epa Method for preparing boron fertilizer By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 03 Feb 2015 08:00:00 EST A method for preparing a boron fertilizer, including: (1) heating boric acid to a temperature of 180-200° C., maintaining the temperature for 20-30 min for dehydration of the boric acid to yield pyroboric acid; and (2) cooling down the pyroboric acid to a temperature of 40-60° C., crushing, and screening to yield a powdered, weakly acidic, high-content boron fertilizer. The method is energy-saving, environmentally friendly, and low in cost. The resulting boron fertilizer is weakly acidic, fast in dissolution rate, and has excellent in compounding performance Full Article
epa Esteramide compounds, methods for preparing same, and uses thereof By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 17 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EDT An esteramide compound of the following formula (I): R1OOC-A-CONR2R3 (I) is described, wherein: A is a covalent bond or a methylene group —CH2—;R1 is an optionally substituted, saturated or unsaturated aliphatic or cycloaliphatic hydrocarbon group including from 5 to 36 carbon atoms,R2 and R3, either identical or different, are groups selected from a hydrogen atom, and optionally substituted hydrocarbon groups, preferably including from 1 to 36 carbon atoms, andR2 and R3 not being simultaneously hydrogen atoms. Also described, are applications for using the esteramide compound, notably as a solvent. Full Article
epa Granular controlled release agrochemical compositions and process for the preparation thereof By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 21 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A granular agrochemical composition is disclosed including a granular core material having a water soluble portion with a first coating layer applied on the surface of the core material and a second coating layer applied on the surface of the first coating layer. The first coating layer includes a wax composition having a biologically active ingredient incorporated therein and the second coating layer includes a polymeric composition. The granular agrochemical composition exhibits a controlled rate of release of the biologically active ingredient therefrom over a period greater than about 30 days from the date of initial exposure of the granular composition to moisture whereby essentially all of the biologically active ingredient incorporated in the wax material of the first coating layer is released from the granular composition before the water soluble portion of the granular core material is released from the granular composition. Full Article
epa Composite foliage Si fertilizer for lowering contents of heavy metals and nitrate in vegetable, and preparation method thereof By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 28 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT The present invention is related to the field of environmental protection, more specifically, to a foliage silicon fertilizer and a method for production of the fertilizer, which is a molybdenum-silica compound sol used for reducing heavy metal and nitrates in vegetables. The fertilizer, which is a molybdenum-silica compound sol, comprises 10-25 wt % silica, 0.05-5.5 wt % molybdenum ions. More preferably, the fertilize, which is a rare earth-molybdenum-silica compound sol, comprises 10-25 wt % silica, 0.05-5.5 wt % molybdenum ions and 0.1-7.5 wt % rare earth ions. By the combination of silica with molybdenum in the present invention, it is effective for preventing the absorption/accumulation of nitrates in vegetables. In addition, by the further combination with rare earth element, the prevention ability of the fertilizer from absorbing heavy metal and nitrates into vegetables is even enhanced. With a preparation method with normal pressure and relatively, low temperature, that is, with mild condition, simple process and high operability, large scale production of the present invention may be readily executed. Full Article
epa Method and system for treatment of biological wastes for preparation of fertilizers By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A method and system for treatment of biological wastes for preparation of fertilizers is provided. The method and system involves mixing a biological waste with a dilute sulfuric acid in a predetermined ratio. The mixture of the biological waste and the dilute sulfuric acid is then filtered to obtain an organic slurry and an acidic liquid. Thereafter, the organic slurry is thermally cracked at an elevated temperature to obtain at least one of an ammonia gas, one or more flue gases, and char and ash. The method and system further involves utilizing the ammonia gas, the char and ash, and the acidic liquid for preparation of the fertilizers. Full Article
epa Hull robot with hull separation countermeasures By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A hull robot is disclosed for operation on a surface of a hull of a vessel. The robot can include a drive subsystem onboard the robot for driving and maneuvering the robot about the hull. A sensor subsystem onboard the robot can sense an attachment state of the robot to the hull. The attachment state can include at least one of attached and detached. A signal generation subsystem onboard the robot can emit a distress signal when the attachment state is detached. Full Article
