Abstract: An improved poultry bedding litter composition is used which includes byproduct or waste material from citrus juice extraction. The citrus peel byproduct or waste preferably is in a dried and flaked state. Such bedding litter compositions improve poultry characteristics and enhance feed conversion when compared with traditional poultry bedding litters such as wood shavings.

Abstract: A computer-based system is provided for collecting data from callers, including a customer's database corresponding to a customer's Dialed Number Identification Service (DNIS) and in which system the caller has an identification code. When a call is received, the DNIS is detected and is compared with the customer's database to determine the data to collect during the call. If a caller identification code is required, then the caller identification code is obtained and the caller identification code is compared, via the computer, with a check digit algorithm without referencing a caller identification code database. After the call is terminated, a call record is created for the received call.

Abstract: Provided is a process for preparing an aseptic container for separately storing a sterilized powdered component and a sterilized liquid component under clean conditions. The container includes two sealed chambers having a frangible, sterilized connection therebetween, one said chamber containing the liquid component, and the other said chamber including a sealed vial containing a powdered component. The vial has an outer surface that is aseptic throughout its entire surface area, and the frangible connection provides a sterile pathway, when desired, between the interior of the vial and the interior of the liquid-containing chamber.

Abstract: A fluid medium is used in a process for polishing all surfaces of plastic components made of a material which is insoluble or inert within that fluid medium unless subjected to a temperature at which the insoluble plastic would deform. The process, which is particularly suitable for polishing the internal surfaces of tubing components for medical equipment, includes applying a vaporized solvent at an elevated pressure to liquify or melt the insoluble plastic component surfaces without deforming the component, followed by solidifying or freezing the surfaces by removing the component from the presence of the vapors.

Abstract: Polymer sheets or films are provided with tear paths that are substantially indistinguishable from the remainder of the polymer sheet or film in outward appearance and in chemical properties. Throughout the tear path, molecular chains of the polymer are oriented generally along a predetermined axis, while the molecular chains of the remainder of the polymer sheet or film are oriented generally differently from said predetermined axis. Such tear paths are typically formed by means of a device that extracts heat from the polymer as it is extruded or otherwise molded, the extraction rate being faster than the rate at which the remainder of the molded polymer is cooled in order to encourage maintenance of the substantially monoaxial orientation of the polymer chains along the tear path when the entire polymer is subsequently blown up or otherwise reoriented.

Abstract: Raw wastewater to be clarified is routed in an apparatus which directs the wastewater in an improved upwardly directed vortex path that is above and open to a source of dense microbubbles. Impurities within the wastewater are urged toward the periphery of the vortex and coagulate, while the bubbles tend to pass up through a central core of the vortex. The coagulated impurities and the bubbles approach the outlet of the vortex apparatus, whereupon a venturi-like effect is developed to accomplish an improved contacting of the coagulated impurities and the bubbles to form buoyant agglomerates. The wastewater and buoyant agglomerates flow together through the vortex outlet, after which the buoyant agglomerates may be permitted to float to the surface of the wastewater in a separate chamber.

Abstract: A food processing method and apparatus removes surface and absorbed fluids from individual food items during the commercial processing of continuous supplies or batches thereof. The food items are continuously and simultaneously tumbled and contacted with stream of material having an affinity for either or both of aqueous liquids and oily liquids. A vibration device is associated with an inclined run of the stream of material and accomplishes a tumbling of the individual food items to permit substantially all of their surface area to contact the stream of material. An optional heating member may be positioned in the vicinity of the inclined run to supply heat to the fluid on or within the food pieces. A fluid removal mechanism may be positioned on the apparatus for removing and collecting the fluid from the stream of material.

Abstract: An improved carcass transfer method and device are provided by which a single operator can readily raise, lower, and transport a whole beef carcass or other carcass to facilitate movement of the carcass both off of and onto overhead rail systems conventionally used for carcass transport and storage in meat packing plants. A portable cantilevered device having a lifting mechanism engages a roller-type trolley from which a carcass is suspended. The lifting mechanism preferably includes a hydraulic cylinder, which cylinder is in controlled communication with an oil reservoir. Pressurized air actuates various valves to effect a desired raising or lowering of the mast.

Abstract: Waste water containing suspended particles such as mineral oil, fats, proteins, fibers, and biodegradable materials, etc., is clarified by passing said water over a plurality of electrode banks whereby gradient current density zones and gradient energy zones are used to create microbubbles which float the particles to the surface where they may be skimmed off.

