Abstract: Pulping apparatus particularly for reducing waste fibrous material into a fiber slurry. A disintegrating and mulching drum is provided to shred and tear wet feed material into clumps of wet fibrous material and the clumps then converted into water-logged masses of wet fibers. A dispersing drum then converts the water-logged masses of fibers into a fiber slurry.

Abstract: The calcium content of high purity concentrated phosphoric acid is reduced to not more than about 2 ppm by contacting the acid with a strong cation exchange resin.

Abstract: Absorbent, coherent, flexible structures in the form of fibrous webs and porous sponges comprising water-insoluble, ring oxidized cellulosic bases consisting of water-insoluble cellulose ethers, cellulose mixed ethers ring oxidized forms of these cellulose, cellulose ether mixed esters and mixtures of the bases. The cellulose bases have a DS of between about 0.05 and about 0.35. Upon application of the structures to the body and wet with aqueous body liquids, sharp edges and protruding fibers and fibrils or hairs become highly swollen or may dissolve thereby eliminating irritation. The ring oxidized forms of the cellulose bases contain between about 2% and about 52% added carboxyl groups. The structures may have hemostatic properties and the structure may include uniformly dispersed therein chitin and/or starch derivatives or contain starch or gelatin compounds to enhance the hemostatic efficacy.

Abstract: Polymeric materials are combined with modified heat exfoliated hydrated magnesium aluminosilicates. The aluminosilicates are treated with aqueous acidic solutions and subjected to controlled agitation to convert highly porous concertina-shaped granular hydrated magnesium aluminosilicates into groups of electrolyte insensitive platelets. Water slurries of the groups of platelets when dried form coherent, continuous sheets which when mechanically disintegrated may be reslurried in water. The modified heat exfoliated magnesium aluminosilicates are adapted for use in fire retardant, loose fill cellulose insulation, paper and pulp products, synthetic polymeric materials, coatings such as fire retardant acoustic coatings, dog foods, defoliants and the like.

Abstract: Shaped three-dimensional structures formed of polyurethane polyene compositions obtained by reacting from about 10 to about 50 parts by weight of a polyene in the presence of about 100 parts by weight of a hydrophilic polyurethane resin. The resulting products will swell and increase in weight upon immersion in water and are permeable to gases, moisture vapor, ions, and other low molecular weight species. The hydrophilic polyurethane polyene compositions may be molded to form shaped products that are dimensionally stable after repeated exposure to boiling water and exhibit memory.

Abstract: Three-dimensional substrates having on at least one surface a coating formed of a polyurethane polyene composition obtained by reacting from about 10 to about 50 parts by weight of a polyene in the presence of about 100 parts by weight of a hydrophilic polyurethane resin. Transparent substrates are rendered antifogging by such coatings. The drag resistance of boat hulls may be decreased by a coating of the compositions and marine growth thereon may be inhibited by incorporating substances such as mercurous acetate in the coating.

Abstract: Polyurethane polyene compositions are obtained by reacting from about 10 to about 50 parts by weight of a polyene in the presence of about 100 parts by weight of a hydrophilic polyurethane resin. The resulting products will swell and increase in weight upon immersion in water and are permeable to gases, moisture vapor ions, and other low molecular weight species. The hydrophilic polyurethane diacrylate compositions may be molded to form shaped products that are dimensionally stable after repeated exposure to boiling water and exhibit memory.

Abstract: Polyurethane quaternary ammonium salts are obtained by heating a solution of a polyurethane resin characterized by having present in the polymer backbone hydroxyl groups and at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of carboxylate radicals and carboxyl radicals dissolved in a water-miscible organic solvent for the resin at a temperature above 64.degree. C. and below the decomposition temperature of said polyurethane resin with an organic chloride for a period of time; adding a strong base to the reaction mixture and continuing to heat said mixture to form a polyurethane quaternary ammonium hydroxide in solution; and precipitating the polyurethane quaternary ammonium hydroxide by pouring the reaction mixture into an excess of water.

Abstract: Polyurethane diacrylate compositions are obtained by reacting a diacrylate in the presence of from about 65 to about 95 weight percent of a hydrophilic polyurethane resin. The compositions will form a hydrogel upon immersion in water and are permeable to gases, ions and other low molecular weight species. The hydrophilic polyurethane diacrylate compositions may be molded to form shaped products that are dimensionally stable after repeated exposure to boiling water and exhibit memory. The compositions are useful as carriers for pharmacologically active agents in forming an oral delivery system.

Abstract: Canulae formed of or having a coating of polyurethane diacrylate compositions obtained by reacting a diacrylate in the presence of from about 65 to about 95 weight percent of a hydrophilic polyurethane resin. The compositions will form a hydrogel upon immersion in water and are permeable to gases, ions and other low molecular weight species. The hydrophilic polyurethane diacrylate compositions may be molded to form shaped products that are dimensionally stable after repeated exposure to boiling water and exhibit memory.

