Abstract: A sanitary room of a building has an access point for persons and a sanitary station, which has a sanitary apparatus having a metering and mixing valve unit, a lighting apparatus, and a sound apparatus. A programmable electronic controller influences the metering and mixing valve unit, the lighting apparatus, and the sound apparatus. The electronic controller has a memory for storing water discharge programs, a memory for storing lighting programs, a memory for storing sound programs, and a data-processing unit, which operates an actuator of the metering and mixing valve unit, an illuminant controller, and a sound generator. The sanitary station includes a device user interface associated with the sanitary apparatus which allows one of the water discharge programs to be selected and manually modified. Adjacent the access point, a room user interface is provided, which allows lighting programs and sound programs to be selected and manually modified.

Abstract: A sanitary device has a programmable electronic control unit that acts on a metering and mixer valve unit. The electronic control unit has a program memory suitable for the retrievable storage of multiple different water dispensing programs and a central data processing unit that acts on at least one actuator that actuates the metering and mixer valve unit. A user interface has a display that has a central display region and a peripheral display region annularly surrounding the central display region, a rotatable setting ring around the display and at least three buttons around the setting ring. The buttons of the user interface comprise a program selection button, an output button and a temperature button. Actuating a button results in the present setting value of the button function in question being displayed in the central display region of the display.

Abstract: The disclosed technology relates to methods of inhibiting corrosion in reaction chambers configured for hydrothermal reaction of feeds containing a heteroatom. An embodiment of such a method comprises providing a feed stream comprising a phosphorus-containing material, an alkali metal compound, water, and a corrosion-inhibitor. The embodiment additionally includes introducing the feed stream and oxidant into a reactor chamber and oxidizing the phosphorus-containing material at an oxidation temperature greater than about 374° C. and an oxidation pressure exceeding about 25 bar, wherein the reactor chamber has inner surfaces comprising a material that corrodes when in contact with a phosphorus compound within the reactor. The embodiment additionally includes selectively reacting the corrosion-inhibitor with phosphorus within the reactor, thereby precipitating in the reactor chamber a phosphorus-containing solid inorganic compound.

Abstract: The disclosed technology relates to methods of inhibiting corrosion in reaction chambers configured for hydrothermal reaction of feeds containing a heteroatom. An embodiment of such a method comprises providing a feed stream comprising a phosphorus-containing material, an alkali metal compound, water, and a corrosion-inhibitor. The embodiment additionally includes introducing the feed stream and oxidant into a reactor chamber and oxidizing the phosphorus-containing material at an oxidation temperature greater than about 374° C. and an oxidation pressure exceeding about 25 bar, wherein the reactor chamber has inner surfaces comprising a material that corrodes when in contact with a phosphorus compound within the reactor. The embodiment additionally includes selectively reacting the corrosion-inhibitor with phosphorus within the reactor, thereby precipitating in the reactor chamber a phosphorus-containing solid inorganic compound.

Abstract: An automatic device for storing wheelchairs behind vehicles is provided. The wheelchair storage device is configured to mount to the exterior of a vehicle on the vehicle's roof rack. The storage device includes a horizontal and vertical arm, that when activated by a motor, uses a series of motors and gears to move a wheelchair attached to the vertical arm to the rear of the vehicle. A storage platform is further provided that receives and secures the wheelchair behind the vehicle. The motors of the storage device may be powered by the vehicle's engine, and a remote may be provided for user control.

Abstract: An automatic device for storing wheelchairs behind vehicles is provided. The wheelchair storage device is configured to mount to the exterior of a vehicle on the vehicle's roof rack. The storage device includes a horizontal and vertical arm, that when activated by a motor, uses a series of motors and gears to move a wheelchair attached to the vertical arm to the rear of the vehicle. A storage platform is further provided that receives and secures the wheelchair behind the vehicle. The motors of the storage device may be powered by the vehicle's engine, and a remote may be provided for user control.

