Abstract: An packaging apparatus and method to uncuff a package assembly is disclosed. The package assembly includes a container with at least one upstanding sidewall defining an open top. A bag is disposed within the container and a top portion of the bag is folded over the at least one sidewall at the open top to define a cuff. The packaging apparatus includes a first fluid jet directed substantially upward that is configured to uncuff the top portion of the bag from the container. An automatic bag closer gathers the top portion of the bag and applies a clip to close the bag. A second fluid jet is directed substantially downward and is configured to push the top portion of the bag substantially within the container.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for planarizing or polishing a surface, particularly a semiconductor wafer surface. The polishing compositions described herein comprise (a) a liquid carrier; (b) purified clay; and optional additives, such as (c) a chemical accelerator; and (d) a complexing or coupling agent capable of chemically or ionically complexing with, or coupling to, the metal and/or insulating material removed during the polishing process. The complexing or coupling agent carries away the removed metal and/or silicon dioxide insulator particles, during polishing, to prevent the separated particles from returning to the surface from which they were removed. Also disclosed are methods of planarizing or polishing a surface comprising contacting the surface with the compositions.

Abstract: A foundry sand binder formed by reacting a smectite clay containing exchangeable calcium ions with an acid to enhance the ability of the clay to bind sand in forming a metal casting sand mold. The acid-treated clay is an excellent sand binder for metal casting molds and produces cast metal parts having improved surface finish with the elimination or substantial reduction in carbonaceous, e.g., coal, foundry sand additive, while reducing VOC emissions from the foundry.

Abstract: A foundry sand binder formed by reacting a smectite clay containing exchangeable calcium ions with an acid to enhance the ability of the clay to bind sand in forming a metal casting sand mold. The acid-treated clay is an excellent sand binder for metal casting molds and produces cast metal parts having improved surface finish with the elimination or substantial reduction in carbonaceous, e.g., coal, foundry sand additive, while reducing VOC emissions from the foundry.

Abstract: A method of enhancing the water absorbance of and increasing the particle size of fine water absorbent cross-linked polyacrylic polymer particles includes impregnating the polymer particles with an impregnating monomer solution containing an acrylic monomer, with or without a cross-linking agent for the acrylic monomer. The solution is impregnated into the resin in a weight ratio of cross-linked polyacrylic polymer, dry basis, to impregnating monomer solution in the range of about 1:1 to about 1:10; and subjecting the impregnated polymer to conditions, such as increased temperature, e.g., 100.degree. C.-150.degree. C. to polymerize the impregnated monomer, within the cross-linked polymer particles, to form a cross-linked polyacrylic polymer having enhanced water absorbance and increased particle size.

Abstract: A composition and method of absorbing animal dross. In one embodiment, the composition comprises discrete particles (about 50 microns to about 3350 microns, preferably about 600 microns to about 3350 microns in size) of a non-compacted water-swellable bentonite clay that effectively absorbs animal dross and simultaneously agglomerates into a sufficiently large and stable mass, thereby permitting physical separation of the soiled and wetted water-swellable bentonite clay particles from discrete particles of the unsoiled and unwetted water-swellable bentonite clay even after partial drying of about 1 to about 24 hours at room temperature, without substantial sticking to animal paws and fur.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for crushing clay to reduce the size of the clay to a uniform particle size distribution without generating a substantial percentage of undersized particles. Oversized clay particles are fed to a first roller mill between a first pair of counter-rotating, adjacent, grooved rollers. The particles exiting the first roller mill that have the desired particle size distribution are separated from the undersized and oversized clay particles exiting the first roller mill, prior to crushing the oversized particles in a second roller mill. The oversized particles from the first roller mill then are fed to the second roller mill between a second pair of counter-rotating, adjacent rollers that are separated by a roller gap that is smaller than a roller gap of the first roller mill.

