Abstract: An improved process for producing titanium dioxide wherein gaseous titanium tetrachloride and oxygen are reacted at a high temperature to produce particulate solid titanium dioxide and gaseous reaction products is provided. The titanium dioxide and gaseous reaction products are cooled by passing them through a tubular heat exchanger along with a scouring medium for removing deposits from the inside surfaces of the tubular heat exchanger. By this invention, the particulate scouring medium, the particulate titanium dioxide and the gaseous reaction products are caused to follow a spiral path as they flow through the tubular heat exchanger whereby the scouring medium more thoroughly removes the deposits and the titanium dioxide and gaseous reaction products are cooled more efficiently.

Abstract: A process for removing dissolved uranium from water is provided. The process basically comprises (a) mixing phosphoric acid or particulate bone ash with the water, (b) mixing calcium hydroxide with the mixture produced in step (a) to thereby form calcium hydroxy phosphate or calcium hydroxy apatite which reacts with and complexes at least a portion of the uranium in the water to form a precipitate thereof, and (c) separating the precipitate from the water.

Abstract: Methods of extracting liquid hydrocarbon contaminants from underground zones are provided. The methods are basically comprised of the steps of introducing a hot purge gas into an underground zone containing a pool of liquid hydrocarbon contaminants whereby light liquid hydrocarbons in and around the pool are evaporated and dense liquid hydrocarbons in the pool are evaporated to some extent, charred, auto-ignited and combusted, and removing the hot purge gas, the evaporated light liquid hydrocarbons and combustion gases from the combustion of the dense liquid hydrocarbons in the zone.

Abstract: A composition for use as a dental impression material including a polymerizable resin consisting of oligomers or polymers functionalized with groups curable by ring opening metathesis polymerization. These oligomers or polymers are end-capped and/or tethered with said functional groups. The composition also includes a ruthenium carbene complex catalyst, whereby the catalyst initiates ring-opening metathesis polymerization of the composition. The invention includes a paste/paste system in which a base paste includes the polymerizable oligomer or polymer and an inorganic dental filler system and in which a catalyst paste includes the catalyst dissolved in an inert solvent and an inorganic dental filler system.

Abstract: The present invention provides a resin-based dental restorative that exhibits high condensability, low volumetric shrinkage and low shrinkage stress. To this end, one or more of a rheological modifier, dispersant and fluorocopolymer are mixed with a methacrylate resin and a fine mineral filler in amounts effective to improve the condensability of the resulting composite to achieve amalgam-like condensation, to reduce the volumetric shrinkage during polymerization, to improve wear resistance, and to provide a composite with generally improved physical properties.

Abstract: The present invention provides a resin-based dental restorative that exhibits high condensability, low volumetric shrinkage and low shrinkage stress. To this end, one or more of a rheological modifier, dispersant and fluorocopolymer are mixed with a methacrylate resin and a fine mineral filler in amounts effective to improve the condensability of the resulting composite to achieve amalgam-like condensation, to reduce the volumetric shrinkage to less than about 2% during polymerization, to improve wear resistance, and to provide a composite with generally improved physical properties.

Abstract: A tamper indicating closure according to the present invention includes a top wall and a skirt depending from the top wall. A tamper indicating band is connected to the skirt along a frangible line. The tamper indicating band includes a ring and at least one tab, the at least one tab having a bi-stable geometric shape. In particular, the tab includes a pair of extending members angled toward one another and connected by a transverse member. The shape of the tab allows it to be molded in a downward orientation and later folded to a stable, upward orientation without reheating or otherwise resetting the tab.

Abstract: A child resistant closure and container having a lid base recess. A closure includes an annular inner member defining an opening, the inner member having a camming recess. The closure also includes an outer member engageable with the inner member, the outer member including a lid base, a lid hingably connected to the lid base, and an annular guard ring surrounding the lid and lid base. The annular guard ring is frangibly connected to at least one of the lid and lid base, preferably along a frangible line formed by a plurality of bridges. The outer member can be formed integrally as one piece. When the inner member and outer member are joined, the guard ring preferably separates from the lid and lid base, and the lid base is at least partially retained within the camming recess. Once separated from the lid and lid base, the guard ring is movable between a guarding position in which it obstructs access to the lid, and a revealing position in which the lid can be rotated or lifted upward, away from the opening.

Abstract: In one aspect of the invention, a dental amalgam capsule includes a body, a cap, a dental amalgam alloy, and mercury. In further detail, the body has a hollow interior with an open first end which includes an opening surrounded by an end wall. The cap has a hollow interior with an open first end and an interior surface. The interior surface includes an annular recess disposed about a longitudinal axis of the cap, with the annular recess including a sealing surface angled at less than 90 degrees relative to the longitudinal axis. The sealing surface is capable of contacting at least a portion of the end wall, thereby forming a seal with the end wall.

Abstract: A polymerizable monophosphate ester dispersant, a highly-filled nonaqueous suspension containing the polymerizable monophosphate ester dispersant, and a method for forming cured articles by copolymerization of the resin matrix and dispersant in the suspension. Inclusion of the dispersant in a suspension of resin and solid particulate material enables an increase in the solid loading, which results in reduced shrinkage, a lower coefficient of thermal expansion and generally improved physical properties in an article cured therefrom.

