Abstract: Polyester fibers containing one or more oxalate complexes of the general formulaMe.sub.n [Z(C.sub.2 O.sub.4).sub.m ]are drawn and subjected to a hydrosetting process at temperatures of 90.degree. to 170.degree. C. in the presence of liquid water, the water containing one or more of the following surfactants: salts of partial esters of phosphoric aid, sulfosuccinic aid esters, phosphonic acid esters as well as ethoxylated silicon compounds, ethoxylated fatty alcohols, polyglycol esters of fatty acids as well as various imidazole salts of partially or completely hydrogenated imidazoles. In this way the hydrosetting process is accelerated and a more stable pore structure is obtained. Water absorption and retention are also increased.

Abstract: High molecular weight anisotropic melt-forming polyesters are melted and then spun below the melting point through spinneret orifices of less than about 25 mils in diameter to reduce nonuniformity in resulting filaments.

Abstract: A pressurized coal gasification system having double wall containment vessels (2,10) is disclosed. The gasification vessel (2) is provided with a gas tight water seal (36) for connecting the lower end of the inner water-cooled vessel (4) with the bottom supported slag tank (32). The seal (36) prevents gas leakage between the vessel interior and the pressurized annular volume (24) formed between the inner and outer gasification chambers (4,6). A flow of clean, particulate-free product gas (60) is routed into the contiguous annular volume (24,26,28) formed between the inner water-cooled gas directing members (4,20,12) and the outer, pressure containing members (6,22,16) to prevent either leakage of raw product gas into the annular volume or dilution of the product gas (46) by leakage of the sealing gas (60) into the hot product gas flowstream.

Abstract: This invention relates to devices and methods of manufacturing cut glass panels which comprise a plurality of glass panes arranged in a predetermined pattern with novel came flanges that span the adjacent edges of the glass panes on both sides of the panel. In this manufacturing method, a pair of complementary came-flange gridworks that correspond to mirror images of the predetermined pattern are first constructed. The cut glass panes are then positioned between the inner surfaces of the complementary gridworks so that the edges of each pane are separated from the edges of adjacent panes by spaces that form a network of continuous interconnected channels, and so that those channels are completely spanned by and sandwiched between the inner surfaces of the complementary came-flange gridworks. In a preferred embodiment, the outer surface of one of the gridworks is then sealed to all adjacent glass surfaces with a releasable cement. The cemented came-pane assemblage so formed is detached from the other gridwork.

Abstract: An apparatus for the production of granules from flowable media comprises a cylindrical vessel rotatable about a horizontal axle and being provided with circumferentially spaced orifices through which the medium emerges in the form of droplets. The drops fall onto a cooling conveyor in order to solidify thereon. A collector wall is situated within the vessel and oriented obliquely relative to the horizontal. The medium is dropped onto the collector plate and flows downwardly onto the internal surface of the vessel. The medium falls onto the internal surface ahead of a baffle which presses against the internal surface.

Abstract: A method of producing a smooth surface on a premolded glass fiber mat reinforced plastic panel where protruding fibers would otherwise produce a rough surface. The method is practiced by coating the surface of a premolded glass fiber mat reinforced plastic panel maintained at room temperature with a room temperature curable polyurethane composition, and applying molding pressure on the coated surface to cause the coating resin to flow and fill the valleys between the protruding fibers. The molding pressure is released while the coating resin is still in its fluid state. A finished, smooth panel is made by this process which can be readily painted and used as an automotive exterior body panel. Optionally, a layer of a predecorated sheet material can first be placed in the upper mold cavity of a mold, then compressed against a premolded panel positioned in the lower mold cavity with a layer of coating resin sandwiched in between.

Abstract: A method is provided for making a plastic-filled wire rope by preheating a lubricated wire rope to a temperature close to the melting point of the plastic material with which the rope is to be filled, and then injecting the plastic material in molten state under heat and pressure into the wire rope so as to fill essentially completely the interstices between the strands and the individual wires, while displacing and removing most of the lubricant initially present within the rope. The obtained novel plastic-filled, lubricated wire rope has improved wear and fatigue resistance as well as increased life.

Abstract: Method for effecting the electrostatically induced thermal modification and disruptive surface deformation of liquid monofilamentous materials in a gaseous environment.

Abstract: Cement matrix composites of improved flexural toughness are prepared with polyethylene fibrids of high orientation from plexifilamentary structures as reinforcement.

