Abstract: The invention relates to a process for purifying and decolorizing a phenyl ester salt. The process combines a phenyl ester salt with a solvent to form a mixture and then stirs the mixture to form a slurry. The phenyl ester salt is substantially insoluble in this solvent. The process then collects the phenyl ester salt from the slurry. The collected phenyl ester salt may then be optionally dried or recrystallized. The collected phenyl ester salt is dissolved in a solvent to form a solution. The solution is decolorized and then spray dried to form a powder of the phenyl ester salt. As a result of the process the phenyl ester salt powder has a higher purity and an improved color as compared to the starting phenyl ester salt.

Abstract: A construction of ink dispensing roller is described in which a porous ink metering layer extends around a peripheral surface of a porous ink reservoir. To prevent relative movement between the ink metering layer and the ink reservoir, the ink metering layer is securely located relative to the ink reservoir by means of elements of the ink metering layer extending beyond each axial end of the ink reservoir and being clamped between end cheeks and the axial end walls of the ink reservoir. The ink metering layer is manufactured from sheet material joined by welding along opposite edges into a tubular form. After welding the tubular form is manipulated so that an inner surface becomes a radially exterior ink dispensing surface.

Abstract: A collating device for sheet material comprises a collating station (1) having a pair of guide members (8, 10) for receiving sheets to be collated through an opening (9) therebetween, first conveyor means (3) for conveying sheets consecutively into the collating station and second conveyor means (5) for conveying a collated stack of sheets out of the collating station, support means (12) biased towards a position for supporting sheets in the collating station away from the second conveyor means, and an actuator member (14) movable to urge a collated stack of sheets towards the second conveyor means against the bias of the support means.

Abstract: The present invention discloses enzymes having xylanase activity. The xylanases are characterized in that they are active at a temperature of 80.degree. C. or higher. The enzymes are obtainable from anaerobic thermophilic bacteria. The enzymes are suited for use in paper and pulp production processes. The invention also describes cloning and expression of genes having xylanase activity obtained from the deposited strains.

Abstract: A reading or language interactive system which utilizes a mechanism to permit a computer-based instruction program in reading or language instruction to implement a shared reading program, wherein portions of the text are read by the student and portions by the computer itself. The proportion of the text "read" by each participant and the pace at which the lesson progresses can each be automatically altered based upon the proficiency of the student. In addition, the system utilizes a computer instructor to share the task of reading or language learning by modeling the task for the learner, variably controlling the amount of material that the student reads aloud based upon a computer assessment of the student's ability, helping the learner navigate through the instructional application, and participating in a joint performance that demonstrates the student's reading.

Abstract: The corn holder comprises one element which is a portion of a generally elongated animal such as a dog. That portion includes at least the dogs head. The body also comprises another element which is the rest of the animal. Each element has a generally planar surface transverse to the direction of elongation. Two tines extend from each surface to insert into the end of an ear of corn.

Abstract: A magnetic holder is provided which includes a magnet and a flexible and resilient body coupled to the magnet. The body includes a slit therein defining first and second opposed lips normally resiliently biased to a closed condition. The body is responsive to compressive forces applied to predetermined locations thereon for moving the lips to an open condition spaced apart a greater distance than in the closed condition to form an opening in the body.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a one-step process for preparing amido-carboxylic acid esters having the amide nitrogen positioned between two carbonyl carbons by reacting a carboxylic acid or carboxylic acid ester with a monohydric alcohol and either a lactam, amino-carboxylic acid or a polymeric amino-carboxylic acid. In this process, amidation, esterification, alcoholysis, and hydrolysis reactions occur simultaneously.

Abstract: A medicament compact is produced by placing loose powdered medicament in a mould having a longitudinal axis where a mandrel is positioned along the longitudinal axis of the mould compressing the medicament when a force parallel to the longitudinal axis is applied. The frictional force between the medicament and the mould and the frictional force between the medicament and the mandrel are opposite.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for recycling waste material selected from amino-carboxylic acid oligomers or polymers and amido-carboxylic acid oligomers or polymers into amido-carboxylic acids. A mixture containing water, an oligomeric or polymeric waste material, and a carboxylic acid is heated. The mixture is cooled to obtain a two phase system containing an aqueous phase and an organic phase which are separated. Carboxylic acids, unreacted starting materials, and the monomeric amido-carboxylic acid product are distilled from the organic phase. The remaining solid residue composed of high boiling oligomeric amino-carboxylic acids is recycled into Step (A).

