Abstract: An enzyme detergent composition capable of detoxifying G-agents and other OPA chemicals comprises a laundry detergent and an enzymatic cell free extract from E. coli, the composition having a pH of about 6.5 to 10 in water.A method of hydrolyzing a hydrolyzable compound comprises contacting compound with an amount of an aqueous suspension of the enzyme detergent composition of the invention under conditions affective to attain the desired affect.A method of cleaning and detoxifying a product comprising a hydrolyzable compound comprises contacting the product with an amount of an aqueous suspension of the enzyme detergent composition of the invention under conditions capable of attaining the desired affect, and rinsing the product.

Abstract: A bread pan having corrugated top, bottom and side walls permits the baking f loaves having a generally accordion-like shape, such loaves being to some degree pressable without fracture. The pan has a bottom portion and a cooperating lid with the interface there between defining a seal which may be interrupted as a result of an increase of pressure within the pan to thereby release steam during baking.

Abstract: A method of forming a crosslinked chitosan polymer comprises contacting cosan with a basic solution of an epihalohydrin compound and heating the resulting mixture to a temperature and for a time sufficient to effect crosslinking of the chitosan. The crosslinked chitosan polymer exhibits water insolubility and biodegradability.

Abstract: A baking oven utilizes a vapor chamber for at least three of its six inside alls. A vaporized heat transfer medium is circulated through the walls of the oven to provide a more uniform temperatrure distribution throughout the oven.

Abstract: A liquid transfer device, which may be used as a drinking tube assembly to stablish fluid communication between the interior of a canteen and the interior of a protective mask, defines a pair of parallel fluid flow paths which respectively include opposite directly check valves. The parallel flow paths merge at the opposite ends of the assembly to form common flow paths which may be caused to respectively communicate with a suction tube and liquid storage container.

Abstract: An anatomically shaped earseal is provided for headset earcups. The earseal s thinner at the top than at the bottom and gradually widens toward the bottom to evenly distribute the pressure and provide a tight seal with the wearer's head.

Abstract: A parachute assembly and method for the controlled airdrop of a payload is isclosed. The parachute assembly includes a cluster of parachutes and a control means. Each parachute in the cluster includes a canopy, a plurality of reefing rings attached to the skirt portion of the canopy and a plurality of suspension lines that are attached to the skirt portion at their one end and attachable to a payload at their other end. The control means comprises a common member disposed between and intermediate to each parachute, a plurality of control lines that are threaded through a plurality of the reefing rings on confronting skirt portions of each of two parachutes, and at least one control loop for each control line, which control loop is breakable under tension forces generated at the skirt portion during canopy opening. The method for controlling canopy release and opening of clustered parachutes comprises releasing the clustered parachutes from a single deployment bag.

Abstract: Portable mattresses having improved comfort and lower bulk when folded for ransport are provided. The mattresses include generally planar members having corrugations on each face of the planar member. The corrugations are such that the planar members are adapted to be brought into nesting relationship when the mat is folded.

Abstract: A process for the rapid extraction, separation, and detection of free and total sulfites in food is disclosed. The process comprises the steps of (a) extracting sulfites from a sample in the presence of a medium having a selected pH to produce an extractant; (b) filtering the extractant; (c) subjecting the filtered extractant to anion exclusion chromatography to produce a sulfite-containing effluent; and (d) detecting the proportion of sulfites in the effluent. The process may be used either to determine free sulfites (by performing extraction in the presence of an acid medium), or to determine total sulfites (by performing extraction in the presence of an alkaline medium). The process of the present invention may be used to determine sulfite levels of 1.0 ppm or less.

Abstract: An improved can opener having a handle with which the operator steadies the an being opened by a downward pressure on the handle to a flat surface beneath the can. At the bottom of the can opener is a protruding lip which prevents the can opener from lifting up and out of the can. This can opener is portable since it operates without being attached to any surface.

Abstract: The invention is a mechanical device which enables the connection of two ferably longitudinal rigid members. Utilization of the invention enables the quick connection and disconnection of members manually without the aid of tools. The device is designed such that the connection is positively locked. The connection is also characterized in that torques and bending moments will not be transmitted between the two connected members through the device. The device, however, will transmit tensile, compressive, and shear loads.

Abstract: A reefing buffer, attached to one of a parachute's suspension lines, encies all of the suspension lines. There is a pocket sewn onto the buffer which holds a cutter in place. A reefing line passes through the cutter and around the reefing buffer to be tied in place.

Abstract: An annular ring parachute intended for low altitude deployment with a low te of descent. This parachute comprises an annular ring parachute canopy having a central vent. Suspension lines are connected at one end to the outer edge of the canopy and at the other end to risers attached to a load-bearing harness. A restraining device is connected to the canopy which slows the opening of the central vent while the canopy inflates during deployment of the parachute. A pilot chute connected to the restraining means is adapted when inflated to apply a force to the restraining means to slow the opneing of the central vent.

Abstract: A furnace for growing large single crystals from materials having high meng temperatures using the vertical solidification of melt method. The crucible containing the melt being encased in a muffle with vertically oriented heating rods arranged in a circular pattern around the outside of the muffle. The tops of the heating rods being electrically connected to a continuous graphite ring, and the bottoms of equal numbers of rods being electrically connected to two semi-circular sections of graphite. The power feeds for the heating rods being vertically brought into the furnace from the bottom for electrical connection to the semi-circular sections of graphite.

Abstract: A process and a microorganism for synthesizing cellulase enzymes and solu proteins are described. The microorganism is a mutant strain of an Ascomycete fungus capable of the synthesizing cellulases and soluble proteins in the presence of a growth medium containing cellulose, cellulose enzymic hydrolysate sugars or lactose. The mutant strain is identified as T. reesei MCG80.

Abstract: A helmet suitable for use by combat vehicle crewmen comprises a rigid she formed of a ballistic resistant material, having earcup receiving extensions affixed thereto. Earcups are mounted in the shell extensions and are capable of movement in two directions relative thereto. The helmet also has an internal suspension system which affords two additional size adjustments.

Abstract: Footwear is tested and evaluated by apparatus which is capable of simulat the actual wearing thereof under various environmental conditions. The apparatus includes a leg pylon and artificial foot which are moved as a unit by apparatus which duplicates the motion of the knee and ankle of an individual. The artificial foot, on which the footwear to be tested is mounted, may be provided with various sensors or condition simulators.

Abstract: Bulk pieces of graphite bonded with a graphitizable binder comprising a lid crystalline component of pitch, which softens at about 240.degree. C. and becomes very fluid at about 300.degree. C. to about 500.degree. C. The bonded graphite pieces appear as a monolithic material even under 1000.times. magnification. The bonding is effected under vacuum or in an inert atmosphere at temperatures of from about 700.degree. C. to about 3000.degree. C., usually about 1000.degree. C. to about 1500.degree. C., under pressure of from about 20 psi to about 1000 psi applied in a direction normal to the bonding surface.

Abstract: An improved device for the air dropping of platform-mounted cargo is presed wherein a multi-staged parachute system allows for a rapid descent during the initial phase of the trajectory and then reduces the rate of descent during the terminal stage to allow for a safe landing.

Abstract: The delivery of alternating current from a source to a load, especially a sistance heater, is accurately controlled as a function of temperature through the employment of a bidirectional solid state switch. A full-wave power control for the solid state switch includes a temperature probe comprising one or a combination of voltage and temperature sensitive devices.