Abstract: A process for de-watering lime mud in a Krafft pulping process is described. The process includes an improvement which comprises adding an effective water-removal rate enhancing amount of an alkyleneamine to the lime mud prior to filtration. The preferred alkyleneamine is ethyleneamine, that is, an amine having at least one —(CR2—CR2—NH—)— unit wherein each R is independently is H or an alkyl (straight-chain, branched, or cyclic) group of from about 1 to about 10 carbon atoms. Ethyleneamines include ethylenediamine, diethylenetriamine, triethylenediamine, triethylenetetramine, tetraethylenepentamine, piperazine, aminoethylpiperazine, and ethyleneamine mixtures such as mixtures of ethyleneamine oligomers having an average molecular weight of about 200-500.

Abstract: Provided herein are functional fluid compositions useful in hydraulic fluid and gear oil formulations. The formulations according to the invention include a predominant amount of at least one polyoxyalkylene glycol derived from the addition polymerization of an alcohol in the presence of an alkylene oxide mixture which contains a substantial amount of ethylene oxide. Fluids according to the invention exhibit suitable lubricity and stability characteristics and are generally water soluble to a degree sufficient to preclude formation of a sheen on the surface of a body of water into which a fluid according to the invention is brought into contact.

Abstract: Surfactants that are expected to further improve the bioefficacy of herbicides. The surfactants comprise esterified alkoxylated polyether diamines, alkoxylated polyether diamines, and mixtures thereof. The present invention also provides for herbicide compositions that contain the surfactants of the present invention. The herbicide compositions comprise a herbicidal active ingredient, a surfactant of the present invention, and optionally, one or more formulation aids. The present invention additionally provides for a method of controlling unwanted weeds or vegetation using the herbicide compositions of the present invention.

Abstract: Provided herein are supported catalysts and processes useful in the dehydrogenation of hydrocarbons. Catalysts made according to the invention possess a unique pore size distribution which provides a favorable balance of selectivity, activity, and thermal stability. In a preferred form of the invention, catalysts made in accordance of the invention are regenerable. Detergent range paraffins may be converted to monoolefins using a catalyst and process provided by the invention.

Abstract: Provided herein is a weld point electrode useful for welding weld nuts to various selected substrates.

Abstract: Provided herein are developer solutions useful in producing semiconductor-based circuit elements or precursors thereof, which contain tris-(2-hydroxyethyl)methylammonium hydroxide. Developers according to the invention are either aqueous or alcoholic solutions of tris-(2-hydroxyethyl)methylammonium hydroxide which preferably further comprise a stabilizer. Through use of the compositions provided herein, greatly reduced levels of volatile amines are released during the developing process which lessens the burden on clean room atmosphere purification equipment owing to lessened airborne impurities.

Abstract: A device according to the invention is useful for providing viewable images and sounds to persons undergoing medical treatments, including radiotherapy, cosmetic, and other surgeries. According to the invention, there is provided an image source means, a Fresnel lens and an enclosure which is adapted to contain the image source means and Fresnel lens, and which also includes a means for attaching the enclosure to existing equipment associated with a medical procedure, wherein the existing equipment includes a flat surface portion upon which the patient is intended to lay in either a supine or prone position. A device according to the invention is especially useful in rendering children immobile during radiotherapy without the need for administration of anesthetics which are otherwise necessary to keep the child from shifting position while the therapy is administered.

Abstract: Provided herein are subcombinations from which polyurethane foams and polyurethane foams containing polyisocyanurates may be prepared. The subcombinations are unique in that they contain components which synergistically act towards promoting compatibility between a blowing agent and the remaining components of the formulation. Through the use of the teachings herein, blowing agent concentrations in excess of 25% by weight of the total subcombination may be incorporated.

Abstract: Provided herein is a toolbox system especially well suited for use on pickup trucks. The system provides quick and easy access to a wide variety of tools which may be contained in the toolboxes. The assemblies may be modular and are readily loaded and unloaded from the bed portion of a pickup truck. An increased degree of safety and convenience is realized from use of the devices herein set forth.

