Abstract: A device and methods for either protecting or restoring the delicate surface chemistry of amine-coated substrates adapted for biological assay uses from the deleterious effects of exposure to carbon dioxide and/or organic chemical compounds, which may arise in packaging or storage containers is provided. The device encompasses an enclosure, preferably hermetically sealed, a component susceptible to degradation from either carbon dioxide or organic compounds, and a sorbent, having a composition made from either a single material or a combination of materials, said material is characterized as being reactive with CO2 and having a high-surface energy of ?100 milli-joules/m2 for removing organic compounds. The method can stabilize the surface chemistry and prolong the useful life of the coated substrate.

Abstract: Ultra cleaning of combustion gas to near zero concentration of residual contaminants followed by the capture of CO2 is provided. The high removal efficiency of residual contaminants is accomplished by direct contact cooling and scrubbing of the gas with cold water. The temperature of the combustion gas is reduced to 0-20 degrees Celsius to achieve maximum condensation and gas cleaning effect. The CO2 is captured from the cooled and clean flue gas in a CO2 absorber (134) utilizing an ammoniated solution or slurry in the NH3—CO2H2O system. The absorber operates at 0-20 degrees Celsius. Regeneration is accomplished by elevating the pressure and temperature of the CO2-rich solution from the absorber. The CO2 vapor pressure is high and a pressurized CO2 stream, with low concentration of NH3 and water vapor is generated. The high pressure CO2 stream is cooled and washed to recover the ammonia and moisture from the gas.

Abstract: A ductless fumehood system comprising: at least one ductless fumehood comprising a housing; a workspace formed within the housing; a door for selectively closing off the workspace; an air inlet for introducing air into the workspace; a master module for receiving air from the workspace, purging unwanted substances from that air, and then exhausting that filtered air to the ambient room atmosphere; and a slave module for receiving air from the workspace, purging unwanted substances from that air, and then exhausting that filtered air to the ambient room atmosphere; wherein the slave module is in communication with the master module such that the master module central processing unit is capable of (i) controlling the operation of the active elements of the slave module, (ii) detecting a function failure of the slave module, and (iii) activating the master module alarm in the event of a failure within that slave module.

Abstract: A uniform aerosol deposit sampling device includes a first housing and a second housing. The first housing has an air inlet and a first chamber. The second housing has an air outlet, an second chamber, a filter holder and a flow guiding portion. The filter holder is provided for securing an air-penetratable supporting pad and a filter media. The flow guiding portion is a substantially conical and gradually narrowing. The flow guiding portion has a semi-conical angle ranged from 15 to 85 degrees. So, the flow guiding portion makes the entire air flow smooth and evenly distributed. The aerosols will be evenly distributed and uniformly deposited on the filter media. And, it is easy to evaluate the amount and composition of the aerosols.

Abstract: A self-heating beverage container includes a housing defining an open interior area for holding a liquid and defining a cavity separated from the open interior area. The container includes a heater portion removably coupled to the housing within the cavity. First and second reactants may be positioned in the cartridge area where they may be selectively combined to produce heat when a seal between them is punctured, causing the liquid to be heated. The container includes a selection portion that is selectively separable from the housing. A plurality of flavoring agents is positioned in the selection portion, each flavoring agent being separated from each other flavoring agent. Each flavoring agent is selectively separated from said open interior area by at least one breakable barrier. Each breakable barrier may be selectively pierced so as to dispense an ingredient into the liquid where it may be selectively mixed and heated.

Abstract: A brewing system which uses an air pump to evacuate a dispensing line and a method of brewing in which a brewer includes an air pump to provide pressurized air at least at the end of a brew cycle to help evacuate moisture from a dispensing line. The brewing system includes a heated water reservoir which retains heated water for dispensing and a dispense line through which the water is dispensed. A vent is coupled to the reservoir. A controllable air pump communicates with the reservoir to controllably add air to the reservoir to drive water out of the reservoir. The vent is closed when the pump is used to add air to the system to allow for a build-up of air pressure in the reservoir and out through the dispense line. The controllable air pump controllably dispenses air into the upper portion. Both the air vent valve and air pump are controllably coupled to a controller.

