Abstract: Soft body armor has a ballistic panel having an interleaved construction of a generally vertically oriented plurality of layers of interleaved sheets or woven fiber cloth and sheets of cross plied unidirectional tape adjacently interleaved in an interleave ratio of plies of cross plied unidirectional tape to plies of woven fiber cloth within each layer of the plurality of layers, the plurality of layers forming a non-quilted array between a front face of the ballistic panel and a back face of the ballistic panel, wherein the interleave ratio of plies of cross plied unidirectional tape to plies of woven fiber cloth within each layer of the plurality of layers is between 1:1 and 4:4, and wherein the total number of the plies of cross plied unidirectional tape is equal to or greater than the total number of the plies of woven fiber cloth within the plurality of layers.

Abstract: Breechblock for barrel weapons, having a breechblock head which is guided in a breechblock guide and, by means of a control element which can be moved to and fro in a straight line and has control ramps, can be brought out of a loading position into a locking position, which is parallel to and axially displaced with respect to the loading position, inside a breechblock bearing, which breechblock head has supporting surfaces, which are associated in a form-locking manner with the control ramps of the control element, and at least one locking boss, which corresponds with a recess in the breechblock, for the purpose of locking in the locking position.

Abstract: A working cylinder (A) having at least one working chamber (6, 7) defined by the cylinder barrel (1), at least one of the end sections (2, 3) and a piston (4), at least one supply port (9a, 9b) and a exhaust port (12a, 12b) for the working medium. The exhaust port (12a, 12b) has a valve (13a, 13b) that may be regulated by the pressure of the working medium, which is applied at the supply port (9a, 9b) in order to obtain a smaller dimension of at least the valve and to better utilize the already existing space, specifically within the cylinder, and to better and more efficiently adjust the output capacity of the individual elements. A valve (V), particularly a switch valve (W) of a rocker valve design has therefore at least one inlet (16) and at least one outlet (17a, 17b) for the working medium, as wells as at least one control port (18).

Abstract: A pressure activated piston and cylinder unit for use with a die block is taught which provides installation and service portions at the rear face of the unit. Also provided is a pressure activated piston and cylinder unit for use with a die block, of simplified construction.

Abstract: An adjustable packing gland assembly mounted for adjustable engagement with packing in fluid pumping apparatus for sealing against fluid leakage about reciprocating plungers and like pumping elements also stabilizes the pumping element. A packing gland housing is formed in the pump and spaced packing gland shoulder bolts bottom out on that housing. A packing gland is disposed in the packing gland housing and is slidably mounted on the spaced packing gland shoulder bolts, each of the shoulder bolts having adjusting nuts and pipe sleeves disposed for precision adjustment of the packing gland. Bearing against the plunger on either side of the packing are guiding elements made of a low wear material which possesses lubricity as against the plunger. The upper guide may be integrally formed with the gland. An eccentric liner is made of a similar material as the guides, rendering it a low wear item in need of little or no lubrication.

Abstract: A gudgeon pin (14) is held in engagement with a bearing seat situated inside a piston (16) by retaining means in the form of a pincer element (30) with a base portion (32) fixed to the end wall (20) of the piston (16) and with two pairs of resilient jaws (38) arranged on either side of the small end (12) of the connecting rod (10) and shaped so as to grasp the gudgeon pin (14) and hold it in the scat by a snap-coupling.

Abstract: A piston assembly of a hydraulic radial piston-type machine, an essential characteristic thereof being the arrangement of a roller element in a piston head. The portion of contact surface of the roller element lying close to a crown of the piston is always arranged in the area between the piston crown and a step extending radially inwards and dividing the head of the piston from the guide portion.

Abstract: An automatic tea brewing system and method comprising a tea brewer with a water discharge hole at the its lower end, a mesh filter above the tea water discharge hole, and a teapot positioned to receive brewed tea discharged from the water discharge hole. The tea brewer and the water discharge hole are configured and sized to allow holding a certain amount of water flowing naturally through the water discharge hole in a predetermined amount of time, thereby automatically controlling the manner and rate of tea brewing. The mesh filter is of basket or disk shape, and is removable or non-removable. An optional lid or saucer may be added to the system as separate units, shaped and sized to fit with the tea brewer and teapot.

