Abstract: Methods for controlling insects under solid substrates are provided comprising the steps of providing a substrate that overlays a region in which insects are suspected to reside, the substrate having a first surface, a second surface opposite the first surface, and at least one aperture between the surfaces; and inserting a baiting material into the aperture such that the baiting material extends through the substrate into the region.

Abstract: An isolation component for vibratory equipment such as a vibratory trough or feeder includes an isolation spring for supporting the dynamic load of the equipment, and a damper element, preferably an elastomeric ring, arranged against an end of the isolation spring. The damper element prevents excessive motion of the isolation spring due to the vibratory equipment's operating frequency being close to any of the natural frequencies of the bending mode of the isolation spring by applying an opposing load to any such motion. The damper element is preferably an elastomer ring and is arranged along an axis of the support spring. A connector extends from a first end of the isolation spring, adjacent the damper element, toward and past a second end of the isolation spring and is connected to the vibratory equipment.

Abstract: Disclosed are herbicidal heterocyclic benzisoxazoles and benzisoxazolidinones of formula (I): ##STR1## wherein A is (a), (b) or (c); U is N or NR; X is CO or CR.sup.2 ; and R, R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3, Y and Z are as disclosed in the disclosure.

Abstract: Novel herbicidal compounds, compositions containing them, and methods for their use in controlling weeds are disclosed. The novel herbicidal compounds are represented by formula I: ##STR1## where J is a 1-substituted-6-trifluoromethyl-2,4-pyrimidinedione-3-yl, a 1-substituted-6-trifluoromethyl-1,3,5-triazine-2,4-dion-1-yl, a 3,4,5,6-tetrahydrophthalimid-1-yl, a 4-difluoromethyl-4,5-dihydro-3-methyl-1,2,4-triazol-5(1H)-on-1-yl, a 5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-1H,3H-[1,3,4]thiadiazolo[3,5-a]pyridazineimin-1-yl, or a 1,6,8-triazabicyclo[4.3.0]-nonane-7,9-dion-8-yl ring attached at the 7 position of a benzofuran, benzoxazole, indole, 2,3-dihydrobenzimidazole or benzimidazole, and X is selected from hydrogen, halogen, cyano, nitro, and amino. Preferred R groups are optionally substituted alkyl groups.

Abstract: A process for preparing an alkyl .alpha.-2-chloro-5-[4-(difluoromethyl)-4,5-dihydro-3-methyl-5-oxo-1H-1,2,4 -triazol-1-yl]-2,4-substituted-benzene-propanoate herbicide, by reacting an alkyl .alpha.-acetyl-5-[4-(difluoromethyl)-4,5-dihydro-3-methyl-5-oxo-1H-1,2,4-t riazol-1-yl]-2,4-disubstituted-benzene-propanoate, Intermediate D, first with sodium hypochlorite, then with a base, and recovering the herbicide. Intermediate D is prepared by reacting a 1-(2, 4-disubstituted-5-halophenyl)-4-difluoromethyl-4,5-dihydro-3-methyl-5-oxo- 1H-1,2,4-triazole, Intermediate B, with an alkyl alkanoate in the presence of a palladium catalyst and a tertiary amine. Intermediate B is prepared by reacting a 1-(2,4-disubstituted-phenyl)-4-difluoromethyl-4,5-dihydro-3-methyl-5-oxo-1 H-1,2,4-triazole with a halogenating agent in the presence of an acid. The 2,4-substituents are independently selected from halo, alkyl, cycloalkyl, alkoxy, nitro, or hetercyclyl.

Abstract: The molecular weight of a polyolefin such as polypropylene is reduced, as evidenced by lowered viscosity and increased melt flow rate, by treatment with an inorganic peroxygen selected from metal persulfates, ammonium persulfates, and any mixtures thereof. The treatment avoids or minimizes the color or odor attendant treatment with organic peroxygens and the toxic products of organic persulfate decomposition, and avoids the special handling required with organic peroxides.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for transferring heat between a heat transfer liquid and a plurality of moving containers of food product. The containers are conveyed by a perforated conveyor at least partially submerged in a pool of the heat transfer liquid and are showered at the same time with the heat transfer liquid. The pool of heat transfer liquid continuously drains and recirculates through either a heater or a chiller. A vibrator unit vibrates the pool of heat transfer liquid, the conveyor and the containers during the heat transfer operation.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and apparatus for controlling termites. The invention provides a more attractive and durable termite bait by providing a thin flat block of wood with grooves and impregnating the surface of the wood with a slow acting toxicant.

