Abstract: A vehicle wheel having a hand hole extending from a first surface to a second surface. The hand hole has a zone of a minimum dimension intermediate the first surface and the second surface. The hand hole is preferably tapered from the first surface to the minimum dimension zone and tapered from the second surface to the minimum dimension zone. Associated methods of making the vehicle wheel are also provided.

Abstract: Vacuum die casting machine including an improved siphon tube for transporting molten metal from a reservoir to a shot cylinder. The siphon tube defines a passageway having a first end portion which is adapted to communicate with a shot cylinder and a second end portion opposite the first end portion which defines a molten metal entry portion. The passageway tapers from the first end portion to the second end portion which reduces jetting in the shot cylinder. An associated method is also disclosed.

Abstract: The apparatus for recycling glass containers comprises an enclosure having at least one customer access opening and a rotatable carousel mounted in the enclosure. The rotatable carousel defines a plurality of glass container receiving recesses for subsequently receiving glass containers through the customer access opening. A fixed platform defining at least two openings underlies the carousel and a scanner, mounted in the enclosure, is positioned adjacent the carousel for scanning the code markings on the glass container. At least one trap door is provided, the trap door being operatively associated with a first opening in the fixed platform. The scanner electrically controls the movement of the trap doors so that glass containers, upon rotation of the carousel, will selectively fall through one of the openings in the fixed platform.

Abstract: A method of providing cathodic protection to underground metallic structures which comprises creating an excavation spaced from the underground metallic structure and placing in the excavation a hollow casing having a perforate section, the hollow casing being adapted to hold therein a galvanic anode. The method further comprises establishing an electrical connection between the galvanic anode and the underground metallic structure, placing the galvanic anode in the hollow casing and then filling the excavation and the hollow casing with a filler material. The apparatus of the invention comprises a hollow rigid casing adapted to contain at least one galvanic anode, the casing having a perforate section such that electric current from the galvanic anode can flow out of the casing towards the underground metallic structure. A related method of replacing galvanic anodes is also provided.

Abstract: A solar panel (FIG. 7) comprises an extruded plastics matrix (20) comprising a plurality of side-by-side compartments each of which provides an actual fluid-flow channel without the need for providing separate metal pipework. Each compartment may include a filler (62) to define a fluid-flow channel between the upper surface of the filler and the lower surface of a membrane (28) of the matrix. The provision of the filler (62) is optional and the cross section of each compartment may be optimized to the fluid-flow channel size requirements. At least part of a surface of each fluid-flow channel has a covering comprising a solar radiation absorber; for example, the absorber may comprise a channel-shaped foil (72) which exhibits high absorbence of solar energy together with low emittance of infra-red radiation.

Abstract: A roll for use in a roll caster. The roll has a heat exchanger core and an outer generally cylindrical shell surrounding the core, the core and the shell defining an enclosed space. A working fluid is contained in the enclosed space. When molten metal is cast onto the shell, the working fluid in proximity to the outer shell changes from a liquid to a vapor. Due to the rotation of the roll, the liquid phase of the working fluid forces the vapor in proximity with the outer cylindrical shell to return to the area adjacent to the core. At this area, the vapor phase is condensed into a liquid which is then subsequently delivered radially to the outer cylindrical shell. In this way, the working fluid constantly changes from vapor to liquid and back to vapor again and acts to continuously remove heat from the molten metal cast onto the outer cylindrical shell. A single roll caster, a twin roll caster, and a melt spinning apparatus as well as an associated method are also disclosed.

Abstract: An improved sleeve for facilitating joining and aligning two modules that form a single, unitary hazardous material container storage building. The sleeve has a central tube having an outer surface, an inner surface and a pair of ends and at least one guiding plate secured to the central tube. The guiding plate extends from each of the ends of the central tube for engaging into both the tubes of the first module and the second module. A hazardous material container storage building having the improved sleeve of the invention and a related method are also disclosed.

Abstract: A cap and dispensing fitment combination for a container. The cap has an end wall and a skirt extending axially from the periphery of the end wall, the cap being adapted to engage the neck of the container. The end wall of the cap has an annular flange that extends axially and radially outwardly therefrom, the annular flange terminating in a free end surface that facilitates securing the dispensing fitment to the cap. The dispensing fitment comprises an end wall having at least one opening therein, the annular flange engaging into the opening. The dispensing fitment has a sidewall extending axially from the periphery of the end wall and is adapted to engage the container when the combination is placed on the container and to retain the dispensing fitment on the container even as the cap is removed from the container.

Abstract: Improvements in portion dispensing caps in which pre-measured portions of materials, such as particulate matter, can be dispensed from a container. The portion dispensing caps include a closure and a sliding member. The sliding member is biased in a loading position by a resilient arcuate projection. The sliding member can also include a portion which engages into and seals an opening in the closure. The sliding member may have a hingedly connected wall which is unattached when molded by an injection molding process but which is attached to other walls of the sliding member when the sliding member is disposed in the closure.

Abstract: A method of producing magnesium vapor at substantially atmospheric pressure. The method comprises feeding into the reaction zone of a reduction furnace magnesium-oxide containing materials and metal reductants and then heating the magnesium-oxide containing materials and the metal reductants in the reaction zone to an operating temperature to create a slag composition. The slag composition has a phase diagram including a two-phase liquid and solid region. The feeding of the magnesium-oxide containing material and the metal reductant into the furnace bath are controlled such that the slag composition at the operating temperature is within the two-phase liquid and solid region of the phase diagram. In this way, reactions occur to produce magnesium vapor at substantially atmospheric pressure. A method of producing magnesium metal is also disclosed.

