Abstract: A pump primarily intended for incorporation in a dip-tube sprayer includes a hollow piston slidable in a cylinder which communicates with an outlet tube. The piston defines a seat for a valve which in the inoperative condition prevents communication between the cylinder and the outlet or delivery tube. The piston has the form of a shallow cup and is not totally covered by the valve when seated. One or more bleeds are provided in the part of the piston covered by the valve.

Abstract: After a first extraction of an aqueous nitric acid solution of spent nuclear fuel by a suitable organic solvent and a first washing of the resulting organic phase by an aqueous solution to remove tritiated water, the organic phase is submitted to a second washing with a volume of dilute aqueous solution of nitric acid free from tritium, said volume being substantially smaller than that of the organic phase, whereby the organic phase is rendered substantially tritium-free and contamination by tritium in the following stages of the process is avoided.

Abstract: A telephone simulator includes a plurality of pseudo subscriber circuits connected to subscriber lines. A plurality of pseudo junctors are connected to trunk lines. A number of detector circuits respond to line conditions, tones, circuit operations, data processing, and the like. A data processor uses these equipments to check incoming and outgoing calls to and from a public telephone network.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of zeaxanthin which comprises culturing a microorganism of the genus Flavobacter producing this pigment, in a nutrient medium containing at least one carbohydrate as assimilable carbon source, at least one source of assimilable amino nitrogen containing free amino acids, mineral salts, oligoelements and vitamins, the spectrum of amino acids of the medium being modified by increasing the content in the medium of at least one of the sulphur-containing amino acids methionine, cystine and cysteine, in relation to the content in the medium of other amino acids, whilst limiting the quantity of the sulphur-containing amino acid added to the medium to a value not exceeding 1 mg/ml, and continuing culturing until a substantial quantity of intracellular zeaxanthin has been obtained.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of zeaxanthin which comprises culturing a microorganism of the genus Flavobacter producing this pigment in a nutrient medium containing at least one carbohydrate as assimilable carbon source, at least one source of assimilable amino nitrogen containing free amino acids, mineral salts, oligoelements and vitamins, the composition of the medium being modified by adding pyridoxine to it, and continuing culturing until a substantial quantity of intracellular zeaxanthin has been obtained.

Abstract: This invention relates to an improved process for the preparation of cold-water soluble tea products wherein tea tannins which have been partially oxidized to improve their solubility are contacted with native tea tannins. The admixture of oxidized and native tannins is permitted to equilibrate until the desired final color is obtained, and thereafter the unoxidized tannins are precipitated so as to leave a clear aqueous solution useful for the preparation of instant tea products.

Abstract: A probe mounting apparatus adapted for use in the deep fat frying of French fries, fish, chicken and the like, wherein the length of cooking time is to be calculated by a timing computer responsive to the temperature of a predetermined portion of the cooking medium as sensed by a probe assembly including a stiff sleeve formed of a smooth surfaced metal and containing a temperature sensing element at its end. The probe assembly is repeatably and accurately attached to the fryer and immersed with its sensory element in a precise location in the cooking medium by means of a mounting apparatus comprising: a mounting block fixedly attached in a predetermined location on the fryer and having an opening therein, such as a slot, arranged to receive the probe sleeve and to define the position of the probe's longitudinal axis in the cooking medium.

Abstract: A toss-type flying device which can be easily assembled from a pair of rectangular strips of material, two rubber bands, and an ordinary drinking straw. The pair of rectangular strips are manually formed into circular aerodynamic members, which are attached to either end of the drinking straw by the rubber bands. It is contemplated that the rectangular strips and rubber bands will be furnished as a premium to a customer purchasing a soft drink with a straw, such that the customer can readily and manually construct the toy flying device.

Abstract: A process for agglomerating a powdered product comprises contacting the product with a current of steam and with a gaseous fluid the temperature of which is lower than the temperature of the steam. An apparatus for carrying out the process is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for producing cores and foundry moulds.The method is characterized in that foundry sand, a binder, and a low temperature reaction agent are mixed in a controlled atmosphere, and in that the mixture is maintained under these low temperature and controlled atmosphere conditions until it is introduced into the core box, the temperature and atmospheric control are then eliminated and the temperature raised slightly if necessary.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method and apparatus for the continuous production of link-chains comprising alternate inner links and outer links, two inner links being connected by an outer link, each inner link being formed by a lower plate and by an upper plate, each of which is provided with two coaxial holes receiving a bush carrying a freely rotatable roller, each outer link comprising a lower plate and an upper plate joined by two pins inserted to pass through the corresponding bush of the inner link, to which the outer link is connected.

Abstract: An atomiser having a tapered pump chamber in which a valved lipped piston is slidably mounted, the piston being compressed radially inwardly by the tapered pump chamber to ensure a tight seal between the valve and its valve seat.

Abstract: A patient-lifting stretcher comprises a movable flexible frame formed of two closed longitudinal slideways between which there are movably mounted two parallel support sheets staggered with respect to each other which have one end in common provided with a reversing roller and two separate ends each having a reversing roller. Over these rollers and sheets there slide two cloths whose common end is connected to a fixed point and whose other ends, after passing over the rollers, are each firmly connected with a separate fixed point so that when the stretcher is displaced, one of the cloths moves under the body of the patient while the other, below this one, moves over the mattress or other surface which has until then directly sustained the body.

Abstract: A ball-equipped screw and nut mechanism including a train of balls in a helical ball-circulation channel defined between mating surfaces of screw and nut members. The screw member is tubular and has within its bore a core with a helical groove as a ball recirculation channel which communicates with the ball-circulation channel via radial holes extending through the wall of the screw member.

Abstract: Angles and angular displacements of ultrasonic beams are measured by using a probe to transmit the beam to a point on a surface, particularly the surface of material being subjected to non-destructive examination, from which the beam is reflected to a receiving probe which may or may not be the same device as the transmitting probe. The length of the path traversed by the beam is varied in accordance with a relationship determined as a function of the angular displacement of the beam from an axis normal to the surface, and the time taken to traverse the path is detected. The variation in the length of the path may be effected by adjusting the separation of the transmitting probe from the surface while the probe is being angularly adjusted to vary the angular displacement of the beam, a fixed mirror being provided to return the beam by way of the point to the probe.

Abstract: Intracellular substances of microbial origin are prepared by culturing a microorganism in a suitable nutrient medium therefor in the presence of at least one antibiotic in sufficient amount to weaken the walls of the microorganism cells but insufficient to arrest growth of the microorganism and induce discharge of the intracellular substances into the culture medium, thereafter rupturing the walls of at least a part of the microorganism cells and recovering the intracellular substances released by rupture of the cell walls.