Abstract: A liquid dispenser comprises a body defining an interior containment space for containing a liquid to be dispensed and a structure configured to mount the liquid dispenser onto a drinking container. The structure comprises an elongate opening formed in the body of the liquid dispenser that generally divides the liquid dispenser into two portions. Approximately half of the volume of the interior containment space is located in the first portion of the body of the liquid dispenser. Alternatively, substantially all of the volume of the interior containment space is located in the first portion.

Abstract: A combination of a drinking container and a liquid dispenser comprises a drinking container defining an interior containment space for a beverage for human consumption and a liquid dispenser, which comprises a body defining an interior containment space and a structure by which the body of the liquid dispenser is mounted onto the drinking container such that the liquid dispenser does not obstruct drinking from a rim of the drinking container.

Abstract: An assembled container for cigarettes possesses an outer body portion that possesses a front wall, a back wall, a right side wall and a left side wall; with each wall outer surface being vertically extending, and generally curved when viewed from the top of the container. The container also possesses an associated outer lid portion. An inner sleeve is positioned within the outer body portion and connected at opposite inner faces of that outer body portion so as to provide a central, vertically extending region whereby the front wall of the outer body portion is connected to the back wall of the outer body portion. The assembled container has the minimum depth in the central, vertically extending region; and the maximum depth being located on each side of that region. The assembled container also has a width that is greater than the maximum depth. As such, the outer container possesses two vertically extending hollow regions or compartments (e.g.

Abstract: A display for an item of memorabilia includes a display stand, an item of memorabilia associated with an event mounted on the display stand, and a display device disposed proximate the display stand and configured to display the event.

Abstract: A tool bag assembly is provided. The tool bag assembly is configured to position a first tool within a tool bag such that a portion of the first tool can function as a handle for the tool bag assembly. The tool bag assembly may also include a frame for supporting the first tool within the tool bag. The tool bag may define a first compartment for storing at least a portion of the first tool and a second tool. In addition to the first compartment, the tool bag may include additional compartments for storing additional tools or attachments in a secure manner. The bag includes access flaps for providing limited access to the first tool to grasp as a handle for the tool bag assembly and to provide adequate access to the storage areas to load and remove tools and attachments from the bag.

Abstract: Flower shipment packaging includes a generally cylindrical outer container with a lid. A support for the vase of a floral arrangement is inserted at the lower portion of the inner chamber of the outer container. This support is preferably made of a plurality of flat pieces of cardboard that are slotted so they may be assembled together with eight peripheral edges engaging the inner periphery of the outer container and defining a central sub-chamber sized to snugly receive the vase. Above the vase support, a bouquet support is provided consisting of a blank cut out of a piece of cardboard and including a plurality of peripheral fins that may fold up at scoring locations to create a bouquet support and a central region that includes a plurality of radially extending slots that meet centrally to define a plurality of triangular portions that may be bent downwardly when a floral arrangement is pushed through them.

Abstract: A container for collecting and transporting special materials, such as, for example, hospital waste and diagnostic samples, is provided with a primary holder, a secondary holder and a closed, rigid outer box. The secondary holder comprises a secondary flexible bag which can be closed in such a manner that it is at least substantially liquid-tight and airtight, and the dimensions of which, at any rate in the event of internal excess pressure, are at least equal to the internal dimensions of the rigid outer box. In the event of excess pressure in the secondary flexible bag, the flexible bag and the outer box with cover interact in order to withstand the excess pressure.

Abstract: A tray insert for securing fluid reaction members in a handling tray includes a body having first and second major surfaces, first and second ends, sliding members disposed on the first and second ends, which are configured to engage with a plurality of slots formed in the handling tray, and a first plurality of sockets extending into the first major surface, which are spaced from one another to receive and support a plurality of fluid reaction members. The tray insert is configured to hold the fluid reaction members in a suspended state, which prevents them from coming into contact with each other or a surface of the handling tray.