Abstract: Taught herein is a coffee maker (10) comprising a water tank (20) a heater device (40), a brewing station (50) and a jug or carafe (60) positioned to receive coffee brewed at the station (50), wherein the water tank (20) and the brewing station (50) are interconnected by a water pipe (70), part of which is heated by the heater device (40); the tank (20) is fitted with a flow control valve (30) containing a piston (32) arranged to respond to the head of water in the tank (20) and to heater-induced suction in the pipe (70) by moving within a housing (31) to block or to allow the passage of water from the tank (20) into the pipe (70), thereby to control the flow of water from the tank (20) through the heater (40) to the brewing station (50) so as to ensure that, however much water the tank (20) contains; and the heater (40) is able to transfer sufficient heat to water delivered to the brewing station (50) by way of the pipe (70) to provide brewed coffee at a palatable temperature.

Abstract: In accordance with the principles of the present invention, a food steamer is provided. The food steamer includes an upper generally bowl-shaped portion defining a plurality of apertures and a lower portion comprising a stand. The upper generally bowl-shaped portion includes a lip that defines a plurality of scallops. A handle portion extends upwardly from at or near the center of the generally bowl-shaped upper portion. The upper generally bowl-shaped portion, the handle portion, and the lower portion formed of one piece molded silicon.

Abstract: A pan with removable drop-in baking wells. A main support structure defines a plurality of apertures in which a plurality of baking wells of various shapes and sizes can be temporarily inserted during use. The main support structure includes a vertical side wall and support foot that engages a countertop, oven rack, or other surface. Accordingly, the bottoms of the baking wells do not come in contact with the countertop, oven rack, or other surface, because the baking wells are adequately supported by the main support structure.

Abstract: The present invention includes a smoking cabinet, a central air supply system, and a refrigeration device. The central air supply system includes an air supply pipe and an air-draining pipe connected with the smoking cabinet. The other end of the air supply pipe and an air-draining pipe are connected with an air supply unit and an air-draining pump respectively. The refrigeration device includes a cooling pipe extending curvedly to the inside of the smoking cabinet for controlling the temperature between ?2 to 7° C. for providing refrigeration. Thus, providing fresher and better quality meat and fish, especially sashimi.

Abstract: The invention relates to a spreading device and a method for automatically spreading ingredients onto a dough base, assuring an even distribution of the ingredients in an automated process. A device for spreading ingredients like grated/shredded cheese, ham, sausage, meet, fish, vegetables, etc., on top of a dough base like a pizza base, cake base or the like has a supporting member (100) being arranged above the dough base while in use. The supporting member (100) comprises a provisioning container (160) provided with a shutter, the provisioning container being capable of containing a predetermined amount of ingredients, and at least one rake with teeth (124), which is adapted to spread the ingredients while dropping along an ingredients path.

Abstract: The present invention provides an appliance for peeling certain fruits and vegetables having a fine skin, and especially garlic, without abrading or breaking the garlic clove and without beating and scratching it, thus avoiding or minimizing damage to the garlic clove, so as to avoid or reduce dispersion of the typical garlic smell and to retain aesthetics and nutritive values thereof. It is provided a garlic clove peeler comprising a housing formed with a clove receiving compartment formed with a friction wall and a complimentary peeling element formed with a peeler surface extending adjacent the friction wall; and a displacement mechanism for displacing one or both of the friction wall and the peeling element.

Abstract: The pressing device serves for the relative axial movement of two parts, which are arranged coaxially with respect to one another and are moveable relative to one another only by means of a high pressing power. Said pressing device has one fixed pressure plate and one pressure plate which is moved axially by hydraulic cylinders and an insert which is to be placed around the parts which are to be pressed. Said insert is held closed by means of a closure door which is articulatedly mounted on the moving part of the pressing device. The pressure cylinders are arranged as close as possible to the centre of pressure, that is to say to the axis of the parts which are to be pressed.

