Abstract: The invention relates generally to a process and system for continuous removal of water during production of bio-fuels such as bio-diesel. The process may utilize either a homogeneous catalyst or a heterogeneous catalyst in an esterification reaction vessel to drive the esterification process to completion by continuously removing water and returning dried methanol back to the reaction vessel.

Abstract: Novel agrichemical quaternary salts, compositions and a method to prepare them are disclosed.

Abstract: Novel agrichemical quaternary salts, compositions and a method to prepare them are disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a compound comprising a quaternary ammonium salt of a sulfonylurea having the formula wherein R1 is a substituted or unsubstituted phenyl, heterocyclic ring, or phenoxy, or —N(CH3)(SO2CH3); R2 is H or CH3; R3 is a substituted or unsubstituted pyrimidine or a substituted or unsubstituted triazine; R4 and R5 are independently unsubstituted or hydroxy substituted linear or branched C1-C4 alkyls, —(CH2CH2O)mCH2CH2OH, or —(CH2CHCH3O)mCH2CHCH3OH where m is 1 to 10; R6 is a substituted or unsubstituted benzyl, ethylbenzyl, naphthylmethyl, or linear or branched C1-C22 alkyl; R7 is a substituted or unsubstituted, linear or branched C8-C22 alkyl or —R13(O)n(C6H5)R14 where n is 0 or 1; R13 is a substituted or unsubstituted C1-C8 alkyl or C1-C8 alkoxyalkyl; and R14 is a substituted or unsubstituted, linear or branched C1-C12 alkyl. Also, a method of preparing a quaternary ammonium salt of a sulfonylurea is provided.

Abstract: This invention relates to enclosures for microcomputers, and more particularly to such an enclosure which facilitates access to and shielding of the operative components of a personal computer. The enclosure includes a chassis, a cover for cooperating with the chassis for enclosing a volume to contain operating components of the microcomputer, and interrupted wedge members for coupling the chassis and cover upon relative movement therebetween in a predetermined direction. The interrupted wedge members include a plurality of hooks on one of the chassis and cover and a plurality of pockets on the other, with the hooks and pockets being disposed along two sides of the chassis and cover for entry of hooks into cooperating pockets on movement of the cover into position for cooperation with the chassis in enclosing a volume.

Abstract: Low cost, rapidly water-dispersible or water-soluble granular compositions containing at least 10% voids and consisting of agglomerates comprised of pesticidal particles bonded together by solid bridges of a water-soluble heat-activated binder.

Abstract: This invention relates to personal computers, and more particularly to the provision of a shielding structure for attenuating the possible effects of electromagnetic interference on input/output circuits of the computer while structurally reinforcing a side edge portion of a multilayer planar board. The shielding structure has two cooperating constituent parts, one being particularly formed ground plane areas in exterior layers of the planar board and the other being a particularly formed thin sheet metal member which extends about and substantially encloses connectors by which input/output signals are passed to circuits within the planar board.

Abstract: A personal computer system unit has a planar card upon which is mounted a processor card. The processor has mounted thereon those components, except for system memory, which are most likely to be replaced for a system upgrade. The processor card has a printed circuit board with printed circuits thereon that terminate along one edge at contacts. Two aligned edge connectors are mounted on the planar board. One connector has a key which engages a slot on the edge of the processor card to align the many contacts with contact arms. Two levers are mounted on the card and cooperate with frame elements to insert, extract and latch the processor card. Each element also has a guide to align the processor card for insertion into the edge connectors.

Abstract: A digitizer tablet has a base integrated with a heat sink. The base includes a flat portion which surrounds the heat sink. The sink is recessed relative to the flat portion and includes a flat upper surface on which a thermal pad is mounted. A planar member overlies the base and has a plurality of heat generating modules mounted on the underside thereof, the modules being pressed into the thermal pad to establish a thermal conduction whereby heat flows from the modules through the thermal pad and into the heat sink. The underside of the heat sink is recessed and has a plurality of cooling pins which provide a relatively large area. The pins are cooled by natural air convection and radiation, and lie within the recess to prevent body contact with portions other than the tips thereof. Bosses mount the planar member on the base and coact with fasteners to press the modules against the thermal pad.

Abstract: A granular particulate herbicidal composition having characteristics that permit it to be effectively applied to the ground aerially.