Abstract: A sheet package is manufactured by folding a thin rectangular package member into a box-like shape and stores a stack of a plurality of cut-sheet type heat-sensitive sheets of small size, for example, of A6 or A7 size. A user purchases a sheet package marketed in a box-like shape, opens a lid portion and folds it back towards a bottom side. Then, an insertion portion of the lid portion is inserted into a slit in the bottom portion of the package member so as to expose sheets stored inside, and the sheets are loaded together with the package member in a sheet storage portion of a printer.

Abstract: A package comprising one or more comparative size indicators. The package can comprise an interior surface and an exterior surface, the interior surface defining an interior space. One or more feminine hygiene articles can be disposed within the interior space and the exterior surface can include one or more inanimate comparative size indicators. A method of communicating to a consumer size of a feminine hygiene article disposed within a package is also provided.

Abstract: Packaging unit (17) for absorbent articles (1) including a number of folded articles (1), the folded parts (11) of the articles being arranged towards one of the sides (18) of the packaging unit, but at different distances from the side (18).

Abstract: Film wrapped stacked containers having a molded transparent plastic tray 1 inserted between containers 6 and containers 5 are structurally stable to facilitate film wrapping. The top side of the tray has protuberances 2 forming groove rings 4 on the top side of the tray. The groove rings 4 acts to locate the bottom of the containers 5 on top of the tray in a preset configuration. The bottom of containers 5 rest within the groove rings. The bottom side of the tray has separation means such as cones 6 or other protuberances that act to separate and position the containers 6 beneath the tray 1.

Abstract: The present invention provides a cover for protecting the interior cooking surfaces of a container such as cookware, bakeware or serveware. The cover has a covering portion for covering the open face of the container. The covering portion includes a tie securing member which retains a tie that holds the covering portion stretched over the open face of the container, thereby securing the cover to the container with the covering portion spaced from at least one interior surface.

Abstract: Stackable stemware provides nestably stackable respective upper and lower portions wherein the lower portions include at least one reinforcing rib to limit the stacking depth of similar lower portions when nestably stacked.

Abstract: A reusable inflatable shipping packing system for securing cargo for shipment. The system may include a flexible, inflatable chamber formed by at least one outer wall and positioned in a shipping container around a piece of cargo. The shipping container may have at least one side surface, a bottom surface, and a lid capable of being opened for receiving the piece of cargo. The flexible, inflatable chamber may include a fitting attached to the outer wall of the flexible, inflatable chamber permitting fluids to be filled into the flexible, inflatable chamber. In one embodiment, air may be used to fill the flexible, inflatable chamber to fill the voids between a piece of cargo to be shipped and the surrounding shipping container into which the piece of cargo is placed to prevent damage of the piece of cargo during shipping.

Abstract: The present invention relates to assisting patients in the taking of medication, and to assisting third parties in accumulating information regarding patient medication intake. The invention may be embodied a system including a portable medication monitor used in association with an instrumented medication package to provide intake data acquisition and patient support functions. The system may further be connected to a computer or computer network allowing information distribution between the medication monitor and third parties, such as physicians or pharmacists.

Abstract: The present invention relates to assisting patients in the taking of medication, and to assisting third parties in accumulating information regarding patient medication intake. The invention may be embodied a system including a portable medication monitor used in association with an instrumented medication package to provide intake data acquisition and patient support functions. The system may further be connected to a computer or computer network allowing information distribution between the medication monitor and third parties, such as physicians or pharmacists.

Abstract: A suspension packaging system can include a retention member having at least one pocket and a relatively more rigid member configured to be inserted into the pocket and folded into a state in which a tension in the retention member is increased. The more rigid member can be in the form of a tray and can include protrusions over which the pocket is placed. The protrusions can then be moved into engagement with apertures thereby engaging the resilient member between the protrusion and the aperture. Additionally, flaps of a box can be inserted into pockets of a resilient member and rotated so as to generate attention in the retention member so as to provide further cushioning of an article to be packaged therein.

Abstract: A cushion structure comprises a first fixing element, a second fixing element, a first cushion element, and a second cushion element. The first fixing element comprises a first board. The second fixing element comprises a second board and faces the first fixing element. The first cushion element is fixed on the first board and the second board near a side thereof. The first cushion element comprises a plurality of first spacers and first grooves. The second cushion element is fixed on the first board and the second board near another side thereof facing the first cushion element. The second cushion element comprises a plurality of second spacers and second grooves. The second grooves face the first grooves.

