Abstract: A method of generating and distributing promotional offers by businesses, or on behalf of businesses to consumers, through a network, which includes collecting consumer coupon parameters regarding coupons which the consumer would be interested in and business coupon parameters regarding the terms of coupons, and matching businesses to interested consumers, and transmitting coupons to interested consumers.

Abstract: A colloidal suspension comprising elemental silver and/or one or more alloys of silver is mixed with either an over-the-counter rhinitis medicine or a prescription rhinitis medicine. The resulting mixture is administered to rhinitis patients in the form of a spray.

Abstract: A bulk bag comprises a side wall formed from woven polypropylene fabric and comprising a cylindrical configuration. Long, narrow, strips of polypropylene fabric is sewn to the side wall panels at spaced apart locations to define pockets which receive support members. Alternatively, the pockets may be formed by gathering the fabric of the side wall to define the pocket and securing the gathered material in place by sewing.

Abstract: The intrusion of insects into a home or similar building is controlled by utilizing insect and/or microorganism controlling plastic materials in the construction of the building. The insect and/or microorganism controlling plastic building materials are manufactured by first blending one or more plastic resins with one or more insect and/or microorganism controlling chemical agents to form a blended plastic resin/insect and/or microorganism controlling chemical agent material. The blended plastic resin/insect and/or microorganism controlling chemical agent material is then utilized to manufacture plastic films, sheets, nonwoven fabrics, woven fabrics, insulating foams, flooring materials, wall covering materials, and the like utilizing conventional manufacturing techniques.

Abstract: A bulk bag comprises a side wall formed from woven polypropylene fabric and comprising a cylindrical configuration. Long, narrow, strips of polypropylene fabric is sewn to the side wall panels at spaced apart locations to define pockets which receive a support members. Alternatively, the pockets may be formed by gathering the fabric of the side wall to define the pocket and securing the gathered material in place by sewing.

Abstract: The intrusion of insects into a home or similar building is controlled by utilizing insect and/or microorganism controlling plastic materials in the construction of the building. The insect and/or microorganism controlling plastic building materials are manufactured by first blending one or more plastic resins with one or more insect and/or microorganism controlling chemical agents to form a blended plastic resin/insect and/or microorganism controlling chemical agent material. The blended plastic resin/insect and/or microorganism controlling chemical agent material is then utilized to manufacture plastic films, sheets, non-woven fabrics, woven fabrics, insulating foams, flooring materials, wall covering materials, and the like utilizing conventional manufacturing techniques.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a sock having anti-microbial properties including the steps of providing a quantity of a thermoplastic resin including an anti-microbial agent admixture having a predetermined microbial inhibition characteristic; blending the thermoplastic resin with a polyethylene resin to form an anti-microbial feedstock; forming the anti-microbial feedstock into relatively long, narrow, thin lengths of anti-microbial members; and knitting the anti-microbial members into an anti-microbial sock having predetermined microbial inhibition characteristics.

Abstract: The intrusion of insects into a home or similar building is controlled by utilizing insect and/or microorganism controlling plastic materials in the construction of the building. The insect and/or microorganism controlling plastic building materials are manufactured by first blending one or more plastic resins with one or more insect and/or microorganism controlling chemical agents to form a blended plastic resin/insect and/or microorganism controlling chemical agent material. The blended plastic resin/insect and/or microorganism controlling chemical agent material is then utilized to manufacture plastic films, sheets, non-woven fabrics, woven fabrics, insulating foams, flooring materials, wall covering materials, and the like utilizing conventional manufacturing techniques.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a sock having anti-microbial properties including the steps of providing a quantity of a thermoplastic resin including an anti-microbial agent admixture having a predetermined microbial inhibition characteristic; blending the thermoplastic resin with a polyethylene resin to form an anti-microbial feedstock; forming the anti-microbial feedstock into relatively long, narrow, thin lengths of anti-microbial members; and knitting the anti-microbial members into an anti-microbial sock having predetermined microbial inhibition characteristics.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a sock having anti-microbial properties including the steps of providing a quality of a thermoplastic resin including an anti-microbial agent admixture having a predetermined microbial inhibition characteristic; blending the thermoplastic resin with a polyethylene resin to form an anti-microbial feedstock; forming the anti-microbial feedstock into relatively long, narrow, thin lengths of anti-microbial members; and knitting the anti-microbial members into an anti-microbial sock having predetermined microbial inhibition characteristics.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a shoe lining having anti-microbial properties having the steps of: providing a quantity of a thermoplastic resin including an inorganic zinc-based anti-microbial agent admixture having a predetermined microbial inhibition characteristic; blending the thermoplastic resin with a polyethylene resin to form an anti-microbial feedstock; forming the anti-microbial feedstock into relatively long, narrow, thin lengths of anti-microbial members; weaving the anti-microbial members into an anti-microbial fabric having predetermined microbial inhibition characteristics; cutting the anti-microbial fabric into a plurality of pieces in accordance with a predetermined pattern; and joining the pieces of anti-microbial fabric together thereby constructing the anti-microbial shoe lining. A sock liner may be knitted from anti-microbial members as noted above.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a shoe lining having anti-microbial properties having the steps of: providing a quantity of a thermoplastic resin including an inorganic zinc-based anti-microbial agent admixture having a predetermined microbial inhibition characteristic; blending the thermoplastic resin with a polyethylene resin to form an anti-microbial feedstock; forming the anti-microbial feedstock into relatively long, narrow, thin lengths of anti-microbial members; weaving the anti-microbial members into an anti-microbial fabric having predetermined microbial inhibition characteristics; cutting the anti-microbial fabric into a plurality of pieces in accordance with a predetermined pattern; and joining the pieces of anti-microbial fabric together thereby constructing the anti-microbial shoe lining.A sock liner may be knitted from anti-microbial members as noted above.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a sock having anti-microbial properties including the steps of providing a quantity of a thermoplastic resin including an anti-microbial agent admixture having a predetermined microbial inhibition characteristic; blending the thermoplastic resin with a polyethylene resin to form an anti-microbial feedstock; forming the anti-microbial feedstock into relatively long, narrow, thin lengths of anti-microbial members; and knitting the anti-microbial members into an anti-microbial sock having predetermined microbial inhibition characteristics.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a shoe lining having anti-microbial properties. The method comprises providing a quantity of a thermoplastic resin including an inorganic zinc-based anti-microbial agent admixture having a predetermined microbial inhibition characteristic. This thermoplastic resin is blended with a polyethylene resin to form an anti-microbial feedstock. The anti-microbial feedstock is formed into relatively long, narrow, thin lengths of anti-microbial members. These members are woven into an anti-microbial fabric having predetermined microbial inhibition characteristics. This fabric is cut into a plurality of pieces in accordance with a predetermined pattern and the pieces are joined together thereby constructing the anti-microbial shoe lining.

