Abstract: Nonionic, hydrophobic photobleach compounds, especially those based on Si(IV) phthalocyanines, which are liquid at ambient temperatures and their use in a variety of consumer product compositions.

Abstract: Consumer product compositions such as laundry detergents comprising selected photosensitive compounds for photobleaching, photodisinfection, antibacterial activity, hueing or other benefits. The compositions are preferably formulated with detersive surfactants and/or water-soluble polymers.

Abstract: Product data from a manufacturing process is analysed using techniques adapted from the study of chaos. Future values of a series of product data are predicted and an attractor structure is determined from the product data. This enables the manufacturing process to be monitored, controlled and analysed. Action can be taken to modify the manufacturing process using the results from the prediction and attractor structure to reduce costs and improve performance and efficiency.

Abstract: There is provided an animal litter composition of agglomerated or compacted calcined calcium sulfate absorbent. The animal litter is screened to a particle size between 6 mesh and about 100 mesh. In another aspect of the invention, an effective amount of a binder such as a clay, lignin or starch is added to the calcium sulfate to assist the calcium sulfate to pelletize. The pelletized calcium sulfate is sized and calcined. The litter compositions are effective in absorbing urine, clumping and are easily disposed of. There is also disclosed processes for making the animal litter compositions.

Abstract: A hoist for lifting game animals or other loads comprises a boom mounted on a support column in communication with a base. The boom is rotatable relative to the base, which is insertable within a draw bar-type hitch receiver. The boom, support column and base are modular components that advantageously allow for quick assembly/disassembly of the hoist and compact storage of the hoist components. Further, the length of the hoist is adjustable to compensate for the size of the game animal or load being lifted. Additionally, a light source is attached to the hoist to illuminate the area near the hoist to increase safety during operation of the hoist. Finally, a dual draw bar for increasing the utilization of a draw bar-type hitch is included. The dual draw bar has at one end a draw bar adapter and at the opposite end a first and a second receiver section for utilization with draw bar-type accessories.

Abstract: There is provided an animal litter composition of agglomerated or compacted calcined calcium sulfate absorbent. The animal litter is screened to a particle size between 6 mesh and about 100 mesh. In another aspect of the invention, an effective amount of a binder such as a clay, lignin or starch is added to the calcium sulfate to assist the calcium sulfate to pelletize. The pelletized calcium sulfate is sized and calcined. The litter compositions are effective in absorbing urine, clumping and are easily disposed of. There is also disclosed processes for making the animal litter compositions.

Abstract: Articles of manufacture, such as bulk composites, composite coatings, and composite films, can be prepared by exposing a gel to air, and allowing it to stand at room temperature to cure. The gel is obtained by mixing an organopolysiloxane sheet or tube polymer with an alkoxysilane. Organopolysiloxane sheet or tube polymers are obtained by contacting sheet or tube silicates with an organohalosilane and a solvent, and heating the mixture.

Abstract: Gels, cast films, coatings, extruded rods, extruded fibers, compression molded discs, and machined compression molded discs, are made from organopolysiloxane sheet or tube polymers such as an apophyllite-derived 3-cyanopropyldimethyl siloxy sheet polymer of the formula [((NCC.sub.3 H.sub.6)(CH.sub.3).sub.2 SiO).sub.x (HO).sub.1-x SiO.sub.1.5 ].sub.n. Polymers are prepared by contacting sheet or tube silicates with an organohalosilane containing at least one polar group such as cyanoalkyl, acyloxy, or haloalkyl, in the presence of a polar solvent or a mixture of a polar solvent and a non-polar solvent; and heating the mixture until a polymer is formed.

Abstract: A method for synthesizing an apophyllite-derived 3-cyanopropyldimethylsiloxy-5-hexenyldimethylsiloxy sheet polymer (A-CM.sub.2 -HEM.sub.2); an apophyllite-derived 3-cyanopropyldimethylsiloxy-vinyldimethylsiloxy sheet polymer (A-CM.sub.2 -VM.sub.2); and an apophyllite-derived 3-cyanopropyldimethylsiloxy-n-decyldimethylsiloxy sheet polymer (A-CM.sub.2 -DM.sub.2). These polymers form gels with simple polar solvents such as acetone and therefore can be easily processed. The first two of the polymers, i.e., A-CM.sub.2 -HEM.sub.2 and A-CM.sub.2 -VM.sub.2, form gels with polar solvents carrying olefinic linkages, and these gels can be crosslinked into sheet composites having fully exfoliated organosilicon sheets in an organic matrix.

Abstract: The invention relates to automated testing of equipment items of the electronic, electrical, and optical type over a range of environmental conditions. A testing apparatus operates to vary an operating environment of an item of test equipment between a lower extreme and an upper extreme, and iteratively searches each test parameter for a peak response. The peak response is compared with a response limit specified in a customer specification or an international standard. The apparatus assesses a design robustness of the equipment item by comparing a set of measured responses with a maximum range of responses specified in the customer specification or international standard. The apparatus produces a data output for each performance parameter tested, identifying performance parameters which are outside the customer specification, or which have insufficient design robustness.

Abstract: The invention relates to automated testing of equipment items of the electronic, electrical, and optical type over a range of environmental conditions. A testing apparatus operates to vary an operating environment of an item of test equipment between a lower extreme and an upper extreme, and iteratively searches each test parameter for a peak response. The peak response is compared with a response limit specified in a customer specification or an international standard. The apparatus assesses a design robustness of the equipment item by comparing a set of measured responses with a maximum range of responses specified in the customer specification or international standard. The apparatus produces a data output for each performance parameter tested, identifying performance parameters which are outside the customer specification, or which have insufficient design robustness.