Abstract: A method and apparatus for electrically interfacing between two or more distinct environments. The method and apparatus are directed to an electrical feedthru with exterior traces traversing a core. The electrical feedthru may be very small, facilitating its use in MEMS devices. The electrical feedthru may also include an over-mold shaped to create a mechanical seal between the two or more distinct environments without the use of an O-ring. The electrical feedthru is not limited to any particular geometry, it may be adapted to fit between any two environments, and thus the traces are not necessarily parallel to a central axis of the core.

Abstract: A method for reducing crosstalk between a plurality of wires in a network cable using a network cable jack that includes a printed circuit board (PCB) for balancing both inductive and capacitive coupling. The method includes using two distinct inductance zones separated by a neutral zone. Significant gains in degrees of freedom are achieved for designing PCB trace patterns in which a pair of inductive coupling zones jointly offset the inductive coupling caused by a specification plug and the jack contacts, both in magnitude and phase angle. Further, using distinct inductance zones offers more freedom regarding the placement of capacitive plates for use in capacitance balancing as well as the placement of terminals and insulation displacement contacts. Although the magnitude of a capacitive coupling is determined by the length of the capacitor plates parallel to current carrying traces, the approach allows capacitive and inductive coupling to be balanced independently.

Abstract: A modification method for reducing emissions from an annular shaped combustor of a gas turbine plant, having uniformly spaced circumferentially mounted premix burners (20), includes the steps of: removing at least one burner (20), thereby disrupting the spatial uniformity of the remaining the burners (20); and modifying the combustor air distribution system so as to compensate for the increased burner pressure drop of the remaining burners, thus enabling the modified combustor to operate at a load equivalent to the unmodified combustor. Emission reduction is enabled by the increase in the gas velocity of the burner for a given load further enabled by the flame stabilizing effect of disrupting the spatial uniformity.

Abstract: A compressor capable of surely preventing leakage of a refrigerant gas from a connection portion between an airtight container and a pipe to the outside at low cost is provided. The compressor comprises an airtight container to which a refrigerant introduction pipe is connected, and a compression element received in the airtight container to discharge the refrigerant into the same. The refrigerant introduction pipe has a cylindrical pipe main body, and a jaw-like flange portion formed in a tip of the pipe main body. A cylindrical connection sleeve is disposed between the refrigerant introduction pipe and the airtight container. A first bolt is disposed to connect the connection sleeve to the airtight container, and a second bolt is disposed to connect the connection sleeve to the flange portion of the refrigerant introduction pipe. The flange portion of the refrigerant introduction pipe hides the first bolt.

Abstract: A method for repairing damaged fins in a labyrinth seal without the use of welding or metallurgical bonding by removing a section of the shaft containing the damaged fins, and providing a sleeve with replacement fins.

Abstract: A method of dismantling a turbomachine includes opening a turbomachine casing in the region of a combustion chamber, releasing a top half shell from a bottom half shell, axially displacing the top half shell and thereafter removing the top half shell in essentially the radial direction, rotationally fixedly connecting an auxiliary tool to the rotor of the turbomachine, connecting the auxiliary tool to the bottom half shell via axially displaceable adapter slides arranged on said auxiliary tool, axially displacing the bottom half shell to release the bottom half shell from axial connecting contours, rotating the bottom half shell with the rotor by approximately 180° until the bottom half shell assumes essentially the position of the removed top half shell, and releasing the bottom half shell and removal of said bottom half shell.

Abstract: In order to create titanium components with a titanium composite insert, a method is provided whereby an initial pre form 1 has a groove 2 formed in it. An encapsulating member 4 is then provided about the groove 2 in order to create a cavity 5 which is filled with titanium alloy powder 6. This titanium alloy powder 6 is densified and then accurately machined in order to create a groove insert form 7 which can accommodate a titanium composite material pre form insert 8 and further titanium alloy powder 9 such that through a high temperature isostatic pressing (HIP) process, the insert 8 is embedded. The original component form 1 can then be machined in order to create the final component elements such as aerofoils 13.

Abstract: In a heat exchanger, a core portion includes a plurality of plate fins each shaped like a flat plate and a plurality of tubes in which a fluid flows and each of which is inserted into each of the plate fins to be mechanically bonded thereto. Further, an end portion in a longitudinal direction of each of the tubes is bonded to a header plate which constructs a part of a header tank. The manufacturing method for this heat exchanger includes inserting the tube into the plate fins; expanding the tube to attach the plate fins; connect the tube into the header plate; and vibrate the tube with respect to the plate while applying a load to the tube in the direction of the header plate.