Abstract: A grill device includes a horizontal upper grill unit with a rear side, a horizontal lower grill unit with a rear side, and a connecting unit. The upper grill unit is superposed on the lower grill unit. The connecting unit interconnects the rear sides of the upper and lower grill units in such a manner that the upper grill unit can be turned rearward from the lower grill unit to a half-open position and to a horizontal fully-open position. When turned to the half-open position, the upper grill unit is retained automatically thereat unless it is pulled upwardly relative to the lower grill unit.

Abstract: A portable batch pasteurizer for pasteurization or other heat treatment of contained fluids for consumption by animals or humans provides a heat transfer coil through which hot or cold fluids are pumped to heat or cool the fluid in which it is immersed. An impeller circulates the fluid in which the fluid is contained to ensure even heating or cooling.

Abstract: An egg poker device is disclosed for piercing a hole in a shell of an egg to be boiled to facilitate removal of the shell. The device includes a first member having a base and a wall extending away from the base such that the base and the wall define therebetween a cavity. A disc shaped spring is disposed within the cavity and adjacent to the base, the spring having a central portion. The spring also defines a peripheral edge. The first end of a rod is secured to the central portion of the spring and a second end of the rod defines a point for piercing the hole in the shell of the egg. A second member slidably cooperates with the first member. The second member includes a support for supporting the egg, the support defining a hole for the slidable passage therethrough of the point of the rod. A skirt portion extends from the support such that the skirt portion slidably cooperates with the wall. The skirt portion defines a distal end which cooperates with the peripheral edge of the spring.

Abstract: A pad printing system for applying high quality multicolor images to curved objects is provided. The pad printing system includes a substantially flat release substrate having an ink receiving surface and a digital printer having a plurality of print heads. The print heads of the digital printer are arranged to discharge ink in a plurality of colors onto the ink receiving surface of the release media substrate. The print heads and release substrate are movable relative to each other such that the discharge of ink from the print heads prints a multicolor ink image on the ink receiving surface of the release substrate. The pad printing system further includes a deformable ink transfer pad which is movable into pressure contact with the release substrate for receiving a multicolor ink image therefrom and movable into pressure contact with a curved object to be printed for transferring a multicolor ink image from the transfer pad to the curved object.

Abstract: A printing system comprises a printer for conducting stencil making and printing, a finisher such as a sorter for receiving and holding printed sheets discharged from the printer and aligning the received printed sheets, and control means for starting stencil making in the printer without waiting for the finisher to finish aligning the printed sheets. The control means is preferably responsive to completion of printed sheet insertion in the finisher for substantially simultaneously starting the stencil making operation in the printer and the aligning operation in the finisher. The printing system enables a reduction in overall printing time.

Abstract: In order to provide a drum type printer having a mechanism for adjusting a transverse position of a printed image improved such that when a plurality of drawout type drum units are used in the drum type printer, the transverse position of the printed image once adjusted with respect to each drum unit is preserved in each drum unit, wherein the adjustment of the position of the frame means 86 supporting the printing drum 10 relative to the machine frame 24 along the central axis of the printing drum is adjusted by an axial shifting of the shaft member 116 relative to the frame means 86, a shaft member 116 being latched at its one end to the machine frame 24.

Abstract: A guide roll (22, 24) for a printing press (10) printing an image on a flat surface (16) of a web (12) of a lenticular lens material. The other side of the material has a series of lenticules (14) formed on it which extend parallel of each other longitudinally of the web and generally across the width of the web. The surface on which the lenticules are formed is drawn across the guide roll as the web of material is pulled through the press. The guide roll has a band (B) of circumferentially extending grooves (G) formed on an outer surface (26) of the roller. The grooves are formed so at least one lenticule fits in each groove. Thus, as the web is drawn through the press, and across the idler roller, the grooves prevent both lateral movement of the web with respect to the press, and distortion of the web. This helps maintain a printing alignment established between the printing press and the web of material prior to beginning a print run.

Abstract: This invention is an improved apparatus and method for distributing ink in a printing press. In preferred embodiments, ink on an anilox roll is uniformly distributed on the roll by the scraping action of doctor blades against the roll surface. The blades are held in continuous engagement against the anilox roll by an adjustment mechanism which exerts a constant force against the doctor blades. The preferred adjustment mechanism is a cam or cams under the control of an actuator. The actuator causes each cam to rotate against a moveable support on which the doctor blades are mounted urging the doctor blades against the anilox roll. The actuator provides a constant force to each cam thereby causing the blades to be constantly urged against the anilox roll surface even as the blades are worn away by operation of the printing press.

