Abstract: The present invention relates to apparatus for producing tubular ceramic articles. The apparatus is comprised of a vertically positioned electrical induction furnace; a plurality of spaced concentrically arranged tubular forms, which fit and are arranged vertically within the furnace; one or more supply hoppers for holding particulate feed materials, and; supply lines to dry cast feed materials into the spaces between and around the forms. The forms may then be removed leaving separate vertical, hollow columns of particulate feed materials concentrically arranged within the furnace. The furnace is then heated causing the particulate materials to react forming a tubular ceramic article within the furnace.

Abstract: The present invention relates to composite articles of manufacture comprised of a continuous phase of silicon containing a discontinuous matrix of particulate material selected from silicon carbide, carbon, or mixtures thereof. The particulate materials have a minimum size of about fifty microns, and more preferably for enhanced performance, a minimum size of 100 microns. The present articles contain from about thirty to about seventy, and more preferably from about 35 to about 65 percent by volume of silicon. The present composites have strains to failure at high temperatures substantially higher than the reaction bonded silicon carbide composites of the prior art. The present composites also have a resistance to thermal stress at elevated temperatures superior to the prior art composites. In such respects, the present composite materials have characteristics more resembling a metal than a ceramic.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the detection of B. gingivalis by the specific ability of B. gingivalis to hydrolyze N-carbobenzoxy-glycyl-glycyl-L-arginine-B-napthylamide derivatives. The present invention also relates to the use of assay systems which inhibit serum amino peptidase and enhance the detection of the B. gingivalis N-CBz-Gly-Gly-Arg peptidase. The assay system inhibits the serum enzyme by the use of a serum aminopeptidase inhibitor which inhibits the activity of serum aminopeptidase to a greater extent that it inhibits the activity of B. gingivalis N-CBz-Gly-Gly-Arg peptidase. The assay system also increases the reliability of detection of the B. gingivalis enzyme by the use of enhancing materials which enhance the enzyme activity of B. gingivalis N-CBz-Gly-Gly-Arg peptidase to a greater extent than such materials enhance the enzyme activity of serum aminopeptidase.

Abstract: The present putter is useful in aligning the striking surface of a putter, a golf ball, and the target. The putter is comprised of a shaft member having a clubhead at the lower end. The top surface of the clubhead has an indicating device consisting of a straight line marking or stripe located along the front top edge. A slanted sight bar is positioned above and perpendicular to the clubhead. The slight bar extends forward of the striking surface of the clubhead and backward beyond the rear of the clubhead. The top surface of the sight bar slants from the back portion downward toward the forward portion. The top portion of the sight bar has a longitudinal straight line indicating device thereon positioned perpendicular tothe indicating device on the clubhead. In a putting stance the golfer sees a cross. The stem of the cross located on the sight bar is placed on line with the hole. The lateral extentions of the cross located on the clubhead indicate the angle of the striking face.

Abstract: The present invention relates to improved stamp hinges that may easily and quickly attached and detached from the back of a postage stamp, either used or mint, without leaving an adhesive residue on either the stamp or on the substrate on which the stamp is mounted. The hinges are pressure-sensitive and adhere by finger or slight contact pressure. The contact, surface of the hinge is partially coated with a water-insoluble, low-tack adhesive. The contact surface has a non-coated area preferably extending along at least the entire length of one edge or one end thereof. The non-coated area comprises from about 5 to about 95 percent of the area of the contact surface.

Abstract: The present invention relates to interlocking construction elements useful in being assembled into load bearing traffic ways. The present construction elements are comprised of a flat top slab and at least one support stem attached perpendicularly to bottom of the slab. The top of the slab is a load bearing surface. The support stems have a flared, or finned, portion positioned contiguous to the junction of the stem and the bottom of the slab. A load placed atop the load bearing surface is equally distributed to the support stem, or stems. The slab may be considered as floating, that is, the bottom of the slab is in touch contact but not in support contact with the foundation. Any weight placed load bearing surface is immediately and directly transmitted to the support stem, or stems in substantially equal proportion. In an alternative embodiment of the invention the support stem, or stems, are secured into a anchor boot, which, in turn, is securedly attached to a foundation.