Abstract: The present invention provides a ball deck which reduces or eliminates the use of castings, which is self-fixturing for welding and can be manufactured and assembled relatively inexpensively and simply, which has drive means that is readily alignable with the drive motors, which incorporates a deck plate easily registerable with the associated driven balls regardless of the adjustment required to align the drive means, and which incorporates a means for attaching the deck plate so that the upper surface thereof is flat and uncluttered and is less susceptible to wear.

Abstract: An adjustable tubular hanger for suspending a tubular string from a wellhead component is provided which includes an elongated body having a lower end adapted to be connected to the tubular string and an upper end portion including a plurality of axial annular grooves formed in the outer diameter surface thereof, each groove defining a downwardly facing support surface, and a support ring adapted to be positioned around the body in one of the grooves, the support ring having an upwardly facing load shoulder for engaging the support surface and a downwardly facing load surface for engaging a support shoulder formed in the wellhead component, whereby the elevation of the tubular hanger within the wellhead component can be adjusted depending on in which groove the support ring is positioned.

Abstract: The invention is an improved pilot valve for controlling the flow of gaseous fuel to both a pilot burner and a main burner, the pilot valve comprising a housing having an inlet part, a pilot port and a main burner port; a bore extending through the housing between the pilot port and main burner port; a stop shuttle normally biased to a seated position in which it blocks communication between the inlet port and the bore; a reset shuttle positioned in the bore for lifting the stop shuttle from its seated position, the reset shuttle supporting a sealing member for sealing the inlet port from the main burner port but permitting communication between the inlet port and the pilot port when the reset shuttle lifts the stop shuttle from its seated position; a thermocouple capable of generating a voltage from the heat of the pilot burner; and an electromagnet connected to the thermocouple and capable, when fully energized, of holding the stop shuttle from moving to its seated position; wherein the reset shuttle is mov

Abstract: A riser arrangement increases the stability and/or decreases sensitivity to vortex induced vibration of risers of a riser system including steel tubular lines, SCRIBS and flexible hose risers leading to a floating storage/production vessel. A cross-link is placed between two or more steel tubular lines in order to enhance the stability of the riser system. Devices are coupled to the steel tubular lines for increasing their tension in order to increase the natural frequency of vibration in order to reduce sensitivity to vortex induced vibration.

Abstract: An improved arrangement for connection of a disconnectable spider buoy to an internal turret of a floating production storage and off loading vessel is disclosed. Risers from subsea wells are connected by quick disconnect/connection devices to pipes which run through the turret and then via a product swivel to lines leading to storage tanks on the vessel. A structure is provided to create an enclosed space to enclose the connection devices at the top of the spider buoy. A ventilation shaft runs from the enclosed volume to atmosphere via the top of the turret. A forced air line is provided into the enclosed space for ventilating the space via the ventilation shaft during normal operations. If a gas leak is sensed in the enclosed space, the forced air line is closed. The small volume which surrounds the connection devices quickly fills with hydrocarbon gas to produce a high gas/air ratio in the enclosed space which greatly reduces danger of explosion.

Abstract: Organometallic amide compositions and processes for preparing the same, for example, by: reacting an alkali metal, alkali metal hydride, or alkali metal amide with a substituted amine in the absence of an electron carrier; reacting an alkali metal with a substituted amine in the presence of an electron carrier in a hydrocarbon solvent; distilling a composition which includes an alkali metal amide and a reduced electron carrier to recover the alkali metal amide; reacting an alkali metal with a substituted amine in the presence of an alkyl halide; and reacting a substituted amine capable of reacting with an alkali metal to form a hydrocarbon insoluble alkali metal amide with an alkali metal in the presence of a substituted amine capable of reacting with an alkali metal to form a hydrocarbon soluble alkali metal amide.