Abstract: A press specially adapted to compress a stack which includes one or more pressure sensitive based fastening layers which are actuated by application of substantial pressure. A lower press plate includes a receiving surface upon which the stack is positioned and first and second guide members, with the receiving surface being tilted with respect to a level plane such that the stack tends to move on the receiving surface towards the two guide members. With the stack positioned so that first and second edges of the stack are resting against the respective first and second guide members, a user can assemble and manipulate the stack with the guide members maintaining the stack components in a proper alignment relative to one another.

Abstract: A multi-station screen printing apparatus includes a base member; a plurality of platens, each for supporting a substrate to be printed, the platens mounted radially in a rotatable manner about the base member; and a plurality of print heads mounted radially and non-rotatably about the base member above the platens. A first print head is mounted in a vertically pivotable manner and a second print head is mounted in a non-pivotable manner.

Abstract: A home position sensor, which constitutes a portion of a home position storage unit, stores a home position by means of previously detecting the position of a printing cylinder cam. Accordingly, a printing cylinder comes to a stop at a plate replacement position at the time of replacement of a plate even when the printing cylinder cam does not pass by the home position sensor.

Abstract: An object is to provide a rotary press that copes with a variation in the positions of printing cylinders and that includes a safety device having a simple structure. The rotary press has a cut-off length of a web (11) that is variable by changing diameters of a plate cylinder (15) and a blanket cylinder (17), the rotary press including a printing section (6) including the plate cylinder (15) and the blanket cylinder (17); an ink-applying roller (20); and a safety device provided in the vicinity of the printing section (6). The safety device includes a safety bar mechanism (37) that stops the operation upon detecting intrusion of an object to a contact area of the plate cylinder (15) and the blanket cylinder (17) and/or a safety cover (30) that is provided to shield the plate cylinder (15), the ink roller (20) and the blanket cylinder (17), from the outside.

Abstract: An image is created from PPF data and the image is displayed. An operator inputs a pre-set value of color adjustment from a color-adjustment-quantity operation screen. The color-adjustment-quantity operation screen includes a print display unit that displays a print color in a print measured by a calorimeter, a color-sample display unit that displays a target color in a color sample measured by the calorimeter, and a corrected-color display unit that displays a corrected color corresponding to a deviation between a calorimetric value of the print and a calorimetric value of the color sample.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a protecting/packaging material for a lithographic printing plate capable of preventing the toning of the lithographic printing plate and a method for packaging the lithographic printing plate. In a protecting/packaging material for protecting and/or packaging a lithographic printing plate, a chlorine concentration contained in a inter leaf, protective pasteboard or package paper for the lithographic printing plate used with the lithographic printing plate brought into contact with a photosensitive layer of the lithographic printing plate is set to 1.5% by weight or less.

Abstract: A lithographic printing plate precursor includes: a support; an image-recording layer capable of being removed with water or an aqueous component; and an overcoat layer, in this order, wherein the overcoat layer is formed by drying a water-dispersible polymer particle, or includes: a support; an image-recording layer which is capable of being removed with at least one of printing ink and dampening water and contains (A) an infrared absorbing agent, (B) a polymerization initiator and (C) a polymerizable compound; and an overcoat layer, in this order, wherein the overcoat layer is formed by drying a water-dispersible polymer particle.

Abstract: A safing and arming (SA) system and method for a bore-launched projectile is provided. The SA system includes an arming switch, including a detonator, movable from a first position to a second position. When the arming switch is in the first position, the detonator is separated from an explosive train of the projectile. When the arming switch is in the second position, the detonator is substantially aligned with the explosive train, allowing the projectile to be armed. Safing systems are provided for retaining the arming switch in the first (safe) position. Various embodiments also allow for release of the arming switch so as to allow the arming switch to be moved to the second (armed) position, wherein the release may be triggered by a selected acceleration force exerted on the projectile and/or a determination that the projectile has been launched from the launch bore.