Abstract: A readily controllable skateboard comprises a board having a top side and an under side. A front wheel carriage and a rear wheel carriage are mounted in downwardly extending relation on the under side of the board. A “U”-bolt is secured to the board so as to be generally centrally located along the length and across the width of the board. A strap has a top end and a bottom end, and is connected adjacent its bottom end to the connector so as to be extendable upwardly from the board means. A handle is connected to the top end of the strap.

Abstract: An apparatus for picking up and bagging animal excrement comprises upper and a lower jaw members each having a hand-grip end and a scooping end and a connecting hinge at their hand-grip ends. In an open position, the scooping ends of the upper and lower jaw members are separated one from the other to permit animal excrement to pass therethrough. In a closed position, the scooping ends of the upper and lower jaw members are closer together, to preclude animal excrement from passing between their scooping ends. A plastic bag mounted over the upper and lower jaw members forms an excrement receiving pocket open at the scooping ends of the jaw members. To remove the plastic bag, the open end of the plastic bag is pulled off the jaw members, and is pulled via its closed end through a bag passing opening in the upper jaw member.

Abstract: A compact foldable skateboard comprises a central board portion, a front board portion and a rear board portion. The front board portion and the central board portion are connected one to the other in rear edge to front edge relation, by a hinge, for longitudinal folding movement between a flat in-use configuration and a folded storage configuration. The rear board portion and the central board portion are connected one to the other in front edge to rear edge relation, by a hinge, for longitudinal folding movement between a flat in-use configuration and a folded storage configuration. In a flat in-use configuration, the front board portion, the rear board portion and the central board portion are vertically and horizontally aligned one with the other. In a folded storage configuration, the front board portion and the central board portion face each other.

Abstract: A protector for protecting paint brushes and paint rollers having paint thereon comprises a main body made from a flexible material and having a hollow interior for receiving the head portion of a paint brush or the roller portion of a paint roller therein. A first opening permits a paint brush or paint roller to pass therethrough. A self-sealing plastic strip seals the first opening to preclude paint from escaping from the substantially hollow interior of the main body through the first opening. A second opening is disposed in opposed relation to the first opening, for permitting the handle of a paint brush or paint roller to be received therein. Tape is used to selectively seal the second opening when the handle of a paint brush or paint roller is received therein, to preclude paint from escaping from the substantially hollow interior of the main body through the second opening.

Abstract: An inlet valve apparatus for use with a snorkel comprises a snorkel cap having an air inlet and an air outlet. An air passageway connects the air inlet and the air outlet in fluid communication one with the other. A buoyant float valve is movable between an open position whereat air can pass from the air inlet to the air outlet and a closed position whereat air and water are precluded from passing from the air inlet to the air outlet. The inlet valve apparatus is mounted onto the top end of a snorkel such that the air outlet is in fluid communication with the snorkel. A related valve system comprises a flexible hose member, a floating member, and a diverter valve apparatus that is mounted onto the top end of a snorkel such that its air outlet is in fluid communication with the snorkel.

Abstract: A debris separating apparatus for use in downspout below an eaves trough comprises a main housing having a water and debris inlet, a water outlet, and a debris outlet. A debris deflector mounted within the main housing between the water and debris inlet and the water outlet is sloped downwardly towards the debris outlet and has a plurality of parallel slots that permit water to pass from the water and debris inlet to the water outlet. A rotatable debris ejecting member has outwardly projecting fingers and water receiving receptacles mounted on the fingers. The debris ejecting member is rotatably mounted within the main housing beneath the debris deflector such that the outwardly projecting fingers project through the slots in the debris deflector and such that the outwardly projecting fingers travel along the slots in the debris deflector as the debris ejecting member rotates, to thereby eject debris accumulated on the top of the debris deflector.

