Abstract: A product and a process for the preparation of discrete calcium carbonate particles that result from preparing an aqueous calcium carbonate slurry containing carbohydrates, carbonating the aqueous calcium carbonate slurry while maintaining the selected starting carbonation temperature. The product of the present invention is discrete particles of calcium carbonate which are especially useful in paints, plastics, paper coating, paper filling, and because of the purity level of the calcium carbonate particle may be used in cosmetics, pharmaceuticals and food applications.

Abstract: A rotatable display device that is suspendable from a ceiling and allows a planter to be rotatably suspendable therefrom. The device includes a lower housing. An upper housing is replaceably attached to the lower housing. A top hanger assembly extends upwardly from the upper housing and suspends the rotatable display device from the ceiling while providing a means for grabbing the upper housing when the upper housing is to be removed from the lower housing. A rotatable plate is contained in, and rotatable relative to, one of the lower housing and the upper housing. A bearing assembly rotatably connects the rotatable plate to the other of the one of the lower housing and the upper housing. A driven gear is fixedly attached to, for rotation with, the rotatable plate. A bottom hanger assembly extends downwardly from, and rotates with, one of the rotatable plate and the driven gear for rotatably suspending the planter therefrom.

Abstract: This invention concerns a mixture of a first component selected from talcs and one or more second component(s) selected from diatomaceous earth, natural and synthetic silica, clay, ceramic spheres, volcanic ash and glass cullet wherein the ratio of the component to the second component(s) provides an enhanced abrasiveness property, an enhanced die pressure character, and a reduced melt fracture character. The invention further relates to an antiblock agent made from such mixture that significantly reduces or eliminates the need to provide polymer processing additives. This invention also relates to a masterbatch composition having an admixture such that enhanced die pressure character and/or reduced melt fracture character are obtained.

Abstract: A process for the precipitation of discrete prismatic calcium carbonate particles by carbonation of aqueous calcium hydroxide containing a saccharide or polysaccharide or a saccaride or polysaccharide and a metal ion at temperatures of from about 8.degree. C. to about 64.degree. C. is disclosed. The resulting product has specific surface areas between about 10 m.sup.2 /g and about 120 m.sup.2 /g and is useful in paints, plastics, paper coating, paper filling, and pharmaceutical applications.

Abstract: A device is provided for heating and moisturizing the skin. The device includes a handle and a thermally conductive head secured to the handle. The head includes a thermally conductive contact plate which is thermally isolated from the head. One or more Peltier effect devices are provided for heating or cooling the contact plate depending upon the polarity of the current. The head and handle function as a heat sink for dissipating heat generated by the Peltier effect devices. A fan is also provided within the head for heat dissipation purposes. A reservoir filled with a moisturizing liquid is mounted to the head and positioned adjacent to the contact plate. The reservoir includes a permeable wall which conforms to the surface of the body to which it is applied.

Abstract: A therapeutic device is provided for heating or cooling the skin and underlying body tissue. The device includes a handle and a thermally conductive head secured to the handle. The head includes a thermally conductive contact plate which is thermally isolated from the head. One or more Peltier effect devices are provided for heating or cooling the contact plate depending upon the polarity of the current. The head and handle function as a heat sink for dissipating heat generated by the Peltier effect devices. A fan is also provided within the head for heat dissipation purposes. A bag or pouch filled with a thermally conductive fluid may be mounted to the head and positioned adjacent to the contact plate. The bag or pouch conforms to the surface of the body to which it is applied. A porous bag may be employed if moist heat is desired. The contact plate may be connected to a high voltage source if electrical stimulation is desired.

Abstract: A pin mounts a plurality of expandable and contractable bushings that upon expansion engage the bore of workpieces to hold the latter together. A ball lock expands behind the workpieces to present a positive lock against axial pullout of the fastener. The bushings are alternate male and female, split ring bushings that have complementary contiguous surfaces that act as wedges. Upon axial compressive loading the female bushings expand and the male bushings contract. The ball lock includes a pair of diametrically opposed balls radially displaceable in the pin. A slide has an annular recess for receiving the balls in a withdrawn position within the pin. A spring normally biases a land of the slide into a position radially inside the balls to rigidly hold the balls in their extended position.

Abstract: An improvement to expansible bushing type locking pins which include a handle or clip having camming means at one end to operate the bushings. Such handles or clips include an opening which cooperates with the adjusting nut on the free end of the locking pin to secure the assemblage together and in place on the parts to be assembled using the locking pin and clip assembly. The improvement comprises a nose cone on the free end of the locking pin having a circular cross-sectional shape, the nose cone overlying the adjusting nut so that the criticality of position of the nut on the pin in the prior art is avoided, while at the same time the tapered nose cone provides a guiding function to mount the pin into the parts to be assembled together.