Abstract: A new X-ray fluorescence method for testing a sample having two essentially parallel planar faces that provides full matrix effect compensation is disclosed. The intensities of the transmitted and fluorescent beams of photons are measured by X-ray detectors, and the X-ray source and the two detectors are operated so that ##EQU1## where .PHI. is the angle of the primary beam to one face of the sample, .PSI. is the angle of the fluorescent beam to either face of the sample, E.sub.1 is the energy of the photons of the primary beam, and E.sub.2 is the characteristic electron orbital transition energy for the element of interest. From the ratio of the two intensities the mean average concentration of the element is calculated directly without iterative or other complex procedures.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for dispensing trays one at a time from the bottom of a nested stack of flanged flexible trays are disclosed. The bottommost tray rests on two supports, thereby supporting the stack, and a rotating barb or the like compresses the bottommost tray lengthwise so that it can pass between the supports and fall free of the stack.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for dispensing non-round, flexible, elastic, flanged containers from a nested stack of such containers are disclosed. The sidewalls of the bottommost container are compressed, preferably at the corners, causing the remainder of the stack of containers to move vertically upward, and a separator is inserted into the gap created between the flange of the bottommost container and the flange of the penultimate container. The bottommost container is then dispensed from the remaining containers. In the preferred embodiment, a rotor assembly is used. It comprises a separator blade, a wiper blade, and a top support disc, which are concentrically, fixedly mounted on the shaft of the assembly. The assembly further comprises a squeezer wheel, which provides the required tray compression and is rotatably and eccentrically mounted with respect to the rest of the assembly.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are disclosed for optically scanning and recording information on railroad cars moving at high speed to facilitate identification of the cars.

Abstract: A clip for retaining a flexible body fluid drain at a drainage site in a medical patient and preventing movement of the drain is disclosed. The clip has an upper portion containing a longitudinal slot into which the drain may be inserted sideways after placement of the drain in the drainage site, and a base portion, by which the clip may be taped or otherwise secured to the body surface of the patient at the drainage site.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for forming a tray are disclosed. The tray has at least one transverse hollow wall formed by a pair of substantially parallel, spaced flaps that are folded down from a transverse bridge. Each flap is secured to a tab folded upwards from the bottom of the tray. A pair of pivotally-mounted folding arms located above the tray rotate the two flaps downwardly while a mandrel located beneath the tray forces the two tabs upwardly into a substantially parallel, spaced relationship, whereby each tab contacts and becomes secured to its respective flap.

Abstract: A method for removing residual oxygen from an aqueous slurry of pulp that has been oxygen-bleached is disclosed. The slurry, usually containing no more than 3 weight percent fiber, is agitated by a radial-flow impeller, which imparts a substantially radial flow to the slurry. If the residual oxygen is not removed, it may degas at an inopportune moment during later processing (for example, washing) and carry some of the wood fibers to the surface of the slurry, thereby forming a foamy mat, which hinders further processing.

Abstract: A direct-steamed laboratory minidigester and a method of operating it are disclosed. This unit may be used to predict process parameters, e.g., yield and Kappa number, for operation of commercial direct-steamed digesters. Runs may be made rapidly and with small quantities of wood and chemicals. A plurality of units may be operated in parallel to generate replicate data points for statistical analyses or operated simultaneously, each under different conditions, to screen process variables, e.g., chemical charge, wood furnish, pressure, temperature, steam rate, and cooking time.

Abstract: A tray for shipping and displaying dressed poultry for sale is disclosed. The rear end wall of the tray forms an acute angle with the tray bottom and contains an aperture through which the ends of the legs of the poultry are inserted so as to prevent hocking (spreading of the legs). Preferably, a sunburst die pattern is cut around the aperture. The sunburst fingers prevent the legs from pulling away from the rear walls and lock the fowl in place. Also, preferably, a tail shield folds down from the top of the rear wall to cover the ends of the legs extending through the aperture. This prevents the legs from puncturing the plastic overwrap on the tray.

Abstract: A tray and blank therefor constituting a shipping container with two or more open top compartments separated by a divider especially constructed to act as a strut to rigidify the tray and to support the central region of the bottom wall of the tray against bulging or sagging. The divider includes a horizontal top panel and a pair of integral vertical flaps all extending from side to side of the tray and the pair of vertical flaps also extending from fold lines along the edges of the top panel downwardly to the bottom panel thus forming a rigid hollow strut of rectangular cross section. Glue flaps integrally formed in the bottom panel are bent upwardly along spaced parallel lines into vertical planes and are adhesively secured to the inner surfaces of the vertical divider flaps inside the divider or strut.

Abstract: Distortion, smearing, and/or slurring are reduced in printing halftone images using printing apparatus with cylindrical printing surfaces by forming the image to be printed as a plurality of toned lines substantially perpendicular to the ink transfer nips in the printing apparatus. The invention is particularly suited to printing halftone images on rough or irregular substrates and on substrates, such as the outer side surfaces of truncated conical containers, which are not of uniform conformity with the cylindrical printing surface.

Abstract: Hydrocarbylsulfonyl carbohydrazides of the following structural formulae are disclosed for use as blowing agents: ##STR1## The compounds wherein the R groups are alkyl are novel, as are the polymeric products.

Abstract: Novel enamines, obtained from aldehydes or ketones, may be incorporated into a white-wall tire stock to greatly enhance the ozone resistance of the stock while greatly reducing discoloration or staining of the stock. The aldehydes and ketones utilized are those having at least one alpha hydrogen linked to the carbonyl group.

Abstract: The decrease in the impact resistance of the chemically pre-strengthened finished ophthalmic lens blanks due to the subsequent cutting and edging process can be prevented by coating the edge with at least one material selected from epoxy resins, alkyd resins, polyurethane resins, unsaturated polyester resins, acrylic resins or cyanoacrylates, polymerization of which can be completed by heating at a temperature of up to 200.degree. C, by single coating, overlap coating or multiple-layer coating, and then polymerizing the edge coating or coatings to form a polymeric film. Also, if a black pigment is added to any of the starting material compositions for said resins, internal reflections from the lens and the resulting myopic rings around the periphery of the lens can also be reduced.

Abstract: A process for preparing N'-methylacethydrazide by reacting acethydrazide, a formaldehyde source, and hydrogen in the presence of a palladium catalyst is disclosed.