Abstract: A battery holding and dispensing device can hold a plurality of batteries, in an assortment of battery sizes. The battery holding and dispensing device includes a frame having a plurality of compartments sized and shaped to each receive a battery of a particular battery size and each having a detent for releasably retaining the battery in the compartment. Each compartment has at least one opening in the bottom and lower side to expose a corner of the battery to allow finger ejection of the battery from the compartment past the detent, and to allow the user to touch the batteries to ascertain battery size by feel. The assortment of batteries held in the frame is preferably pre-selected to correspond to the batteries needed by a particular profession. An arrangement for illuminating the frame is provided.

Abstract: A feedstream comprising tar is feed to a solvent deasphalter wherein it is contacted with a deasphalting solvent or fluid to produce a composition comprising a mixture or slurry of solvent containing a soluble portion of the tar, and a heavy tar fraction comprising the insoluble portion of the tar. These fractions may be separated in the deasphalter apparatus, such as by gravity settling wherein the heavy tar fraction is taken off as bottoms, and the solvent-soluble fraction taken as overflow or overheads with the solvent. The overflow or overheads is sent to a solvent recovery unit, such as a distillation apparatus, wherein solvent is recovered as overheads and a deasphalted tar fraction is taken off as a sidestream or bottoms. The solvent or a portion thereof, recovered as overheads, may be then be recycled to the solvent deasphalter, or in a preferred embodiment, at least a portion of the solvent is steam cracked to produce a product comprising light olefins.

Abstract: Tar is contacted with stripping agent, such as steam or tail gas, in a stripping tower. A product comprising deasphalted tar is recovered as overheads and a product comprising heavy tar is recovered as bottoms from the stripping tower.

Abstract: The reforming of heavy oil with supercritical water or subcritical water is accomplished by mixing together supercritical water, heavy oil, and oxidizing agent, thereby oxidizing vanadium in heavy oil with the oxidizing agent at the time of treatment with supercritical water and separate vanadium oxide. The separated vanadium oxide is removed by the scavenger after treatment with supercritical water. In this way it is possible to solve the long-standing problem with corrosion of turbine blades by vanadium which arises when heavy oil is used as gas turbine fuel.

Abstract: A reactor for conducting a process using supercritical water to upgrade a heavy hydrocarbon feedstock into an upgraded hydrocarbon product or syncrude with highly desirable properties (low sulfur content, low metals content, lower density (higher API), lower viscosity, lower residuum content, etc.) is described. The reactor is operable under continuous) semi-continuous or batch mode and is equipped with means to enable momentum, heat and mass transfer in and out of and within the reactor.

Abstract: The present invention provides a high capacity adsorbent for removing sulfur from hydrocarbon streams. The adsorbent comprises a composite material containing particles of a nickel phosphide complex NixP. The adsorbent is utilized in a sulfur removal process that does not require added hydrogen, and run at relatively low temperatures ranging from about 150° C. to about 400° C. The process of this invention enables “ultra-deep” desulfurization down to levels of about 1 ppm and less.

Abstract: A process using supercritical water to upgrade a heavy hydrocarbon feedstock into an upgraded hydrocarbon product or syncrude with highly desirable properties (low sulfur content, low metals content, lower density (higher API), lower viscosity, lower residuum content, etc.) is disclosed. The process does not require external supply of hydrogen nor does it use externally supplied catalysts.

Abstract: A process using supercritical water to upgrade a heavy hydrocarbon feedstock into an upgraded hydrocarbon product or syncrude with highly desirable properties (low sulfur content, low metals content, lower density (higher API), lower viscosity lower, residuum content, etc.) is disclosed. The process does not require external supply of hydrogen nor does it use externally supplied catalysts. Improved methods of mixing the reactants are also disclosed.

