Abstract: Thermoplastic polymers, rubbery polymeric components and reinforcing fillers are mixed and heated to a range of 380° F. to 440° F. The resulting mixture is then fed into a BANBURY mixer, with the resulting mixture fed into a diverter feeding two molds. The velocity of the piston of each mold being filled is controlled to thereby control the density of the molded product along its length (BANBURY is a registered trademark of Farrel Corporation). As each mold is filled, it is deposited in a cool water bath (50° F.–60° F.) while the next mold is being filled. The molds are sequentially transferred to an air cooling rack to complete the process. A texture, generally comprising indentations perpendicular to the longitudinal axis on the molded object, provides a frictional surface between the railway crosstie and the ballast beneath the crosstie.

Abstract: Thermoplastic polymers, rubbery polymeric components and reinforcing fillers are mixed and heated to a range of 380° F. to 440° F. The resulting mixture is then fed into a Banbury mixer, with the resulting mixture fed into a diverter feeding two molds. The velocity of the piston of each mold being filled is controlled to thereby control the density of the molded product along its length. As each mold is filled, it is deposited in a cool water bath (50° F.-60° F.) while the next mold is being filled. The molds are sequentially transferred to an air cooling rack to complete the process. A texture, generally comprising indentations perpendicular to the longitudinal axis on the molded object, provides a frictional surface between the railway crosstie and the ballast beneath the crosstie.

Abstract: An apparatus for batch distilling a liquid at sub-atmospheric pressure, without the aid of a vacuum pump. The apparatus includes an evaporator section having a valved entry port through which a batch of liquid in a first atmospheric condition is added to the evaporator section. A condenser section receives distillate and is in communication with the evaporator section. A valved vent is provided for sealing said apparatus from the outside atmosphere to form a second atmospheric condition which is sealed from the atmosphere after a heating element vaporizes said liquid into an initial sufficient amount of a first vapor to purge the first atmospheric condition from the apparatus through the valved vent. A condenser is disposed for condensing a sufficient amount of the first vapor to form a third atmospheric condition at a pressure below the first atmospheric condition, and for condensing a second vapor to produce distillate.

Abstract: A descalant means, comprising L.sub.E structured liquid crystals which when placed close to, or into a liquid stream, cause the formation of microscopic liquid crystalline structures, which act as nucleation sites for the formation of crystal structures of normally liquid-soluble or insoluble salts, and other suspended particles, these crystalline structures being chemically stable and causing a large reduction in the scaling potential of the liquid, thereby avoiding scale buildup on metal or other containment surfaces and also initiating descaling of surfaces already containing scale buildup. Furthermore, said means will reduce the amount of detergents, soaps, surfactants and polymers required in washing and other forms of water use.

Abstract: This invention is an air cleaning and/or performance enhancement device. It is made of a porous outer covering and an inside agent. The inside agent outgasses through the outside covering. The device may be placed in air filters or other convenient locations to reduce toxic emissions and modify fuel consumption.