Abstract: An aluminosilicate catalyst for catalytic dehydration of alcohols into ether is prepared by the steps of (a) contacting a crystalline aluminosilicate at below 800.degree. C., preferably 320.degree.-800.degree. C., with a nitrogen-containing base, preferably ammonia or a lower alkyl amine such as n-butyl amine, to absorb as much as possible of the base; and (b) desorbing part of the absorbed base by passing a stream of an inert gas over the thus-treated aluminosilicate at a temperature of 320.degree.-800.degree. C., preferably 400.degree.-600.degree. C. In step (a) the aluminosilicate catalyst is deactivated and in step (b) it is selectively reactivated so that the catalyst catalyses the ether formation reaction almost as well as the untreated catalyst, whereas the catalytic activity for other reactions such as formation of hydrocarbons and formation of "coke" consisting of polymerizates and/or carbon is eliminated.

Abstract: A dispersion of water soluble or water swellable polymer in water immiscible liquid is made by reverse phase polymerization utilizing a dispersing system comprising a polymerization stabilizer and the resulting dispersion, optionally after dehydration, may be distributed into water utilizing a distributing system. The dispersing system or the distributing system, or both, includes at least one non-ionic compound selected from C.sub.6-12 alkanols, C.sub.4-12 alkylene glycol monoethers and their C.sub.1-4 alkanoates, C.sub.6-12 polyalkylene glycol monoethers and their C.sub.1-4 alkanoates and benzyl alcohol. Novel dispersions are made by reverse phase polymerization and, in particular, include a non-ionic compound selected from C.sub.4-12 alkylene glycol monoethers, their C.sub.1-4 alkanoates and C.sub.6-12 polyalkylene glycol monoethers and their C.sub.1-4 alkanoates. When the polymer is water soluble a solution of it in water can be made by distributing the dispersion into water.

Abstract: A double-glazed window for insertion in openings in walls or doors of a sandwich-type construction. The glazing comprises two identical transparent elements with an integral pane portion and an edge portion having sealing ribs. Internal covering means comprising two rib sections that overlap each other to provide an inner seal. The height of the rib sections are less than the thickness of the sandwich material, and the rib sections may also interengage each other.

Abstract: A connector for medical tubing comprises two interengaging parts (1, 12). As one part is rotated relative to the other, screw-threads cause a tapered projection (13) to mate with a flared bore (6) to provide a fluid-tight seal. Further relative rotation causes the outer bevelled edge of the outer wall (16) of one of the parts to move further forward to sealingly engage the sloping wall (10) of the other part. The projection (13) and outer wall (16) are connected by a flexible membrane 19 to permit this further forward movement. The connector is particularly suited for use in continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis.

Abstract: Synthetic hydrocarbons, especially high octane gasoline, are prepared by catalytic conversion in two steps of a synthetic gas containing hydrogen and carbon oxides. In the first step the synthesis gas is converted at 10-80 bar and 200.degree.-300.degree. C. into an intermediate containing methanol and/or dimethyl ether. Useful catalysts for methanol synthesis are oxides of chromium, aluminium and/or copper, and zinc; and for dimethyl ether synthesis certain zeolites. In the second step the entire intermediate from the first step is converted at the same pressure as in the first step and an inlet temperature of 300.degree.-340.degree. C. while supplying heat to obtain an outlet temperature of 410.degree.-440.degree. C.; the difference between inlet and outlet temperature being at least 30.degree. C. higher than the temperature increase caused by the conversion reaction.

Abstract: Concentrated (e.g. above 72% by weight) dispersions of calcium carbonate ground to a particle size such that at least 87% by weight of the particles are less than 2 .mu.m in size have a tendency to gel on standing. In the invention this tendency is minimized or eliminated by using, as dispersing agent, a copolymer of from 5 to 75% by weight AMPS and 95 to 25% by weight acrylic acid, or a water soluble salt thereof, having a molecular weight in the range 1000 to 20,000.

Abstract: Fungicidal compositions comprise a compound of formula I ##STR1## in which R.sup.1 and R.sup.3 are hydrogen, alkyl or alkenyl;R.sup.2 is alkyl optionally substituted by a 5 or 6 membered oxygen containing ring or by phenyl (optionally substituted) and one of R.sup.4 and R.sup.5 is--CN and the other is a carboxylic ester or amide group. Many of the compounds are novel.

Abstract: Pigment dispersions contain, as dispersing agent novel water soluble polymers containing acid groups, preferably polyacrylic acid or copolymers of polyacrylic acid with AMPS, having polydispersity below 1.5 and molecular weight in the range about 1,000 to about 5,000.

