Abstract: A reagent mixture is admixed with soil to first desorb and then hydrolyze and thereby increase the biodegradability of a toxic or otherwise hazardous polyhalogenated organic compound with which the soil is contaminated. Essential constituents of the reagent mixture are: (1) an alkali metal hydroxide, an alkali metal hydroxide/alcohol or alkali metal hyroxide/glycol mixture, or an alkoxide; and (2) a sulfoxide catalyst. The hydrolyzed compounds can be biologically degraded into compounds which pose little if any hazard to the environment or its inhabitants by naturally occurring or artifically introduced Pseudomonas sp. and other microorganisms with adjustment of soil pH (and perhaps orther parameters) to provide a viable environment for the bacteria being carried out after the chemical treatment if inoculation with bacterial cultures is employed.

Abstract: This invention provides a process and apparatus for the growth of biomass from a supply of suitable nutrient wherein the volume of biomass and the size and shape of the units in which it is present within a vessel (10) in which the reaction takes place can be accurately controlled. Control is achieved by providing a support structure (14) for the biomass comprising one or more movable bodies each of which has an internal reticular structure defining a substantial voidage therein and which essentially fills with the biomass but which does not overfill since excess growth is restricted. Restriction can be achieved by removal of excess biomass or by removal of the bodies at the time that they become filled. The techniques are capable of numerous industrial applications including various biological fermentation processes as well as the purification of sewage and industrial effluents, for example.

Abstract: This invention relates to an improved dusting blend and the use of such a blend in a baking process. The improvement resides in the addition of salt to the dusting blend to retard insect infestation while at the same time retaining good flowability characteristics. The dusting blend is applied to cooking or baking equipment, as a dusting powder, to prevent food or dough from sticking to the equipment. The dusting blend of this invention controls insect infestation far better than known dusting blends comprising flour or starch.

Abstract: A ski brake, which is mounted on the ski and provided with two brake arms, one on each side of the ski, which brake arms by spring action can be turned to a catching position, in which the brake arms extend downward, substantially perpendicularly to the ski.The invention is characterized in that the ski brake consists of single piece of material, and the resilience is obtained by utilizing the design of the sheet metal material, a.o. reinforcing grooves.

Abstract: Combustors utilizable in a variety of sizes, configurations, and applications in which vortex induced centrifugal forces and hot gas recirculation are employed for flame stabilization. Both gas and liquid fuels can be burned, and low emission as well as other modes of operation are available.

Abstract: An open top refrigerated display case having an ambient air defrost system and a method of operating such display case, at least one air conduit extends in a U-shaped formation along opposing side walls and a bottom wall of the refrigerated display case. Each of the air conduits has an opening at both ends with such openings being located at upper portions of the side walls and in alignment so as to direct air across the access opening for recirculation through the air conduit during a refrigeration cycle of operation. Arranged within the primary air conduit is a set of refrigeration coils and at least one reversible fan for circulating air through such air conduit. During a refrigeration cycle of operation, the fan circulates air through the air conduit in a first direction through the refrigeration coils. During a defrost cycle of operation, the fan circulates air through the air conduit in the opposite direction and draws in ambient air from outside of the display case.

Abstract: An electrical machine which can be run as a synchronous generator or as a pump is disclosed. The machine is a true hybrid of a turbine and synchronous generator in that the turbine blades are designed to carry magnetic flux. To that end the blades are made of ferromagnetic material, have pole tips and may be laminated. The blades are preferably of aerofoil section and must be much thicker than conventional turbine blades so as to be capable of carrying the substantial magnetic flux. Field coils provided at the roots of the blades or around the hub of the rotor carrying the blades generate magnetic flux which is carried up through the blades across air gaps to a stator, which may be a conventional synchronous generator stator, and back through the air gaps and blades. The machine is relatively simple and rugged and has fewer parts than conventional turbine generator combinations particularly in that only a single rotor, rather than two, is necessary.

Abstract: High density structural ("blocking") materials composed of a polyimide filled with glass microballoons. Structural components such as panels which have integral edgings and/or other parts made of the high density materials.

Abstract: A sealed butterfly-type valve for an exhaust gas passage in an engine intake mainfold, the valve having a rotatably mounted stem carrying a gas flow modifying valve element disposed in the passage, and sealing against escape of exhaust gases along the stem is prevented by axially biasing the stem to urge an annular axial sealing face on the stem into engagement with an annular high temperature resistant bearing element of compressed graphite or the like surrounding the stem on the passage wall.

Abstract: Preventive as well as therapeutic treatment to alleviate the symptoms of skin disorders associated with disturbed keratinization or inflammation with one or more alpha or beta hydroxy-acids and alpha or beta ketoacids is disclosed. The alpha or beta hydroxyacids and alpha or beta ketoacids of this invention include free acids, or peroxide, amide, lactone, anhydride, ester, polymer, organic or inorganic salt forms thereof. Therapeutic compositions of this invention may include one or more of the alpha or beta hydroxyacids or the alpha or beta ketoacids of this invention present in a total amount of from 0.1 to 40 percent in an acceptable vehicle. The compositions are particularly useful for the topical treatment of skin conditions such as dry skin, ichthyosis, palmar and plantar hyperkeratosis, dandruff, Darier's disease, lichen simplex chronicus, keratoses, acne, psoriasis, eczema, pruritus and possibly warts and herpes.

