Abstract: In order to save material and/or for an easy assembly in a mould bottom of a bottom mould, a moulded piece forming a negative mould of at least a part of a chute of a shaft bottom which moulded piece is formed from a material forming a dead core and, optionally being assembled with at least one further moulded piece, forms the negative mould of a chute of a shaft bottom in the form of a moulded body, wherein the moulded piece(s) is (are) designed for being placed onto a mould bottom of a bottom mould for a shaft bottom and has (have) linear and/or an arcuate longitudinal extension, is characterized in that the moulded piece has at least one hollow space open toward the base which can be placed onto the mould bottom of the bottom mould and is designed as basically closed on the end faces lying opposite each other in the longitudinal extension of the moulded piece.

Abstract: An end face of an intermediate layer of a multilayer structure is stably covered by surface resin layers at a time of cutting the multilayer structure. A cutting method of the multilayer structure includes the steps of: compressing and deforming the multilayer structure, while extending respective layers of the multilayer structure to provide a thin thickness portion, so that an upper layer bites into a lower layer by pushing a push cutter, by a predetermined amount, into the multilayer structure supported by a cutter receiving portion, in a fused state of at least one of the resin layers forming the multilayer structure; and push-cutting the compressed thin thickness portion S till the push cutter abuts against the cutter receiving portion so as to converge an intermediate layer and surface resin layers of the multilayer structure to the abutting portion A of the push cutter and the cutter receiving portion.

Abstract: A system for preserving food, including a substantially anhydrous food mass, a substantially vitreous layer surrounding the substantially anhydrous food mass and defining an enclosure, and a partial vacuum formed within the enclosure. The substantially anhydrous food mass is typically a freeze-dried and compacted body, and the enclosure is typically defined by a contiguous glass shell, more typically a non-porous glass shell, enveloping the food mass.

Abstract: A packaging laminate comprising a core layer of paper or carton with a through-going hole, a layer of thermoplastics applied onto one outer side of the core layer, an aluminium foil applied onto the other, inner, side of the core layer and bonded to the core layer by means of an intermediate layer of thermoplastics, the two layers of thermoplastics being sealed to each other within the region of the hole to form a membrane of aluminium foil and thermoplastics, and a first adhesive part-layer applied onto the inner side of the aluminium foil, a second intermediate part-layer of low density polyethylene applied adjacent to the first adhesive part-layer, and a third innermost part-layer comprising in the majority a metallocene polyethylene.

Abstract: Methods of imparting functionality to a food surface are described. In general, a tubular food casing having a surface coated with a polyvinyl alcohol-polyethylene glycol graft copolymer is contacted with a food surface. The functionality is imparted onto the food surface, and in some instances, the polyvinyl alcohol-polyethylene glycol graft copolymer is subsequently removed.

Abstract: Disclosed is a biodegradable starch bowl prepared by heating and pressurizing a composition for the biodegradable starch bowl comprising unmodified starch of 20˜60 wt. %; pulp fiber powder of 5˜30 wt. %; solvent of 30˜60 wt. %; photo catalyst of 0.1˜2.0 wt. %; preservative of 0.01˜1 wt. %; and releasing agent of 0.5˜5 wt. % to have a desired shape, and a biodegradable film being attached on the inner surface of the bowl. The biodegradable starch bowl according to the present invention has an improved sterilizing property, deodorizing property, preservative property, releasing property, water-resistance and strength.

Abstract: Disclosed is a composition for biodegradable starch bowl consisting of unmodified starch of 20-60 wt. %, pulp fiber powder of 5-30 wt. %, solvent of 30-60 wt. %, photo catalyst of 0.1-2.0 wt. %, preservative of 0.01-1 wt. % and releasing agent of 0.5-5 wt. %. In the present invention, further disclosed is a biodegradable starch bowl being prepared by heating and pressurizing said composition for biodegradable starch bowl so as to have a desired shape. The composition for a biodegradable starch bowl and the biodegradable starch bowl using the same according to the present invention have improved sterilizing, deodorizing, preservative and releasing properties.

Abstract: Vaso-occlusive devices are provided that have a polymer foam disposed about them. The polymer is treated with a plasma to facilitate thrombogenicity. A method for making and using such devices also is provided. The preferred polymer is a copolymer of a halogenated vinylidene and a halogenated alkene.

Abstract: A dose, having an axis of symmetry, for the realization of multilayer objects by compression molding, comprising a first synthetic resin and at least one fine layer of functional resin imprisoned at least largely in the resin wherein a part of its surface is concave.

