Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of joining segments of high melting temperature materials, that includes frictionally heating a first high melting temperature material and a second high melting temperature material wherein the first high melting temperature material and second high melting temperature material are welded together, without substantially changing the macrostructure and/or the microstructure of the first high melting temperature material and the second high melting temperature material, after application of a frictional force.

Abstract: An impeller for use in a centrifugal pump, the impeller including a shroud having opposed faces, an outer peripheral edge portion and a rotation axis, a plurality of pumping vanes on one of the faces of the shroud and extending away from the rotation axis, each pumping vane having an outer peripheral edge portion, and a plurality of auxiliary vanes on the other face of the shroud, the auxiliary vanes of each having an outer edge portion wherein the dimension Da from the rotation axis to the outer peripheral edge portion of the shroud is greater than the dimension Db from the rotation axis to the outer edge portion of the auxiliary vanes.

Abstract: An eyeglass retainer is disclosed which comprises a filament member having gripping members connected at either end of the filament member, the gripping members being structured for securement to the terminal end of earpieces for eyeglasses. Each gripping member is structured with a plurality of openings through which the terminal end of eyeglasses may be positioned to provide a variety of ways that the retainer may be attached to the glasses. The eyeglass retainer may further include one or more contact members for contacting and engaging a portion of the glasses to facilitate attachment of the eyeglass retainer to the glasses.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for vending food products from a roller-type grilling machine includes a packaging system that extends the product life on the grilling machine by keeping the food product from directly contacting the grilling machine. By packaging the product in accordance with the principles of the present invention, the food product is kept in a controlled environment until it is opened by the ultimate consumer after being heated by the grilling machine. The packaging is comprised of a cylindrical tube having a diameter that is sufficient to contain the desired food product and that will properly rotate on a roller-type grilling apparatus. Such packaging may comprise an elongate tube formed from heat tolerant plastic, cardboard-type paper lined with metal foil, or other materials known in the art. End caps are attached to the ends of the elongate tube and sealed relative thereto.

Abstract: A system which comprises a micronizing milling machine used for the grinding of highly abrasive materials, wherein the micronizing milling machine includes a grinding chamber having a hub and a plurality of beater bars disposed around the hub, wherein the hub rotates, thereby causing the beater bars to grind highly abrasive materials that are fed into the grinding chamber by being poured over a central cone disposed over the hub, thereby directing the highly abrasive material away from the hub, wherein the micronizing milling machine is operated at high speeds by using a load balancer to reduce vibration and prevent excessive wear of the moving components, and wherein the micronizing milling machine obtains a high percentage of material at a desired particle size.