Abstract: Thermosettable polyester resin compositions, suitable for use in powder coating applications, derived from a dicarboxylic aromatic acid component (e.g., 1,4-benzenedicarboxylic acid), a trihydroxy alkyl component (e.g., 2-ethyl-2-(hydroxymethyl)-1,3-propanediol), a diol component (e.g., 2,2-dimethyl-1,3-propanediol) and a dihydroxy alkyl compound having 4 to 10 carbon atoms in the primary carbon chain between the hydroxyl moieties (e.g., 1,6-hexanediol). Polyesters of the present invention have a number average MW of from about 2,000 to about 6,000, a combined acid and hydroxyl number of about 35 to about 70 milligrams of KOH per gram of polyester, and a glass transition temperature of about 35.degree. C. to about 50.degree. C.

Abstract: A clean, substantially smokeless, non-volatile, normally solid product for the ignition of fires, such as charcoal or wood fires, for cooking, campsites, home fireplaces, and so forth. The device comprises a shaped intimate mixture of a wax (e.g. hydrocarbon) and a combustible cellulosic material in particulate form associated with a lighting means of combustible material, said mixture comprising the wax in major proportion by weight, based on the weight of the wax and the cellulosic material.

Abstract: Disproportionation of toluene with high conversion thereof to produce benzene and xylenes rich in the para isomer is accomplished by subjecting toluene to disproportionation conditions in the presence of a catalyst comprising a crystalline aluminosilicate zeolite, said zeolite having a silica to alumina ratio of at least about 12 and a constraint index, as hereinafter defined, within the approximate range of 1 to 12, which catalyst has undergone prior modification by treatment with an ammonium hydrogen phosphate to deposit at least about 0.5 weight percent of phosphorus thereon.

Abstract: Isomeric mixtures of non-polar disubstituted aromatic compounds are brought into contact with a shape selective crystalline zeolite catalyst, under cracking or transalkylation conditions, to undergo selective reaction of the 1,4-isomer, thereby leaving the 1,2-isomer and/or 1,3-isomer in excess of equilibrium. The shape selective zeolite catalyst employed herein comprises a crystalline zeolite having a silica to alumina ratio of at least 12 and a constraint index, as herein defined, within the approximate range of 1 to 12.

Abstract: There is disclosed herein a clean burning, non-volatile device useful for the ignition of fires in combustible medium such as charcoal briquettes. The device comprises a core composed of wax and cellulosic particles (e.g. sawdust), together with an adjacent absorbant material to take up any oily exudate from the core. The core and absorbant material, with an optional lighter strip for conveying a flame to the core, are enclosed in a flammable, oil impervious container. In use, the device is placed on the combustible medium and the container ignited. The flame is conveyed to the core composition of the device, which in turn burns with sufficient vigor and for a sufficient length of time to kindle a fire in the combustible medium.

Abstract: In a thermoplastic extrusion system where a single extruder feeds molten polymer through a manifold to a plurality of separate extrusion orifices, a valve system is provided which distributes and regulates the flow of the molten polymer to the individual extrusion orifices.

Abstract: Mixtures of 3-phenylpropenal with undecanone-2 act in a synergistic manner to provide an animal repellant of improved effectiveness to discourage scavenging animals, in particular, for animals of the dog and cat families.

Abstract: Process for the selective production of para-xylene by methylation of toluene in the presence of a catalyst comprising a crystalline aluminosilicate zeolite, said zeolite having a silica to alumina ratio of at least about 12 and a constraint index, as hereinafter defined, within the approximate range of 1 to 12, which catalyst has undergone prior modification by treatment with an ammonium hydrogen phosphate to deposit at least about 0.5 weight percent of phosphorus thereon.

Abstract: In the process disclosed herein, a latex comprising a diene rubber pregrafted with styrene/acrylonitrile type monomer mixtures, for example, about 5 to 50% by weight styrene/acrylonitrile emulsion-grafted thereon, is added to an aqueous solution of suspending agent. Additional styrene/acrylonitrile type monomers are then added to the dispersion and polymerized onto the suspended rubbery particles with peroxide initiator to produce ABS type polymers containing from about 3 to less than about 30 percent by weight diene rubber.