Abstract: A two-stage steam peeler for peeling the skins of fruit, such as tomatoes, from the body of the fruit, comprising an infeed conveyor (10), a feed valve (12), a pressurized steam chamber (14), an outlet vacuum valve (16), a flexible cable peeler (20), and a pinch roller assembly (22). A first stage heater is provided by an enclosure (90) and steam introduction device (100) that preheats the tomatoes prior to entry into feed valve (12).

Abstract: A fail-safe closure system for one or a plurality of springless process valve actuators is disclosed. An accumulator is provided with an urging means, such as a spring for pressurizing fluid stored therein. A source of pressurized fluid is also provided. Supply pressurized fluid is applied to an opening chamber of one or a plurality of process valve actuators while a flow path is opened to a vent from the closing chamber of the one or more actuators. For closing the actuator or actuators, a flow path is established by which pressurized fluid from the accumulator is applied to the closing chamber of the actuator or actuators while the opening chamber is vented. Control valves are arranged so that if or when they fail, they fail in a position which allows the process valve actuators to close as described.

Abstract: The present invention provides an amorphous or amorphous/microcrystalline metal alloy comprising Fe.sub.a Cr.sub.b V.sub.c P.sub.d Si.sub.e C.sub.f M.sub.g X.sub.h wherein M is selected from the group consisting of Cu, Ni, and mixtures thereof; X is selected from the group consisting of Mo, W, and mixtures thereof; a is about 66 to about 80; b is about 0.5 to about 5.0; c is about 0.5 to about 5.0; d is about 7.0 to about 13.0; e is about 0.2 to about 3.0; f is about 4.5 to about 8.0; g is about 0.1 to about 0.9; h is about 0.1 to about 3.0; and a, b, c, d, e, f, g, and h represent atomic percent where the total is nominally equal to 100 atomic percent. Such metal alloys have desirable magnetic properties such as high saturation induction, low coercivity and high normal permeability. Significantly cost-effective methods of producing such alloys using by-product ferrophosphorus from phosphorus production and impure sources of alloying elements are also provided.

Abstract: A method and system for navigating automatic guided vehicles (AGVs) through a workplace having intelligible areas provides multi-vehicle traffic control. A guidance apparatus conveys a plurality of guidance signals, and a plurality of radio frequency tags (RF tags) are provided along the path over which the vehicle travels. Each RF tag is capable of conveying at least one of a plurality of unique radio frequency signals in response to electromagnetic excitation fields. A controller mounts on the vehicles, and includes an AGV computer, a sensor, a radio frequency identification (RFID) reader, and an RF modem for broadcasting messages to other vehicles to facilitate multi-vehicle traffic control. RF tags positioned for identifying characteristic area conditions related to the path of the vehicle reduce the need for custom modifications to guidance software on the host or AGV computers when operating in new environments, e.g., a new factory floor layout.

Abstract: An emulsion composition useful as a reduced-fat shortening substitute in bakery applications which comprises an emulsion with an aqueous phase containing water and konjac as a gelling agent and a lipid phase containing a lipid component and an emulsifier component. The konjac is preferably partially deacylated to provide controlled melt characteristics in the emulsion composition that replicate those of the full-fat shortening it replaces in bakery food products. A process for preparing the emulsion compositions is also disclosed. Bakery food products containing the emulsion compositions may be prepared using the emulsion compositions as a one-to-one replacement for full-fat shortening in the formulations. The reduced-fat bakery products made with the emulsion compositions exhibit sensory characteristics similar to those of the full-fat equivalents.

Abstract: An improved labeler includes a housing and a bellows drive gear and cassette drive sprocket spaced apart and each rotatably supported in the housing. A stepper motor is mounted in the housing and has an output shaft. A first drive gear is affixed to the shaft and engages the bellows drive gear. A second drive gear is affixed to the shaft. A drive train is interposed between and engages the second gear and the cassette drive sprocket. The stepper motor is positioned between the bellows drive sprocket and the cassette drive sprocket whereby the footprint of the labeler is minimized. Each individual bellows has a marker. A position sensor detects each of the markers. A first sensor detects a fruit. The stepper motor is responsive to the fruit sensor to advance the bellows wheel in response to detection of a fruit.