Abstract: A fish attractor with a substantially planar body having an aperture at the apex and one centrally located in the base, and a substantially larger opening positioned centrally in the plane. Disposed in the larger opening is a spinner which spins as the fish attractor is drawn through the water and produces vibration and sound as it spins.

Abstract: A breakaway coupling includes a socket for captively receiving the shank and eyelet of a fish hook. The breakaway coupling includes a coupling element having a pair of tines with barbs for releasably snap-fitting the coupling element into a socket of a holder having a loop for coupling to a lure. The holder includes a slotted body for releasably holding the hook and barbed coupling element with a desired breakaway force. In another embodiment of the invention, the hook can be integrally molded to the coupling element which snap-fits within the socket.

Abstract: The present invention includes a system for improving the speed and ease of attaching, removing, and cleaning bait-cans when used for crabbing. A punch machine pierces one or more holes in a bait-can that resembles a large tuna can. This can, in turn, inserts into a new hanger device that is generally C-shaped with the open notch at the bottom and a pair of retainers at the top. The can is simply snapped into the hanger. The hanger attaches to a crab pot but suspends the bait can off the floor of the pot. In another version, the hanger includes two opposed arms that can be used to stabilize an existing bait device in the known art.

Abstract: A termite bait includes a plurality of cellulosic food material pieces palatable to termites embedded within a water resistant polyurethane foam matrix. Another termite bait includes a plurality of cellulosic food material pieces embedded within a water-absorbent polyurethane foam matrix. Yet another termite bait includes at least one cellulosic food material piece encapsulated within a water resistant polyurethane foam coating. Such termite baits can be used alone or in a monitoring device or other termite control device. Another termite control device includes a container, a cellulosic food material within the container and a water resistant polyurethane foam positioned to separate the food material from its environment. The container can contain a termite bait as described above or can include a chamber containing a cellulosic food material and at least one pocket containing a polyurethane foam barrier to reduce intrusion of water through the pocket to the food material.

Abstract: A termite bait includes a plurality of cellulosic food material pieces palatable to termites embedded within a water resistant polyurethane foam matrix. Another termite bait includes a plurality of cellulosic food material pieces embedded within a water-absorbent polyurethane foam matrix. Yet another termite bait includes at least one cellulosic food material piece encapsulated within a water resistant polyurethane foam coating. Such termite baits can be used alone or in a monitoring device or other termite control device. Another termite control device includes a container, a cellulosic food material within the container and a water resistant polyurethane foam positioned to separate the food material from its environment. The container can contain a termite bait as described above or can include a chamber containing a cellulosic food material and at least one pocket containing a polyurethane foam barrier to reduce intrusion of water through the pocket to the food material.

Abstract: A termite bait includes a plurality of cellulosic food material pieces palatable to termites embedded within a water resistant polyurethane foam matrix. Another termite bait includes a plurality of cellulosic food material pieces embedded within a water-absorbent polyurethane foam matrix. Yet another termite bait includes at least one cellulosic food material piece encapsulated within a water resistant polyurethane foam coating. Such termite baits can be used alone or in a monitoring device or other termite control device. Another termite control device includes a container, a cellulosic food material within the container and a water resistant polyurethane foam positioned to separate the food material from its environment. The container can contain a termite bait as described above or can include a chamber containing a cellulosic food material and at least one pocket containing a polyurethane foam barrier to reduce intrusion of water through the pocket to the food material.

Abstract: Dual action lethal containers, systems, methods, compositions and formulas used to kill mosquitoes and their larvae. The containers can have separate interior larvicidal and adulticidal coatings separated from each other by horizontal water line holes in the container. Another container can use a novel combined coating of a larvicidal and adulticidal coating. Unique compositions of adulticidal coatings, larvicidal coatings and combined adulticidal and larvicidal coatings can be used as liners.

Abstract: Provided is a system and method for dispensing bait for the monitoring or control of pests. A garbage container includes garbage a storage member and a wheel assembly, which supports the storage member. The wheel assembly includes at least one wheel member and an axle joining the wheel member to the garbage storage member. A bait holding station is located inside the wheel member. Pests may enter the interior of the wheel member through an entrance aperture formed in a wall of the wheel member, such as an axle-engaging portion of the wheel member.

