Abstract: Apparatuses for safely warming food and methods of manufacturing such an apparatus are provided. A heating element may be connected to a base such that there is air between the heating element and the removable top plate, the heating element cannot directly heat a removable top plate of the apparatus, and the heating element must heat the air between the heating element and the removable top plate before heating the removable hot plate. A resetting thermal fuse may be connected to a fuse holder connected to a wall of the base of the apparatus such that the thermal fuse is not directly affected by changes in temperature in the housing of the apparatus, and is affected by changes in temperature of the air between the heating element and the removable top plate.

Abstract: Apparatuses for safely warming food and methods of manufacturing such an apparatus are provided. A heating element may be connected to a base such that there is air between the heating element and the removable top plate, the heating element cannot directly heat a removable top plate of the apparatus, and the heating element must heat the air between the heating element and the removable top plate before heating the removable hot plate. A resetting thermal fuse may be connected to a fuse holder connected to a wall of the base of the apparatus such that the thermal fuse is not directly affected by changes in temperature in the housing of the apparatus, and is affected by changes in temperature of the air between the heating element and the removable top plate.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and systems for a cat litter box system that includes a base that extends to an outer edge, a pair of first and second opposed sidewalls extending generally upward from the outer edge to an upper edge, the first and second pairs of opposed sidewalls intersect at defined corners, and collectively form a cavity therein. The upper edge extends generally outward and contains a frustoconical section. An insert is placed within the cavity, wherein the insert includes a base that extends to an outer edge, a pair of first and second opposed sidewalls extending generally upward from the outer edge to an upper edge, forming a cavity therein. An upper edge, extends generally outwardly from the cavity and extends generally downwardly, forming a generally c-shaped upper edge.

Abstract: A nitrile-containing mixture, which includes a nitrile dissolved in a higher alcohol solvent, and hydrogen are fed to a reactor containing a catalyst. An amine is produced by hydrogenating the nitrile that is dissolved in the higher alcohol solvent. In a preferred embodiment, the reactor also contains a caustic solution. The preferred nitrile-containing mixture includes octadecaneditrile (ODDN) and hexanol to produce a preferred octadecanediamine (ODDA) through hydrogenation.

Abstract: A nitrile-containing mixture, which includes a nitrile dissolved in a higher alcohol solvent, and hydrogen are fed to a reactor containing a catalyst. An amine is produced by hydrogenating the nitrile that is dissolved in the higher alcohol solvent. In a preferred embodiment, the reactor also contains a caustic solution. The preferred nitrile-containing mixture includes octadecaneditrile (ODDN) and hexanol to produce a preferred octadecanediamine (ODDA) through hydrogenation.

Abstract: A panel for forming on-site a multi-function channel. The panel is a sheet of material that is rectangular-shaped, slightly compressible, thermally insulating, and has a pair of pre-printed channel flange fold lines that extend the entire length thereof and which form a pair of channel flanges when the sheet of material is folded perpendicularly upwardly thereon, and a trio of pre-printed soffit vent baffle panel fold lines that extend the entire width thereof and have a selected one thereof forming a soffit vent baffle panel when the sheet of material is folded perpendicularly downwardly thereon. When the pair of channel flanges are intimately abutted against a pair of parallel, adjacent, and spaced-apart framing members, the sheet of material compresses enough to provide an outward force sufficient to allow the multi-function channel to be self-restraining between, and by, the pair of parallel, adjacent, and spaced-apart framing members without a need for fasteners.

Abstract: A coupling device that interconnects a plurality of carts by an extendable end on an elongated member that is movable from a retracted location beneath the cart. The coupling device includes a receiver end to secure with the extendable end of an another cart, but without it interfering with the fold up feature of the cart. The elongated member and the receiver end are part of two separate units that are mounted under a cart at opposite ends of the cart.

Abstract: A method of oxidizing olefins or alkanes by contacting with oxygen and a catalyst composition of the formula:Ru.sub.3 O[OCO(CF.sub.2).sub.y CF.sub.3 ].sub.6 LWherein: Ru are reuthenium atoms having a formal oxidation state of +2 or +3,L is a neutral or anionic ligand,Y is an integer from 0 to 6, andx is an integer from 1 to 3; and an anion.

Abstract: Ruthenium trifluoroalkyl carboxylates are disclosed.