Abstract: An apparatus and method for separating plant flowers from stalks by means of a lateral rotating tube having a plurality of flexible, elongated members affixed to and extending radially outward from the tube. The apparatus may include a platform and a frame supporting the tube above the platform to accommodate plants held between the platform and the tube so that when the tube is rotating, the elongated members affixed thereto brush against the plants and cause the flowers to brush off at and separate from the stalks. The frame further supports a housing to form a contained space, with a hood to direct the flow of flowers after separation from the stalks. The back wall is positioned a distance away from the platform to allow separated flower and stalk to be eliminated from the apparatus.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for separating plant flowers from stalks by means of a lateral rotating tube having a plurality of flexible, elongated members affixed to and extending radially outward from the tube. The apparatus may include a platform and a frame supporting the tube above the platform to accommodate plants held between the platform and the tube so that when the tube is rotating, the elongated members affixed thereto brush against the plants and cause the flowers to brush off at and separate from the stalks. The frame further supports a housing to form a contained space, including a back wall, side walls and a hood to direct the flow of flowers after separation from the stalks. The back wall is positioned a distance away from the platform to allow separated flower and stalk to be eliminated from the apparatus. The hood extends above and over the tube, having a front wall extending about or below a central axis of the tube. A power system provides rotational power to the tube.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for separating plant flowers from stalks by means of a lateral rotating tube having a plurality of flexible, elongated members affixed to and extending radially outward from the tube. The apparatus may include a platform and a frame supporting the tube above the platform to accommodate plants held between the platform and the tube so that when the tube is rotating, the elongated members affixed thereto brush against the plants and cause the flowers to brush off at and separate from the stalks. The frame further supports a housing to form a contained space, including a back wall, side walls and a hood to direct the flow of flowers after separation from the stalks. The hood extends above and over the tube, having a front wall extending about or below a central axis of the tube. A power system provides rotational power to the tube.

Abstract: A paint manufacturing system includes a paint component storage system in fluid communication with a dispenser. A computer system is operatively coupled to the dispenser through the paint component storage system, and a computer network is in communication with the computer system. The paint component storage system flows a desired amount of at least two paint components to the dispenser in response to a paint type indication provided to the computer system through the computer network.

Abstract: A paint manufacturing system includes a paint component storage system in fluid communication with a dispenser. A computer system is operatively coupled to the dispenser through the paint component storage system. The paint component storage system flows a desired amount of at least two paint components to the dispenser in response to a paint type indication provided to the computer system. An internet may be in communication with the computer system. Alternatively, the paint manufacturing system may be configured so as to be available twenty four hours, seven days a week, dispensing paint at the time of purchase. In additional embodiments, a second computer system may be coupled to a plurality of paint manufacturing systems in order to allow large orders to be divided among multiple systems.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to the provision of premixed aqueous compositions which are used to provide a paint composition of varying finish characteristics at the point of sale. Thus, the merchant distributing the paint composition made from the subject premixed compositions need only maintain inventory of four compositions. The particular compositions which are the subject of the invention exhibit stable characteristics during storage in their respective reservoirs. The compositions include a pigment composition, a dispersant thickening agent, a high resin content binder, and a low resin content binder. The compositions are combined in differing amounts to produce paint compositions being suitable for either interior or exterior use and having differing sheens, quality levels, and color bases.

Abstract: Disclosed is a novel binary sieve catalyst useful for olefin upgrading and fluid catalytic cracking which comprisesa crystalline zeolite metallosilicate core and a shell selected from an aluminum phosphate molecular sieve (AlPO.sub.4), a silicon-substituted aluminophosphate (SAPO), a metal aluminophosphate (MeAPO), and a crystalline metal aluminophosphate (MeAPSO) and is generally synthesized by a method comprising:adding a powdered form of crystalline zeolite metallosilicate into an aqueous slurry comprising phosphoric acid, alumina source, metal salt and an amine, mixing the slurry for 1 to 12 hours in a Teflon liner at room temperature, sealing said slurry in an autoclave and placing said slurry in an oven at 130.degree. C. to 240.degree. C. for 12-168 hours to form said binary molecular sieve catalyst, washing and drying the product, calcining the product at 530 to 570.degree. C. in nitrogen for 5-15 hours, calcining the product in air for 1 to 3 hours to burn off the template.

Abstract: Disclosed is a novel binary sieve catalyst useful for olefin upgrading and fluid catalytic cracking which comprises a crystalline zeolite metallosilicate core and a shell selected from an aluminum phosphate molecular sieve (AlPO.sub.4), a silicon-substituted aluminophosphate (SAPO), a metal aluminophosphate (MeAPO), and a crystalline metal aluminophosphate (MeAPSO) and is generally synthesized by a method comprising:adding a powdered form of crystalline zeolite metallosilicate into an aqueous slurry comprising phosphoric acid, alumina source, metal salt and an amine, mixing the slurry for 1 to 12 hours in a Teflon liner at room temperature, sealing said slurry in an autoclave and placing said slurry in an oven at 130.degree. C. to 240.degree. C. for 12-168 hours to form said binary molecular sieve catalyst, washing and drying the product, calcining the product at 530.degree. to 570.degree. C. in nitrogen for 5-15 hours, calcining the product in air for 1 to 3 hours to burn off the template.

Abstract: Disclosed is a novel process for the synthesis of a metal-containing aluminophosphate having a layered structure and novel optically active metal-containing aluminophosphates useful as enantio-selective catalysts, which comprises:a) slurring an aluminum source with water;b) adding a phosphorus source and slurring;c) allowing the mixture to stand;d) adding an organic additive;e) allowing the mixture to stand;f) adding a cationic transition metal complexg) heating to 80.degree.-250.degree. C. for 20-180 hours wherein the mole ratio of transition metal complex to organic additive is in the range of 0.1-1.0:1.0.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for converting olefinic hydrocarbons using spent FCC catalysts which comprises using spent FCC catalysts, optionally containing spent FCC additives, in the reactor/stripper part of the FCCU, instead of or in addition to a separate olefin upgrader, to upgrade C.sub.2 -C.sub.8 oligomerizable olefins, preferably propylene and ethylene, into C.sub.4 /C.sub.5 olefins and isoparaffins as well as gasoline, wherein feedstock can be product streams of the FCCU containing propylene/ethylene such as, for example, the absorber and depropanizer overheads.

Abstract: Hydrodesulfurization of a cracked naphtha is effected in the presence of, as catalyst, an alkali metal, a metal of Group VIII, and a metal of Group VI-B on an alumina support containing a hydrotalcite-like composition.