Abstract: Sucrose or derivatives thereof such as esters are acylated at the 4'- and/or the 6- position by reaction with a donor acyl ester, e.g. a reactive ester of an alkanoic acid or benzoic acid, in the presence of lipase. Sucrose 6,4' so produced can be chlorinated and deacylated to produce the sweetener sucralose.

Abstract: Sucrose derivatives partially acylated in each ring can be obtained by treating a fully or partially acylated sucrose derivative with an enzyme having sucrose esterase activity capable of removing at least one acyl group from each ring, generally comprising or being a component of a lipase, esterase, amylase, .alpha.-galactosidase or protease preparation, the enzyme treatment being effected in an aqueous system. Sucralose can be obtained by using this method to obtain a sucrose 2,3,6,3',4'-penta ester which can then be chlorinated and de-esterfied. Some of the penta acetates, tetraacetates and mixed acetates/butyrates are new compounds.

Abstract: A process for the chlorination of sucrose or a derivative thereof, comprises reaction of the sucrose or derivative thereof with thionyl chloride and a nitrogen base at a ratio of about 1 molar equivalent (ME) of thionyl chloride and about 1 ME of base for every ME of free hydroxyl, in a non-reactive moderately polar solvent. The process is particularly suitable for the preparation of sucralose.

Abstract: Sucrose or derivatives thereof such as esters are acylated at the 4'- and/or the 6-position by reaction with a donor acyl ester, e.g. a reactive ester of an alkanoic acid or benzoic acid, in the presence of lipase. Sucrose 6,4'-diesters so produced can be chlorinated and deacylated to produce the sweetener sucralose.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of controlling the flow of a fluid is disclosed which includes a frame having first and second opposite sides, a plurality of flexible hollow tubular shaped elements positioned so as to extend between the first and second sides of the frame, and a mechanism connected to at least the first side of the frame for compressing opposite lateral edges of the first and second sheets of the flexible elements towards and away from one another so as to flex the first and second sheets of each of the flexible elements towards and away from each other and thus adjust fluid flow spacings between neighboring flexible elements. The method of controlling the flow of the gas includes the step of flowing the fluid between neighboring hollow tubular elements and biasing the first and second splines towards one another so as to flex the sheets of the tubular elements away from one another and towards neighboring tubular elements so as to adjust the opening between the neighboring tubular elements.

Abstract: Access flooring of the kind which includes floor panels carried in spaced relationship above a floor substrate by a support mechanism, having a single fastening member which acts to clamp adjacent parts of a plurality of the floor panels to a single element of said support mechanism.

Abstract: A sweetener comprises hollow spheroids or part spheroids of microcrystalline sucrose, generally bound to crystals of sucrose, and preferably containing one or more high intensity sweeteners such as sucralose. The sweetener is prepared by spray drying a sucrose syrup with simultaneous injection of an inert pressurized gas and, generally, contacting the sprayed syrup during the spray drying step and/or after completion of said step, with crystals of sucrose, and preferably by incorporating a high intensity sweetener in the syrup or in the agglomeration step.

Abstract: Container structure provided at the bottom, on its front and back side, with small beams and with beams mounted in a lateral direction, whereby at least on the neighborhood of twistlocks, which are provided on four corners of a container, at least on small cross-beams, a reinforcement profile is provided, whereby said reinforcement profile is substituted by a buffer block, which at the under side and following a vertical cross-section, has at least one inclined plane, in such a manner that by a setting down of a container on another container, said twistlock of a container slides along said inclined plane of said container to be set down without deforming said inclined plane.

Abstract: Sugars and partly protected sugar derivatives are chlorinated by reaction of unprotected hydroxyl groups with thionyl chloride to form a persulphite followed by decomposition of the sulphite groups to form chlorosulphites, displacement of the chlorosulphite groups and insertion of chlorine atoms at one or more positions, characterised in that formation and displacement of the chlorosulphite groups and insertion of chlorine atoms is effected by reaction with thionyl chloride in an inert solvent in the presence of a quaternary salt of the general formula:N.sup.+ R.sup.1 R.sup.2 R.sup.3 R.sup.4 Cl.sup.- (I)wherein R.sup.1, R.sup.2 and R.sup.3, which may be the same or different, each represent a lower alkyl group, and R.sup.

