Abstract: Methods and apparatus for forming devices including dead-ends and insulator ties from flat and other strips of material, as well as the devices themselves, are disclosed. Components of these devices may be formed continuously from a single strip, avoiding the need to weld or clamp the components together. Forming the devices in this manner reduces the possibility of stresses or non-uniformities forming when the components are joined and permits continuous automatic or semi-automatic manufacture to occur.

Abstract: A process for minimizing the compositional changes that occur in a non-azeotropic composition during the withdrawal of an amount of the composition from a storage vessel. The process of the invention provides for the minimization of compositional changes by cooling the non-azeotropic composition.

Abstract: An extruder for treating high-oil-content material such as certain oilseeds, is used to prepare the material for later solvent extraction of oil from the material. The extruder has an elongate barrel and a rotating wormshaft therein which advances the material from an inlet hopper to a discharge die plate having at least one restricted orifice. As the material advances through a series of compaction worms, it is worked and compressed. Steam may be injected to raise the temperature and moisture content of the material. The pressure on the material is increased and is maintained sufficiently high so as to prevent any water content from vaporizing even if its vapor pressure significantly exceeds atmospheric pressure. The barrel wall includes a perforate or slotted section downstream from a solid wall section, and preferably immediately before or close to the discharge die plate.

Abstract: A process for hydrolyzing keratinous materials, comprising the steps of mechanically dewatering raw keratinous material to reduce the water content while maintaining the water in its liquid phase, applying heat and pressure to the dewatered material to hydrolyze the material, and drying the material. Also disclosed is the product produced by the foregoing process.

Abstract: Cryogenic apparatus comprises the combination of an insulated Dewar container for cryogenic liquid and a probe-like device for the introduction of heat into the liquid, the device being of elongated form, increasing in cross-section from an upper, heat-input end towards a lower, heat-output end. The device may be of copper and substantially conical whereby its cross-section is substantially circular. The heat-input end of the device has an upper extension which penetrates a low-loss self-venting cover-plug disposed in the neck of the insulated container. A metallic "cold" plate is attached to the upper end of the extension and provides a large-area surface over which cold is distributed by convection.