Abstract: A bridge mandrel construction is provided which is simple to manufacture, light weight, and easy to mount and dismount from underlying printing cylinders in flexographic and gravure printing systems. The bridge mandrel includes a generally hollow, cylindrically-shaped tube adapted to fit over a print cylinder. A channel extends substantially around the circumference of the inner surface of the tube, and a plurality of orifices extends generally radially outwardly from the channel to the outer surface of the tube. The channel and orifices permit pressurized air to be provided from the interior of the mandrel to its surface for the mounting of a print sleeve onto the mandrel. In one embodiment, the bridge mandrel includes a locking mechanism which is adapted to engage the print cylinder to prevent movement of the mandrel during printing operations.

Abstract: Disclosed is the stamp device 11 in which the average pore diameter of the porous base plate used for the stamp plate 1 and the processed stamp plate 10 is set in a range of 10 &mgr;m-40 &mgr;m, the hardness of the stamp surface 2 is set in a range of 20°-50°, the thickness of the porous base plate is set in a range of 1 mm-4 mm, and the annealing temperature of the porous base plate is set in a range of 40° C.-60° C., thereby various stamping characteristics are improved.

Abstract: A printing plate precursor for direct receipt of an image-wise applied ink receptive layer the precursor having a desorbable surfactant adsorbed on at least one surface in an amount effective to improve the resolution of the subsequently image-wise applied ink receptive layer. The printing plate precursor can be used to prepare a printing plate having improved resolution. The printing plate may be prepared by (a) applying a desorbable surfactant to at least one surface of a printing plate substrate, (b) removing non-adsorbed surfactant from the surface, (c) applying a fluid composition containing an ink receptive material onto at least a portion of the surface in the form of a desired image, thereby providing an ink receptive image layer; and (d) removing the desorbable surfactant from any area of the surface which does not form part of the desired image.

Abstract: A new platen for use with a printing machine, and preferably for allowing automatic unloading of a printed article from a support surface of the platen is disclosed. The disclosed platen includes a structure for attachment to the printing machine, a support surface, and a gripping area disposed about the support surface to allow an automatic unloader to grip and remove an article from the support surface. The support surface is preferably rectangular having gripping areas proximate to each corner of the surface. The gripping areas are preferably notches within the support surface itself, but may also be in the form of a ledge with notches disposed along a portion of an edge and attached to the support surface.

Abstract: The density or size of an ink roll, which is formed in an ink fountain of a rotary printing press, is determined either directly or indirectly at several spaced locations. The measured values are then evaluated. A signal is generated to an ink feed device, or a warning signal can be transmitted in accordance with the size or density of the ink roll and its deviation from reference values.

Abstract: A thin-film optical initiator having an inert, transparent substrate, a reactive thin film, which can be either an explosive or a pyrotechnic, and a reflective thin film. The resultant thin-film optical initiator system also comprises a fiber-optic cable connected to a low-energy laser source, an output charge, and an initiator housing. The reactive thin film, which may contain very thin embedded layers or be a co-deposit of a light-absorbing material such as carbon, absorbs the incident laser light, is volumetrically heated, and explodes against the output charge, imparting about 5 to 20 times more energy than in the incident laser pulse.

Abstract: A target-penetrating aerial bomb includes a penetrator of hard steel or similar material that contains an explosive charge. A rocket motor is formed as an annular chamber and surrounds the penetrator. The bomb includes a guidance and control unit that guides the bomb on a glide path after release from the delivery aircraft, and steers the bomb onto a dive line. Once the bomb is aligned on the dive line, the guidance and control unit fires the rocket booster to accelerate the bomb to the target. A fuse ignites the explosive after target penetration.

Abstract: A shell for combating air targets is provided. The shell comprises a proximity fuse with up to four seeking directions together with an explosive charge arranged in the shell. One or more fragment-forming casings are arranged in the shell. The fragment-forming casings are designed to have main directions of action aligned with the seeking directions of the proximity fuse. Therefore, on detonation of the explosive charge, the shell has ball sheaves aligned with the seeking directions.

Abstract: The toy vehicle track board has a lateral extent which can be square, oval or circular, with a lateral extent or diameter of 15″ to 60″, one preferred diameter being 30″, a thickness of ⅛″ to ¾″, one preferred thickness being {fraction (5/16)}″ and at least one track in the board extending at least partially around the board and having a depth between ⅙″ and ½″, one preferred depth being {fraction (3/16)}″.

