Abstract: The invention relates to Aureobasidium pullulans strains which produce pullulan but virtually no melanin. A process for the preparation of these strains, and a preferred use, are also disclosed.

Abstract: The position of a reference point of a scanner relative to an incremental scale with marks arranged thereon with constant spacings is roughly determined based on the marks passed along the scale multiplied by the spacing of the marks, and finely determined by interpolation between the marks. The interpolation between the marks is made by determining the projection angles between the reference point and three marks adjacently arranged on the scale, and by calculating the coordinates of the reference point according to trigonometric functions.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for adjusting a preselected sweeping area width of a revolving roll-type brush rotatable around an axis for the cleaning of roadways, airport runways and the like, wherein the spacing between the axis of the revolving brush and the surface to be cleaned is altered for adjusting the sweeping surface, or area swept, and wherein, for the dimensioning of the nominal spacing, the brush diameter is detected by means of a sensor and the spacing of the brush axis from the surface to be cleaned is adjusted according to the diameter of the revolving brush. The actual spacing between the brush axis and the surface to be cleaned is measured and when there are deviations between the nominal and the actual spacing, the spacing of the brush axis and the surface to be cleaned is readjusted to the desired nominal spacing by a control circuit in order to assure that a preselected sweeping surface width or width of the area swept is maintained.

Abstract: A latching structure designed to removably maintain connection between a base portion of a light bulb, such as a "Christmas Tree" or like decorative light, and a socket which includes electrical connection means for providing current to the base when the base is received therein from a conventional power supply.

Abstract: The invention contemplates nail clippers comprising a single-piece clippings container being an integral part of a conventional nail clipper of the kind in which elongated jaw members are connected at one end and diverge toward the other end. The clippings retainer being an integral part of the lower jaw of the clippers while the upper jaw is designed such that it completely covers the lower jaw with the retainer box, preventing any clippings from being scattered during the clipping process.

Abstract: A device consisting of a monolithic block of material that is used as a housing of an apparatus for determining the density, or changes in density, of small particles, that contains an elongated chamber formed within the block that serves as a cloud chamber, and a trough formed in said block and defining a humidification chamber. The block includes passageways that connect the cloud chamber to the humidification chamber and inlet and exhaust passageways, as well as providing mountings for various valves, such as a humidity valve, by-pass valve, and vacuum valve used in the apparatus.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the preparation of pyridine-2,3-dicarboxylic acid esters using novel maleic acid esters as starting materials. In the process, in a first process step, 2,3-dihalomaleic acid esters are reacted with ammonia, or ammonium salts, with the exclusion of water at a temperature of at least 50.degree. C. to form novel 2-amino-3-halomaleic acid esters, and these are subsequently reacted further in a second process step with .alpha.,.beta.-unsaturated aldehydes, or ketones, in the presence of an acidic catalyst and acid-binding agents at a temperature of at least 50.degree. C. with heat being supplied until the pyridine-2,3-dicarboxylic acid esters have been formed. Pyridine-2,3-dicarboxylic acid esters of this type can be used, for example, as intermediates for synthesis of herbicides based on imidazoline. The present invention also relates to novel 2-amino-3-halomaleic acid esters, which are useful for producing the final product pyridine-2,3-dicarboxylic acid esters.

Abstract: A container, particularly a silo container, is provided consisting of a plurality of wall parts having horizontal through-extending crimps, at least two wall parts form a joint wherein the wall parts are connected with each other within the zone of the joint by at least one vertically standing support element, the legs of the support element, which is in the form of a metal support plate, within the zone of the joint have matching crimps for positively receiving the wall parts having the horizontal crimps.

Abstract: An interfolder device for folding sheet material in a zig-zag manner which uses a pair of counter rotating rollers for receiving the sheet material and an elongated guide track disposed below the counter rotating rollers for receiving, supporting and conveying the sheet material as it is folded on the guide track. There is also provided a dynamic pressure means consisting of a vacuum that is coupled to the guide track by means of perforations formed in the guide track in order to apply a brake to the sheet material as it is supported and conveyed along the track during its folding process.

Abstract: A filter adapted for use in a fish culturing tank, the filter including a filter casing, a pump mounted on top of the casing, and an attachment interposed between the casing and the pump which has an inlet portion extending in the casing through the attachment to suck the filtered water therein and an outlet portion for returning the filtered water to the tank, the attachment having a first means for allowing the inlet portion of the pump to pass through, and a second means for connection to the casing.