epa Methods of repairing a rotary drill bit By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 11 Nov 2014 08:00:00 EST Embodiments of the invention relate to superabrasive compacts including multiple superabrasive cutting portions and methods of repairing a rotary drill bit that employs at least one of such superabrasive compacts. Full Article
epa Method for preparing a pyrotechnic composition and charge By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 30 Sep 2014 08:00:00 EDT The invention is directed to a method for preparing a pyrotechnic composition, to the use of a water-soluble cellulose ether binder, to a pyrotechnic composition, to a method for preparing a pyrotechnic charge, and to a pyrotechnic charge. The method of the invention comprises mixing the fibrous nitrocellulose in wet form with the one or more water-soluble cellulose ether binders and optionally one or more solvents, wherein the amount of organic solvent in the mixture is 10 wt. % or less based on total weight of the mixture. Full Article
epa Time delay separator By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 02 Sep 2014 08:00:00 EDT A separator device for a conveyor has a stop (12) arranged to be moved between a separating position and a conveying position, a trigger (11) arranged to move the stop (12) into the separating position when triggered, and a delayer (20) arranged to delay a movement of the stop (12) from the separating position into the conveying position. The delayer (20) has an energy storage arranged to gain energy when the trigger (11) is triggered. The energy storage is arranged to power a rotary drive impeding the stop (12) from moving into the conveying position. Full Article
epa Fuel rail assembly including fuel separation membrane By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT As one example, a fuel rail assembly for supplying pressurized fuel to a plurality of cylinders of an engine is provided. The fuel rail assembly includes a fuel rail housing defining an internal fuel rail volume having at least a first region and a second region; a fuel separation membrane element disposed within the fuel rail housing that segregates the first region from the second region. The membrane element can be configured to pass a first component of a fuel mixture such as an alcohol through the membrane element from the first region to the second region at a higher rate than a second component of the fuel mixture such as a hydrocarbon. The separated alcohol and hydrocarbon components can be provided to the engine in varying relative amounts based on operating conditions. Full Article
epa Cam cover coil on plug retention via oil separator By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A system for a cylinder head is provided. The system comprises a cam cover mounted on the cylinder head and including an oil separator and a coil on plug (COP) coupled to the oil separator via a snap-fit connection. The snap-fit connection holds the coil-on-plug in position and may provide a lower cost alternative to existing systems of retaining coil-on-plugs on a cam cover. Full Article
epa Process of preparing nanocrystalline powders of an electroactive alloy By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 07 Mar 1995 08:00:00 EST There are described powders comprising agglomerated nanocrystals of an electroactive alloy and oxygen. The main component of the alloy can be of nickel, cobalt, iron or mixtures thereof while the alloying element is one or more transition metals such as Mo, W, V, the alloy also including oxygen. Preferably the nanocrystals will be made of an alloy of nickel, molybdenum and oxygen. An electrode which is used by compacting the powders is also disclosed. Also disclosed, is a process for producing the powders by providing particles of nickel, cobalt and iron or oxides thereof with particles of at least one transition metal, (Mo, W, V) or oxides thereof and subjecting the particles to high energy mechanical alloying such as ball milling under conditions which include oxygen and for a sufficient period of time to produce a nanocrystalline alloy. Electrodes produced from these powders have an electrocatalytic activity for the hydrogen evolution which is comparable or higher than the electrodes which are presently used in the electrochemical industry. Moreover, these materials present an excellent chemical, electrochemical and mechanical stability. When use as a cathode the powders are useful in water electrolyzers, in chlor-alkali or the like cells. Full Article
epa Twin Plate Separation Systems By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 01 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A twin plate separation system, comprising a pressure plate, an intermediate plate facing the pressure plate, and a spring separator assembly. The spring separator assembly comprises a mounting extending out from the intermediate plate towards the pressure plate. A spring surrounds the mounting, and the spring is biased to push the pressure plate and the intermediate plate apart. The mounting or another fixture can secure at least one drive strap to the intermediate plate. Alternatively, the mounting extends out of the pressure plate towards the intermediate plate, and the spring surrounds the mounting and is biased to push the pressure plate and the intermediate plate apart. In this alternative, the intermediate plate does not comprise a hole for receiving the mounting. Full Article
