Abstract: The present invention provides novel aerobic, Gram-positive alkaliphilic bacteria which have been isolated from in and around alkaline soda lakes. These alkaliphiles have been analyzed according to the principles of numerical taxonomy with respect to each other and also to a collection of known bacteria. In addition, these bacterial taxa are further circumscribed by an analysis of the lipid components which serve as chemotaxonomic markers. The alkaliphiles of the present invention produce alkalitolerant enzymes which are capable of performing their functions at high pH which makes them uniquely suited for applications requiring such extreme conditions.

Abstract: A method of packaging components (4) for shipping comprising: loading the components in rails (2); assembling a plurality of the rails into a composite structure (20); and wrapping the composite structure in an anti-static envelope (40) so as to form a quasi-rigid anti-static package (46). The method may further comprise the step of securing the composite structure, e.g. by fixing a strap (18) at each end, immediately before the wrapping step.A material for use in packaging components for shipping comprising a sandwich material (40) having: a first layer (42) of conductive material and a second layer (44) of static-dissipative material, the first and second layers being bonded together. The outer layer may be made of conductive paper to provide adequate snag- and tear-resistance and the inner layer may be made of an anti-static plastics material.

Abstract: A thermoelectric alloy composition is described comprising from 5% to 95% silicon, from 95% to 5% Germanium, from 0.01% to 0.2% lead and from 0% to 0.2% tin, all percentages being atomic percentages. In a preferred composition at least 50% silicon and 50% Germanium is present with 0.03% to 0.1% lead and from 0 to 0.05% tin. Tin and lead in combination provide lower thermal conductivity and a greater figure of merit than with lead or tin alone. Other preferred compositions are provided and a thermoelectric material and a p-n coupling thermoelectric generator (10) incorporating the alloy is disclosed. The alloy composition provides high efficiency of power to heat loss and minimizes running costs.

Abstract: A self-contained device for pumping supersonic gas flows. The pumping dev consists of a chemically activated material capable of chemical reaction with the gas mixture to be pumped, thermal ballast material, a hermetically sealable vessel for containing the chemically active material, and internal surfaces to provide gas flow passages. The internal gas flow passages are geometrically prescribed to accept a supersonic gas flow, to induce a stable normal shock, to diffuse the subsonic flow obtained after the normal shock, and to distribute the low velocity, subsonic gas flow to the reactive chemical pump material.

Abstract: This invention relates to the treatment of raw white potatoes previously stored at low temperatures (about 40.degree. to 45.degree. F for periods up to 10 months) to render them suitable for thermal sterilization at about 250.degree. F and for long-term storage in flexible plastic or plastic-aluminum foil laminated containers such as pouches without added liquid. The process comprises; (a) immersion of potatoes, either whole, sliced, diced or in any other convenient form, in an aqueous solution comprising citrate in combination with sulfur dioxide; followed by (b) immersion in an aqueous solution of an alkali metal pyrophosphate and optionally a reducing saccharide; followed by (c) immersion in an aqueous solution of an alkaline earth metal salt and optionally an alkali metal chloride. The so-treated potato product is then packaged in a flexible container and thermally sterilized.

Abstract: Apparatus for use in a reciprocating pump wherein a one-way check valve opens to admit fluid from a reservoir during the pump upstroke and a second one-way check valve opens to expel fluid from the pump during the downstroke. The apparatus includes a valve seat having a frusto-conical shape and formed from resilient material, and a spherical metallic ball, together with a rigid seat edge liner for restricting the seat resilient expansion. In operation, the invention enables the check valve in the check position to automatically compensate for excessive forces against the ball by distributing these forces over a variable spherical ball/seat surface to provide a predetermined maximum pressure on the valve seat.

Abstract: Apparatus for an improved diaphragm pump wherein hydraulic shock and mechanical wear to the diaphragm membrane is reduced by providing a circular reed valve member adjacent to the diaphragm. The reed valve member provides a barrier to pressurized hydraulic fluid jets from direct impingement upon the diaphragm membrane, and provides a valve closure member for reducing hydraulic shock effects on the diaphragm membrane.

Abstract: A system and method for automatically metering and dispensing a plurality of fluids such as paint components is disclosed, including an operator input station for selecting the desired combination of metered fluids, a scanner drive subsystem for positioning a metering unit at appropriate fluid component storage stations, an automatic valving subsystem for controlling the flow of the selected metered component, a metering subsystem having a unit for measuring the proper volume of fluid component to be dispensed, and a dispensing subsystem for feeding the metered quantity into a receptacle. The apparatus may be operated automatically under electrical control of a control subsystem with pre-stored fluid formulations, wherein the desired mixture is identified and the pre-stored formulations enable precise metering of fluid components, or manually where each of the fluid components is manually selected and proportioned by the operator.

