Abstract: An alkaline protease, the DNA thereof having been taken from a bottom sample, alkaline proteases that are at least 40% identical, and nucleic acids with an identity at least 50% homologous with the associated nucleic acids. The invention also relates to the fragment of said protease comprising the amino acid positions 108 to 325, in addition to the gene fragment coding therefor, and alkaline proteases that are at least 60% identical or nucleic acids that are at least 70% identical. Furthermore, the invention defines technical possibilities of use for said proteases, especially use thereof in washing and cleaning products.

Abstract: Composite polymeric articles, which may be in layer or film form, comprise a larger portion of a polymer which is water soluble at 20.degree. C. against a smaller proportion of a polymer which is substantially water-insoluble at that temperature. For example, a layer product may have a thin layer (e.g. less than 5 microns) of insoluble polymer superimposed on a thicker layer (e.g. at least 20 microns) of soluble polymer. Both polymers are conveniently polyvinyl alcohol, which is non-toxic and useful in a number of domestic applications, e.g. as a diaper backing sheet. The insoluble portion gives water resistance but negligible mechanical strength; the soluble part gives the mechanical strength. On dissolution of the soluble portion, the insoluble portion disintegrates mechanically. Articles may be made by co-extrusion or by molding.

Abstract: An apparatus for in-line cropping and/or chamfering of a plastic tube. The apparatus includes pressure rollers for deforming a tube section and cutting devices to perform the cropping and/or chamfering operation. The control of movement of the pressure rollers and cutting devices is carried out by a combination of a face cam and a rotor disc; the face cam and rotor disc have the same diameter and may be given rotary speeds which are related to each other in any desired way. Control is carried out preferably by use of an interference box.

Abstract: The self-adhesive tape has two sides, one of which forms a bottom side at which a supporting or carrier fabric is only superficially covered by a contact adhesive coating. At the other side, which forms the top side, a contact adhesive coating uniformly covers the supporting or carrier fabric so as to essentially form a plane which uninterruptedly engages a separating paper layer. Due to the crossing or intersection points formed by warp and weft threads of the supporting fabric such supporting fabric produces unevenness only at the bottom side, resulting in a smaller adhesive capability or action of the lower contact adhesive coating as compared to the adhesive capability or action of the upper contact adhesive coating uniformly engaging the separating paper layer. Through the apertures or openings formed in the supporting fabric these adhesive layers are interconnected which promotes the non-separability of the self-adhesive tape as a whole.