epa Disperse dye mixtures, their preparation and use By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 05 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT The present invention provides dye mixtures containing at least one dye of formula (I) and at least one dye of formula (II) where T1, T2, R1 to R9 and n are each as defined in claim 1, processes for their preparation and their use. Full Article
epa NONAQUEOUS ELECTROLYTE SECONDARY BATTERY SEPARATOR By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT The present invention provides a nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery separator that achieves an excellent rate characteristic by having a tensile creep compliance J satisfying at least one of the following three conditions in a case where stress of 30 MPa is applied for t seconds: (i) when t=300 seconds, J=4.5 GPa−1 to 14.0 GPa−1, (ii) when t=1800 seconds, J=9.0 GPa−1 to 25.0 GPa−1, (iii) when t=600 seconds, J=12.0 GPa−5 to 32.0 GPa−1. Full Article
epa SEPARATOR FOR RECHARGEABLE BATTERY AND RECHARGEABLE BATTERY INCLUDING THE SAME By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A separator for a rechargeable battery and a rechargeable lithium battery, the separator including a porous substrate; and a heat-resistant porous layer on at least one surface of the porous substrate, wherein the heat-resistant porous layer includes a filler and a copolymer including a structural unit of vinylidenefluoride, a structural unit of hexafluoropropylene, and a structural unit of a carboxyl-containing monomer, the structural unit of hexafluoropropylene is present in an amount of about 4 wt % to about 10 wt %, based on a total weight of the copolymer, and the structural unit of a carboxyl-containing monomer is present in an amount of about 1 wt % to about 7 wt %, based on the total weight of the copolymer. Full Article
epa POSITIVE ELECTRODE ACTIVE MATERIAL FOR SODIUM SECONDARY BATTERY, AND METHOD FOR PREPARING SAME By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT The present invention relates to a positive electrode active material for a sodium secondary battery, and a method for preparing the same. The positive electrode active material for the sodium secondary battery according to the present invention is structurally more stable by replacing a part of the transition metal with Li, and accordingly, the thermal stability and life characteristics of the sodium battery including the positive electrode active material are greatly improved. Full Article
epa REVERSIBLE FUEL CELL OXYGEN ELECTRODE, REVERSIBLE FUEL CELL INCLUDING THE SAME, AND METHOD FOR PREPARING THE SAME By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT Disclosed are a reversible fuel cell oxygen electrode in which IrO2 is electrodeposited and formed on a porous carbon material and platinum is applied thereon to form a porous platinum layer, a reversible fuel cell including the same, and a method for preparing the same. According to the corresponding reversible fuel cell oxygen electrode, as the loading amounts of IrO2 and platinum used in the reversible fuel cell oxygen electrode can be lowered, it is possible to exhibit excellent reversible fuel cell performances (excellent fuel cell performance and water electrolysis performance) by improving the mass transport of water and oxygen while being capable of reducing the loading amounts of IrO2 and platinum. Further, it is possible to exhibit a good activity of a catalyst when the present disclosure is applied to a reversible fuel cell oxygen electrode and to reduce corrosion of carbon. Full Article
epa ANODE FOR MOLTEN CARBONATE FUEL CELL HAVING IMPROVED CREEP PROPERTY, METHOD FOR PREPARING THE SAME, AND MOLTEN CARBONATE FUEL CELL USING THE ANODE By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT Disclosed is an anode for a molten carbonate fuel cell (MCFC) having improved creep property by adding an additive for imparting creep resistance to nickel-aluminum alloy and nickel as materials for an anode. Improved sintering property, creep property and increased mechanical strength of a molten carbonate fuel cell may be obtained accordingly. Full Article
epa Trash separator By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 30 Jul 2013 08:00:00 EDT An apparatus for processing a sample of fibers and trash, having a cylinder for receiving the sample. Pins extend from the surface of the cylinder and retain the fibers. A knife extends along the cylinder adjacent the pins, and removes the trash that is not retained by the pins. The trash is separated from the sample along a downward direction. A counter-flow of air in an upward direction is directed towards the cylinder, where the velocity is sufficient to blow the fibers that are not originally retained by the pins up toward the cylinder, and yet is insufficient to prevent gravity from pulling the trash downward. Full Article
