Abstract: A card dispenser (32) comprising a body (33) having a compartment (38) for accommodating a stack of cards (39) and at least one outlet (43) through which cards (39) accommodated in the compartment (38) can be dispensed, transporting mechanism (41) provided in the body (33) and arranged to transport a card (39) from the said stack so accommodated towards the said or one of the said at least one outlet (43), and a random device (47) arranged to cause the or some of the cards (39) to be dispensed one by one to a plurality of locations in a random manner.

Abstract: An improved apparatus for connecting first and second conduits, which may be capillary columns, having first and second bores, respectively, to provide communication between the first and second bores for high temperature operation over wide variations in temperature. A monolithic fused quartz seating element is removably insertable into a seating chamber of a base that may be comprised of steel or other metal. The monolithic fused quartz seating element may be cylindrical and have frustoconical surfaces defining first and second receiving formations. First and second slidable followers biased by first and second quartz springs apply pressure against first and second ferrules to seal between the first and second receiving formations, and the first and second conduits, respectively.

Abstract: A gas trap apparatus is disclosed for trapping gaseous fraction of mixtures. The apparatus includes a gas column chamber into which a tubular column, such as a capillary tube, may extend. A cooling chamber is provided into which a coolant may be introduced for solidifying or liquefying a gas sample. A heating element in surrounding relationship to the cooling chamber is used for vaporizing the solidified/liquified gas. A Dewar flask surrounds the gas trap apparatus to prevent thermal leakage to the atmosphere.

Abstract: An improved system and method are provided for normally interconnecting a stationary flow line and a flexible flow line, and for automatically separating the flow lines in response to movement of the flexible flow line in excess of a preselected limit. A connection comprises a socket housing sealed to one flow line and a ball housing sealed to another flow line. The housings are separated automatically when a lateral force is transmitted through the flexible flow line to cause excess pivoting movement of one housing related to the other housing. The connection of the present invention is particularly useful for preventing rupture of a flow line during an intermittent pullaway of a portable vessel with respect to a stationary holding tank. In one embodiment, the connection includes at least three ball swivel surfaces for mating engagement with a socket swivel surface.

Abstract: A method of inhibiting the pitting corrosion rate of carbon steel in a cooling tower system comprising adding to a cooling tower water an effective amount of a corrosion inhibiting composition containing from about 1 to about 10 ppm of a water soluble molybdate, calculated as molybdate and from about 5 to about 25 ppm of a stabilized phosphate, calculated as phosphate, the corrosion inhibiting composition being substantially free of active zinc, and circulating the water in the system.

Abstract: An improved sulfider is provided for receiving high temperature catalysts from a hydrocarbon cracking operation and subjecting the catalyst to a sulfur-containing gas. The treating unit includes an outer metal housing and first refractory layer within the metal housing for minimizing heat loss from the treatment unit. A second refractory layer is provided within the first refractory layer and defines an interior chamber within the treatment unit, and a plurality of heating units are spaced circumferentially along the interface of the first and second refractory layers. The heating units substantially minimize the temperature differential across the second refractory layer and thereby minimize the heat loss from the high temperature catalyst within the chamber. The catalyst is continually passed into and out from the chamber, and the sulfur-containing gas is injected into a lower portion of the chamber to pass through the high temperature bed formed by the catalyst.

Abstract: A drinking vessel comprises a hollow cup having an upper rim defining a mouth opening. A lid removably mounted on the cup extends across the mouth opening to prevent spilling of liquid from the cup. The lid includes a base so mounted on the cup and having a flange extending inwardly from the cup's rim partly across the mouth opening and defining a port aligned with an inner part of the mouth opening. The lid further includes a valve element in register with the port, a seal on the valve element underlying the flange, and an actuator adjoining the valve element and disposed laterally outwardly thereof, such that when the actuator is depressed by downward force of the user's thumb, the valve element pivots downwardly, separating the seal from the flange. A spring normally biases the valve element upwardly with the seal against the flange.

