Abstract: A handheld citrus juicer includes first and second arms with respective inner and outer ends. The inner ends of the arms are pivotally connected such that the outer ends are manually movable relative to each other on an arc centered on a pivot axis. The arms include respective gripping portions adapted to be gripped by an associated user with one hand to squeeze the arms toward each other. The first arm includes a rotatable element connected thereto and selectively manually rotatable by the associated user about a rotational axis. The second arm includes a bowl connected thereto, the bowl aligned with the rotatable element when the first and second arms are moved toward each other. The rotatable element and the bowl are adapted to engage and extract juice from an associated cut-half of citrus fruit located between the rotatable element and the bowl. The rotatable element can be a reamer or a cup.

Abstract: A handheld citrus juicer includes first and second arms with respective inner and outer ends. The inner ends of the arms are pivotally connected such that the outer ends are manually movable relative to each other on an arc centered on a pivot axis. The arms include respective gripping portions adapted to be gripped by an associated user with one hand to squeeze the arms toward each other. The first arm includes a rotatable element connected thereto and selectively manually rotatable by the associated user about a rotational axis. The second arm includes a bowl connected thereto, the bowl aligned with the rotatable element when the first and second arms are moved toward each other. The rotatable element and the bowl are adapted to engage and extract juice from an associated cut-half of citrus fruit located between the rotatable element and the bowl. The rotatable element can be a reamer or a cup.

Abstract: A loader coupler includes left and right spaced-apart inner rib mounts including inner mount pins connected to a body, and left and right inner locking regions aligned with the left and right inner rib mounts. The coupler includes left and right spaced-apart outer rib mounts including outer mount pins connected to the body, and left and right outer locking regions aligned with the left and right outer rib mounts. The coupler includes a lock system including: (i) left and right first lock plungers that move between locked and unlocked positions relative to the left and right inner locking regions, respectively; and, (ii) left and right second lock plungers that move between locked and unlocked positions relative to the left and right outer locking regions, respectively. The left and right outer mount pins and/or the left and right inner mount pins are removable from the body.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for reducing the temperature of an effluent stream flowing out of a sterilization chamber. The process involves the use of a mixing tank and heat exchangers which provide for cooling the effluent to a temperature required by local drain or sewer requirements (e.g., below about 60° C.) while saving on the amount of cooling water needed to cool the effluent.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for reducing the temperature of an effluent stream flowing out of a sterilization chamber. The process involves the use of a mixing tank and heat exchangers which provide for cooling the effluent to a temperature required by local drain or sewer requirements (e.g., below about 60° C.) while saving on the amount of cooling water needed to cool the effluent.

Abstract: A fork apparatus includes a body adapted to be operatively connected to an associated loader machine. First and second forks include respective first and second fork mounting portions connected to the body and respective first and second fork working portions that project outwardly away from the body. A first powered roller device is connected to the first fork and includes a first roller that rotates about a first working portion axis. A first roller actuator selectively rotates the first roller about the first working portion axis. A second powered roller device is connected to the second fork and includes a second roller that rotates about the second working portion axis that is parallel to the first working portion axis. A second roller actuator selectively rotates the second roller about the second working portion axis.

Abstract: A coupler for a backhoe or other excavator includes a frame including an upper portion and a lower portion. The upper portion is adapted to be secured to an associated backhoe or excavator arm. The lower portion includes a first hook adapted to mate releasably with a first associated attachment pin and includes a second hook adapted to mate releasably with a second associated attachment pin. First and second safety locks are movably connected to the frame and move relative to the first hook between an engaged position for capturing the first associated attachment pin in the first hook and a disengaged position for releasing the first associated attachment pin from the first hook. An actuator is adapted to move the safety locks selectively between the engaged and disengaged positions.

Abstract: An attachment coupler includes a frame including a front hook and rear hook. A rear hook lock moves between an unlocked and a locked position relative to the rear hook. An actuator moves the rear hook lock to its unlocked and locked positions. A gravity lock moves between an engaged and a disengaged position and obstructs movement of the rear hook lock to its unlocked position when the gravity lock is engaged. A supplemental lock arm moves relative to the frame between an engaged position and a disengaged position. A secondary lock is located adjacent the front hook and includes a latch that moves between an extended and a retracted position. The latch obstructs the front hook when extended. The supplemental lock arm blocks movement of the latch from its extended position to its retracted position when the supplemental lock arm is in its engaged position. A spring urges the latch toward its extended position.

Abstract: A loader coupler includes left and right spaced-apart inner rib mounts including inner mount pins connected to a body, and left and right inner locking regions aligned with the left and right inner rib mounts. The coupler includes left and right spaced-apart outer rib mounts including outer mount pins connected to the body, and left and right outer locking regions aligned with the left and right outer rib mounts. The coupler includes a lock system including: (i) left and right first lock plungers that move between locked and unlocked positions relative to the left and right inner locking regions, respectively; and, (ii) left and right second lock plungers that move between locked and unlocked positions relative to the left and right outer locking regions, respectively. The left and right outer mount pins and/or the left and right inner mount pins are removable from the body.

Abstract: A coupler includes a frame with a front hook and a rear hook. A rear hook lock moves between an unlocked position and a locked position, wherein the rear hook lock obstructs an open mouth of the rear hook when the rear hook lock is in its locked position. An actuator is connected to the frame and is operatively connected to the rear hook lock. The actuator is adapted to move the rear hook lock between its unlocked and locked positions. A secondary lock includes a latch that moves between extended and retracted positions, wherein the latch obstructs an open mouth of the front hook when the latch is in its extended position.