epa Device on a spinning room preparation machine, for example a fibre flock feeder, carding machine, cleaner or the like, for supplying and/or discharging fibre material By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 07 Jan 2014 08:00:00 EST In a device on a spinning room preparation machine, for example a fiber flock feeder, carding machine, cleaner or the like, for supplying and/or discharging fiber material, a tray-like guide element having a guide surface co-operates with at least one conveyor roll located opposite, the fiber material being guided towards and along the guide surface. In order to provide a simple way of supplying and/or discharging fiber material without undesirable adhesion of fibers, the guide element located opposite the at least one conveyor roll is arranged to be set in vibration by at least one actuator. Full Article
epa Trash separator By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 04 Nov 2014 08:00:00 EST An apparatus for processing a sample including fibers and trash, having a cylinder rotating in a first direction for receiving the sample. The cylinder has a surface with rigid pins. The pins engage and retain the fibers of the sample. A collection surface receives the trash that falls from the cylinder. A counter-flow of air moves in a separation region between the cylinder and the collection surface in a direction that is substantially perpendicular to and towards the underside of the cylinder. The counter-flow of air has at each position within the separation region an air-flow velocity that is sufficient for the counter-flow of air to blow the fibers that are not originally retained by the pins up toward the cylinder and thereby engaging the fibers with the cylinder, and yet insufficient to prevent gravity from pulling the trash downward through the counter-flow of air. Full Article
epa THERMALLY-PROTECTIVE MATERIAL AND COOL-TOUCH CANDLE ASSEMBLIES PREPARED THEREWITH By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 25 May 2017 08:00:00 EDT The present invention relates to materials and systems useful for increasing the safety profile of a candle. In particular, the present invention provides a thermally-protective material that is useful to prepare labels or wraps to encircle or surround a candle. The present invention further provides a cool-touch thermally-protected candle assembly. Full Article
epa METHOD FOR PRODUCING POROUS POLYIMIDE FILM, POROUS POLYIMIDE FILM AND SEPARATOR USING SAME By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A method for producing a porous polyimide film comprises: forming a first un-burned composite film wherein the first film is formed on a substrate using a first varnish that contains (A1) a polyamide acid or a polyimide and (B1) fine particles at a volume ratio (A1):(B1) of from 19:81 to 45:65; forming a second un-burned composite film wherein the second film is formed on the first film using a second varnish that contains (A2) a polyamide acid or a polyimide and (B2) fine particles at a volume ratio (A2):(B2) of from 20:80 to 50:50 and has a lower fine particle content ratio than the first varnish; burning wherein an un-burned composite film composed of the first film and the second film is burned, thereby obtaining a polyimide-fine particle composite film; and a fine particle removal step wherein the fine particles are removed from the polyimide-fine particle composite film. Full Article
epa SILICON-BASED ACTIVE MATERIAL FOR LITHIUM SECONDARY BATTERY AND PREPARATION METHOD THEREOF By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT Disclosed is a silicon-based anode active material for a lithium secondary battery. The silicon-based anode active material imparts high capacity and high power to the lithium secondary battery, can be used for a long time, and has good thermal stability. Also disclosed is a method for preparing the silicon-based anode active material. The method includes (A) binding metal oxide particles to the entire surface of silicon particles or portions thereof to form a silicon-metal oxide composite, (B) coating the surface of the silicon-metal oxide composite with a polymeric material to form a silicon-metal oxide-polymeric material composite, and (C) heat treating the silicon-metal oxide-polymeric material composite under an inert gas atmosphere to convert the coated polymeric material layer into a carbon coating layer. Full Article
epa CHINESE WEBSITE CLASSIFICATION METHOD AND SYSTEM BASED ON CHARACTERISTIC ANALYSIS OF WEBSITE HOMEPAGE By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT Disclosed are a Chinese website classification method and system based on characteristic analysis of a website homepage. The method specifically comprises the following steps: S1, crawling website content; S2, labeling a website type; S3, extracting website information; S4, calculating a weight and representing the weight in the form of a characteristic vector; and S5, classifying the website by comparing the characteristic vector. By utilizing the above Chinese website classification method and system, the noise interference can be alleviated to the greatest extent by only extracting a title and meta-information of the website; by means of pre-processing and characteristic vector expression, the characteristics of the website are accurately expressed with the vector, so that the accuracy of classification is increased; and since only the title and meta-information of the website need to be processed, the quantity of data to be processed is small, and the processing speed is high. Full Article