Abstract: High density structural ("blocking") materials composed of a polyimide filled with glass microballoons and methods for making such materials. Structural components such as panels which have integral edgings and/or other parts made of the high density materials.

Abstract: A rig for lining with brick a kiln, tunnel or like surface embodies a frame that is of variable size to suit different surface diameters, and two relatively adjustable jacks support deformable arcuate brick column support members at each opposite sides of the frame. Each arcuate member is a continuous longitudinally deformable trough containing an expansible tube overlaid by a solid rubber or like flexible brick contact element.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus, FIG. 1, for manufacturing sections (9,10,11), preferably for manufacturing beam preforms.The method is characterized in that a blank (7) with rectangular or square cross-section is forged between a pair of web tools (1,2), in that the web tools (1,2) are moved to and from each other for forming a web portion (9) on said blank (7), and is forged against flange tools (3,4), in that the tools are moved to and from the web tools (1,2) in a direction perpendicular to the direction of movement of the web tools. The blank portion located between the web tools (1,2) and respective flange tool (3,4) is upset to form flange portions (10,11) between the flange tool (3,4) and respective sides (1',2',1",2") of the web tools (1,2).The method further is characterized in that the blank (7) successively and in steps is fed in between the web tools (1,2) and successively and in steps is deformed by means of said tools (1,2,3,4).

Abstract: Systemic as well as topical treatment to alleviate the symptoms of skin disorders characterized by inflammation or disturbed keratinization comprising as the principal active ingredient, one or more 3-carbamoyl-6-aminopyridinium compounds, is disclosed. In the topical treatment the therapeutic composition may include one or more of the above active ingredients present in a total amount of from 0.01 to 5 percent by weight of the total composition. In the systemic treatment oral administration or parenteral injection in a total dosage of from 1 mg/kg to 50 mg/kg has been found to achieve a substantial improvement to complete remissions of the skin lesions, and to ameliorate the symptoms of arthritis that may be associated therewith.

Abstract: Methods of converting essentially unpolymerized precursors into polyimides in which the precursors are exposed to microwave radiation. Preheating, thermal post-curing, and other techniques may be employed to promote the development of optimum properties; and reinforcements can be employed to impart strength and rigidity to the final product. Also disclosed are processes for making various composite artifacts in which non-polymeric precursors are converted to polyimides by using the techniques described above.

Abstract: A humidifier assembly comprises a humidifier housing having an open bottom, a rear wall opening adapted to be aligned with an opening in ducting containing air to be humidified and a front wall opening over which is removably mounted a door. A removable water collection pan closes the open bottom of the housing. The pan removably mounts a wire frame carrying an evaporator pad that extends from the pan upwardly into the housing in the path of water discharged from a spray nozzle having a solenoid controlled valve mounted on the door. Air under pressure from the warm air plenum is introduced into the housing space between the nozzle and pad to pass through the wetted pad and discharge through the rear wall opening of the housing.

Abstract: A carton has a plurality of side panels each connected by a fold line to one of a series of end closure flaps, there being a major flap having two oppositely located and oppositely angularly related slots canted with respect to the fold line of that flap with none of the slot edges are parallel to the fold line, and two minor flaps each having a correspondingly canted tab are adapted when the minor flaps are folded inwardly to slidably enter the slots in the major flap folded thereover and smoothly overlie the upper surface of the major flap in the slot area. Each major flap slot has upper and lower straight end edges with each inner slot end edge being straight and inclined at a small acute angle relative to a line parallel to the major flap fold line, and each minor tab has converging straight side edges with the tab edge nearer the flap fold line extending at a small acute angle relative to a line perpendicular to the fold line.

Abstract: Spring loaded devices for spacing index strips and other components of a visible index with respect to a frame supporting those components and for removably attaching items to or holding them against the frame.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for detecting ferrous contamination in a fluid such as engine transmission lubricant. The apparatus has two spaced apart electrodes, a magnetic flux extending between the electrodes the lines of force of which are substantially rectilinear, the electrodes being connectable to a circuit for signalling when an electrically conductive path is formed from one electrode to the other by metal particles attracted to the flux and formed into an electrode spanning bridge. For preference the sensor is a hollow plug, which in use is screwed into a transmission housing port, and has a flat end wall in contact with the lubricant in the housing. The plug contains a magnet having both poles disposed towards the plug end wall, a portion of the end wall acting as one electrode. A ferromagnetic disc mounted externally from the plug end wall, and electrically insulated therefrom, overlies the poles.

Abstract: For palletized handling of goods a pressure frame is made from springy frame members of L-shaped section, which are all similarly tilted for two reasons: firstly to enable identical pressure frames to nest safely in storage and secondly to accommodate stretching of straps which secure the palletized goods. Two opposite side members are bowed, upwardly concave and after placing the frame around the top of a stack of goods, holding straps are put around the stack and the frame. Tightening the straps causes the frame to distort slightly, reducing the tilt of the frame members, and the bowing of the two bowed members. Owing to their resilience, the frame members tend to recover the tilt and bowing and so keep the straps tensioned, and the stack secured, despite the straps stretching slightly.