Abstract: An elevated toy train track is formed from multiple platform sections (12, 14, 16, 18) and a stabilizing ring (48) that are attachable together to form a ring-like structure (10). Each platform section has at least two lateral sides (34, 36), where one lateral side (34) has ridges (42) and the other lateral side (36) has slots (46). During assembly, the ridges (42) on one platform section are placed in snug engagement with complementary slots (46) of an adjacent platform section, until all platform sections are joined together. The stabilizing ring (48) is attached, using threaded fasteners (60), to the joined platform sections (12, 14, 16, 18) to form the ring-like structure (10). A train track (20) is attached to the ring-like structure, or can be integrally molded to the platform sections. The structure is attachable to the central pole (64, 66) of a Christmas tree, thus providing an elevated toy train track.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for clearing a railroad track of contaminants, such as snow, including a control system for providing control signals to a compressed air system mounted on a locomotive based on a plurality of predetermined conditions. A learning system evaluates the effects of railroad track clearing and provides input for activating the railroad track clearing system.

Abstract: A rail vehicle with at least one driving unit and at least one adjacent wagon body that is capable of tilting during operation, where the tilting is provided by an assembly mounted on a travelling gear. The driving unit and the adjacent wagon body have their facing ends supported on a common travelling gear having at least two sets of wheels.

Abstract: A wear plate for a side-frame column surface of a railcar truck assembly side frame has corner relief at the corners of the surface in proximity to the bolster and the friction shoe in the friction-shoe pocket, which friction shoe is still operable to damp the harmonic oscillations of the railcar by contact with the surface of the wear plate, but the bolster lands in proximity to the wear plate are protected from harm and wear through indiscriminate contact with a sharp corner of the wear plate.

Abstract: A side-by-side robot workcell includes two tables each of which is movable from a work position to a load position. Linkages are connected to the tables and cause the tables to have a slow speed at the time the tables approach either the load or the work position, and a faster speed in the middle of the movement between the work and load positions.

Abstract: A barrel carrying device for preventing a barrel from rolling around and damaging a vehicle. The barrel carrying device includes a rectangular frame having a pair of longitudinal members and a pair of cross members interconnecting the longitudinal members, and further includes four hook members disposed at the corners of the frame and fastening the cross members to the longitudinal members, and also includes a thin rubber material which is securely attached to the bottom side of one of the cross members to prevent the frame from sliding on a surface such as that found in a vehicle, and further includes a continuous elastic member which loops through the hook members and extends about a barrel placed on the frame to prevent the barrel from rolling about and damaging a vehicle.

Abstract: A compression device for feeding a waste material to a reactor includes a waste material feed assembly having a hopper, a supply tube and a compression tube. Each of the supply and compression tubes includes feed-inlet and feed-outlet ends. A feed-discharge valve assembly is located between the feed-outlet end of the compression tube and the reactor. A feed auger-screw extends axially in the supply tube between the feed-inlet and feed-outlet ends thereof. A compression auger-screw extends axially in the compression tube between the feed-inlet and feed-outlet ends thereof. The compression tube is sloped downwardly towards the reactor to drain fluid from the waste material to the reactor and is oriented at generally right angle to the supply tube such that the feed-outlet end of the supply tube is adjacent to the feed-inlet end of the compression tube.

Abstract: An iron compound catalyst for inhibiting the generation of dioxin of the present invention, comprise iron oxide particles, iron oxide hydroxide particles or mixed particles thereof having a catalytic activity capable of converting not less than 15 % of carbon monoxide into carbon dioxide when 2.8×10−4 mol of iron oxide particles obtained by heat-treating said iron compound catalyst in air at a temperature of 800° C. for 15 minutes, are instantaneously contacted with 6.1×107 mol of carbon monoxide at a temperature of 250° C. at a space velocity (SV) of 42,400 h−1 in an inert gas atmosphere using a pulse catalytic reactor, the iron oxide particles or said iron oxide hydroxide particles having an average particle size of 0.01 to 2.0 &mgr;m, a BET specific surface area of 0.2 to 200 m2/g, a phosphorus content of not more than 0.02 % by weight, a sulfur content of not more than 0.6 % by weight and a sodium content of not more than 0.5 % by weight.

Abstract: A headgear frame comprises: a cylindrical receiving frame adapted to be fitted in a headgear; and a holding band adapted to be wound on the outer side of the headgear for clamping the headgear between itself and the receiving frame. At least one of one end and the other end of the holding band is hinged or hooked at a position apart from the receiving frame to the outer circumference. Push members projected toward the receiving frame are provided in at least one of the vicinities of the one end and the other end, as apart from the receiving frame, of the band edge of the holding band. Corresponding portions of the headgear when clamped are pushed and tensed by the push members so that they may not float from the receiving frame.

