Abstract: A bacteria-containing two component polymer gel is provided for solubilizing particulate or colloidal organic materials in wastewater. The gel contains a minor amount of a polymer component that is difficult to solubilize by bacteria in the gel and a major amount of a polymer component that is easier to solubilize by bacteria in the gel. The gel contains bacteria for solubilizing material in wastewater and for solubilizing the gel, and nutrients for the bacteria. The gel also contains a bacteria inhibitor such as sodium sulfide or sodium azide that can diffuse out of the gel at a gel-water interface to allow bacteria to dissolve the gel at the interface while preventing an interior region of the gel from prematurely dissolving. The gel is placed in a housing through which wastewater flows and contacts the gel.

Abstract: In a method of forming a matrix addressable display comprising a group of switchable cells, such as liquid crystal cells, having electrodes on each of two parallel plates and thin-film drive transistors disposed on one of the plates, gate resistors are provided by elongate doped polysilicon regions connecting the gate electrodes to address lines. The gate resistors prevent short-circuiting of the address lines in the event of a gate short-circuit occurring in any of the transistors.

Abstract: A process for quickly drying thermoplastic polyamide resin by the use of a high frequency electric field. The process comprises placing the polyamide between at least two electrodes, applying a high frequency voltage to the electrodes to produce a heating rate of the polyamide between 0.5.degree. C. and 50.degree. C./min, and then removing the water evolved from the polyamide.

Abstract: A first set of three spherically or elliptically shaped coils is provided which generates a homogeneous linear gradient magnetic field in its interior. A second set of three spherically or elliptically shaped coils is located concentric to and in close proximity with the first coil set such that the fringing fields outside the second coil set are substantially zero. The coil sets can be separated at their equator and preferably are spherical in shape. The current distribution for each coil is described as well as the winding pattern on the surface of the first sphere which generates the perfectly homogeneous linear gradients inside the sphere. The second concentric sphere having a second coil set thereon which has a similar current distribution and winding pattern to the first coil set such that it will perfectly shield the inner sphere while reducing the linear gradient inside the first sphere by only a factor of 1-(R.sub.1 /R.sub.2).sup.5, where R.sub.1 and R.sub.

Abstract: Phosphorous acid is made by a continuous recycling process from a mixture of phosphorous and hydrochloric acids, comprising:(i) continuously recycling the mixture in a loop apparatus;(ii) adding water to and passing phosphorus trichloride into said recycling mixture so as to generate a condition of turbulent flow at the point of contact of the phosphorus trichloride and the recycling mixture, whereby a reaction product, comprising an aqueous solution of phosphorous and hydrochloric acids as a continuous liquid phase and gaseous hydrogen chloride as gas bubbles of disperse phase, is produced;(iii) separating said gaseous hydrogen chloride;(iv) cooling said reaction product; and(v) recycling at least a portion of said reaction product and repeating steps (ii), (iii) and (iv) thereon to produce a more highly concentrated solution of phosphorus acid.

Abstract: Amorphous red phosphorus useful for matches, or as flame retardant is made by forming a slurry of 10-45% red phosphorus in molten white phosphorus, reducing the content of yellow phosphorus to less than 20% of the red phosphorus by separation at less than 280.degree. C., and then heating the product at above 295.degree. C. to convert, and preferably also evaporate, the white phosphorus.

Abstract: Economic and efficient process for preparing an oligomer of poly(butylene terephthalate) or an oligomer of poly(butylene isophthalate) from a transesterification reaction mass by using a countercurrent column reactor system wherein the transesterification reaction mass is fed into the countercurrent column reactor and continuously flows downward while simultaneously a heated inert gas stream continuously flows upward to scrub out volatiles from the transesterification reaction mass, thereby yielding from the bottom of the countercurrent column reactor an oligomer of poly(butylene terephthalate) or an oligomer of poly(butylene isophthalate) suitable for use in a polycondensation reaction. Butanediol is recycled throughout the process through an absorber column.

Abstract: Polyurethane foams, varying in nature from soft to hard, tough skin and a process for their preparation comprising reacting approximately equal volumes of substantially liquid mixtures from a two part dispensing system, Part A comprising a substantially liquid, stable mixture of an isocyanate and an epoxide and Part B comprising a substantially liquid mixture of a polyether polyol, a catalyst and an accelerator.