Abstract: A refrigerant leak-preventive structure in a heat exchanger is described. The refrigerant leak-preventive structure includes a tube group having refrigerant leak-preventive grooves recessed at ends of the fin-tubes group, and headers having refrigerant leak-preventive projections formed by double injection molding solution introduced into and cooled in the refrigerant leak-preventive grooves when being coupled with the both ends of the tube group by a double injection molding.

Abstract: Hot-isostatic-pressure (HIP) is used to bond a cemented carbide inlay (e.g., an inlay ring) on a metal substrate (e.g., a hull ring). For example, an inlay ring is made from a powdered metal inlay preform typically comprising at least one metal carbide and at least one nonvolatile cement. The inlay preform is compressed and sintered to make an inlay ring having a predetermined shape, the inlay ring having a modulus of elasticity substantially greater than that of a hull ring. An inlay ring and a hull ring are sealingly vacuum brazed together with at least one evacuated bonding area between them. HIP is applied to compress the hull ring against the inlay ring, thus fusing the hull ring and inlay ring in at least one evacuated bonding area. Following HIP, the inlay ring and hull ring form a fused assembly in which the inlay ring substantially retains its predetermined shape.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for manufacturing a hollow, elongated structural element, where a first and a second blank (1, 14) are led through an oven (2) for heating to working temperature and are led through rollers (3, 4) with profiled surfaces for pre-forming in one or more steps. The blanks are each led through a forging press with a number of cooperating dies, the blank being worked in a number of steps (5, 8, 11) into halves of an essentially finished product, having a cross-section substantially in the shape of a U-profile with a predetermined varying height, width and thickness of material along its length. The second blank (14) is essentially a copy of the first blank (1). In a final step (15) the blanks are joined together into a composite hollow structural element (18). The invention also relates to a structural element manufactured according to the method.

Abstract: A cutting device for cutting or bursting a pipeline includes a basic body having at least one cutting or perforating element, wherein the cutting or perforating element discontinuously cuts the pipeline in the longitudinal direction or at least discontinuously weakens the pipe material.

Abstract: A cutting apparatus has a unidirectionally-locking blade cover that automatically snaps back over the exposed blade after each cut, and a dependent, index finger operated unlocking trigger.

Abstract: Double handle knives and attachments to convert a knife to a double handle knife are described with secondary handles able to form an angle of 45 degrees (+ or ?15) degrees between the long axis of the secondary handle and the long axis of the blade in a plane at about right angles to the plane of the blade. Embodiments describe fixed and rotatable means of attachment of the secondary handle to the blade. Embodiments further describe reversible and permanent means of attachment of the secondary handle. The placement of the secondary handle at the angle described allows for the optimal positioning of the hands for both controlling an assisting with the cutting of foods and other items.

Abstract: A knife system for providing efficient replacement of a knife blade. The knife system generally includes a body, a lever pivotally connected to the body, a collet connected to the body, and a shaft connected between the lever and the collet. When the lever is in a closed position, the shaft applies tension to the collet resulting in frictional engagement with a blade within the collet. An illuminating unit is preferably positioned within the body directing light towards the blade within the collet to illuminate a work area.

Abstract: A safety razor handle assembly including a safety razor having a handle and a razor blade head. The assembly including an elongated body portion, a hand gripping portion affixed to one end of the elongated body portion, and a safety razor engaging portion affixed to the other end. The razor engaging portion engaging the handle of the safety razor so that the handle of the safety razor extends axially from the elongated body portion and the blade head of the safety razor extends laterally beyond the safety razor engaging portion.

