Abstract: An illuminated sign apparatus comprised of a reflector with dedicated cavities which are formed by having the perimeter walls of each cavity conform precisely to each individual area of the sign desiring illumination, typically alphabetic characters and the background area they create. The bottom walls of these cavities will project towards the viewers eye parabolically. The midpoint of the cavity, when viewed in cross section, is to be slightly less in height than that of the cavity-defining perimeter walls. The perimeter walls have point source lights such as light emitting diodes (LEDs) distributed along their surface. These cavities may be filled in with transparent substance, fully encapsulating the LEDs thereby eliminating any reflective air space and facilitating light diffusion. The light sources may be provided with circuitry allowing unique powering to each of the individual cavities, resulting in the possibility of a variety of different display effects.

Abstract: A compact, multi-stage, co- or counter-current liquid-liquid extraction apparatus includes first and second mixer-settlers which share a common wall. Each of the first and second mixer-settlers comprises a mixing chamber having an agitator mounted therein, upper and lower settling chambers, and upper and lower baffles between the mixing chamber and the upper and lower settling chambers respectively. The liquid media to be contacted in each mixer-settler are supplied to the mixing chamber from which dispersion flows upwardly and downwardly into the upper and lower baffles. Disengaged lighter medium flows out from the upper settling chamber to the mixer-settler, over a weir whose length exceeds half the length of the common wall, while disengaged heavier medium flows out of the lower settling chamber of one mixer-settler to the corresponding mixing chamber of the next mixer-settler. In one form the disengaged heavier medium also overflows a corresponding outlet weir to pass on to the next mixer-settler.

Abstract: Phthalic anhydride is continuously separated from the reaction gas mixture formed by the catalytic oxidation of o-xylene and/or naphthalene, by treating said rection gas mixture in at least two absorption stages with organic absorbents. The absorbent employed in the first absorption stage is a mixture of phthalic anhydride and benzoic acid. The absorbent employed in the subsequent absorption stage(s) contains maleic anhydride and may also contain phthalic anhydride.

Abstract: A shield or screening device for radio-isotope producing generator including a moveable portion which can be moved relative to a stationary portion between a closed position to cover the generator and an open position to allow the generator to be inserted or withdrawn from the shielding device. The interaction of these two portions minimizes space required to use and shield the generator. Each portion is configured to effect relative rotative movement so that the moveable portion can be rotated concentrically within the circumference of the stationary portion. The generator can be inserted through the openings defined by the adjacent moveable and stationary portions in the open position. Once the generator is in place, the moveable portion is simply rotated to the closed position where the generator is substantially completely enclosed by the stationary and moveable portions of the shield.

Abstract: Phthalic anhydride is continuously separated from the reaction gas mixture formed by the catalytic oxidation of o-xylene and/or naphthalene, by treating said reaction gas mixture with a maleic anhydride absorbent.

Abstract: A process as described for extracting at least two desired constituents from a mineral using a liquid reagent which produces the constituents, or compounds thereof, in separable form and independently extracting those constituents, or compounds thereof. The process if especially valuable for the extraction of phosphoric acid and metal values, such as uranium from phosphate rock.

Abstract: A package for radiopharmaceutical compositions is provided, which package consists essentially of a labelled glass vial around which a transparent holder is secured. Preferably, the transparent holder also has a label and is detachably secured to the composition-containing vial.

Abstract: Potato chips of relatively low oil content are prepared by a process which comprises the steps of forming potatoes into slices having a thickness which is suitable for making potato chips, drying the slices in a mono-layer by exposing both major surfaces of the slices to contact with a gaseous atomosphere under drying conditions whereby the average moisture content of the slices is reduced to about 30 to 65% by weight, contacting the resultant dried potato slices with steam under conditions whereby substantial rehydration of the slices is avoided, and frying the steam-treated potato slices to provide potato chips of relatively low oil content. The potatoes, after peeling, may be treated with hot water or steam to avoid making fried chips with white edges.

Abstract: Aqueous dispersions of polyurethane polymers in ammonium salt form are prepared by reacting diisocyanates with a polyhydroxy, carboxylic acid to form an isocyanate-terminated prepolymer that is united with an unsaturated fatty acid ester polyol to provide carboxylic-containing, water-dispersible polyurethanes having properties exhibited by organic solvent-based, oil-modified polyurethanes. The aqueous dispersions can be formed by neutralization of "oil-modified," carboxylic group-containing, water-dispersible polyurethanes with ammonium salt-forming materials such as ammonia and amines. The aqueous dispersions are especially desirable coating compositions.

Abstract: A process and apparatus are disclosed for purification of petroleum coke to produce an economical low sulfur product suitable for electrode production. Finely ground green coke is treated on an enclosed circular grate apparatus and subjected to sequential treatments in which hot gases are passed through a deep permeable bed of coke on the grate in a series of separate treating zones including a preheat zone, a heating and calcining zone, a desulfurizing zone in which hydrogen rich gas is passed through the heated bed, a reduction gas generation zone in which hydrocarbon and steam pass through hot coke to form hydrogen, and a cooling zone.Adequate temperatures for calcination and desulfurization are achieved and the proper heating rate is obtained without overheating the metal parts of the hearth by use of radiant and hot gas heating means in the calcining zone and in the desulfurizing zone and by introducing the air and/or fuel gas near the bottom of the coke bed.

