Abstract: A continuous particle treating system (10) is shown having an elongated treatment chamber (12) with a slurry supply network (14) connected to the inlet end (12a) of the chamber and an outlet network (16) connected to the outlet end (12b) of the chamber. The supply network includes a loading char (24) coupled to a slurry container (18) forming a main circulation loop and a by-pass conduit (32) connected in parallel with the loading chamber forming a by-pass loop with the slurry container. High pressure liquid (36) is used to pressurize the treatment (12) and at selected times during an operational cycle, the loading chamber (24). A plurality of valves (V1-V7) are interconnected and sequenced to maintain slurry circulation at all times and to intermittently separate the loading chamber (24) from the circulation path and to pass on the slurry in the loading chamber into the treatment chamber (12).

Abstract: A continuous particle treating system (10) is shown having an elongated treatment chamber (12) with a slurry supply network (14) connected to the inlet end (12a) of the chamber and an outlet network (16) connected to the outlet end (12b) of the chamber. The supply network includes a loading chamber (24) coupled to a slurry container (18) forming a main circulation loop and a by-pass conduit (32) connected in parallel with the loading chamber forming a by-pass loop with the slurry container. High pressure liquid (36) is used to pressurize the treatment chamber (12) and at selected times during an operational cycle, the loading chamber (24). A plurality of valves (V1-V7) are interconnected and sequenced to maintain slurry circulation at all times and to intermittently separate the loading chanter (24) from the circulation path and to pass on the slurry in the loading chamber into the treatment chamber (12).

Abstract: A high quality writing instrument (100) has a special tip member (108) in one embodiment adapted to protect the distal end of the outer shell (102) from damage while allowing the shell to extend essentially all the way to the writing tip end of the instrument. An intermediate bushing 116 removably locks the tip member and threadingly is received in the retraction/protraction mechanism (14). In a second embodiment (130) the outer shell (132) is formed with a thicker wall portion adjacent the writing tip end so that a thread (136) can be formed in the bore. A bushing (140) has an end which is threaded into the bore of the shell with the distal ends of the shell (130) and the bushing (140) being flush and with the bushing (140) protecting the writing tip end from damage. The outer shell (102, 132) of both embodiments can be pierced in a selected pattern showing the outer surface of an inner shell (122, 150) spaced therefrom.