Abstract: In bottle transporting apparatus, noise resulting from bottles colliding with each other and noise emitted by the transport mechanism is suppressed by moving the bottles in a water bath which immerses the mechanism and at least partially immerses the bottles so the sound is absorbed and attenuated by the water. Means are provided for partially filling the bottles with liquid before they reach locations where noise would be generated and this further suppresses noise. Water jets are used to assist bottle movement where the bottles are transported on conveyors and the jets may be used as the sole propulsion force in apparatus wherein the bottles are simply pushed along smooth support surfaces.

Abstract: A radiator having a header is cleaned by at least partially immersing the radiator in a cleaning liquid so that the header is immersed in the cleaning liquid and then applying ultrasonic energy to the cleaning liquid at an energy sufficient to cause cavitation of the liquid. The header is oriented in a direction toward the source of the ultrasonic energy, whereby the header is in closer proximity to the energy source than the remainder of the radiator, so that the ultrasonic energy is initially directed onto the face of the header.

Abstract: Grill and oven cleaners having reduced alkalinity are prepared using an alkanolamine, an acid, a nonionic or anionic surfactant, a short chain glycol or glycol ether, and a polyol polyether thickening agent. The thixotropic composition is contacted with soiled grill or oven surfaces and the treated surfaces are heated. The resulting reaction loosens the soil to enable it to be safely wiped and rinsed away.

Abstract: An apparatus for regenerating coke-contaminated fluid catalyst is disclosed which comprises a vertical combustion chamber, an inlet to said chamber for spent catalyst and regeneration gas, a fluid catalyst collecting means within the upper portion of said chamber, a first catalyst withdrawal conduit in communication with said collecting means, a heat removal chamber possessing heat removal means super adjacent said chamber, a second catalyst withdrawal conduit connected to said heat removal chamber and a mixing conduit connecting said first and second withdrawal conduits, wherein a control system senses the catalyst temperature in the first withdrawal conduit downstream of the mixer conduit, formulates an output signal via a temperature control means having an adjustable set point, and regulates the flow rate of regenerated catalyst through said mixing conduit via transmission of said output signal to a flow control means responsive thereto.

Abstract: Lubricating oils and aluminum fines are removed from aluminum surfaces by contacting the surfaces with an aqueous solution containing sulfuric acid, hydrofluoric acid, and an alkali metal 2-butoxyethoxyacetate anionic surfactant. The solution may also contain one or more low foaming nonionic surfactants.

Abstract: The invention comprises a cleaning composition and a method for its use in the removal of asphaltic, polyvinyl acetate, and rubber base adhesive coatings from floors. The coating removal composition comprises an organic solvent having a flash point above about 140 degrees F., an inorganic solid adsorbent powder, a water-in-oil surfactant in an amount sufficient to form an oil external phase emulsion and an oil-in-water surfactant in an amount sufficient to reverse the emulsion to a water external phase upon the addition of water thereto.

Abstract: Packing material for foodstuff is sterilized with hydrogen peroxide. Residual hydrogen peroxide on the material is then removed by contacting the material with an anti-oxidant or reducing agent which is an approved food additive. L-ascorbic acid is preferred.

Abstract: Paint is removed from a painted surface by applying to the surface a solution containing an alkali metal hydroxide and a polyacrylate thickening agent having a viscosity which decreases above a predetermined transition pH. The initial pH of the composition is adjusted to just above the transition pH by including a sufficient amount of the hydroxide in the composition so that the composition is readily spreadable. As the pH of the composition falls during use its viscosity increases; thereby becoming more firmly attached to the surface; permitting the composition to remain in contact with the surface for a sufficient time to destroy the adhesion of the paint to the surface.The thickening agent is a cross-linked carboxylated copolymer of acrylic acid and methacrylate.

Abstract: Rust is removed from the surfaces of metallic objects by focusing a laser beam on successive increments of the surface so that the beam causes evaporation of rust. The laser is a gas laser and is designed to effect pulsed emission of coherent radiation. The output power of the laser is selected in such a way that the beam cannot melt or evaporate the parent metal.

