Abstract: A method and apparatus adapted to bunch together a predetermined number of inverted PTPs and uninverted PTPs into a bundle, and then transfer each PTP bundle to a bucket conveyor which moves intermittently in parallel with a conveying passage. A multitude of PTPs, a portion of which are inverted with respect to the conveying direction and the rest of which are not inverted, are conveyed along a first conveying passage while maintaining the blistered surfaces of the inverted and uninverted PTPs in parallel with each other. A selected portion of the PTPs being conveyed in the first conveying passage is pinched and separated from the same passage. The separated PTPs are bunched together while the spacing between the separated PTPs is narrowed in the conveying direction. The bunched PTPs are transferred onto a second conveying passage across the first conveying passage. The bunched PTPs are loaded into a bucket provided on a bucket conveyor which intermittently travels along the second conveying passage.

Abstract: A process for producing cis-4,5-dihydro-4,5-dihydroxyphthalic acid which comprises producing cis-4,5-dihydro-4,5-dihydroxyphthalic acid and/or a salt thereof from phthalic acid and/or a salt thereof using a microorganism whose activity to decompose cis-4,5-dihydro-4,5-dihydroxyphthalic acid and/or a salt thereof has disappeared or diminished, acidifying the product system unless it is acidic, and then extracting therefrom cis-4,5-dihydro-4,5-dihydroxyphthalic acid with such an organic solvent that it is miscible with water in any proportion and the mixture of the organic solvent with water can be separated into two layers upon adding a salt thereto, in the presence of a salt, or with an alcohol having 4 carbon atoms. The process enables one to produce cis-4,5-dihydro-4,5-dihydroxyphthalic acid from phthalic acid and/or its salt in a high yield.

Abstract: A polybutadiene rubber composition comprising (A) a polybutadiene rubber obtained by solution polymerization and having a Mooney viscosity (ML.sub.1+4.sup.100.degree. C.) of 60-110 and a 1,4-configuration content of not less than 60%, preferably not less than 70%, and (B) a polybutadiene polymer obtained by solution polymerization and having a viscosity-average molecular weight of 20,000-140,000, preferably 40,000-100,000, and a 1,4-configuration content of not less than 60%, preferably not less than 70%, in which composition the weight ratio of (A)/(B) is 100/5-100/150, preferably 100/35-100/100, and the Mooney viscosity (ML.sub.1+4.sup.100.degree. C.) of which composition is 20-70. This composition is high in tackiness in the unvulcanized state and also excellent in the physical properties of vulcanizate.