Abstract: A method of lining a pipe comprises the steps of laying hose means along the bottom of a pipe to be lined, the hose means having been filled with a predetermined quantity of settable lining composition, anchoring the hose means at each end along the bottom of the pipe, advancing a centrifugal lining machine along the length of the hose means, slitting the hose means in front of the advancing centrifugal lining machine to permit egress of the lining composition from the hose means, and delivering the admixed settable composition to a centrifugal impellor of the centrifugal lining machine for application of the settable composition to the pipe wall as the centrifugal lining machine advances along the pipe. The method is characterised by the step of guiding the slit and emptied hose means through an axial bore in the centrifugal lining machine to lie in a flattened condition on the bottom of the lined pipe wall rearwardly of the centrifugal lining machine.

Abstract: Disclosed is a panel which includes a pan having at least one side member with an upper edge portion, the pan having contained therein a fluid based cementitious material pressed for removal of water while within the pan, and at least one trim member attached to the upper edge portion of the side member of the pan, the trim member undergoing telescoping action upon pressing of the material in the pan so as to be rigidly secured to the upper edge portion of the side member of the pan. Also disclosed is an apparatus and process for production of the pan.

Abstract: A sweetener concentrate containing sucralose and having improved thermal stability comprises particles of substantially non-crystalline sucralose dispersed evenly throughout, and adhering to, a water soluble oligosaccharide, the concentrate containing between about 20% and 80% sucralose on a dry weight basis. The oligosaccharide is preferably a glucose oligosaccharide such as maltodextrin. The concentrate can be prepared by forming a co-solution of the sucralose and oligosaccharide in water which is then dried. Other ingredients such as other high intensity sweeteners and flavorings may also be included.

Abstract: 2,3,4,3',4'-penta-O-acetyl sucrose (4-PAS), a key intermediate in the preparation of sucralose, is prepared by the selective removal of trityl groups from 6,1', 6'-tri-O-trityl-penta-O-acetyl sucrose (TRISPA) in which a catalytic amount of an aralkyl chloride or hydrogen chloride is added to a solution of TRISPA is an inert organic solvent is hydrogenated in the presence of a hydrogenolysis catalyst such a platinum or palladium.

Abstract: Crystalline sucralose having a mean particle size of at most 10 microns, the maximum particle size being no more than twice the mean, exhibits enhanced stability to heat. Preferably the sucralose has a mean particle size of at most 5 microns and a maximum particle size of at most 10 microns. A method of enhancing the thermal stability of crystalline sucralose comprises jet milling the sucralose to reduce the particle size, and render the size distribution such that the maximum size is no more than twice the mean.

Abstract: Beverages such as carbonated, acid-pH soft drinks and tea and coffee, can be sweetened with a combination of two components: 1, a chlorosucrose sweetener such as sucralose 2, cyclamate, either alone or together with one or two other low-calorie sweeteners, the sweetness contribution by the two components being from 90%:10% to 10%:90% respectively, the percentage of sweetness provided by the cyclamate in component 2 being from 30 to 100%.

Abstract: A camera has a lens that has a field of view and a film pack for positioning film for exposure substantially along a focal plane of the lens. A screen is positioned to block a portion of the field of view of the lens. The camera also has a flash unit for illuminating the screen during film exposure whereby light from the field of view may be directed by the lens to one portion of film positioned along the focal plane and light from the screen directed to a second portion of the film.

Abstract: Sucrose 6-acylates, key intermediates in the preparation of sucralose, can be prepared by subjecting a sucrose alkyl 4,6-orthoacylate to mild aqueous acidic hydrolysis to provide a mixture of sucrose 4- and 6-acylates and then treating the mixture with a base to convert the 4- acylate to the 6-acylate.The novel sucrose alkyl 4,6-orthoacylates are prepared by reacting sucrose in solution or suspension in an inert organic solvent with a trialkyl orthoacrylate in the presence of an acid catalyst.

Abstract: A pallet includes a symmetrical structure of two pallet sections, which enable the pallet to assume an erected or collapsed position without disassembly. When the pallet sections are attached to form a symmetrical pallet structure, the pallet structure is collapsible into a V-shaped configuration.

Abstract: Low-calorie, carbonated acid-pH beverages such as cola can be sweetened with a combination of a chlorosucrose sweetener and a peptide sweetener in a ratio of respective sweetness contribution of from 40:60 to 72:28 to produce a product which closely resembles a sugar-sweetened beverage.

Abstract: Compounds of the general formula (I) are potent sweeteners, especially 4,1',6'-tribromo-4,1',6'-trideoxygalactosucrose: ##STR1## in which R' represents a chlorine or bromine atom;R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 respectively represent a hydroxy group and a hydrogen atom or a hydrogen atom and a chlorine or bromine atom;R.sup.4 represents a chlorine or bromine atom; at least one of R', R.sup.3 and R.sup.4 representing a bromine atom.