Abstract: An electronic fund transfer system is disclosed wherein commissions for point-of-sale purchase transactions are determined and distributed to members of an organizational network for promoting use of a non-cash payment device that is tangible for effecting purchase transactions. Purchase data is electronically transmitted from the point-of-sale to an automated clearing house for effecting fund transfers to prepare the purchase, and also to a commission management system. The commission management system maintains an electronic database reflecting the structure of the organizational network, and further determines the distribution of purchase commissions according to a predetermined schedule of proportions relating to the position and business volume of each member of the network. The commission management system further comprises a payment processor for effecting commission payments to the members or to a designated sponsor on a scheduled basis.

Abstract: A two-piece brake shoe is disclosed wherein each piece of the brake shoe has a free end and an end portion opposite the free end that is designed to be inter-fitting with an end portion of the other piece of the brake shoe. Each piece of the brake shoe has a brake lining on its outer surface. The two pieces of the brake shoe can be assembled together to form a C-shaped brake shoe having a gap between the free ends of the two pieces of the brake shoe. An actuator enlarges the gap between the free ends of the two pieces of the brake shoe to apply a brake in which the two-piece brake shoe is installed.

Abstract: A handheld, thumb or finger operated, umpire's counter having three dials to indicate the count kept by the umpire for each of “strikes”, “balls”, and “outs”. Each dial has associated with it a null indicator having a tactile output perceptible to the touch. This tactile output enables the umpire to determine when the respective dial is set to “0”, or to set and/or reset a respective dial to “0” without looking at the counter. It also permits the umpire to confirm that each dial is indeed set to “0” before he begins counting.

Abstract: A method of grafting galactomannan-type polysaccharide polymers, preferably guar, to a functional group by irradiation with high energy electron beams in the presence of an unsaturated monomer-compressing the described functional group. The method may include the depolymerization of the grafted polymer to a pre-selected low molecular weight. The preferred galactomannans for treatment according to this method are guar gum, guar splits and hydroxypropyl guar. In a preferred embodiment the guar gum is also depolymerized, preferably to a molecular weight of below about 700,000 Daltons, and most preferably to a molecular weight of between about 100,000 Daltons to about 250,000 Daltons. The depolymerized guar most preferably has a polydispersity of less than about 3.0 and is useful in oil well fracturing to enhance oil production.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for disinfecting the air, comprising the distribution or atomization of a special antimicrobial composition. The invention also relates to antimicrobial compositions and the use thereof in order to disinfect the air.

Abstract: A process for producing a detergent portion, comprising the steps of forming one or more dimensionally stable hollow bodies comprising at least one compartment by injection moulding, providing one or more means for compartmentalizing the dimensionally stable hollow bodies, filling the compartment with at least one detersive formulation, and closing the compartment to form a partial or whole enclosure around the detersive formulation.

Abstract: A gel capsule, loaded with at least one organic percarboxylic acid is manufactured by the process comprising the steps of: (a) providing an oil having a melting point below 35° C. at atmospheric pressure and that is inert towards the organic percarboxylic acid; (b) contacting the oil with at least one stabilizer at a temperature of from 25° C. to 50° C.

Abstract: Triphasic or multiphasic dosage units for washing or cleaning compositions, comprising at least two washing or cleaning composition shaped bodies, each of which has at least one filled cavity, characterized in that the shaped bodies are adhesively bonded to one another such that the dosage unit has at least two differently filled cavities on its surface, are suitable for the combined formulation of solid and liquid or free-flowing washing or cleaning compositions in one dosage unit.

Abstract: A process for producing a substance with a water-soluble packaging. The process comprises the following steps: a) a water-soluble material is deformed so as to embody a vessel; b) the vessel is filled with a filling material selected among the group comprising detergents, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, body care products, auxiliary agricultural agents, adhesives, surface-treating agents, construction materials, dyes or food items; c) a water-soluble film web is applied to the filled container; d) the filled container and film web are sealed; and e) the sealed and filled container is finished. The inventive methods are characterized in that a negative pressure is generated in the filled container in the course of the process. In order to generate the negative pressure, the air located between the filling material and the water-soluble film web applied in step c) escapes at least in part through openings in the water-soluble film web applied in step c).

