Abstract: The present invention relates to a toothbrush which exhibits improved tooth and gum cleaning. The toothbrush includes an elongated handle member connected to a toothbrush head member. A multiplicity of bristles extend from the head member; these bristles being comprised of at least two general directional orientations of bristles having a generally rectangular cross-section.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a flosser-type tooth cleaning device comprised of a handle, a holder affixed to an end of the handle comprised of two protruding arm members positioned at least parallel to each other, and a strand of dental floss which is drawn between the arms and anchored at the distal end of each arm, wherein of these several tooth cleaning device may be non-permanently held together forming an inter-locking stack. The flossers of the present invention may be held non-permanently in a stacked configuration by way of a friction fit or a snap-lock mechanism.

Abstract: An improved spiral membrane cartridge is provided, comprising one or more filter elements, spirally wound on a cylindrical permeate transport tube. Each filter element comprises a heat-sealed membrane element and a feed spacer. The spiral membrane cartridge of the invention contains no adhesives, improving the reliability and durability of the cartridge. The invention further provides a method for making such an improved membrane cartridge, and the membrane elements used therein.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a multiwell apparatus for biological and biochemical analysis which provides for separate collection of filtrate from each well, without cross-contamination therebetween. The present invention provides a manifold plate having an array of filtering wells, each of the wells being closed at its bottom by a planar bottom member providing a filter support surface. A discharge nozzle of passageway depends from each well bottom (planar bottom member) in a direction normal thereto, with one such discharge nozzle or port being provided in fluid communication with each filtering well. Each of these filtrate nozzles or drain ports extends from the lower surface of the planar bottom member to such an extent that it will enter into the well of a conventional multiwell, e.g., microtiter, plate in alignment therewith and mate with the sidewall of the aligned well of the multiwell plate.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for determining the level of concrete in a concrete mixer comprising the steps of contacting the exterior of concrete mixing drum with a strip of thermal color sensitive material and observing the interface on the color sensitive material produced by the temperature differential between the concrete and the air above. This level can then be lined up horizontally with a graduated volume indicator, to yield the concrete volume in the truck to aid in determining an effective amount of additive to be added to the concrete.

Abstract: New shrinkage control agents, for unsaturated polyester resin systems, which are copolymers of vinyl versatate and vinyl acetate, i.e., poly(vinyl versatate-co-vinyl acetate). The shrink control agents are useful both with neat and filled unsaturated polyester resin systems. The shrink control agents are especially useful under conditions where the unsaturated polyester resin system is cured at or below ambient temperatures.

Abstract: The present invention relates to improved compressible, offset printing blankets suitable for use on high speed web processors. These blankets have improved resistance to fall-off at the gap and also have improved resistance to surface piping subsequent to reverse rolling of the blanket. The instant printing blanket comprises a carcass layer, a compressible layer overlaying the carcass layer, a stabilizing layer overlaying the compressible layer and an ink transfer layer upon the compressible layer, wherein the stabilizing layer is formed of a fabric having a plurality of continuous filament synthetic warp yarns, preferably nylon or polyester, following a sinusoidal path over and under the weft yarns.

Abstract: For waterproofing civil engineering structures using flexible, sheet-like waterproofing laminates which can be applied without primer to structures at temperatures of 40.degree. F. and above. Primerless waterproofing laminates having a bituminous layer comprising 29 to 54 weight percent asphalt, 25 to 50 weight percent process oil, and 16 to 35 weight percent thermoplastic block polymer of styrene and butandiene monomers.

Abstract: Disclosed are waterproofing agent primer compositions which can be applied to wet and dry structures and methods of waterproofing structures made of waterpenetrable construction materials which can be used on wet and dry structures. The primer compositions include a C.sub.8 -C.sub.18 fatty acid, a natural or synthetic rubber, a resin, and an organic solvent.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods for waterproofing civil engineering structures using flexible, sheet-like waterproofing laminates which are applied to structures at temperatures as low as 0.degree. F. Also, disclosed are low-temperature-applicable waterproofing laminates having a bituminous layer comprising 29 to 54 weight percent asphalt, 25 to 50 weight percent process oil, and 16 to 35 weight percent thermoplastic block polymer of styrene and butadiene monomers.

Abstract: The present invention is a method for reducing the rate of moisture transmission into and out of foods comprising coating the surface of the foods with a coating containing an effective amount of polyol fatty acid esters. The polyol fatty acid esters have at least 4 fatty acid ester groups, and at least about 80% of the fatty acids contain not less than 12 carbon atoms. The method is particularly useful for preserving the crispness and thereby prolonging the shelf life of cereal and/or starch based snack foods.

Abstract: Low viscosity orange juice concentrates which are useful in preparing high Brix concentrate products that are less pseudoplastic at freezer temperatures and are more highly dispersible when reconstituted with water are disclosed. These low viscosity orange juice concentrates are obtained by subjecting concentrated orange juice to high shear treatment for a period of time sufficient to reduce the mean particle of the sinking pulp at least about 40 microns and thus lower the viscosity of the concentrated juice. The mean particle size of the sinking pulp in these low viscosity orange juice concentrates is typically about 125 microns or less.

Abstract: Commercially processed orange juice products, including frozen orange juice concentrates, which are closer to hand-squeezed orange juice in character are disclosed. At single-strength, these products have a viscosity of about 7 centipoise or less (at 8.degree. C.) and a titratable oil content of about 0.015% or less. These products are further characterized by an orange aroma and flavor component which has a higher ratio of certain desirable "fresh" and "orangey" compounds, relative to certain less desirable orange compounds, when compared to current commercial orange juice products prepared from orange juice concentrate.

Abstract: A process for treating green or partially roasted coffee beans to improve flavor and reduce bitterness in the resulting roast and ground coffee product is disclosed. The green or partially roasted beans are treated with a solution containing cell-wall-digesting, cell-storage-component-digesting or phenol oxidase enzymes under a pressure of at least about 250 psi. The treated beans are then dried, roasted to their final roast color and ground in a conventional manner to provide roast and ground coffee products having "Toddy"-like aroma and flavor. Sugars and foodgrade bases can also be included in the enzyme-containing solution to enhance the level of desirable coffee aroma and flavor components.