Abstract: A foam seating article includes an outer foam layer molded around an inner core of molded foam or expanded polystyrene that includes a lumbar support protrusion. The lumbar support protrusion has a convex outer surface disposed inside the seat back area of the outer foam layer and that is not visible on the outer contour of the seat back area. The inner core is made from polyurethane polyol and methylene diphenyl diisocyanate (MDI) and has a hardness greater than 25 Shore A and a density less than two pounds per cubic foot. The polymer material of the inner core has a hardness greater than that of the outer foam. The outer layer of molded foam is high density (HD) foam, memory foam or latex foam. A fabric covering encloses the inner core and molded outer foam layer. The foam seating article can be a chair, sofa, chaise lounge or bench.

Abstract: A foam seating article includes an outer layer of molded foam surrounding a solid inner core of molded foam or expanded polystyrene. The rigid foam of the inner core is made from polyurethane polyol and methylene diphenyl diisocyanate (MDI). The inner core has a hardness greater than 25 Shore A and a density less than two pounds per cubic foot. The polymer material of the solid core has a hardness that is greater than that of the outer foam. The outer layer of molded foam is high density (HD) foam, memory foam or latex foam. A fabric covering encloses the inner core and molded outer foam layer. The foam seating article can be a chair, stool, sofa, chaise lounge, bench or Ottoman. The seating article includes no wood or metal. Molding foam around a solid inner core is simpler and less costly than making conventional metal or wood framed furniture.

Abstract: A foam seating article includes a layer of molded foam surrounding a hollow shell made of hard plastic. A fabric covering encloses the shell and molded foam. The foam seating article can take the form of a chair, stool, sofa, chaise lounge, bench or Ottoman. The hollow shell can be formed using blow molding, injection molding or by capping both ends of a tube with disks. Air pressure inside the airtight hollow shell prevents the shell from collapsing inwards under the weight of an occupant. Alternatively, the hollow shell of the seating article can be accessed through a removable lid. The seating article includes no wood or metal. The layer of molded foam includes sections of different foam types, such as high density (HD) foam, memory foam and latex foam. Molding foam around a hard plastic shell is simpler and less costly than making conventional metal or wood framed furniture.

Abstract: A collapsible beach chair includes upper tubes, leg tubes, a central tube connector, a seat back and a fabric support base. Lower ends of the upper tubes fit into upper holes in the tube connector, and upper ends of the leg tubes fit into lower holes in the tube connector. Upper ends of the upper tubes fit into first tube receptacles in the seat back, and ground ends of the leg tubes bit into second tube receptacles in the support base. The upper holes are disposed in an upper portion of the tube connector that swivels over a lower portion into which the lower holes are bored. The upper portion and the attached upper tubes swivel about a shaft that passes through the upper and lower portions but does not extend above or below the tube connector. The fabric support base prevents the leg tubes from sinking into the sand.

Abstract: A collapsible chair includes upper tubes, leg tubes, a central tube connector and a seat back. The tube connector has two first tubes bent around a central cylinder from below and two second tubes bent around the central cylinder from above. The first and second tubes are welded to the central cylinder. Upper holes are formed by the ends of the first tubes, and lower holes are formed by the ends of the second tubes. Lower ends of the upper tubes are inserted into the upper holes, and upper ends of the leg tubes are inserted into the lower holes. Upper ends of the upper tubes fit into tube receptacles in the seat back. No part of the upper tubes other than the upper and lower ends contacts any part of the chair. The two back upper tubes are bent and are longer than the two straight front upper tubes.

Abstract: A collapsible chair includes upper tubes, leg tubes, a tube connector and a seat back. The connector has four tubes bent in U shapes. Two bent tubes are welded to each other at the bottoms of the U shapes, and another two bent tubes are inverted and welded to each other at the tops of the inverted U shapes. The arms of the four U shapes are welded to each other. Upper holes are formed by ends of the first bent tubes, and lower holes are formed by ends of the second bent tubes. Lower ends of the upper tubes are inserted into the upper holes, and upper ends of the leg tubes are inserted into the lower holes. Upper ends of the upper tubes fit into tube receptacles in the seat back. The two back upper tubes are bent and are longer than the two straight front upper tubes.

Abstract: A method comprising: (a) enzymatically processing an O-acetylhomoserine (OAHS) fermentation liquor to produce L-methionine and an acetate source; (b) separating at least a portion of said L-methionine from at least a fraction of said acetate source to form separated L-methionine and a residual liquor comprising an acetate-source; and (c) recovering at least a portion of said acetate source from said residual liquor as recovered acetate.

Abstract: Disclosed is a micro-fluidic system including a lower substrate, an upper substrate formed opposite to the lower substrate and formed with an air injection path, and a micro-fluidic device interposed between the upper and lower substrates, wherein the micro-fluidic chamber includes a fluid chamber filled with a fluid and the fluidic chamber is physically connected to the air injection path.

Abstract: A method comprising: (a) enzymatically processing an O-acetylhomoserine (OAHS) fermentation liquor to produce L-methionine and an acetate source; (b) separating at least a portion of said L-methionine from at least a fraction of said acetate source to form separated L-methionine and a residual liquor comprising an acetate-source; and (c) recovering at least a portion of said acetate source from said residual liquor as recovered acetate.

