Abstract:
A hazardous waste mixture including incompletely polymerized resin and volatile solvents from production of artificial stone and similar products is converted into non-hazardous material by passing it through a horizontal reactor, where it is heated in a first zone to just below its polymerization temperature, driving off any solvents with low boiling points, and then heated in a second zone above its polymerization temperature, thereby fully polymerizing the waste while driving off any solvents with high boiling points. An exit dam maintains some waste in the reactor while excess waste flows over the dam and out of the reactor. An airflow can be used to carry away the solvents. Chopping blades can break up the waste into small granules. Agitating paddles can mix the waste with air, dislodge waste from reactor walls, and direct waste to the blades. Compounds needed for complete polymerization can be added through a feeder port.
Abstract:
A vacuum vibration press for making composite stone slabs applies as much or more vibration and pressure than a conventional Breton press, while weighing less, costing less to manufacture, providing shorter press cycle times, and requiring less energy consumption. Instead of vibrating the entire vacuum chamber, the press includes vibration devices within the vacuum chamber which vibrate only the pressing apparatus. Instead of more than 100 tons, the press vibrates less than 5000 pounds of apparatus, using less than 25 hp instead of 100-300 hp. In embodiments, vacuum volume reduction blocks reduce the volume to be evacuated within the chamber. Embodiments use screw jacks and springs or air bags to provide controlled pressing force and precisely uniform slab thickness. The vibration can be vertical and/or horizontal, linear and/or circular, and mechanical and/or ultrasonic. Slabs can be inserted and removed on a conveyor belt or in separate trays on rollers.
Abstract:
A batch or continuous mixer for mixing powders, immiscible liquids, or a powder with a liquid includes one or more vibrational energy applicators which propagate vibrational energy into the mixture, causing powders to flow like liquids and breaking up liquid droplets and powder clumps. In embodiments, the vibration frequency and amplitude are selected according to properties of the mixture components. Vibrations can be propagated through container walls, impellers, or other structures within the mixing container. Vibrated structures can be flexibly supported for enhanced propagation of the vibrations. Vibrational energy can be uniform throughout the container, or focused in a desired region. Ultrasonic energy can be simultaneously applied with acoustic energy.
Abstract:
A GPS docking station for a multi-purpose handheld device mounted to the interior of a vehicle and provides easily viewable and readable GPS display under control of the handheld device. The docking station can further include a keypad and/or audio inputs/outputs. Communication with the handheld device can be through a connector, a cable, and/or wirelessly, e.g. using Bluetooth. The GPS display can be a touch screen. A handheld device cradle can physically support the handheld device, and can be cooperative with the GPS display or separately mountable within the vehicle. In embodiments, the handheld device can perform non-GPS functions using its built-in keypad and display, while simultaneously displaying GPS information on the docking station display and broadcasting GPS announcements through the audio outputs of the docking station. At least one keypad key can be dedicated to a special GPS-relevant function, and can include a visible indication of its function.
Abstract:
A GPS docking station for a multi-purpose handheld device mounted to the interior of a vehicle and provides easily viewable and readable GPS display under control of the handheld device. The docking station can further include a keypad and/or audio inputs/outputs. Communication with the handheld device can be through a connector, a cable, and/or wirelessly, e.g. using Bluetooth. The GPS display can be a touch screen. A handheld device cradle can physically support the handheld device, and can be cooperative with the GPS display or separately mountable within the vehicle. In embodiments, the handheld device can perform non-GPS functions using its built-in keypad and display, while simultaneously displaying GPS information on the docking station display and broadcasting GPS announcements through the audio outputs of the docking station. At least one keypad key can be dedicated to a special GPS-relevant function, and can include a visible indication of its function.
Abstract:
A hazardous waste mixture including incompletely polymerized resin and volatile solvents from production of artificial stone and similar products is converted into non-hazardous material by passing it through a horizontal reactor, where it is heated in a first zone to just below its polymerization temperature, driving off any solvents with low boiling points, and then heated in a second zone above its polymerization temperature, thereby fully polymerizing the waste while driving off any solvents with high boiling points. An exit dam maintains some waste in the reactor while excess waste flows over the dam and out of the reactor. An airflow can be used to carry away the solvents. Chopping blades can break up the waste into small granules. Agitating paddles can mix the waste with air, dislodge waste from reactor walls, and direct waste to the blades. Compounds needed for complete polymerization can be added through a feeder port.
Abstract:
A trash receptacle is configured to use a shopping bag as a liner by hanging the shopping bag handles over handles or other extensions of the trash receptacle. Separating features such as protruding handle appendages and/or recessed or horizontally offset receptacle rims provide grasping spaces below the suspended bag handles into which a user's hands can be inserted for easy grasping of the bag handles during bag removal. The receptacle extensions can be fixed or removably attachable to the trash receptacle, or can be fixed to a removable receptacle adaptor. They can be curved and/or slanted inward. They can pivot inward during bag removal to relieve strain on the bag handles. Pivoting handles can be conveniently released by a foot pedal or by actuating a hand trigger while lifting the bag handles. A receptacle lid can be included, and a foot pedal can be used to operate the lid.
Abstract:
A trash receptacle is configured to use a shopping bag as a liner by hanging the shopping bag handles over handles or other extensions of the trash receptacle. Separating features such as protruding handle appendages and/or recessed or horizontally offset receptacle rims provide grasping spaces below the suspended bag handles into which a user's hands can be inserted for easy grasping of the bag handles during bag removal. The receptacle extensions can be fixed or removably attachable to the trash receptacle, or can be fixed to a removable receptacle adaptor. They can be curved and/or slanted inward. They can pivot inward during bag removal to relieve strain on the bag handles. Pivoting handles can be conveniently released by a foot pedal or by actuating a hand trigger while lifting the bag handles. A receptacle lid can be included, and a foot pedal can be used to operate the lid.