Abstract: A prefilter bag for insertion into a standard filtration bag apparatus, having a filtration assembly comprising a seamless filter membrane having uniform pore openings preselected within the range of between about 2 and about 50 microns (.mu.) and a linearly channeled, non-deformable, semi-rigid liquid transport thermoplastic sheet in the form of a molded webbing or netting in contact with the upper surface of the filter membrane; said webbing having marginal edges which are coextensive with those of the membrane; said assembly adapted to be shaped by continuous winding of the assembly upon itself for 2 to 5 complete convolutions around a tubular mandrel so as to form a cylindrical tube or cone; the bottom of said cylinder being sealed to prevent liquid leakage and the top of said cylinder, forming a liquid inlet opening, being sealed to a retaining ring adapted to be inserted in, attached to or sealed to an outer, retaining ring of a non-wrapped filter bag.

Abstract: The method provides for applying to the solenoid valve, during its movement of closure by the action of a spring, a voltage signal the purpose of which is to brake this closure movement. The circuit comprises a static switch connected between the coil of the solenoid valve and earth, and an intermediate tap between these two components from which a voltage signal is withdrawn and is transformed by a microcontroller into a control signal for the static switch, such as to apply the braking signal to the solenoid valve.

Abstract: An environmentally friendly polymer film pouch made from a polyethylene film structure for the packaging of flowable materials, for example milk, including, for example, a pouch made from a multilayer film structure such as a two-layer or a three-layer coextruded film containing at least one layer of ultra low density linear polyethylene, as a seal layer.

Abstract: An environmentally friendly polymer film pouch made from a polyethylene film structure for the packaging of flowable materials, for example milk, including, for example, a pouch made from a multilayer film structure such as a two-layer or a three-layer coextruded film containing at least one layer of ultra low density linear polyethylene, as a seal layer.

Abstract: A process for peeling fresh citrus fruit to provide peeled whole fruit, with ease of peeling and with limited amounts of adhering albedo. The fresh citrus fruit are initially chilled to a temperature well below room temperature, preferably less than about 10 degrees C. The chilled fruit are then scored so as to penetrate the albedo layer, but not the underlying juice sections, and the scored fruit are then immersed in an aqueous solution of a pectinase enzyme at an initial temperature of about 35 degrees C. The enzyme solution is then infused into the fruit, and after holding the infusion-treated fruit in the solution for a prescribed time period, without application of additional heat, the peel can be readily removed from the whole fruit.

Abstract: A relay-less drive circuit for an inductive load preferably uses a transistor switch to couple the load to a battery, and provides a path for recirculating current around the load, which path includes a recirculating diode coupled in series with another transistor switch, such as an FET. the FET's drain and source terminals are connected to the recirculating diode, and the FET is biased, such that the FET is on when the battery is connected to the load with its nominal polarity, and the FET is off when the polarity of the battery is reversed.

Abstract: Cushioned strap including a continuously woven or knitted fabric having two flat portions separated by a tubular portion, and a plurality of length of yarn positioned in the tubular portion and extending substantially freely through the tubular portion between the end portions thereof. The cushioned strap provides good appearance and comfort and can be manufactured economically.