Abstract: A method is provided for cleaning parts soiled with oil components and seating terpenes from oil compositions using filters having suitable pore sizes to allow terpene components to pass through the walls of the filter as a permeate while not allowing oil components to pass therethrough. A separate aspect of the present invention utilizes a ceramic filter capable of separating water components from a mixture of terpenes and oil, thus allowing filtered water to be reused in a cleaning procedure. Using both types of filters in one operation provides a substantially closed loop recycling system where terpene components can be reused to clean additional articles, water can be reused to rinse such articles and contaminants removed in the cleaning process can be either reused or disposed of.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for reducing volatile organic compound emissions during the processing and coating of articles contaminated with water insoluble contaminants. The process prevents the formation of undesired etching and pitting which increases the surface area of an article. The use of volatile organic compound-containing surface coatings is thereby reduced resulting in reduced volatile organic compound emissions. The process of the present invention includes contacting a surface with a terpene finishing agent to remove water insoluble contaminants from such surface and applying an amount of volatile organic compound-containing coating to effectively cover the surface at a desired coating thickness.

Abstract: The present invention relates to improved materials for fabricating can bodies. In particular, the present invention relates to can tooling components fabricated from whisker-reinforced silicon nitride having from about 5 to about 15 weight percent whiskers with an average diameter of at least about 0.75 micrometers. The material preferably has a thermal expansion coefficient of less than about 3.5.times.10.sup.-6 per .degree.C. and a friction coefficient of from about 0.20 to about 0.24. The present invention also provides a method for reducing the trim height of can bodies formed using a can tooling apparatus.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for decorating metal surfaces contaminated with water insoluble contaminants. The method prevents the formation of undesired etching and pitting of treated surfaces, thereby increasing reflectivity of such surfaces, increasing the mobility of articles treated by such method and decreasing the amount of surface coating required to achieve a desired coating thickness as compared to conventional treatment and coating methods. In one embodiment of the invention, contaminating oils present on the surface of metal containers are removed using a terpene finishing agent resulting in a metal surface roughness average of less than about 10.0 Ra.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing metal containers using a cleaning agent having a substantially neutral pH is disclosed. Lubricants and coolants used during the container forming process are cleaned from the surface of metal containers by using a terpene cleaning agent comprising d-limonene, alpha-terpineol, beta-terpineol, alpha-pinene, beta-pinene, alcohols of such agents or mixtures thereof. Surfactants may also be used to aid in the cleaning process. The organic component of the cleaning agent, as well as lubricants, coolants and aqueous components, are separated for recycling and re-use.

Abstract: The present invention relates to improved materials for fabricating can bodies. In particular, the present invention relates to can tooling components fabricated from whisker-reinforced silicon nitride having from about 5 to about 15 weight percent whiskers with an average diameter of at least about 0.75 micrometers. The material preferably has a thermal expansion coefficient of less than about 3.5.times.10.sup.-6 per .degree.C. and a friction coefficient of from about 0.20 to about 0.24. The present invention also provides a method for reducing the trim height of can bodies formed using a can tooling apparatus.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for separating components of liquids in industrial processes for cleaning of articles. The process is directed toward a terpene-based cleaning system including washing and rinsing of contaminated articles and which further includes separating components of used wash and/or rinse solutions into component parts so that terpene components of the solutions can be recycled for further washing and the water component of the solutions can be purified and recycled for rinsing. The method can include filtering a stream directly from the wash solution to avoid fouling of the filter. The method also includes using a cross flow filter having a pore size of between about 50 .ANG. and about 7,500 .ANG. to effectively separate water from remaining components of the contaminated wash solution.

Abstract: Disclosed is a composition and process for cleaning articles contaminated with water insoluble contaminants. The process allows for efficient recycling of components in the system. The wash solution effectively cleans water insoluble contaminants and, upon settling, quickly releases contaminants from the wash solution. In this manner, the wash solution and components of it can be readily recycled. The composition of the present invention includes between about 1.86 volume percent and about 37.2 volume percent terpene, preferably d-limonene, and between about 0.14 volume percent and about 2.8 volume percent surfactant.

Abstract: A method for finishing metal surfaces, especially that of metal containers, using a cleaning agent having a substantially neutral pH is provided. In one embodiment of the invention lubricants and coolants used during container forming processes are cleaned from the surface of metal containers by using a terpene cleaning agent comprising d-limonene, alpha-terpineol, beta-terpineol, alpha-pinene, beta-pinene, alcohols of such agents or mixtures thereof. Surfactants may also be used to aid in the cleaning process. The organic component of the cleaning agent, as well as lubricants, coolants and aqueous components, are separated for recycling and re-use. Cleaning metal surfaces according to the method of the present invention has many attendant advantages including decreased roughness and increased reflectivity of metal surfaces, increased mobility on a container production line, and reduced amounts of paint, overcoat and internal coat required to decorate metal surfaces.

Abstract: A non-caustic oven cleaner comprising a terpene is provided. The terpene is most preferably d-limonene. The oven cleaner further comprises effective amounts of a cleaning surfactant, a foaming agent, a stabilizer, a wetting agent and a viscosity agent. Said oven cleaner is produced by separately pre-mixing the oil phase components and the water phase components and then mixing the oil phase into the water phase. A method for safely cleaning oven residue is provided, comprising heating the oven, contacting the oven cleaner to the interior surfaces of the oven for a specified amount of time, and further rinsing said oven cleaner from the interior surfaces of the oven.

Abstract: A plastic shipping platform formed from a unitary sheet of plastic material having a length, a width and a thickness and provided with a plurality of spaced apart widthwise extending fold lines, integral support support columns and cut-out portions so that the unitary sheet may be folded around the fold lines and superposed portions may be secured together to form a plastic shipping platform having a length, a width and a height.

Abstract: A joint for connecting a driving member having an end surface to a driven member having an end surface wherein a solid, deformable, non-compressible material is located therebetween and associated therewith to provide a space to permit limited relative movement therebetween so that when a force is applied to the driving member to move the driving member toward the driven member, the solid, deformable, non-compressible material deforms to compensate for any misalignment between the driving member and the driven member until it fills the space and the non-compressible characteristic thereof operates so that a uniform force is then transmitted across the end surface of the driven member to move the driven member.

Abstract: Flow control apparatus is provided for reducing the pressure on a liquid as it flows from a container where it is maintained at a relatively high pressure to a dispensing valve member where the liquid is dispensed at a relatively low pressure wherein the flow control apparatus comprises a hollow housing, a hollow core member and a flow regulator which are assembled to be in a relatively fixed relationship and to provide a gradually increasing cross-sectional area between the flow regulator and the hollow core member and the hollow housing to reduce the pressure on the liquid. Also, closure members are disclosed and have displaceable sealing portions that may be displaced by a displacing member when attaching a dispensing valve to the container so that the liquid may be displaced from the container.