Abstract: Positive electrode active material for nonaqueous electrolytic solution secondary batteries is made of a metal oxide. A content of coarse particles, of which particles sizes are 600% or more with respect to an average particle size of the metal oxide, is 1% or less by volume, and a content of high density particles, of which densities are 150% or more with respect to an average density of the metal oxide, is 1000 ppm or less. By using the positive electrode active material, battery characteristics and a manufacturing yield may be improved.

Abstract: A positive electrode active material for nonaqueous electrolytic solution secondary batteries is substantially made of a Li containing transition metal composite oxide, which has a composition expressed by LixMySzO2 (wherein M is a transition metal, such as Co, Ni, Mn, Fe and V, and 0.9≦x≦1.15, 0.8≦y≦1.00, and 0<z<0.001). Such positive electrode active material is excellent in particle size controllability (miniaturization and sharpening of the particle size distribution). A nonaqueous electrolytic solution secondary battery comprises a positive electrode, a separator, a negative electrode, a battery case accommodating these, and a nonaqueous electrolytic solution filled in the battery case. The positive electrode contains the positive electrode active material for the nonaqueous electrolytic solution secondary battery expressed by the aforementioned general formula.

Abstract: Asphalt is packaged in consumable containers (10) having breakage means, such as short notches or long channels (110, 111), to allow for easy breakage into smaller portions for ease of handling and feeding into kettles. The containers are advantageously made of an asphalt-polymer composition so that the entire asphalt package may be melted in a kettle, e.g., for use in a roofing or paving application. The containers may have various features to enhance processability and handleability, including a generally rectangular shape and multi-faceted or stepped sides 20 and/or walls 30 with handhold portions and/or scooped portions.