Abstract: An antiperspirant composition is disclosed suitable for application by a pump spray, a pressurized aerosol or a roll-on. The composition comprises an active antiperspirant salt; a hydrophobic suspending agent; and as a liquid carrier, the benzoic acid esters of a mixture of linear primary alcohols in the C.sub.9 to C.sub.15 carbon chain length. When the said composition is maintained in a pressurized spray container, a liquified normally gaseous propellant is also present. Quantities of additional components may also be present in the composition including ethanol, or other polar solvent such as a fatty acid ester, and a volatile silicone. The said composition exhibits very slow settling times, fast onset of efficacy, and the cited carrier is virtually odor-free.

Abstract: A method of comminuting a solid material comprising calcium carbonate to obtain a product containing at least 60% by weight of particles smaller than 2 microns equivalent spherical diameter is disclosed. The method comprises forming an aqueous suspension of the solid material which has a solids content of up to 50% by weight and contains a dispersing agent, comminuting the solid material in the suspension by agitating the suspension in admixture with a particulate grinding medium, separating from the suspension thereby obtained an aqueous suspension containing comminuted solid material, classifying the latter suspension to obtain an aqueous suspension of a fine product which contains at least 60% by weight of particles smaller than 2 microns equivalent spherical diameter, flocculating the fine product by means of an electrolyte having a multivalent cation, and dewatering the aqueous suspension containing the comminuted and flocculated fine product.

Abstract: A composition of matter, comprising the benzoic acid esters of a mixture of C.sub.12, C.sub.13, C.sub.14 and C.sub.15 linear primary alcohols. The alcohol mixture may comprise by weight from about 13 to 31% of said C.sub.12 alcohol, 28 to 44% of said C.sub.13 alcohol, 17 to 40% of said C.sub.14 alcohol, and 12 to 19% of said C.sub.15 alcohol. The alcohol mixture preferably comprises by weight from about 23 to 31% of said C.sub.12 alcohol, 32 to 44% of said C.sub.13 alcohol, 17 to 23% of said C.sub.14 alcohol, and 12 to 18% of said C.sub.15 alcohol. Compositions in accordance with the invention are useful as diluents, solvents, plasticizers, liquid carriers, and the like.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for processing speech signals to enable effective power increase in a device utilizing the said signals. The system includes means for filtering an AF electrical signal analog of the speech signal, to thereby provide an AF signal including a narrow passed band of frequencies. The output from the filtering means are provided to means for symmetrically clipping the said output, to provide a series of pulses of constant amplitude, the discontinuities of which coincide with the zero axis crossings of the original AF signal. Sufficient amplification is provided at the filtering means to assure that the signal proceeding to the symmetrical clipping means is of sufficient amplitude in relation to the clipping level to enable the foregoing result. Reshaping low pass filter means receive the output from the symmetrical clipping means and sinusoidally reshape the said pulses.

Abstract: A versatile system for printing on flexible sheets of material includes a center roller driving at least two backing rollers with an endless flexible blanket sleeve enveloping the backing rollers and urging the backing rollers inwardly against the center roller. The backing rollers are independently adjustable in selective positions about the circumference of the center roller and have selective diameter sizes independent of the other backing rollers. Feed and take up means provide a sheet of material around the rollers and blanket sleeve and printing devices are mounted against the sheet for printing thereon. The printing devices may be mounted at flexible web portions of the sheet and sleeve spaced from the backing rollers for printing on the flexible portion stretched between the rollers.

Abstract: A gas sample conditioning apparatus is disclosed which is adapted for receiving pyrolysis gases from a hydrocarbon cracking furnace and providing a conditioned gas sample for on-stream process analyzers or the like.

Abstract: An improved collapsible and reusable pinata is disclosed, for use at parties and similar festive occasions. The pinata comprises an outer shell portion which includes a frangible base member and an upwardly extending perimeter wall, the said outer shell being open at the upper side thereof. An inner shell portion, open at the bottom, is nestably received within the outer shell, and is axially telescopical with respect to the latter. Means attachable to an overhead point, engage with the upper shell portion, enabling suspension of same from the overhead point. Upon suspension, gravitational force axially displaces the outer shell portion below the inner portion, to thereby effect a fully expanded or open condition for the pinata. Means are provided for restraining further displacement between the said shell portions, upon the fully telescoped condition being obtained. In use the frangible base is broken, e.g. by tearing, permitting the interior contents of the pinata to discharge.

Abstract: A shaving assembly is disclosed for use in surgical shaving or the like, the assembly being adapted to effect removal of hair close to the skin without damaging the epidermis. The assembly comprises a blade seat, and a blade cap secured to the seat, with the outwardly facing surface of the cap being substantially planar and defining a locating and reference plane for contacting the surface of skin to be shaved, whereby to locate and orient the assembly with respect to the skin. Handle means extend from the assembly for grasping and drawing same across the skin in a given direction during shaving. Razor blade means are secured between the seat and cap. The cutting edge portion of the blade means protrude in the given direction beyond the edge of the cap, and the center plane of such portion makes an angle of from about -5.degree. to 14.degree.

Abstract: A stable, pumpable suspension of a calcium carbonate mineral is prepared by a method which includes the step of removing abrasive particles from a deflocculated, concentrated aqueous suspension of the calcium carbonate mineral by centrifuging the suspension at a solids content of at least 65% by weight under conditions such that the quantity of particles in said suspension having an equivalent spherical diameter larger than 10 .mu.m is reduced.

Abstract: A membrane pressure filter comprises a pressure chamber divided into non-intercommunicating first and second compartments by a substantially upright impermeable elastic membrane, said first compartment containing a filtering surface, and said impermeable elastic membrane either being constructed in a manner such that or co-operating with means such that, in use, when the material in said first compartment has a specific gravity which is greater than the specific gravity of the material in said second compartment, said membrane is constrained to adopt a shape such that the surface of the membrane opposite the filtering surface is substantially parallel to the filtering surface.

