Abstract: A chemical seal for isolating the liquid phase of a contained liquid from the vapor phase present in the container headspace comprises a chemically impregnated gel formed by mixing a biopolymer gel, a high molecular weight polymer and chemical impregnants with water to form a gel-forming aqueous solution which is applied to the surface of the contained liquid and allowed to solidify thereby forming a mechanically stable, chemically impregnated gel seal in intimate contact with the contained liquid.

Abstract: Compositions and sheet materials for inhibiting the corrosion of metals, particularly aluminum and ferrous metals, and alloys thereof. The compositions comprise as their essential active ingredient an alkali metal salt of an unsaturated organic acid, especially a potassium salt of an acrylic acid such as sorbic acid. The compositions, when embodied in, or carried on, various sheet materials, provide protection for metal surfaces both in direct contact with the sheet materials as well as for those areas of the metal surfaces not in direct contact with the sheet materials.

Abstract: Shipping container and storage cartons for printed circuit boards, are composed entirely of paper board coated on inside surfaces with conductive carbon black particles to prevent an outside static electricity charge from passing through the container or carton.

Abstract: A magnetometer assembly wherein a magnetometer detector suspended from a gimbal is immersed in a wax so as to immobilize the detector. Desired gimbal operation is achieved by heating the wax in the vicinity of the detector.

Abstract: A container for delicate articles which includes an inner envelope, and an inflatable outer envelope sealed to the ends thereof. The inner envelope is vented to the exterior of the container so that, on inflation of the outer envelope, the inner envelope is collapsed tightly about the article, which is thus suspended in and protected by the inflated outer envelope. Preferably, the inflation is accomplished within an outer protective casing, which is coated on its interior with an adhesive. Should the casing and outer envelope be punctured, the parts will then still be kept in essentially established positions.

Abstract: A method is provided for making a package having upper and lower foam cushion inserts which cooperate with each other to enclose an article therebetween which is placed in the package. The method includes the steps of forming convolutions in at least one surface of a piece of foam material to form a first foam insert, and then removing a section of convoluted foam material from the piece of foam material to form a cutout therein. Then, the removed section which forms the second foam insert is applied to one wall of a package with the unconvoluted surface thereof adhered to the wall, and the first foam insert is applied to an opposite wall of the package, with the second insert being in alignment with the cutout area of the first insert, whereby an article placed in the cutout area is cushioned between the foam material on the opposite walls of the package.

Abstract: A box-like container receives a deflated sealed expandable tube which is disposed with one sealed end as a first layer of the tube over the inside bottom wall of the container. Fragile articles are then laid on the upper side of this first layer in a random fashion and spaced apart. A second layer of the tubing is then disposed across the fragile articles and another group of fragile articles is positioned on the second layer of tubing. The tubing is then disposed across this second group and so forth until the container is filled to the desired extent. The tube is then inflated with a gas to expand the tubing between the fragile articles and will suspend the articles between the inflated layers. A closure valve is disposed in a convenient location for the inflating and deflating of the tube.

Abstract: An improved method for handling and transporting thermoplastic materials such as chewing gum base is disclosed. Chewing gum base, formulated as a hot viscous blend, is initially extruded and then pelletized. The pellets are subsequently cooled in a liquid medium such as water. Instead of drying the pellets and coating the pellets with a lubricating powder for packaging and shipment, a slurry of the cooling medium and pellets is conveyed to bulk containers or railroad tank cars for transport to the customer-user, a chewing gum manufacturer. By transporting in a liquid the tendency of the tacky pellets to agglomerate is eliminated, and the prior steps of drying and coating the pellets with a lubricating power are unnecessary. The customer-user, in the case of chewing gum base, furthermore, does not have to separate agglomerated pellets before use, and the pellets need only be strained and conveyed directly to a blender for formulation into chewing gum compositions.