Abstract: Apparatus for cleaning mussels and other shellfish which can be used floating on the surface of the water from which the shellfish were taken is disclosed. A container, typically a 5-gallon can, has a great number of holes formed in its circumferential surface. The container is supported within a basin of water, typically on a body of water by a pair of bouyant rings, so that a portion of the container lies below the surface of the water thereby allowing the water to enter and exit the container through the holes in the surface of the container. A door is provided in the container for the insertion and removal of the mussels. The interior surface of the container is interrupted, typically by a plurality of vanes or ribs formed on the interior surface of the container, so that when the container is rotated, typically by a hand crank attached to one end of the container, the mussels are drawn part way up the side of the container before tumbling back upon themselves.

Abstract: An improved device for disposing roving in the form of overlying epicycloids inside a fixed box, provided with two sun gears and one planet gear, the planet gear being rotated by the sun gear which is rotated by a gear wheel, and another sun gear coaxial to the first sun gear, being rotated by a worm, wherein each epicycloid gear is centered and in case supported by three pairs of bearings disposed at 120.degree. to each other, the outer ring of the bearing coated with appropriate self-lubricating resin.

Abstract: A ratchet buckle for tightening and tensioning straps includes a bifurcated frame member having a pair of oppositely positioned parallel arms between which a reel member and ratchet wheels are rotatably mounted. A strap to be tensioned is reeved through the reel member. A bifurcated lever member, having a pair of oppositely positioned parallel arms, is rotated on the reel and has a ratchet drive plate which engages the teeth of the ratchet wheel such that when the lever is actuated the reel is rotatably driven. A portion of the load on the frame is transferred to the lever when the buckle is in its closed position, thereby substantially increasing the strength-to-weight ratio of the device by providing tab members and notches which matingly engage each other with the handle in its tensioned or closed position, one of these two engaging members being on the arms of the lever and the other of these members being on the frame.

Abstract: A ratchet buckle for tightening and tensioning straps which include a bifurcated frame member with a pair of oppositely positioned parallel arms between which a reel member and ratchet wheels are rotatably mounted. The reel member is formed from a pair of oppositely positioned curved plates. This reel member is reinforced structurally by means of a spreader bar insert member which is placed between the plates and which has a slot formed in the center thereof through which a strap to be tensioned is reeved. The insert member has a pair of similar ridge portions running along the outer surfaces of the portions thereof forming the walls of the slot and a pair of wing portions at each of the opposite ends thereof, these wing portions extending in a direction normal to the longitudinal axis of the slot and being fitted between the edges of the curved plates.

Abstract: The device comprises a slide having a bottom and a pair of opposite sides. The bottom is adapted to receive the end of the bracelet to be lengthened or shortened in a slidable and adjustable manner. An eccentric shaft is pivotally connected to said opposite sides of the slide in order to lock the bracelet in its adjusted position and is provided with a screw head which can be rotated by means of a screw-driver. Reliefs and recesses are provided in order to prevent the bracelet from sliding.

Abstract: A spring steel wire is bent to have an open head from which criss-crossing limbs extend to form separated limbs each with two bearing points for gripping an object to be clamped. Preferably each limb is a tilted "L" which is normally crossed twice over the other limb. The head defines a hand or finger grip such that when the extremes of the separated limbs are placed in contact with a work to be clamped, the head affords a grip by which the entire clamp may be twisted with respect to the work and then pushed further onto the work such that the grip of the clamp on the work is increased because of the forces resulting from the re-orientation of the cross-over limbs.

Abstract: A cremation urn comprises a base section which forms therein a memorabilia chamber sized to contain objects of memorabilia. A drawer is horizontally slidable in the memorabilia chamber and includes an end wall for closing the memorabilia chamber and concealing it from view. An upper tongue of the base section forms a male connector which is received in a female connector of a receptacle section. The latter forms a remains chamber sized to receive the cremated remains of a deceased, the remains chamber being open at its bottom. Threaded fasteners extend upwardly through the base section and into the receptacle section to secure those sections together.

Abstract: A work support or pallet is slidable onto a holding device on bearing surfaces along a rectilinear guide defining parallel angular paths. The holding device has two clamping slides which are urged transversely to the rectilinear guide to bear on a mating surface part of work support to locate it both in the longitudinal direction and transversely thereof. One slide has slanting teeth mating with teeth on the work support in such a manner that the clamping force components locate the work support with respect to both longitudinal and transverse directions and hold the work support against the bearing surfaces.

