Abstract: A novel tackle box is disclosed which employs hook attaching means comprising a vertical slot adapted to receive the hooks of artificial fishing bait. The hook attaching means are secured to the top inside of the tackle box or to one or more horizontal shelves in said box so that any bait stored is suspended during storage. Suspension allows for drying of the tackle and prevention of rust. The tackle may be easily inserted and easily removed from the slots. The box provides an effective storage means and method especially for unwieldy and cumbersome baits.

Abstract: A flybox for keeping flies on pads therein. Magnets are arranged on the inner faces of the flybox where the pads are seated, giving the possibility of exchanging them easily and quickly. Thus the fisherman avoids having to buy and carry around numerous flyboxes, since with just one or two he is able to combine all variations and selections of dry and wet flies, keeping the rest of the pads which he will not use that day in his bag. Preferably four magnets are arranged on each inner flybox face and a like number distributed likewise on each exchangeable pad, with the poles of the magnets oriented for attraction. Alternatively, the pads may be metallic.

Abstract: There is described an improved one-way door for a humane animal trap of the type comprising a box-shaped enclosure having an opening at one end, and a hinged one-way door adapted to close said opening and also to swing freely upward into the enclosure to permit entry into the enclosure by an animal, then to fall back under the force of gravity to a closed position that traps the animal within the enclosure. The improved trap door has an upper portion comprising apertures sufficient to enable ample airflow into the trap and a weighted lower portion that speeds the drop of the door and that also lowers the center of gravity of the door, and that of the trap as a whole, and thereby functions to enhance the stability of the trap to reduce trap overturns and animal escapes. The apertures in the upper portion of the door provide the animal with an ample supply of air to reduce the stress it is subjected to prior to release.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a mousetrap comprising: an enclosure comprised of a top, a base and apertures located on each of the top and the base, wherein the enclosure is in an open position upon substantial alignment of the apertures; and a trigger mechanism comprising a lever arrangement and a biasing means operably connected to the top and the base, wherein the lever arrangement defines a gap through which a mouse is able to move through and as a result, raise the lever, wherein the enclosure, when in the open position, is able to admit the mouse into the enclosure and when in the closed position, the trapped mouse is substantially concealed within the enclosure, the mousetrap being set to trap the mouse by manual rotation of the top relative to the base to open the enclosure by substantial alignment of the apertures, the enclosure being held open against the force of the biasing means by engagement of the lever arrangement with a stop means, the mousetrap being activated to trap the mouse by the

Abstract: A device for trapping insects such as mosquitoes efficiently by gathering and concentrating them and conducting them into a suction inlet. The insect trapping device comprises: a carriage; a post standing on the carriage; a housing bulging forward over the post for sucking and trapping an insect; a suction inlet formed in the bottom face of the front of the housing; and an attractive element disposed below the suction inlet and on the carriage for attracting the insect. A gas cylinder is housed in the post and contains an attractive gas to be emitted from the attractive element. The attractive element is an upward protrusion with a black surface. An ultraviolet emitter is arranged near the suction inlet and emits a ray downward of the housing.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method of nucleophilic acyl substitution (NAS) of carboxylic acids or esters (hereinafter acids/esters) catalyzed by oxometallic complexes. According to the mentioned method, NAS reactions between acids/esters (R1COOH/R1—COO—R2) and protic nucleophile (R3-AH) can be catalyzed by oxxmetallic complexes, wherein A stands for O, S, or NH. The general formula of the mentioned oxometallic complexes is MOmL1yL2z, wherein M is selected from IVB, VB, VIB or actinide groups, m, y, z are integers, and m, y?1, z?0.

Abstract: A method for selecting conifer trees is disclosed. This method relates to the early measurement of tree characteristics for selecting trees most likely to exhibit certain traits as they mature. This method can be used for implementing silvicultural treatments, thinning or further breeding.

Abstract: A floating garden device for displaying and watering at least one living plant as the garden floats on a body of water. The device is composed of a buoyant body and at least one plant mounting recess attached to the buoyant body. The recess is comprised of a sidewall and a bottom. The bottom is positioned in a non-horizontal orientation, generally forming an angle between five degrees and forty-five degrees. The recess is located such that only a portion of the bottom is in fluid communication with the water, thus not submerging the entire bottom. The garden device may have at least one fluid passageway extending through the mounting recess bottom such that the water may fill the submerged portion of the mounting recess, or it may have a wicking device attached to the recess bottom such that the wicking device extends into the water.