Abstract: In a low profile microcomputer, adapter cards are mounted horizontally in order to be able to use adapter cards designed for earlier, higher, machines. The cards are coupled to the microcomputer planar board by an extender card which extends vertically from the planar and has sockets extending horizontally when the card is in position. The adapter cards have edge connections which couple to these sockets. A removable bridge device is coupled between the top of the extender card and a vertical wall of the microcomputer to minimize horizontal movement of the extender card. For adapter cards which do not extend fully between the front and rear walls of the microcomputer, a channelled support arm, which fits over an end of a card, and is removably mounted on a vertical wall of the computer for slidable engagement with the card.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for preparing a one-phase, solid, controlled release pesticidal composition, said process comprising simultaneously mixing and heating a mixture of a copolymer of a hydrophobic barrier monomer and an unsaturated monomer dicarboxylic acid, a pesticide and a cross-linking agent to a temperature of about 60.degree. to 150.degree. C. but below the decomposition temperature of the pesticide until a homogenous melt is produced, followed by cooling.

Abstract: An improved tracer particle is described comprising an ion exchange core having a polymer coating thereon, the coated ion exchange core having a reaction site capable of reacting with a compound containing an oxirane group, said coated ion exchange core having been treated with a compound containing an oxirane group to react with said coated ion exchange core causing an increase in mass of the tracer particle. Preferably, the ion exchange core is labelled with a radionuclide. These particles have improved characteristics including improved stability against leaching and improved handling properties. Such particles are useful in circulatory determinations involving the injection of the particles as a suspension in a physiologically acceptable carrier or medium into the circulatory system of animals.

Abstract: This invention relates to a one-phase, solid controlled release pesticidal composition consisting essentially of a pesticide in homogeneous combination with a cross-linked copolymer prepared from hydrophobic monomers, selected from styrene and .alpha.-methyl styrene, and carboxylic acid-containing monomers.

Abstract: Films, 0.5-10 mils thick, which are rapidly and completely soluble in cold water, and which are suitable for use as packaging film in automatic packaging equipment, can be prepared by conventional melt extrusion processes when prepared from a novel composition consisting essentially of 5-20 parts by weight of a polyethylene glycol (having an average molecular weight in the range between 325 and 550) in 100 parts by weight of a partially hydrolyzed low molecular weight polyvinyl alcohol.

Abstract: Films, 0.5-10 mils thick, which are rapidly and completely soluble in cold water, and which are suitable for use as packaging film in automatic packaging equipment, can be prepared by conventional melt extrusion processes when prepared from a novel composition consisting essentially of 5-20 parts by weight of a polyethylene glycol (having an average molecular weight in the range between 325 and 550) in 100 parts by weight of a partially hydrolyzed low molecular weight polyvinyl alcohol.

Abstract: Films, 0.5-10 mils thick, which are rapidly and completely soluble in cold water, and which are suitable for use as packaging film in automatic packaging equipment, can be prepared by conventional melt extrusion processes when prepared from a novel composition consisting essentially of 5-20 parts by weight of a polyethylene glycol (having an average molecular weight in the range between 325 and 550) in 100 parts by weight of a partially hydrolyzed low molecular weight polyvinyl alcohol.

Abstract: Films prepared by melt extrusion or aqueous casting from compositions consisting essentially of a (i) resin mixture containing a low molecular weight polyvinyl alcohol and a medium molecular weight polyvinyl alcohol, and optionally, a copolymer of vinyl alcohol and an ethylenically unsaturated ester and (ii) as a plasticizer a polyethylene glycol. The films are suitable for use as packaging film in automatic packaging equipment. They can be used to package pulverulent materials, and the film package containing the pulverulent material can be charged directly to water in which the film will dissolve, thus eliminating the problem of user contact and exact measuring of the package contents, as well as disposal of containers in which the pulverulent materials would otherwise be packaged. Moreover, the films provide enhanced resistance to breakage of packages made therefrom when such packages are handled or shipped, even under cold or dry conditions.

Abstract: Compositions consisting essentially of a (i) resin mixture containing a low molecular weight polyvinyl alcohol and a medium molecular weight polyvinyl alcohol, and optionally, a copolymer of vinyl alcohol and an ethylenically unsaturated ester and (ii) as a plasticizer a polyethylene glycol, are used for preparing films by melt extrusion. The compositions, in the form of powder or granules, or preferably pellets, are melted, extruded through a slit or annulus, quenched by air and then drawn down and/or blown to form a thin film. Such drawing or blowing can impart orientation to the film. The films are suitable for use as packaging film in automatic packaging equipment.