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for rendering a surface substantially impervious to alpha particle radiation such as that produced through radon decay. More particularly, the present invention involves applying to said surface an emulsion containing a sulfopolyester and a copolymer of vinyl acetate and dialkyl maleate, and a plasticizer. The sulfopolyester-acrylic copolymer blend produces a stable alpha particle radiation barrier on sand, rocks and soil.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for preparing amido-carboxylic acids in water wherein hydrolysis and amidation reactions are conducted simultaneously in a single vessel. The process involves three steps. The first step involves heating at a temperature of 150.degree. C.-300.degree. C. for 2 to 10 hours, a mixture containing water, a nitrogen containing compound selected from the group consisting of a lactam and an amino acid, and a carboxylic acid or ester. The second step involves cooling the reaction mixture to obtain a two phase system containing an aqueous layer and an organic layer. The third step involves separating the amido-carboxylic acid containing organic layer from the aqueous layer. The presence of water aids in product isolation by phase separation and recycle of the reactants.Amido-carboxylic acids are used to make bleach activators for detergents.

Abstract: This invention relates to a four step process for purifying amido-carboxylic acids by liquid/liquid extraction from a reaction mixture containing an amido-carboxylic acid. The first step involves distilling impurities from a reaction mixture containing an amido-carboxylic acid to form a distillate residue. The second step involves mixing the distillate residue with a nonpolar hydrocarbon solvent wherein the mixture is maintained above the freezing point of the distillate residue. The third step involves allowing the hydrocarbon solvent and distillate residue to achieve phase separation of an organic phase containing the amido-carboxylic acid and an organic phase containing the nonpolar hydrocarbon solvent. The fourth step involves separating the organic phase containing the nonpolar hydrocarbon solvent from the organic phase containing the amido-carboxylic acid.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for preparing amido-carboxylic acids in water. The process involves four steps. Step (A) involves hydrolyzing a lactam at a temperature of 150.degree. C.-300.degree. C. to form a mixture containing an amino acid. Step (B) involves cooling the reaction mixture formed in Step (A) to a temperature of 25.degree. C.-100.degree. C. Step (C) involves reacting a carboxylic acid anhydride with the amino acid formed in Step (A) to form a reaction mixture containing an organic layer which contains an amido-carboxylic acid and an aqueous layer. Step (D) involves separating the amido-carboxylic acid containing organic layer from the aqueous layer. The presence of water aids in product isolation by phase separation and recycle of the reactants. Amido-carboxylic acids are used to make bleach activators for detergents.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for preparing flexible, semi-flexible or rigid polyurethane foam plastics from a polyfunctional isocyanate and a polyhydric compound. More specifically, the invention involves the substitution of some portion of the hydroxy groups on the polyhydric compound with acetoacetate groups. Such substitution reduces the viscosity of the polyhydric resin without effecting the performance properties of the foams. Various substitution levels can be used depending on the desired level of viscosity reduction.

Abstract: A collapsible container for separating oil and water and containing and transporting the separated oil is provided. The container is manufactured of a water impervious material and has a plurality of chambers, capable of holding oil and water, which are attached to each other serially along a linear axis. Located at opposite ends of the container are an input chamber and an output chamber. Intermediate the input and output chambers is at least one intermediate chamber. Substantially vertically disposed baffles, having an opening at their lower edges, are provided within the container defining the connecting walls between the input chamber and the adjoining intermediate chamber and the connecting walls between adjacent intermediate chambers. A baffle, also substantially vertically disposed, having an opening at its upper edge, is provided within the container defining the connecting wall between the output chamber and the intermediate chamber located farthest from the input chamber.

Abstract: A writing instrument comprising a plurality of coaxial writing nibs and means for advancing and retracting the nibs relative to one another to adjust a selected nib into an operative writing position, whereby the instrument is adjustable to produce lines of different predetermined widths.

Abstract: Handling and controlling apparatus often use forks or similar devices to support loads. Certain loads, for example packs of flexible sheets, need support over a significant proportion of their lower surface. The resulting forks are then of sufficient size to cause difficulty in handling, requiring excessive clearances around the load. If, however, the fork units are capable of articulation and suitably controlled, then the clearances required may be substantially reduced. This specification describes such an articulated member.

Abstract: The present invention is concerned with (a) packages for flowable materials comprising a flexible laminated tape having two layers, a series of completely sealed pockets formed between the layers at intervals along the length of the tape and containing individual doses of material, and sealed openings in one of the layers through which the contents of the pockets can be discharged onto the surface of the tape by application of pressure to the tape and (b) dispensers for use with said packages.