Abstract: This invention relates to a penetrating projectile, particularly an anti-infrastructure penetration bomb. The invention also relates to a penetration method applied to the above mentioned projectile. The penetrating projectile comprises: an inner tube (22) inside which a perforating projectile (30) is placed comprising at least one body (31) provided with a pyrotechnic charge (33) and a propulsion body (301), the body (31) of the perforating projectile being ejected outside the tube by firing the propulsion body (301); a system (28, 306, 307) for controlling firing of the propulsion body (301) before the impact of the penetrating projectile (10) on a target. The invention is particularly applicable for passing through very thick walls made of a non-metallic material for example such as concrete.

Abstract: The present invention relates to railway rail handling apparatus and a method of handling railway rails using such apparatus. The railway rail handling apparatus is configured for track side operation and comprises ground engaging wheel means and rail moving means. The rail moving means is configured to engage a railway rail along part of its length and for its progressive movement longitudinally along the rail as the railway rail handling apparatus moves on the ground engaging wheel means. As the rail moving means moves in this fashion the rail moving means is configured to progressively bend the rail laterally of an unbent part of the rail, thereby moving the rail from a first position to a second position. The railway rail handling apparatus defines a footprint over the ground and the rail moving means is, in use, operative within the footprint.

Abstract: A hot-dip galvanizing bath contains 0.005 to 0.2 mass % of Cu. In this case, the hot-dip galvanizing bath preferably further contains 0.001 to 0.1 mass % of Al. A Zn—Bi galvanizing bath preferably contains 0.05 to 5.0 mass % of Bi, and a Zn—Pb galvanizing bath preferably contains 0.05 to 3.0 mass % of Pb. An iron article galvanized using the above hot-dip galvanizing bath exhibits an excellent appearance and corrosion resistance.

Abstract: The invention concerns a process of grinding of mineral matter in water, in the presence of thickening agents, the stable suspensions of mineral matter ground in water obtained by the process according to the invention, and the use of the said suspensions in aqueous formulations, in particular formulations of linings such as aqueous paints, renderings, inks, coatings, sealants, adhesives, glues, and other aqueous formulations incorporating mineral matter. Finally, the invention concerns the aqueous formulations obtained according to the invention.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an ink-jet ink set which, in spite of using a black ink including a black pigment, may display desirable storage stability and/or may form printed matter (e.g., images) with desirable rub fastness against a plain paper surface, color balance after fading (fading stability), and/or water resistance. An ink set may include a yellow dye ink including a yellow dye, a magenta dye ink including a magenta dye, a cyan dye ink including a cyan dye and a black ink, the black ink including a black pigment and a yellow dye, a magenta dye, and a cyan dye. A black ink may have a weight ratio of the amount of the black pigment to the total amount of the yellow dye, the magenta dye, and the cyan dye of from about 95/5 to about 70/30.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an ink-jet ink set which, in spite of using a black ink including a black pigment, may form printed matter (e.g., images) with desirable water resistance and/or color balance after fading (fading stability) and/or ink-jet ink sets with desirable storage stability. An ink set may include a yellow dye ink including a yellow dye, a magenta dye ink including a magenta dye, a cyan dye ink including a cyan dye and a black ink. A black ink may include a black pigment, a yellow dye, a magenta dye and a cyan dye. A black ink may have a weight ratio of an amount of a black pigment to a total amount of the yellow dye, the magenta dye, and the cyan dye of from about 5/95 to less than about 30/70 (e.g., from about 5/95 to about 30 (but not inclusive of 30)/70).

