Abstract: An absorbent material may include banana tree stalk fibers separated and processed for moisture content reduction to generate processed fibers, and oil eating microorganisms (OEMs) infused into the processed fibers to form OEM infused fibers. The processed fibers may be configured to concentrate oil therein responsive to exposure to the oil. The OEMs may remain in a dormant state in the OEM infused fibers until activated by water and exposed to the oil.

Abstract: A concrete column forming tube and method of making same for receiving poured concrete column therein to produce a concrete column is characterized by a smooth inside coated surface in the forming tube to eliminate spiral seam lines and other undesirable characteristics on the outside surface of the formed concrete column. The tube is formed from spirally-wound plies of paper adhered together and has a centrifugally-cast epoxy resin coating sprayed onto the inside surface of the spirally-wound tube while the tube is rotating to produce a smooth inside coated surface on the forming tube.

Abstract: A dispensing container for containing a roll of sheet material and dispensing sheets from the roll is disclosed. The dispensing container includes a container body with integrally formed front, rear, bottom and side walls and an open top. A top cover is flexibly connected to the rear wall of the container body and is movable between an open and a substantially closed position. The cover is biased in a substantially closed position adjacent the top of the container body for maintaining the roll of sheet material in the container body. Serrations are integrally formed in the container body for cutting sheet material dispensed from the container.