Abstract: A novel calcium fluoroaluminosilicate glass consisting essentially of from 25 to 35% by weight of silicon calculated as silica, from 30 to 40% by weight of aluminum calculated as alumina, from 20 to 35% by weight calcium, calculated as calcium oxide, and up to 9% by weight fluorine (preferably 4-7%) can be associated with a poly(carboxylic acid) e.g. as an intimate mixture of glass and acid to constitute a composition curable on contact with water and useful, for example, as a loading on a splinting bandage. Such a bandage preferably has a ratio of set time to gel time from 4:1 to 8:1 with a minimum gel time of 60 seconds.

Abstract: A copolymeric hydrogel for contact lenses with physiological saline uptake 65-85% is formed from an N-vinyl lactam e.g. N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone and up to 15% of a hydrophobic comonomer of formula ##STR1## where R.sup.1 is H or C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkyl (preferably methyl) X is --O-- or --NH-- and R.sup.2 is aryl, C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 alkyl substituted by aryl or aryloxy, or C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 alkoxy substituted by aryl or aryloxy. Preferably the aryl or aryloxy group contain one or two six-membered carbocyclic aromatic rings; they may be C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkyl, C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkoxy, or halogen, substituted. Crosslinking agents used preferably have their two functional groups differing in reactivity e.g. allyl, or 3-allyloxy-2-hydroxypropyl, methacrylates.

Abstract: Water-swellable lightly cross-linked copolymers, specifically terpolymers, between 3-methoxy-2-hydroxy-propyl methacrylate (G-MEMA), at least one N-vinyl lactam and at least one copolymerizable monomer to increase strength and stiffness, have utility as contact lenses. Preferred examples contain methyl methacrylate (MMA) and vinylpyrrolidone (VP) as comonomers, and up to 5% e.g. 2% of a cross-linking agent, preferably with non-equivalent functional groups such as allyl methacrylate. Preferably the water content is up to 65% based on total gel, e.g. 50-60% by weight; the VP:MMA ratio is from 50:50 to 70:30 and from 10-75% by weight G-MEMA units are present.

Abstract: For typewriters, disk printers or similar moveable print element devices, a carrier is provided to move the print element. The carrier acts by cooperation between a lead screw, mounted in stationary supports in a nonrotating fixture, and rotatable nut members supported in the print element carrier and threadedly engaging the lead screw. A motor is provided for rotating the nuts and the motor is arranged so that the rotor of the motor, the nuts and the lead screw are arranged in concentric fashion so that the motor, nuts and carrier assembly ride back and forth on the fixed lead screw, depending upon the direction of rotation of the motor.

Abstract: Load engaging and gripping apparatus for attachment to the lifting mechanism of a conventional lift truck for handling loads which are crushable and yet may be compressed slightly without damage thereto. The apparatus comprises a lift assembly adapted for mounting on a lift mechanism of a lift truck with opposed carrier plates affixed to opposite ends of the lift assembly. The carrier plates on their confronting faces slidably mount load engaging and gripping platens whereby when the opposed platens are in contact with the load under light frictional engagement and the lift assembly is moved vertically upward, the platens will be moved inwardly toward each other to frictionally and firmly grip the load therebetween for lift purposes.

Abstract: The use of methoxylamine hydrochloride (CH.sub.3 ONH.sub.2. HCl) as an adive to exothermally decomposing liquid monopropellants such as hydrazine and hydrazine water mixtures to lower the freezing point of the monopropellants and thereby render the monopropellants usable in gas generators at very low temperatures.

Abstract: The use of methoxylamine nitrate (CH.sub.3 ONH.sub.2.NHO.sub.3) as an addve to exothermally decomposing liquid monopropellants such as hydrazine and hydrazine water mixtures to lower the freezing points of the monopropellants and thereby render the monopropellants usable in gas generators at very low temperatures.

Abstract: The use of methoxylamine perchlorate (CH.sub.3 ONH.sub.2.HClO.sub.4) as an dditive to exothermally decomposing liquid monopropellants such as hydrazine and hydrazine water mixtures to maintain energetic monopropellants and at the same time lower the freezing point of the monopropellants, thereby rendering the monopropellants usable in gas generators at very low temperatures.

Abstract: A ribbon cartridge for an endless loop inked ribbon suitable for use with a wire matrix printer, for example, is disclosed in which the cartridge includes elongated guide members to confine the path of the loop of ribbon outside of the cartridge to a predetermined path and to allow for insertion of the cartridge into a using machine without the necessity of threading inky ribbon through fixed guides on the machinery.