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an ink-jet ink set which, in spite of using a black ink including a black pigment, may form printed matter (e.g., images) with desirable fixability to glossy paper, color balance after fading (fading stability), and/or water resistance and/or ink-jet ink sets with desirable storage stability. An ink set may include a yellow dye ink including a yellow dye, a magenta dye ink including a magenta dye, a cyan dye ink including a cyan dye and a black ink. A black ink may include a black pigment, a yellow dye, a magenta dye and a cyan dye. A black ink may have a weight ratio of the amount of the black pigment to the total amount of the yellow dye, the magenta dye, and the cyan dye of from about 30/70 to less than about 70/30 (e.g., from about 30/70 to about 70 (but not inclusive of 70)/30).

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an ink-jet ink set which, in spite of using a black ink including a black pigment, may display desirable storage stability and/or may form printed matter (e.g., images) with desirable rub fastness against a plain paper surface, color balance after fading (fading stability), and/or water resistance. An ink set may include a yellow dye ink including a yellow dye, a magenta dye ink including a magenta dye, a cyan dye ink including a cyan dye and a black ink, the black ink including a black pigment and a yellow dye, a magenta dye, and a cyan dye. A black ink may have a weight ratio of the amount of the black pigment to the total amount of the yellow dye, the magenta dye, and the cyan dye of from about 95/5 to about 5/95.

Abstract: Methods of making a metallic or cerment coating include suspending solid fine metal or cerment particles in a liquid to form a liquid feedstock and injecting the liquid feedstock into an high-velocity oxygen fuel flame gun to thermally spray the liquid feedstock on a substrate to form a coating thereon.

Abstract: A method for treating wood to inhibit leaching of copper compounds into the environment. The method comprises treating the wood with a copper-containing wood preservative and a latex copolymer.

Abstract: A raw material solution for metal organic chemical vapor deposition having good film forming properties and excellent step coverage, and a composite oxide-based dielectric thin film produced by using the raw material, are provided. An improvement is made to the raw material solution for metal organic chemical vapor deposition having one or two or more organometallic compounds dissolved in an organic solvent, and the feature of the constitution lies in that the organic solvent is 1,3-dioxolane, or the organic solvent is a solvent mixture formed by mixing a first solvent consisting of 1,3-dioxolane, and a second solvent comprising one or two or more species selected from the group consisting of alcohols, alkanes, esters, aromatics, alkyl ethers and ketones, which is to be mixed with the 1,3-dioxolane.

Abstract: The invention relates to a renewable process for manufacturing ground and soil treatment compounds using plant by-products. The invention further relates to products of that process, including an anti-slip compound for use on snow- or ice-covered surfaces, and to a related fertilizer compound for improving plant growth. The described compounds primarily comprise organic by-products of timber processing operations. In addition, the invention relates to a renewable energy and resource process.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to SiOy flakes with 0.70?y?1.95, especially 0.70?y?1.80, very especially 1.0?y?1.8, comprising reactive centres, a process for their production, and their use for providing chemically modified SiOy flakes.

Abstract: The problems to be solved by the invention are to provide a fiber reinforced cement composition for obtaining a fiber reinforced cement product which is excellent in bending strength, dimensional stability and installation property such as handling property, flexibility performance and nail performance, as well as a process for manufacturing the product. Namely, the fiber reinforced cement composition comprises the following raw materials: a hydraulic inorganic material, a siliceous material and a woody reinforcement, wherein the siliceous material is a mixture of an average particle size of not less than 15 ?m and not more than 50 ?m which is burned ash of coal and/or rhyolite and an average particle size of not less than 1 ?m and not more than 15 ?m which is burned ash of coal and/or rhyolite.

Abstract: The problems to be solved by the invention are to provide a fiber reinforced cement composition for obtaining a fiber reinforced cement product which is inexpensive and economical, and to provide pushing forward disposal of defective products. Namely, the fiber reinforced cement composition comprises a hydraulic inorganic material, a siliceous material, a woody reinforcement, a finely dividing fiber reinforced cement product and/or a finely dividing intermediate of fiber reinforced cement product which is produced by said raw materials.

