Abstract: Activated or partially activated zeolites can be included in analgesic balms or ointments as improved replacements for rubefacients. Upon hydration, the zeolite becomes warm, thereby helping to relieve pains associated with various musculoskeletal problems. An especially useful composition involves an ointment or balm that contains a combination of functional ingredients. A conventional analgesic such as a salicylate that can be absorbed through the skin supplies one form of relief that generally requires a period of time to become effective. When combined with the zeolite, which begins to hydrate at once, immediate relief is provided through the generated warmth.

Abstract: A combination of an acidic functional polymer and zeolite and/or amorphous alumino silicate provides a gel suitable as a cosmetic vehicle plus supplying functionality as well. The components combine easily to provide a creamy gel that is compounded with other ingredients to provide the complete cosmetic composition. The zeolite or amorphous alumino silicate is present in a sufficient quantity to provide functionality as well as the desired rheology. The combination can be used to compound astringent creams or lotions, make-up bases, facial masks, deodorant compositions, antiperspirants, anti-acne compositions, wrinkle smoothers or erasers, pore minimizers, and body lotions. An especially useful zeolite or amorphous alumino silicate is a material that contains aluminum as the cation.

Abstract: Hollow fibers are prepared by spray drying a solution of a film-former in a volatile solvent. The viscosity of the solution must be 1.5 to 10 times the viscosity that usually results in spheres or microspheres. The preferred film-forming substance is a combination of sodium silicate and a "polysalt.

Abstract: Crystalline alumino-silicates (zeolites) are multifunctional in dentifrice compositions thereby reducing the number of components required in such formulations. The pH-adjusted zeolites can keep the pH of the dentifrice in the range where caries formation is impossible. The pH-adjusted synthetic or natural zeolites can be prepared or obtained in a particle size range that provides both abrasive cleansing and polishing or lustering of the teeth. The fine particle size and water absorbing capabilities of the zeolite can also provide thickening. Such multifunctional performance allows considerable simplification in the formulation of dentrifice compositions.

Abstract: A method for binding particulate materials which involves mixing the particulate material with a solution containing lithiumions, blending sodium silicate into the mixture and subsequently shaping the mixture to the desired form and curing same by microwave radiation.

Abstract: Silicas that provide improved abrasive action when incorporated in dentifrice compositions can be prepared by dehydrating a silica hydrogel to a low water content and then reintroducing water to gel. The silica hydrogel is prepared by neutralizing a sodium silicate with an acid. This hydrogel is dried by any convenient method so that the gel contains about 15% water or less. This dried gel is rehydrated to about 30% or more. The rehydrated gel provides improved abrasion values over the prior art xerogels and hydrogels.

Abstract: Non-fused hollow glass microspheres that consist primarily of silicate are rendered more water-resistant by treatment with multivalent metals. The hollow microspheres are slurried with water and then a solution of a multivalent metal salt such as Al.sub.2 (SO.sub.4).sub.3 is added to the slurry. The rate of the addition is controlled so that the pH can be regulated. Separating, washing and drying complete the preparation.

Abstract: Flaked or plate-like materials that contain silicate were found to be useful as bases for the manufacture of defoaming compositions. Hollow microspheres with largely siliceous surfaces are crushed to form flaked fragments which are rendered hydrophobic by coating with a silane or silicone. The hydrophobized fragments are then dispersed in a water insoluble organic liquid to complete preparation of the defoamer. Especially useful are hollow microsphere fragments containing sodium silicate and a polysalt.

Abstract: Aqueous organic ammonium silicate-alkali metal silicate combination vehicles for zinc-rich, corrosion-resistant paints are improved by the addition of organosilicone-silicate polymers. The improvement is manifested by increased adhesion to poorly prepared metal surfaces and harder paint films.

Abstract: Silane-Zeolite composites are incorporated into phosphate free detergents as builders. The use of such composites allows compositional improvements and results in certain process advantages when compared to detergents utilizing plain zeolites as phosphate replacements. Hydrated zeolites which have been treated with functionally hydrophilic silanes do not agglomerate during incorporation into detergents. In addition, use of the silane-zeolite composite allows use of increased amounts of both the zeolite and silicate solids as builders in detergents.

