Abstract: The invention relates to an environmentally friendly method for dehairing of hides or skins by means of enzymes comprising the following steps: 1) the hides or skins are soaked, 2) the soaked hides or skins are subjected to a main soak, and 3) the thus treated hides or skins are dehaired by addition of water, exposure to mechanical influence and subjection to at least one protease, characterized in that the hides or skins are subjected to at least one protein disulfide redox agent at least one time during step 1) to 3).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process of preparing a spread and the use of an enzyme in the production of a spread. The process of preparing a spread includes the following steps: a) the aqueous phase, which includes protein, is treated with an enzyme capable of enhancing the viscosity of the aqueous phase, b) the pH-value is adjusted to 4.8 to 6.0, c) the aqueous phase or emulsion is heated to between 60.degree. C. and 100.degree. C. for a period of time, d) the aqueous phase or the emulsion is tempered to a temperature between 30.degree. C. and 50.degree. C., e) the tempered aqueous phase is mixed with the fat phase and tempered to between 30.degree. C. and 50.degree. C. until an emulsion is formed, f) the emulsion is crystallized to form a spread. The steps in the process may be performed in the sequence steps a), b), c), d) e), f) or a), b), d), e), c), d), f).

Abstract: A flow control device including first and second flow control members, first and second actuators, and first and second transmission devices wherein both flow control members are adapted for rotation about a common axis. The first flow control member has a wall portion which defines an aperture aligned with the common axis. The second transmission device includes a shaft member which passes through the aperture for rotation therein. A first end of the shaft member is coupled to the second actuator and a second end of the shaft member is coupled to the second flow control member. The first transmission device includes a first rotary body coupled to the first flow control member and rotatable about the common axis and a second rotary body coupled to the first actuator and rotatable about a second axis offset from the common axis. The first and second rotary bodies are engagable by a mechanism such that rotation of the first rotary body causes rotation of the second rotary body.

Abstract: A collapsible stand for supporting a book in an inclined readable position. The stand includes a base member having rearwardly extending side walls provided with slots therein. A planar book rest extends upwardly from the base member. A flexible bracket is connected between the base member and the book rest for supporting the book rest at a desired reading angle. The flexible bracket also permits the book rest to be folded down within the base member into a compact package for carrying.