Other

The Clorox Company

The Ensign-Bickford Company

Tambrands, Inc.

Tremco Incorporated

Walter B Dunning

Robert L Bundschuh

Lyman G Bahr

Ronald D Thomas

Dean F Richards

John P Kinsley

George E Campbell

Julio P Focaracci

Technology for in situ remediation of undetonated explosive material. A bioremediating apparatus in the form of a storage chamber houses in moist condition type of microorganisms capable of metabolizing the explosive material. Examples of such microorganisms include Pseudomonas spp., Escherichia coli, Morganella morganii, Rhodococcus spp., Comamonas spp., and denitrifying bacteria. The bioremediating apparatus is joined with an explosive apparatus that houses a charge of explosive material. A solution released into the storage chamber by opening a first valve hydrates the microorganisms. The explosive assembly has an actuation means for opening the first valve and a second valve that releases the microorganisms from the storage chamber to begin metabolizing the explosive material, when the explosive apparatus is joined with the bioremediating apparatus. If the explosive material fails to detonate, the explosive is remediated by the action of the microorganisms. Remediation includes both disabling of the explosive material and detoxification of the resulting chemical compositions. The valves utilized are either mechanical, and thus opened by the coupling of the bioremediating apparatus to the explosive apparatus, or comprised of a slowly effacing material, such as gelatin. A micro-scale form of a bioremediating apparatus includes microorganisms encapsulated in gelatin for disposition mixed in or contacting the explosive material.

Apparatus for bioemediating explosives

Systems for bioremediating explosives

A spring (304) biases a movable housing part (12, 16) away from a fixed housing part (10, 306, 156). The fixed housing part (10, 306, 156) is composed only a main housing (10), a draw tube (306) and an inlet valve housing (156). The inlet valve housing (156) is inserted into the main housing (10). The movable housing part (12, 16) is composed of a forward housing (12), which includes a trigger (14), and a nozzle (16). The main housing (10), the inlet valve housing (156) and the forward housing (12) together form a variable volume pump chamber (318). The inlet valve (184, 268) includes , a valve plug (184) which is initially connected to a sidewall portion (168) of the inlet valve housing (156) by a frangible section (196). During assembly, an axial push is imposed on the valve plug (184), to sever the frangible section (196), and then move the valve plug (184) rearwardly past stop lugs (198, 200), into a position axially between the stop lugs (198, 200) and an inlet valve seat (268). The nozzle (16) is rotatable between an 'open' position in which two sections (64, 97) of an outlet passageway are in alignment, to permit liquid flow from the pump chamber (318) to an outlet opening (46) and a 'closed' position in which the two passageway sections (64, 97) are out of alignment, and flow out from the pump chamber (318) is blocked.

Pump sprayer having leak preventing seals and closures

A dispenser for simultaneously dispensing and mixing a pair of fluid products such as chemically reactive resins, from a pair of axial adjacent front and rear chambers. A piston is mounted within each of the chambers and is moveable with respect to the hollow interior of the respective chamber for dispensing the fluid product therefrom. Telescopic movement of the rear chamber within the front chamber moves the pistons synchronously through the chambers to provide for controlled discharge of the products through a front discharge nozzle. A fixed hollow delivery tube extends through the interior of the front chamber and telescopically receives therein a post which is mounted on a rear wall of the rear chamber. The rear chamber has a relatively tight sliding fit within the front chamber so that a partial vacuum is formed within an annular space which forms between the two pistons as they move apart upon discharge of the two products to produce a 'suck back' effect on product remaining in the discharge nozzle.

Dual product dispenser

A powder dispenser basically characterized by a powder reservoir (14) positioned above a mixing chamber (18). The mixing chamber (18) is separated from the powder reservoir by a first wall (16). The first wall (16) includes a powder outlet (22) bordered by a downwardly directed upper valve seat (24). The mixing chamber (18) includes a second wall (20) spaced axially below the first wall (16). The second wall (20) includes an air inlet (32) bordered by an upwardly directed lower valve seat (28). An axially movable valve plug (32) is located within the mixing chamber (18). The valve plug (32) has upper and lower surfaces (34 and 36), with the lower surface normally resting on the lower valve seat (28), and its upper surface (34) normally spaced axially from the upper valve seat (24). The dispenser also includes a pump for delivering air to and through the air inlet (26), and against the lower surface of the valve plug (32), to move the valve plug upwardly and place its upper surface (34) into seating engagement with the upper valve seat. Air flow through the air inlet (26) and into and through the mixing chamber (18). As it flows through the mixing chamber (18) the air picks up the powder and carries it out through a discharge passageway (40) for dispensing the powder. Airflow from the pump vibrates the valve plug (32) and an upwardly extending member (148) which is secured to the valve plug (32). The movement disturbs the powder in the reservoir, encouraging powder to flow downwardly through opening (22) into the mixing chamber (18). A cam (152) and cam follower (150) system is provided to urge the valve plug (32) upwardly into a seated position against a circular seat (24), in response to a rotation of an upper plunger part (46) relative to a lower plunger part (78).

Powder dispenser

Combined douche container and nozzle

A one-way valve positioned between the nozzle and container of a disposable douche, which is opened and closed by axial movement of the nozzle relative to the container, permitting discharge of the douche contents without permitting backflow. The neck of the container opening having an intermediate cap with axial discharge holes and a flexible valve disk overlying such holes all within the bore of the base of the nozzle. In the closed position, the inner shoulder of the nozzle base seat against the flexible valve disk presenting discharge of the contents through the discharge opening of the intermediate cap. With the axial displacement of the nozzle away from the main body of the container the valve disk, freed of the internal restraining shoulders of the nozzle base, can flex to permit flow of the contents of the container into the nozzle. The nozzle base's bore and the intermediate container cap have slidable innerfitting surfaces to prevent fluid discharge therebetween, such that all fluid is discharged out of appropriate nozzle openings in the free end of the nozzle.

Douche container and nozzle with intermediate one-way valve

A cap and container especially suited for dispensing liquids has a cap which is accurately aligned upon closure. The container is closed by applying downward axial pressure to the cap, thereby forcing lugs in the cap to pass over threads located on the neck of the container so that the cap is snapped on. Stop walls prevent any undesired cap rotation. Stabilizing lugs are alternatively provided to add additional stability. Alternatively, the container is closed by twisting or rotating the cap with respect to the neck. The cap may also be twisted or snapped off. Modifications in the neck configuration make the cap irremovable.

Angular positioned trigger sprayer with selective snap-screw container

A trigger sprayer for generating a spray of liquid from a container comprising five parts including a housing having a tubular piston with an open ended liquid flow passageway therein; a tubular actuator member slidably received over the piston, having a trigger rigidly extending therefrom and defining a chamber therein with a spray orifice at one end; a rod disposed in the actuator member and including a frustoconical skirt forming a valve in the chamber across the spray orifice; an inlet valve carried by the tubular piston and including an extended valve portion slidably seated on the rod, and a biasing spring disposed between the valves. The inlet valve may include a shipping seal member formed integrally therewith and disposed on the inlet passage to seal it until the sprayer is ready for use whereupon the rod will displace or break the seal upon actuation of the sprayer.

Growing community of inventors

Pleasanton, CA, United States of America

Walter B Dunning