Abstract: A chewing gum pellet coated with a coating of natural carbohydrate gum hydrolyzate material, wherein the material is selected from the group consisting of guar gum hydrolyzate, locust bean gum hydrolyzate and karaya gum hydrolyzate. The coating may also include xylitol.

Abstract: Chewing gum containing gum base, powdered erythritol, flavor and less than 2% moisture has an improved shelf life, i.e., does not absorb significant amounts of water from the atmosphere to soften with age, or give off significant amounts of water to the atmosphere to harden or stiffen with age.

Abstract: Chewing gum products containing polydextrose and methods of making such products are disclosed. In one embodiment, the polydextrose is used in a rolling compound applied to the chewing gum product. In a second embodiment, the polydextrose is used in a hard-shell coating for a pellet gum. In a third embodiment, polydextrose is used in the center fill of a chewing gum. Polydextrose is also co-dried with other sweeteners, coevaporated to make syrups and used as an encapsulating agent for high-intensity sweeteners or flavors used in gum compositions.

Abstract: A continuous method of making chewing gum base is provided wherein two continuous mixers are arranged in series. A higher viscosity portion including elastomer, filler, and elastomer plasticizer is continuously added and mixed in the first continuous mixer to form a blend. The blend is ventilated after leaving the first continuous mixer. The blend from the first continuous mixer is continuously added to the second continuous mixer. A lower viscosity portion including softener/emulsifier and, optionally, wax and additional elastomer plasticizer, is also continuously fed to the second continuous mixer and mixed therein with the blend from the first continuous mixer to form chewing gum base.

Abstract: An apparatus for closing and sealing a vascular puncture is connected to an energy supply such that heat is generated in, or thermally conducted to, the tissue, thereby thermally fusing the vascular tissue together. The method for closing and sealing a vascular puncture comprises applying radio frequency or other energy to the tissue, the energy being sufficient to thermally fuse the tissue together, thus sealing the puncture. Embodiments of depth finding and guiding devices, as well as blood vessel occluders, are also disclosed.

Abstract: A chewing gum product is provided with a rolling compound containing erythritol and an anticaking agent, such as talc. The angle of repose of the rolling compound is less than 30.degree.. Preferably the rolling compound comprises about 40% to about 95% erythritol, about 0.5% to about 10% anticaking agent and about 4.5% to about 50% of another polyol selected from the group consisting of maltitol, lactitol, mannitol and xylitol.

Abstract: A longitudinally divisible crane boom segment includes at least a first and a second section that are easily nested together for transport. The sections each include at least one chord member, at least one bracket attached to the section, and a plurality of partial lacing elements. Each partial lacing element has a first end permanently attached to the at least one chord member and a second end. The second end of at least one of the plurality of partial lacing elements of the first section is connectable to a bracket attached to the second section to hold the sections in a nested fashion.

Abstract: A process for continuously producing a chewing gum base comprises the steps of continuously adding an elastomer, a filler and a plasticizer into a continuous mixer, subjecting the elastomer, filler and plasticizer to a highly distributive mixing operation followed by a restriction element and continuously discharging the resulting chewing gum base from the mixer while the adding and mixing steps are in progress.

Abstract: Chewing gum products containing maltodextrin and methods of making such gum products are disclosed. In one embodiment, aspartame is used to sweeten the gum composition, and maltodextrin is provided in an amount effective to stabilize the aspartame such that after six weeks of storage at 85.degree. F., at least 5% less aspartame decomposes than would have decomposed if the maltodextrin were not included. In another embodiment, a maltodextrin which has been purified to remove fermentable components is used in chewing gum.

Abstract: A method of disposing hazardous industrial solid waste, preferably mill tailings, which comprises treating the waste to form a paste and pumping the paste to an underwater paste deposit site in a water saturated area, said area providing permanent water cover for the paste and means for controlling the rate of release of contaminants from the paste into the environment, the paste being pumpable and not readily mixable with ambient water at the deposit site.

Abstract: Chewing gum products and other comestibles containing indigestible dextrin and methods of making such products are disclosed. In one embodiment, the indigestible dextrin is used in a rolling compound applied to the chewing gum product. In a second embodiment, the indigestible dextrin is used in a coating, such as a hard-shell coating, for a pellet gum. In a third embodiment, indigestible dextrin is used in the center fill of a chewing gum. In a fourth embodiment, aspartame is used to sweeten the gum composition, and indigestible dextrin is provided in an effective amount to stabilize the aspartame such that after eight weeks of storage at 85.degree. F., at least 10% more aspartame remains undecomposed than would have remained if the indigestible dextrin were not included. Indigestible dextrin is also codried with other sweeteners, coevaporated to make syrups and used as an encapsulating agent for high-intensity sweeteners used in gum compositions.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of compositions for stimulating plant growth whereby coal ash is fused with a humic acid-bearing ore, and more particularly fusing fly ash with leonardite ore; compositions produced by such a process; and methods for use thereof for stimulating plant growth.

Abstract: A quiet air resistance exercise cycle has a number of sound reduction features in its preferred embodiments. Soundproofing material is used on the inside of the housing surrounding the wheel to absorb sound. The housing comprises solid panels to limit air from outside the housing from contacting the wheel. The housing panels generally defining a polyhedron to create dead spaces for air eddies inside the wheel compartment. The wheel may also include a pitch reduction material and preferably is belt driven.

Abstract: Chewing gum compositions made using calcium sulfate as a filler are disclosed. Calcium sulfate is also used as a rolling compound on chewing gum products.

Abstract: Chewing gum products containing oligofructose and methods of making such products are disclosed. In one embodiment, the oligofructose is used in a rolling compound applied to the chewing gum product. In a second embodiment, the oligofructose is used in a coating, such as a hard-shell coating, for a pellet gum. In a third embodiment, oligofructose is used in the center fill of a chewing gum. In a fourth embodiment, aspartame is used to sweeten the gum composition and oligofructose is provided, preferably in an effective amount to stabilize the aspartame such that after eight weeks of storage at 85.degree. F., at least 5% less aspartame decomposes than would have decomposed if the oligofructose were not included. Oligofructose is also codried with other sweeteners, coevaporated to make syrups and used as an encapsulating agent for high-intensity sweeteners or flavors used in gum compositions.

Abstract: A system and method for aligning the upper works assembly to the lower works assembly of a crane to facilitate redecking of the assemblies. The system and method involves suspending, preferably by pendants, the lower works from the upper works in such a manner that the influence of gravity will automatically level and align the lower works with the upper works. Alignment and redecking are accomplished without transferring the weight of the upper works assembly to lower works assembly.

Abstract: Chewing gum products and other comestibles containing fructooligosaccharides and methods of making such products are disclosed. In one embodiment, the fructooligosaccharides are used in a rolling compound applied to the chewing gum product. In a second embodiment, the fructooligosaccharides are used in a coating, such as a hard-shell coating, for a pellet gum. In a third embodiment, fructooligosaccharides are used in the center fill of a chewing gum. In a fourth embodiment, aspartame is used to sweeten the gum composition and fructooligosaccharides are provided, preferably in an effective amount to stabilize the aspartame such that after eight weeks of storage at 85.degree. F., at least 5% less aspartame decomposes than would have decomposed if the fructooligosaccharides were not included. Fructooligosaccharides are also codried with other sweeteners, coevaporated to make syrups and used as an encapsulating agent for high-intensity sweeteners or flavors used in gum compositions.