Abstract: A fluid flow control device which incorporates a ring or annulus of resilient material which may be deformed to effect a variable closure with a centrally disposed member, thereby controlling fluid flow through the device. The device is also capable of effecting a "fail-safe" metal-to-metal seal should the resilient element be damaged or a metal-to-metal seal be desired for shutting off flow through the device.

Abstract: Langbeinite and kieserite are beneficiated in a flotation process in which separation of ore particles is conducted in a froth flotation process with a magnesium chloride brine containing at least 20 moles MgCl.sub.2 per 1000 mols H.sub.2 O. Said brine is maintained at a pH below about 3.5. The preferred flotation agent is a combination of a fatty acid amine (preferably tallow amine) and an organic acid, either oleic or sebacic acid, in an approximate ratio of 2 to 4 parts amine to 1 part oleic or sebacic acid, and preferably in an amine-oleic or amine-sebacic acid ratio of about 3:1. Flotation is preferably conducted in two stages wherein the sink product from the rougher flotation contains langbeinite above about 95% concentration which is relatively free of kieserite and the froth from the rougher flotation is passed to a second "cleaner" flotation step where the kieserite is further concentrated to above about 75% kieserite.

Abstract: A hermetically sealed food system is provided which includes a container, a special low moisture precooked rice, a seasoning ingredient containing a hygroscopic material such as hydrolyzed vegetable protein. The precooked rice component is dried to a low moisture content such that it is rendered sufficiently hygroscopic so that it will prevent any substantial increase in the amount of moisture in the seasoning ingredient.