Abstract: A cold water-splitting hydrogen generation system utilizes Raney Nickel's attribute of dissociating hydrogen from its chemical compound under room temperature (25° C ±) to eliminate heat requirement for the thermochemical water-splitting hydrogen generation process. The thermochemical water-splitting hydrogen generation process uses water as its raw material and iodine and sulfur dioxide as the catalysts. The entire process is promulgated in a single reactor system and thus can easily be adapted for the on-board usages such as automobiles and laptop computers, as well as for large utility power stations.

Abstract: A method of hydrogen recovery in refineries and petrochemical operations in which some or all of the feed streams for separate PSA units are combined and utilized as feed for a single PSA unit, and in which some or all of steam reformer product and refinery offgas streams being used as feed streams for separate PSA units are combined and utilized as feed for a single PSA unit. Total hydrogen recovery is increased by maximizing hydrogen recovery from refinery offgases. The load on the steam reformer is reduced by lowering the reformer feed stream. Refinery fuel gas consumption is reduced in the steam reformer furnace. The amount of a PSA feed stream being burned as fuel or sent to flare is reduced. The load on the PSA unit receiving feed from refinery offgases is reduced. The hydrocarbon content and heating value of the tail gas from the PSA unit fed by the steam reformer product stream is enriched.

Abstract: A security gate includes a portion that extends at a non-vertical angle. The gate can include a first vertical portion, and a second non-vertical portion extending at an angle with respect to the first vertical portion. In other examples, a gate can include a vertical frame, and a non-vertical portion coupled to the frame.

Abstract: The invention relates to a sliding door comprising a door leaf and a frame profile holding said door leaf. Intermediate pieces are inserted between the lateral frame profiles and the bottom frame profile, the top edges of the holders of the rollers being placed on said intermediate pieces. The height of the rollers can be adjusted by means of countersunk screws.

Abstract: A door scratch shield and an optional frame scratch shield are configured for protecting a door and optionally its frame against push, pull and handle scratching as forms of escape scratching performed by domestic animals. The shield elements have bends that protect lateral sides of door and frame against pull scratching predominantly along the door's opening edge. The shield elements are of a material and thickness defined in conjunction with identified strength, hardness and approximated tip radius of domestic animal claws.

Abstract: A motor vehicle door module including a module plate, a vertical rail secured to the module plate, and a glass carrier mounted for vertical sliding movement on the rail. The module plate includes a main body planar plate portion and a pair of vertically spaced annular pedestals upstanding from the main body planar plate portion. Each pedestal defines a smooth cylindrical bore and an annular concave conical seat formed at the free end of the pedestal in surrounding relation to the bore. The rail includes a pair of vertically spaced apertures with a concave conical seat in surrounding relation to each aperture sized to nest in the respective pedestal conical seat. The assembly further includes a pair of self-tapping screws each having a conical flat head sized to seat in a respective rail seat.

Abstract: Certain non-limiting embodiments of the present disclosure comprise a family of composite materials targeting specific applications through a materials design approach involving; 1) a hard particulate; 2) a carrier or binder phase; and 3) one or more additives for property enhancement and/or hardness adjustment. According to certain embodiments, the composite material may be one of flexible conformal sheet; a rigid machinable molded preform; and an extrudable putty. Methods of manufacture of the composite materials are also disclosed.

Abstract: A compression molding apparatus and method for the manufacture of abrasive layers for abrasive tooling which provides a compression mold space defined between an inflexible wall surface and a flexible wall surface. The apparatus and method of the present invention is particularly well suited to making annular or hollow cylindrical shaped abrasive layers of novel configurations during a single mold cycle useful for grinding wheel and the like, as well as other shapes such as laps, wherein the flexible wall expanded with fluid pressure provides a highly uniform distribution of pressure against the surface of the mold composition being formed. In an annular configuration, the flexible wall is used to radially direct pressure against a molding composition disposed in an annular configuration wherein the axial length of the annular mold shape formed may be many times greater than priorly obtained by the prior art means.

Abstract: A gutter cover with clip is provided that operates with a variety of gutter styles to capture roof runoff while preventing debris from entering the gutter. The gutter cover is an elongated panel of sufficient width to bridge a roof to the far side of the gutter. A radiused edge is provided to direct roof runoff into the gutter. The clip includes a mounting tab and an upward rising arm. A tooth on the arm positively engages an aperture in the radiused edge to facilitate extremely accurate, fast, and resilient installation of a gutter cover system.