Abstract: Bed bug infestations are combated by exposure to a disinfecting atmosphere which includes ozone and hydrogen peroxide, at a relative humidity of at least 30%.

Abstract: A system to heat objects which are infested with arthropods is disclosed having a structured shelter, composed of two double reflective canopies and a double reflective floor cover. Heaters are placed within the shelter, and a fan is located behind the heater to furnish hot air circulation. Thermocouples are provided to determine the heating end point. The non metallic support structure is installed around the objects to be heated, and the various reflective covers and canopies are installed upon the support structure.

Abstract: The present invention provides a stable fuel composition that can be used as a drop-in replacement for number 2 fuel oil without requiring infrastructure changes. The fuel comprises a continuous phase of mostly biofuel, an aqueous disperse phase, and at least one emulsifier. The continuous phase contains about 50 wt % to about 95 wt % of at least one liquid vegetable or liquid animal oil/fat or mixtures thereof; about 1 wt % to about 20 wt % of a renewable or fossil fuel derived thinning solvent or mixtures thereof, with or without 1 wt % to about 25 wt % of a C1-C4 monohydric alcohols, and with or without about 1 wt % to about 30 wt % of petroleum middle distillate. The aqueous phase contains about 1 wt % to about 50 wt % of deionized/purified water, with or without 1 wt % to about 25 wt % of a C1-C4 monohydric alcohols.

Abstract: A process for converting a solid biomass material, comprising contacting the solid biomass material and a hydrocarbon co-feed with a catalytic cracking catalyst at a temperature of more than 400° C. in a riser reactor to produce one or more cracked products, wherein the solid biomass material is introduced to the riser reactor at a location downstream of the location where the hydrocarbon co-feed is introduced to the riser reactor.

Abstract: The invention relates generally to the field of fuel production. More specifically, the invention relates to biofuel production from high temperature oil-based processing of organic matter.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of additives with detergent action selected from: (i) compounds with moieties derived from succinic anhydride and having hydroxyl and/or amino and/or amido and/or imido groups; (ii) nitrogen compounds quaternized in an acid-free manner, obtainable by addition of a compound comprising an oxygen- or nitrogen-containing group reactive with an anhydride and additionally a quaternizable amino group onto a polycarboxylic anhydride compound and subsequent quaternization; (iii) polytetrahydrobenzoxazines and bistetrahydrobenzoxazines for further increasing the cetane number of fuel oils which comprise cetane number improvers; furthermore, it relates to a fuel additive concentrate consisting of additives (i) to (iii), cetane number improvers, organic diluents or solvents and possibly customary co-additives.

Abstract: A method of processing a biomass fuel compact is provided that includes combining a composition of combustible biomass materials, comminuting the composition of biomass materials, drying the biomass adding an adhesive to the biomass materials to form a composite biomass, the adhesive having a starch and a hydroxide, forming the composite biomass into a shapeform, and heat treating the composite biomass before or after producing the shapeform at a base temperature sufficient to break O-H bonds, the base temperature being below a mean torrefication temperature of the composite biomass such that torrefaction of a substantial portion of the biomass materials does not occur.

Abstract: The invention provides an artificial ice substrate that floats on a body of water. The top surface of the artificial ice reflects a portion of the sunlight back away from the earth. The bottom surface has nutrients for enhancing the growth of algae. Several weeks after placement of the artificial ice in the body of water, a ship with harvesting equipment, scrapes the algae off artificial ice and into a collection tank, re-applies nutrients to the underside of the ice substrate, and then deposits the artificial ice back into the lake or ocean. The marine plants are then converter into fuel. Besides creating carbon neutral fuel, this method provides carbon credits by means of reflecting sun energy back into space.

Abstract: A light guide device for transmitting light through a column of light transmitting medium and into an adjacent culture growing solution, including a barrier structure for separating the medium and solution, the barrier structure being light transmissive to allow for extraction of light and being adapted to hold a material of reduced refractive index relative to the medium so as to provide total internal reflection for light incident the barrier structure at greater than a critical angle to thereby guide the light through the device.

