Abstract: Railbikes configured to transport passengers on a railway are provided. The railbikes are propelled by the passengers, using foot pedals. The railbikes are equipped with passenger seats whose orientation can be reversed quickly and easily the passengers. Also, the railbikes includes reversible clutches that permit the passengers to pedal in opposite directions, depending on the desired direction of travel of the railbikes. Thus, the direction of travel of the railbikes can be reversed without a need to lift the railbikes off of the underlying rails to physically reorient the railbikes in the opposite direction; and without a need for a turntable or other specialized railway equipment to turn the railbike.

Abstract: A method of fabricating plastic products having a preselected color, comprising preparing a dispersion of pigment of the preselected color in cottonseed oil; supplying a preselected plastic resin for the product to be fabricated to a process machine having a rotating screw; furnishing the dispersion to the process machine at a position adjacent to threaded portion of the rotating screw; and blending the dispersion and the resin by rotating the screw.

Abstract: Systems for drying resin granulates include a first and second drying chamber each defining an internal volume configured to hold the plastic resin; a source of heated air in fluid communication with the internal; a first vacuum source in fluid communication with the internal volumes of the first and second drying chambers on a selective basis and configured to, during operation, generate a first vacuum within the internal volumes of the first and second drying chambers; and a second vacuum source in fluid communication with the internal volumes of the first and second drying chambers on a selective basis and configured to, during operation, generate a second vacuum within the internal volumes of the first and second drying chambers to draw the resin pellets into the internal volumes.

Abstract: A liquid colorant for use in molding or extruding plastic products comprises pigment dispersed in cottonseed oil.

Abstract: A method for increasing the impact resistance of plastic articles comprising providing a blend of cottonseed oil and plastic resin; fabricating a plastic article from the blend by rotatably screw working the blend into a molten state and molding the molten blend material into the article shape.

Abstract: A receiver having a horizontally elongated chamber within a housing, the chamber having a convex triangular cross-section and a dump flap defining a bottom vertex of the triangular cross-section, with a horizontal air/vacuum resin material inlet connecting to the chamber, and a horizontal air/vacuum outlet leading from and connected to the chamber.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for making biodegradable plastic products are provided. The compositions include a destabilizing agent that makes the finished plastic biodegradable. The compositions also can include an oil-based carrier, such as cottonseed oil, that allows the biodegrading agent to be metered into a continuous plastic manufacturing process. The compositions further can include an additive that allows the biodegrading additive to combine with the carrier; an optical brightener to improve the appearance of the finished plastic product, and to indicate the presence of the composition in the finished product; and a pigment, so that the composition can act as a liquid coloring agent.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for pneumatically conveying granular resin material and controlling such conveyance includes a sensor associated with granular plastic resin material receiver with the sensing vacuum level thereat and a microprocessor adjusting vacuum pump speed based on vacuum level sensed at the receiver.

Abstract: A controlled, variable speed vacuum pump with a flow limiter connected to the suction head of the vacuum pump conveys granular plastic resin material from a supply to receivers retaining and dispensing resin when needed by a process machine.

Abstract: A liquid colorant for use in molding or extruding plastic products comprises pigment dispersed in cottonseed oil.

Abstract: A vacuum pump with a first flow regulator connected to the suction head of the vacuum pump for conveying granular resin material from a supply to receivers retaining and dispensing the resin when needed by a process machine and a second flow regulator controlling and limiting to a maximum value vacuum flow through a conduit carrying auxiliary additives to the receivers.

Abstract: A method for temporary storage of granular material in a receiver having a horizontally elongated chamber within a housing, the chamber having a convex triangular cross-section and a dump flap defining a bottom vertex of the triangular cross-section, with a horizontal air/vacuum resin material inlet connecting to the chamber, and a horizontal air/vacuum outlet leading from and connected to the chamber.

Abstract: Method for pneumatically conveying granular resin material and controlling such conveyance includes a sensor associated with granular plastic resin material receiver with the sensing vacuum level thereat and a microprocessor adjusting vacuum pump speed based on vacuum level sensed at the receiver.

Abstract: Apparatus for air flow limiting comprise a vertically oriented tube, a sail assembly positioned in the tube and moveable therewithin responsively to air flow through the tube to limit rate of air flow through the tube and halt air flow through the tube upon air flow rate through the tube exceeding a preselected value, and a moveable stop for adjustably changing the length of travel of the sail assembly thereby changing the maximum amount of air flow.

Abstract: A method of fabricating plastic products having a preselected color, comprising preparing a dispersion of pigment of the preselected color in cottonseed oil; supplying a preselected plastic resin for the product to be fabricated to a process machine having a rotating screw; furnishing the dispersion to the process machine at a position adjacent to threaded portion of the rotating screw; and blending the dispersion and the resin by rotating the screw.

Abstract: A controlled, variable speed vacuum pump with a flow limiter connected to the suction head of the vacuum pump conveys granular plastic resin material from a supply to receivers retaining and dispensing resin when needed by a process machine.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for drying granular resin material by drawing vacuum over heating resin material in a vessel, while periodically purging the vessel with the material therein with dry air and bathing the vacuum dried material with dry air until furnished to a processing machine.

Abstract: A method of fabricating plastic products having a preselected color, comprising preparing a dispersion of pigment of the preselected color in cottonseed oil; supplying a preselected plastic resin for the product to be fabricated to a process machine having a rotating screw; furnishing the dispersion to the process machine at a position adjacent to threaded portion of the rotating screw; and blending the dispersion and the resin by rotating the screw.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for pneumatically conveying granular resin material and controlling such conveyance includes a sensor associated with granular plastic resin material receiver with the sensing vacuum level thereat and a microprocessor adjusting vacuum pump speed based on vacuum level sensed at the receiver.

Abstract: A receiver having a horizontally elongated chamber within a housing, the chamber having a convex triangular cross-section and a dump flap defining a bottom vertex of the triangular cross-section, with a horizontal air/vacuum resin material inlet connecting to the chamber, and a horizontal air/vacuum outlet leading from and connected to the chamber.