Abstract: This present invention pertains to a process for the synthesis of sucrose fatty acid esters by reacting sucrose and a purified specific fatty acid ester under substantially solvent free conditions in the presence of a transesterification stationary catalyst and mechanical emulsification. The process is continuous, yielding selected individual products of separated simple sucrose fatty acid esters of mono-, di-, tri- and polyesters while recycling the unwanted ester fractions, the unreacted sucrose and fatty acid ester.

Abstract: An apparatus for removing decayed portions from the exterior of potatoes is disclosed. The potatoes are supported and advanced on a series of rollers some of which include a plurality of resilient fingers which disrupt the decayed portions of the potato surface while leaving the remaining portions of the surface intact, and then advance the potatoes relative to a plurality of water spray nozzles, said rollers adapted to orient the potatoes so that the entire surface of the potato is subjected to spray emanating from said nozzles. The water sprays have sufficient force to disrupt and remove decayed portions of the potatoes while leaving the remaining portions of the potatoes substantially intact.

Abstract: Decayed portions of potatoes are removed by supporting and advancing the potatoes on a series of rollers relative to a plurality of water spray nozzles with rubber fingers being mounted on some of the rollers. The rubber fingers contact the potatoes with sufficient force to penetrate the decayed portions without damaging the peel or other sound portions of the potatoes while water sprays contact the potatoes with sufficient force to remove the penetrated decayed portions while leaving the remaining portions intact.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for dewatering particulate coal is disclosed. The apparatus includes a trough having a sump extending longitudinally at the bottom thereof. The trough is mounted on coil springs and an eccentric weight vibratory drive unit acts to convey the mixture of coal and water down said trough. The sump is designed so that a portion of the coal passing down the trough circulates through said sump. The depth of the sump is substantially greater than the capillary rise of water, and the coal thus acts to draw capillary water from the coal supported above in the trough. The coal slowly circulates through the sump in order to avoid the build up of fines therein which would clog the drainage paths through the sump. The sump includes an underlying screen to allow the water to drain therefrom.

Abstract: A flying saucer toy made of translucent semi-rigid plastic material is disclosed. The toy has a cover with an outer rim extending horizontally around its periphery, a lower housing integral with the rim, which blends into an upper housing integral with the lower housing. The upper housing curves upward and inward in an arcuate manner to form a hemisphere closing the top. A plurality of arcuate openings around the periphery of the lower housing and a second plurality of arcuate openings around the periphery of the upper housing are covered by a colored transparent membrane. A flashing light in the interior of the saucer is powered by a battery power source. A flasher flashes the light bulb and an on/off switch interconnects the power source to the flasher and light bulb. A plurality of rotatable wheels attached to a bottom member allow the flying saucer toy to be moved about on the floor.

Abstract: An apparatus for the solar distillation of contaminated water which includes a substantially airtight enclosure having an evaporation chamber and condensation chamber. The evaporation chamber has a lower reservoir and an upper inclined surface which is transparent to solar radiation. The condensation chamber includes a thermally conductive condensation wall and a collecting reservoir for collecting the condensed water. A thermal insulative partition is located intermediate the evaporation chamber and the condensation chamber, and includes an upper port and a lower port. At least one thermally conductive conduit may be located within the condensation chamber and externally vented at the upper and lower portions thereof.

Abstract: A method of packaging a substantially air-free product in an air-free pouch by first flattening and squeezing air from the pouch thereby reducing the pouch headspace prior to moving the pouch into a substantially air-free atmosphere. The pouch is then opened in the air-free atmosphere, is filled with an air-free product, is sealed within the air-free atmosphere, and is subsequently discharged therefrom. The opening of the pouch is aided, and additional air is purged from the pouch, by directing jets of high pressure air-free gas into the pouch during opening and filling of the pouch.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for purging air from the headspace of filled flexible containers and from the interstices in the product when the containers are filled with particulates. The method includes the steps of moving the upper open end of the containers through a steam tunnel while directing a flow of low velocity steam within the range of about 0.5 to 5 feet per second into and around the open ends of the containers to purge air therefrom. When air is entrained in a particulate product in the container, the low velocity steam cooperates with a jet of high velocity steam, within the velocity range of about 5 to 20 ft./sec., that is directed into the product for purging both the interstitial air and the headspace air from the container or pouch. In one embodiment of the invention a baffle is disposed above the open end of each particulate filled container to direct the steam-air mixture transversely out of the container for entrainment and flushing to the atmosphere by the low velocity steam.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for excluding a noncondensible gas from voids in a particulate product and thereafter filling the degassed product into a container. If the product includes only entrapped voids, a liquid is directed upwardly through the product in a degassing chamber to purge noncondensible gases from the voids. The upper end of the chamber is then closed at a point below the liquid level and the lower end of the chamber is opened to discharge the degassed product and liquid into a separating mechanism which causes the product to gravitate into the container and the liquid to be collected in a sump for recirculation.If the product is a low free liquid porous food product that includes both entrapped and occluded voids, the degassing chamber is first closed and vacuumized. The liquid is then directed upwardly through the product in the degassing chamber while vacuumization continues.

Abstract: Particles flowing in a stream can be arranged in an order of classification extending transversely of the stream according to physical characteristics of the particles by self-screening and stratification which occur in response to a continuous vibratory feeding of the particles in a direction laterally of the direction of flow of the stream. Particles having similar physical characteristics will flow from a specific portion of the stream into a collecting receptacle having a plurality of compartments arranged in a line transversely of the stream for separately collecting as many stream portions as required to obtain the desired degrees of separation. Further particle assortment from each stream portion can be made in accordance with the particles trajectory of fall from the stream bed.