Abstract: A formed densified organic material for use as landscape mulch and method of manufacture and application are disclosed. The formed densified organic material is made by drying a loose mixture of mulch material and compressing the loose mixture of mulch material into a formed densified organic material. The method of apply includes: placing formed densified organic mulch on the ground at spaced locations; adding moisture to the densified organic mulch, allowing the densified organic mulch to absorb the moisture, causing the densified organic mulch to expand and reconstitute back into its original state of loose mulch; and spreading the loose mulch as required. The formed densified organic material has a moisture content of less than approximately 20 percent, a density greater than approximately 40 pounds per cubic foot, and a weigh less than approximately 5 pounds.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for treating a least a portion of one or more initial seed samples to create one or more treated seed samples for use in research applications is provided. In various embodiments, the apparatus and method utilize two or more seed treaters operating in parallel to increase throughput for treating a portion of one or more initial seed samples. The apparatus and method may also include a metering station configured to distribute at least a portion of the one or more initial seed samples to the two or more seed treaters. As a result, the apparatus and method are configured to efficiently and accurately treat seed samples.

Abstract: This invention provides a plant health diagnostic method and a plant health diagnostic device for detecting initial disorder of a plant individual body carrying pests or the like in a large-scale plant cultivation field. The plant health diagnostic method is for diagnosing a health state of a plant in accordance with chlorophyll fluorescence emitted from chlorophyll of a plant body. The method includes: obtaining a first minimum point s after a maximum point p having largest chlorophyll fluorescence intensity and a first maximum point m after the minimum point s on a time course curve for the chlorophyll fluorescence intensity; defining chlorophyll fluorescence intensity values at the minimum point s and the first maximum point m after the minimum point s as S and M, respectively; and comparing the value S and the value M to evaluate the state of the plant.

Abstract: An improved drain hole cover for use in all types of planting containers is described. A preferred embodiment of the drain hole cover comprises a single generally discoid layer of lofted synthetic nonwoven material with a pressure-sensitive adhesive applied to one side. Generally, the adhesive can be applied to a periphery of the one side of the drain hole cover in a pattern so as to leave a central portion uncoated by the adhesive. The drain hole cover can be disposed, adhesive side down, on an inner surface of a planting container concentric to a drainage hole of the planting container. In use, the drain hole cover allows water to drain out of the container and prevents the egress of soil through the drainage hole.

Abstract: The invention is a phytoremediation test cell that mimics mature plant remediation properties. The test cell allows a test of the accuracy and efficiency of phytoremediation by placing the trees that are to be used for phytoremediation in a contained elongated cavity filled with the soil or root medium that is to be phytoremediated. The cell has a drain outlet at its bottom that water poured through the cell is in contact with the roots of the phytoremediating plant and then drains through the outlet such that it can be tested. The plants are 8-10 months old and arranged in the cell such that their roots are surrounded and in direct contact with the root medium.

Abstract: The invention relates to a control device (10) for use in an ambient light control system (20) for controlling ambient light entering a space (1) through an opening (2). An ambient light prediction unit (11) provides ambient light prediction values, which are predictions of an ambient light property at the opening (2). An ambient light adjusting unit (12) provides, at different ambient light adjusting time points, an ambient light adjusting signal depending on the ambient light prediction values for an upcoming ambient light prediction time period. The ambient light adjusting signal is adapted for use by an ambient light modifying element (22) for modifying the entering of ambient light into the space (1) through the opening (2). By taking the predicted ambient light conditions at the opening (2) into account, necessary adjustments can be made at temporally spaced ambient light adjusting time points, resulting in fewer disturbances of the users.

