Abstract: A glide strip for a conveyor rail comprising an elongated monolithic elastic material having a constant cross-sectional shape throughout a majority of the material's length, wherein the cross-sectional shape comprises: a topmost section having a first width perpendicular to the material's length and a first height, a bottommost section having a second width perpendicular to the material's length and a second height, wherein the second width is less than the first width, and a middle section having a third width, wherein the middle section connects the topmost section to the bottommost section, wherein the first width is greater than the second width, and the second width is greater than the third width, and the bottommost section snaps on within slots of the conveyor rail.

Abstract: A method and device for determining refractive index of an object compared to a refractive index of a surrounding medium. The object is exposed to a laser object beam and the scattered light interferes with a laser reference beam to obtain a hologram. The hologram is analyzed for phase information, and based thereon, it is determined if the refractive index of the object is higher or lower than the refractive index of the surrounding medium.

Abstract: An ultraviolet sterilization system for a form, fill and seal packaging machine, includes at least three ultraviolet lamps, each having an elongated dimension and a transverse dimension. Each lamp is mounted within a housing having a reflector. The lamps are mounted adjacent one another in a side-by-side manner such that the elongated dimensions are parallel to one another and transverse to the package conveyance path. The ultraviolet sterilization system, in conjunction with a hydrogen peroxide application at a concentration of about 3.0 percent, provides a log reduction of at least about 4.5 to 5.0 of microbial colony forming units.

Abstract: A closure for a package that is adapted for mounting to a surface of the package includes a mounting flange having substantially planar upper and lower surfaces that define a thickness and define a flange plane. A spout extends from the upper surface of the flange and has an inner wall defining a dispensing opening. A membrane has a central portion and a circumferential edge region and is formed in the spout so as to extend to the inner wall to define a spout seal. The membrane is severable from the spout at the edge region. The edge region is selectively thinned and has a pair of first thickness regions and a pair of second thickness regions interposed between the first thickness regions. The second thickness regions have a thickness that is greater than a thickness of the first thickness regions.

Abstract: Flavoring agent obtained by a process in which seeds of an edible plant are germinated, the sprouts obtained are matured under the effect of their endogenous enzymes, an optional fermentation of these sprouts is envisaged with at least one microorganism, the enzymes and/or microorganism are inactivated and all or part of the matured and/or fermented sprouts is recovered, and use of this flavoring agent as raw material for the preparation of products of the Maillard reaction, alone or mixed with other materials rich in flavor precursors and/or enhancers.

Abstract: A vacuum spud supports an associated closure for transport and mounting to an associated package. The closure has a spout integral with an outwardly extending flange. The spud includes a main body portion having a central region and an outer support surface for supporting the closure at the flange. The outer support surface is generally planar. The spud defines a vacuum region formed in the main body portion extending below the support surface. The vacuum region is in flow communication with a vacuum manifold formed generally centrally disposed in the main body portion and configured for connecting to an associated vacuum source for establishing a vacuum in the vacuum manifold and vacuum region. When the closure is disposed on the spud, the closure is held on the spud by the vacuum exerted on the closure at the flange.

Abstract: The orienting device of the present invention will properly orient a closure which is transferred from a hopper to be applied to a container in connection with a form, fill and seal packaging machine. The present invention will also maintain the orientation on an anvil as the anvil moves the closure from the orienting device to a container through exertion of a vacuum on the closure. The present invention also discloses a specific closure for use with an overall orienting closure system. The orienting device will have at least two channels which maintain the closure as the closure is oriented into a desired position.

Abstract: A pharmaceutical composition for single, effective and consistent plasma level, nasal administration of an aqueous solution of from about 5 to about 75 .mu.l and from about 0.2 to about 2.0 mg/ml of desmopressin acetate, a molarly corresponding amount of desmopressin or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt: of desmopressin. The composition is useful for the management of urinary disorders such as diabetes insipidus, incontinence, and nocturnal enuresis.

Abstract: Process for the production of a flavoring agent, in which a yeast lysate is mixed with moromi or a moromi fraction, and the mixture is allowed to react at 30.degree.-70.degree. C. in order to convert the AMP of the lysate to IMP.

Abstract: Nozzles for filler pipes employed in packaging machines of the type which meter a certain quantity of contents, e.g. milk, into individual packages which are advanced stepwise and placed beneath the nozzle of the filler pipe. In order to avoid frothing of the contents, of the nozzle is manufactured from flexible material and includes one or more transverse rigidifying ribs which are of substantially triangular cross sectional configuration and which define two or more separate outlets. The outlets are covered by flaps which are opened by the contents when the contents are caused, with the aid of a metering pump, to flow out through the filler pipe so that the flow of contents is divided and directed towards the vertical walls of the package via which the contents flow down to the bottom of the package with a considerably reduced risk of frothing and spatter as a result.

Abstract: An apparatus for loading objects on a pallet has a first horizontal frame structure movable vertically relative to an upright support. The first frame structure supports a second horizontal frame which is movable horizontally in respect to the first frame structure. The second frame supports a carriage which is horizontally movable relative to said second frame in a direction perpendicular to the horizontal movement of the second frame and is provided with an angularly movable catching element such that said catching element by the displacement of the second frame in one horizontal direction and the displacement of the carriage in a horizontal direction perpendicular thereto may be located over an object located at a loading area within the area of said first frame structure, then lowering said first frame structure and activating the catching element, elevating said first frame structure and displacing the second frame and the carriage to the desired unloading position.