Abstract: A container cap dispensing apparatus includes a cover member and a base member. The cover member is disposed over a portion of the base member, and the base member is secured to a container. The cover member is secured to either the base member or the container to allow the cover member to rotate relative to the container. The cover member and base member cooperate to drive a plug of the base member axially away from a dispensing opening defined in the cover member in order to permit the discharge of contents from an attached container. The cover member is permitted to rotate relative to the container but is not displaced axially relative to the base member.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for dispensing a fluid product, the apparatus including a dispenser cap including a substantially cylindrical base portion including a flexible post protruding therefrom, and a substantially cylindrical cover portion which is shaped to fit overtop of the substantially cylindrical base portion, said substantially cylindrical cover portion including a frustoconical portion extend therefrom which receives the flexible post.

Abstract: A device for assisting in the dispensing of a product (liquid or solid) comprising a shaft having a substantially hollow passage therein, a first cone-shaped cap disposed on a first end of the shaft, a second cap disposed on a second end of the shaft, said second cap having an opening therein which is substantially aligned with the hollow passage, and, a spider guide disposed between the second cap and the shaft, wherein the shaft has at least one hole therein disposed at a position closer to the first end of the shaft than the second end of the shaft. The device is preferably inserted into a container which holds product to be dispensed. The device provide a venting and dispensing controlling system whereby defined quantities of product can be dispensed from the container quickly and efficiently. The first cone-shaped cap allows the device to be inserted into containers with smaller necks, while still maintaining a large dose amount.

Abstract: A communication relay having a large number of free-flying, self-powered miniature spacecraft (10M) that cooperate to form a large antenna array with sufficient aperture and gain to focus transmit and receive beams much more accurately than in conventional satellite communication relays. The miniature spacecraft, or microsatellites, fly in a single constellation (10) but are allowed to drift in relative position because no rigid structure is provided to restrain their relative movement. Operation as a large phased-array antenna system is achieved by providing for accurate measurements of the microsatellite positions in real time. In one disclosed form of the array, a control satellite (20) conditions the microsatellites (10M) to form receive and transmit beams in desired directions.

Abstract: A plastic container comprising hollow plastic body including a side wall, a base wall, a shoulder, an integral neck and an integral finish on the upper end of the neck. An integral laterally extending flexible handle is provided on the neck below the threads or the like that are positioned on the neck for receiving a closure. The handle may be of a number of configurations including a T-shape or annular bail-type shape. A method and apparatus for making the container comprises injecting, extruding and blowing wherein the finish and the integral handle are first injection molded and thereafter the neck and body are formed by extrusion of plastic integrally with the finish followed by blow molding of the hollow container.

Abstract: A method for analyzing solid material in a liquid sample comprises the steps of: distributing the sample equally by passage through a number of discrete wells adapted to retain the solid material, the concentration of solid material being such that it is absent in at least one well; and analyzing the wells for the presence of retained solid material. A device adapted for use in a method for analyzing solid material in a liquid sample comprises the combination of: a container for the sample; a unit comprising a number of discrete wells adapted to retain the solid material and allow the passage of liquid under the application of reduced pressure; structure for drawing liquid from the container and through the wells under reduced pressure; and a manifold or other element that provides uniform distribution of the sample passing from the container into the wells.

Abstract: A process for preparing substantially dry GPC (glycerophosphocholine in enantiomeric form) from wet GPC without racemisation, comprises subjecting the wet GPC to reduced pressure and elevated temperature, to reduce the water content and give highly viscous GPC; adding ethanol or another suitable solvent and crystallising GPC therefore with cooling; filtering the crystalline GPC and removing solvent therefrom under reduced pressure; characterised in that the elevated temperature is at least 45.degree. C.; and the solvent is added to the highly viscous GPC. This process produces an apparently new form of L-.alpha.-Glycerophosphocholine, m.p. 148.degree.-152.degree. C.

Abstract: Phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase (PEPC) characterized by a specific activity of at least 40 units/mg; and/or by no more than 50% loss of activity after 60 days in 167 mM Tricine/HCl buffer, pH 8.0, and 15 mM MgCl.sub.2 ; and/or, at pH 6.5, an activity of at least 40% relative to the activity at optimum pH is disclosed. Such enzymatic activity can be obtained from serine pathway methylotrophs such as Hyphomicorbium, and is very suitable for use in measuring bicarbonate in biological samples.

Abstract: Lactams of 1-amino-3-carboxylic acid cyclic compounds are produced in enantiomeric form, together with an enantiomer of the corresponding ring-opened amino-acid or ester, by reaction of the racemic lactam with a novel lactamase. The products are useful in the synthesis of chiral carbocyclic nucleotides. The enantiomer is preferrably 2-azabicyclo(2.2.1)hept-5-en-3-one. It is desirable to isolate the enantiomer comprising predominantly the (+) enantiomer and a residual amount of the (-) enantiomer, wherein the (+) enantiomer is present in an enantiomeric excess of at least about 88% over the (-) enantiomer or the enantiomer comprising predominantly the (-) enantiomer and a residual amount of the (+) enantiomer, wherein the (-) enantiomer is present in an enantiomeric excess of at least about 98% over the (+) enantiomer.

Abstract: A formulation consisting essentially of -1,4-xylanase and -1,3-xylosidase, but essentially free of -1,4-glucanase and -1,4-cellobiohydrolase and on or more lactic acid-producing bacteria is disclosed. The formulation can be used in a silage composition to stabilize silage from cereal and other crops and to enhance its nutritive value and digestibility in a ruminant or other animal.

Abstract: Lactams of 1-amino-3-carboxylic acid cyclic compounds are produced in enantiomeric form, together with an enantiomer of the corresponding ring-opened amino-acid or ester, by reaction of the racemic lactam with a novel lactamase. The products are useful in the synthesis of chiral carbocyclic nucleotides.