Abstract: The attachment device (1) for attaching a glass pane (200) to a carrier (100) of a window regulator (51) comprises a holder (11) arranged for being mounted in a hole (201) of the glass pane (200), the holder (11) comprising a first part (12) configured to be arranged on a face of the glass pane (200) and a second part (13) configured to be arranged on another face of the glass pane (200), said first part (12) and said second part (13) being attached to one another by means of at least one hinge (17), said holder (11) further comprising coupling means (16) for coupling and retaining said first part (12) and said second part (13) to one another, the attachment device (1) further comprising a flexible retainer (31) which can adopt an assembly state and a retaining state.

Abstract: The method serves for operating a system with a foldable element that is provided with a control unit including at least two foldable elements, that are connected each via connecting shafts to related carriages, which are slidably supported in a running rail and of which at least the carriage connected to the front-sided foldable element is provided with a drive motor, the method including the step of executing a learning drive, with which the system with foldable elements is transferred from at least a first into a second position and related information is captured. According to the invention at least at the front-sided carriage data of the acting load and related position data are captured and therefrom status data of the installed system with foldable elements are determined and provided to an operating program, that controls the at least one drive motor depending on to the determined status data.

Abstract: A sliding door is coupled to a casing having therein a receiving space, a port received in the receiving space, a first opening formed at the casing, and a first guide rail fixed to the casing to face the receiving space and positioned proximate to the first opening. The sliding door includes a frame body and a door body. The frame body is received in the receiving space and has a second guide rail, a resilient arm, and a second opening corresponding in position to the first opening. The door body is disposed between the casing and the frame body and slides along the first guide rail and the second guide rail to selectively block or unblock the first opening and the second opening. Accordingly, the sliding door structure is selectively opened or shut as needed, so as to protect the port.

Abstract: A door assembly is provided with a handle that is movable between a first handle position where the door assembly is unlatched and a second handle position where the door assembly is latched. The handle may also be movable to a third handle position where the door assembly is locked. A hollow conduit is operatively connected to the handle at a first end. A wire is disposed within the conduit and operatively connected to the handle such that the wire translates within the conduit when the handle is moved. A damping material is positioned between an outer surface of the wire and an inner surface of the conduit. The damping material is configured to dampen the motion of the handle. In one example, the damping material is silicone grease.

Abstract: A door sill assembly comprises a sill threshold defining an upper step portion and a lower step portion. A sweep is connected to a bottom of a door slab of a door, the sweep comprising deflectors projecting downwardly from the door slab. An outermost deflector is vertically aligned with and spaced apart from the lower step portion when the door is closed to form a pressure-equalized zone open to the exterior. A second deflector is vertically aligned and in contact with the upper step portion when the door is closed. A seal is positioned interiorly relative to the deflectors and is vertically aligned with the upper step portion to form a sealed zone with the second one of the deflectors and the upper portion when the door is closed.

Abstract: An abrasive article, comprising a polycrystalline material comprising abrasive grains and a filler material having an average negative coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) within a range of temperatures between about 70 K to about 1500 K. A method of forming an abrasive article, comprising preparing an abrasive material, preparing a filler material having an average negative coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) within a range of temperatures between about 150 K to about 1500 K, and forming a polycrystalline material comprising grains of the abrasive material and the filler material.

Abstract: A detritus exclusion appliance includes a support that is preferably, but not necessarily, constructed of extruded aluminum and that comprises a screen made of surgical grade stainless steel wire mesh that prevents debris from entering rain gutters. The support is preferably formed of an extruded material that includes one or more upwardly projecting support beams. A center beam may project upwardly beyond beams to either side of it to create a curved profile in which the wire mesh is curved along an axis of the support to slope downwardly on either side of the center beam. This arrangement assists in shedding detritus and debris from the screen.

Abstract: A detritus exclusion appliance includes a support that is preferably, but not necessarily, constructed of extruded aluminum and that comprises a screen made of surgical grade stainless steel wire mesh that prevents debris from entering rain gutters. The support is preferably formed of an extruded material that includes one or more upwardly projecting support beams. A center beam may project upwardly beyond beams to either side of it to create a curved profile in which the wire mesh is curved along an axis of the support to slope downwardly on either side of the center beam. This arrangement assists in shedding detritus and debris from the screen. Various embodiments are described.

