Abstract: A process for producing granules of anionic surfactant, preferably PAS by in situ neutralisation of a precursor acid to form the surfactant, heating the surfactant to a temperature in excess of 130.degree. C. and subsequently cooling the to provide surfactant granules is disclosed. Detergent compositions containing such granules are also disclosed.

Abstract: A cabinet structure for a fire extinguisher has a glass door mounted in a frame. The glass is tempered glass, which shatters easily into small pieces upon cracking a portion thereof. A steel breaking lever is attached to an edge of the glass. When the breaking lever is rotated, it causes the glass to shatter into small, harmless pieces as a result of the inherent nature of built-in stresses in tempered glass, thus allowing access to the interior of the cabinet.

Abstract: A venetian blind ladder carrier mechanism for connecting the slat support ladders of a venetian blind to a tilt rod. The ladder carrier mechanism includes a drive member connected to the tilt rod for turning with the tilt rod and, first and second carrier members supported for turning relative to the drive members and relative to each other about a the axis of the tilt rod. The first and second carrier members have respective first and second ladder supports spaced outwardly from the axis of the tilt rod and connected to respective ones of the side strips of the ladder. The drive member is arranged to drive the first carrier member in a first angular direction when the drive member is rotated in the first angular direction by the tilt rod to lift one of the side strips of the ladder and the drive member is arranged to drive the second carrier member in a second angular direction when the drive member is rotated in the second angular direction by the tilt rod and raise the other side strip of the ladder.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for joining a drive band to the driven element of a servo-controlled precision motion system. A vibration dampening clamp assembly absorbs unwanted vibration energy. The clamp assembly utilizes energy absorbing molded grommets which mechanically isolate the driven element from the band. A threaded fastener passing through an axial bore in each of two energy absorbing grommets is used to join two halves of a clamp assembly. The grommets are preloaded at assembly using threaded fastener and a nut to compress each grommet to a known compression prior to tensioning of the drive band. Upon final tensioning of the band drive assembly, the grommets are brought to a final compression value.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a method for stimulating the proliferation of V.gamma.2V.delta.2 T cells comprising contacting V.gamma.2V.delta.2 T cells with a V.gamma.2V.delta.2 T cell proliferation stimulating amount of a compound selected from the group consisting of a monoalkyl phosphate and an alkenyl pyrophosphate.

Abstract: Sulfur oxides (SO.sub.x) are scrubbed from combustion effluents with aqueous limestone slurries with greater efficiency and with economies in capital and operating costs. In the preferred embodiment of a single-loop, open-tower countercurrent limestone wet scrubber, effluent flow rates are greatly increased while L/G values and reaction tank residence times are decreased. Improved entrainment eliminator design, novel nozzle placement and spacing, and the use of a hydrocyclone to separate and recycle smaller particles of limestone from the byproduct gypsum, facilitate these advantages. The limestone is reduced to very fine particles, e.g. about 8.mu. or less with more than 99% of the particle by weight less than 44.mu., and introduced into a scrubbing slurry which is contacted with SO.sub.x -laden effluent.

Abstract: The present invention relates to heavy duty liquid composition in which solid particle or mixture of solid particles, wherein at least one side of solid has length or width of 3 to 25 microns, helps to suspend particles of much greater size (i.e., up to about 1000 microns) than possible w/o addition of the suspending solid particles.

Abstract: A vehicle lift for transporting a wheelchair passenger between a ground-level position adjacent the vehicle to a position adjacent and substantially coplanar with the vehicle floor. The lift includes a pair of rails (36) attached to the vehicle. A carriage assembly (21) includes a pair of slides (34) that ride on the rails (36). The lift further includes a contact sensor (16) for detecting when the lift platform (25) contacts a curb or other object. As the platform is lowered, the relative position of the slides (34) and the rails (36) changes, the sensor (16) detects a relative position of one of the slides (34) and the corresponding rail (36). When the sensor (16) detects a relative position of the slide (34) and the rail (36) indicating that the platform (25) has contacted a curb or other object, the sensor (16) generates a control signal. A lift controller (60) stops the lowering of the platform in response to the control signal from the sensor(16).

Abstract: A hydraulic lash element compensating assembly mounted in the valve end of a rocker arm or other valve actuating device. The hydraulic last compensating element compensates for any clearance in the engine valve train due to wear and due to thermal expansion. The element includes a self adjusting hydraulic assembly with a cylindrical outer housing having a spherical protrusion on the end facing the valve. A foot is retained by a retainer permanently fixed to the swivel foot and securely attaching the foot to the housing, but allowing angular and rotational movement of the swivel foot relative to the spherical protrusion on the housing. The retainer may be constructed from a thermoplastic material by injection molding or from sheet steel by stamping.

Abstract: Packets containing a flowable material are provided with a draw-string or thread to squeeze the packet contents. The packet envelope is formed from a doubled-over web which gives the packet a folded-over edge and which encloses an intermediate portion of the thread close to the folded-over edge. The end portions of the web extend from the intermediate portion of the thread to extend through the opposite edge of the packet. The external ends of the thread are secured to a tag which is attached to the outer face of the envelope. The thread intermediate portion is retained close to said one edge by heat seal means. Apparatus is also described for producing the packets in a continuous or semi-continuous manner.

