Abstract: A process for the asymmetric hydrogenation of furoimidazole derivatives of the general formula: ##STR1## with hydrogen in the presence of a homogeneous catalyst to give the corresponding diastereomeric dihydrofuroimidazole derivatives of the general formula: ##STR2## R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 are protective groups, although R.sub.2 can be hydrogen. The dihydrofuroimidazole derivatives of the general formula II are intermediates for the preparation of (+)-biotin.

Abstract: A resealable package using zipper material and a corresponding method and apparatus are disclosed. In the package, the zipper material beads terminate entirely inboard of the outer periphery of the sealed area. The package is formed by forming a lateral loop in a first one of the webs, positioning the zipper material along the first web crossing the loop substantially at a right angle, cutting the zipper material in the region of the loop, and then straightening the first web, thereby creating a gap between the cut ends of the zipper material, then bonding the second web to the first web to form a package with a sealed area in the gap. In the preferred embodiments of the apparatus, the lateral loop forming means has at least one transversely oriented loop forming bar moveable into and away from corresponding loop forming groove(s) in a table along which one of the webs is advanced.

Abstract: A resealable package using zipper material and a corresponding method and apparatus are disclosed. In the package, the zipper material beads terminate entirely inboard of the outer periphery of the sealed area. The package is formed by forming a lateral loop in a first one of the webs, positioning the zipper material along the first web crossing the loop substantially at a right angle, cutting the zipper material in the region of the loop, and then straightening the first web, thereby creating a gap between the cut ends of the zipper material, then bonding the second web to the first web to form a package with a sealed area in the gap. In the preferred embodiments of the apparatus, the lateral loop forming means has at least one transversely oriented loop forming bar moveable into and away from corresponding loop forming groove(s) in a table along which one of the webs is advanced.