Abstract: Aqueous suspensions of uncooked starch are stabilized by adding to the suspension a minor amount of a hydrophilic polymeric viscosity-increasing agent effective to prevent dilatancy and to increase the viscosity of the suspension so that settlement of starch particles during storage and transportation is substantially prevented. The hydrophilic polymeric viscosity-increasing agent is such that in a 0.5% by weight aqueous dispersion or solution thereof (based on the total weight of the dispersion or solution) at 20.degree. C. the shear stress at a shear rate of 1.0 reciprocal second is greater than 5 dynes/cm.sup.2 and the shear stress at a shear rate of 1000 reciprocal seconds is less than 250 dynes/cm.sup.2. The preferred viscosity-increasing agent is xanthan gum and the suspension may also contain a water-soluble film-forming polymer. The suspensions find use in the manufacture of paper and board.

Abstract: Apparatus for producing a spray of particles includes a shroud for restricting the spray produced by an atomizer, leaving a restricted arc or arcs over which particles can be ejected from the apparatus. The shroud includes at least one shielding element comprising an array of bristles. Each array of bristles can be carried by a flexible elongate element so that the form and extent of the array can be adjusted. The atomizer can be a rotary atomizer.