Abstract: A catalytic process for alkylating an alkali metal selected from lithium, sodium and potassium with an alkyl halide containing 3 to 20 carbon atoms comprising conducting the reaction in the presence of a catalytic compound represented by the formula(RR.sup.1 R.sup.2 M.sup.a)yA(R.sup.3)xwherein R, R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are independently selected from hydrogen, halogen, alkyl, alkenyl, cycloalkyl, and aryl groups, R.sup.3 is independently selected from aryl groups containing 6 to 18 carbon atoms, four to six-membered heterocyclic carbon containing groups containing one to two hetero atoms selected from oxygen, nitrogen, and sulfur; hydroxyalkyl, alkoxyalkyl and monoalkylaminoalkyl and dialkylaminoalkyl groups containing 2 to 13 carbon atoms; M.sup.a is selected from silicon, carbon, germanium, and tin, A is selected from oxygen, sulfur, nitrogen and phosphorus, and x and y independently have values from zero to three.

Abstract: Aqueous gel compositions and their use in electrophoresis, and anhydrous compositions useful in the preparation of the aqueous gel compositions.The aqueous gel compositions comprise:A. water,B. at least one di- or tri-hydroxy C.sub.2-4 alkyl ether moiety (preferably glyceryl) substituted agarose, andC. from about 20 to about 400 mM of at least one borate compound per liter of aqueous gel composition.The anhydrous compositions comprise the agarose in powder form and the borate in powder or aqueous solution.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of alkyllithium compounds including 2-alkyl-substituted alkyllithium compounds by reacting in a liquid organic solvent, in an inert atmosphere a C.sub.2 to C.sub.18 saturated, acyclic, primary alkyl halide including 2-alkyl-substituted alkyl halides with a dispersion of particulate lithium and sodium metals in which there is 5 to 50 mole percent sodium based on the lithium content at a temperature of 0.degree. to a temperature up to but not exceeding the decomposition temperature of the product.

Abstract: This invention relates to compositions comprising 1-aryl-4,5-dihydro-1,2,4-triazol-5(1H)-ones (triazolinones) in combination with the herbicide (2,4-dichlorophenoxy)acetic acid (2,4-D), or like substituted phenoxyalkanoic acids, or esters, or alkali metal or ammonium salts thereof; or with certain herbicidal sulfonylureas, or mixtures of these classes of compounds, to provide herbicidal compositions which are highly effective against a broad array of crop weeds, particularly broadleaf weeds, in crops such as wheat.

Abstract: This invention provides a process for deacidifying paper by contacting the paper with hydrocarbon or halocarbon solutions of certain magnesium and/or zinc alkoxyalkoxides which may have been treated with carbon dioxide to yield low viscosity solutions.

Abstract: The disclosure herein relates to an alignment system and method which provides improved accuracy measurement of vehicle wheel alignment characteristics, guidance for an operator through known yet obscure adjustment procedures, an interface between system alignment sensors and the system controller which provides efficient handling of system generated data and system inputs and outputs, and live measurements and display of all alignment quantities so that interdependent changes between adjustable alignment quantities are observable.

Abstract: A process is provided in which manganese dioxide stains in denim fabric which has been partially decolorized with potassium permanganate are neutralized or removed by an aqueous solution of peracetic acid containing at least 1 part by weight acetic acid and 1.5 parts by weight hydrogen peroxide per part by weight peracetic acid.

Abstract: A method is provided for forming a tacky surface area on a styrenic resin, such as a polystyrene label. A thin film is applied of an alkyl, aryl or alkaryl ester of a phosphorus oxyacid providing a tacky area suitable for bonding to another surface. A composition particularly useful for bonding polystyrene labels to bottles is a solid alkyl, aryl or alkaryl ester of a phosphorus oxyacid and a cosolvent selected from terpenoids and aromatic compounds having a flash point of at least 35.degree. C. and a boiling point between 100.degree. C. and 260.degree. C.