Abstract: A child-resistant closure container system allowing easy opening by debilitated adults. The closure has moveable panels on the side wall which, when depressed, allow the unscrewing of the closure from the neck of the jar or vial. The moveable panels include gabs engaging stationary locking lugs on the neck finish annulus, which prevent removal of the closure without depressing the tabs. The annulus and stationary locking lugs can be an integral part of the jar or vial.

Abstract: In one aspect of the invention, a dental amalgam capsule includes a body, a cap, a dental amalgam alloy, and mercury. In further detail, the body has a hollow interior with an open first end which includes an opening surrounded by an end wall. The cap has a hollow interior with an open first end and an interior surface. The interior surface includes an annular recess disposed about a longitudinal axis of the cap, with the annular recess including a sealing surface angled at less than 90 degrees relative to the longitudinal axis. The sealing surface is capable of contacting at least a portion of the end wall, thereby forming a seal with the end wall.

Abstract: A two part composition for sealing and/or filling root canals. One or more elastomeric (meth)acrylate oligomers are mixed with one or more diluent comonomers, one or more radiopaque fillers and one or more polymerization initiator systems. One or more antimicrobial agents may also be included in the composition. The components are mixed, undergo a setting reaction and are subsequently cured. In use, the composition is easily removed from the tooth structure if rework is needed, yet provides a tight and effective seal in the root canal. The composition also has a desirable flowable consistency and exhibits good adhesiveness with a tooth substrate.

Abstract: Processes for reacting high flow rates of one or more gaseous reactants in tubular reactors. The improved processes allow such reactions to be carried out with a low pressure drop across the reactor and without excessive erosion due to solid particles carried with or picked up by the gaseous reactants. A process of this invention is basically comprised of the steps of swirling a gaseous reactant which may contain or pick up solid particles in a first annular plenum chamber followed by a second larger diameter annular plenum chamber and then introducing the gaseous reactant and solid particles into a reactor by way of two or more radial slots whereby the gaseous reactant and solid particles are caused to flow into the reactor and are uniformly distributed therein.

Abstract: A dental syringe tip for use with a hand-piece of an air-water syringe to deliver air and water to a mouth of patient. The syringe has air and water conduits for delivering air and water to a discharge end of the hand-piece. The dental syringe tip includes a single unitary tube releasably engageable with the discharge end of the hand-piece. The tube has a fluid passageway extending from an intake port at an intake end of the tube for fluid communication with the air and water conduits of the hand-piece. In addition, the tube has a discharge port at a discharge end of the tube for delivering at least one of the air and water through the passageway to the mouth of the patient. The intake end of the tube is shaped and constructed to enable air and water flow through the air and water conduits when at least a portion of the intake end of the tube engages the discharge end of the hand-piece.

Abstract: The present invention provides a resin-based dental restorative that exhibits low volumetric shrinkage, high filler loading and the high strength required for load bearing restorations, yet maintains a glossy appearance, even after substantial wear. To this end, a dispersant is mixed with a methacrylate resin and a structural filler having a mean particle size between about 0.05 &mgr;m and about 0.50 &mgr;m. The composite is useful in stress bearing restorations and in cosmetic restorations. The structural filler used is typically ground to a mean particle size of less than 0.5 &mgr;m and also includes a microfill having a mean particle size less than 0.05 &mgr;m to improve handling and mechanical characteristics. The preferred dental composites maintain their surface finish even after substantial use and also have the strength properties of hybrid composite resins.

Abstract: Methods of placing off-shore wells on production comprising the steps of separating a gas from oil or oil and water produced by the well, introducing the gas into the seawater surrounding the well at a depth where the temperature and pressure of the seawater are such that solid gas hydrates are formed when the gas is mixed with the seawater, mixing the gas with the seawater whereby the gas is converted to solid gas hydrates and depositing the solid gas hydrates on the sea floor.

Abstract: Intercalation compositions having spinel structures with crystallites of metal oxides (M2O3) dispersed throughout the structure are provided having the general formula Li1+xMyMn2−x−yO4. Methods of producing the intercalation compositions and rechargeable lithium batteries containing the compositions are also provided.

Abstract: There is provided a resin-containing dental composite including a dispersed phase, reinforcing, translucent filler having about 25-80% by volume of the filler particles in the particle size range from about 0.2 &mgr;m to about 0.6 &mgr;m whereby the composite has a self-opalescing quality. Without the addition of opalescence-imparting pigments, a dental restorative composite is provided that displays opalescence to the visible eye, which gives the restoration the appearance of a vital, natural tooth. Preferably, the refractive indices of the resin and the translucent filler are the same or substantially similar, both advantageously being within the range of 1.45-1.60. Further, to prevent the opal effect from being masked, the dental restorative composite advantageously comprises less than 0.0021% by weight yellow hue pigments such that the composite formulation is relatively colorless.

Abstract: The present invention provides improved cathode material comprised of electrolytic manganese dioxide having high discharge capacity at high discharge rates and methods of producing such electrolytic manganese dioxide by electrolysis in an electrolytic cell. The methods are basically comprised of maintaining a heated high purity aqueous electrolyte solution comprising sulfuric acid and manganese sulfate in the electrolytic cell, the manganese sulfate being present in the solution whereby it contains in the range of from about 5 to about 50 grams of manganese per liter of solution. An electric current is applied to the electrodes of the electrolytic cell whereby the anodic electrode current density is in the range of from about 2.5 to about 6 amperes per square foot.