epa METHOD AND DEVICE FOR SEPARATING CARBON DIOXIDE FROM A GAS STREAM AND FOR REMOVING DEGRADATION PRODUCTS IN THE WASHING MEDIUM BY PHOTOLYTIC DECOMPOSITION By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 04 May 2017 08:00:00 EDT A method for separating carbon dioxide from a gas stream, in particular from a flue gas stream, wherein, a gas stream is brought into contact with a washing medium in an absorber of a separation device and the carbon dioxide contained in the gas stream is separated; the charged washing medium is supplied to a desorber of the separation device to release the carbon dioxide; a vapor stream is removed from the desorber and is supplied to a cooling unit to form a condensate; degradation products, in particular nitrosamines, contained in at least a partial stream of the condensate are photolytically decomposed to decomposition products; at least the decomposition products, in particular nitrites and amines, are removed; and at least a partial stream of the condensate is returned to the desorber. A corresponding separation device separates carbon dioxide from a gas stream. Full Article
epa DEVICE AND METHOD FOR SEPARATING CARBON DIOXIDE FROM A GAS STREAM, IN PARTICULAR FROM A FLUE GAS STREAM, COMPRISING A COOLING WATER SYSTEM By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 04 May 2017 08:00:00 EDT A device for separating carbon dioxide from a gas stream, in particular from a flue gas stream, includes an absorber for separating the carbon dioxide from the gas stream by means of a washing medium, a desorber which is fludically connected to the absorber to release the absorbed carbon dioxide from the washing medium, a gas cooler which is fludically connected upstream of the absorber to cool the gas stream, and a processing unit which is connected downstream of the gas cooler and which is equipped and designed to clean water from the gas cooler. A method separates carbon dioxide from a gas stream. Full Article
epa DEGASSING LIQUID ELUENT OF A PREPARATIVE SFC FLUID CHROMATOGRAPHY SYSTEM By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 18 May 2017 08:00:00 EDT Methods, systems and apparatus are provided for degassing a supersaturated solution. An example degasser is described having a continuous body of gas-permeable tubing to remove an amount of a gas from the supersaturated solution below the gas's saturation point in the supersaturated solution. The degasser can be connected to at least one of a fraction collector or a detector. The example degasser is sized and/or positioned to cause a change in pressure (ΔP) across the degasser to drive removal of a dissolved gas from a supersaturated solution passing through the degasser. As a result of the reduction of gas, efficiencies in system flow and fraction collection are achieved. Full Article
epa ELECTROMECHANICAL WATER SEPARATOR By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 08 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A water separator comprises an axially extending airflow passage, an airflow mixer, a plurality of electric plates of alternating charge, and a mechanical separator. The airflow mixer, the plurality of electric plates, and the mechanical separator are disposed within the airflow passage. The airflow mixer imparts a non-axial flow component on airflow through the airflow passage. The electric plates are situated downstream of the mixer, and create an electric field region within the airflow passage. The mechanical separator is situated at or downstream of the electric field region, and is disposed to separate water droplets from air. Full Article
epa METHOD FOR SEPARATING SAND FROM A HYDROCARBON STREAM By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 15 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT An apparatus and method for separating a natural gas production stream from hydrocarbon well operations into a gas component and a sand and liquid component is described. More specifically, a sand separator comprising a cylindrical body, a production stream inlet port, a gas outlet port and a solid and liquid drain port is described. The cylindrical body has an inner cavity with an inner cone having one-way gas vents and a stationary auger wrapped around the inner cone. The production stream inlet port includes a pipe having a curved tip that directs the production stream into the body and around the inner cone and stationary auger, causing the production stream to slow down and the components to separate. Full Article
epa CENTRIFUGAL AIR SEPARATORS By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 15 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT Centrifugal air separators, systems including the same, and methods of separating gas are disclosed. Centrifugal air separators include a separation section configured to separate an input air stream into a clean air stream emitted from an exit port of the separation section and a waste stream emitted from a waste port of the separation section. The separation section includes a coiled duct and is configured to transmit through a duct entrance port a duct input air stream that is at least a portion of the input air stream and to at least partially separate the duct input air stream according to a molecular weight of gaseous components of the duct input air stream into a duct clean air stream that is at least a portion of the clean air stream and a duct waste stream that is at least a portion of the waste stream. Full Article
