Abstract: A method for manufacturing Li.sub.2 M.sub.b Mn.sub.2-b O.sub.4 comprising the steps of providing LiM.sub.b Mn.sub.2-b O.sub.4 ; providing a source of lithium; dissolving lithium from the lithium source in a liquid medium in which lithium generates solvated electrons or the reduced form of an electron-transfer catalyst; and contacting the LiM.sub.b Mn.sub.2-b O.sub.4 with the liquid medium containing the dissolved lithium and the solvated electrons or the reduced form of the electron-transfer catalyst, wherein M is selected from the group Al, Ti, V, Cr, Fe, Co, Ni, and Cu.

Abstract: A process for producing a conductive, fluorine-doped titanium dioxide product which is doped throughout, said process comprising the steps of: (a) reacting the precursors in a system to form fluorine-doped TiO.sub.2, said precursors consisting essentially of a titanium alkoxide and a fluorine source; (b) reducing the fluorine-doped titanium dioxide product at a temperature sufficient to form said conductive, fluorine-doped titanium dioxide product; and (c) recovering the reduced product.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing Li.sub.2 Mn.sub.2 O.sub.4 which comprises the steps of providing LiMn.sub.2 O.sub.4 ; providing a lithium salt; forming a solution or suspension of the LiMn.sub.2 O.sub.4 and lithium salt in a liquid medium; and adding a reducing agent to the solution or suspension.

Abstract: A process of converting high molecular hydrocarbon feedstock into lower molecular weight components in the presence of a homogenous catalysis system is disclosed. The catalysis system comprises a catalyst complex formed by the interaction of a metal halide-type Lewis acid, a protic Bronsted acid or Bronsted acid donor and a fluid hydrocarbon selected from a C.sub.2 -C.sub.14 alkane dissolved in a fluid hydrocarbon. The homogeneous catalysis system can be produced as a liquid phase or a supercritical fluid solution. The process is especially useful where the hydrocarbon feedstock consists of deasphalted oil or mixed paraffins. The hydrocrackate, especially that derived from paraffin feedstocks, has a carbon number distribution equivalent to that of the fluid hydrocarbon of the catalyst complex.

Abstract: A closure has a stay-open lid. A nib on the lid, which frictionally engages the walls of a void on the base, allows the lid to stay-open unless forcibly closed by the user.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing TiO.sub.2 by reacting O.sub.2 and TiCl.sub.4 in a reactor tube wherein pressure fluctuations in the flow of fluids through the reactor tube are sensed and output signals are generated proportional to the sensed pressure fluctuations. The flow of at least one of the TiCl.sub.4 or O.sub.2 is then varied through the reactor tube in response to predetermined pressure fluctuations so as to increase the efficiency of the reaction between TiCl.sub.4 and the O.sub.2. The efficiency of the reaction between O.sub.2 and TiCl.sub.4 in the reactor tube is achieved by a control apparatus operably connected to the reactor assembly which is capable of monitoring pressure fluctuations in TCl.sub.4 and O.sub.2 through the reactor assembly so that the flow of at least one of the TiCl.sub.4 or O.sub.2 can be varied in response to predetermined pressure fluctuations. The control apparatus includes a sensor assembly, a signal conditioning unit and a signal processing unit.

Abstract: Improved methods and polymer compositions are provided whereby ultraviolet radiation degradation of substrates formed of the compositions is attenuated.In accordance with the invention, ultraviolet scattering and absorbing particles having a particle size in the range of from about 0.001 micrometer to about 0.20 micrometer in diameter are dispersed in at least a surface layer of a polymer substrate.

Abstract: Thermoplastic concentrates comprising inorganic pigments, such as titanium dioxide, treated with a partial ester polyol and unsaturated monocarboxylic acid treating agent, of the formula R(OH).sub.x COOR', wherein R is an alkyl or aryl radical containing from about 2 to about 20 carbon atoms, R' is an unsaturated alkyl radical containing from about 6 to about 20 carbon atoms, and x is a number from about 2 to about 6, are disclosed. Such treatment improves the dispersibility of the pigments in thermoplastic resins. The treatment also enables the production of thermoplastic concentrates comprising a high percentage of treated inorganic pigment dispersed in a thermoplastic resin.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing TiO.sub.2 by reacting O.sub.2 and TICl.sub.4 in a reactor tube wherein pressure fluctuations in the flow of fluids through the reactor tube are sensed and output signals are generated proportional to the sensed pressure fluctuations. The flow of at least one of the TiCl.sub.4 or O.sub.2 is then varied through the reactor tube in response to predetermined pressure fluctuations so as to increase the efficiency of the reaction between TiCl.sub.4 and the O.sub.2. The efficiency of the reaction between O.sub.2 and TiCl.sub.4 in the reactor tube is achieved by a control apparatus operably connected to the reactor assembly which is capable of monitoring pressure fluctuations in TCl.sub.4 and O.sub.2 through the reactor assembly so that the flow of at least one of the TiCl.sub.4 or O.sub.2 can be varied in response to predetermined pressure fluctuations. The control apparatus includes a sensor assembly, a signal conditioning unit and a signal processing unit.

Abstract: A method for milling a powder in a high energy mill which includes steps of forming a milling slurry including a naturally occurring zirconium silicate sand grinding medium having a density in the range of from about 4 g/cc absolute to about 6 g/cc absolute. Also provided is a grinding medium including naturally occurring zirconium silicate sand characterized by a density in the range of from about 4 g/cc absolute to about 6 g/cc absolute.