Abstract: A convertible stadium includes a playing field, a seating area, a stationary roof structure and a large, heavy roof panel mounted for movement with respect to the stationary roof structure, A plurality of cable drums are mounted for movement together with the roof panel. Each cable drum has at least one cable wound thereabout. The cable is secured to the stationary roof structure and is payable from the respective cable drum. The system is designed so as to minimize movement between the cable and the roof panel, so there will be no possibility of frictional engagement therebetween.

Abstract: A movable roof member includes a transport mechanism that is constructed and arranged to permit the roof member to move in a predetermined path with respect to the underlying structure of the supporting edifice. The transport mechanism includes structure for supporting both ends of the roof member, which bridges an otherwise open area of the edifice. In order to permit some flexure and movement of the roof member with respect to the underlying edifice, as will inevitably occur as a result of natural forces such as winds, a lateral release system is provided for maintaining the transport mechanism in a predetermined orientation while simultaneously permitting a limited amount of movement of the roof member in a direction that is nonparallel to the predetermined path of movement. The lateral release system has been found to be most effective when it is provided at but one end of the roof member.

Abstract: In order to decorate a conservatory made from aluminium structural members and plastics covers and cappings, such covers and/or cappings (2) on eaves beams (1) or windowsills, for example, are arranged to receive decorative inserts (3).

Abstract: The invention relates to a system for fixing an object in the ground, comprising at least one fixing peg (10) and means for carrying out the above. The peg (10) comprises a tube (14) and at least two lugs (28) on the lower end of a central support rod (24). An axial tension acting on the rod (24) which runs axially in the tube (14) and is fixed in rotation therein, causes the lugs (28) to deploy through openings (30) in the tube (14), such as to cause the extension thereof in the direction of tension at an angle to the length of the tube (14). An operating mechanism (33) comprises a threaded pin (36) with a screw (40) pressing on the head of the tube. The lower end of said threaded pin (36) is coupled to the upper end of the central support (24) in order to transmit an axial tension thereto on turning the screw (40) in a first direction.

Abstract: A technical installation, especially a nuclear power plant, has a number of system components that are respectively supported by a number of beams, and a number of pressurized conduits. The technical installation is designed in such a way that secondary damage occurring in the surroundings of pressurized conduits are kept particularly low even if the pressurized conduits rupture. This is achieved in that at least one of the beams is embodied in a segmented manner in an area that is expected to be affected if a pressurized conduit ruptures, adjacent segments preferably being connected to each other via screw connections.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a dual panel apparatus in which a data driver is located between a first panel and a second panel. The dual panel apparatus includes a first panel, a second panel, and a driver. The first panel has first pixels. The second panel has second pixels. The driver is coupled to the first panel and the second panel, and drives selectively the first panel and the second panel. The dual panel apparatus of the present invention drives selectively a first panel and a second panel by using a data driver located between the panels, and thus the size of the dual panel is reduced.

Abstract: A stairway has a pair of stringers, mounted in inclined, spaced-apart, parallel relationship with at least one stair assembly, disposed in spanning relationship across the stringers. Each stringer has a top surface and a side surface. Each stair assembly has a pair of brackets and a tread with each end of the tread affixed to one of the brackets. Each bracket is mounted and affixed along a length of one of the stringers. Each of the brackets has a first and a second faces, which intersect in an angular manner. A flange is disposed perpendicularly from a side of the first face. When the bracket is mounted to the stringer, its first face and the flange are in abutting relationship with the respective top and side surface of the stringer.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to an apparatus for assisted walking on stairs or other sloped surfaces. The apparatus may also be used for assisted walking on slippery surfaces. The apparatus comprises a fixed support and a moveable support. The fixed support is fixed relative to the stairs or other walking surface, while the movable support is selectively moveable relative to the stairs and fixed support in a direction substantially parallel to an incline of the stairs. The movable support is selectively positionable relative to the fixed support in one of a plurality of closely spaced discrete locking positions in which the movable support can support a personal relative to the stairs.

