Abstract: A mold half carrier has first and second air flow compensating surface areas. The second air flow compensating surface area encloses the first air flow compensating surface area. The first air flow compensating surface area provides pressure compensation for formation of smaller containers. Both air flow compensating surface areas are utilized for formation of larger containers. A shut off valve controls air flow through a passage in the mold carrier extending between the first and second air flow compensating surface areas. The second air flow compensating surface area has an exhaust passage for bleeding unwanted pressurized air therefrom when the shut off valve is closed. The compensating surface areas are separated from each other by a common continuous groove and an O-ring mounted in the groove. The groove has an arcuate main portion for receiving the O-ring and an auxiliary portion into which a portion of the O-ring may collapse.

Abstract: A mold assembly for forming a container has two modular mold half shells that are adapted to be surrounded by mold half carriers. Each modular mold half shell has an upper body mold section and at least one lower body mold section. The upper body mold sections of the mold half shells are releasably secured in vertical registry with the mold half carriers. The upper body mold sections have upper inner walls defining an upper cavity whose shape corresponds to an upper portion of the container to be formed. The modular mold half shell have at least one lower body mold section and preferably multiple interchangeable lower body mold sections that are releasably secured with the upper body mold section. The lower body mold sections have lower inner walls defining a lower cavity whose shape corresponds to a lower portion of the container to be formed.

Abstract: A hot fill hot fill mold assembly has two mold half shells and two mold half carriers for supporting the mold half shells. The shells each have an inner wall that defines the shape of at least a portion of the container to be formed. Each shell has outer wall surface portions and a plurality of spaced apart slotted grooves extending between the outer wall surface portions that define open air spaces recessed from the outer wall portions. The mold half carriers have a carrier inner wall that overlays in contacting and thermal conducting relation the outer wall surface portions of a corresponding one of the mold half shells and overlays the spaced apart slotted grooves to create thermal buffering open air pockets between the mold half shells and the mold half carriers so as to reduce the thermal conduction away from the mold face and improve hot fill container formation.

Abstract: A mold assembly for forming a container has two modular mold half shells that are adapted to be surrounded by mold half carriers. Each modular mold half shell has an upper body mold section and at least one lower body mold section. The upper body mold sections of the mold half shells are releasably secured in vertical registry with the mold half carriers. The upper body mold sections have upper inner walls defining an upper cavity whose shape corresponds to an upper portion of the container to be formed. The modular mold half shell have at least one lower body mold section and preferably multiple interchangeable lower body mold sections that are releasably secured with the upper body mold section. The lower body mold sections have lower inner walls defining a lower cavity whose shape corresponds to a lower portion of the container to be formed.

Abstract: A hot fill hot fill mold assembly has two mold half shells and two mold half carriers for supporting the mold half shells. The shells each have an inner wall that defines the shape of at least a portion of the container to be formed. Each shell has outer wall surface portions and a plurality of spaced apart slotted grooves extending between the outer wall surface portions that define open air spaces recessed from the outer wall portions. The mold half carriers have a carrier inner wall that overlays in contacting and thermal conducting relation the outer wall surface portions of a corresponding one of the mold half shells and overlays the spaced apart slotted grooves to create thermal buffering open air pockets between the mold half shells and the mold half carriers so as to reduce the thermal conduction away from the mold face and improve hot fill container formation.

Abstract: A universal mold carrier for use in a mold assembly compensates for parting forces associated with container formation by directing a compensating air flow pressure to the rear surface of the mold carrier. The mold carrier includes two mold halves adapted to matingly engage each other and hold within the mold carriers interchangeable mold shells. One of the mold carriers has an outside wall that has a plurality of independent air flow compensating surface areas located thereon. This mold carrier further has an air flow communication line interconnecting the independent air flow compensating surface areas. Shut off valves are located in the one carrier to close and to open the air flow communication line between adjacent independent air flow compensating surface areas to allow for adjustment of the compensating pressure.

Abstract: A base assembly for use as a part of a mold assembly for making containers comprises an adaptor, a base insert (or base plug), and a wear ring. The base insert is made from aluminum and has a lower surface positioned on a flat upper supporting surface of the adaptor. The base insert has an upper surface with a ledge surrounding a recessed contoured pattern in the base insert Which pattern corresponds to a base of the container to be formed. The base insert has an annular side wall portion. The wear ring has an inner annular surface surrounding and engaging the annular side wall portion of the base insert to protect the annular side wall portion. The wear ring comprises a hardened wear resistant steel ring adapted to reinforce the base insert during formation of the container. The base insert and wear ring are secured to the adaptor by threaded fasteners that pass through threaded apertures in the adaptor, the base insert and the wear ring.

Abstract: A process is described for the production of a readily water-soluble fructan as well as a well-tolerated renal diagnostic agent containing such a fructan. In the process an aqueous fructan extract obtained from parts of plants is ultrafiltered over a first membrane which retains carbohydrates and proteins with a higher molecular weight but which allows passage of fructan and the filtrate obtained in this way is then filtered in a second ultrafiltration through a membrane which retains fructan but which allows passage of salts and low-molecular substances such as monosaccharides and oligosaccharides. The fructan obtained in this way is used as a renal diagnostic agent together with physiologically tolerated buffer substances at an osmolality which corresponds to that of blood and which has a pH of 5.0 to 7.0.

Abstract: A metabolizable blood plasma substitute is described which contains a starch ester with a molecular weight (Mw) of>20000 Daltons and a molar substitution of 0.1 to 1.5 as a colloidal component. The starch ester is for example acetyl starch with a molecular weight (Mw) of 200000 to 230000 Daltons and a molar substitution of 0.3 to 0.5.

Abstract: A pharmaceutical composition is described as well as the use of a starch ester for the production of such a pharmaceutical composition for peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) in particular for continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis. Starch esters which are particularly suitable are e.g. acetyl starch with a molecular weight (Mw) of 100000 to 200000 Daltons and a molar substitution of 0.3 to 0.5. Using the compositions according to the invention it is possible to carry out peritoneal dialysis without damaging the peritoneal epithelium. In addition it is not stored in the organs.

Abstract: A process is described for the production of starch degradation products with a narrow molecular weight distribution which is characterized in that a native starch, a starch derivative, a partially hydrolysed starch or a partially hydrolysed starch derivative in aqueous dispersion, suspension or solution is subjected to the action of ultrasound. Starch degradation products with a narrow molecular weight distribution can be obtained in high yields using this process.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for the preparation of a plasma based on starch by the hydrolytic decomposition of an amylopectin-rich starch to a definite molecular weight and partial etherification to a definite substitution before or after the hydrolysis, wherein the hydrolytic decomposition is carried out at least partly with .alpha.-amylase, .beta.-amylase or pullulanase.