Abstract: This present invention relates to a method of improving the quality of animal fibers collected from sheep, goat, llama, or alpaca by removing scales.Firstly, (a), an oxidizing catalyst is absorbed in the hydrophilic areas on the surface of a fiber, that is, the joint sections (2) of the scales (1) and the end cuticles (3). Then, (b), the fiber is immersed in a solution of a chlorinating agent or an oxidizing agent to decompose the scales rapidly by oxidation in order to remove the scales (1). Then, (c), the fiber is treated with a solution of a reducing agent.

Abstract: A method for modifying wool fiber materials to advance quality grade thereof, wherein a wool fiber material is dipped in a saturated solution of a neutral salt of a strong electrolyte and an acid, whereby the acid is included in the edge portions of the endo cuticles of the scales of the wool fiber, and then the wool fiber is dipped in a saturated aqueous solution of the neutral salt having a pH in the neutral range or in water to effect gradual chlorination of the wool fibers, wherein the aqueous solution or the water contains a compound such as sodium hypochlorite, sodium chlorite, chlorocyanuric acid salt and mixtures thereof. The wool fiber is then removed from the saturated aqueous solution, dipped in water to swell the chlorinated portions thereof and washed with water to remove the chlorinated portions. Finally, the thus treated wool is contacted with a solution containing sodium pyrosulfite and an alkaline liquid to provide wool fibers having a smooth surface.

Abstract: A counter-pressure type bottling valve assembly includes a vent tube and valve stem that are movably supported independently of the movable valve member of the main bottling valve and that can be displaced vertically by means of a pneumatic cylinder adapted to be driven by the counter-pressure gas. The movable valve member of the main bottling valve, operable from outside of the valve assembly between its closed and opened positions. Snifting means is provided for snifting the counter-pressure gas confined in the space delimited by the main bottling valve, a lower portion of a main body of the valve assembly, and a bottle neck portion sealing coupled to the bottom of the main body of the valve assembly. The vent tube is replaceably connected to the valve stem for varying the length of the vent tube to fill a bottle.

Abstract: A beer bottling operation includes pressurizing the interior of an empty bottle prior to pouring beer into the bottle in two steps. In the first step, according to a first preferred embodiment, the interior of the bottle is pressurized by air fed from a pressurized air source, while in the second step the interior of the bottle is pressurized by means of pressurized air fed from a bottling tank where the beer to be bottled is stored. According to a second preferred embodiment, in the first step the interior of the bottle is evacuated substantial to a vacuum condition, while in the second step the interior of the bottle is pressurized by means of carbon dioxide gas fed from the bottling tank, and in the subsequent step of pouring beer into the bottle the beer is poured from the bottom portion of the bottle.