Abstract: Two methods have been developed for producing a glycoluril slow release fertilizer suspension product. Urea and glyoxal are reacted at a urea to glyoxal mole ratio between 2.0 and 8.0. One or more mineral acids are added between 10 and 30 percent by weight of the formulation and heated between 80 and 100 degrees C. until 70% or more of the glyoxal has been converted to water insoluble glycoluril particles. The pH may be adjusted with an inorganic base, primary fertilizer nutrients added, and a suspending agent is admixed to form a stable suspension. A “green chemistry” method requiring no heat also yields a stable product at room temperature by mixing all the materials and immediately placing the product in storage. The glycoluril product forms during storage in high yield. As such, the liquid glycoluril fertilizer suspensions are stable and easily applied through liquid application, or can be used as a raw material component of a granulated fertilizer product.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for packaging of ground coffee or a like material are provided in which an inert gas such as carbon dioxide is supplied to surround discrete quantities of the material carried in a longitudinally moving folded trough-like web of impervious material, the gas being supplied into a region in which the discrete quantities of material enter a sealing region in which portions of the folded web are sealed together ahead of, above and behind the discrete quantity of material. Important features relate to the covering over of the folded web to enclose a space therein as it enters the sealing region, to the guiding of the edges of the web to cause them to converge as they approach the sealing region and to the injection of the gas at an angle and with a flow rate and velocity such as to cause the gas to completely surround the material without displacing the material relative to the web.