Abstract: The invention provides a wall panel system including a supporting structure; and a plurality of plates (3), each plate having a first pair of edges (6) for engaging with the support structure and a second pair of edges (9), each plate being shaped such that the second pair of edges (9) conceal the engagement of corresponding adjacent plates with the support structure. In one preferred embodiment the supporting structure includes a mounting board (1) including a plurality of retaining elements (2) adapted for engagement with the first pair of edges (6) of each plate. Preferably each retaining element (2) includes a supporting lip (5), wherein the support edge (6) of a plate is engagable with a supporting lip (5) of a retaining element. The retaining elements may, for example, be arranged in a rectangular or square grid on the mounting board (1).

Abstract: A space division system (100) is disclosed, with the space division system (100) incorporating technology. The space division system (100) is disclosed as having a space divider (102) vertically suspended from a rail system (104). The rail system (104) includes a rail (106) with a pair of hanger clips (108) releasably secured to the rail (106) and capable of being moved along a continuum of the length of the rail (106). In one embodiment, the space divider (102) includes a main body (114) consisting of an opaque fabric. Associated with the main body (114) is lighting technology including a series of LED lights (116). Arrow lights (118) may be activated in an appropriate manner for emergency or other purposes. Color changing is also provided for purposes of wayfinding, signaling occupant activities or other external or internal circumstances.

Abstract: The present invention provides a supporting bolt, and a supporting system for a raised access floor with the same, having advantages of improved fluidity of an adhesive. The supporting bolt for a supporting system for a raised access floor includes a bolt body having a screw thread for combining with a nut on an exterior surface thereof, a central penetration hole in which an adhesive flows along a length direction of the bolt body, and an air hole communicating with the central penetration hole.

Abstract: A removable wall skirting system is disclosed. In a wall structure where an interior wall cladding (30) is carried by a frame and in which a gap (50) is provided between a bottom edge of the cladding and a bottom wall frame member (10) of the frame, the removable wall skirting system covers this gap (50) but allows easier detection of termite activity within the wall structure. Various means of removably attaching the wall skirting are disclosed including magnetic coupling (44,46), clips (47), and rail (70) and slot (72).

Abstract: A weep hole cover fits into an existing weep hole and expands for a friction fit in the weep hole. A vertical front plate includes a plurality of holes to permit seepage from the air gap behind a brick facade. A pair of vertical side plates extend back from the front plate, each at a right angle to the front plate. A pair of angled plates extend back from the side plates to contact the bricks on either side of the weep hole. The angled plates collapse for insertion of the cover into the weep hole, and then spring out again for friction contact with the bricks on either side of the weep hole.

Abstract: The masonry block wall system comprises masonry blocks fastened together with interconnecting threaded steel fasteners. Four fasteners on each block connect with a pair of identical blocks immediately above and a pair of identical blocks immediately below the block. The resulting masonry wall is structurally sound and allows large vertical chases or conduits for electrical, plumbing and the like. Unlike conventional masonry, the construction of the present masonry wall does not require specialized knowledge and skill of a mason and is relatively easy to build. As well, the masonry wall system is not dependent upon weather during construction and can be de-constructed without demolition.

Abstract: The present invention relates to reinforced structural timbers. Such timbers may include an elongated structural member comprised of one or more elongated non-metallic composite materials and one or more pieces of embedded metal assembled to form a composite structural element.

Abstract: A prefabricated attic hatch includes a frame comprising an outer frame and an inner frame. The inner frame encloses a central insulating panel which is fabricated from metal-skinned insulating foam. A preferred material for the panel is metal insulated door waste material. A method of fabricating attic hatches includes the use of metal insulated door waste material.

Abstract: An interior building system which includes a curved, acoustical, self-supporting composite panel which differentiates and accents the interior building space, and, at the same time, provides substantial sound absorbing capabilities. The composite panel is composed of two or more layers of non self-supporting soft fiber material and a discontinuous layer of adhesive interposed between each of the soft fiber layers. The system further includes mounting hardware for attaching the panel to the building structure. The mounting hardware has a perforated plate which is embedded in the panel which minimizes the visibility of the hardware, and, at the same time, provides enhanced load bearing capabilities.

Abstract: A network floor structure is specifically composed of main bodies made by a plurality of wood-plastic material, which is processed with an injection molding in a whole unit. The main body includes a base board and a plurality of cover boards, wherein a plurality of conduction conduits are formed by a plurality of supporting boards located at a top end of the base board, and the plurality of cover boards are covered on each conduction conduit respectively, so as to integrally collect all kinds of wiring materials into the conduction conduits. As the conduction conduits are intersected in a straight and slant line, a many years of problem that the wiring materials cannot be bended by 90 degrees can be solved. In addition, a power socket can be installed at a proper position on the baseboard by the characteristics that the wood-plastic material can be sawn, planed, nailed, and drilled.

