Abstract: A process for treating a surface (2) to clean or otherwise treat the surface (2) comprises a step of contacting the surface (2) with a particulate treating agent such that at least some of the particles (1) roll along at least a portion of the surface (2), wherein an angle of incidence of the particles (1) and the surface is between 0° and 60°. The particles (1) are dimensioned to effect a rolling movement along the surface (2). The treating agent is substantially non-aqueous. The particles (1) comprise a precipitate or agglomerate of an insoluble alkali metal carbonate. The process comprises a blasting operation or a manual application. The use of the process of the invention in dental applications such as teeth whitening and plaque removal, treating bone, and skin exfoliation, is also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a treatment composition for exfoliating skin comprising a particulate erasing agent, the particles of the erasing agent being dimensioned to roll along a surface. The particles have an average maximum diameter of between 30 and 1000 microns and consist of a precipitate of calcium carbonate. A method of skin exfoliation which employs the treatment composition of the invention is also disclosed.

Abstract: This device for the controlled distribution of pulverulent products includes a feed container (1) for said product having an outlet aperture sealed by a rotor (6) provided with a plurality of transfer cavities (7, 8), each of which comprises an inlet aperture and an evacuation aperture, the paths of said inlet apertures successively passing opposite said outlet aperture in order to be filled with said product and said evacuation apertures passing successively opposite a distribution aperture (13, 14) connected to device (12) to evacuate said pulverulent product from said transfer cavities (7, 8), for emptying therein, of sealing surfaces (5a, 5b) of said inlet and evacuation apertures, disposed along said respective paths and means (M, 15) to drive said rotor (6). Said rotor comprises device to link said cavities to said rotational axis, arranged to give said cavities a degree of freedom in a substantially perpendicular direction to said sealing surfaces (5a, 5b).

Abstract: An abrasive blasting system (100) having provision (190, 400) for its operating parameters to be automatically set to optimum values. A “smart” container (200) having a built-in dispensing system (204) is pre-loaded at a depot with an abrasive powder suitable for a particular task under certain conditions, and the appropriate operational parameters for the blasting system (100) are programmed into a storage and transmission system (290) forming part of the “smart” container (200). When the “smart” container (200) is coupled to the abrasive blasting system (100), the stored operational parameters are transmitted to a reception system (190) which causes the parameter setting system (400) to set the operating parameters without operator intervention.