Abstract: A method for recovering a composition enriched in 3-hydroxypropionic acid from a fermentation broth comprising 3-hydroxypropionic acid and/or salts thereof comprises the steps of: (a) providing the fermentation broth having a pH of from about 2 to about 8 comprising: 3-hydroxypropionic acid and/or salts thereof, (b) acidifying the fermentation broth; (c) reducing the total sulfate ion and phosphate ion (d) distilling the resulting reduced ion aqueous solution and (e) recovering the product.

Abstract: A method for recovering a composition enriched in 3-hydroxypropionic acid by providing the fermentation broth, acidifying the fermentation broth; reducing the total sulfate ion and phosphate ion concentration of the resulting aqueous solution to produce a reduced ion aqueous solution; distilling the resulting reduced ion aqueous solution and recovering the resulting aqueous distillation product comprising 3-hydroxypropionic acid.

Abstract: A method for recovering a composition enriched in 3-hydroxypropionic acid by providing the fermentation broth, acidifying the fermentation broth; reducing the total sulfate ion and phosphate ion concentration of the resulting aqueous solution to produce a reduced ion aqueous solution; distilling the resulting reduced ion aqueous solution and recovering the resulting aqueous distillation product comprising 3-hydroxypropionic acid

Abstract: A method for recovering a composition enriched in 3-hydroxypropionic acid from a fermentation broth comprising 3-hydroxypropionic acid and/or salts thereof comprises the steps of: (a) providing the fermentation broth having a pH of from about 2 to about 8 comprising: 3-hydroxypropionic acid and/or salts thereof, (b) acidifying the fermentation broth; (c) reducing the total sulfate ion and phosphate ion (d) distilling the resulting reduced ion aqueous solution and (e) recovering the product.

Abstract: The invention provides methods of purifying rebaudioside A from a mixture comprising glycosides of the plant Stevia rebaudiana. The methods of the invention are useful for preparing highly pure rebaudioside A compositions from crude Stevia starting compositions that are typically considerably lower in rebaudioside A concentration. The highly pure rebaudioside A compositions are useful as non-caloric sweeteners in edible or chewable compositions such as food, beverages, medicine, candy, chewing gum, and the like.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an injection molding valve configured to prevent the leaking or stringing of injected thermoplastic from the valve. The valve includes a housing having a first bore along a length thereof and a second bore intersecting the first bore. A rotatable member is inserted through the second bore and is in communication with a lever for the actuation thereof. The rotatable member includes a hole therethrough such that when the hole is aligned with the first bore, thermoplastic may travel freely through the first bore. The second bore further includes at least one groove in communication with a port for receiving injected thermoplastic. The injected thermoplastic is hardened to form an seal therein and configured to prevent thermoplastic from leaking out of the valve housing.

Abstract: A disposable assembly for use with a sensor assembly, the disposable comprising a body, a flow restricting element, and a fluid pressure membrane. The body has a lid portion and a base portion. The body defines a fluid flow passage that forms an inlet and an outlet. The flow restricting element is positioned in the fluid flow passage between the inlet and the outlet. The fluid pressure membrane is disposed along the fluid flow passage between the inlet and the outlet. The fluid pressure membrane is located between the lid portion and the base portion of the body.

Abstract: A system for generating an animal feed formulation based on utilization of nutrients received by an animal. The system includes a simulator engine configured to generate a set of animal requirements based on characteristics of an animal and to generate animal feed formulation input based at least in part on a projected nutrient utilization for the animal and the set of animal requirements. The system further includes a formulator engine configured to receive the animal feed formulation input and generate an optimized animal feed formulation based on the animal feed formulation input.

Abstract: A disposable assembly for use with a sensor assembly, the disposable comprising a body, a flow restricting element, and a fluid pressure membrane. The body has a lid portion and a base portion. The body defines a fluid flow passage that forms an inlet and an outlet. The flow restricting element is positioned in the fluid flow passage between the inlet and the outlet. The fluid pressure membrane is disposed along the fluid flow passage between the inlet and the outlet. The fluid pressure membrane is located between the lid portion and the base portion of the body.