Abstract: A low-cost method of fabricating a solar absorber panel for use with a flat plate solar collector system is disclosed in which a plurality of formed elongated substantially U-shaped members are fixed in a predetermined configuration to the reverse side of a single sheet absorber member forming therewith hollow fluid passages or ducts. The fluid duct members are provided with a series of tabs which alternately protrude through spaced slits in the absorber panel such that when the tabs are folded over, a tight interlocking construction is produced. The ends of the single sheet absorber may then be folded to form inlet and outlet manifolds connecting the ends of the series of spaced ducts including closing end tabs or the manifolds may be fabricated of U-shaped tabbed members in the manner of the connecting passages. After the mechanical assembly, the entire unit is sealed as by pumping liquid solder under pressure through the unit.

Abstract: An apparatus for the retraction of worn flats from the cast iron flat bars of a carding machine. A retracting wedge is mounted on a spindle nut which is threadingly mounted on a threaded spindle and movable longitudinally thereof. The apparatus is provided further with supports and clamping devices for a flat bar, which supports and clamping device are arranged such that the flat bar mounted thereon extends parallel to mentioned spindle. Upon rotating the spindle the retracting wedge moves longitudinally along the flat bar whereby its knife edges separate the worn flat from the flat bar. The retracting wedge is operable in both longitudinal directions of the threaded spindle.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in removing and replacing a grinding wheel of a portable industrial grinder of the type having an output shaft, a grinding wheel support sleeve on the shaft, a non-circular collar formed on the sleeve, and laterally extending handles. The apparatus includes an upstanding housing having a top wall with a slot formed therein. The slot is open at one end and is dimensioned to receive and engage the non-circular collar of the shaft support sleeve of the portable grinder with the grinding wheel being supported on the top wall. The housing is equipped with an opening in at least one side thereof to permit the portable grinder to be positioned in the housing below the slotted top wall. A grinding wheel clamp adapted to engage the grinding wheel when it is supported on the top wall of the housing is provided.

Abstract: A seaming machine for securing a batten to a roof rib includes a housing (24) having two longitudinal sections (25, 29) which are pivotably secured together about a vertical axis. A cam locking arrangement is provided at the rear of the housings to lock the housing sections (25, 29) together when the machine is positioned on a roof rib. The cam locking arrangement includes a pair of vertically spaced cams (102, 104) which engage a pin (50) disposed in one of the housing sections (25). The seaming machine comprises three pairs of horizontally disposed rollers (52, 54, 56) which progressively bend a flange on a batten against a roof rib, with the rollers engaging the sides of the roof rib to drive the machine along the rib. Vertical pinch rollers (76) are provided between the second and third stage horizontal rollers (54, 56) to crimp the flange on the batten against the roof rib. In this way, a secure and waterproof connection of the batten to the roof rib is provided.

Abstract: An operator member erection system having a laterally remote center including an operator member having a longitudinal axis; support means for defining a remote center of compliance laterally spaced from a longitudinal axis of the operator member and including means for interconnecting the operator member with support means for enabling the operator member to move about a remote center to vary the orientation of the operator member longitudinal axis relative to the support means as the operator member moves between an extended and a retracted position; and an insertion system which utilizes the operator member erection system in combination with a remote center compliance device.

Abstract: Slide fastening elements mounted on longitudinal connecting and supporting means woven in the edge of a supporting tape with pluralities of loops of weft thread segments passing around the connecting and supporting means between the fastening elements, are removed by cutting the connecting and supporting means on opposite sides of each fastening element of a group of the fastening elements to be removed, and pivoting the group of fastening elements and severed ends of the connecting and supporting means about an axis extending parallel the tape and spaced from the tape and the connecting and supporting means to pull the group of fastening elements and severed ends of the connecting means from the weft thread loops.

Abstract: Protruding head portions of coupling elements are removed from a selected section of a slide stringer, and a reinforcing tape is applied to the selected section by means including a movable holder for clamping the stringer on opposite sides of the selected section. The holder is restricted to movement along track means for guiding and aligning the holder with two or more stations, such as a gapping station, a reinforcing tape applying station and a trimming station.

Abstract: In a front-serviceable appliance having a base frame supporting internal components, the base frame having a front member and side members and a rear panel attached thereto, a removable cabinet has a front bottom flange overlapping and extending beneath the front base frame member, and receptacles for receiving upwardly extending tabs from the side members to position the cabinet with respect to the base. The cabinet is held in position on the base by a pair of spring clips engaging the rear panel and each having a portion abutting a top of the cabinet and curved portions extending into the cabinet through aligned slots in the top thereof to maintain a spring tension. The cabinet is thus retained without the use of screws and its removal does not impair the functional operation of the internal components.