Abstract: A process using supercritical water to upgrade a heavy hydrocarbon feedstock into an upgraded hydrocarbon product or syncrude with highly desirable properties (low sulfur content, low metals content, lower density (higher API) lower viscosity, lower residuum content, etc.) is described. The process does not require external supply of hydrogen nor does it use externally supplied catalysts.

Abstract: Systems and methods for staging an investment in hydrocarbon processing are provided. In a first stage, a hydrocarbon feed can be apportioned equally or unequally into first and second portions. The first portion can be mixed with one or more oxidants and gasified to provide a first effluent, at least a portion of which can be combusted to provide steam. The second portion can be mixed with one or more solvents to provide one or more fungible hydrocarbon products, at least a portion of which can be sold to generate capital. In a second stage, the hydrocarbon feed can be mixed with one or more solvents and one or more non-catalytic solids and the resultant mixture thermally cracked to provide one or more hydrocarbon products and coked non-catalytic solids. The coked, non-catalytic solids can be regenerated and recycled.

Abstract: A process and process line is provided for recovering heat in the form of cleaned warm water and residual bitumen from oil sand tailings produced during an oil sands extraction process. The process includes removing at least a portion of the coarse solids from the oil sand tailings to produce a reduced solids tailings fraction; separating at least a portion of the bitumen from the reduced solids tailings fraction to produce a bitumen fraction and a warm water and fines fraction; and removing at least a portion of the fines from the warm water and fines fraction to produce cleaned warm water and a concentrated fines fraction. The cleaned warm water can then be reused in the oil sands extraction process.

Abstract: A system and associated method is provided for sorting parts, which includes a conveyor system for receiving and circulating a plurality of randomly presented parts, a sorting buffer for accumulating selected parts from the plurality of randomly presented parts in an assigned buffer location, and a sequencing system for sequencing the accumulated selected parts.

Abstract: A fluid filter device includes a container having a passage for a fluid to flow through the container, and having an inner peripheral chamber for receiving a filter medium which includes a bore communicating with the passage of the container, one or more guide members are disposed in the bore of the filter medium for stirring the fluid and for converting the fluid into an eddy flow. A filter screen is disposed and engaged with the filter medium for anchoring the filter medium. The filter medium includes a number of grooves for receiving particles or contaminants. One or more magnetic devices may be disposed in or on the container for attracting and collecting the metal particles or contaminants.

Abstract: A skimmer assembly has an upper housing and a lower housing. The lower housing contains a removable filter cartridge and the upper housing contains a floating cylindrical weir and a floating rotatable member atop the floating weir. The walls of the upper housing are curved and the water entrance includes a vertical slot which allows water to enter in a column, hit the curved wall and cause a whirlpool which causes the rotatable member to spin. The preferred embodiment includes a disposable annular filter disc removably attached to the rotatable member.

Abstract: An apparatus for treating sludge, comprises a press for dewatering the sludge, a compaction device for receiving and compacting sludge dewatered by the press, a shredder for receiving and shredding sludge compacted by the compaction device, and a tube conveyor for conveying shredded sludge from the shredder. The press is controlled to vary the flow rate of the sludge in response to at least one sensed operational parameter of the press, such as the momentary power for operating the press, pressure in the sludge in the press, sludge concentration in the press, sludge feed flow to the press or separated water flow from the press.

Abstract: A waste stream from energetics processing is treated using a pre-filter having media, preferably sand, and a metal that has a reducing potential, preferably elemental iron (Fe0). The pre-filter is connected to a zero-valent metal column reactor. The waste stream is pumped through the pre-filter to trap solids and deoxygenate it, then enters the reactor and is subjected to a reducing process. Most of the Fe0 is transformed to the ferrous ion (Fe+2), added to the resultant product, and fed to a continuous stirred tank reactor (CSTR) in which Fenton oxidation occurs. This product is then sent to a sedimentation tank and pH-neutralized using a strong base such as sodium hydroxide (NaOH). The aqueous portion is drawn off and the sludge pumped from the sedimentation tank. Both tanks are monitored and controlled to optimize required additives, while monitoring of pressure drop across the pre-filter and column reactor establishes replacement requirements.