Abstract: There are provided a telescope unit (5) having a first image pickup unit for acquiring a wide-angle image and a second image pickup unit for acquiring a telescopic image with higher magnification than the wide-angle image, a distance measuring unit for performing distance measurement by projecting a distance measuring light and by receiving a light reflected from an object to be measured, an angle measuring unit for detecting a horizontal angle and a vertical angle of the telescope unit, a drive unit for rotating and driving the telescope unit in a horizontal direction and in a vertical direction, and a control device for controlling image pickup of the first image pickup unit and the second image pickup unit and for controlling the drive unit based on the results of detection from the angle measuring unit, wherein the control device synthesizes a panoramic image by connecting the wide-angle image obtained by the first image pickup unit, sets up a scheduled measuring point by edge processing of the wide-angle

Abstract: A digital protractor for measuring angular displacement from a referenced surface includes a substantially congruent pair of pivotally interconnected upper and lower arms, which arms are superposable upon one another. Each arm has a pair of substantially parallel engagement edges extending longitudinally of the arm. One of the arms is engagable along an engagement edge thereof with the reference surface. A capacitive sensor is secured to the lower arm and a digital readout device is secured to the upper arm for operatively cooperating with the capacitive sensor to measure and display the angular displacement from the arm engaging the reference surface to the other arm.

Abstract: A measuring device, includes a guiding rail, a sliding unit levitatedly slidably engaged with the guiding rail, and a measuring unit fixed to the sliding unit and comprising at least one dial gauge mounted thereto.

Abstract: An exemplary contour measuring probe includes a guide (12), a movable rack, a counter-balancing mechanism, a linear measuring scale (24), and a displacement sensor (26). The movable rack comprises a tip extension (20) for touching a surface of an object. The tip extension (20) is pushed to move towards the object under a gravitational force acting on the movable rack. The counter-balancing mechanism is configured to partially counter balance the gravitational force acting on the movable rack. The linear measuring scale (24) displays values of displacements of the tip extension (20). The displacement sensor (26) detects and reads the displacement values displayed by the linear measuring scale (24).

Abstract: A fence post centering assembly and method includes an elongated member that has a first end and a second end. A first head member and second head member are provided. Each of the first and second ends is removably engaged with one of the first and second head members. Each of the first and second head members includes a receiving slot. A first post is positionable in the receiving slot of the first head member and a second post is positioned in the receiving slot of the second head member to ensure a proper positioned between the first and second posts.

Abstract: A guide rail for a linear bearing has a longitudinal axis, a first and second diametrically opposed lateral surface and a top lateral surface, running surfaces provided on the first and/or second lateral surfaces and extending parallel to the longitudinal axis, for a guide carriage of the linear bearing, and an incremental dimensional standard for a position measuring device provided on one of the lateral surfaces, wherein an absolute dimensional standard is provided on another lateral surface, which is scanable by the position measuring device together with the incremental dimensional standard in order to determine an absolute position.

Abstract: The invention provides a tape measure housing having resilient material located at its outersurface. The resilient material defines one or more gas-filled cavities, each of which is located on a line tangential to an outer wall of the housing between the outer wall of the housing and an outer wall of the resilient material. This provides improved shock protection.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus and method for the uniform drying of boards, such as gypsum wallboards. The apparatus includes a dryer through which a series of boards are conveyed in a side-by-side relationship. While in the dryer, heated air is delivered over the boards via a series of separate air channels. A bypass duct delivers a portion of or a totality of unreheated air to the outermost channels where the cooler air displaces a volume of the warmer air. As a result, the air in the outermost channels is cooler than the air in the interior channels. Air from the outermost channels is then directed over the exposed longitudinal edges of the boards.

Abstract: A ventilation sole for shoes is disclosed. The ventilation sole of the present invention has a vent hole (110), which is formed in a sidewall of the sole, an air supply hole, which is formed in the upper surface of the sole (100), and an air passage, which communicates the air supply hole with the vent hole, such that outside air is supplied into the shoe. Furthermore, the present invention is characterized in that a vent hole control device (200), which is opened or closed by a knocking operation, is installed in the vent hole (110) such that part thereof protrudes outside the sole (100), thus making it possible for a user to selectively open or close the vent hole (110), as necessary.

Abstract: An athletic shoe is provided with a selectively adjustable shock-absorbing element. In one preferred aspect, a plate is provided with a plurality of independently moveable portions in contact with the shock-absorbing element. In another aspect, a plate is provided at an angle relative to a coil spring. A method is provided for adjusting a shock-absorbing spring.

