Abstract: Provided are high temperature, venting food preparation bags used to package food products for storage, transportation, and preparation and methods for making and using the same. High temperature, venting food preparation bags are composed of a sealed end, an open end, at least one side wall composed of a first thermoplastic film having a vent, and a vent seal composed of a second thermoplastic film. The vent seal is fused to the sidewall via a non-adhesive seal thereby closing the vents. At elevated temperatures, the vent seal at least partially detaches from the side wall thereby opening the vents. Opening of the at least one vent is not dependent upon the accumulation of internal fluid or gaseous pressure, and is compatible with vacuum packaging techniques. Vented cooking techniques are provided that permit browning and crisping of beef and poultry without manipulating the food preparation bag during cooking.

Abstract: Provided are high temperature food preparation films, bags made from the films, as well as methods for fabricating such bags. The high temperature food preparation films are composed of a blended monolayer thermoplastic elastomer film comprising a polyamide and a polyester elastomer. The polyamides include nylon-6, nylon-6,6, copolymers of nylon-6, copolymers of nylon-6,6, and combinations thereof. Bags made from such films are used in high temperature cooking applications of up to about 425° F.

Abstract: This invention relates to a valve assembly comprising (a) a valve body defining a valve chamber, an inlet port and a discharge port, wherein the inlet port and discharge port communicate with the valve chamber; and (b) a valve member in the valve chamber, the valve member comprising a passage having (1) a first opening and (2) a second opening housing a filter having an inlet surface proximate to the inlet port and a discharge surface proximate to the discharge port, wherein the passage communicates with the inlet port and discharge port, and wherein the valve member is moveable to alternately juxtapose the inlet port and either the filter inlet surface or the filter discharge surface. The invention further relates to a particulate material metering and/or feed system comprising the valve assembly.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to blended monolayer films and multilayer films having odor barrier properties, methods of making such films, and bags made from such films. Blended monolayer films include blends of non-elastic polyesters and blends of non-elastic polyesters, polyester thermoplastic elastomers, polyolefins, or combinations thereof. Multilayer thermoplastic films include a plurality of layers of film. The plurality of layers of film includes at least one non-elastic polyester layer of film and at least one additional layer of film. The one additional layers of film can be polyester thermoplastic elastomer layers, polyolefin layers, nylon layers, and combinations thereof. Blended monolayer films and multilayer films are a substantial odor barrier for at least 3 days and have a gauge thickness of from about 0.00015 to about 0.01 inches.

Abstract: A novel steerable solid axle suspension system capable of eliminating the need for steering dampers includes a solid axle (12) suspended from a vehicle frame (14) by leaf spring assemblies (48) and right and left shock absorbers (30, 38). The suspension also includes a track bar (140) laterally connecting the solid axle (12) to the frame (14). The suspension also includes a steering gear (132) having a pitman arm (130) connected to a drag link (128). The drag link (128) extends downwardly to connect to a tie rod (122) which extends between and interconnects first and second steering knuckles (24, 22).

Abstract: A novel twin I-beam front suspension system is disclosed having a first and a second radius arm, the rearward end of each radius arm being adapted to cooperate with a bushing to connect to the vehicle frame. The radius arm bushing static rate on one side of the suspension differs from the radius arm bushing static rate on the other side of the suspension so as to balance the radius arm longitudinal deflections on the two sides of the vehicle. In the preferred embodiment, a silent block bushing replaces the traditional radius arm bushing to reduce pan complexity and to provide increased radius arm bushing life. Radius arm systems are also disclosed which permit quick, easy and accurate adjustment of the front wheel caster angle. A parallelogram steering linkage decouples the two front wheels from one another to provide a toe curve for each front tire that is independent of the vertical displacement of the other front tire.

Abstract: A sulfate scavenger for chromium-plating baths consists of barium chromate or dichromate or mixtures of the two, added either directly to the bath or as part of a replenishment mixture with chromic acid.