Abstract: A reverse phase suspension polymerization process conducted using an ionic polymerizable material and a polymerization stabilizer of opposite ionic or potentially ionic charge is modified by including also a water soluble, substantially oil insoluble, ionic non-polymerizable compound having the same charge type as the polymerizable material and having at least one alkyl group containing at least 6 carbon atoms.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of carboxyl-containing polymers comprising mixing together maleic anhydride, a free radical initiator, an additive which inhibits the homopolymerization of maleic anhydride but not that of methyl methacrylate below about 100.degree. C. and a polymer, above its melting point, in the absence of a solvent. The process yields anhydride-containing polymers without the substantial crosslinking or degradation which characterize the process in the absence of the additive.

Abstract: Gypsum as a byproduct in the manufacture of phosphoric acid is converted into potassium sulphate or sodium sulphate by subjecting an aqueous slurry to anion exchange under acidic conditions. Adding solid potassium chloride to the obtained solution of potassium sulphate causes the latter to crystallize in pure state, the potassium chloride solution recovered after filtering off the crystallized potassium sulphate being used for the regeneration of the anion exchanger.

Abstract: A water soluble polymer containing acid groups can be fractionated into higher and lower molecular weight fractions by partial neutralization of the polymer as a solution in a blend of water and a low molecular weight alcohol and separating the resultant aqueous and organic phases.

Abstract: Azopigments resulting from coupling a diazoaryl compound with an acetoacetic acid derivative having a quaternary ammonium group linked to the terminal methyl group show increased color strength and improved stability on storing as compared with the corresponding azopigments not having the said quaternary ammonium group in the molecule. For example, 2-nitro-4-chloro phenyldiazonium chloride or dichlorobenzidinetertrazonium chloride is coupled with an omega-ammoniumacetic acid derivative. The arylide azopigments of the present invention can be used in printing inks.

Abstract: Soft contact lenses are made by polymerizing a substantially anhydrous polymerization mixture containing a polymerizable acrylic or methacrylic monomer, and a water displaceable ester of boric acid and a compound containing 3 or more hydroxyl groups so as to form a hydrophilic polymer containing at least 30% of said boric acid ester. In a preferred embodiment, the polymerizable is effected in a mould cavity where the contact between a sharp circular edge in one mould part and a spherical surface in the other mould part defines the edge of the lens and the distance between the two mould surfaces outside the sharp edge increases in all radial directions away from the center.

Abstract: A dispenser of dispensing tabets one at a time has a reservoir, a chamber below the reservoir in which the tablets are arranged in a single layer and a dispensing passageway which leads to a dispensing orifice. The passageway is of such a width that a single column of tablets can be accommodated. The passageway is defined by portions of a moving slider member and can be moved from a non-dispensing position to a dispensing position. In this latter position the lowermost tablet is dispensed whereas the remaining tablets in the column are retained in the passageway by a fixed protuberance. One side of the passageway is resilient to minimize tablet damage. The slider member is adapted to assist the passage of tablets from the reservoir to the chamber.

Abstract: A reusable cap for closing carbonated beverage containers or the like, consists of an internally threaded shell having a fitment therein which sealingly engages the neck of the beverage container at the free edge thereof. The shell and the fitment are constructed of different plastic materials and are injection molded in different portions of the same molding cavity. First, the fitment is formed and then, without moving the fitment from the position in which it was formed, the shell is formed, to produce a unitary structure in which substantial portions of the fitment are imbedded in the shell.

Abstract: Viscose or other regenerated cellulose fibres are prepared for dyeing by cross-linking the fibres, and they are then dyed by a continuous dyeing technique, followed by fixing of the dye in the fibres. The continuous dyeing generally involves impregnating the assembly in one or more impregnation stages with a vat or reactive dye and alkali. The process results in improved dye receptivity. The process is of particular value for the production of dyed fabrics and yarns and novel products comprise cross-linked regenerated cellulose fibres dyed with vat or reactive dyes. Other disclosed processes involve stretching cross-linked viscose fibres during mercerization, and cross-linking crimped fibres.

Abstract: Apparatus for treating a plurality of work pieces at spaced apart treatment stations 19 arranged around a circle comprises a conveyor 8 that is a horizontal ring and that is mounted on supports 5 connected to an outer housing for rotation about its vertical axis by a drive 10, and hangers 12 mounted on the ring 8 and including reciprocating means 15 by which a work piece 13 may be lowered into or raised from a treatment station 19. The apparatus is useful for conducting inspection penetrant treatment processes and other processes.

Abstract: A cleaning composition for an artificial denture which comprises .beta.-1,3-glucanase as an essential component together with one or more of suitable carriers.