Abstract: Impurities that are carbonyl-containing organic compounds (e.g., acetaldehyde) are removed from organic hydrocarbons produced in conventional production facilities. The process comprises contacting the hydrocarbon product (e.g., butadiene) with an aqueous "scrubbing solution," containing a water soluble reducing agent (e.g., NaHSO.sub.3) in slightly greater amount than is theoretically required for complete reaction with the carbonyl compounds, in an in-line mixing means and then passing the mixture to a phase separator to separate the layers. The resulting "scrubbed" hydrocarbon product is substantially purified (e.g., to as low as less than 2 ppm carbonyl compounds). An optional second mixer and scrubbing tower are provided as a back-up system in case of surge conditions or maintenance of the first system.

Abstract: A packaging film composition having an improved heat seal range. The film comprises a core, which is preferably propylene homopolymer or copolymer but which may be a blend of polypropylene with any other compatible polymer, such core being coated on one or both sides with butene-1 homopolymer or with a copolymer of butene-1 with ethylene.

Abstract: A poppet type check valve for controlled feeding of blowing agent into an assembly for the extrusion of thermoplastic polymeric foam material and, in particular, for controlled feeding of a blowing agent such as pentane into the barrel of an extruder assembly for extrusion of polystyrene foam; and an apparatus assembly comprising such a check valve in combination with the barrel of an extruder for extrusion of such foam materials.

Abstract: An improved tray structure for supporting a reel of tape-like film material wound on a flat annular hub which hub is substantially thicker than the width of the tape. The reel of tape is supported separately from the hub by means of raised portions in the bottom of the tray. By supporting the hub and tape separately, the reel is held in flat condition and its integrity maintained.

Abstract: Natural gas of low heating value, high CO.sub.2 content, is converted to valuable products by the combination process of steam reforming the desulfurized gas, subjecting the effluent of the steam reformer to a water gas shift reaction and converting the resultant carbon dioxide, the unreacted carbon monoxide and hydrogen to liquid product useful as fuel, e.g. methanol. In a preferred embodiment, the gas phase separated from the liquid fuel products is processed to provide a gas sufficiently rich in carbon dioxide for use in tertiary recovery of petroleum from natural reservoirs which have produced the quantity of oil available by natural drive.

Abstract: Natural gas having a high CO.sub.2 content and low heating value is converted to useful and valuable products by the extensive removal of CO.sub.2 followed by conversion of the residue to a liquid product useful as fuel (e.g. methanol) through a process combining steam reforming and conversion of the resultant reformer stream, which contains CO, CO.sub.2 and H.sub.2 to liquid products. The CO.sub.2 removed from the natural gas feed is used, in a preferred embodiment, in tertiary methods of recovery of petroleum from natural reservoirs in which primary and secondary methods are no longer viable.

Abstract: In pre-engine converters, a low octane fuel is contacted with a catalyst bed at high temperature cracking conditions to produce a gaseous product of substantially higher octane which is then fed, together with air, directly to an internal combustion engine. This improvement mixes oxygen with the fed fuel and uses a ZSM-5 zeolite alone or mixed with an oxidation catalyst for the conversion.

Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing individual plastic handle bearing bags from a stack of bags and holding the dispensed bag in an open position for loading. The apparatus comprises a bottom support member and two spaced-apart, oppositely disposed upwardly projecting tab members such that the apparatus has an opening corresponding approximately to the size of the open bag it is designed to contain. The upwardly projecting elongated tabs are compatible in size with the open portion of the bag handles and each is adapted to engage a handle of the bag in such manner that the bag is held suspended within the apparatus.

Abstract: A rectangularly shaped tray comprising a bottom product-supporting wall and up-standing side and end walls. The bottom product supporting wall is characterized by being elevated at its center portion, such as is provided by a quadrilateral pyramid-like bottom product-supporting wall with the apex of said quadrilateral pyramid being at the center portion of the bottom wall and at an elevation higher than the horizontal plane of the bottom of the four corners of said tray, whereby, when the commodity to be packaged is placed in the tray, the weight of said commodity presses the bottom wall of the tray downwardly resulting in the longer sidewalls of the tray being pulled inwardly.

Abstract: Thermoformed cups, having elements adapted to provide a stable handle, which are nestable in a small space, the handle including a tab extending radially from the brim of the cup and a hinged flange at each side of the tab. To form the handle the flanges are turned down and are retained by shoulders of a recess in the upper surface of the cup. Weight of liquid in the cup causes the flanges to bear against the side of the cup to afford stability in addition to that resulting from retention by said shoulders.