Abstract: Peanut butter is prepared that has an improved flavor and an increased shelf life. The peanuts are ground in the presence of solid carbon dioxide to reduce oxidation of the peanut oil during grinding and also to reduce the amount of oxygen that is dissolved, occluded, and adsorbed from the ingredients, thereby resulting in a final peanut butter of improved stability and also thereby effecting a retention of carbon dioxide in the final peanut butter to improve the flavor thereof.

Abstract: Substances such as dyes, drugs, condiments, flavors, aromas, chemicals, vitamins, adhesives, and the like are provided as encapsulated within the cells of microorganisms. Microorganisms such as yeasts, fungi, molds, and protozoa are grown in a medium so as to promote the formation of biological capsules, such as by forming relatively large globules of fat within the cell wall. A substance such as a dye, a drug, a condiment, a flavor, an aroma, a chemical, a vitamin, an adhesive, and the like is passed through the cell wall of the microorganism and into the biological capsule thereby producing an encapsulated product.

Abstract: An improved device and method for displaying and suspending packaged articles is provided. The device includes at least one arm from which articles may be hung, preferably within a display case. The method includes contacting such suspended articles with a conditioned environment. In one embodiment, particularly well suited for use within a conditioned-environment display case, pairs of arms are staggered and lie along planes perpendicular to each other.

Abstract: A device is provided for opening a flexible container and dispensing its contents in a convenient, efficient manner. Gripping means secure one end of the container. A serrated edge lies along the opposite end of the container. A scraper is mounted along the device and is slidable between the gripping means and the serrated edge. The device is especially suitable for use with plastic pouches in which foods are marketed.

Abstract: A fluidized flocculant being a dispersion of from about 5 to 60 weight percent of finely ground polyacrylamides in a fluid, water soluble polyhydric alcohol carrier. The fluidized flocculant is prepared as a dispersion having a particle size of less than 75 microns and can be metered and pumped into a water stream and mixed therewith to form a flocculant solution that can be readily metered and pumped into water to be clarified.

Abstract: A method of purifying industrial waste water wherein microbubbles consisting primarily of oxygen, hydrogen, or air having certain micron sizes and of sufficient number and volume wherein formed particles with or without the use of a coagulant in the water are attracted to said bubbles by difference in electrostatic charge to form embryo flocs is disclosed. The addition of a polyelectrolyte is then made wherein a full floc is formed which includes the microbubbles. This light floc is promptly surfaced by the buoyance factor provided by the microbubbles. The process is suitable for all types of industrial waste water.

Abstract: Wastewater is treated by a method and an apparatus in which a wastewater flow passes through an electrocoagulation cell having rod-shaped electrodes longitudinally disposed therein. The electrodes are oriented in one or more circles or portions of circles. The wastewater flow remains within the cell for about 1/10 minute to 2 minutes, during which time pollutants within the wastewater are turbulently mixed and combined with bubbles produced at the electrodes, thereby forming an embryo floc. The embryo floc flows out of the cell with the treated wastewater from the top portion of the downstream end of the cell, after which it may be treated with a flocculant to form a full floc. The full floc and thus clarified wastewater flow into a flotation basin where the full floc undergoes a laminar flow to the top of the clarified wastewater and is skimmed off.

Abstract: A spreadable combination food product includes a discrete spreadable nut component phase containing about 60-98% ground nuts, having a fat content of about 50-65% by weight, and a water content of about 2-6% by weight, in combination with a discrete phase of a second food spread either of normal commercial composition or in which the water activity thereof has been lowered. The combination food product contains about 25-75% by weight of the spreadable nut component phase. The process includes either or both of raising the water activity and the oil content of the spreadable nut component, while the second food spread remains unmodified, or only slightly modified through lowering of the water activity. The two phases of the food product remain discrete for extended periods of time.

Abstract: A flow of polluted raw wastewater may first be treated with a coagulant, then it is rapidly mixed with very fine bubbles supplied beneath the wastewater flow and may then be treated with a flocculant, after which the pollutants are separated from the water by skimming off the surface of the wastewater.

Abstract: Poultry is prepared for marketing to consumers such that it is in the form of a whole carcass yet is easily separable by the consumer into sections or individual piece servings. The method of preparation includes making selected incisions into specific locations on an eviscerated poultry carcass and may also include a lossening of the proximal end of each femur from its acetabulum located on the innominate bone.

Abstract: A fluidized flocculant being a dispersion of from about 5 to 60 weight percent of finely ground polyacrylamides in a fluid, water soluble polyhydric alcohol carrier. The fluidized flocculant is prepared as a dispersion having a particle size of less than 75 microns and can be metered and pumped into a water stream and mixed therewith to form a flocculant solution that can be readily metered and pumped into water to be clarified.