Abstract: An orthodontic screw-type biassing device comprises: a first member having an internally threaded bore, the threaded bore comprising first and second threaded portions adjacent each other in the axial direction of the bore, the first and second threaded portions having thread roots which lie substantially on a common line, the first threaded portion having threads of given depth and the second threaded portion having threads of a lesser depth. A threaded inner screw-type member is threadably engaged in the internally threaded bore of the member, the threads at an end portion of the inner screw member being deformed so as to freely, threadably pass through the second threaded portion of the threaded bore and to bind and be non-rotatable in the first threaded portion of said threaded bore. The invention is also directed to a method of making such a biassing device.

Abstract: A building structural unit and its method of construction is disclosed. Additionally provided is a method for the building of structural arrays with a plurality of the structural units. The structural unit of the present invention provides an inner structural core portion having provided attached to the outer surface thereof load-distributing surfaces. Suitable attachment means can be provided in order to facilitate connection of a plurality of the individual units together forming a structural array such as a wall, slab, ceiling, column, or the like. The structural units can be fastened together by means of tension members such as for example threaded rods, with each individual unit being provided with bores therethrough through which the tension members or rods can pass. Bolted or like connections at the tension member ends bear upon the provided load distributing surface to complete the desired mating of the individual units.

Abstract: A method for making a MOSFET device (20) in a semiconductor body (10) includes the step of forming source and drain contact electrodes (12.1, 12.2) prior to growth of the gate oxide (10.3) and after formation of a high conductivity surface region (10.5). The exposed mutually opposing sidewall edges of each of the contact electrodes (12.1, 12.2) are coated with a sidewall silicon dioxide layer (15.1, 15.2), and the then exposed surface of the semiconductor body (10) between these sidewalls is etched to depth beneath the high conductivity surface region (10.5) in order to separate it into the source and drain regions (10.1, 10.2).Formation of the high conductivity region may be omitted by using Schottky barrier or impurity doped material for the contact electrodes (12.1, 12.2).

Abstract: A battery assembly apparatus comprises a device for delivering depolarization mix into a dry cell can. Another device inserts a carbon rod into the depolarizing mix in the dry cell can. A mix washer insertion device consolidates the depolarizing mix by pushing a mix washer against the depolarizing mix.

Abstract: A tool for removing integrated circuit packages from the sockets of a burn-in board includes a plurality of parallel elongated prongs spaced from one another by an amount corresponding to the distance between adjacent rows of sockets on the burn-in board. A cover including a protective layer, such as of foam material, is mounted for pivotal movement with respect to the prongs. To remove the integrated circuit packages from the burn-in board following a burn-in procedure, the prongs are inserted along the longitudinal spaces between adjacent rows of sockets and the free end of the cover is latched to the prongs. The prongs are then lifted upwards, thereby to remove the integrated circuit packages from the sockets.

Abstract: A razor blade assembly comprising a cap portion and a base portion, first arm means extending from the base portion and joining a guard portion extending generally parallel to the base portion, second arm means extending from the base portion toward the guard portion, and blade means disposed on the second arm means, the arm means being leaf spring-like structures permitting movement of the guard portion and the blade means relative to the base portion and cap portion during a shaving operation.

Abstract: Apparatus for moving under the tabs of a shingle and stripping the tabs evenly and cleanly from the underbody of the shingle along the line of joinder between the tabs and the underbody to provide a suitable subsurface over which a new roof can be laid. The apparatus involves a rectangular shaped blade that has an inclined ripping bar located upon its top surface along one side edge thereof. A tab guide is also positioned upon the top surface of the blade adjacent to its other side edge and includes a raised finger which is adapted to engage tabs passing over the blade and guide them through the apparatus. A hold down member is also mounted outboard of the blade adjacent to the ripping bar that is arranged to ride over the underbody section of the shingle to allow the stripping tool to separate the tabs without lifting the underbody of the shingle from the support sheeting to which it is nailed.

