Abstract: A pool deck protector cooperative with the perimeter coping of the pool to prevent wear and discoloration to the pool deck and pool coping by the tie-down assembly securing the pool cover to a pool cover anchor. The pool deck protector is generally planar with one edge curved under upon the underside of the planar member, the curved edge having a decreasing radius such that it is frictionally engageable in a snap-fit manner with the perimeter coping of the pool to position the pool deck protector in alignment with the tie-down assembly thereby protecting the perimeter coping and immediate pool deck area.

Abstract: The invention concerns a process for delaying the formation and/or reducing the agglomeration tendency of hydrates in conditions under which a hydrate may be formed, these hydrates being formed from water and gas. The process according to the invention wherein, in particular, an additive comprising at least one compound from the group of hydroxycarbylamides of substituted carboxylic acids is used. Application of the process according to the invention to processes using gases and water, which form hydrates between them, in particular in the petroleum or gas industry.

Abstract: The invention concerns a process for manufacturing a composition of fatty acid esters useful as gas oil substitute motor fuel, said composition containing at least one hydrated ethyl alcohol.The process comprises:(A) A first acid transesterification step in the presence of at least one aliphatic, linear or branched monoalcohol of 1 to 5 carbon atoms, consisting at least partly of hydrated ethyl alcohol containing 1 to 60% by weight of water, said step leading to the formation of a phase mainly containing ethyl esters after removal of the produced glycerol phase,(B) A second step wherein the initial free acidity or that formed during the first step in the phase containing the esters is decreased to a value at most equal to about 2%; and(C) A third step of basic transesterification of the phase resulting from step B, in the presence of at least one aliphatic, linear or branched monoalcohol of 1 to 5 carbon atoms, with the recovery of the so-formed ester composition.

Abstract: A linear olefin is manufactured by contacting a fatty acid or ester with a catalyst comprising nickel and at least one metal from the group consisting of tin, germanium and lead at 200.degree.-400.degree. C.

Abstract: N-acyliminodiacetic acids are manufactured by reacting formaldehyde or a formaldehyde generator compound with a N-unsubstituted amide or a generator thereof and with carbon monoxide in contact with a carbonylation catalyst, for example, a cobalt compound, the ratio of the aldehyde groups to the amide groups being at least 2:1. The formaldehyde generator can be a polymeric form of formaldehyde and the amide generator can be a carboxylic ester, acid or anhydride.

Abstract: A N-acyl .alpha.-amino acid is manufactured by reacting an unsaturated vegetable oil or a C.sub.8 -C.sub.30 mono-olefinic compound with an amide, carbon monoxide and hydrogen, in the presence of a cobalt catalyst. The process is operated in one step, providing for an increased selectivity as compared with a two-step process.

Abstract: Process for selectively hydrogenating acetylenic hydrocarbons such as vinylacetylene contained in an unsaturated hydrocarbon fraction such as a C.sub.4 fraction also containing a diolefinic hydrocarbon such as butadiene, without substantially hydrogenating said diolefinic hydrocarbon, comprising the step of contacting said fraction, at least partially in the liquid phase, in the presence of hydrogen, with a catalyst of palladium on alumina whose palladium crystallites have an average size of at least 50 Angstroms, said step being optionally followed with a step of contacting the resultant fraction from the preceding step, in the presence of hydrogen, with a catalyst of palladium an alumina whose palladium crystallites have an average size of at most 45 Angstroms.

Abstract: A machine for binding a plurality of loose sheets into bound pamphlet form is disclosed, together with a cover suitable to receive such sheets. The machine has a stationary base to which a main chassis is fixedly mounted. A movable carriage is mounted for slidable movement with respect to the chassis by means of rollers fixed to the carriage and which slide along the inner side edges of the upper plate of the chassis. When the carriage is in the open position, its upper rear wall is separated from the fixed rear wall of the base, thereby exposing an underlying heating channel and permitting the insertion therein of a cover containing pages to be bound thereto. The chassis is then moved to a relatively closed position, whereby its rear wall approaches the corresponding rear wall of the base, retaining the cover and its contained pages therebetween.

Abstract: Process for isomerizing 1-butene to 2-butene by contacting 1-butene, at a temperature from 50 to 140.degree. C, in the presence of hydrogen, with an isomerization catalyst containing a noble metal from group VIII of the periodic classification of elements, which catalyst was previously contacted with a sulfur compound at a temperature from 50 to 400.degree. C and then with hydrogen at a temperature of at least 50.degree. C.

Abstract: Highly unsaturated oils of vegetable or animal origin are selectively hydenated to less highly unsaturated oils using a catalytic composition obtained by dissolving a compound of a metal selected from the IB, IV B to VII B or VIII groups in an unsaturated oil and then adding thereto an organic derivative or hydride of a metal from groups I A, II A, II B or III A, in the absence of a stabilizing solvent.

Abstract: Process for recovering palladium from a catalyst having a palladium content of less than 5 %, comprising contacting said catalyst with a gaseous chlorinated organic compound at a temperature sufficient for vaporizing the palladium and cooling the gaseous phase so as to recover the formed chlorinated palladium derivative.