Abstract: Plastic additives which are useful as nucleating agents and which are especially useful for improving the optical properties of polymeric materials are provided. More particularly, this invention relates to certain asymmetric DBS compounds comprising monofluoro- or mono(trifluoroalkyl)-pendant groups on one ring of the aforementioned DBS and the other ring system cannot be monofluorinated. Such compounds may be added to or incorporated within polymer compositions which may then be utilized within, as merely examples, food or cosmetic containers and packaging. These inventive asymmetric benzylidene sorbitol acetals are also useful as gelling agents for water and organic solvents, particularly those used in the preparation of antiperspirant gel sticks.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for preparing alditol acetals, such as dibenzylidene sorbitols, monobenzylidene sorbitols, and the like, through the reaction of unsubstituted or substituted benzaldehydes with alditols (such as sorbitol, xylitol, and ribitol) in the presence of a mineral acid and at least one surfactant having at least one pendant group of 6 carbon chains in length. Such a reaction provides a cost-effective, relatively safe procedure that provides excellent high yields of alditol acetal product. Furthermore, such a specific reaction is also the best known procedure for the production of certain compounds which can be easily separated from other formed isomers. Additionally, such a procedure facilitates the production of certain asymmetric alditol acetal compounds and compositions in acceptable yields as well. Such alditol acetals are useful as nucleating and clarifying agents for polyolefin formulations and articles, as one example.

Abstract: Plastic additives which are useful as nucleating agents and which are especially useful for improving the optical properties of polymeric materials are provided. More particularly, this invention relates to certain alkyl (or alkoxy) substituted fluorobenzylidene sorbitol acetals and polymer compositions thereof which may be utilized within, as merely examples, food or cosmetic containers and packaging. These inventive fluorinated and alkylated benzylidene sorbitol acetals are also useful as gelling agents for water and organic solvents, particularly those used in the preparation of antiperspirant gel sticks.

Abstract: A vent-on-demand hatch cover for closing a hatch opening of a compartment in a railcar, and particularly a hopper car, wherein the car is provided with a coaming that defines the opening. The cover includes a peripheral opening for taking in the outside air and which is disposed adjacent the outer side of the coaming and an inside opening at the underside of the cover exposed to the compartment for connecting the cover to the compartment air. Passageways are provided between the two openings in order to allow air flow between the outside of the car and the inside of the car. A closure member is provided at the inside opening of the cover which is resiliently biased normally into closed position and which opens upon the formation of a vacuum within the compartment in order to allow unloading of the compartment.

Abstract: A sealing device for a hatch cover closing a hatch on a railcar, wherein the hatch cover includes a pocket for receiving a gasket, and the pocket includes projections mating with recesses on the gasket or projections on the gasket mating with recesses in the pocket for removably retaining the gasket in the pocket.

Abstract: A vented hatch cover assembly for a railroad hopper car including top and bottom members having substantially rigid and somewhat dome-shaped bodies which are divided into four quadrants wherein each quadrant includes coacting baffle members extending from the bodies of the top and bottom members which define a plurality of circuitous air passageways to allow air flow into and out of the hopper car while restricting moisture and other contaminants from entering the car. An improved hatch cover lock mechanism for securing a vented or non-vented cover to the hatch is easily adjustable to provide a tight seal between the cover and hatch, and provides a safe controlled opening of a non-vented cover. An improved seal or gasket is arranged between the cover and hatch.

Abstract: A railroad car sensing system for monitoring car performance by detecting vertical, transverse and/or longitudinal car truck movements, which includes one or more accelerometers mounted on a plastic brake beam guide for generating and sensing car truck movement signals to a computer for processing.

Abstract: A secondary seal in the form of a plug member insertable in the open end of a pneumatic discharge nozzle of a covered hopper car carrying granular material, such as plastic pellets, wherein the plug member includes means for maintaining the pellets in spaced relation to the open end of the nozzle to prevent spillage when the plug member is removed, and having retaining means connecting the plug member to the nozzle when it is removed from the open end of the nozzle.