Abstract: An improved handpiece for a meat-cutting tool of the type having a cutting blade rotatably mounted on a blade holder which is mounted on one end of the handpiece. A flexible drive cable enters the opposite end of the handpiece and is drivingly engaged with the blade by a pinion gear. The handpiece has a hollow handle formed of lightweight plastic which is removably mounted on the blade holder attachment portion of the handpiece by an externally threaded coupler. An O-ring is mounted within the bore of the coupler and is in sealing engagement with a tubular-shaped sleeve or ferrule mounted on the end of the drive cable casing. The O-ring prevents contaminants from flowing through the handpiece and along the casing and onto the meat product being cut by the blade.

Abstract: A surgical knife assembly in which the handle portion tapers down and is truncated obliquely at a selected angle to form a blade guard surface. The blade of this knife has a dull edge and a sharpened edge which meet in a point with an acute included angle. This blade is affixed to the blade guard surface so that the dull edge of the blade intersects the straight edge of the blade guard surface with the side portions of the blade being perpendicular to that same straight edge. In addition, when the blade is affixed to the blade guard surface, the dull edge of the blade is mounted so that it is substantially parallel to the major axis of the handle. To insert the blade in the surface where the incision is to be made, the knife is designed so that the user will hold the surgical knife so that the guard surface is substantially parallel to the surface to be cut.

Abstract: A portable motor chain saw with a safety braking device to protect against kick-back, recoil or centrifugal movements of the saw. The saw includes a handle supported against the motor housing by damping elements, and also includes a locking device which on the one hand is connected with the handle, and on the other hand engages against a hand guard in such a way that it is released under the influence of relative movement, of the motor housing with respect to the handle, caused by a kick-back or centrifugal movement, consequently releasing the hand guard. The locking device has an abutment surface extending transverse to the direction of centrifugal movement, and this abutment surface cooperates with a projection directed against it.

Abstract: Master garment patterns are copied while altering the size through the use of a grading device and method of using the same. The grading device has an elongated major axis with parallel spaced indicia therealong, and a pair of minor axes each perpendicular to the major axis with parallel spaced indicia along both. By securing the grading device relative to a copy material, the master pattern is duplicated at an increased or decreased size by moving the pattern along a defined path relative to the device. Movement of the master pattern occurs while maintaining a preselected two dimensional orientation of the pattern respectively parallel to the two dimensional indicia on the device.

Abstract: An apparatus for making drawings including a platen, an X-Y forcer slidably connected to the platen and a high speed holder adjustably connected to the forcer. The holder includes a plurality of separately actuatable mechanisms with each mechanism being connected to a tool for movement of the tool into or out of contact with a working surface. Means are included to precisely control each of the mechanisms in controlling the degree of contact which the tools make with the working surface. Also, means are included to precisely position each tool with respect to the mechanism which moves the tool into contact with the working surface.An apparatus for performing a working operation on a surface which apparatus includes a platen, an X-Y forcer slidably mounted thereon and a tool carried by the forcer for contact with the surface. Additionally, the apparatus includes means to vary the force applied by the tool against the working surface in response to the speed of movement of the tool with respect to the surface.

Abstract: A horizontal locator for a rail alignment device engages the sides of the rail head only at points vertically remote from the running surface of the rail whereby deformation of the rail head adjacent the running surface does not adversely affect the accuracy of the locator. A reference surface on the horizontal locator is adapted to engage the running surface of the rail to properly dispose the side-contact members with respect to the rail head.

Abstract: A gaging system and method involves sensing longitudinal, lateral and rotatable displacements of a gaging tip or probe, for processing, as via a computer, and readout. One or more base positions of the tip may be selectively established; and corrections for misalignment of the gage relative to the work may be made as via the computer. Means is provided to obtain diameter or radius measurements associated with an annular body surface, at various locations on that surface, and said measurements may be averaged, as via the computer. Also, the measurement signals may be transmitted only after predetermined pressure application to a gaging tip.

Abstract: A magnifier for facilitating visual perception of scale markings on a scale, such as an engineer's scale, includes a magnifying element and a mounting attachment for supporting the magnifying element above the scale. The mounting attachment also includes a pivot connection for permitting selective tilting of the magnifying element about a pivot axis extending generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the scale. The mounting attachment further permits manual shifting of the magnifier in directions generally paralleling the longitudinal axis of the scale.

Abstract: A process and an apparatus for recovering heat from a finely to coarsely divided hot material, such as carbide crushed on solidification, which contains particles and lumps of varying sizes. The hot material is separated by a classifier into a portion of lumps and a portion of particles, and the lump portion is cooled in a cooling bunker with a stream of cooling gas while the particulate portion is cooled in another cooling unit with a stream of cooling gas. The hot cooling gas resulting from the cooling is fed to a heat exchanger in which the gas is subjected to heat exchange with a working fluid for a turbine coupled to a power generator or the like. The heat exchanger is connected to the cooling bunker and unit by a closed circulating channel.