Abstract: A portable mixer comprising a frame assembly. Wheels are operatively mounted on the frame assembly. A deck assembly is pivotally mounted on the frame assembly for tilting forwardly and rearwardly. A mixing bag is suspended from the frame assembly.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for determining the rotational direction of a rotatable article, such as a spindle motor used in a data storage device to rotate a data recording disc. The article includes an index mark which is detected by an index sensor to identify an index reference position on the article. The index sensor and index mark are further used to detect the direction of rotation of the article. In some embodiments, a second sensor is provided so that first and second timing pulses are generated from the index mark by the index sensor and the second sensor. In other embodiments, a second (detection) mark is added to the article so that first and second timing pulses are generated by the index sensor. In either case, a rotational direction detection circuit determines the rotational direction of the article in relation to the first and second timing pulses.

Abstract: Supercritical and near critical fluids are used to fractionate biomass materials such as microbial cells in two steps. In the first step, the biomass is exposed to elevated pressure supercritical or near critical fluid to bring about disruption of the biomass to liberate structural biomass constituents. In the second step, the disrupted biomass is subjected to a multiplicity of supercritical or near critical fluid extraction steps, with different solvation conditions used for each fraction. Thus, fractionation of the biomass to obtain one or more compounds is effected. Different solvation properties are obtained using different temperatures, pressures and/or modifier concentrations.

Abstract: A method for automatically correcting the dynamic imbalance of a disc pack of a disc drive, the disc pack conveyed to a first selected position in a balance correction assembly station where a rotary positioner lifts and rotates the disc pack to a reference position for the attachment of weighted shims to the disc pack. A shim selector assembly delivers a selected shim, and an end effector transfers the selected shim to a shim attachment assembly. The shim attachment assembly rotates and spreads open the shim so that the disc pack can be receivingly engaged thereby, and the shim attachment assembly releases the selected shim to lockingly engage the disc pack. A flipping assembly reverses the disc pack for placement of another selected shim to the other end of the disc pack, as required.

Abstract: A method of automatically measuring the dynamic imbalance of a disc stack of a disc drive assembly, the disc stack conveyed to a first selected position in a balance measure assembly station where a rotary positioner lifts and rotates the disc stack above a sensor to locate an electrical lead of the disc drive motor. The disc stack is positioned in a reference position to position the electrical leads a for powering the disc drive motor. The disc stack is then conveyed to a second selected position where a motor power assembly clamps and powers the motor and discs. A balance head assembly measures the magnitude and phase angle of the dynamic imbalance of the disc stack and records the measurement to a production control computer.

Abstract: Compressed gases, liquefied gases, or supercritical fluids are utilized as anti-solvents in a crystal growing process for complex molecules. Crystals of the present invention exhibit greater crystal size and improved morphology over crystals obtained by conventional methods.

Abstract: An apparatus of automatically measuring the dynamic imbalance of a disc stack of a disc drive assembly, the disc stack conveyed to a first selected position in a balance measure assembly station where a rotary positioner lifts and rotates the disc stack above a sensor to locate an electrical lead of the disc drive motor. The disc stack is positioned in a reference position to position the electrical leads a for powering the disc drive motor. The disc stack is then conveyed to a second selected position where a motor power assembly clamps and powers the motor and discs. A balance head assembly measures the magnitude and phase angle of the dynamic imbalance of the disc stack and records the measurement to a production control computer.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for automatically correcting the dynamic imbalance of a disc pack of a disc drive, the disc pack conveyed to a first selected position in a balance correction assembly station where a rotary positioner lifts and rotates the disc pack to a reference position for the attachment of weighted shims to the disc pack. A shim selector assembly delivers a selected shim, and an end effector transfers the selected shim to a shim attachment assembly. The shim attachment assembly rotates and spreads open the shim so that the disc pack can be receivingly engaged thereby, and the shim attachment assembly releases the selected shim to lockingly engage the disc pack. A flipping assembly reverses the disc pack for placement of another selected shim to the other end of the disc pack, as required.