Abstract: The problems to be solved by the invention are to provide a fiber reinforced cement composition for obtaining a fiber reinforced cement product which is excellent in bending strength, dimensional stability and installation property such as handling property, flexibility performance and nail performance, as well as a process for manufacturing the product. Namely, the fiber reinforced cement composition comprises the following raw materials: a hydraulic inorganic material, a siliceous material and a woody reinforcement, wherein the siliceous material is a mixture of an average particle size of not less than 15 ?m and not more than 50 ?m which is burned ash of coal and/or rhyolite and an average particle size of not less than 1 ?m and not more than 15 ?m which is burned ash of coal and/or rhyolite.

Abstract: The present invention describes improved asphaltic concrete compositions resistant to the stripping, as well as their methods of obtaining. Also compositions that contain anhydrite are described that result to be useful like anti-stripping agents of asphaltic concretes. The described anti-stripping compositions allow to improve the properties of union of the asphaltic concrete compositions after their application, increasing with it the useful lifetime of coverings elaborated with these materials.

Abstract: A self-curing concrete is provided to absorb water from atmosphere from air to achieve better hydration of cement in concrete. It solves the problem that the degree of cement hydration is lowered due to no curing or improper curing, and thus unsatisfactory properties of concrete. According to the invention, high-performance self-curing agent about 0.1˜5 wt % of cement weight of the concrete is added to concrete during mixing. The self-curing agent can absorb moisture from atmosphere and then release it to concrete. The self-curing concrete means that no curing is required for concrete, or even no any external supplied water is required after placing. The properties of this self-cured concrete of this invention are at least comparable to and even better than those of concrete with traditional curing.

Abstract: A concrete obtained through mixing a composition comprising the following constituents: a) 21 to 27% of a hydraulic binder, b) 52 to 68% of aggregate particles having a size of between 0.02 mm and 5 mm, c) 2 to 6% of pozzolanic reaction particles having a particle size of between 0.1 and 1 micron, d) up to 10% of filler having a particle size between 10 and 200 microns, e) 0.32 to 1.6% of a dispersant, f) 0.1 to 1.2% of fibres, g) 0.02 to 0.1% of a defoamer agent, and h) 7 to 10% of water, each percentage being the percentage by weight of the respective constituent relative to the sum of the weights of constituents a) to h). The concrete obtained is particularly suitable for polished flooring overlay.

Abstract: A convertible workstation system is disclosed that may be retrofitted into an existing desktop/work surface for supporting and pivoting a flat panel display such as a liquid crystal display (LCD) from a closed position to an open, viewable/usable position in front of a user. The system includes an actuator to initiate movement of a support panel, and is configured such that further movement of the support panel toward the open position after initiation by the actuator is carried out independently of further movement or other manipulation or control of the actuator. A spring may be provided to assist in moving the support panel towards such open position after the actuator has initiated such movement.

Abstract: A table includes a table top and four legs. The legs are configured to be mounted to the table top to elevate the table top and to be separated from the table top for storage and transport.

Abstract: A convertible workstation is convertible from a generally flat, planar work surface to a computer workstation. A support panel is pivotably mounted within the work surface and holds a support tray configured for holding a portable computer, such as a laptop computer. When closed, the convertible workstation provides a secure environment for storing a computer and a traditional work surface. When opened, the convertible workstation provides an ergonomically configured computer workstation. The convertible workstation may provide computer connections, for instance power, data, and/or other computer connections, both when the workstation is configured as a computer workstation and when configured as a work surface (thus storing the computer within the workstation).

Abstract: A latching system for a foldable table having two tabletop halves each having a bottom surface and an end surface includes a receiver disposed on the end surface of the first tabletop half and a latching mechanism disposed on the end surface of the second tabletop half. The latching mechanism has an L-shaped anchor and a pivoting clasp. A bottom leaf of the anchor is fastened to the bottom of the second tabletop half and an end leaf of the anchor is fastened to the end surface of the second tabletop half with a plurality of fasteners. The anchor and clasp have one or more hinge barrels for receiving the hinge pin so that the hinged clasp pivots about the hinge pin relative to the anchor. The hinged clasp detachably mates with the receiver and thereby latches the two tabletop halves in a storage position.

