Abstract: A food handling conveyor apparatus includes a sound detection system for detecting the presence of a foreign object, such as a stone, among food product being conveyed. The apparatus includes a generally elongated vibratory conveyor bed along which food products are conveyed, with at least one discharge gate positioned at one end of the conveyor bed. An actuator is operatively connected to the discharge gate for effecting movement thereof between closed and open positions. A sound detection system of the apparatus, preferably including one or more directional microphones, is positioned in operative association with the conveyor bed and functions to differentiate between the sound of food product being conveyed, and the sound of a foreign object. The sound detection system is operatively connected with the actuator for the discharge gate, and effects opening of the discharge gate in timed relationship to detection of a foreign object so that the object is moved out of the food product stream.

Abstract: Dilute, aqueous solutions of lower organic peracids are rapidly prepared by reacting the anhydride of the organic acid corresponding to the peracid with concentrated hydrogen peroxide to form an aqueous peracid mixture. Before equilibrium is attained, the mixture is diluted with water and hydrogen peroxide to produce an equilibrium mixture of organic acid, peracid, hydrogen peroxide, and water. The process can be carried out in 60 minutes or less and can be run either as a batch or as a continuous process.

Abstract: A pure, smooth microcrystalline cellulose bulking agent for oil containing foods such as nut butters, chocolates, cream containing foods, mayonnaise, and salad dressings. The bulking agent having a loose bulk density greater than 0.40 and a oil absorptivity of less than 1.0.

Abstract: A process for producing dispersions of atmospherically stable, coated alkali metal particles and atmospherically stable, coated alkali metal powders by agitating a mixture of molten alkali metal in a hydrocarbon oil at dispersion speeds, optionally in the presence of a dispersing agent, contacting the molten alkali metal-hydrocarbon oil dispersion, above or below the surface of the dispersion, with up to 3 weight percent anhydrous carbon dioxide while agitating the dispersion for at least 1 minute. The dispersion in oil can be used directly in chemical reactions. The bulk of the oil can be removed from the dispersions to produce oil wet particles, the oil wet particles car be washed with a low boiling hydrocarbon to produce hydrocarbon wet particles which can be dried to produce atmospherically stable powders of coated metal particles. The dispersed particles in oil, the oil wet particles, the hydrocarbon wet particles and the atmospherically stable powders can each be used in chemical reactions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for controlling domestic pests using 2-chloro-N-[{(4'-chloro-2-methoxy[1,1'-biphenyl]4-yl)amino}carbonyl]benzam ide. The benzamide is particularly effective against termites and is suitable for use in baits.

Abstract: A juice extractor includes a mechanism such as upper and lower cups for supporting the exterior of a fruit and separating the peel therefrom. A strainer tube is mounted to receive juice and pulp of the fruit. An orifice tube is movable within the strainer tube. A mounting assembly is positioned on the orifice tube. A reciprocating drive mechanism engages the mounting assembly for reciprocating the orifice tube into and out of the strainer tube. A release member cooperates with the orifice tube and the mounting assembly to permit release and relative movement of the mounting assembly relative to the orifice tube responsive to the orifice tube becoming lodged within the strainer tube to prevent damage to other portions of the juice extractor. A release member comprises a ring received on the orifice tube and formed of a material that shears when excessive pressure is applied as when the orifice tube becomes lodged within the strainer tube.

Abstract: A method for repulping a wet strength paper is disclosed. Wet strength paper, which contains a wet strength resin, is agitated in water to form an aqueous slurry. An effective amount of a composition that contains a dry mixture of a persulfate and a base in the range of 90:10 to 10:90 is added either before or during agitation, and the slurry heated to produce pulp product for paper manufacture. The persulfate/base combination is capable of breaking down the wet strength resin and adjusting or maintaining the pH at a predetermined level without additional chemical treatment.

Abstract: A vibratory conveying feeder includes a trough mounted by springs to a base with a vibratory driver bonded to the base and connected to the trough. The springs include a first vertically oriented spring at a front of the conveyor connected between the base and the trough and a second spring arranged between the trough and the base and arranged along a line about 20.degree. to the horizontal. The second spring is set between 40% to 80% of total spring rate. The base is tapered toward a rear side thereof to allow a plurality of such conveyor feeders to be mounted in a tight circle for delivering material radially outwardly of the center line of the circle in a weighing and distributing operation.

Abstract: A process for fractionating agaroid compositions by dissolving the agaroid in a glycol, precipitating a first fraction by cooling and precipitating a second fraction by incorporating a nonsolvent to form two fractions substantially more soluble in water than the initial agaroid. Optionally the solubility of either fraction can be converted to conventional solubilities.

Abstract: A process is disclosed in which the 4-position of the 1-(2-fluorophenyl) group attached to a 4,5-dihydro-3-methyl-5-oxo-1H-1,2,4-triazole, an intermediate in the route to prepare the herbicide ethyl .alpha.-2-dichloro-5-[4-(difluoromethyl)-4,5-dihydro-3-methyl-5-oxo-1H-1,2 ,4-triazol-1-yl]-4-fluorobenzenepropanoate, is chlorinated in good yield. The process involves adding chlorine gas in three separate steps, with by-product hydrogen chloride being removed at the end of each chlorine addition step.