Abstract: A device for cutting of one or more sewing threads in a sewing machine, which operates with one under thread (15) and at least one upper thread (17), including a thread fetcher (18) which is displaceable to catch and bring with at least one of the threads to a cutting position, and a knife (26), which cooperates with the thread fetcher (18) to cut the thread or the threads. The thread fetcher is movable between the cutting position and at least one thread catching position to selectively catch the upper and/or the under thread. The device cooperates with the knot forming mechanism of the sewing device, whose gripper (12) brings the upper thread (17) in catching position. The device also enables the pulling down of the free end of the upper thread under the fabric before the sewing starts.

Abstract: A small watercraft includes expanded storage capacity so as to accommodate more of the type of articles that rider's typically what to carry on the watercraft. Such articles include, for example, towels, water skis, tow ropes, etc. One of the storage compartments on the watercraft may be formed by an opening on an upper deck section. A container is affixed to the deck below the opening and has an upper end defined by a flange that extends from walls of the container. The flange is attached to an interior wall of the upper deck section so that the container and the corresponding upper deck section form a storage compartment. The upper end opening of the container, however, has a larger area than the opening in the deck so as to maximize the storage space within the compartment without weakening the deck, and at the same time to minimize the area through which water can enter the hull.

Abstract: An adjustable steering column for use with a personal watercraft. The adjustable steering column comprises a steering column base fixed to the watercraft, an upper steering column connected to the steering column base, the upper steering column being movable between a first position and second position, and an adjustment mechanism for moving the upper steering column between the first and second positions. Preferably, the adjustment mechanism includes a screw with a knob on one end and a ball joint on the other end. The adjustment screw is manually operable to pivot the upper steering column with respect to the steering column base.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling foulant organisms on the hull of a resting ship that employs an enclosure material to enclose the ship's hull. Separation devices are attached in a grid pattern to the interior surface of the enclosure material to maintain a uniform distance between the material and the ship's hull. A thin, semi-absorbent, slightly tacky liner material is fit over the separation devices to catch foulant that falls from the hull of the ship. Cavitation produced by pulsating, ultrasonic sound waves emitted by transducers mounted beneath the waterline on the interior of the ship removes the foulant. Alternatively, the transducers are placed in watertight housings and mounted on the separation devices. In another embodiment of the invention, the enclosure material remains in place until the ship is ready to leave port. In yet another embodiment of the invention, the enclosure material is deployed and removed using winches and attached cargo ropes.

Abstract: A skidplate projecting into a body of water from a marine craft hull has a symmetric wedge formation extending from the leading edge to differently profiled surfaces on opposite sides of the skidplate producing lift and side force during travel. No side force is however produced during straight line travel by virtue of ventilated cavity enclosure of the profiled surfaces on both sides between cavity establishing streamlines extending through the water from the symmetric wedge formation.

Abstract: Arcuate-winged submersible vehicles having improved hydrodynamic stability and maneuverability for use in, for example, underwater payload delivery and data acquisition. In one embodiment, a submersible vehicle includes a body having a pair of outwardly projecting at least partially arcuate wings, an adjustably positionable wing steering flap hingeably attached to each wing, at least one wing flap actuator coupled to the hull and to the wing steering flaps to controllably adjust the position of the wing steering flaps, an adjustably positionable hingeable tail steering flap attached to the hull, and at least one tail flap actuator coupled to the hull and to the tail steering flap to controllably adjust the position of the tail steering flap. The arcuate wings provide improved stability and maneuverability characteristics of the vehicle. In alternate embodiments, a vehicle may include arcuate wings having a swept leading edge or a swept trailing edge, or both.

Abstract: A thermal reflow system and method employing microwave energy to reduce the time required to achieve thermal reflow of a metal thin-film layer disposed on a semiconductor substrate at reduced temperatures while maintaining good gap-filling properties. The system includes a process chamber designed as a high-Q resonant cavity for microwave energy. The substrate is supported within the chamber on an electrically non-conductive susceptor which allows movement therein to redefine the boundary conditions of the electromagnetic fields associated with the microwave energy. To prevent plasma formation or arcing in the chamber, the chamber is evacuated. This also reduces thermal transfer between the metal thin-film layer and the substrate via convection. Rapidly cooling is achieved, subsequent to the reflow of the metal thin-film layer, by pressurizing the chamber.