Abstract: A bottom lift bulk bag (10) comprises one or more sidewalls (12) defining the interior (14) of the bulk bag. The lower end of the bulk bag is closed by a bottom wall (22) which is secured to the lower ends of the sidewall panels. The material of the bottom wall is extended in the form of a pair of opposed lift loops (26) which are secured in place by seams (28) interconnecting the lower ends of the sidewalls and the bottom wall. In the use of the bulk bag, rigid lifting members (66) are extended through the lift loops and are used to lift the bulk bag from the bottom.

Abstract: A regeneration process for reconditioning catalyst particles containing platinum by transferring the catalyst particles through a combustion zone and a reconditioning zone is disclosed. Drying of the catalyst particles and redispersion of the platinum occur simultaneously in a single reconditioning zone. Catalyst that enters the reconditioning zone is contacted countercurrently with a heated gas stream containing chlorine and oxygen. A low moisture content of the gas stream aids drying and allows the equilibrium reaction between hydrogen chloride and oxygen on the one hand, and water and chlorine on the other hand to be shifted to chlorine. This shift of the equilibrium reaction can be further improved by maintaining an oxygen-enriched environment within the reconditioning zone. By eliminating the need for separate drying and redispersion zones used previously, the regeneration apparatus is less expensive to build and the regeneration process is less expensive to operate.

Abstract: A semi-continuous process for combusting coke from catalyst particles in a fixed bed is improved by injecting combustion air for the regeneration section to the three places, upper air to the burn zone, middle air to the chlorination zone and lower air to the burn zone. By this method combustion gas is added the halogenation gas loop which circulates chlorination gas around the chlorination zone in substantially closed system. Any gas that leaves the chlorination zone flows into the burn zone from the chlorination zone. Thus, passing additional air to the chlorination zone increases the oxygen concentration of the chloriation gas to that additional oxygen-containing chlorination gas and chlorination gas with a higher oxygen concentration passes into the burn zone from the chlorination zone. This method adds air for coke combustion and improves platinum dispersion in the halogenation zone.

Abstract: A collapsible receptacle (10) for handling flowable materials in semi-bulk quantities includes integral sling structure. The receptacle (10) comprises side panels (30, 32, 34 and 36), a top panel (48) including a fill spout (52), and a bottom panel (58). Lift sleeves (38, 40) are formed in an opposing pair of side panels (34, 36) for supporting the receptacle (10) without an external sling arrangement or pallet. In another embodiment, the receptacle (120) includes bands (122) of continuous filaments woven into two side panels (34", 36") for additional strength. In another embodiment, the receptacle (150) is formed from a receptacle blank (158) comprised of one piece of material. Another feature of the invention is the reinforced bottom panel (124) construction.

Abstract: In the construction of a collapsible receptacle there is provided a length of fabric material and a length of webbing material formed from the same material as the length of fabric material. A plurality of lift loops formed from length of webbing material are positioned at spaced points along the length of fabric material with the lower ends of the lift loops located more than a predetermined distance above the lower edge of the material. After the lift loops are secured to the length of fabric material, the assembly is secured around the upper end of a collapsible receptacle body panel with the lift loops projecting above the upper edge of the panel. A line of stitching is used to at least partially secure the assembly to the body panel, with the line of stitching positioned at least the predetermined distance below the lowermost end of the lift loops.

Abstract: A collapsible receptacle (570) has a bottom wall (574) provided with a discharge spout (582). The discharge spout (582) is provided with an interior layer (586) which is grounded during the flow of material through the discharge spout to prevent the buildup of static electric charge therein. The bottom wall (574) may also be provided with an electrically conductive layer (592) to further prevent the buildup of static electric charge in materials flowing out of the collapsible receptacle (570) through the discharge spout (582). The conductive layers (586, 592) may be electrically interconnected.