epa CARBON DIOXIDE SEPARATION AND CAPTURE APPARATUS AND METHOD OF CONTROLLING OPERATION OF CARBON DIOXIDE SEPARATION AND CAPTURE APPARATUS By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 22 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A carbon dioxide separation and capture apparatus includes an absorption tower configured to cause an absorbing liquid to absorb a carbon dioxide gas contained in a process gas and a regeneration tower configured to cause the absorbing liquid from the absorption tower to release the carbon dioxide gas. The carbon dioxide separation and capture apparatus further includes an inlet concentration meter configured to measure concentration of an acid component in the process gas supplied to the absorption tower and an outlet concentration meter configured to measure concentration of the acid component in the process gas discharged from the absorption tower. Also included in the carbon dioxide separation and capture apparatus are a supplementary absorbing liquid supply mechanism configured to supply a supplementary absorbing liquid to the main unit and a controller configured to control an amount of the supplementary absorbing liquid supplied to the main unit by the supplementary absorbing liquid supply mechanism based on the concentrations of the acid component measured at the inlet concentration meter and the outlet concentration meter. Full Article
epa Device for preparing shower water for a water closet having an under-shower and method for operating such a device By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 05 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT The device has a line arrangement (2), which possesses an inlet (3) connectable to a supply line and an outlet (4) connectable to a shower arm (5). A heating element (6) serves for the provision of warm water. An energy store (7, 8) is provided, with which the power range for the provision of shower water can be extended. The heating element (6) for the provision of warm water is, in particular, a continuous-flow heater. The energy store (7, 8) is, in particular, a thermal, electrical, electrochemical or chemical energy store. During the shower process, the energy store is available as an additional energy source for the preparation of shower water. Full Article
epa Nut tree pickup and debris separator By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A nut tree pickup and debris separator comprising three separate but serially interconnected stages, each including optimized structural and functional features for nut harvesting. The first stage includes a rotary pickup brush and an endless conveyor. The conveyor is constructed from a plurality of parallel bars with flights therebetween, the rods being arranged in spaced relation to retain nuts and pass debris. The second stage comprises an inclined rotating drum whose sidewall includes a plurality of elongated apertures passing therethrough, sized to retain nuts and pass debris. An inner side of the sidewall has a helical flight, sized, configured, and arranged to convey and tumble nuts and debris through the drum, with debris falling through the apertures. The third stage includes vertically offset, tandem conveyors and a cleaning fan to remove any remaining debris from the nuts as the stream falls from the end of one conveyor onto the other. Full Article
epa Tool for separating a hair bundle By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT The present invention relates to a tool (1) for separating a hair bundle (11) comprising a number of hair strands appropriate for receiving a hair treatment composition (15) for creating a hair bundle effect. The hair bundle (11) is received into a through hole (10) via a slit (50). The dimensions of the through hole (10) dictate the appropriate size of a hair bundle (11). In one aspect of the present invention, the tool (1) is substantially flat in order to prevent spillages of hair treatment composition (15) onto the scalp. A gripping layer (70) may extend upon at least a portion of the tool (1) for aiding the grip of the tool (1) to the hair bundle (11). Full Article
epa Castor with separate brake device and brake release device By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A castor with separate brake device and brake release device is provided with a shell, a brake piece, a brake unit and a brake-release unit. The brake unit and the brake-release unit are two separate members, while they are interactively linked by a push portion and the notch portion, so as to ensure the accuracy of the brake operation. Whenever the castor is in a brake-activated status or brake-deactivated status, the brake pedal and the brake-release pedal pivot in opposite direction to present different angles, which makes it easier for the user to see the status of the castor (in brake position or non-brake position), and prevents confusion or accidental operation. Full Article