Abstract: Amorphous, hydrated magnesium silicate is effective in reducing the concentration of various metal ions in aqueous solutions or effluent streams. Both mono- and multi-valent ions can be treated in this manner thereby providing a method of preventing release of metal ions to the environment. The method is especially efficient in removal of chrome values from effluents generated in chrome tanning operations. Efficient adsorption of the chrome requires that the pH of the effluent-magnesium silicate slurry be adjusted to or maintained at a value between 5.3 and 9.8. The chrome value may be recovered from the magnesium silicate by acidification of the complex.

Abstract: A binder system useful in formulating coatings for glass, metal, wood and especially light diffusive coatings for glass light bulb envelopes is disclosed. Excellent coatings can be formed using a binder system comprising dispersible colloidal particles of alumina and finely divided, precipitated silica. When a stable dispersion of these two materials is combined properly with a pigment and/or filler system and then dried upon a glass, metal or wood surface, a tough, continuous, tightly adhering coating is formed. By using the correct pigments, a light diffusive coating for light bulb envelopes can be formed.

Abstract: Zeolite NaA can be produced with a very short crystallization time, if an alumino-silicate gel of particular properties is prepared and heated at about 95.degree. C. The gel which is prepared by combining solutions of sodium aluminate and sodium silicate must contain a limited amount of water, be of a single phase and having a high viscosity. Gels of this nature can be heated for a fraction of an hour to yield essentially completely crystallized Zeolite NaA with no crystalline impurities.

Abstract: An apparatus and process for the preparation of colloidal dispersions of sodium metallo silicates, useful as coagulant aids, are disclosed. The dispersions are prepared by the controlled sequential mixing of separate streams of water, sodium silicate and a metal salt in a mixing block that has no moving parts. The apparatus and process are also useful in the mixing of other reactive solutions and fluids.

Abstract: Hydrophilic, silane-zeolite compositions, their preparation, properties and applications are disclosed. These unique composites are formed by condensing a hydrophilic silane onto the surface of a hydrated zeolite. The properties of the silane-zeolite composite are surprisingly similar to those of the zeolite without the surface modification of the silane. These composites are useful in numerous applications of zeolite, particularly in aqueous environments. The composites are particularly suited to be included in detergent compounds as the builder since they do not agglomerate with other detergent ingredients as do zeolites.

Abstract: The alkali rich raw material batch required to produce soluble alkali metal silicate glass is effectively agglomerated by contacting a concentrated alkali metal silicate solution with the agitating raw materials. Hard agglomerates that are free-flowing, storable and provide important process advantages are formed.

Abstract: Alkaline silicates such as sodium metasilicate are prepared by a method that prevents unreacted batch ingredients to come in contact with furnace walls. The method also prevents any molten material from contacting the floor of the furnace. The raw materials and unreacted melt are confined to the central portion of the furnace by maintaining vigorous bubbling around the periphery of the melting furnace. The vigorous bubbling action prevents migration of unreacted raw material to the furnace walls. The bubbling eminates from means that extend up from the furnace floor and therefore, the portion of the material in the lower part of the furnace bed is in the solid state.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of finely divided dispersible alpha-alumina monohydrate (boehmite) from alumina trihydrate is disclosed. The alumina trihydrate is calcined thereby increasing the surface area through a partial dehydration. The calcined intermediate is slurried in water and autoclaved to achieve crystallization and rehydration. Conventional drying methods are used to obtain the particles. The particle size of the product is much smaller than that of the starting raw material.

Abstract: A free-falling curtain of molten glass that is uniform in thickness and temperature is formed by flowing the glass over the lip of a forehearth after conditioning the glass in said forehearth. The forehearth is constructed to provide an increasing rate of fall as the glass travels, flows from the furnace through the forehearth and progressively cools. The floor of the forehearth is essentially the mirror image of the viscosity versus temperature curve of the material being treated.Other molten materials that become viscous as they cool can also be treated by the method of my invention to provide a uniform falling curtain of said material.