Abstract: Gas and ion permeable membranes useful as burn dressings, surgical drapes and the like formed of polyurethane diacrylate compositions obtained by reacting a diacrylate in the presence of from about 65 to about 95 weight percent of a hydrophilic polyurethane resin. The compositions will form a hydrogel upon immersion in water and are also permeable to other low molecular weight species. The hydrophilic polyurethane diacrylate compositions may be molded to form shaped products that are dimensionally stable after repeated exposure to boiling water and exhibit memory.

Abstract: Surgical implants, intrauterine devices and the like formed of polyurethane diacrylate compositions obtained by reacting a diacrylate in the presence of from about 65 to about 95 weight percent of a hydrophilic polyurethane resin. The compositions will form a hydrogel upon immersion in water and are permeable to gases, ions and other low molecular weight species. The hydrophilic polyurethane diacrylate compositions may be molded to form shaped products that are dimensionally stable after repeated exposure to boiling water and exhibit memory. The shaped products contain distributed therein a desired medicament.

Abstract: Protein hydrogel structures formed from natural proteins having an average molecular weight of about 100,000 or less by dissolving the protein in an aqueous acidic solution, subjecting the protein to vapor phase crosslinking with at least two crosslinking agents, and air drying to a moisture content not exceeding 10 percent. The drying may be effected by treatment with a water-miscible organic solvent or by air drying. The structures may be in the form of soft contact lenses, films, fibers, and prosthetics.

Abstract: Polyurethane diacrylate compositions are obtained by reacting a diacrylate in the presence of from about 30 to about 95 weight percent of a hydrophilic polyurethane resin. The resulting products will form a hydrogel upon immersion in water and are permeable to gases, ions and other low molecular weight species. The hydrophilic polyurethane diacrylate compositions may be molded to form shaped products that are dimensionally stable after repeated exposure to boiling water and exhibit memory. The compositions are useful for making contact lenses and numerous forms of surgical devices, among other things.

Abstract: Absorbent, coherent, flexible structures in the form of fibrous webs and porous sponges comprising cellulose derivatives having a DS of between about 0.05 and about 0.35 whereby upon application to the body and wet with aqueous body liquids, the protruding fibers and fibrils or hairs become highly swollen or may dissolve thereby eliminating irritation. The derivative may be such as to impart hemostatic properties and the structure may include uniformly dispersed therein chitin and/or starch derivatives to enhance the hemostatic efficacy. The structures may include water-soluble agents which function as dry binders but when the structure is wet with aqueous body liquids, the agents dissolve and become leached from the structures.

Abstract: Heat exfoliated hydrated magnesium aluminosilicates are treated with aqueous acidic solutions and subjected to controlled agitation to convert highly porous concertina-shaped granular hydrated magnesium aluminosilicates into groups of electrolyte insensitive platelets. Water slurries of the groups of platelets when dried form coherent, continuous sheets which when mechanically disintegrated may be reslurried in water. The modified magnesium aluminosilicates are adapted for use in fire retardant, loose fill cellulose insulation, paper and pulp products, coatings such as fire retardant, acoustic coatings, dog foods, defoliates and the like.

Abstract: A dentifrice comprising a non-toxic soap and/or detergent without an unpleasant taste at concentrations from at least about 25 percent to about 50 percent and water at a minimum alkaline pH of 7.5 and capable of producing high viscosity bodied foams capable of physically capturing mouth bacteria and food particles, and allowing them to be flushed away with the foam thereby protecting the teeth from excessive decay and the gums from accelerated deterioration.

Abstract: A method of preparing new compositions of stabilized suspensoids of hybrid fuel oils comprising varying mixtures of ultrafine coal, virus-size pure carbon particles, finely ground newsprint and sawdust. The resultant stabilized fuel slurries are mixed mechanically to produce pumpable new forms of fuels whereby conventionally available petroleum fuel oils can be extended.The slurry is injected through lances into a blast furnace; the lances may provide concentric streams of slurry and steam. The slurry may also be used in other fuel burning furnaces such as boilers, cement kilns, etc.

Abstract: Protein hydrogel structures formed from natural proteins having an average molecular weight of about 100,000 or less by dissolving the protein in an aqueous acidic solution, crosslinking the protein, and air drying to a moisture content not exceeding 10 percent. The thus dried structure may or may not be bleached with an aqueous solution of an oxidizing agent and thoroughly washed with water. The washed structure is dehydrated by treatment with a water-miscible organic solvent, washed with water, and redried to a moisture content of not more than 10 percent. The structures may be in the form of soft contact lenses, films, fibers, and prosthetics.

Abstract: A cyclic method for recovering alkali values from subterranean trona deposits. The ore is contacted via solution mining with an aqueous mining solvent containing sodium hydroxide, the resulting Na.sub.2 CO.sub.3 -containing solution is withdrawn and carbonated, and sodium sesquicarbonate and/or sodium bicarbonate is crystallized and separated from the solution. The crystallized solids are calcined in a direct coal-fired calciner, and the resultant anhydrous soda ash is recrystallized in water to form sodium carbonate monohydrate or anhydrous sodium carbonate, which is recovered as a dense alkali product. Aqueous mining solvent is regenerated by causticization of one or more of the various liquor streams, and the recovery cycle is repeated.