Abstract: A combination toy chest and table has a top lid which serves as a desk top, and which is pivoted at one end to be movable between a closed position and an open position. In the closed position, the toy chest serves its normal function with the lid covering the toy chest. In its open position, the lid is displaced approximately 90.degree. from the toy chest and is supported by preferably two legs to give it stability in this position. A person such as a child need only to place a chair next to the table for use at this point. A spring loaded locking mechanism is employed for locking the top in its closed position. In a further embodiment, the top lid for the toy chest extends beyond the width of the toy chest, so that it could also be used as a desk when the toy chest is in its closed position.

Abstract: Basic polypyrrylenemethines, and salts thereof, having conjugated double bonds and constructed from optionally substituted five-membered heterocyclic rings containing nitrogen, as the only hetero atom in the ring are disclosed, with the five-membered rings, in each case, being bonded to one another in pairs via an optionally substituted carbon atom as a bridging member. The polymer compositions of the invention contain at least five of these five-membered rings and 0 to 50%, relative to the weight of these polymers, of dopants and/or being electrochemically doped. A process for the preparation of the claimed compositions is further disclosed. The polymer compositions of the invention have electroconducting and semi-conducting properties and are useful, for example, in batteries, circuits and switches, if appropriately used in conjunction with other polymers. In addition, the compounds of the invention can also be employed as absorbents for heavy metals and as catalysts.

Abstract: A method for quality assurance in the manufacture of tablets. Tablet samples consisting of a plurality of tablets are taken whose actual weight is compared with their nominal weight, so that the tabletting machine is subsequently adjusted according to the deviation in order to adjust the weight of the tablets to the nominal weight. If the sample of tablets contains one or several tablets which, as so-called error tablets, show significant deviation from the nominal weight due to flawed manufacture, inaccuracy of the result so obtained is avoided if prior to adjustment of the machine, the weights of the individual sample tablets are measured and compared with one another. If it is found that the sample contains tablets with significant deviation from their nominal weight, such tablets may be taken into account in the statistical analysis by corrective computation.

Abstract: A training device for use in the sport of judo has a circular bottom surface curving upwardly, and a top part tapering inwardly and upwardly. The training device consists of an elastic material and it is symmetrical about its axis. In particular, the curvature of the flat part and the resulting line of the tapered top part are adapted to the anatomy of the foot, in particular, to the length of the foot and the shape of the instep. This device simplifies the practice of ASHI-WAZA.

Abstract: A self-regulating heating device with a lamellar resistance-heating body made of an electrically conducting ceramic material with a positive temperature coefficient which heating body, together with electrical insulating bodies through which heat is dissipated from the heating body, is squeezed via wedging into a wedge-shaped slot of a body or housing body to be heated. The lamellar resistance-heating body is wedge-shaped in construction and the essentially planar wedge surfaces of this heating body which extend obliquely toward each other, through interjoining of the insulating bodies, are facing the lateral surfaces of the slot. Preferably, thermal resistance is reduced at the heat exchanging contact surfaces by a thin contact layer made of thermal conducting mass. Current supply is effected at the surfaces of the resistance-heating body adjacent to the wedge surfaces.

Abstract: There is provided an electromotive drive for a control element, the overall drive is without self-inhibition, for which purpose its screw transmission has rolling elements in the thread, and the drive motor is a rotating field magnet. Provision is made for a freewheel clutch disposed between the drive motor and the screw transmission. A non-inhibiting reduction gear may be arranged between the freewheel clutch and the drive motor.

Abstract: A moveable mausoleum cover comprises at least one row of at least one crypt cover door moveable horizontally; the door has a front surface and a rear surface. A pocket wall comprises an end panel adjacent to the door and rotatable around a pivot point, between a closed position and an open position; the end panel having a front surface and a rear surface. A horizontal track is located a spaced distance behind the rear surface of the crypt cover door and a spaced distance behind the rear surface of the end panel; the track having a hollow guide rail. A connector means is contained within the hollow guide rail; and there is a means for mounting the connector means to the rear surface of the crypt cover door.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a high rate method for combining waste materials to produce valuable products for agricultural, horticultural, sylvicultural or public use. Specifically, the present invention combines the steps of alkaline stabilization, beneficiating and pelletizing waste materials, such as wastewater treatment plant sludge or animal excrement and reaction with carbon dioxide, to thereby convert the waste materials to useful products such as soil conditioners or fertilizer supplements.

Abstract: Flame-retarding composition for rendering self-extinguishing polymers, copolymers, mixtures of polymers and various polymeric materials, comprising a polymer, a copolymer, or a mixture of polymers of hydroxyalkyl-derivatives of isocyanuric acid and ammonium polyphosphate, and so-obtained self-extinguishing polymers and polymeric materials.