Abstract: An improved plastic knuckle pin for a coupler on a railway car and a method of making the improved plastic knuckle pin whereby the improved plastic knuckle pin has a substantially uniform material matrix and the method of making the pin increases uniformity in the material by increasing the surface cooling area which decreases air and moisture pockets in the material during the molding process.

Abstract: A bumper system for a movable deck in an intermodal auto carrier or trailer wherein the bumper system is mounted on the deck and is foldable against the deck or opened to a position for protecting the auto doors against damage when opening the doors for ingress and egress of a driver during loading and unloading operations.

Abstract: An improved plastic knuckle pin for a coupler on a railway car and a method of making the improved plastic knuckle pin whereby the improved plastic knuckle pin has a substantially uniform material matrix and the method of making the pin increases uniformity in the material by increasing the surface cooling area which decreases air and moisture pockets in the material during the molding process.

Abstract: This invention relates to a sampling system for collecting a sample in a septum closed container. It provides for a reservoir of a predetermined volume which captures a sample and it further provides for routing of the captured sample from the reservoir to the septum closed container.

Abstract: The invention relates to a sampler mechanism for fluidly interconnecting a ball valve with the interior space of a septum closed container for the taking of closed loop samples of fluid materials. The sampler mechanism includes a needle assembly having a hollow needle and a needle seating collar which is positioned adjacent the ball in the ball valve, a threaded injector end fitting for attaching and securing the needle assembly to the ball valve, and an injector body for fluidly connecting the ball valve to the container and for providing a fluid passageway for fluid communication between the container and a side surface of the injector body.

Abstract: This invention relates to a sampling system for collecting a sample in a sample cylinder having valves on both ends. The system includes an inlet line, a return line, a four-way valve, a level indicator and a sample loop including sample cylinder connections. After the sample cylinder is connected to the sample cylinder connections, the system and four-way valve allow the sample fluid to be selectively routed to flow in the inlet line, through the sample loop and sample cylinder and through the exit line or to flow in the inlet line and through the exit line, bypassing the sample loop.

Abstract: The invention relates to a sampler mechanism for fluidly interconnecting a ball valve with the interior space of a septum closed container for the taking of closed loop samples of fluid materials. The sampler mechanism includes a needle assembly having a hollow needle and a needle seating collar which is positioned adjacent the ball in the ball valve, a threaded injector end fitting for attaching and securing the needle assembly to the ball valve, and an injector body for fluidly connecting the ball valve to the container and for providing a fluid passageway for fluid communication between the container and a side surface of the injector body.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a thermoelectric device including the steps of printing a patterned mask on both sides of a strip of copper foil, shielding one side and plating a pattern of nickel on the other side, removing the shield, securing the foil to a flexible film and etching copper from predesignated areas, creating the thermoelectric device.

Abstract: Perfluorinated cyclic hemiketals of formula: ##STR1## where n=1-6, m=2-3, and their corresponding perfluoridiketones. The latter are prepared by means of perfluoroalkylation reaction of diacyl fluorides with perfluoroalkyl-trialkyl silanes. The perfluorodiketones can be then reacted with H.sub.2 O in order to obtain said cyclic hemiketals.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and a device for measuring vividness by means of the light reflected from the surface of baked and fried goods. The adapter establishes a controlled environment for measuring the light reflected from such surfaces providing and interconnecting a controlled light source, a light sensor, providing a precise angle and precise distances between the light source and the surface and between the surface and the sensor. The measurements obtained by use of the invention define goods which fall within an acceptable range of vividness as it pertains to a consumer preferences.

Abstract: A portable machine for sanitizing soil, particularly that contaminated with petroleum products, including a closed main chamber including vertically spaced augers (26,28,30) which agitate the soil while moving it into position to fall in parallel sheets after it strikes a separation bar 52. A burner 44 generates heat which passes through the falling soil driving off the petroleum which is then burned.

Abstract: A portable machine for sanitizing soil, particularly that contaminated with petroleum products, including a closed main chamber including vertically spaced augers (26,28,30) which agitate the soil while moving it into position to fall in parallel sheets after it strikes a separation bar 52. A burner 44 generates heat which passes through the falling soil driving off the petroleum which is then burned.