Abstract: Some studded footwear, such as sports shoes, require studs to be specifically oriented relative to the shoe sole. The studs may be specifically oriented in the receptacles, and thus the receptacles need to be oriented relative to the sole of the shoe. Means are provided therefore for orienting a specifically-oriented receptacle for a shoe stud in a multi-layer shoe sole comprising co-operating orienting means on the receptacle and an outer shoe sole, the co-operating orienting means being operative to physically retain the receptacle in the correct orientation relative to the outer shoe sole at least until an inner shoe sole is secured to the outer shoe sole. Thus the co-operating orienting means serve to ensure that a specifically-oriented receptacle is physically held in the correct orientation relative to the shoe sole, at least until the shoe sole is completed by attachment of an inner shoe sole.

Abstract: A foot insert is provided that is capable of providing protective cushioning to an area at the front of a wearer's foot including an area extending from the front tips of the toes to the metatarsal region of the ball portion of the foot. The foot insert includes a half-sock formed from a stretchable fabric material and is capable of extending over a toe portion up to about a mid-point of a length of a wearer's foot. A cushioning pad is attached to a lower sole portion of the half-sock and is formed from a shape-memory material that is capable of substantially permanently molding into a shape of a bottom portion and toes of the wearer's foot upon use.

Abstract: A novel shoe construction provides a unique aesthetically pleasing appearance to a shoe that can be easily, but significantly, changed. In the shoe construction, the shoe is provided with an upper ankle portion that has an elongate length that extends upwardly from the shoe sole. The length of the ankle portion allows a top part of the ankle portion to be folded downwardly over a bottom part of the ankle portion to produce a first appearance of the shoe. The top part of the ankle portion can be unfolded to extend upwardly from the bottom part of the ankle portion to produce the second appearance of the shoe.

Abstract: Clock sandal with a flexible sole plate, a pair of flexible foot retaining straps, a time keeping device and a time keeping device retaining loop. The sole plate includes a thin flexible top layer of material. The sole heal portion includes a hollow cavity which is covered by a hinged top plate. The foot retaining straps are each attached to the left and right heal portion of the sole plate. The straps join to form a single strap that is fixedly connected to the portion of the sole plate that corresponds to the space between the wearer's big toe and second toe. The time keeping device retaining loop is fixedly attached to the single strap at the strap joining location and the time keeping device is frictionally retained within the time keeping device retaining loop.

Abstract: A removable cleat includes a plurality of projections, dividing into sets, with each set of projections made of different materials. The cleat includes a coupling element, for attachment to a shoe, and a ground contacting element. The ground contacting element contains a plurality of projections, with the projections divided into at least two sets. The projections may be disposed about the perimeter of the ground contacting element, such that each set of projections does not extend more than half the perimeter. Additionally, some of the plurality of projections may be located interior to the perimeter. Further, each set of projections may be oriented in a particular direction with respect to a plane formed by the perimeter. Each interspersed set of projections may be made of a different material, or each projection may itself be made of a different material. Further, a directional cleat may include sets of projections interspersed on different parts of the cleat, with each set made of different materials.

Abstract: A method of repositioning a machine during an excavating operation from a first machine position to a second machine position is provided. A target distance to the second machine position is selected. An operator input device configured to send a control input signal to a control module to initiate a repositioning phase is activated. During a repositioning phase, the machine is moved toward the second position while an operator maintains control of movement. A determination is made when the machine has traveled the target distance. The machine is stopped under automated machine control at the second machine position.

Abstract: A squeegee blade includes a mounting plate with a surface. A relatively rigid support member is attached to the surface of the mounting plate and a relatively flexible blade is attached to the surface of the mounting plate adjacent to the support member so that the blade is supported by the support member against compression toward the mounting plate.

Abstract: A line 93 is provided with a line 71 communicating the line 93 and a hydraulic oil tank 51. The line 71 is provided with a throttle 72 to construct a throttle-provided line 7. When air is trapped between the hydraulic oil tank 51 and the hydraulic pump 52, the hydraulic pump 52 is driven to discharge the air from the throttle-provided line 7 to the hydraulic oil tank 51, thereby removing the air in the hydraulic circuit 5. When the air is removed, resistance caused by the throttle 72 is increased, which makes hydraulic oil flow from a pilot pump 522 to a PPC valve. Since the throttle-provided line 7 realizes air removal with a simple structure, a hydraulic cylinder 44 can be supplied with the air-removed hydraulic oil from an initial stage, thereby enhancing responsiveness of the hydraulic cylinder 44.