Abstract: A method for removing aluminum from PET bottle scrap flakes comprises:(1) mixing the scrap flakes with a solution containing a chemical that reacts with aluminum such that the aluminum in the scrap will completely dissolve into the solution; then(2) decanting off the solution with the aluminum dissolved in it, so as to leave behind PET flake; and finally(3) washing the PET flake.

Abstract: An apparatus for polishing a floor includes a rotated polishing pad suspended from a housing with a mechanism for maintaining full engagement of the surface of the pad with the floor. This mechanism includes a caster disposed within a centrally-located aperture in the pad and a device, such as a spring, connecting the caster to the housing which increasingly urges the caster and housing away from one another as they progressively approach one another.

Abstract: Soil, including starch deposits, are removed from tableware in a dishwasher by a preliminary wash with cool water at approximately 20.degree. C., followed by a steaming operation and then a washing operation with water containing a cleaning agent. A portion of the water to be used in the washing operation is preheated during the steaming operation.

Abstract: Oil sludge (15) formed within a storage container (10) is removed by penetrating tubular lances (20) into the sludge body (15) and then pumping dispersant chemicals borne by a water jet through the lances (20) into the sludge body (15) with continuous drawing off and recirculation of emulsified fractions under pressure. The sludge body (15) breaks down both physically and chemically to form a pumpable fluid which is drained and mixed with a larger volume of liquid oil to allow dispersion of the hydrocarbonaceous content of the emulsified fluid as a suspension in the oil volume allowing the water to settle out of the mixture, the settled water layer being thereafter drawn off. This oil mixture is then processed in the process plant. The dispersant chemicals emulsify or form coloidal suspension or solution of the hydrocarbonaceous content of the sludge body (15) in water.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for treating work surfaces, such as for degreasing, plating and the like, in which the work piece is located in a treating chamber or in sealing engagement with a chamber forming sheet, which chamber forming sheet may be flexible so that it may be fitted to the area to be treated. One or more containers holding the treating fluids are provided and are selectably connectable to dispense their respective contents to the treating chamber. An arrangement is also provided to clean or purge the various containers.

Abstract: A method of removing residual carbon from solid surfaces, such as metal or glass, by contacting the surface with sulfur trioxide and thereafter rinsing the surface. The surface may be subsequently contacted with a passivating solution.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for removing dust and trapped air from the orifices of an ink jet printer employed in a document handling machine. A vacuum is applied periodically to clean the ink jet head of dust, entrapped air and excess ink. The period is established in accordance with predetermined requirements and is measured by a count of documents or other measurements of time relating to the passage of documents.

Abstract: Spheres are sequentially released into a pipeline from a sphere storage barrel in response to the opening and closing of a valve closure member by means of a sphere launching apparatus. The apparatus has a releasing means, pivotable about a first axis, for engaging the valve closure member and a catcher, pivotable about a second axis, for releasably engaging the spheres as well as an actuating link connecting the releasing means with the catcher.In response to the opening and closing of the valve closure member, the catcher is angularly pivoted into and out of engagement with successive spheres at a first rate, upon angular pivoting of the releasing means at a second rate less than the first rate, to sequentially release spheres and to allow the valve closure member to substantially close before releasing the next sphere.

Abstract: A rapid and effective surface cleaning process for copper alloys, particularly copper alloys containing aluminum and other metals tending to form surface coatings of refractory oxides during annealing treatments, consists of treating such alloys or articles fabricated thereof for a short time in a hot aqueous solution of an alkali hydroxide, rinsing with water, and then immersing for a short time in a hot aqueous solution of ferric sulfate, or other ferric salt of a mineral acid, followed by rinsing with water.

Abstract: Salt is removed from salt-coated or salt-contaminated Mg particles by leaching the salt with an alkaline aqueous wash, e.g., NaOH, then removing water from the Mg particles by using a water-miscible, inert, evaporatable, non-aqueous liquid, e.g. acetone.

Abstract: In an electrically energized commercial dishwasher machine having at least one washing section followed by a rinse section and having a conveyor for conveying dishes through the various sections in sequence, a timing element is set to cause the machine to automatically shut off after running for a predetermined time period slightly longer than the time required for the conveyor to convey dishes through all the various sections of the machine. The timing element is reset to cause the machine to continue to run for a new such predetermined time period whenever a signal from a sensor indicates the presence of dishes in the rinse section.