Abstract: The invention provides methods of purifying rebaudioside A from a mixture comprising glycosides of the plant Stevia rebaudiana. The methods of the invention are useful for preparing highly pure rebaudioside A compositions from crude Stevia starting compositions that are typically considerably lower in rebaudioside A concentration. The highly pure rebaudioside A compositions are useful as non-caloric sweeteners in edible or chewable compositions such as food, beverages, medicine, candy, chewing gum, and the like.

Abstract: A screw for injection molding provides a coaxial piston that allows the effective cross-sectional area of the screw to be varied during the injection cycle permitting small shot metering with relatively large diameter injection molding screws. The screw is positioned within the injector barrel of a injection molding assembly and includes a number of threads disposed around its outer surface configured to advance molten plastic to the front of the barrel. The screw further includes a central bore having a piston slidably received within the central bore. The plastic shot to be forced out through the nozzle of the injection molding assembly is controlled by movement of the piston within the screw.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an injection molding valve configured to prevent the leaking or stringing of injected thermoplastic from the valve. The valve includes a housing having a first bore along a length thereof and a second bore intersecting the first bore. A rotatable member is inserted through the second bore and is in communication with a lever for the actuation thereof. The rotatable member includes a hole therethrough such that when the hole is aligned with the first bore, thermoplastic may travel freely through the first bore. The second bore further includes at least one groove in communication with a port for receiving injected thermoplastic. The injected thermoplastic is hardened to form an seal therein and configured to prevent thermoplastic from leaking out of the valve housing.

Abstract: A system for generating an animal feed formulation based on utilization of nutrients received by an animal. The system includes a simulator engine configured to generate a set of animal requirements based on characteristics of an animal and to generate animal feed formulation input based at least in part on a projected nutrient utilization for the animal and the set of animal requirements. The system further includes a formulator engine configured to receive the animal feed formulation input and generate an optimized animal feed formulation based on the animal feed formulation input.

Abstract: A kit for attaching a second injection cylinder to a standard injection-molding machine includes a base that can be attached to either the stationary or the movable platen normally providing support for a mold. In one embodiment, a track with slides supports the second injection cylinder by allowing attachment points on both the stationary and movable platen.

Abstract: An in-machine assembly technique uses revolving mold sections that rotate perpendicularly to the clamping axis of the injection-molding machine to increase usable mold area and to provide improved access to molded parts before and after assembly.

Abstract: An injection molding apparatus includes a fixed injection molding machine having a housing, a first injection molding unit and a mold associated therewith. A portable framework is removably attached to the platen and has at least a second injection molding unit operably aligned with the mold and cooperable with the first injection molding unit.

Abstract: An injection screw and barrel for small injection molding shots employs separate plunger and flight sections so that the plunger section may be arbitrarily reduced in diameter without adversely affecting the threaded portion of the flight section. Melt passes from the flight section to a metering area through a hollow bore in the plunger section.

Abstract: A multi-material runner gate system allows effective de-gating of elastomeric materials that would otherwise stretch and/or flex reducing de-gating forces at the gate upon separation of the molds.

Abstract: A method of sandwich molding, in which a first thermoplastic material is injected into a mold cavity followed by the injection of a second thermoplastic material expanding within the first thermoplastic material, eliminates the need for heated runner systems communicating from the injection nozzle of the injection molding machine to the mold cavity by employing a cold runner having sufficiently slow solidification time to allow subsequent injections from two injection sources. The backflow into the inactive branch is prevented by maintaining the injection nozzle against the mold until molding is complete.

Abstract: An injection screw and barrel for small injection molding shots employs separate plunger and flight sections so that the plunger section may be arbitrarily reduced in diameter without adversely affecting the threaded portion of the flight section. Melt passes from the flight section to a metering area through a hollow bore in the plunger section.