Abstract: The present invention provides a material handling system and method for a product to be manually processed by an operator (O) at a work-station (10). The material handling system (100) includes: batch delivery means (20) for automatically delivering batches of the product to the work-station (10) on an “as required” or “on demand” basis for manual processing by the operator; and packing container delivery means (60) for automatically delivering individual packing containers (61) to the work-station on an “as required” or “on demand” basis for filling with the product after manual processing by the operator. Each batch of product is typically supplied in a batch container (21) and the system may further include batch container dispatch means (40) for automatically dispatching the batch containers (21) from the work-station (10) on an “as required” or “on demand” basis after the operator has finished manually processing the product it contained.

Abstract: An apparatus for depositing a filament tow in a stationary can. To this end, the filament tow is conveyed to the can by a conveyance means which includes a pair of driven reels. For deposition into the can, the filament tow is guided in such a way that the feed position of the filament tow in the can constantly changes. To allow the filament tow to be deposited with a high filling density, for deposition into the can the filament tow is guided by two separate oscillating motions of the conveyance means during conveying which are transverse to the conveyance direction. In this manner, undesired reactions on the filament tow are advantageously avoided during deposition.

Abstract: An outlet device for chocolates and the like (100) for a wrapping machine (50), provided at least with moving means (51) of each product (100), comprises: first belt means (2) to move the products (100) to be rolled and operated by actuating means (10), through first connecting means (5) connecting the belt means (2) to the actuating means (10), according to a first direction (A) of a rotary motion of said actuating means (10); rolling means (4) facing the first belt means (2) and intended to roll the products (100) moved by said first belt means (2); second belt means (3) to move the products (100) which do not require rolling and are operated by actuating means (10) through second connecting means (6) in the second direction (B) of rotation of said actuating means (10).

Abstract: An automatic device (1) is described for feeding a plastic film (4) for packaging machines (12) with miscellaneous products comprising means for feeding the plastic film (4); gripping and transporting means of the plastic film (4) comprising at least one dragging belt (5) adapted to get in contact with the plastic film (4) and to drag it in a packaging area (6) of the packaging machine (12); and command and control means adapted to unwind the plastic film (4) from the feeding means.

Abstract: A tie-off assembly for closing the neck of a bulk bag is provided and includes a motor located in a housing which drives a toothed drive wheel. A slot in the housing receives an end of a tie wrap which, upon insertion, is engaged by the toothed drive wheel to pull the tie wrap closed. At least one blade is mounted adjacent the slot, which is moveable from a first position, away from the slot, to a second, cutting position, adjacent the slot. In use, an end of a tie wrap located around the neck is inserted into the slot so that the tie wrap end is engaged by the toothed drive wheel, and operating the motor tightens the tie wrap about the neck of the bulk bag.

Abstract: A process to reduce oxygen in the head space of containers includes introducing an inert gas into the container head space. This may be accomplished during a capping process. Multiple conduits may be used to introduce the inert gas. The one or more conduits may be angularly offset from either or both of a plane defined by the opening of the containers and a direction of movement of the containers at the time the inert gas is introduced. In certain embodiments, the openings of the one or more inert gas conduits may be remote from spaces defined by projections of the container openings.

Abstract: A plastic bag opening apparatus is provided by which plastic bags stacked with pins being inserted into pin holes are smoothly opened and delivered one by one from the uppermost one of the plastic bags. The apparatus comprises a center holding member (13) pressing elongations (2) of bags (1) between two pin holes (3) and side holding members (14) pressing the elongations (2) on both outer sides of the pin holes (3). Pressing of the elongations (2) by the holding members (13), (14) is released by rotation of a rotating member (17), (37) around a rotating shaft (18), (38). When the elongations (2) are to be pressed, the rotating member (17), (37) is vertically positioned so that a pushing-up force acting on the elongations (2) is received by the rotating member (17), (37) in a dead point state in the vertical direction.