Abstract: A bed frame assembly has diagonal struts that lock leg supports into place using novel locking mechanisms. A leg support is pivotally attached to the bedboard frame, and a slotted bracket is welded to a cross bar of the frame. One end of a diagonal strut is pivotally attached to the leg support, and a bolt with a conical washer and a wing nut is attached to the other end. The strut is attached to the slotted bracket by inserting the bolt into a curved slot in the bracket. The bracket also includes a stopper brace that extends perpendicular to the body of the bracket. A side of the end of the strut pushes against the stopper brace when the conical washer is pressed into the end of the curved slot and the wing nut is tightened. The stopper brace prevents the bolt from sliding out of the curved slot.

Abstract: A folding mattress support system replaces a conventional bed frame with rails and the box spring. The mattress support system is lighter, easier to transport, and provides more storage space beneath the mattress. The mattress support system includes bed frame assemblies, central connecting bars, edge attachments, headboard attachments and a bed skirt. Leg supports fold out from the bed frame assemblies, which themselves unfold in the middle. Central connecting bars connect inner side edges of the bed frame assemblies. Plastic edge attachments are attached at outer corners of the bed frame assemblies and hold a bed skirt taut when the frame assemblies are standing on extended leg supports. A mattress is then placed on top of the assembled mattress support system. Optionally, metal edge attachments at the head corners hold both the bed skirt and a headboard. Alternatively, headboard attachments protrude from under the bed skirt and support a headboard.

Abstract: A bed frame assembly has diagonal struts that lock leg supports into place using novel locking mechanisms. A leg support is pivotally attached to a cross bar, and a slotted bracket is attached to another cross bar. A bolt with a conical washer is attached to a first end of a diagonal strut, and the second end is pivotally attached to the leg support. The diagonal strut is attached to the slotted bracket by inserting the bolt into a rounded slot and by pressing the conical washer down into a round opening of the rounded slot using a wing nut. The round opening is disposed at the end of a channel whose width is slightly larger than the diameter of the bolt. The diameter of the round opening is larger than the width of the channel and smaller than the largest diameter of a coned portion of the conical washer.

Abstract: A folding mattress support system replaces a conventional bed frame with rails and the box spring. The mattress support system is lighter, easier to transport, and provides more storage space beneath the mattress. The mattress support system includes bed frame assemblies, central connecting bars, edge attachments, headboard attachments and a bed skirt. Leg supports fold out from the bed frame assemblies, which themselves unfold in the middle. Central connecting bars connect inner side edges of the bed frame assemblies. Plastic edge attachments are attached at outer corners of the bed frame assemblies and hold a bed skirt taut when the frame assemblies are standing on extended leg supports. A mattress is then placed on top of the assembled mattress support system. Optionally, metal edge attachments at the head corners hold both the bed skirt and a headboard. Alternatively, headboard attachments protrude from under the bed skirt and support a headboard.

Abstract: A compact collapsible camping chair includes upper tubes, leg tubes, a molded central tube connector and a seat back. The tube connector is molded from aluminum, zinc or plastic reinforced with glass fiber. Lower ends of the upper tubes fit snugly into circular upper holes in the central tube connector, and upper ends of the leg tubes fit snugly into circular lower holes in the central tube connector. Upper ends of the upper tubes fit into tube receptacles in the seat back. The two longer upper tubes are bent, whereas the two shorter upper tubes are straight. Elastic cords pass from the upper tubes, through the tube connector and into the leg tubes and tend to pull the tubes into the holes in central tube connector. The upper tubes, leg tubes, central tube connector and seat back can be placed in a bag that is less than one foot long.

Abstract: A compact collapsible chair includes upper tubes, leg tubes, a central tube connector and a seat back. The upper tubes are formed from detachable sections. Lower ends of the upper tubes are inserted into upper holes in the central tube connector, and upper ends of the leg tubes are inserted into lower holes in the central tube connector. Upper ends of the upper tubes fit into tube receptacles in the seat back. No part of the upper tubes other than the upper and lower ends contacts any part of the collapsible chair. The upper holes are disposed in an upper portion of the central tube connector that swivels over a lower portion into which the lower holes are bored. The upper portion and the attached upper tubes swivel about a cylinder that passes through the upper and lower portions but does not extend above or below the central tube connector.

Abstract: A foam seating article includes an outer foam layer molded around an inner core of molded foam or expanded polystyrene that includes a lumbar support protrusion. The lumbar support protrusion has a convex outer surface disposed inside the seat back area of the outer foam layer and that is not visible on the outer contour of the seat back area. The inner core is made from polyurethane polyol and methylene diphenyl diisocyanate (MDI) and has a hardness greater than 25 Shore A and a density less than two pounds per cubic foot. The polymer material of the inner core has a hardness greater than that of the outer foam. The outer layer of molded foam is high density (HD) foam, memory foam or latex foam. A fabric covering encloses the inner core and molded outer foam layer. The foam seating article can be a chair, sofa, chaise lounge or bench.