Abstract: An inexpensive, readily handled receptacle for use in the bulk impregnation of timber by vacuum impregnation is made of flexible fluid-impermeable material and, over parts of its walls, is of double thickness to form closed pockets that can be inflated to form a container of rectangular shape hinged along one of its side faces to provide a sealable opening for loading and unloading. The pockets have a valve for inflating them with air; the receptacle has inlet and outlet ports for evacuating the receptacle and introducing impregnant. Preferably, the receptacle is supported in a two-part rectangular frame hinged along one side face.

Abstract: A toilet bar is provided containing either soap or a synthetic detergent as a cleansing agent and wherein an alkali metal salt of an acyl lactylate or glycolate is incorporated in the bar as a skin conditioning member which imparts a non-oily, talc-like, silky, very smooth, non-powdery feel to the user's skin. The preferred skin conditioning member is from about 1% to about 5% by weight of sodium isostearoyl lactylate incorporated in the bar.

Abstract: A highly stable water in oil emulsion system for cosmetic or pharmaceutical preparations is provided wherein an unexpectedly high proportion of from about 70% to about 80% of an internal aqueous phase may be dispersed as globules usually of about one micron in a continuous external oleaginous phase by use of an emulsifier composition containing cooperatively effective amounts of (1) a di- or tri-valent salt of the esterification product of a C.sub.10 to C.sub.22 fatty acid with a hydroxy carboxylic acid containing 2 to 4 carbon atoms (preferably calcium stearoyl-2-lactylate), and (2) a co-emulsifier compatible with emulsion (1) having an HLB value and present in a quantity to cause said emulsifier composition to have an effective HLB value within the range of about 4.6 to about 6.6. An emulsion may be produced using simple mechanical mixing techniques which has a static shelf life of at leat about six months at approximately 25.degree. C.

Abstract: A body, or stack of bodies, made of timber or of other organic fluid-permeable material is impregnated with an impregnant by introducing the body or stack into a receptacle of fluid-impermeable material through an opening therein, the flexible receptacle being supported by and secured (e.g. by springs) to a substantially rigid structure in such a way that the receptacle is held open for the introduction through said opening of the body or stack. The opening in the receptacle is sealed to form a fluid-tight enclosure and air is evacuated from within the enclosure and from voids in the or each body housed therein to cause the flexible receptacle to collapse around the body or stack. Impregnant is allowed to enter the evacuated enclosure and to flow through and impregnate the or each body.

Abstract: A body, or stack of bodies, made of timber or of other organic fluid-permeable material is impregnated with an impregnant by introducing the body or stack into a receptacle of fluid-impermeable material through an opening therein, the flexible receptacle being supported by and secured (e.g. by springs) to a substantially rigid structure in such a way that the receptacle is held open for the introduction through said opening of the body or stack. The opening in the receptacle is sealed to form a fluid-tight enclosure and air is evacuated from within the enclosure and from voids in the or each body housed therein to cause the flexible receptacle to collapse around the body or stack. Impregnant is allowed to enter the evacuated enclosure and to flow through and impregnate the or each body.