Abstract: A covering employing a fascia gutter is disclosed. The fascia gutter includes a front member, bottom member, a rear member, a ledge, a guiding groove, a protrusion and a receiving space. The bottom member connects the front member to the rear member. The receiving space is defined by the front member, the bottom member, and the rear member. The ledge is connected to the rear member, and the guiding groove is defined in the ledge. An opening is defined by the ledge and the protrusion.

Abstract: A snow-inhibiting device for inhibiting the movement of snow and ice on a solar-paneled roof. The device includes a base adapted for attachment to the surface of a roof. A planar guard member is securely attached to the surface of the base. The planar guard member has a proximal and distal end, where the proximal end is adjacent to the base, and the distal end projects away from the base. The distal end projects to a height greater than the height of the surface of a solar panel on the roof.

Abstract: A modular frame and structure system and method includes a framework and a cover coupled to the framework and configured to provide a desired structure. The framework includes a plurality of elongated frame members, and a plurality of coupling members for coupling the elongated frame members. One or more of the coupling members includes a releasable connecting device having a connecting mode for connecting the coupling members to the frame members and form the framework, the releasable connecting device having a release mode for disconnecting the elongated frame members from the coupling members. The cover includes one or more interlocking wall panels configured to engage and be supported by the elongated frame members, and one or more interlocking roof panels configured to engage and be supported by the elongated frame members.

Abstract: A modular structure includes a first container and a second container. The modular structure also includes at least two locking devices, wherein the at least two locking devices couple the first container to the second container. The first and second containers have a compact configuration and an expanded configuration. In the expanded configuration the first and second containers are separated by a distance that is greater than distance of separation in the compact configuration.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a modular room with rectangular floor space, a roof and side walls of a skeletal framework construction with section, which is designed in such a way that it can be easily assembled, disassembled and connected to other modular rooms. The floor space is formed of a foundation consisting of grid-shaped floor plates, which form partial floor sections of the foundation.

Abstract: A plurality of thermally insulating panels is adapted to abate the transmission of heat through conduction. A plurality of reflective sheets is coupled to the thermally insulating panels. The sheets are adapted to abate the transmission of heat through radiation. An air space is provided in proximity to the insulating panels with means to create a flow of air through the space. In this manner the flow of air through the air space is adapted to abate the transmission of heat through convection.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a raisable substructure of a drilling rig that includes first and second substructure boxes. The first and second substructure boxes of the raisable substructure each include, among other things an upper box and a lower box, wherein each of the upper boxes is adapted to be raised above a respective lower box. The disclosed raisable substructure also includes a movable center floor section that is adapted to be supported by the upper boxes of the first and second substructure boxes, wherein the movable center floor section is further adapted to be slidably moved between the upper boxes during assembly of the drilling rig.

Abstract: A reinforcing system for a guy anchor used in a guyed or additionally guyed tower includes a concrete structure formed around the guy anchor. The concrete structure has a top surface slightly above grade level. The reinforcing system further includes a supplemental anchor shaft. The supplemental anchor shaft is attached to the existing anchor head and extends down into the concrete structure, where it is retained and encased therein. The concrete structure preferably has a base and at least one wall that extends down from the base and has a surface that faces the tower to resist horizontal forces. The reinforcing system is sufficiently strong to keep the guy anchor in place even if the original anchor shaft completely corrodes. The supplemental anchor shaft does not generally come into contact with soil. It therefore resists corrosion and is expected to provide a long service life.

Abstract: A method and a system for transferring a person and the person's carry-on items from a site upstream of a security check point to a site downstream of the security check point comprises loading the person's carry-on items onto a trolley at the upstream site, separating the person from the trolley at the upstream site, and subsequently x-raying the trolley at the security check point while the carry-on items remain loaded onto the trolley, and while a security check of the person is performed. Subsequently, the person and the trolley are united, while the carry-on items remain loaded onto the trolley. The trolley may be made from non-metallic material, such as plastics composite materials, and may optionally comprise a display monitor for displaying user-specific information. The invention is particularly useful for promoting security checks at airports.