Abstract: A grapple apparatus for handling cotton modules includes a frame comprising first and second portions. The second portion is selectively movable relative to the first portion between an opened position and a closed position. The frame defines a module-holding space when the second portion of the frame is in its closed position. At least one powered roller device is connected to the frame and is selectively active to rotate an associated cotton module located in the module-holding space relative to said frame about a module axis of rotation. A method for handling cotton modules includes positioning a frame adjacent a cotton module and moving a second portion of the frame relative to a first portion of the frame from an opened position to a closed position to define a module-holding space in which the cotton module is received and retained.

Abstract: An attachment coupler includes a frame including a front hook and rear hook. A rear hook lock moves between an unlocked and a locked position relative to the rear hook. An actuator moves the rear hook lock to its unlocked and locked positions. A gravity lock moves between an engaged and a disengaged position and obstructs movement of the rear hook lock to its unlocked position when the gravity lock is engaged. A supplemental lock arm moves relative to the frame between an engaged position and a disengaged position. A secondary lock is located adjacent the front hook and includes a latch that moves between an extended and a retracted position. The latch obstructs the front hook when extended. The supplemental lock arm blocks movement of the latch from its extended position to its retracted position when the supplemental lock arm is in its engaged position. A spring urges the latch toward its extended position.

Abstract: A coupler for a backhoe or other excavator includes a frame with a lock system including a first safety lock that moves relative to a first hook between an engaged position for capturing the first associated attachment pin in the first hook and a disengaged position for releasing the first associated attachment pin from the first hook. An actuator moves the first safety lock between its engaged and disengaged positions. At least a first lock arm is movable between a locked position and an unlocked position. The first lock arm engages and retains the first safety lock in its engaged position when the first lock arm is in its locked position. The first lock arm is movable to its unlocked position by contact with the associated backhoe or excavator arm when the frame is moved to a curled position relative to the associated backhoe or excavator arm.

Abstract: A coupler for a construction attachment includes a frame including: (i) an upper portion adapted to be secured to an associated excavator; and, (ii) a lower portion adapted to be releasably coupled to a construction attachment. The lower portion of the frame includes a first hook and a second hook. A lock member is movably connected relative to the frame and is movable between an extended position and a retracted position. The first and second hooks include respective open mouths and the lock member obstructs the open mouth of the second hook when the lock member is in the extended position. An actuator is operably connected to the lock member and is adapted to move the lock member between its extended and retracted positions.

Abstract: A coupler for a backhoe or other excavator includes a frame including an upper portion and a lower portion. The upper portion is adapted to be secured to an associated backhoe or excavator arm. The lower portion includes a first hook adapted to mate releasably with a first associated attachment pin and includes a second hook adapted to mate releasably with a second associated attachment pin. First and second safety locks are movably connected to the frame and move relative to the first hook between an engaged position for capturing the first associated attachment pin in the first hook and a disengaged position for releasing the first associated attachment pin from the first hook. An actuator is adapted to move the safety locks selectively between the engaged and disengaged positions.

Abstract: A coupler includes a frame with a front hook and a rear hook. A rear hook lock moves between an unlocked position and a locked position, wherein the rear hook lock obstructs an open mouth of the rear hook when the rear hook lock is in its locked position. An actuator is connected to the frame and is operatively connected to the rear hook lock. The actuator is adapted to move the rear hook lock between its unlocked and locked positions. A secondary lock includes a latch that moves between extended and retracted positions, wherein the latch obstructs an open mouth of the front hook when the latch is in its extended position.

Abstract: A coupler for a backhoe or other excavator includes a frame including an upper portion and a lower portion. The upper portion is adapted to be secured to an associated backhoe or excavator arm. The lower portion includes a first hook adapted to mate releasably with a first associated attachment pin and includes a second hook adapted to mate releasably with a second associated attachment pin. A lock system includes at least a first safety lock that is movably connected to the frame and that moves relative to the first hook between an engaged position for capturing the first associated attachment pin in the first hook and a disengaged position for releasing the first associated attachment pin from the first hook. An actuator is adapted to move the first safety lock selectively between its engaged and disengaged positions. At least a first lock arm is movably connected to the frame. The first lock arm is movable between a locked position and an unlocked position.

Abstract: A grapple apparatus for handling cotton modules includes a frame comprising first and second portions. The second portion is selectively movable relative to the first portion between an opened position and a closed position. The frame defines a module-holding space when the second portion of the frame is in its closed position. At least one powered roller device is connected to the frame and is selectively active to rotate an associated cotton module located in the module-holding space relative to said frame about a module axis of rotation. A method for handling cotton modules includes positioning a frame adjacent a cotton module and moving a second portion of the frame relative to a first portion of the frame from an opened position to a closed position to define a module-holding space in which the cotton module is received and retained.

Abstract: A fork apparatus includes a body adapted to be operatively connected to an associated loader machine. First and second forks include respective first and second fork mounting portions connected to the body and respective first and second fork working portions that project outwardly away from the body. A first powered roller device is connected to the first fork and includes a first roller that rotates about a first working portion axis. A first roller actuator selectively rotates the first roller about the first working portion axis. A second powered roller device is connected to the second fork and includes a second roller that rotates about the second working portion axis that is parallel to the first working portion axis. A second roller actuator selectively rotates the second roller about the second working portion axis.

Abstract: A coupler for a construction attachment includes a frame including: (i) an upper portion adapted to be secured to an associated excavator; and, (ii) a lower portion adapted to be releasably coupled to a construction attachment. The lower portion of the frame includes a first hook and a second hook. A lock member is movably connected relative to the frame and is movable between an extended position and a retracted position. The first and second hooks include respective open mouths and the lock member obstructs the open mouth of the second hook when the lock member is in the extended position. An actuator is operably connected to the lock member and is adapted to move the lock member between its extended and retracted positions.