Abstract: The hot, saturated air is moved from a drying oven chamber through a substantially closed circuit first in a heat extraction path through a series of cooling stages to condense the solvent from the air, and then in a heat collection path in a cross-flow heat exchange relationship through some of the cooling stages to recover some of the heat, and the dried air is moved back into the drying oven. The heat extraction path extends generally in a downward sloped direction toward a solvent storage tank, and the solvent is condensed as it reaches the lower end of the path.

Abstract: An improved grain drying apparatus of the type having a bin with a perforated floor through which hot air is blown upward for grain drying purposes, and a rotary sweep assembly employing a wet grain distributing auger on its lag side and a dried grain retrieving auger on its lead side. One improvement includes an inclined elongate plate forming an overflow dam which extends along the floor on the lead side of the retrieving auger and which is connected to the sweep assembly for rotation therewith so as to build up the thickness of dried grain on the floor ahead of the retrieving auger to increase the resistance of the dried grain to the upward flow of hot air on the lead side such that a greater proportion of hot air will flow upwardly through the floor on the lag side through the wet grain being deposited thereon.

Abstract: A flexible child's slipper (10) has a night light (12) associated therewith which may be selectively actuated by each step of the child as the slipper (10) flexes with each step. The night light (12) includes a hollow transmissive three dimensional character rendition which contains an illumination apparatus (26) inside. The illumination apparatus (26) comprises a transparent waterproof housing (28) which is formed of plastic except for a rubber seal (30) forming part of the surrounding wall. The housing (28) contains a light source (32), a battery (34) and a switch (40). A resilient pusher member (50) having a protrusion (56) is mounted on the front portion (20) of the slipper (10) and is disposed adjacent the switch (40) to act on the switch (40) and close it through the seal (30) during each step to illuminate the light source (32).

Abstract: A moldboard support assembly including a drive frame assembly having one end connectable to the front end of a vehicle. A blade and moldboard support frame is pivotally connected to the other end of the drive frame for pivotal movement about a vertical axis. The blade and moldboard support frame includes a gear segment driven by a worm gear mounted on the drive frame assembly to effect the pivotal movement of the blade and moldboard, and wear pads are mounted on the drive frame assembly and engage surfaces on the moldboard support frame, to thereby maintain the drive frame assembly and moldboard support frame in alignment to insure proper intermeshing of the worm gear and gear segment.

Abstract: A device for wiping or removing stones, or the like, especially intended for a ditch digging machine, having at least one digging blade which is mounted on a horizontally disposed, rotatable shaft, includes a wiper endpiece mounted on the shaft, which is disposed parallel to and a short distance apart from the digging blade. This endpiece is mounted in a slip clutch-like manner on the shaft and is maintained in its normal position by engagement with a spring-loaded rocker arm.

Abstract: An excavator tooth assembly with an adapter and retaining means comprising an elastomer insert with a longitudinal hole therethrough in which a retaining pin is located to resiliently bias the tooth against an adapter, the assembly being simple and inexpensive.

Abstract: A label for undersized containers is disclosed, the label having a portion to contact the circumference of the container and portions to overlap and engage themselves. The overlap portion may be releasably attached to that portion of the label which has previously been attached to the container. A label of this nature is used for undersized containers or containers which may be economically reduced now that the information previously displayed on the container may be placed on the label of the present invention.

Abstract: In conjunction with a vending machine, a device for attracting attention of the public and entertaining the user of the machine, said device having mechanism for performing eye-catching animated multiple motions for a predetermined period of time upon actuating the selling cycle of the vending machine. The device may also include coupled sound and light generating mechanisms.

Abstract: A firearm system including a shell having an electrically conductive contact disposed axially of a shell insulator having a rearwardly facing curved surface, the shell insulator being disposed centrally of a metal jacket portion of the shell, the first end of the shell contact being exposed at the rearwardly facing surface of the shell insulator and a second end of the shell contact extending inwardly of the shell and in contact with a reservoir of powder; and a firearm comprising a housing having a chamber for receiving the shell, an electrical circuit mounted in the housing and including a contact mounted in a chamber insulator having a forwardly facing surface complementary to the shell insulator, the chamber insulator being disposed in the chamber and adapted for engagement with the shell insulator, to place the shell contact in engagement with the chamber contact, a power source disposed in the circuit, and a trigger mounted on the housing and movable by an operator to close the circuit whereby to place