Abstract: The portable and modular cardiopulmonary bypass apparatus has met the above mentioned needs. The apparatus consists of (i) a first cannula assembly means for withdrawing blood from a patient, (ii) a pump means connected to the first cannula assembly means for receiving the withdrawn blood and for moving the blood through the apparatus, and (iii) a first tubing means connected to the pump means to transport the patient's blood away from the pump means. The apparatus further comprises (iv) oxygenator means for receiving blood from the first tubing means and for oxygenating the blood and (v) second cannula assembly means connected to the oxygenator means for returning the oxygenated blood to the patient. The apparatus is portable so that it can be used by medical personnel anywhere. In addition, the apparatus is adapted to include one or more modules for conditioning the blood, such as modules that include a heat exchanger, blood purifier, plasma and blood cell apheresis device and others.

Abstract: A method of producing a window sash by first providing a window sash frame and then cutting the window sash frame longitudinally to create a first frame portion and a second frame portion. A connection member is secured to the first frame portion and a glazing member is placed into one of the frame portions. After this, the second frame portion is secured to the first frame portion by virtue of the connection member to form the window sash.

Abstract: The method for imaging vascular blood flow in a patient includes the steps of emitting ultrasound energy from a transducer with at least a portion of said ultrasound energy being reflected back towards the transducer, monitoring the reflected energy over time, calculating blood flow velocity in at least a portion of a patient's vascular system, filtering all velocities equal to or below the calculated or predetermined velocity to allow a high velocity locus to be defined, and producing a color Doppler flow map of the filtered velocity.

Abstract: The apparatus for recycling glass containers comprises an enclosure having at least one customer access opening and a rotatable carousel mounted in the enclosure. The rotatable carousel defines a plurality of glass container receiving recesses for subsequently receiving glass containers through the customer access opening. A fixed platform defining at least two openings underlies the carousel and a scanning means, mounted in the enclosure, is positioned adjacent the carousel for scanning the code markings on the glass container. At least one trap door is provided, the trap door being operatively associated with a first opening in the fixed platform. The scanning means electrically controls the movement of the trap doors so that glass containers, upon rotation of the carousel, will selectively fall through one of the openings in the fixed platform.

Abstract: The present invention is directed toward a tamper evident informational article such as a temporary vehicle registration which may be made of paper or paperboard. The informational article has a zone for inserting information and a pattern within said zone which will resist effective counterfeiting. A transparent tape which preferably has a silicone resin coating which contains a wax is adhesively secured over information contained within the zone.

Abstract: An apparatus for providing an ignition source for internal combustion engines comprises a radio frequency oscillator, an amplifier and a coaxial cavity resonator. The coaxial cavity resonator is adaptable for communication with a combustion chamber of the internal combustion engine. An associated method is also provided.

Abstract: A method of producing aluminum can sheet having low earing characteristics. An aluminum alloy ingot is provided and is heated to a temperature between about 527.degree. to 571.degree. C. (980.degree. to 1060.degree. F.). After this, the ingot is hot rolled in a single-stand reversible hot mill to produce an intermediate gauge sheet. The intermediate gauge sheet is then cold rolled to produce a final gauge aluminum can sheet having low eating characteristics.

Abstract: A method of producing aluminum can sheet having high strength and low earing characteristics comprises providing an aluminum alloy ingot and then hot rolling the ingot in a single-stand hot reversing mill to produce a first intermediate gauge sheet. The first intermediate gauge sheet is then cold rolled to produce a second intermediate gauge sheet. This second intermediate gauge sheet is passed through a heat source as a single web so that the second intermediate gauge sheet is continuously annealed. After heating, the second intermediate gauge sheet is quenched and coiled again. Finally, the coiled second intermediate gauge sheet is cold rolled again to produce the final gauge aluminum can sheet having high strength and low earing characteristics.

Abstract: A method of making a pillared hydrotalcite and an associated products. The pillared hydrotalcite is made by calcining a hydrotalcite having the formula A.sub.w B.sub.x (OH).sub.y [C].sub.z .multidot.nH.sub.2 O, wherein A represents a divalent metal cation, B represents a trivalent metal cation, C represents a mono- to tetravalent anion and w, x, y, z and n satisfy the following:0<z.ltoreq.x.ltoreq.4.ltoreq.w.ltoreq.1/2y and 12.gtoreq.n.gtoreq.1/2(w-x).The method further comprises combining the calcined compound with a salt solution of an anion to make the pillared derivative of the compound and then separating the pillared derivative from the salt solution. A method of intercalating inorganic anions and resulting product is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of making a lead-acid battery includes providing continuous lengths of end separator stock (24) and intermediate separator stock (26) and stacks of positive (81,98) and negative plates-(83,93) with optional use of end separators. The separators are individually severed from the continuous length of stock and sequentially formed into an assembly with the individual positive and negative plates. The assembly is introduced into a battery cell container (28). A plurality of assemblies may be established prior to introduction into the battery cell container (28). In a preferred embodiment, the assembly zone (38) moves linearly relative to the cutting stations for the respective continuous lengths of separator stock and the stacks of plates and facilitates sequential establishment of the assembly without intermediate storage of the individual separators and elements. Some or all of the separators may be supplied from stacks disposed in magazines.