Abstract: Provided herein is a process for treatment of solutions which contain ferrous, ferric and soluble manganese species which process comprises addition of an oxidizing agent to such a solution to cause formation of manganese dioxide particles and adding manganese dioxide seed particles so as to cause nascent manganese dioxide agglomerates formed from the action of the addition of the oxidizing agent on the soluble manganese species to adhere to the manganese dioxide seed particles. By a process according to the invention, it is possible to effectively remove the soluble manganese species as solid manganese dioxide by having effective control over the size of the manganese dioxide particles to enable their subsequent removal using ordinary filtration techniques.

Abstract: Provided herein is a device useful for delivering spherical projectiles to a desired location. The projectiles may comprise baseballs, tennis balls, or the like, and may be conferred with various degrees of linear velocities, spin, and rotational characteristics for their flight. A device according to the invention is especially well suited for use in providing batters with a source of various pre-selected or random pitches of balls, to enhance batting practice in the absence of a human pitcher. A device according to the invention is readily compactable, portable, and efficient with regard to the amount of space it occupies.

Abstract: Provided herein are fueling nozzles for the re-fueling of various motorized vehicles, particularly aircraft. A re-fueling nozzle according to this invention includes a gauge from which the pressure of a liquid fuel passing through the nozzle may be read by a technician performing the re-fueling operation. Nozzles according to the invention further comprise a shrouding means which protect the pressure gauge from damage during a refueling operation, or while the nozzle is being transported or stored. According to a preferred form of the invention, a nozzle comprises an inner conduit portion and an outer sleeve portion, wherein the outer sleeve portion is rotatable about the inner conduit portion.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are novel polymers and copolymers of alphaolefins produced using various Ziegler/Natta and Metallocene catalysts. Commercial production of these polymers is now possible for the first time owing to the polymer harvesting technology also disclosed herein.

Abstract: Provided herein is a system which permits refitting of lamp sockets which utilize incandescent lamps with fluorescent lamps. The present system provides for a ballast which is remote from the lamp itself, thus being non-restrictive in regards to the size or wattage of the lamps used. The system is universal in that any existing incandescent lamp may be replaced with a fluorescent lamp, including compact fluorescent lamps, of any wattage desired by the user. The systems herein provide an increased degree of safety, as the socket profile can be matched to the ballast connector to preclude the use of an incorrect ballast with a given fluorescent lamp.

Abstract: Provided herein is a device useful for splitting logs into rail sections useful in making fences. The device includes a longitudinal cutting means which permits the entire log placed into the device to be cleaved along its length dimension in one operation, without the need for pre-sawing or pre-calculations. Through use of the instant device, wasted lumber is kept to an absolute minimum over methods of prior art. The device of the invention takes up very little space and may be operated by hydraulic or electrical means.

Abstract: The present invention relates to ceiling fans which are powered by rechargeable batteries. The fans do not require energy from hard-wired sources, and are hence deployable in any location desired by the user, including but not limited to watercraft, tents, remote cabins, etc. The means for receiving the battery is centrally located on the axis of rotation of the fan blades, to confer increased balance and stability to the device as a whole.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a process for producing alkanolamines from the reaction between a polyolefin epoxide and an organic amino compound under conditions of elevated temperature and pressure, in the presence of a catalytic amount of an alcohol. Higher reaction rates for alkanolamine production than provided in the prior art may be achieved by use of a process according to the invention. Alkanolamines having various levels of nitrogen may be produced by the invention.

Abstract: An improved process for manufacture of expandable polymer particles is provided. The continuous process disclosed produces expandable polymer pellets in a single step while eliminating many of the dangers inherent in processes of prior art employed for the same. The polymers produced herein are of uniform size, and may be molded into various articles of manufacture using existing equipment and techniques known to those skilled in the art.

Abstract: Provided herein is a process for producing bundles of fibers useful for testing of various physical properties of said bundles. The bundles include fibers attached to one another at one of their ends by a binding composition. The binding composition employed being selected dependent upon the type of physical testing intended for the fibers. The fibers may be keratin fibers.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a device for counting small objects which is capable of accurately and reliably counting large numbers of small objects such as pharmaceutical tablets, capsules, and the like. The device employs linear pickup tubes radially affixed to a rotating collar wherein the tubes have a vacuum applied to them during a prescribed amount of rotation of the collar about a stationary axle. During the period for which a vacuum exists at the tip of a pickup tube, an object to be counted is caused to adhere to the tube end, and is transported into a discharge chute containing an object counter.