Abstract: A process for producing alkoxylated methyl esters to produce a narrow homolog distribution of the alkoxylate species in which a staring material methyl ester and an alkylene oxide are reacted in the presence of selected calcium based catalysts.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system of adjustable preformed ductwork for the conveyance of a fluid. The system uses a distribution box which includes an upper portion having a plurality of walls and a bottom plate. The distribution box may act either as a diffuser boot or as a splitter box. The distribution box is joined to interconnecting duct lines by adaptor conduits. The adaptor conduits are duct line which are adapted at one end for connection to an opening in a wall and are adapted at the other end for connection to adjoining duct line. A valve having a housing, a first cone and a second cone is also included in the system either in a duct line or in an adaptor conduit. The first and the second cone have matching apertures. The second cone is rotatable within the first cone such that the matching apertures may be selectively aligned or misaligned to adjust the flow of the fluid through the ductwork system.

Abstract: A process for preparing an alkoxylation catalyst in which a catalyst is formed by admixing an alkoxylated alcohol with a calcium or strontium containing compound which is dispersible in the alkoxylated alcohol, an inorganic acid and a titanium alkoxide, the pre-mix optionally being heated to a temperature and for a time sufficient to effect at least partial exchange reaction between the alkoxide groups of the titanium alkoxide and the hydroxyl groups of the alkoxylated alcohol, the pre-mix being used in an alkoxylation process to alkoxylate active hydrogen containing compounds such as alcohols.

Abstract: The present invention provides a flow-through instantaneous fluid heater system designed to satisfy the need for a heater not limited by being connected to a storage tank and which can be made using a plastic casing, incorporating cool-down when out of service and with features of venting and simplified flushing and draining. The system incorporates the use of one or more compartments, usually assembled in two compartment modules connected in series. Each compartment includes a casing having a hollow cylindrical interior region. An inlet aperture is located at one end of the casing and an outlet aperture is located at the other end of the casing. The lower end of each casing is closed by a removable base and the upper end of the casing is closed by a top plate and a heating element. The heating element is positioned axially in the interior region of the compartment. The heating element is activated by a control system which senses and compares temperatures of the water at the compartment outlets.

Abstract: A stabilizer composition for use in halogen-containing polymers comprising hydrotalcite and a molecular-sieve zeolite comprising a Group IA or IIA alumino-silicate.

Abstract: An apparatus and process in which a carrier image is applied to paper and ink is attracted to the carrier to form a printed image. The process is readily adaptable to the conventional printing methods including offset lithography. An apparatus for carrying out the process of the invention may be retrofitted onto a lithographic printer.

Abstract: The invention relates to an aerosol nozzle, comprising a socket (1) provided with an abutment surface for a hollow stem (2) in an aerosol container and therebelow an expansion chamber (3) with a nozzle orifice (4) in its wall. The distance between the bottom edge of nozzle orifice (4) and the abutment surface of socket (1) in the longitudinal direction of the socket does not exceed the outer radius of the hollow tube and that the nozzle orifice is located within a wall area defined by the end edge of the hollow tube and the intersecting line between such a cone and the wall of expansion chamber (3), which cone contacts the inner edge of the hollow stem, has its apex inside the hollow stem on its center line, and has a cone angle of 40.degree..

Abstract: An aerator for gasifying a body of liquid comprising a centrifugal pump having a generally vertical axis. The pump comprises a casing having a generally axial liquid inlet opening generally upwardly, a liquid outlet, and an internal fluid flow space communicating the liquid inlet and the liquid outlet. A centrifugal impeller is rotatably mounted in the space and operative to move fluid into the liquid inlet, through the space, and out the liquid outlet. A motor is operatively associated with the impeller to rotate it. The pump defines a cavitation zone in the fluid flow space adjacent a central portion of the impeller. The pump is adapted to maintain a disposition of its casing with the liquid inlet so opening generally upwardly below the surface of the liquid and capable of taking in both liquid from the body and also taking at least enough gas from an area outside the liquid to the cavitation zone so that the pump would surge if slightly more gas were taken.

Abstract: An apparatus and system is disclosed for extruding commodities such as rice bran and which includes symmetrically disposed beater bar segments on the extruder rotor that will simultaneously impact symmetrically positioned knives mounted within the extruder housing. The apparatus preferably includes a sufficient number of knives and beater bars that impacts occur more than once each ninety degrees of rotation and at substantially equal degrees of rotation from each other. The device includes a widened and lengthened extrusion gap with variable width, a generally solid extrusion rotor, and a control system for adjusting the cooking temperature by varying the width of the extrusion gap. The extruder is fed using a drag conveyor with angled blades which push the rice bran into the extruder housing.