Abstract: A process is described for the separation of impurities from an aqueous slurry, dispersion or suspension. Streams of aqueous phase and an organic phase comprising a non-polar organic liquid are passed through a multi-compartment rotary contactor. A collector reagent is present during at least part of the passage of the streams through the contactor and gives the impurities a hydrophobic surface. The phases are contacted by continuously bringing the aqueous and solvent phases into contact with one another while maintaining an interface between the two phases. The two phases and the interfacial layer containing at least some of the impurities are independently withdrawn.

Abstract: A display unit comprising means for carrying means which moves a reflector plate to be moved between a display position which is in the proximity to or in contact with a transparent plate located on a display surface and a non-display position separated away from the display position, with the plate being rotated about an axis disposed in parallel to a surface of the plate.

Abstract: There is disclosed the reduction of alkyl esters of carbonic-carboxylic acid anhydrides at elevated temperature and pressure in the presence of platinum group metal catalysts, especially palladium on activated carbon, to make alcohols. Novel alkyl esters of carbonic-carboxylic acid anhydrides are disclosed, and can be used to make the corresponding alcohols, e.g., substituted benzyl alcohols. The alcohols can be converted to the corresponding halo, e.g., chloro, compounds. The substituted benzyl halides can be reacted with di(lower alkoxy)propionitriles, and the resulting 5-benzyl pyrimidines such as trimethoprim, 2,4-diamino-5-(3,4,5-trimethoxybenzyl)-pyrimidine, which is a known anti-bacterial agent, are especially useful in combination with sulfa drugs such as sulfamethoxazole.

Abstract: A method and reagent for counteracting lipemic interference in an assay of a lipid-containing sample, e.g. blood. The method includes the steps of: (a) mixing with the sample prior to or during said assay a high surface area, finely-divided adsorbent having an affinity for lipids, and a nonionic, water-soluble polymer, and (b) precipitating adsorbed lipids in said sample. The reagent includes a high surface area finely-divided adsorbent, and a nonionic, water-soluble polymer having a molecular weight of from about 1,000 to 100,000.

Abstract: Reconcentration of moist glycol, which has been used to dry natural gas, by heating the moist glycol with flue gas from a reboiler and by thereafter stripping water from the moist glycol with the dried flue gas or with a hydrocarbon gas by-product of the natural gas being dried.

Abstract: A camper cover for mounting over the cargo area of a vehicle, such as a pick-up truck. The camper cover includes a plurality of frame members adapted for mounting on the pick-up truck to support a flexible cover over the cargo area of the vehicle. A flexible cover preferably of canvas or plastic carries a fastener for fastening the cover over the frame members and to the vehicle. The fastener includes a hook and loop type separable fastener having a first part carried by the flexible cover and a complementary part carried by the vehicle for releasable interengagement with said first member. The first part of the fastener secured to the canvas is located in a position to maintain the canvas in a taut disposition when in interengagement with the complementary part. Another embodiment includes the use of a flexible cover over the cargo area of the vehicle secured to the vehicle by use of a fastener including a hook and loop type separable fastener without the employment of frame members.

Abstract: Potato chips that are inhibited against blister formation during frying are obtained by providing a small, but limited, amount of very dilute calcium, e.g., calcium chloride, in the potato slices prior to frying.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved method for determining the thyroid function by means of an in vitro test using blood serum. Such a method involves an improvement of the procedure whereby (a) a patient's blood serum sample is mixed with a solution containing radioactive thyroxine and with a compound that liberates thyroxine from thyroxine-binding globulin; (b) the test mixture is buffered to achieve proper conditions for carrying out a thyroxine-binding immunoreaction; (c) an antiserum is added to provide antibodies which bind a portion of the thyroxine present by means of such a thyroxine-binding immunoreaction; (d) unbound thyroxine is thereafter separated from the antibody-bound thyroxine; and (e) the relative quantities of bound and unbound thyroxine are then determined by measurement of radioactivity.

Abstract: A gear shift lever for a tilt cab vehicle that moves with the cab when it is tilted for access to other mechanical parts of the vehicle, for instance, the engine. The lever apparatus is resiliently engaged with the cab in a manner which substantially isolates the lever from cab vibrations. More particularly, the lever includes a lower end that is specially-mounted and releasably engaged with a complementary portion of a gear transfer mechanism, and an upper end available for shifting by an operator. The gear shift lever is preloaded to maintain the proper operative relationship between the shift lever and the complementary portion of the transfer mechanism when the cab is in an untilted or closed disposition. A protective cover is integrated with the lever apparatus to seal substantially the cab interior from the engine compartment and thereby prevent air and exhaust fumes from leaking into the cab.

Abstract: Aqueous dispersions of oil-modified, carboxyl-containing, urethane polymers are prepared by reacting diisocyanates or their isocyanate-terminated prepolymers, with half-esters of hindered diols, especially 2,2,4-trimethyl-1,3-pentanediol, and anhydrides of polycarboxylic acids, preferably aromatic acids having at least three carboxylic groups, especially trimellitic anhydride. The urethane polymers are "oil-modified", i.e., extended with unsaturated fatty acid esterpolyols; and when neutralized with ammonia or amines can be dispersed in water to form especially desirable coating compositions. An organic phosphite may be incorporated in the compositions to control the development of hardness in films made from the aqueous dispersions and thereby avoid the formation of wrinkles in films that are made from the compositions.