Abstract: An apparatus for gas treating a particle bed wherein a uniform temperature gradient is achieved. A support member, such as a grate, serves to support a bed of particles on a surface thereof. The support member is moved in a predetermined direction. Gas is released from a plurality of positions at different depths in the bed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for the production of spherically-shaped zinc powders using an atomization process. The method involves an alloying addition of lithium to the molten zinc prior to atomization. The invention also provides for spherically-shaped zinc-lithium, zinc-lithium-lead, and zinc-lithium-lead-indium alloy powders which are produced using the method of the invention.

Abstract: A pyroelectric and isotropic piezoelectric polymeric film, the film being formed from a blend of polyvinylidene fluoride and at least one polymer miscible therewith at a temperature above the melting point of the polyvinylidene fluoride, and a process for preparing the film comprising forming the film, heating it to a temperature sufficient to render the film substantially amorphous, cooling at a rate and to a temperature sufficient to prevent crystallization, and polarizing the film to render same pyroelectric and isotropically piezoelectric.

Abstract: With the fabrication method and apparatus for the performance of such method, a blank containing hollow spaces extending between its lower side and its upper side is arranged in a mold closed at least at five sides and expanded. The blank is arranged in a mold box, whose area in plan view is larger than the plan view area of the blank. The space between the blank and the mold box wall and possibly hollow spaces which are retained in the blank are filled with a granular filler material, for instance sand, which is trickleable at least during the mold release of the expanded blank. In this way there is ensured for a simple and positive mold release and a protection of the mold box. The molded body can have different constructions and serve the most different purposes. The molded body is preferably constructed as a lightweight structural element for construction purposes.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process and an apparatus for producing tablets of good quality with minimal waste by compressing granulated matter at a regulated temperature. An important advantage of the invention is that it permits direct tabletting of active ingredients without the need to include additives in the tablets.

Abstract: An injection molding process for molding an article having accurate dimensions without sink marks includes the step of feeding high pressure air into the core portion of a shell or solid molded mass formed by the preceding injection molding step. Preferably, the wax material is injected into a mold cavity through a throttled inlet port to flow thereinto as a vigorous turbulent flow. A separate flow line is provided for feeding high pressure air in the preferred embodiment. More preferably, the volume of injected wax is substantially smaller than the volume of mold cavity.

Abstract: Very large tools can be cast-to-size by making a pattern of the article to be formed by the tool, laying the pattern up in a pattern box, applying a release coat and coating the pattern and box with a tough, curable tool surface layer. A small amount of epoxy filled with a thermally conductive particulate filler is cast into the pattern box before the surface layer fully cures. Relatively large chunks of thermally conductive material are added to the box which are covered with additional cast epoxy. The cure of the epoxy is controlled to effect complete cure at room temperature within a few days but never to exceed a peak cure temperature above about 70.degree. C.

Abstract: Polyolefin fibers, which are suited for at least partially substituting the cellulose fibers in the manufacture of paper, are produced by a process which consists in preparing in a pressure vessel a solution of a polyolefin at a temperature higher than the boiling temperature of the solvent under normal conditions, and under autogenous pressure or a pressure greater than the autogenous pressure, in ejecting said solution under the above stated conditions into a zone of lower pressure, in allowing the ejected solution to expand at least partially in said zone, and in then hitting the at least partially expanded solution with a jet of a high-speed fluid, which is at a temperature lower than that of the solution, and has an angled direction with respect to the direction of ejection of the solution.

Abstract: A method for producing an external breast prosthesis or support by forming a mold directly from the subject for whom the prosthesis is being prepared. After a molding material is applied to the subject's breast, the breast is immersed in an isodensity liquid to present the breast to a zero-gravity condition while the molding material cures.

Abstract: A construction for the refractory lining member of a coke oven door is provided. The coke oven door lining includes a generally "U"-shaped frame with a castable refractory element formed therein. The frame is provided with a base portion and first and second legs which extend from the base. A series of diagonal cross-members are provided to be affixed at one end to the ends of the legs and at the other end to the central region of the base portion. The refractory member is formed from a castable refractory material and is designed to extend beyond the ends of the legs of the frame. In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the refractory member consists of a two-layer system to provide greater insulation.

Abstract: Reinforced phenolic laminates are provided with a finishing coat of a butylated phenol-formaldehyde resin, thereby removing surface irregularities. The finishing coat can be mass-pigmented to the desired color, thereby obviating the necessity of any additional color-containing coatings.