Abstract: The present invention provides a swimming pool safety system including a housing having a first opening for coupling to a pump, a second opening for coupling to a pool drain, and a third opening for receiving water form a surface of a pool. The present invention may further include a skimmer basket positionable in the housing, where the skimmer basket defines a debris-retaining region and a member having a passage therethrough. A method of use of the present invention is also provided in which the housing may be configured to reduce an entrapment force experienced at a pool drain, and to further provide a fluid flow path through the debris-retaining region of the skimmer basket to place the first opening of the housing in fluid communication with the surrounding atmosphere.

Abstract: The present invention provides a swimming pool safety system including a housing having a first opening for coupling to a pump, a second opening for coupling to a pool drain, and a third opening for receiving water form a surface of a pool. The present invention may include a skimmer basket positionable in the housing, where the skimmer basket defines a debris-retaining region and a member having a passage therethrough. A method of use of the present invention is also provided in which the housing may be configured to reduce an entrapment force experienced at a pool drain, and to further provide a fluid flow path through the debris-retaining region of the skimmer basket to place the first opening of the housing in fluid communication with the surrounding atmosphere. A collector vessel may also be included, the collector vessel having an adjustable extension element to modify a resulting entrapment force.

Abstract: A combination filter includes a filter housing having first and second inlet ports and first and second outlet ports. A first filter bowl is coupled to the housing. The first filter bowl inner surface defines a first cavity that is in fluid communication with the first inlet port and the first outlet port. A second filter bowl is coupled to the housing and is at least partially disposed within the first cavity of the first filter bowl. The second filter bowl defines a second cavity that is in fluid communication with the second inlet port and the second outlet port. A first filter is disposed within the first filter bowl for filtering fluid that flows between the first inlet port and the first outlet port, and a second filter is disposed within the second filter bowl for filtering fluid that flows between the second inlet and outlet ports.

Abstract: The flow rate of a solvent is reduced as a separation column and the separation performance is improved even under high-pressure conditions. There is provided a separation column including a monolith rod into which a sample and a mobile phase flow, the separation column comprising: a coating material coated on the outer circumference of a monolith rod; a support member into which the monolith rod coated with the coating material is inserted, and a rod fixing material fitted into or filled a gap between the coating material and the support member; wherein the upper end face of the rod fixing material is sealed, the upper end face being the inflow-side end when the separation column is assembled.

Abstract: A replaceable module for capturing amalgam and mercury from the waste water disposal system of a dental office, in which the waste water flows into a settling chamber, overflows from the settling chamber into a magnetically-assisted sluice, and then after being further cleaned by the sluice, flows on to a sewer connection.

Abstract: A magnetic treating device includes a water container, a hose coupled to the water container with a coupling device for supplying water into the water container, and a number of magnetic members engaged onto the hose for activating the water flowing through the hose. The coupling device includes a nut member and a threaded member for securing the hose. The nut member includes a pipe for receiving the hose and for forming an annular channel between the nut member and the pipe. An outer covering may be engaged onto the hose and the magnetic members, and an activating agent may be disposed between the outer covering and the magnetic members.

Abstract: A fluid strainer device is disclosed. The device includes a housing which defines an open chamber, the chamber having both at least one fluid input port and at least one fluid outlet port. A plurality of spaced strainer baskets are disposed within the chamber. Each basket has a pair of spaced perforated side panels, a perforated rear panel, a perforated top panel and an open front portion in fluid communication with the chamber fluid input port. Finally, each strainer basket is aligned within the chamber for fluid flow from the chamber input port into the basket's open front portion and out through the perforations thereof to filter debris from the fluid while preventing substantial fluid pressure drop between the input and outlet ports substantially independent of debris buildup within the basket.

Abstract: A process for removing solids from a water-based flush solution, The process includes: providing dirty flush solution; directing the dirty flush solution to a treatment vessel; adding one or more chemicals to the treatment vessel to form a treated flush solution; separating aggregated paint compounds from the treated flush solution to form a filtered flush solution; and directing the filtered flush solution to spray application equipment. The flush system of the invention includes a treatment vessel, wherein the dirty flush solution is mixed with one or more chemicals to form a treated flush solution; a primary separation unit to remove particles including aggregated paint compounds from the treated flush solution to form a filtered flush solution; and transfer lines to direct the filtered flush solution to spray application equipment. The filtered flush solution contains: 1% to 5% by weight of a water soluble organic solvent; 0.