Abstract: The method of the present invention consists of the steps of heating an area along the length of a small diameter glass tube while the tube is being rotated, pulling the heated tube using an unidirectional force to rapidly extend the heated area while mechanically maintaining the heat source centrally located along the portion of the tubing being extended. The extended tubing is subsequently cooled and separated at the narrowed portion to produce two capillary tubes. The apparatus of the present invention consists of two independently rotatable, co-axially aligned chucks. The chucks rotate in an essentially simultaneous manner, that is, the speed of rotation of each chuck is essentially the same. Each of the chucks has an adjustable collet thereon adapted to receive and hold a section of glass tubing aligned therebetween. A means of moving one of said chucks away from the other is provided. A moveable heating means is positioned intermediate the chucks.

Abstract: The present invention relates to projectiles that are particularly useful in guns having smooth bores, but it is equally useful in guns having either smooth or rifled bores. The present projectiles are cylindrical, tubular composites comprised of low density and high density materials. The present projectiles have a heavier forward portion and a lighter rearward portion. The distance from a point at the rear of the projectile to a plane perpendicular to the axis of the projectile and passing through the center of mass of the projectile is from about 1.0 to about 5.0, and more preferably from about 1.2 to about 1.8, and most preferably from about 1.2 to about 1.6, times the distance from a corresponding point at the front of the projectile to such plane. The present projectiles may also include a guidance system consisting of internal vanes, or fins, positioned within the projectile body. The present projectiles present substantially less head-on surface area when the projectile is in flight.

Abstract: The present invention minimizes the problem of thermal stresses in a glass lined vessel by providing a heat transfer sump in the bottom portion of the vessel. A heat transfer compartment is formed by enclosing the annular space between the exterior portion of the skirt and the bottom portion of the vessel by means of an annular ring. The heat transfer compartment is enclosed by the annular ring, the interior portion of the skirt, and the bottom portion of the vessel. The heat transfer compartment is adapted to receive and hold a heat transfer medium and in this manner form a heat transfer sump.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and apparatus for producing tubular articles of silicon carbide and silicon. The articles contain silicon in both metallic and in chemically combined form. The method consists of the steps of concentrically positioning a vertical tubular columns of particulate silicon contiguous to a hollow, vertical tubular columns of particulate silicon carbide, carbon, or mixtures of silicon and carbon, and heating the adjacent columns to a siliciding temperature. The silicon component infiltrates the column containing the particulate silicon carbide, carbon, or mixtures thereof, forming a tubular product. The apparatus consists of supply hoppers for holding the particulate feed material, a loading means comprised of spaced, concentrically arranged, tubular forms. The loading means is positioned within a vertically positioned electrical induction furnace. Particulate feed materials are dry cast in the spaces between and around the forms.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for sharing a load between individual sections of a vertical column. Although particularly useful in conjunction with glass lined steel columns, the present load distribution means is also useful in other vertical columns which are assembled in sections and have gasketed joints. The load sharing, or distribution, means comprises a radially extending annular member, rigidly secured along the outer periphery of each column section to be joined. The annular member is positioned adjacent to the section end. The annular members are aligned as the column sections are assembled and are spacedly secured one from another. Thus, the annular member on one section is secured, but at a distance, from the annular member on an adjacent section.

Abstract: Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans has frequently been implicated in juvenile periodontitis. The present monoclonal antibodies are specific to Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans. The present monoclonal antibodies are typically employed as reagents which include an inert carrier, preferably a liquid, such as buffered saline solution and a preservative. The carrier compositions are suitably selected to provide for the proper dispersal of bacteria, and to preserve the integrity of antigens and supplemental structures. The selection of the proper carrier is especially important in the detection in mixtures which include bacteria which produce large amounts of autolyltic enzymes such as B. gingivalis. The monoclonal antibodies of the present invention are useful in clinical testing and differentiating antigens in the gingival or subgingival sera.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an artificial spinning lure which has a non-streamlined contour along its leading face. The contour provides the lure with an induced and controlled drag which is sufficient to substantially completely overcome the torque created by a spoon, or spinner blade, as the lure is drawn through the water. The present lure is comprised of a spindle which has a spinner blade rotatably attached thereto and a resistance body mounted on the spindle and spacedly positioned from the spinner blade. The resistance body has a non-streamline, drag producing front face which produces a drag when the lure is being pulled through the water that is sufficient to substantially entirely overcome the torque produced by the rotation of the spinner blade.

