Abstract: Apparatus for liberating particulate material from a compressed bale and feeding the liberated material at a controlled rate to a processing station comprises a screw conveyor and means for compacting the particulate material against the conveyor screw.

Abstract: A stabilizing agent for dry mix food products is a powder the individual particles of which consist of beta-1, 4 glucan, sodium carboxymethyl cellulose and either whey or milk solids. The composition of the stabilizing agent and the method of making and using the same are disclosed.

Abstract: A method and a kappa carrageenan food composition that is swellable in cold water and gels at room temperature into a structure which is releasable from a mold and provides within the mouth of a consumer a desirable pulpy mouth feel.

Abstract: A finely-divided solid blend of (1) purified agarose having an electroendosmosis value (-Mr) below 0.10 with (2) a water-soluble gum which by itself is soluble in boiling water without gelling, free from charged groups and from electroendosmosis, and soluble in water to form a solution of gum having at a concentration no greater than 10% by weight a viscosity of at least 10 cps. at 25.degree. C. The blend is soluble in water to form a gel having no electroendosmosis and useful as a medium for carrying out isoelectric focusing.

Abstract: A method and a kappa carrageenan composition for making a water dessert gel having a controlled melting temperature so as to soften or melt within the mouth of the consumer and providing for excellent flavor release, good mouth feel and containing only kappa carrageenan, and sodium salt of a sequestering agent with ionizable potassium in amounts sufficient to sequester all polyvalent cations present.

Abstract: A water-dispersible powder useful as a stabilizing agent and for enhancing the body and texture of frozen dairy type foods is disclosed as having individual particles comprising beta-1,4 glucan co-dryed with a carbohydrate sweetener and a hydrocolloid gum.

Abstract: An improved strap tensioning tool, which is particularly adopted for use with non-metallic strap, in which the free end portion of a strap laced about an article which is to be strapped is gripped between an anvil and a wedge-shaped clamp member while the feed portion of such strap is engaged with a tension-applying means. The clamp member is floating supported for effectively gripping the strap during the initial tensioning thereof, regardless of the strap thickness, and a single operating lever serves to actuate the tensioning-applying means, facilitate tensioning of the strap free end portion after such portion is connected to the tensioned feed portion thereof, effect severance of the applied strap from a supply, and release of the clamp member.

Abstract: Device for delivering precise measured quantities of a plurality of reagents with each reagent being incorporated in a device and each being water soluble. The device has a water impervious support secured to one or more faces of which are discrete and separate elements each containing water soluble or dispersible binder and dispersed therein a water soluble or dispersible reagent. The reagent of each element in the device is reactive with at least one constituent in an assay medium or with at least one other reagent on the device. The device is used by contacting it with the assay medium until the elements dissolve completely.

Abstract: Oleaginous and other materials that are difficult to form into aqueous dispersions are rendered easily dispersible in cold water by impregnating particles with them which comprise from about 70 to 99 parts of disintegrated beta-1,4 glucan and from about 1 to 30 parts of water-soluble polymer intimately associated therewith, and especially where the particles comprise from about 85 to 95 parts of disintegrated beta-1,4 glucan and from about 5 to 15 parts of sodium carboxymethyl cellulose.

Abstract: Oleaginous and other materials that are difficult to form into aqueous dispersions are rendered easily dispersible in cold water by partially encapsulating them around particles comprising from about 70 to 99 parts of disintegrated beta-1,4 glucan and from about 1 to 30 parts of a water-soluble polymer intimately associated therewith and especially where the particles comprise from about 85 to 95 parts of disintegrated beta-1,4 glucan and from about 5 to 15 parts of sodium carboxymethyl cellulose.

Abstract: An excipient for use in manufacture of tablets, capsules, powders, microgranules and granules which consists essentially of a microcrystalline cellulose having an average degree of polymerization of 60 to 375 and obtained through acid hydrolysis or alkaline oxidative degradation of a celulosic substance selected from linters, pulps and regenerated fibers, said microcrystalline cellulose being a white cellulosic powder having an apparent specific volume of 1.6 to 3.1 cc/g, a repose angle of 35.degree. to 42.degree., a 200-mesh sieve residue of 2 to 80% by weight and a tapping apparent specific volume of at least 1.4 cc/g and a pharmaceutical composition comprising a pharmaceutically active ingredient and the excipient. This excipient has improved flowability and moldability or compressibility whereby excellent pharmaceutical preparations may be easily provided.

Abstract: A pharmaceutical or other tablet containing a pharmacologically active ingredient in an amount of at least about 75% of the weight of the tablet is formed by a wet-granulation tableting process and involves the use by .beta.-1,4 glucan powder and a particular specified binder.

Abstract: The rate of solubility of a material of low solubility is increased by mixing the material with beta-1, 4-glucan and pulverizing the mixture. This simultaneously pulverizing both ingredients is found to produce a substantially different effect than when the ingredients are separately pulverized and then mixed together.

Abstract: A molding process for the manufacture of shaped carbon articles wherein a mixture of pitch, tar, finely-divided coke and microcrystalline cellulose is formed, the mixture compressed to form a shaped article, and the article calcined.