Abstract: Disclosed is a standing valve containing a ball, in which during operation, the ball is moved by ball guides to a position off center and yet not impinged against the valve, and in which unequal fluid flow areas are created around the horizontal circumference of the ball. Further disclosed are pumps utilizing such a standing valve.

Abstract: This invention discloses a process for making polymerizable and/or reactable vinyl monomer oligomers with narrow molecular weight distributions using catalytic distillation and a catalyst situated in an immobile catalyst bed in a reaction zone of the distillation column reactor. The polymerizable oligomer products comprise at least 50% by weight of a single molecular weight oligomer fraction.

Abstract: A method of treating vegetation by application of a microbial insecticide in which a quinone has been covalently bonded to the viral occlusion body surface of the microbial insecticide in order to improve the UV stability of the microbial insecticide by forming a protective shield around the pathogen.

Abstract: A press plate for producing decorative laminate from resin impregnated paper, with alumina particles on its pressing surface, is coated with diborides selected from the group consisting of hafnium diboride, molybdenum diboride, tantalum diboride, titanium diboride, tungsten diboride, vanadium diboride, or zirconium diboride or mixtures thereof for making the press plate resistant to scratching. The preferred diborides are titanium and zirconium. The most preferred diboride is titanium. The color, gloss and surface appearance of laminate pressed with a titanium diboride coated press plate is substantially the same as laminate pressed with the press plate before coating.

Abstract: Containers or other apparatus for viscous materials which allow for enhanced drainage or evacuation of the viscous material with a reduction in the amount of residual material that will remain in the container after evacuation. Compositions for making such containers include hydrophobic or poorly hydrophilic polymers and a polar additive. In the method of making such containers, the composition is made moldable and formed into the shape of the container and then cooled.

Abstract: A method of preparing a recipient oocyte from a target zona-intact or zona-free oocyte by centrifuging the oocyte against a density gradient material to force the chromosomal material to pass through the cytoplasmic membrane.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus and process for producing a tripropylene glycol in which alkylene oxide, water, an acid catalyst and a dipropylene glycol are contacted together under conditions suitable to form the tripropylene glycol. Water is present in the reaction mixture in the range of about 1 to about 50 weight percent of the reaction mixture. The ratio of water to alkylene oxide is less than about 9. The tripropylene glycol thus produced exhibits a higher primary hydroxyl group content generally exceeding 36 percent. Such tripropylene glycols find utility in the production of acrylics. Also disclosed is a process for making esters from such glycols.

Abstract: A drier with a curvalinear chamber having a heat transfer surface at one end and baffles at the other end. A fan is provided to circulate air within the chamber. In the process for drying, the product to be dried is positioned within the chamber and air circulated across the heat transfer surface, toward the baffle, past the product, and back to the heat transfer surface.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an analog of Neuropeptide FF (e.g., daY8Ra) and to a pharmaceutical composition containing same. The invention further relates to methods of using the analog to attenuate the effects of drug addiction, drug tolerance, drug dependence or of abstinence syndrome.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for creating as shear ("S") wave for use in oil and gas exploration, where such S-wave is created by detonating an explosive packaging in a shot hole in a manner that produces directionally controlled S-wave force vectors at each source station across a 3-D survey grid.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for detecting the presence of fecal or ingesta matter contaminants on a poultry or meat item. The poultry or meat is conveyed in front of a UV light transmitter/receiver where UV light is directed onto the poultry or meat item and subsequently light is gathered from the poultry or meat. The gathered light is then compared to a threshold, above which indicates contaminants. If contaminants are present, the controller can generate a signal and/or send the contaminated items to a wash station.

Abstract: A method of treating or preventing pulmonary hypertension syndrome in avians, generally including administering a drinking water containing L-arginine compound to the avian.

Abstract: A blend and flexible product made of two copolymers of an olefin and an ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic ester monomer. The copolymers are selected such that each copolymer includes greater than 6 weight percent ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic ester monomer, or selected to be more than 10 weight percent of the blend. If the copolyers have similar ester contents, that is differing by less than 6 weight percent, the copolymers are selected such that their difference in their melt flows is greater than about 8. If the copolymers have dissimilar ester contents, that is differing by more than 6 weight percent, the copolymers are selected such that the ratio of their melt flows is about 2 or less.

Abstract: Polycarbonate prepolymer is crystallized using a water and solvent mixture, or by application of a shear force while heating, or by orientation of the prepolymer with a shear force followed by a temperature hold. High molecular weight polycarbonate is obtained by the solid state reaction of the crystallized prepolymer.

Abstract: A process for extruding a mixture of thermoplastic and ground whole tire waste, in which the mixture is extruded through a die to form an extrudate, with the extrudate subsequently cooled by directing a cooling gas toward the extrudate top, bottom and sides from a multiplicity of gas jets positioned around the periphery of the extrudate. In addition to an extruder, the apparatus includes a multiplicity of gas jets adjacent the extruder, positioned to direct a cooling gas toward the extrudate top, bottom and sides.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a portable cleaning system for ductwork and a method utilizing the cleaning system. The system includes a sound or air pulse generator for producing infrasound air pulses for short duration and introducing the air pulses into an air conduit which causes the air conduit to resonate or vibrate at a given infrasound frequency. The induced vibration causes contaminants in the ductwork to be entrained in the air pulses and carried with the air pulses to an exit of the air conduit where the air is filtered to remove the contaminants.

Abstract: A hat having elongated support members extending from the exterior of the crown of the hat, for supporting the hat upon the head of the wearer, to prevent the hat from causing any undue adverse affect to the wearer's hair style. An alternative embodiment of the hat further includes a casing having a framing that is either attached to the crown or a brim, which framing may be twisted to collapse the hat into a small compact size and shape. Another alternative embodiment of the hat further includes a layer of material for reducing the ability of the crown of the hat to become wrinkled after the hat is un-collapsed.

Abstract: Non-planar thermoplastic article having a flexible portion suitable for use in an aggressive chemical environment, with the flexible portion is an irradiated thermoplastic consisting of polyethylene, ethylene methyl acrylate, ethylene ethyl acrylate, or ethylene vinyl acetate copolymers. Such articles can be made by forming the article and then irradiating, or alternatively by radiating the thermoplastic and then forming the article.

Abstract: A unit for the preparation of fermenting gas by fermenting viscous media with mixing paddles that can be moved continuously back and forth and in the same direction in the tank to mix the medium to be fermented. Alternately, the mixing paddles hang from a rotating roller in the tank and the roller is driven such that the mixing paddles are moved up and down. The unit may be fitted with several mixing paddles arranged in series and in the direction of the mixing effect, i.e., the suspended mixing paddles are arranged above each other in the event of a vertical tank, in which case a joint drive unit is provided for each mixing paddle group, thus moving the mixing paddles simultaneously in such a manner that each individual mixing paddle executes only a limited stroke, but the mixing paddles as a whole achieve a complete mixing of the medium to be fermented in the chamber, in which are installed the mixing paddles. The heat exchange is improved, when a heat exchange wall is installed between the two chambers.