Abstract: A pyrolysis waste treatment system having a pyrolyzer and a thermal oxidizer that are aligned in a partially or completely piggybacked fashion, and heat from the exhaust gas of the thermal oxidizer is shunted back to the pyrolyzer to help sustain pyrolysis. Such conduits can have any suitable configuration, including for example where the conduit extends from sides (as opposed to the ends) of each of the pyrolyzer and the thermal oxidizer. Contemplated pyrolyzers and the thermal oxidizers can have any suitable dimensions, but are preferably at least 5 meters long, and have a cross sectional area of at least 10 m2. In most contemplated embodiments, the thermal oxidizer has a length within 20% of the length of the pyrolyzer.

Abstract: An apparatus, method, and system for combusting bridging fuel which includes biomass material. The apparatus includes an enclosure having a relatively thin wall defining a firebox. A combustion air manifold, and exhaust manifold, and heat exchanger are positioned along the center horizontal axis of the firebox. A fuel feed conveyor enters through the wall of the firebox and extends along the top of the firebox through a feed opening. A temperature sensor is positioned on the exterior of the wall of the firebox. A controller is operatively connected to the temperature sensor and the fuel feed conveyor. If the temperature sensor exceeds a set point, the controller automatically operates the fuel feed conveyor to refill the firebox with fuel. This can reinsulated the wall of the firebox so that fuel surrounds the combustion. Heat is extracted from the combustion by the heat exchanger while the exterior wall of the firebox is kept relatively cool by the insulating layer of fuel.

Abstract: A device for gasifying biomass sludge having particle size less than 1 cm, and 20% to 100% solids content has a primary chamber, a fume transfer vent, a mixing chamber which accepts fumes from the primary chamber, and an afterburner chamber in fluid communication with the mixing chamber. A secondary burner produces an initial heating flame within a vertical portion of the afterburner chamber. A heat transfer chamber is in fluid communication with the afterburner chamber. Heated gases from the afterburner chamber cause heating of the heat transfer chamber. The primary chamber has a heat conductive floor superimposed over the heat transfer chamber so that conductive and convective heating of the primary chamber occur. At least one primary auger is located crosswise in the primary chamber between a sludge feed hopper and an ash hopper. The heat transfer chamber underlies the primary auger near the end at the ash hopper.

Abstract: A hook/looper module assembly for a tufting machine is provided that allows for broken and damaged hooks of a level cut loop tufting machine to be replaced. The hook/looper module assembly includes modular blocks having a series of slots in which a series of hook or looper are received. Locking mechanisms secure the hook/looper within their respective slots in the modules and allows for removal of individual hook/looper from the module as needed for repair and replacement.

Abstract: The invention provides for a novel apparatus and a method to effectively manage ballast material. It comprises of a plurality of Floating Ballast Containers (25) contained within a bottomless enclosure and secured on the sea faring vessel such that each floating ballast container (25) floats in seawater. The volumetric capacity of the conventional segregated ballast tanks (30) on the sea faring vessel is similar to that of the Floating Ballast Containers (25) so as to facilitate the movement of the ballast material between the conventional ballast tanks (30) and Floating Ballast Containers (25). This process eliminates the need for treatment or disposal of the ballast material in to the sea.

Abstract: A hatch assembly for a boat including a body pivotally attached to a boat deck, whereby the body can pivot between an open position and closed position to provide access to an power source within a boat hull. The body includes an audio device and a compartment for storage. A cover pivotally attaches to the body, whereby the cover can pivot from an open position to a closed position to provide access to the storage bin and partially cover the audio device. A seating area extends across an interior portion of the body and has a removeable portion that removes to create an entryway to the deck of the boat.