Abstract: A hermetically sealed paperboard container with enhanced barrier and seal performances is disclosed that may be produced by a more effective and economical process for the in-plant system. The container includes a container body component, a bottom, and a top lid hermetically sealed to the body component. The container body is formed from a blank comprising a paperboard (201) having one surface coated with a first sealant layer (202) and the opposite surface coated with a barrier layer (203), and a second sealant layer (204) applied over the barrier layer (203). One longitudinal end of the blank is skived to a predetermined thickness for a predetermined width, folded over onto the blank, and sealed to form a folded longitudinal end. Then, the folded longitudinal end of the blank is overlapped inside the other longitudinal end of the blank to form a body seam that is subsequently sealed to provide the hollow container body.

Abstract: A process for further chemical activation of activated carbon is disclosed comprising activation of an active carbon precursor material with a potassium hydroxide solution, pre-drying the blend to 5% to 15% moisture content, activating this blend at from about 650.degree. to about 1100.degree. C., and acid washing and drying the microporous activated carbon product, which is characterized by greater than 50% of its total pore volume comprising pores of from about 8.ANG. to 20.ANG. in width and greater than 70% of its total pore volume comprising pores of less than 20.ANG. in width and greater than 95% of its total pore volume comprising pores of less than 50.ANG. in width.

Abstract: Extruded pellets comprising a majority of activated carbon particles and an inorganic binder are disclosed to provide improved performance when processed through tumbling equipment while the pellets are in their "green" state (i.e., pellets which are fresh off the extruder and contain activated carbon), binder material, and water and have not been subjected to any thermal processing (drying or calcining). The tumbling action both smooths and densifies (i.e., reduces interparticle voids within) the pellet, thereby closing any cracks and greatly improving appearance. Improved performance results from an ability to increase the weight of carbon pellets which can be packed into a fixed volume and thereby increase the volumetric working capacity of the bed for adsorbing/desorbing vapors. Another benefit is to greatly reduce the levels of dust associated with the carbon, both the initial dust and the dust attrition.