Abstract: A composition which is hydrophobic but possesses excellent wettability comprising copolymers and terpolymers of a polysiloxane and esters of acrylic and methacrylic acids. These compositions are suitable for use as ocular membranes worn in contact with the eye which possess excellent oxygen permeability, light transmission, wettability, mucophobicity, and lipophobicity and which can be worn for extremely long periods of time and then disposed of.A method of preparing the ocular membranes is disclosed, in which the composition is placed between disposable molds and cured therein. The cured, mechanically and optically finished ocular membrances are recovered by the destruction of said molds and without secondary operations.The ocular membrane is a flexible, oxygen-permeable, membrane, adapted to be inserted on the eye and worn thereon continuously for extended periods.

Abstract: A cationic surfactant composition is disclosed which is compatible with anionic surfactants, and which when added thereto provides a system for use in simultaneous cleansing and conditioning of hair, textiles and the like. The cationic surfactant composition comprises a mixture of the diethyl sulfate salts of the cyanoethylated fatty acid amides ##STR1## where R is an unbranched hydrocarbon chain including from 17 to 21 carbon atoms.

Abstract: A crystal plating device and method thereof in which a crystal to be plated and thereby set at a desired frequency is placed in an external removable holder or slug for insertion into a chamber of a plating device. The device is connected to a vacuum pump which is activated after the slug is loaded. Spring loaded filament posts carry a filament of precious metal such as gold or silver. The crystal is oscillated at a predetermined frequency prior to the filament being energized to evaporate or atomize the metal which plates the crystal and sets its frequency identical to that of the oscillator.The slug is externally loaded and can carry different size crystals. It is fitted with masks to accurately direct the deposit of the metal upon either or both sides of the crystal. After plating the slug is easily removed from the plating device.

Abstract: A peripheral frame member holds flexible sheets of material tightly over a central open area. A channel around the back of the frame is adapted to receive a flexible strip member having a longitudinally extending bifurcated projection engageable within the length of the channel. When a thin sheet of flexible material is placed over the back of the frame and the strip member pressed down so that the projection fits tightly within the channel, the material is locked in place and stretched taut across the central open area. The frame is preferably rectangular with channels along each side and a plurality of longitudinal strips engage respective sides. The device provides a simplified structure which is particularly useful for holding and displaying fabrics for embroidery and needlecraft projects.

Abstract: A method for separating a metallic mineral from an ore containing same. An aqueous dispersed slurry of the ore is formed, and the slurry is mixed with a system of transiently suspended ferrimagnetic particles of predominantly colloidal size. The particles are further characterized by an isoelectric point in relation to the slurried mineral sought to be separated, such that the particles spontaneously co-flocculate with the mineral to seed same. The resultant seeded slurry is passed through a porous ferromagnetic matrix in the presence of a magnetic field, which separates the seeded mineral at the matrix.

Abstract: A method for magnetically separating titaniferous discolorants from a crude kaolin clay. A dispersed aqueous slurry of the clay is formed and ferrimagnetic particles are thereupon spontaneously coflocculated with the titaniferous discolorants by seeding the slurry with a system of said particles. The system includes predominantly sub-micron size particles, and the particles further, have an isoelectric point in relation to that of the titaniferous discolorants to enable the spontaneous coflocculation. The slurry is thereupon passed through a porous ferromagnetic matrix in the presence of a magnetic field, to separate the coflocculated particles and discolorants at the matrix.

Abstract: An electronic counting scale, which may comprise a single relatively compact unit including all operable elements; or which may be based upon a modular construction including, firstly, an electronics unit which includes all basic electronic circuitry necessary to operation; and, secondly, a base unit. The base unit in the modular construction, includes the load cell, associated mechanical linkage, the weight receiving platform, and the like. It is adapted to directly receive the electronics unit, and includes connector means for enabling electrical interconnection with the electronics unit, and means for mechanically coupling the base unit to the electronics unit. The load cell is a parallelogram-type flexure frame, and is characterized by four strain gauges, which are located at the upper and lower surfaces of two vertically overlying flexure corners of the parallelogram. This arrangement--because of symmetry considerations--is uniquely free of second-order errors generated by offset loading.

Abstract: A method for magnetically beneficiating an ore by removing therefrom undesired metallic minerals of inherently low magnetic attractability. An aqueous dispersed slurry of the ore is formed, and the slurry is mixed with a system of transiently suspended ferrimagnetic particles of predominantly colloidal size. The particles are further characterized by an isoelectric point in relation to the mineral sought to be removed, such that the particles spontaneously co-flocculate with the mineral to seed same. The resultant seeded slurry is passed through a porous ferromagnetic matrix in the presence of a magnetic field, which separates the seeded mineral at the matrix, with the purified ore emerging from the matrix being recovered as product. This beneficiated product, i.e. now relatively free of the undesired species, can then (as appropriate) be further processed.

Abstract: In a tube pressure filter which includes a pair of generally coaxial inner and outer tubular bodies arranged one within the other and adapted to be supported in a generally upright position, the inner tubular body having a cylindrical central section, and upper and lower end sections, each of which end sections includes a portion of greater diameter than the cylindrical central section and a fairing mounted on or adjacent to said portion so as to extend around an end of the cylindrical central section; and a filter element disposed around and supported by the inner tubular body, the filter element comprising a filter cloth sleeve, the improvement which comprises constructing the fairings and the ends of the filter cloth sleeve so that each end of the filter cloth sleeve is or can be secured to the outwardly facing surface of one of said fairings.