Abstract: A hydraulic excavator includes: an oil-pressure cut valve for suspending pressure oil supply to a PPC valve; a lock switch for operating the oil-pressure cut valve; and a control device for controlling a switching of the oil-pressure cut valve. The control device includes: a lock-state determining unit that determines a lock state of working equipment by considering the status of the lock switch; a traveling-state determining unit that determines a traveling state of the hydraulic excavator; an alert-issuing controlling unit that issues an alert urging locking of the working equipment; and a relay control unit that actuates the oil-pressure cut valve to suspend the flow of pressure oil. The alert-issuing controlling unit issues the alert and the relay control unit actuates the oil pressure cut valve when the hydraulic excavator is determined to be traveling and the working equipment is determined not to be in the lock state.

Abstract: A tined implement coupled to front arms of a front end loader includes a hitch quick-coupler mechanism, a body, at least one tine and a plurality of arm coupling brackets. The body is coupled to the quick-coupler mechanism and defines a plurality of apertures each having tine bearing surfaces. The at least one tine is coupled to the body and positioned within one of the tine bearing surfaces. The plurality of arm coupling brackets are coupled to the quick-coupler mechanism. The brackets are rotatably coupled to the front arms of the front end loader.

Abstract: The invention relates to a display unit consisting of two panels which are joined along the lateral edges thereof, and at least one push unit joined to one of the panels and comprising first and second edges wherein at least said second edge is a free edge. The inventive display unit can be collapsed, whereby the element and the panels are disposed back-to-back adopting a flat configuration. The invention also comprises a pull element intended to rotate, curve or bend the push element thereby pushing the free second edge of the push element towards one of the two panels in order to expand the panels automatically from the collapsed configuration to a service position in which the display unit it adopts a convex configuration able to stand upright.

Abstract: The invention relates to an electronic button tag for tagging and identifying cattle and other animals, of the type which is intended to be placed on one of the ears of the animal. The inventive button tag includes a transponder which is enclosed in a shell. The shell is made from two half-shells, namely a lower half-shell and an upper half-shell, which are assembled together at a median plane. The transponder is fixed in place, without compression. between the two half-shells using a glue; and the two half-shells are assembled by a laser weld.

Abstract: There is provided a knock down signpost comprising a post member (6) and a lower body member (10) held together by a spring (3) having a preload when the post is vertical, acting two flat surfaces (8) creating an initial resistance to motion off the horizontal. Two steel cables (114) transmit the force of the spring and are spaced apart which allows the cables to act as a non rotation mechanism. Two round protrusions (16) in the post member (6) locate into two matching clearance holes (14) in the lower body for post alignment. A shock tube (4) is fitted over the cable and internal to the spring to prevent over compression and provides a mechanical stop. As the top assembly is rotated chamfered edges (15) of the post member (6) engage and interlock into an annular groove (13) to act as a pseudo-hinge.

Abstract: A label holder for attachment to, or integrated into, a retail shelf is provided. The label holder includes a deck and an electronic price label holder. The deck has a front deck portion and a back deck portion. The electronic price label holder is supported by the front deck portion. The label holder also has a back wall extending between a top wall and a bottom wall to form a retention channel. The back wall includes a hinge structure such that an entrance opening in the retention channel is expandable and retractable for receipt of electronic price labels.

Abstract: A muzzleloader firearm has a barrel with at least one lug retaining structure that includes an internal annular groove and an internal annular shoulder that is both adjacent the annular groove and positioned between the annular groove and the breech end of the barrel. Each annular shoulder is provided with lug entry cutouts, which are radially spaced about the shoulder. The firearm also has a breech plug that is provided with multiple lugs forming at least one discontinuous external shoulder. The lugs are spaced and sized so that they align with the lug entry cutouts. Preferably, the number of external shoulders on the breech plug match the number of internal annular grooves in the barrel. The breech plug is installed in the barrel by aligning the lugs with the lug entry cutouts, and then rotating the plug so that the lugs are no longer aligned with the lug entry cutouts.

Abstract: A firearm including a safety that moves between a safe position that does not permit firing of the firearm and a fire position that permits firing of the firearm, and a lock that locks the safety in the closed position wherein the lock includes an ambidextrous locking mechanism actuable from both sides of the firearm.

