Abstract: An earth device is an earth device for earthing an object to be earthed. The earth device includes an earth-side wire, a detection-side wire which is normally out of conduction with the earth-side wire, an attachment member provided on one end portion of each of the earth-side wire and the detection-side wire and attached to the object to be earthed to provide conduction between the earth-side wire and the detection-side wire, an earth member for earthing provided on the other end portion of each of the earth-side wire and the detection-side wire, and a detection means connected to the detection-side wire to detect conduction in the detection-side wire.

Abstract: A method is provided for the preparation of high-purity 1,3-butylene glycol from acetaldehyde. In the method, acetaldehyde is condensed in the presence of base to form a mixture of acetaldols, and the acetaldols are then converted to 1,3-butylene glycol by hydrogenation. Chemical treatment and distillation processes are described which provide 1,3-butylene glycol of very high purity.

Abstract: In the first aspect of the present invention, there is disclosed a method for producing a copolymer of an alkyl vinyl ether and maleic anhydride which comprises removing an organic solvent used in a reaction under a temperature so that a slurry state can be maintained. According to the first aspect, such a copolymer of the alkyl vinyl ether and maleic anhydride which contains a little amount of the solvent remaining therein as disclosed in the second aspect of the present invention, can be obtained. Further, it can be avoided that a specific viscosity of the copolymer of the alkyl vinyl ether and maleic anhydride is lowered, by means of a method for producing a copolymer of alkyl vinyl ether and maleic anhydride which comprises shielding oxygen in a polymerization, as disclosed in the third aspect of the present invention.

Abstract: A first invention group is characterized by 1,3-butylene glycol which, at a period of three months after production, exhibits potassium permanganate color-fading time of at least five minutes as measured according to JIS K1351 3.10.

Abstract: In the first aspect of the present invention, there is disclosed a method for producing a copolymer of an alkyl vinyl ether and maleic anhydride which comprises removing an organic solvent used in a reaction under a temperature so that a slurry state can be maintained. According to the first aspect, such a copolymer of the alkyl vinyl ether and maleic anhydride which contains a little amount of the solvent remaining therein as disclosed in the second aspect of the present invention, can be obtained.

Abstract: High purity 1,3-butylene glycol obtained from acetaldol by a liquid phase hydrogen reduction method, by adding a base to crude 1,3-butylene glycol free of high-boiling material, heat-treating the mixture and then distilling off 1,3-butylene glycol; and distilling off low-boiling materials from 1,3-butylene glycol. In high performance liquid chromatography analysis under specified conditions, each peak eluted in a relative retention time range of 4.0 to 5.5, taking a relative retention time of 1,3-butylene as 1.0, has an absorbance of 0.02 or less at a measuring wavelength of 210 nm. This has no odor and shows less change with time.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for the preparation of a process for the separation and purification of amines from a mixed reaction crude liquid containing ethylamines prepared by a reaction of ethylalcohol or acetaldehyde with ammonia, and triethylamine can be predominantly prepared without accumulation of ingredients having intermediate boiling-points.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for producing a highly purified acetic acid characterized in that in the process for producing acetic acid comprising the step of continuously reacting methanol and/or an aqueous solution of methyl acetate with carbon monoxide in a reactor, a treatment is conducted to limit the concentration of unsaturated compounds in crude acetic acid obtained in the process to 5 ppm or lower, and the resultant crude acetic acid is ozonized. The present invention also relates to a process for producing a highly purified acetic acid, characterized by comprising the step of continuously reacting methanol and/or an aqueous solution of methyl acetate with carbon monoxide in a reactor while maintaining the concentration of acetaldehyde in a reaction fluid in the reactor at 1500 ppm or lower.

Abstract: A process by which iodine compounds contained in crude acetic anhydride or a mixture of crude acetic anhydride and crude acetic acid can be converted into methyl iodide having a low boiling point and which can be separated by distillation and efficiently removed by the combination of the conversion step with the heat treatment step and distillation step. The process includes the steps of heat-treating the crude acetic anhydride or the mixture of crude acetic anhydride and crude acetic acid in the presence of methanol and/or methyl acetate in a treatment tank and distilling the heat-treated crude acetic anhydride or the heat-treated mixture of crude acetic anhydride and crude acetic acid, in the presence of an alkali metal salt and/or an alkaline earth metal salt if necessary.

Abstract: In a seat belt retractor comprising a frame which has a pair of side walls facing each other, shaft supporting holes which are provided at the side walls, respectively, a rotatable shaft which is provided between the supporting holes, a bush for supporting the shaft, the bush being attached to at least one of the supporting holes, and a reel which is attached to the shaft and on which a seat belt is wound, the bush is made of synthetic resin and comprises a cylindrical portion in which a shaft portion of a body of rotation is inserted and a flange portion which is provided so as to be coaxial with the cylindrical portion, the portion on one end side in the axial direction of the inside circumference face of the cylindrical portion being tapered so as to increase the diameter in the direction of approaching the one end side.

Abstract: A process for preparing an .alpha.-phenylpropionic acid derivative wherein an .alpha.-phenylethyl alcohol derivative is reacted with carbon monoxide in the presence of a catalyst to give an .alpha.-phenylpropionic acid derivative, which comprises carrying out the reaction in either one of the following manners (I), (II) and (III):(I) effecting said reaction in the presence of a rhodium catalyst, as said catalyst, together with an iodine compound in such an amount as to give a Rh to I ratio on an atomic basis of 1:0.5 to 1:6; adjusting the concentration of water in the reaction mixture to a level of 2 mol/l or below; and employing a reaction temperature of 130.degree. C.

Abstract: A vehicle seat belt retractor comprises an emergency locking mechanism that responds to either rapid acceleration of the vehicle or rapid acceleration of the belt reel and a belt clamp that is actuated by a small rotation of the belt reel via a link that engages a ratchet wheel affixed to the belt reel. The link is moved into engagement with the ratchet wheel by camming action by a reel-locking pawl, which, in turn, is moved in response to activation of the emergency locking mechanism.

Abstract: A process for preparing an .alpha.-phenylpropionic acid derivative wherein an .alpha.-phenylethyl alcohol derivative is reacted with carbon monoxide in the presence of a catalyst to give an .alpha.-phenylpropionic acid derivative, which comprises carrying out the reaction in either one of the following manners (I), (II) and (III):(i) effecting said reaction in the presence of a rhodium catalyst, as said catalyst, together with an iodine compound in such an amount as to give a Rh to I ratio on an atomic basis of 1:0.5 to 1:6; adjusting the concentration of water in the reaction mixture to a level of 2 mol/l or below; and employing a reaction temperature of 130.degree. C.