Abstract: The invention provides a fluid distributor and associated water treatment system. The system includes a pressure vessel adapted and configured to hold a predetermined volume of fluid and a fluid distribution assembly. The fluid distribution assembly is preferably disposed at a lower end of the pressure vessel, and includes a water inlet manifold adapted and configured to direct water from an upstream location into a vessel that the distributor assembly is mounted into, a water outlet manifold adapted and configured to direct water from the vessel to a downstream location and an air volume control valve adapted and configured to maintain a predetermined pressure range in the vessel.

Abstract: Chlorinated ethylene-decomposition bacteria is detected by performing PCR using nucleic acid comprising 18˜25 nucleotides that preferentially hybridizes to the 16S rRNA or rDNA of chlorinated ethylene-decomposing bacteria and has any of base sequences of SEQ ID No. 1˜15, a base sequence that has at least 90% homology with any of these base sequences, or a base sequence complementary to any of these base sequences as the primer and the nucleic acid in a sample as the template. The DNA fragment that has been synthesized is detected. Chlorinated ethylene or ethane is decomposed by introducing the chlorinated ethylene-decomposing bacteria detected by this method to contaminated soil or underground water.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for purifying water, in particular for the continuous purification of water in the paper industry, said device comprising at least one supply line and at least one drain line for the water. The device also comprises a compression device for at least one sub-stream of the water, an injection device for injecting at least one gas and an expansion device for expanding at least one sub-stream of the water. In addition, the device comprises a unit for separating different phases of the water for purification. The device is characterized by a control system, which detects at least one parameter of the water and controls at least the addition of at least one additive in accordance with the process parameter.

Abstract: A system for treating liquids by forming bacteria flora using earthworm humus is disclosed. In some embodiments, the system includes a containment tank for receiving a contaminated liquid distributed through an opening into the tank, the containment tank further including a layer of earthworm humus through which the liquid is filtered, a medium layer for bacteria inoculation below the earthworm humus layer in the containment tank, and an inert layer below the medium layer proximate to the base of the containment tank.

Abstract: A method includes: disposing a filter into a body of wastewater containing active sludge, the filter including a supporting member having an outlet, and a filter media enclosing the supporting member and supported by the supporting member so as to have a predetermined firm shape, the filter media including a non-woven substrate and a fibrous filtering layer attached to the non-woven substrate and having a pore diameter ranging from 0.001 to 15 ?m and a layer thickness ranging from 10 to 200 ?m, the fibrous filtering layer being made from fibers having a fiber diameter ranging from 20 to 1000 nm; and driving the wastewater to pass through the filter using a pump connected to the outlet of the supporting member of the filter.

Abstract: The invention is an improved filtration module. The filtration system comprises a filter vessel having two or more filtrate outlets mounted at opposite ends of the filter vessel. Alternatively, a seal is placed between the filter vessel and membrane element contained therein to direct the flow of fluid through the membrane element. The presence of two or more filtrate outlets and/or a seal enhances the performance of the filtration system.

Abstract: A method of removing water and/or methanol from fluid mixtures of the water or methanol with other compounds uses vapor permeation or pervaporation of the water or methanol, as the case may be, from the mixture through a membrane having an amorphous perfluoropolymer selectively permeable layer. The novel process can be applied in such exemplary embodiments as (a) removing water or methanol from mixtures of compounds that have relative volatility of about 1-1.1 or that form azeotropic mixtures with water or methanol, (b) the dehydration of hydrocarbon oil such as hydraulic fluid to concentrations of water less than about 50 ppm, (c) removing water and methanol byproducts of reversible chemical reactions thereby shifting equilibrium to favor high conversion of reactants to desirable products, (d) drying ethanol to less than 0.5 wt.