding drum power is achieved through the tractor itself. The shroud covering covers the upper portion of the grinding drum in the interests of operator safety.