Abstract: A novel bag for holding, transporting, and pouring a bulk product is provided. The bag comprises two handles, with one handle being primarily configured for carrying (but also useful for pouring), and the other being primarily configured for pouring. The handles are positioned on adjacent sides of the bag, with the pouring handle being positioned near the bottom half of the bag to facilitate a controlled tilting of the bag. In one embodiment, the bag also includes a third handle on the same side of the bag as the pouring handle. The bag is typically formed of plastic, and can be used for salt, animal food, and other pourable products. The bag has a very high strength, with the second handle being particularly strong as a result of a longitudinal seam positioned adjacent that handle.

Abstract: A novel bag for holding, transporting, and pouring a bulk product is provided. In one embodiment, the bag comprises a curved, perforated section at one corner. The section can be removed by tearing along the perforation, thus forming a spout for pouring the product from the bag. In another embodiment, the bag further comprises a second perforated section extending the majority of the way (and preferably the entire way) horizontally across the bag. In this embodiment, the bag could alternatively, or additionally, be opened by tearing along the second set of perforations and separating the resulting two sections of the bag. The bag is typically formed of plastic, and can be used for salt, animal food, and other pourable products.

Abstract: A novel bag for holding, transporting, and pouring a bulk product is provided. The bag comprises a perforated section extending the majority of the way (and preferably the entire way) horizontally across the bag. The bag can be opened by tearing along the perforations and separating the resulting two sections of the bag. The bag is typically formed of plastic, and can be used for salt, animal food, and other pourable products.

Abstract: Anticaking agents for inhibiting or preventing caking of inorganic salt granules are provided. The anticaking agents comprise a coordination complex of iron and a salt anion of an organic acid, wherein the salt anion is selected from the group consisting of malate, polyacrylate, diphosphonate, and mixtures thereof. Free-flowing, solid salt compositions resistant to caking are also described herein, along with methods of melting ice and/or snow on a surface or inhibiting the accumulation or formation of ice and/or snow on a surface, and methods of preventing or inhibiting caking of solid inorganic salt granules.

Abstract: A novel bag for holding, transporting, and pouring a bulk product is provided. The bag comprises a perforated section extending the majority of the way (and preferably the entire way) horizontally across the bag. The bag can be opened by tearing along the perforations and separating the resulting two sections of the bag. The bag is typically formed of plastic, and can be used for salt, animal food, and other pourable products.

Abstract: A novel bag for holding, transporting, and pouring a bulk product is provided. In one embodiment, the bag comprises a curved, perforated section at one corner. The section can be removed by tearing along the perforation, thus forming a spout for pouring the product from the bag. In another embodiment, the bag further comprises a second perforated section extending the majority of the way (and preferably the entire way) horizontally across the bag. In this embodiment, the bag could alternatively, or additionally, be opened by tearing along the second set of perforations and separating the resulting two sections of the bag. The bag is typically formed of plastic, and can be used for salt, animal food, and other pourable products.

Abstract: Deicing compositions comprising magnesium chloride and potassium sulfate are provided. The compositions are pet friendly and have less of a detrimental impact on the environment and vegetation than prior art compositions. Methods of reducing or preventing the build-up of ice or snow on various surfaces are also provided.

Abstract: A pallet skirt for covering side portions of a pallet and for providing access for lifting of the pallet via forks of a pallet lifting device includes a skirt body with opposite top and bottom margins. The skirt body includes first and second pairs of opposite side walls, with each of the side walls presenting opposite inner and outer faces. The side walls are configured to cover portions of product stacked on the pallet and to cover the side portions of the pallet. The side walls of at least one of the side wall pairs defines therethrough a pair of spaced apart fork-receiving recesses that extend between the inner and outer faces to thereby provide fork access to the pallet through the side wall when the skirt body is disposed about the pallet. A blank for forming such a pallet skirt is also disclosed. A method of labeling a palleted product such that the labeled pallet remains moveable via forks is also taught.

Abstract: Novel water softening compositions and methods of treating hard water are provided. The compositions comprise a blend of sodium chloride and potassium chloride. The compositions are useful for regenerating ion exchange material in a water softening system and providing softened water containing both sodium and potassium ions.

Abstract: Novel water softening products and methods of treating hard water are provided. The products comprise a chloride-free, organic salt and a chelating agent. The products are useful for regenerating ion exchange material in a water softening system and providing softened water containing both sodium and potassium ions, while avoiding the formation of undesirable precipitates (e.g., low Ksp byproducts).

Abstract: Deicing products designed to deter ungulates are provided, along with methods of using those products to treat iced surfaces. The deicing product comprises a mixture of a deicer along with an ungulate repellent. The repellent can repel based on conditioned avoidance, fear, chemical irritation, and/or bad taste. The deicer can be a salt or a deicer solution. The invention is useful for deterring any ungulate that might be attracted to a component of the deicing product (e.g., the salt), but it is particularly useful for deterring deer.

Abstract: Deicing compositions comprising magnesium chloride and potassium sulfate are provided. The compositions are pet friendly and have less of a detrimental impact on the environment and vegetation than prior art compositions. Methods of reducing or preventing the build-up of ice or snow on various surfaces are also provided.

Abstract: Novel deicing compositions and methods of using and forming those compositions are provided. The compositions comprise a blend of NaCl, KCl, and MgCl2, with the NaCl preferably being coated with a solution comprising an ice melt trigger and/or urea. The deicing composition has low corrosion, particularly when compared to a NaCl solution. At the same time, the compositions have superior melt properties compared to NaCl solutions as well as other prior art deicers. The deicing compositions are useful for melting ice on surfaces such as roadways.

Abstract: Novel binders and a compacted salt containing those binders are provided. The binders comprise an aqueous solution or dispersion of sorbitol and an alkali metal phosphate. The binder is contacted with salt crystals heated to elevated temperatures. After binder contact, the coated salt crystals are passed through a compactor where elevated temperatures and pressures cause the salt to melt and then recrystallize as a sheet that can be broken into pieces. The final salt product has the binding agent substantially uniformly dispersed therethrough, resulting in a salt that has high strength and is resistant to mushing. The inventive products are particularly useful as a water softening salt.

Abstract: Novel water softening compositions and methods of treating hard water are provided. The compositions comprise a blend of sodium chloride and potassium chloride. The compositions are useful for regenerating ion exchange material in a water softening system and providing softened water containing both sodium and potassium ions.