Abstract: A fastening assembly, method of use and associate kit for use in firearms assembly is provided. In one embodiment, at least one insert having at least a first mating portion and slanted surface is provided. A second mating portion is provided and is adjacent at least one of a receiver or barrel and configured to interlock and mate with the at least first mating portion. A stock is also provided, having at least one sidewall and at least one seating portion provided adjacent or integrated with the one sidewall and dimensioned to correspond and accept at least a portion of the insert. In particular embodiments, a fastener is also provided to fasten and secure the at least one insert to the at least one seating portion of the stock.

Abstract: A dual beam laser aiming module for a firearm has a dual-laser alignment housing with a first IR laser assembly in a first cavity and that provides a first beam axis. A second visible laser assembly is adjustably located in a second cavity to provide a second beam having an axis parallel to the first beam axis. A housing for the dual-laser alignment housing is adapted to be fixed to the firearm. The dual-laser alignment housing has a rounded exterior surface that interfaces with a corresponding rounded surface in the interior of the cavity of the laser housing. The dual-laser alignment housing is adjustably pivoted with respect to the laser housing with a four-point laser alignment mechanism to align the parallel first and second axes further in parallel to a centerline of a barrel of the firearm.

Abstract: The snag-resistant fishing lure is a snag-free fishing lure designed to minimize the chances of the lure becoming ensnared. The lure has a jig and a blade attached to the blade in a configuration that limits the side-to-side movement of the blade, thereby preventing the jig from rolling to a hook-downward position prone to snagging. A centrally aligned hole is positioned close to the front edge of the blade member. An eyelet extending from the jig body is attached through an aperture in the blade. The blade is limited in its side-to-side movement by contact between the blade edge and either the jig body or the eyelet. The limited side-to-side movement of the blade creates a quick, controlled, oscillating blade action that imparts a natural swimming motion to the lure, emulating prey species movements.

Abstract: An apparatus for trapping a snake comprising a base wall having a smooth interior surface and an exterior surface, first and second side walls having a smooth interior surface and an exterior surface and having first edges attached to opposing edges of said base wall, a top wall having a smooth interior surface and an exterior surface and having opposing edges attached to second edges of said first and second side walls, wherein said first and second side walls, said base wall and said top wall define a tunnel therein, the tunnel including a first area for placing a sticky pad for trapping the snake coming into contact with the sticky pad and at least one second area through which the snake must pass before reaching the first area, the second area having a smooth inner surface for denying traction to the snake trapped on the sticky pad and having a sufficient length and width to allow substantially an entire body of the snake to enter the tunnel prior to encountering the sticky pad.

Abstract: A crustacean trap that includes a collapsible frame assembly surrounded by a collapsible net body. The frame assembly includes a lower collar perpendicularly aligned and attached to a hollow mast. The mast extends upward from the lower collar and slides through an upper collar. Pivotally attached to the upper collar are four radially aligned upper legs. Pivotally coupled to the lower end of each upper leg is a lower leg that is vertically aligned under the upper leg. Each lower leg extends inward and pivotally connects to the lower collar. The upper and lower collars are aligned and registered so when the mast is extended downward through the upper collar, the upper collar and the lower collar separate thereby forcing each upper leg diagonally downward from the upper collar and forcing each lower leg horizontally outward from the lower collar.

Abstract: The present invention provides a pest removal device for removing a pest from a surface and a method of using the pest removal device. The pest removal device comprises an engagement side covered by an adhesive layer, a backing side positioned opposite the engagement side, a single release tab covered with a non-adhesive layer extending from the pest removal device for removing the engagement side from the surface.

Abstract: The elongated tubular pesticide administration system is designed to fit between the foundation wall of a structure and the lowest board in a lapped exterior wall system, such as wood, composites, cement-fiber board, vinyl, or aluminum siding. The pesticide dispersion system is attached to the inner surface of the lowest board, and it includes an extended, flexible, resilient seal which seals it against the outside of the foundation wall, thereby sealing the exposed area between formed between the foundation wall and the exterior siding. Pesticide foam is injected into the system through fill ports which are spaced along the bottom of the system. The pesticide foam fills the aperture and is then disbursed through pesticide dispersion holes.

Abstract: A hydromulch root ball includes a root system and hydraulically compactable mulch interspersed into the root system. The hydraulically compactable mulch is interspersed into the root system by soaking the root system in an aqueous mixture of water and mulch, then draining the water away from the root system to hydraulically compact the mulch into and around the root system.