epa Processes for the separation of methane from a gas stream By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 07 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT Processes for the catalytic conversion of a carbonaceous composition into a gas stream comprising methane are provided. In addition, the processes provide for the generation of a hydrogen-enriched gas stream and, optionally, a carbon monoxide-enriched gas stream, which can be mixed or used separately as an energy source for subsequent catalytic gasification processes. Full Article
epa Hydrogen membrane separator By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 14 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT The present application is directed to a hydrophobic membrane assembly (28) used within a gas-generating apparatus. Hydrogen is separated from the reaction solution by passing through a hydrophobic membrane assembly (28) having a hydrophobic lattice like member (36) disposed within a hydrogen output composite (32) further enhancing the ability of the hydrogen output composite's ability to separate out hydrogen gas and prolonging its useful life. Full Article
epa Wettable peat moss, method of preparation, and method of use By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A composition comprising peat moss and one or more alkoxylates selected from the group consisting of alcohol alkoxylates and alkylphenol alkoxylates and, optionally, one or more polysaccharides, for example guars and/or guar derivatives. A synergistic effect of a combination of the alkoxylates and the polysaccharides was discovered. A method of preparing the peat moss composition and a method of using it are also disclosed. Full Article
epa Corn preparation device By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 31 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EDT A device is provided for cutting and/or de-silking corn on the cob. A single unit has a base and a removable cover. A brush for use in removing silks is mounted on one side of the base, and a cutter is mounted on the other side. When it is desired to use the tool on one side instead of the other, the cover is placed over the other tool. The cover then is used as an easy-to-grip palm-fitting structure to push the brush or the cutter along the ear of corn. Full Article
epa Pocket knife with separable body portions By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 14 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A pocket knife including a first body portion including a first engaging member, and a second body portion including a second engaging member arranged to engage the first body portion with the second body portion. The first body portion and the second body portion are separated from each other when not engaged. A tool element is arranged to be housed in the first body portion when in a closed state and displaced outward when in an opened state. A first locking member is arranged to be actuated by the tool element, and cooperates with a second locking member provided on the second body portion, and wherein when the first engaging member is engaged with the second engaging member, and when the first locking member and the second locking member are prevented from moving, the first body portion and the second body portion are prevented from being separated. Full Article
epa COMPOSITIONS FOR REPAIRING DEFECTS IN SURFACE COVERINGS By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT Described herein are putty compositions comprising: an initiator component comprising a thermal initiator and a photo initiator; an acrylate-functional resin; and a filler composition comprising: calcium carbonate particles; and glidant particles; wherein the calcium carbonate particles and the glidant particles are present in a weight ratio ranging from about 4:1 to about 1:1. Full Article
epa RARE EARTH PERMANENT MAGNETS AND THEIR PREPARATION By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A sintered magnet body (RaT1bMcBd) coated with a powder mixture of an intermetallic compound (R1iM1j, R1xT2yM1z, R1iM1jHk), alloy (M1dM2e) or metal (M1) powder and a rare earth (R2) oxide is diffusion treated. The R2 oxide is partially reduced during the diffusion treatment, so a significant amount of R2 can be introduced near interfaces of primary phase grains within the magnet through the passages in the form of grain boundaries. The coercive force is increased while minimizing a decline of remanence. Full Article
epa Three phase sulfur separation method with interface control By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 03 Dec 2013 08:00:00 EST A liquid separator system having a gas phase zone, an aqueous phase zone and a denser liquid zone is used to separate mixtures of fluids. The separator can be used for separating molten sulfur from liquid redox solution or reslurry water. The system includes a vessel with a top part and a bottom part. The vessel has a larger diameter at the top part than at the bottom part. The system also includes an inlet for introducing a redox solution or reslurry water and molten sulfur, which is denser than redox solution or reslurry water, into the vessel. An outlet near the bottom part of the vessel allows a flow of the molten sulfur from the vessel. An interface control structure senses an interface level between the redox solution or reslurry water and the molten sulfur, and the interface control structure controls the flow of molten sulfur from the outlet. The interface control structure is adjusted to optimally alter the vertical height of the interface level within the vessel so that the residence time of the molten sulfur in the vessel does not decrease as the sulfur production throughput decreases, and so that the interface area of the molten sulfur and the redox solution is reduced as the sulfur throughput decreases. A pressure controller monitors the pressure in the vessel and adds or removes gas from a gas phase zone in the vessel to maintain a predetermined pressure regardless of the vertical height of the interface. Full Article