Abstract: A method of enhancing the water or aqueous fluid absorption of and/or increasing the particle size of fine water-absorbent polyacrylic SAP polymer particles includes surface-contacting the SAP polymer particles with a solution containing a cross-linking agent for the polyacrylic SAP polymer, and then subjecting the particles to conditions sufficient to further cross-link the surfaces of the SAP polymer particles. The surface cross-linked particles are then impregnated with water in a weight ratio of SAP polymer, dry basis, to water in the range of about 1:1 to about 1:10 to form a paste, and the paste is subjected to conditions, such as increased temperature, e.g., 50.degree. C.-150.degree. C. to dry the polymer particles to form an acrylic SAP polymer having enhanced fluid absorption under load and, upon pulverizing, increased particle size.

Abstract: A flexible grout composition and method of disposing the composition in position, in contact with an earthen formation, such as a coating on a trench wall, or within a bore hole, for example to cement a conduit within the bore hole to prevent fluid loss, for sealing and grouting well casings, plugging abandoned wells, and waterproofing earthen structures, particularly in environments where the grout composition is in contact with contaminated water. The flexible grout composition includes a water-swellable clay, such as sodium bentonite; an optional solid particulate filler, such as an essentially nonswellable bentonite clay, such as calcium bentonite, herein defined as a bentonite clay having calcium as the predominant exchangeable cation; a water-soluble polymer; and an optional dispersing agent, such as sodium acid pyrophosphate (SAPP).

Abstract: A shaped, water-expandable water-sealing article used for sealing an area between a first section of at least partially cured concrete and a second, adjacent section of substantially uncured concrete. The clay water sealing article is in the shape of a quadrilateral, preferably a trapezoid, and is disposed to bridge an area between the two sections of concrete. Upon hydration of the clay contained within the shaped water sealing article, expansion of the clay creates expansion forces extending from a corner of the article that is surrounded by the uncured concrete, wherein the corner has an included angle greater than 90.degree., preferably at least 100.degree.. The expansion force developed by the expansion of the shaped water sealing article are absorbed by a substantially increased area of the uncured concrete as compared to expansion forces resulting from a clay-based water seal having a 90.degree. included angle at the corner(s) surrounded by the uncured concrete.

Abstract: A three step process for regenerating spent bleaching clays and acid-activated smectite catalyst granules includes: (1) an extraction step to remove a majority of entrained oil, preferably about 75% to about 95% by weight of the entrained oil, when regenerating bleaching clays; (2) an oxidation step to remove the majority of remaining carbonaceous adsorbates which are not removed by the preceding extraction step, and (3) an acid wash step to restore the acidity normally associated with fresh acid-activated bleaching clays. The features of steps 2 and 3 may be combined into a single step by using an appropriate oxidant, for example, a source of acidic protons, such as peracetic acid.

Abstract: An animal litter including an extruded smectite clay that forms stronger clumps, when wetted with animal urine, due to the extrusion process. In a preferred embodiment, the extruded smectite clay is mixed, before or after extrusion, with a small percentage, preferably at least about 0.025% to less than 0.1%, based on the dry weight of the smectite clay, of a water-soluble adhesive that forms improved, stronger, more cohesive clumps that can be essentially completely removed from a litter box leaving the remaining litter box contents odor-free.

Abstract: A method of treating a water-swellable clay after the clay has been mined and dried to improve its properties when in contact with salt-contaminated water. After the common initial drying of the clay to a moisture content of 12% by weight or less, the clay is rewetted to a moisture content of more than 12% by weight, preferably at least about 15% or more, based on the dry weight of the clay, then redried to a moisture content of 12% by weight or less, based on the dry weight of the clay.

Abstract: A method of treating a water-swellable clay, initially having a Fe.sup.+3 /Fe.sup.+2 ratio of at least 1.0, preferably at least 3.0, and most preferably in the range of about 5.0 to about 15.0, after the clay has been mined and dried. After the common initial drying of the clay to a moisture content of 12% or less, the clay is re-wetted to a moisture content of more than 12% by weight, preferably at least about 15% or more, based on the dry weight of the clay, then re-dried to a moisture content of 12% by weight or less, based on the dry weight of the clay.

