Abstract: Renatured chitosan having an optical rotation in solution that is at least 20% more negative than that of untreated chitosan and the process of making same. The process for preparing such renatured chitosan is accomplished by aging a solution of chitosan in an aqueous acid at a pH of about 2.0 to 5.5. It is preferred to age the solution at room temperature for about 2 to 14 days until the optical activity shifts toward the negative by at least about 20%.

Abstract: A method for recycling soap chips in a particular structure including a container having a removable rack having four compartments and a heating element, the method comprising, placing the soap chips in the compartment, heating the soap chips, cooling the soap chips, removing the rack from the container and emptying out formed soap bars.

Abstract: Conformable hydrogel molds or forms are adapted for the casting of polyelectrolytic materials whereby an irreversibly gelled, three dimensional article faithfully reproduces the interior topography of the mold.

Abstract: In the method of the present invention preferably an apparatus is connected directly on-line with an extruder to inject fluid into or to remove fluid from a fresh extrusion on a continuous basis as the latter is extruded. In one case the fluid injected is a catalyst that causes curing of a mixture of particulate matter and resin binder. In the method one part of a two part binder mechanism is mixed with a particulate material, and the mixture is extruded on a continuous basis. The second part of the binder then is injected into the fresh extrusion on a continuous basis downstream of the extruder output to cure the extrusion. The extruder die also may include fluid injecting paths, on the one hand, for injecting lubricant or, on the other hand, for injecting of the second binder part, e.g. catalyst, into the relatively less dense material near the upstream end of the die.

Abstract: Coal-containing shaped bodies are made by intimately mixing particulate coal with 10 to 30 percent by weight of a polymer. The mixture is shaped by subjecting it to a pressure between about 295 and 3430 newtons per square centimeter. Shaping takes place within a temperature range of 100.degree. to 250.degree. C. The shaped bodies have high compressive and bending strengths and can be precisely dimensioned.

Abstract: A railroad tie spike hole plugging material and method of using the same. The material includes a substantially uniform mixture of about 25-75% by volume of a granular abrasive material having a grit size in the range of about 20-100 grit and abrasive to railroad spikes, and about 25-75% by volume of a granular plastic material having a grit size of about 100 grit or less and a plastic temperature in the range of about 120.degree.-350.degree. F. The material is poured into a hole in a tie and when a spike is driven into the hole, the friction between the abrasive material and the spike generates sufficient heat to plasticize the plastic material. Upon cooling, the material firmly grasps the spike.

Abstract: Lower alkyl diesters of aliphatic dicarboxylic acids and phthalic acids provide effective mold release agents when added to candle wax compositions in low concentrations.

Abstract: Coal-containing shaped bodies are made by intimately mixing particulate coal with 10 to 30 percent by weight of a polymer. The mixture is shaped by subjecting it to a pressure between about 295 and 3430 newtons per square centimeter. Shaping takes place within a temperature range of 100.degree. to 250.degree. C. The shaped bodies have high compressive and bending strengths and can be precisely dimensioned.

Abstract: A process for producing a compost which comprises grounding municipal waste, magnetically freeing iron contained therein, separating said mixture into components of various sizes by fractionation and, treating said mixture in a fermentation process at a temperature of at least 65.degree. C. by continuously passing air thereto and mixing a solvent with said mixture and heating said vessel until the contents of the vessel are dried, thereby forming a compost.

Abstract: A process for preparing granular sorbic acid by adding water and/or a lower alkyl alcohol to powdery sorbic acid, kneading the resulting mixture under specific conditions to give a uniformly wetted powder, supplying the wetted powder to a screw type extruding machine, extruding the wetted powder through a perforated-cylinder die under specific conditions to give a vermicelli-like extrudate, and drying the extrudate. The obtained granules have sufficient rigidity and can be easily powdered by a mechanical action. When starch is added together with water and/or a lower alkyl alcohol, more rigid granules, but able to be easily powdered by a mechanical action such as agitation, are obtained.

Abstract: A process for preparing granular potassium sorbate by adding water or a mixture of water and an organic solvent to powdery potassium sorbate, kneading the resulting mixture under specific conditions to give a uniformly wetted powder, supplying the wetted powder to a screw type extruding machine, extruding the wetted powder through a perforated-cylinder die under specific conditions to give a vermicelli-like extrudate, and drying the extrudate.