Abstract: An electronic fund transfer system is disclosed wherein commissions for point-of-sale purchase transactions are determined and distributed to members of an organizational network for promoting use of a non-cash payment device for effecting purchase transactions. Purchase data is electronically transmitted from the point-of-sale to an automated clearing house for effecting fund transfers to prepare the purchase, and also to a commission management system. The commission management system maintains an electronic database reflecting the structure of the organizational network, and further determines the distribution of purchase commissions according to a predetermined schedule of proportions relating to the position and business volume of each member of the network. The commission management system further comprises a payment processor for effecting commission payments to the members or to a designated sponsor on a scheduled basis.

Abstract: The present invention relates to detergents and rinse agents for machine dishwashing and to supply forms which combine detergent and rinse agent containing certain polymers in a single product comprising at least one polymer with cationic monomer units and at least one anionic polymer modified with phosphorus- and/or sulfur-containing groups, characterized in that the pH value of a 1% by weight solution of the anionic polymer in distilled water at 20° C. is less than pH 6.

Abstract: A particulate washing or cleaning composition containing (A) a phosphate-free water-soluble builder component and (B) alkali metal percarbonate particles having a coating containing alkali metal silicate.

Abstract: A detergent, cleaning, conditioning or cosmetic agent that is absorbed by the surface of substrates and that contains oligomers, polymers or copolymers comprising a specific structural element. The agent may also form part of a conditioning substrate, wherein the substrate, such as a fleece material, is saturated and/or coated with the agent. The agent may also be used in a process for treating hard and/or soft substrate surfaces comprising the step of applying an effective quantity of the agent to the substrate.

Abstract: A method for the production of multi-phase detergents or cleaning agents, comprising the production of a water-soluble or water-dispersible container; the filling of said container with detergents or cleaning agents; application of a separating layer and filling of said container with other detergents or cleaning agents. The method is characterized in that a liquid separating agent is applied in order to form the separating layer, said agent solidifying in order to form the separating layer; the amount of packaging material used is reduced and the number of method steps is also reduced. the invention is further characterized by optimized use of space in the packaging body.

Abstract: Detergent portions containing at least one detersive formulation wholly or partly contained in a dimensionally stable hollow body having an enclosure that wholly or partly surrounds the detersive formulation, the enclosure being formed of an uncompressed material that can disintegrate under laundering, cleaning, or washing conditions and that gives the hollow body dimensional stability, and optionally, the dimensionally stable hollow body having one or more means forming one or more compartments therein.

Abstract: Portioned liquid detergents having a liquid phase having one or more solid particles dispersed therein, the detergent being contained in a water-soluble or water-dispersible container, wherein the solid particles have a size above 600 ?m.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for impregnating, incorporating or surface-treating substances/articles that can be microbially decomposed, contaminated and/or infested with parasites and/or that are perishable. The inventive method comprises the following steps: applying a special antimicrobial/antiparasite composition on the substances/articles or incorporating the antimicrobial/antiparasite composition in the substances. The invention further relates to said special antimicrobial/antiparasite compositions, to their use for impregnating and/or surface-treating substances that can be microbially decomposed, contaminated and/or that are perishable or substances that are infested with parasites and to the use thereof in substances and products that have to be self-contaminating.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of laundry detergent or cleaning product shaped bodies comprises preparing a first noncompressed part (a) which comprises an active substance, preparing a second noncompressed part (b) which comprises an active substance, connecting the two shaped body parts (a) and (b) by joining or intermeshing them to form the shaped body.

Abstract: The invention relates to agents for coloring fibers containing keratin, in particular, human hair, which comprise selected cationic, CH-acidic heterocycles according to formula I in which A, R1, R2 and X? are as defined in the application, in combination with reactive carbonyl compounds, to the use of this combination in agents for coloring fibers containing keratin, for freshening up the color or nuancing fibers containing keratin which have already been colored, and to a method of coloring fibers containing keratin, in particular, human hair.

Abstract: The invention is directed to the use of magnetic shielding alone and magnetic shielding combined with magnetic field stimulation in methods for the treatment, diagnosis and assessment of disease, condition, or physical or mental state. The invention also includes portable devices for the shielding of magnetic fields for therapy and treatment of disease, condition, or physical or mental state.