Abstract: Protected, functionalized telechelic polymers, hydrogenated and/or deprotected analogues thereof, and processes to prepare these polymers are disclosed. In the invention, a lithium initiator is added to a compound having at least two independently polymerizable vinyl groups to form a dilithium initiator. Monomer is then added to grow or polymerize polymer arms having living ends and the living ends functionalized.

Abstract: A novel method of preparing a highly homogenous spinel Li.sub.1+X Mn.sub.2-X O.sub.4+Y intercalation compound having a predetermined mean particle size and particle size distribution for 4 V secondary lithium and lithium ion cells is provided. The method comprises mixing at least one manganese compound having a predetermined particle size distribution with at least one lithium compound wherein the manganese compound has a mean particle size of between about 1 and 15 microns and the mean particle size of the lithium compound is less than that of the manganese compound. The mixture is then fired in one or more firing steps within specific temperature ranges to form the Li.sub.1+X Mn.sub.2-X O.sub.4+Y intercalation compound. Preferably, at least one firing step is at a temperature of between about 700.degree. C. and 900.degree. C. The Li.sub.1+X Mn.sub.2-X O.sub.

Abstract: A process of making a powdered detergent aggregate comprising in a single pass process the step of introducing an absorptive soda ash into an agglomerator, forming a soda ash curtain within the agglomerator, spraying a surfactant onto the soda ash curtain, forming a curtain of resultant soda ash/surfactant product, spraying a silicate thereon, and adding additional surfactant to produce a non-caking soda ash/silicate/surfactant aggregate having 40-69 weight percent soda ash, 7-14 weight percent silicate, and 14-26 weight percent surfactant having a loose bulk density of from 600-1000 g/l.

Abstract: Rapidly disintegrating and readily suspendible tablets and their method of preparation are disclosed in which there is a therapeutic amount of a pharmacologically active ingredient, 1 to 6 percent croscarmellose sodium, 10 to 50 percent microcrystalline cellulose, and 10 to 50 percent of a coprocessed additive consisting essentially of 75 to 95 percent microcrystalline cellulose and 5 to 25 percent calcium, sodium alginate complex. The tablets are suitable for oral administration of measured-dose suspensions of either water soluble or water insoluble pharmaceuticals.

Abstract: There is provided a vibratory feeder comprising an exciter for exciting the vibratory feeder and a damper assembly which is selectively activated. There is also provided a vibratory feeder comprising an exciter and a controllable viscosity fluid damper which is activated at a first level to reduce the stroke of the feeder. There is further provided a vibratory feeder for feeding product, the feeder including a spring for supporting a first mass from a second mass wherein a damper assembly is disposed between the first mass and the second mass, the damper assembly being selectively activated. There is also provided a packaging system comprising a vibratory feeder having a damper assembly which is selectively activated.

Abstract: A monobore completion/intervention riser system for providing a conduit for communication fluids and wireline tools between a surface vessel and a subsea well having a tubing hanger located therein, the tubing hanger including a production bore and an annulus bore, wherein wireline tools may be lowered through a riser bore 48 to either the tubing hanger production bore 68 or the tubing hanger annulus bore 70 through operation of a bore selector 56, and fluids may be produced from the well to the surface vessel through the production bore 52, 60, 64, 68 and the riser bore 48 by sealing off the annulus bore 66, 70.

Abstract: A coupler 10 for pressure conduits 12a-d comprises movable components 22, 26 selectively engageable with or disengageable from fixed components 34 to provide disconnectable sealed pressure connections therewith, the moveable components 22 being acted upon by a primary actuator comprising a bearing plate 52, a thrust nut 50 and a threaded drive spindle 44. Spindle 44 is mounted in an end cap 46 normally held fixed relative to the fixed components by collet fingers 66 but which is disengageable from a connector body 14 upon withdrawal of a retainer sleeve (70, FIG. 8) so as to provide secondary actuation of the movable components 22, 26 independently of the primary actuator 44, 50, 52.

Abstract: A sealing arrangement for a subsea wellhead component is provided which comprises a primary seal to prevent leakage of internal pressure from within the wellhead component and a secondary seal surrounding the primary seal to prevent entry of ambient pressure into the wellhead component. The secondary seal is adapted to permit pressure which leaks past the primary seal to also leak past the secondary seal and vent to the atmosphere to provide an indication during testing of the primary seal that the primary seal has failed.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and apparatus for controlling termites. The invention provides a tamper resistant bait station, which uses a cellulose bait impregnated with a slow acting toxicant and readily allows entry of termite.

Abstract: A spread mooring arrangement is provided for use in deep water (greater than 200 meters) when it is advantageous to maximize the clearance between shuttle tankers used for product offloading and the anchor legs associated with a spread mooring of the permanently moored tanker. Mooring insert tubes are provided at the bow and stern of the vessel. Bow mooring lines extend from the sea floor, through an opening of the bottom of the hull of the vessel and via a bow mooring insert tube for securement on a chain pull-up deck. Stern mooring lines extend from the sea floor through an opening in the bottom of the hull of the vessel and via a stern mooring insert tube for securement on a chain pull-up deck.