Abstract: A fisherman's casting net holder consisting of a plate, an arcuate horn attached to the front of the plate, and a device for adjustably carrying the plate on the chest portion of the caster's body. To prepare for a cast, the holder is strapped onto the caster so that the plate is held against the caster's body and so that the horn points away from the caster's body. Then the caster coils the net's hand line in one hand, places a portion of the net's weight line over the horn, holds a portion of the net in his or her other hand, and then casts in the customary manner, except that the caster need not use his or her mouth to hold a portion of the net's weight line during casting, such portion being held by the horn until such time as release is appropriate whereupon release is effected automatically, without any effort on the part of the caster.

Abstract: A mechanically operated trap includes a tubular housing with a movable trap door at either end for trapping an insect therein. One end of the housing is shaped for use in corners, and the other end is flat for use against walls, floors, ceilings, etc. The trap doors are actuated, or actuation is initiated, by various user operated means and are maintained in the closed or open positions by various friction, spring, etc., arrangements. Extension handle means may be included to allow reaching normally-inaccessible insects. The trapped insect may be removed to the outdoors, or otherwise disposed of.

Abstract: A self-propelled toy motor vehicle includes a wheel for supporting the vehicle body to roll over a playing surface. The wheel includes a plurality of air vanes thereon for causing the wheel to rotate in response to a stream of air applied through a mouthpiece by a person blowing into the mouthpiece. The wheel is relatively heavy and acts as a flywheel to store kinetic energy so that when the vehicle is placed on a playing surface after the wheel is spinning in rotation, the vehicle is self-propelled until the rotative energy of the flywheel is expended. The flywheel and vanes spin inside a wheel housing and this develops a whistling sound resembling a jet-powered vehicle.

Abstract: A toy aircraft having a fuselage split into two halves which carry wings and are hinged together for movement from a launching position where a hook on one half projects for launching purposes, to a flight position where the hook blends into the other parts of the aircraft.

Abstract: A toy game comprises a simulated alligator body having a pair of jaws mounted thereon for movement between relatively closed and opened positions. At least one of the alligator's legs is pivotally mounted on the body for movement between an extended position wherein the leg engages the support surface for the toy and a second, retracted position. A latch arrangement is provided in the body operatively engaged with the leg for releasably latching the upper jaw in its opened position upon movement of the leg from its retracted to its extended position. A plurality of game objects are placed in the lower jaw to cause it to move away from the upper jaw toward its open position. The lower jaw is operatively engaged with the latch to release it upon movement of the lower jaw past a predetermined position so that the jaws return together to their closed position and the leg moves to its retracted position whereby the toy simulates a snapping action in the animal.

Abstract: A realistic, durable, and easy to mount artificial eye comprises an opaque, bulbous base and a convex, rigid, substantially transparent lens secured to the base. Between the lens and the base is an image of an eye, the image being visible through the lens. Preferably the lens is secured to the base by a film of substantially transparent polymeric material.

Abstract: The present invention relates to systems, processes and apparatus for harvesting microorganisms, especially free swimming unicellular algae, such as algal cells of the Dunaliella variety.In accordance with one aspect of the invention, a material mass made up of fibrous or inert inorganic material in interposed between the liquid containing reservoir in which the algal cells are disposed for multiplication by cell division and the cell harvest zone to provide a preferred travel path for the migration of the cells from the reservoir to the harvest zone. This mass not only enhances cell travel from the reservoir to the harvest zone, but also acts as a cell collision mass to enhance cell division, thereby to decrease the time lag of cell division build-up in the early stages of generating an algal cell culture in the reservoir.

Abstract: Algae yield in a body of aqueous nutrient solution is increased by means of a nutrient thin-film surface culture substrate cycling between an illumination area and a non-illuminated refractory area in a closed system while feeding on the nutrient solution and CO.sub.2. Illumination includes both light and/or electric ionic reduction.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for periodically supplying liquid to the root system of plants, utilizing pneumatic pressure to displace liquid in a chamber located beneath a plant support to a higher level accessible to the plant root system; and a means to release the pneumatic pressure in the chamber, allowing the liquid to re-enter the chamber, lowering the liquid to a level below the plant support. This system provides: cyclic feeding of liquid to plant roots; agitation and oxygenation of the liquid during use; re-use of chemically enriched liquid; flexibility in spacing plants during growth cycle, and provides for growing plants in individual containers for ease of handling and transport.