Abstract: The invention is a novel composition of alkylated phenyl phosphate esters comprising by weight 1% to 20% trialkylphenyl phosphate, 10% to 50% dialkylphenyl monophenyl phosphate, 15% to 60% monoalkylphenyl diphenyl phosphate and less than 2% triphenyl phosphate and a process for preparing the composition comprising passing the composition at least once through a thin film evaporator at a temperature of about 200.degree. C. to about 250.degree. C. at a pressure sufficiently less than 5 kPa to evaporate about 5% to about 30% of the composition.

Abstract: A water-dispersible, particulate film-forming composition is produced by blending a mixture of particles of water-soluble cellulose acetate; pigment particles, a plasticizer for the water-soluble cellulose acetate, and a surfactant. The composition is useful as a film-forming material for coating solid pharmaceutical forms.

Abstract: An apparatus for filling two cylindrical canning containers with cylindrically compacted and shaped tuna chunks. The apparatus has a flared compression channel for relieving excessive compression in the compacted tuna chunks, a movable shaping wall for controlling the density of the tuna chunks by changing the volume of the channel, and a movable blade between two semi-cylindrical cavities in the shaping wall for splitting the relieved compacted tuna chunks into two streams which then flow easily into the cavities for forming semi-cylindrical ends prior to cutting the formed ends into cylindrical cakes for injection into the canning containers.

Abstract: A force sensing apparatus and method in a vehicle wheel balancer is disclosed which in one embodiment includes use of a voltage controlled oscillator connected to drive a piezoelectric crystal at an oscillation frequency which is compared in phase to a frequency generated by the wheel balancer spin shaft encoder. When unbalance force imposed changes occur in the crystal oscillation frequency, an unbalance output is provided by the comparison which contains the unbalance force magnitude and angular orientation information. The unbalance output is processed to provide operator indications for facilitating application of counterweights to the vehicle wheel.

Abstract: A carrier for holding irregularly shaped containers for movement through a hydrostatic sterilizer. The carrier adapts irregularly shaped containers for movement through a sterilizer which can also process contents of cylindrical food cans. A plurality of openings in the carrier allows fluid and steam to surround the containers for uniform processing of the contents of the containers.

Abstract: An induction heating coil with a conical base for fusing a plastic lid to a plastic container. A generally cylindrical container is placed in a generally cylindrical hollow nest having a conical upper wall portion. A plastic lid having a metallic layer is placed on an upper portion of the container. A portion of the lid and a portion of the container are pressed together between the conical wall and the conical coil base during a fusing operation. Container and lid are formed by pressure and heat to provide a uniform seal.

Abstract: The present invention provides a melamine phosphonic acid salt of the general formula (I) ##STR1## in which R is hydrogen, methyl or a negative valency bond, and n is 1 when R is hydrogen or methyl, or 2 when R.sup.1 is a negative valency bond.The salts are useful as flame retardants in polymers.

Abstract: Dry-blended detergent formulations are prepared by absorbing liquid surfactant on absorptive soda ash derived from the dehydration of sodium carbonate decahydrate.

Abstract: The invention provides an improved method and apparatus for separating fruits, such as tomatoes, from vines. The invention provides a tined reel which separates vines to allow disengaged fruit caught between the vines to be released. In addition, the invention provides a blowing and pinching means to blow and pull vines from the collected fruit. The invention also provides feeder bars which direct vines to a shaker brush and provides improved separation.

Abstract: A support frame for use in supporting a plurality of idler rolls has separate compression and tension support members each extending across the length of the support frame and attached to center brackets for supporting the idler rolls. The support members are rod-shaped having similar width and thickness dimensions.

Abstract: Rolls of individual plastic bags are formed on apparatus that overlaps the bags before the bags are fed into the roll to provide a compact roll of individual bags. The apparatus overlaps portions of the bags so that a plurality of bags can be continuously fed into the roll even though the bags are not mechanically connected end-to-end to adjacent bags on the roll.

Abstract: This application discloses hebricidal B-pyrazolylacrylic acids, compositions containing them, methods of preparing them, and methods for controlling undesired plant growth by preemergent or postemergent application of the herbicidal compositions to the locus where control is desired. The herbicidal compounds have the formula ##STR1## in which the radicals are defined in the claims.