Abstract: Round, pillar or block type candles are fabricated by extending a wick centrally through a candle mold, initially forming a wax shell on the surface of the mold having one open end, filling the wax shell with powdered wax, and sealing the open end of the wax shell to contain the powdered wax therein. A candle is thus formed which may have a colored or scented exterior shell with a powdered wax interior and which will burn in a manner which facilitates the formation of "flowering sides" or "angel wings.

Abstract: A composite structural material is prepared by admixing (1) sulfur plasticized by reaction with dicyclopentadiene, or dicyclopentadiene and styrene, (2) asbestos fibers wetted with dipentene and (3) silica flour, maintaining the mixture at about 120 to 150.degree. C for about 0.5 to 5 minutes and casting the resulting product under a pressure of about 500 to 1500 psi. Additional strength is obtained by curing at elevated temperature prior to casting.

Abstract: Synthetic anatomical members, such as a tympanic membrane and a malleus, are illustrated and a method for making them is disclosed. In accordance with the method, prepared collagenous tissue is placed in a mold and immersed in, or sprayed with, a buffered formaldehyde or functionally similar preservative. After removal from the mold, the tissue retains the shape assumed in the mold. Provisions are made for attaching other anatomical members, such as bone, to the tissue for use in, for example, en bloc reconstruction of an eardrum and ossicles.

Abstract: According to the invention the specimen is given its desired design by pressing it towards a block, having a recess of the desired design and being cooled, preferably by liquid nitrogen.

Abstract: A tapered synthetic resin pipe can be produced by winding belt-like or thread-like glass fiber around a tapered core bar, inserting it into a tapered mold and thereafter pulling out only the core bar, pouring a thermosetting synthetic resin in liquid form into the mold, inclining the mold by a predetermined angle from the horizontal position and rotating it at a predetermined rate of rotation.

Abstract: A method of providing a specimen section embedded in a section of paraffin wax includes providing a mold having a cover and upper and lower portions with a body of solidified paraffin wax therein, heating the paraffin wax while in the mold until it becomes molten, removing the cover of the mold, placing a specimen in the liquid paraffin in the lower mold portion, cooling the paraffin until it becomes a hardened body, and removing the lower mold portion to provide a hardened block of paraffin secured to the upper mold portion with a lower end portion extending below the lower end of the upper mold portion and containing the embedded specimen. The upper mold portion with the paraffin block is disposed within a microtome so that one or more slices of the hardened paraffin block may be cut therefrom to provide a slice of the block which includes a section of the embedded specimen.

Abstract: An improved process and apparatus system for continuously forming soap bars which are resistant to marring during wrapping and packaging thereof comprising cooling shaped soap billets with a cooling fluid at a velocity thereof and for a time sufficient to harden at least the surface of said billets to the degree which resists marring by subsequent wrapping and packaging.

Abstract: Method of making a reinforced pneumatic tire in which the tire body is formed in at least two sections each including a side wall and a plurality of annular bands each including an annular reinforcing belt embedded in an elastomer. The tire sections are assembled in a mold with the annular bands of each section interleaved with the annular bands of another section and the elastomer is cured to form an integral tire body. The tire may be formed of two reinforced sections with the interleaved bands forming the annular tread section of the tires, or as three reinforced sections, including two sections each including a side wall and annular bands and a connecting section including annular bands with reinforcing belts which are interleaved with the annular bands of the other two sections to form a tread section. An annular, elastomeric tread section may be formed separately and bonded around and to the annular bands of the reinforced sections.

Abstract: When cast sulfur-asphalt compositions, e.g., sulfur-asphalt-aggregate pavements and construction articles, are being prepared by mixing and/or heating mixtures comprising sulfur and asphalt at elevated temperatures not exceeding 175.degree.C, the evolution of hydrogen sulfide is substantially reduced by carrying out the mixing and/or heating step in the presence of a hydrogen sulfide suppressant selected from the class consisting of free radical inhibitors and redox (oxidation-reduction) catalysts.

Abstract: A molded material comprising CaCO.sub.3 and/or MgCO.sub.3 is made and used as a reaction bed through which carbonated water is run to make mineral water.