Abstract: Plasma assisted polymerization and deposition of a very thin inner surface coating in a plastic or metal container without an undesirable increase in container surface temperature is provided to change the surface properties of the internal plastic surface of a container by reaction of the surface with a reactive gas which has been energized to produce a plasma or the surface is activated by a plasma of reactive gas so that it becomes receptive to a further surface reaction.

Abstract: In a fully automated milking system, a disinfecting device that disinfects those parts of the milking equipment and of a cleaning device which contact the teats and also usually the udder of an animal to be milked. The disinfecting device comprises an ultraviolet light source wherein the wavelength of the ultraviolet rays are between 100 and 280 nanometers. The light source may be movable within a teat cup or directly connected to the teat cup so that the radiation penetrated the teat cup's liner which is translucent and destroys harmful bacteria on the teat cup parts that contact the teat of an animal being milked as well as contacting portions of the animal's udder.

Abstract: A solar powered squirrel proof bird feeder delivers a mild shock to a squirrel without delivering a shock to a bird using the feeder. Two copper tubes extending adjacent a feed tray provide a perch for birds. However, a squirrel would normally come into contact with both of the spaced apart tubes, and since a potential difference is established between the two copper tubes, a squirrel will be shocked. A solar panel and a battery are employed to charge a capacitor which establishes the voltage difference. A roof of the bird feeder is also charged relative to one of the tubes. Even if a bird were to come into contact with electrically conductive surfaces at different potential, the relatively low moisture content of a bird will prevent a circuit from being completed, thus preventing the birds from being shocked.

Abstract: A combined container and drinking vessel comprises (i) a closable container (10) adapted, in use, to contain a liquid and having two opposed major surfaces (11, 12), one of said major surfaces (11) being substantially planar and the opposed surface (12) containing a dished portion (13), the container moreover having at least one resiliently deformable portion (21); (ii) communication means extending between the interior of the container (10) and the dished portion (13) and adapted, in use, to permit a flow of liquid from the container (10) and into the dished portion (13). In use, the container (10) is at least partly filled with a liquid and deformation of the resiliently deformable portion (21) forces said liquid, via the communication means (ii) into the dished portion (13).

Abstract: A litter composition including paper, sawdust, and zeolite molecular sieve is described. The composition is formed into pellets or discs having a size, soil-like consistency, and texture which is believed to be attractive to dogs. In addition, the litter has a high degree of absorption and odor control. The litter composition may further include sphagnum moss to provide additional absorbency.

Abstract: A fish habitat package built up of old tire casings baled together to form a series of chambers into which fish can enter to provide habitat for those fish.

Abstract: An aquarium comprises a container, a dividing plate and a filtration system. The container includes a main cavity for containing water and live underwater creatures, and a bottom cavity below the main cavity. The dividing plate separates the main cavity from the bottom cavity and provides a barrier against fluid communication between the main cavity and the bottom cavity along all but a small fraction of the length and depth of the container. The filtration system communicates by fluid with the bottom cavity for intake of polluted water and with the main cavity for outgo of purified water after the polluted water has been purified by the filtration system.

Abstract: A holder (4) for retaining an aerator conduit (5) for placement on the bottom (6) of an aquarium tank (1). The holder has a trough with at least one side wall (11a,b) and a retaining means, such as channel (12), in the trough. The holder may be supported in an upright position on the bottom of the aquarium tank by sand and gravel pressing against the outside surface of its side walls. Side walls further keep sand and gravel from covering the aerator conduit. A stabilizer base (14) may be provided on the bottom of the holder. The aerator holder provides for more evenly distributed air bubbles (2) in the aquarium and thus better oxygenation of the water for the fish contained therein. Preferably the holder is made of clear plastic so that it is virtually invisible to an observer, thereby providing an overall more aesthetic appearance for the aquarium.

Abstract: A method and system for ozone injection into a confined area is described. Ozone is homogeneously transferred throughout the air in the building at levels considered safe by OSHA. Ozone thus affects a reduction in odor, dust, flies, and relative humidity, thereby inhibiting primary disease-causing vectors. At steady state, a system and method of two-tier ozonation can generically be described as hyper-ozonation of air recirculated from a confined area into a plenum or chamber void of animals or humans. The hyper-ozonated air is then pumped back to the confined area wherein the ozone concentration is maintained at 0.1 PPM or less.