Abstract: A method of treating a water-swellable clay after the clay has been mined and dried to improve its properties when in contact with contaminated water. After the common initial drying of the clay to a moisture content of 12% by weight or less, the clay is impregnated with an aqueous solution containing a dissolved, water-soluble polymer, in an amount of at least about 0.5% by weight based on the dry weight of the clay, and the clay is wetted to a moisture content of more than 12% by weight, preferably at least about 15% or more, based on the dry weight of the clay, and then redried to a moisture content of 12% by weight or less, based on the dry weight of the clay.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a water barrier fabric, in flexible or rigid form, and articles manufactured thereby, formed by dispersing a water-absorbent material, in powdered or granular form, among a mass of fibers during the formation of a loose mat of said fibers, to homogeneously disperse the powdered or granular water-absorbent material above, below and on each side of the fibers forming the mat, and thereafter densifying and structurally consolidating the mat, to secure the fibers in position surrounding and entrapping the water-absorbent material, such as by sewing, quilting, needle punching or otherwise bonding the fibers into a consolidated, structurally secure fabric at least partially filled with the powdered or granular water-absorbent material. In a preferred embodiment, one, or both, major surfaces of the fabric is coated with a water-insoluble adhesive to substantially increase the tensile strength of the fabric and to prevent shifting of fibers when installed on sloping surfaces.

Abstract: A composition and method of absorbing animal dross. Discrete particles of a composition comprising a combination of bentonite clays, particularly about 1% to about 50% by weight sodium bentonite, and about 50% to abut 99% by weight Fuller's Earth, or calcium bentonite, absorbs animal dross and related liquids, and simultaneously agglomerate into a sufficiently large and stable mass when contacted with the animal dross, and, unexpectedly, the agglomerates readily disperse in water so that the agglomerates can be disposed of in water, such as by being flushed down a toilet, or disposed of through other household plumbing lines without clogging the plumbing lines. The agglomerates can be physically separated and removed from unwetted particles of the composition. Removing the wetted and agglomerated composition particles from the remaining unwetted composition reduces or eliminates offensive odors produced by dross-soaked particles.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for crushing clay to reduce the size of the clay to a uniform particle size distribution without generating a substantial percentage of undersized particles. Oversized clay particles are fed to a first roller mill between a first pair of counter-rotating, adjacent, grooved rollers. The particles exiting the first roller mill that have the desired particle size distribution are separated from the undersized and oversized clay particles exiting the first roller mill, prior to crushing the oversized particles in a second roller mill. The oversized particles from the first roller mill then are fed to the second roller mill between a second pair of counter-rotating, adjacent rollers that are separated by a roller gap that is smaller than a roller gap of the first roller mill.

Abstract: A three step process for regenerating spent bleaching clays and acid-activated smectite catalyst granules includes: (1) an extraction step to remove a majority of entrained oil, preferably about 75% to about 95% by weight of the entrained oil, when regenerating bleaching clays; (2) an oxidation step to remove the majority of remaining carbonaceous adsorbates which are not removed by the preceding extraction step, and (3) an acid wash step to restore the acidity normally associated with fresh acid-activated bleaching clays. The features of steps 2 and 3 may be combined into a single step by using an appropriate oxidant, for example, a source of acidic protons, such as peracetic acid.

Abstract: A pouch for absorbing liquids. On one embodiment, the ouch is formed from two distinct layers of sheet material--one including thermoplastic fibers for the purpose of heat sealing and the other a tearable tissue paper capable of tearing upon expansion of the water-absorbent material contained between the sheet material layers. In another embodiment, the pouch is manufactured to include a relatively weak sealed seam, e.g., formed by heat sealing adjacent sheet material layers together, that has a weaker bonding strength than one or more other sealed seams, such that upon expansion of the water-absorbent material, the relatively weak seam separates or delaminates into its separate layers to allow the absorbent to spread beyond the pouch at the relative weak seam. In both embodiments, the pouches contain an inner layer of water-insoluble, liquid-absorbing material, such as cross-linked sodium polyacrylate.