Abstract: The present invention minimizes the problem of thermal stresses in a glass lined vessel by providing a heat transfer sump in the bottom portion of the vessel. A heat transfer compartment is formed by enclosing the annular space between the exterior portion of the skirt and the bottom portion of the vessel by means of an annular ring. The heat transfer compartment is enclosed by the annular ring, the interior portion of the skirt, and the bottom portion of the vessel. The heat transfer compartment is adapted to receive and hold a heat transfer medium and in this manner form a heat transfer sump.

Abstract: An extendable and retractable step for high clearance vehicles. The step is pivotally mounted enabling movement from a retracted, or concealed position, that is, one in which the step is stored beneath the sill of the vehicle door and adjacent the vehicle underbody, to an extended, or revealed position in which the step is projected outward and downward to provide access to the vehicle sill. The step has a positive bracing, or latching, means for assuring against undesired shifting of the step while it is in an extended position. The step unit, or assembly, includes a control system providing a means for moving the step unit from one position to the other and an indicating means to inform the vehicle operator of the step position.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a portable multi-use receptacle. The device is particularly useful as a receptacle for collecting and holding tree and shrub trimmings or leaves. The device consists of a basin-like structure having a flat rigid base. The base has an outer wall attached to the periphery thereof. The outer base has an opening therein between about 1/8 and about 1/3 of the periphery. The base has a second substantially shorter wall bridging the opening of the first wall along the periphery of the base. The base has a third wall corresponding approximately in height to the second wall. The third wall extends inward from one juncture of the first and second walls to the center portion of the base and then outward to the other juncture of the first and second walls. In this manner a walled, wedge-shaped section is defined in the base.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a secure landfill and to a method of operating a hazardous waste secure landfill characterized by a substantial reduction in the amount of leachate. The amount of leachate is minimized by maintaining a substantial amount of the atmospheric moisture collected within the confines of the fill separate from the waste material in the fill and removing such uncontaminated moisture from the fill site in an uncontaminated condition. The present landfill arrangement also facilitates the progressive incremental closing and permanent sealing of portions of the landfill while the remainder of the fill remains in active use.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for the controlled heating of an ultra small volume. The invention provides a means of heating, measuring, and controlling the temperature in such ultra small volume. The present apparatus includes a heat-sensor portion comprised of an electrical resistance. Heat is generated in the heat-sensor portion by a flow of electrical current through such electrical resistance. The temperature in the heat-sensor portion is determined by measuring the electrical resistance of the circuit that includes the heat-sensor element. The apparatus is comprised of a thin-walled microcapillary tube filled internally with an electrically conductive material and coated externally with a dissimilar electrically conductive material. The external electrically conductive coating on the microcapillary tube is suitable a noble metal such as gold.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of pressureless sintering silicon carbide in which the silicon carbide starting material is in the form of a multimodal composition, or mixture, of coarse and submicron particles. The present sinterable silicon carbide mixtures consist of separate fractions of sized particles. Each fraction is present in amounts of from about 5 to about 75% by weight of the mixture, and more preferably from about 10 to about 65% by weight of the mixture. One fraction has a particle size ranging between about 0.21 mm (210 microns) to about 3.4 mm (3400 microns) and preferably the larger particles have a size less than about 2.4 mm. A second fraction has a particle size ranging between about 0.003 mm (3 microns) up to about 0.21 mm. A third fraction has a size less than 0.003 mm, but has an average size less than 1 micron. The present products are produced by sintering particulate silicon carbide in the presence of a sintering aid and a slight excess carbon.