Abstract: An aisle containment system is provided. The aisle containment system includes a pair of wall beams suspended from a ceiling, a pair of floor tracks positioned beneath the wall beams and secured to a floor, and at least one blanking panel secured to one of the wall beams and one of the floor tracks.

Abstract: The invention relates to a wall or roof surface element comprising a temperature barrier layer and an extremely thin external insulating layer. Alternatively, an absorption layer can also be provided on the external side. A building fitted with said type of elements has a positive energy balance.

Abstract: A buck system for forming and framing an opening in a poured concrete foundation includes a plurality of buck sections sized to match the desired dimension of an opening. Each of the buck sections is affixed to an adjacent buck section by brackets forming a closed geometric shape. Each buck section has an inner surface defining an inside dimension of the opening and each of the buck sections has a first channel and a second channel. The first channel snuggly accepts an edge of a first insulated concrete foundation wall of the insulated concrete foundation walls and the second channel snuggly accepts an edge of a second insulated concrete foundation wall of the insulated concrete foundation walls.

Abstract: An improved lath is disclosed having a water drainage layer provided in association with the lath. The water drainage layer serves to remove water that might otherwise build up between the lath and wall structure.

Abstract: A thermally insulating construction component for arranging between two load-bearing parts of a building includes an elongate insulating body and also reinforcing bars extending therethrough transversely with respect, to its longitudinal direction. Bearings project from side walls of the insulating body and absorb thrust and shear forces. The insulating body includes an upper and a lower parallelepipedal dimensionally stable box member filled with insulating material. The insulating body further includes a further dimensionality stable box member which is filled with an insulating material and which is arranged as a middle box member between the upper-box member and the lower box member. The middle box member is fixedly connected to the upper box member and the lower box member.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to a building including a wall panel assembly, and a roof assembly supported by the wall panel assembly. The wall panel assembly includes a wall panel and a coupler for receiving the wall panel. The coupler couples a joist to the wall panel. The coupler includes a receptacle for receiving the wall panel and a support extending from the receptacle and for supporting a joist. The roof assembly includes a resilient spacer and a roof panel located adjacent the resilient spacer.

Abstract: A roll formed sheet metal grid runner, and method of its manufacture, for a suspended ceiling grid having indexing tabs stamped from a central web of the runner profile, the tabs being effective to reliably locate ceiling panels and, when the grid runner is nested with other identical runners in a package, avoid marring of visible surfaces.

Abstract: A removable platform for covering bowling alley lanes to provide a flat surface above the lanes suitable for a variety of other activities.

Abstract: A leak locating shingle comprises a body portion of the shingle with three tabs extending from a lower edge of the shingle. The upper corners of the body portion are trimmed at an angle. When two leak locating shingles are placed side by side, a water-trapping groove is created where the trimmed upper corners meet. If a leak occurs, water runs along the top edge of a shingle, until it encounters a water-trapping groove where the flow of the water trail is interrupted, due to the loss of a continuous path along the upper edge of the shingles. As water accumulates in the water-trapping groove, any water overflow occurs at the bottom of the water-trapping groove, causing the water to run over the top of the shingles. This limits the range of the water trail, and allows roof repair workers to more easily locate and repair the leak.

Abstract: The invention relates to a panel (1, 2, 27, 28) comprising a body (1?, 2?) having at least one plastic layer, complementary locking means (V) provided in pairs on opposite panel edges, at least one pair of locking means having hook profiles (H), namely a receiving hook (5) and a locking hook opposite thereto, wherein the receiving hook (5) comprises a hook edge (8) disposed away from the body and a receiving recess (9) disposed near the body, wherein the receiving recess (9) is open to the top side (7), wherein the locking hook (6) has a locking recess (11) disposed near the body and open to the bottom side and comprises a locking step (12) disposed away from the body and fitting in the receiving recess (9) of the receiving hook (5) in the vertical joining direction, wherein the locking hook (6) comprises a joint surface (13); away from the body and a vertically active locking contour (14) also away from the body, wherein the receiving hook (5) comprises a joint surface (15) closer to the body and a form-fit