Abstract: A deformation binding apparatus for fabricating a package defining a content area therein such as a mailpiece. The deformation binding apparatus including axial and radial binding mechanisms for deformation binding sheet material along first and second bind lines, respectively. The axial and radial binding mechanisms are in-line such that the sheet material may be passed along a unidirectional path to form the mailpiece. Furthermore, the bind lines are orthogonal to enclose at least a portion of the mailpiece. The axial binding mechanism includes first and second rotating elements each having a substantially axial array of intermeshing teeth and a drive device for driving at least one of the rotating elements. The radial binding mechanism includes first and second rotating discs each having a plurality of teeth disposed about the circumference of each and a drive device for driving at least one of the rotating discs.

Abstract: A packaging filling apparatus, which can obtain the most suitable sealing quality by an automatic control without checking the condition of sealing by the operator on a regular basis, is provided. A transversal sealing apparatus 48 of the packaging filling apparatus includes a high-frequency oscillator 1, controller 2, and an inductor, which generates a magnetic field in said packaging material by receiving the output from the high-frequency oscillator, and is provided with a sealing quality control means 4, which transmits a control signal to the controller, based on a statistical relation between a plurality of effect factors affecting the quality of said transversal sealing 23 and the quality of said transversal sealing.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner includes a separator case, a motor-driven blower, and a separator. The separator has a separating chamber configured to separate, by using an inertial force, dust from air drawn into the separator case. A dust-collecting section collects the dust separated from air by the separator. A filter catches the dust that has passed through the separator. The dust caught by the filter is dropped by a dust-dropping mechanism. The separator case has a dust-discharging port for guiding the dust dropped from the filter into the separating chamber. The vacuum cleaner further has a shield member that can move between a first position and a second position. At the first position, the shield member connects the dust-discharging port to the separating chamber. At the second position, the shield member disconnects the dust-discharging port from the separating chamber.

Abstract: An improved dust collector for a power tool is employed. The dust collector includes a body portion, a neck portion and a head portion, wherein the body portion is disposable on the power tool so that during the cutting operation the body portion will receive and direct the air, dust, and debris to the head portion via the neck portion to either be exhausted out or to be collected in a dust collection volume. Preferably, the body portion has a series of openings to allow the user to view the cutting wheel during the cutting operation. The body portion may also have an internal directional member for efficiently directing the flow of air, dust, and debris. The head portion is preferably rotatably connected to the neck portion to allow the user to rotate the head portion to a desired position.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are directed toward a novel pressurized vapor cycle for distilling liquids. In some embodiments of the invention, a liquid purification system is revealed, including the elements of an input for receiving untreated liquid, a vaporizer coupled to the input for transforming the liquid to vapor, a head chamber for collecting the vapor, a vapor pump with an internal drive shaft and an eccentric rotor with a rotatable housing for compressing vapor, and a condenser in communication with the vapor pump for transforming the compressed vapor into a distilled product. Other embodiments of the invention are directed toward heat management, and other process enhancements for making the system especially efficient.

Abstract: A water-repellent filter member formed from a resin sheet of a porous, fibrous structure having air permeability and water repellency; a waterproof instrument and gas sensor having air permeability; and a method of manufacturing the same. A water-repellent filter member (19) is formed from a resin sheet (54) of a porous, fibrous structure having air permeability and water repellency by subjecting the resin sheet to forming work, and includes an axially extending tubular side wall portion (19s) and a bottom wall portion closing one end of the tubular side wall portion. At least a portion of the bottom wall portion (19t) retains the porous, fibrous structure of the resin sheet and thereby has air permeability.

Abstract: An air duct outlet includes a housing that defines an air passageway with an inlet and outlet, and a porous layer of material that overlies the air passageway outlet and hides the air duct outlet from view. The porous layer of material is configured to soften and diffuse an air stream flowing through the air passageway outlet and/or to cause an air stream flowing through the air passageway outlet to be directed in one or more directions.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to an environmental control unit for use in air handling systems that provides highly effective filtration of noxious gases (such as ammonia). Such a filtration system utilizes novel metal-doped precipitated silica materials to trap and remove such undesirable gases from an enclosed environment. Such silicas exhibit specific porosity requirements and density measurements. Furthermore, in order for proper metal doping to take effect, such precipitated silicas must be treated while in a wet state. The combination of these particular properties and metal dopant permits highly effective noxious gas filtration such that uptake and breakthrough results are attained, particularly in comparison with prior precipitated silica filtration products. Methods of using and specific filter apparatuses are also encompassed within this invention.