Abstract: Methods of manufacturing polymeric intraluminal prostheses include annealing the polymeric material to selectively modify the crystallinity thereof. Annealing may be utilized to selectively modify various properties of the polymeric material of an intraluminal prosthesis, including: selectively increasing the modulus of the polymeric material; selectively increasing the hoop strength of the intraluminal prosthesis; selectively modifying the elution rate (increase or decrease) of a pharmacological agent subsequently disposed on or within the annealed polymeric material; selectively increasing/decreasing stress in the intraluminal prosthesis; and selectively modifying the polymeric material such that it erodes at a different rate.

Abstract: Barley having a reduced level of SBEIIa activity produces grain having a high relative amylose content. The barley might additionally have reduced levels of SBEIIb activity. The barley grain of this invention can be of a non-shrunken phenotype despite a lesion in the amylopectin synthesis pathway.

Abstract: Tool (1) to facilitate the consumption of ingestible substances, provided with a container (2) adapted to store an additional ingestible product (3), such as a food flavoring or a pharmaceutical product, and provided with an end (4) suitable to facilitate the handling of the ingestible substance (3) together with the additional product once this has been added to the ingestible substance (3), the container (2) comprising at least one end portion (5) constituted by a flexible, tearable material whereby the container (2) is joined to the tool body (6), designed to be torn when the container (2) is separated from the tool body (6), being able to pour its additional product content into the ingestible substance (3).

Abstract: A plastic container having curved surfaces and digital printing is disclosed. An embodiment of the container provides a hollow plastic container including a multiple color, single-cured digital image on a first curved surface having a non-constant radius of curvature, and a second curved surface having a non-constant radius of curvature that is spaced from the first curved surface, such that the first and second curved surfaces are on opposed surfaces.

Abstract: A package assembly encloses a plurality of individual elongate consumable products. The package assembly includes a plurality of products aligned in a side-by-side array. A package housing encloses the array of products. The package housing has front and back walls for supporting the products therebetween in a closable cover for closing a product dispensing opening. The front wall includes a wall flap extending inwardly towards the back wall in frictional engagement with the array of products for removable retention of the products therein.

Abstract: The interchangeable sleeve comprises: a substantially cylindrical outer surface (105A); a layer of hardened resin (R); a substantially conical inner surface for connection to a conical central core of the roller. The inner surface is formed at least partially of at least one inner component (102) having greater rigidity than said hardened resin. The inner component is constrained to the sleeve by means of said hardened resin.

Abstract: A method for preserving fresh cut or uncut agricultural produce including removing moisture from the fresh cut or uncut agricultural produce in an amount equal to between 5%-20% of the weight of the fresh cut or uncut agricultural produce and thereafter, freezing the fresh cut or uncut agricultural produce.

Abstract: A composite material comprising a support member that has a plurality of pores extending therethrough, a first polymer which durably coats the pores of the support member, the first polymer layer having both hydrophobic and hydrophilic properties, and a second polymer layer disposed on the surface of the first polymer layer, the second polymer being more hydrophilic than the first polymer layer. A process for preparing the composite material, and its use as a separation medium.

Abstract: An improved polyethylene fabric comprises polyethylene fabric or yarn that is manufactured by mixing HDPE (typically in pellet form) with pellets of cyclic-olefin polymers (COCs) in a ratio of up to 40% by weight of the layer. This mixture is then extruded in ways known to those skilled in the art. The resulting HDPE has superior stress and strain characteristics over a wider range of pressures and temperatures than conventional HDPE. The improved polyethylene fabric of the present invention is useful in applications where structural integrity is required and where pressure and temperature are a factor. For example, improved HDPE scrims of the present invention can be used as the reinforcing structure for irrigation hose or building fabric.

Abstract: A synthetic resin multilayer structure (1) delimited by a top face (2), borders (3, 5) and a bottom face (4) of surface area substantially identical to that of the top face (2), said structure (1) comprising: a first layer (6) defining said faces (2, 4) and said borders (3, 5), a second layer (7), disposed between said faces (2, 4) and said borders (3, 5), of surface area at least equal to that of said faces (2, 4), characterized in that the second layer (7) forms at least one zigzag-shaped double fold (8, 9).

Abstract: An article of manufacture includes (a) a three-dimensionally shaped edible candy including chocolate; and (b) a hollow container including a wall defining an exterior surface and an interior surface, the interior surface defining a hollow portion having a shape which substantially conforms to the three-dimensional shape of the candy for releasably securing the candy within the hollow shape of the container, wherein the container includes at least two portions removably secured to one and the other for releasably securing the candy, and further wherein the container includes a plastic material, such as a thermoformed plastic material.