epa Method for preparing uranium concentrates by fluidized bed precipitation, and preparation of UO3 and U3O8 by drying/calcining said concentrates By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 14 Jan 2014 08:00:00 EST Method for producing a uranium concentrate in the form of solid particles, by precipitation from a uranium-containing solution using a precipitating agent, in a vertical reactor comprising a base, a top, a central part, an upper part, and a lower part, the solid particles of the uranium concentrate forming a fluidized bed under the action of a rising liquid current which circulates from the base towards the top of the reactor successively passing through the lower part, the central part and the upper part of the reactor, and which is created by introducing a liquid recycling current (flow) at the base of the reactor, said liquid recycling current being tapped at a first determined level (A) in the upper part of the reactor and sent back without settling to the base of the reactor, excess liquid being also evacuated via an overflow located at a second determined level (B) in the upper part of the reactor; a method in which the upper limit (C) of the fluidized bed of solid particles is controlled so that it is positioned at a level below the first and second determined levels. Full Article
epa Procedure for the preparation of sulphur-based articles of manufacture By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 25 Nov 2014 08:00:00 EST The present invention relates to a process for the preparation of articles of manufacture made of or based on sulphur, which comprises cooling of liquid sulphur in a volume of containment until the sulphur mass solidifies and forming of the product, characterized in that elastic pressure waves are applied to the cooling mass of liquid sulphur to produce a crystalline suspension of solid sulphur in liquid sulphur. Full Article
epa Systems and methods for repairing utility poles By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A pole splint, generally for use with a broken wooden utility pole, which can provide for a strong repair at a pole breakpoint and which uses relatively little manpower and equipment to install, even under difficult conditions. The splint generally comprises two panels which are designed to be interconnected with elongated connectors. The connectors will generally interact with one of the panels through the use of a nut and washer, and may connect with the other panel through a nut and washer or via a chain formed of chain links. Full Article
epa Composite material used for catalyzing and degrading nitrogen oxide and preparation method and application thereof By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 22 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT The invention discloses a composite material used for catalyzing and degrading nitrogen oxide and its preparation method and application thereof. The invention of the hollow g-C3N4 nanospheres/reduced graphene oxide composite-polymer carbonized nanofiber material is prepared as follow: 1) the preparation of silica nanospheres; 2) the preparation of hollow g-C3N4 nanospheres; 3) the preparation of graphene oxide; 4) the preparation of surface modified hollow g-C3N4 nanoparticles preparation; 5) the preparation of composites; 6) the preparation of composite-polymer carbon nanofiber material. The raw materials used in the process is low cost and easy to get; the operation of the invention is simple and convenient without the use of expensive equipment in the whole process; the composite has high adsorption efficiency of ppb level nitrogen oxide with good repeatability. Full Article
epa METHOD FOR PREPARING AN OBJECT TO BE TESTED AND METHOD FOR IMPROVING THE UNIFORMITY AND INTENSITY OF AN ELECTRIC FIELD INDUCED IN SAID OBJECT ILLUMINATED BY AN INCIDENT ELECTROMAGNETIC WAVE By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A method for preparing an object to be tested, having a given relative permittivity, intended to be illuminated by an incident electromagnetic wave. The method includes: providing a part including a cavity for housing the object and at least one extension element made from a material having a relative permittivity that is preferably equal to that of the object, the extension element at least partially delimiting the cavity and extending to either side of the cavity in a passage direction of the cavity, over a length at least equal, on either side of the cavity, to one third of the length of the cavity in the passage direction, and placing the object in the cavity, such that the object is in contact with the extension element in the passage direction. Full Article