Abstract: A discrete catalyst and processes for the alkylation of isoalkanes with alkenes under homogenous fluid conditions. The catalyst is formed by contacting, under fluid conditions, a homogenous fluid containing a paraffin hydrocarbon having from 4 to 12 carbon atoms with a Lewis acid/protic Bronsted acid pair to produce a discrete catalytic complex that is soluble in the fluid. The discrete catalyst is the reaction product of the acid pair and alkanes and includes hydrocarbon ligands of limited chain length rendering it soluble in the fluid. The catalyst is active for the alkylation of isoalkanes, under homogenous fluid conditions.

Abstract: A method for producing a milled powder including imparting an electrostatic charge to the starting powder and milling the electrostatically charged starting powder is provided.

Abstract: Improved methods and polymer compositions are provided whereby ultraviolet radiation degradation of substrates formed of the compositions is attenuated. In accordance with the invention, ultraviolet scattering and absorbing particles having a particle size in the range of from about 0.001 micrometer to about 0.20 micrometer in diameter are dispersed in at least a surface layer of a polymer substrate.

Abstract: A rail-tie fastening assembly for fastening a rail to a concrete tie comprising a rail seat assembly and a rail anchor. The rail seat assembly includes a rail seat basin and a rail seat wherein the rail seat is disposed in the rail seat basin and bonded thereto with an elastomeric material having a void formed therein between the bottom of the rail seat and the bottom of the rail seat basin so as to produce a shear spring which transfers applied vertical load from the rail to the tie. The rail seat assembly is embedded in the tie and the rail anchor is adapted to engage a portion of the rail and to interlock with the rail seat assembly so as to cooperate with the rail seat assembly to fasten the rail to the tie.

Abstract: A rail-tie fastening assembly for fastening a rail to a concrete tie comprising a rail seat assembly and a rail anchor. The rail seat assembly includes a rail seat basin and a rail seat wherein the rail seat is disposed in the rail seat basin and bonded thereto with an elastomeric material having a void formed therein between the bottom of the rail seat and the bottom of the rail seat basin so as to produce a shear spring which transfers applied vertical load from the rail to the tie. The rail seat assembly is embedded in the tie and the rail anchor is adapted to engage a portion of the rail and to interlock with the rail seat assembly so as to cooperate with the rail seat assembly to fasten the rail to the tie.

Abstract: To provide a therapeutic dose of an aqueous slurry of activated charcoal to a poisoning victim, an opaque straw is coated internally with a viscous flavoring solution and the slurry is sucked up from an opaque container using the straw. The use of natural and/or artificial sweeteners in the slurry masks the gritty particles and improves the taste.

Abstract: The ladder system is located adjacent the front face of a storage rack. The ladder is carried by a cantilever supported carriage assembly. The ladder may move longitudinally along the front face of the storage rack and may also be moved laterally in a direction extending perpendicular to the front face of the storage rack. The carriage assembly includes a horizontal ladder support track upon which the ladder is mounted by means of two sets of rollers. With such a construction, the ladder may pivot about the support track to avoid obstructions in the aisle or projecting from the storage rack. In this way, a user can quickly and easily position the ladder at any position along the storage rack for accessing items stored on the shelves. This ladder system is particularly useful in crowded warehouse-type retail outlets which are now in popular use across the United States of America.

Abstract: A device for measuring a powdered or granular product includes a product receptacle having an open end, a side wall surrounding the open end and a sealing member disposed opposite the open end and coupled to the side wall. The side wall is coupled to the sealing member so that product received in the receptacle can leave the receptacle only through the open end. The device further includes a handle extending, a first end of which is coupled to the side wall so that a consumer of the product may rotate the handle from an initial position for packing the measuring device and the product into the package to a measuring position for measuring desired quantities of the product. When in the initial position, the handle extends from the side wall substantially parallel to the first direction and, when in the measuring position, the handle extends away from the side wall in a direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction.

Abstract: A closure including an improved hinge includes a cap member selectively coupleable to a container to cover an opening in the container. The cap member includes a first substantially planar member, a depending skirt and an aperture formed through the first substantially planar member. A solid member integrally formed with the cap member projects out of the first substantially planar member. The solid member includes an upper surface and two opposed side surfaces, with each of the opposed side surfaces having an indentation formed therein. The closure further includes a flip top having a plug wherein, when the flip top is in a closed position, the plug seals the aperture formed in the first substantially planar member and the flip top covers substantially all of the first planar member, wherein the flip top includes a cut-out area to accommodate the solid member so that, when the flip top is in the closed position, the flip top and the upper surface of the solid member form a substantially continuous surface.

Abstract: A method of preconditioning manganese dioxide for use in a rechargeable alkaline electrochemical cell. The method includes the step of contacting unreduced manganese dioxide (e.g., electrolytic manganese dioxide) with a solution of hydroquinone in an environment having a pH greater than or equal to 5 that is essentially free of dissolved oxygen to partially reduce the unreduced manganese dioxide to manganese dioxide generally represented by the formulaMnO.sub.xwherein x is between about 1.80 and about 1.92. Partially reducing the manganese dioxide to an oxidation state in this range before the cell is finally assembled and sealed lessens the degree by which the capacity of the cell is decreased as the cell is cycled and improves the overall performance of the cell.