Abstract: A process for increasing the direct esterification reaction rate between a diacid and 1,4-butanediol and for directly esterifying greater than 95% of the acid ends of the diacid by mixing in any order the diacid, the 1,4-butanediol and a catalyst compound selected from organo-titanium, organo-tin, and organo-zirconium compounds, to form a reaction mixture wherein the ratio of diol:diacid is at least 2:1 and then reacting the reaction mixture at an average temperature ranging between 190.degree. C. to 200.degree. C. for a period of time no longer than sixty minutes. The same process may be followed substituting ethylene glycol for 1,4-butanediol, provided the catalyst compound is added neat, further provided that the average reaction temperature ranges from 190.degree. C. to 200.degree. C., and also provided that the reaction mixture be reacted for a period of time no longer than seventy minutes.

Abstract: In a color ink jet printing system, an image superpixel (84, 86, 88) consists of a 2 by 2 array of cells (1-4), each cell corresponding to a pixel area on the substrate (80). Each pixel (55) of graphics data is processed to form a 2 by 2 array of bit image data (40), for printing a corresponding superpixel image (68). A superpixel configuration (86), indicating cell location and color of drops of ink for forming a superpixel image, is defined for each desired image color. Superpixel configurations control printing so that drops of ink (Y,M,C) are deposited only an a diagonally adjacent pair of cells (1,4), with no more than two drops of ink per cell, and no more than three drops of ink per superpixel. This superpixel strategy provides for printed images (62,64) perceivable as having the desired image color and having good color saturation, while minimizing bleed across color field boundaries (66).

Abstract: A tooth brush device comprising an elongated body having first and second end portions and an intermediate portion between the end portions, bristles at the first end portion of the body providing a brush while the second end portion provides a handle for the tooth brush device. The intermediate portion of the body has a chamber for receiving a spool of dental floss to be dispensed by the device through an opening extending within the second end portion, and the body includes a window for monitoring the presence of dental floss within the chamber of the body. The window of the body may also be provided by an opening to the chamber and a transparent window cover removably secured with the body enclosing the opening. The cover includes spool retaining structure which is received within the chamber for rotatably retaining within the chamber a spool of dental floss for the dispensing of floss by the device.

Abstract: A method for solubilizing particulate or colloidal materials in wastewater treatment comprising the steps of cultivating aerobic bacteria in the presence of oxygen in an activator solution containing a food source until the level of the food source drops below 50 mg/l of soluble chemical oxygen demand (sCOD) and said bacteria begin producing increased amounts of enzymes which solubilize particulate or colloidal materials thereby producing activated bacteria and thereafter contacting said activated bacteria or enzymes with said particulate or colloidal materials under conditions which solubilize said particulate or colloidal materials. The method is particularly useful for solubilizing particulate and/or colloidal materials containing insoluble starch, grease, fat and protein with enzymes such as amylase, lipase and/or protease.

Abstract: A decorative illuminated wind chime apparatus used to produce audio and visual effects from the movement of air currents. The audio effects are accomplished in a conventional manner by the striking of resonant chime tubes by a clapper whose movement is caused by the movement of air. The visual effects are achieved by electrically sensing the collisions of resonant chime tubes with the clapper and illuminating a respective light which is associated with each resonating chime tube. The overall effect is a wind activated audio "chime" which is synchronously accompanied by an associated light display.

Abstract: A portable device used to retain and consolidate multiple remote controls of home electronic entertainment devices, having a means which enables the user to operate a single remote control while it and the other remote controls are attached to said portable device. Also, comprising a means of attaching or detaching the remote controls from the portable device.

Abstract: A cross linked film fibre is made by slitting or splitting polymeric film. In a preferred embodiment the fibre is made into a fabric which is impregnated with a polymeric matrix material. The matrix is preferably also cross-linked, this being done at the same time, or separately from, cross-linking of the fibre. The preferred embodiment is particularly useful for enclosing a substrate.

Abstract: A mechanical face seal has a first seal face member mounted in fixed rotational and radial relationship to one component and sealed with respect thereto; abutment means mounted in fixed rotational and radial relationship to a second component and sealed with respect thereto; and a second seal face member interposed between the first seal face member and the abutment means. Spring means is arranged to apply an axial load between the first and second seal face members, said second seal face member having opposed faces, one of said faces being maintained in sealing engagement with a corresponding face on the first seal face member under the axial load applied by the spring means and the other face being sealed with respect to a corresponding face on said abutment means.