Abstract: A multistation transfer press (10) is provided. Cross bar assemblies (28) transfer work pieces (12) between adjacent press stations (14) in transfer press ten (10). Each cross bar assembly (28) moves work pieces (12) between adjacent press stations (14). Motions of cross bar assemblies (28) is provided by raising and lowering transfer rails (22) and (24) along with reciprocating cross bar assemblies (28) along transfer rails (22) and (24). Cross bar assemblies (28) are operable to dynamically orient work pieces (12) during transfer between adjacent press stations (14). Additionally, a portion of the motion of cross bar assemblies (28) occurs while upper dies (20) and lower dies (18) are separated by less than a maximum distance.

Abstract: A method for minimizing damage to gingival and periodontal tissue is provided through steps that include delivering a first composition containing a zinc salt to a receptacle, delivering a second composition containing a bicarbonate salt to the same receptacle, and transferring within five minutes of delivery to the receptacle the combination into the mouth onto the gingival and periodontal tissues. Where the compositions are semi-solid such as in a toothpaste and/or gel, the receptacle is ordinarily a toothbrush. Liquid compositions such as mouthrinses may employ an expectorant cup as a receptacle.

Abstract: A suspension containing a large number of very small ice crystals in a sugar solution is obtained by mixing a concentrated sugar solution with a less concentrated sugar solution or water, both solutions having been cooled to a temperature of from just above the metastable limit temperature of the respective solution to just above the melting point of the respective solution prior to mixing.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for sealing cartons. Cartons are conveyed past one or more sealing bars which yieldingly apply pressure to a sealing area thereof. The bars are adjustable to a predetermined pressure by adjusting the length of the spring between the bars and a base. The bars are, therefore, preferably spring biased.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a new class of carbohydrate based nonionic surfactant, i.e., alkyl and alkenyl glycasuccinimide, and a process for their manufacture.

Abstract: A synergy is exhibited between surfactants selected from the group comprising amphoteric surfactants and alkoxylated alcohol surfactants and a certain class of aromatic organic acids. Alkoxylated alcohol surfactants are otherwise poorly biocidal at reasonable formulation pH's. Accordingly the invention relates to a disinfecting composition including: an ortho-hydroxy benzoic acid derivative (preferably salicylic acid), and, an amphoteric surfactant and/or an alkoxylated alcohol nonionic surfactant (preferably an ethoxylated alcohol), said composition having a pH of 1-5.5.

Abstract: An anchorage assembly for post-tensioning a tendon in a pre-stressed concrete structure, comprises an anchor having a bore for receiving the tendon, the bore comprising a first bore portion which is convergent inwardly of the anchor and a second bore portion. Wedges are in wedging engagement between the first bore portion and the tendon to retain the tendon, and a seal is engaged between the second bore portion and the tendon, the seal having a wedge-shaped cross-section and being compressed by a wedging action between and into sealing engagement with the second bore portion and the tendon.

Abstract: The present invention relates to anti-bacterial compositions comprising particular compounds, to the use of the compounds as anti-bacterial agents, to the preparation of therapeutic or medicinal compositions comprising the compounds and to a method of disinfecting matter including the step of treating matter with the compounds. The compounds are identified as peptides having a molecular weight of at least 5 kD, comprising at least 15% by number of residues of arginine, lysine, ornithine or a mixture thereof and at least 15% by number of residues of arginine, lysine, ornithine, phenylalanine, tyrosine, tryptophan or a mixture thereof. Although the invention is described with reference to used in the fields of food and oral hygiene, the invention has particular utility in the field of household and/or industrial hygiene.

Abstract: In a steam turbine having a main inlet pipe which introduces steam to a nozzle chamber through the turbine casings and a bell seal assembly for sealing the inlet pipe relative to the casings and the nozzle chamber, the bell seal assembly including a bell seal disposed in the nozzle chamber, and a retainer nut sleeved by the bell seal and threadedly engaged in the inlet pipe, the improvement which comprises: the bell seal being replaced by a ring carrier, a stack of inner and outer sealing rings loosely sleeved on the ring carrier, the material of the inner rings having a lower coefficient of thermal expansion than the material of the ring carrier and the outer rings being made from a material having a higher coefficient of thermal expansion than the material of the nozzle chamber.

Abstract: An efficient method of producing phytosphingosine-containing ceramide one comprising: (a) obtaining a phytosphingosine base from tetraacetylphytosphingosine (TAPS) by a deacetylation reaction wherein the TAPS is produced by fermentation of cells of the F-60-10 mating type strain of Hansenula ciferrii using a fed-batch mode and a non-fermentable carbon source; and (b) coupling together the phytosphingosine base and a fatty acid/.omega.-hydroxy fatty acid component wherein the .omega.-hydroxy fatty acid component is prepared by a process which includes Kolbe synthesis.