Abstract: A method of determining the moisture content in wood in which a sample of the wood being tested is first frozen with liquid nitrogen, homogenized and a test sample is placed in a Karl Fischer titration system. The test sample is placed into a solvent solution and the reagent or titrant is progressively added to the solvent solution as the presence of moisture from the wood sample is detected. Once the moisture has been titrated from the solution the moisture content of the wood is determined based upon the amount of reagent dispensed into the titration solution.

Abstract: A method of determining the moisture content of a module of tobacco material, the method comprising the steps of: (a) transmitting a plurality of microwaves substantially through a portion of the module, such that the microwaves are transmitted microwaves; (b) receiving the transmitted microwaves such that the microwaves are received microwaves; (c) determining a phase shift and an attenuation from the received microwaves; (d) repeating steps (a) to (c) for at least a portion of the material on the module, such that a plurality of phase shifts and a plurality of attenuations is obtained; (e) using at least one empirical factor selected from the group consisting of weight of the module, temperature of the module, shape of the module and type of the material to correct the plurality of attenuations, producing a plurality of corrected attenuations; (f) calculating a raw moisture content of the material from the corrected attenuations; (g) determining a density of the material from the phase shifts; and (h) calcu

Abstract: The invention refers to methods for assessing absorbent structures (10) for their fluid handling ability by using materials (110) having a moisture pick up ability which is very close to the one of human skin. This is achieved by using materials (110) which do not function based on capillary transport for moisture, but which comprise as an essential element swellable but non-soluble materials in a film form. Such materials (110) can be based on proteins, Glycin, Prolin, 4-hydroxyprolin, naturally occurring sugars, glycerin, sorbit and collagen. A particularly preferred material is a film material comprising collagen. To simulate a baby's weight upon the absorbent structure (10), a load (16) may be utilized therewith.

Abstract: A temperature controlled gravimetric moisture analyzer (20) is used to control the temperature of a sample material (24) while determining moisture content of the sample material (24). The moisture analyzer (20) includes a thermally conductive sample holder (22) having an emissive surface (44). A high precision force balance (30) is coupled to the sample holder (22) for weighing the sample material (24). A heater (26) encloses the sample material. An air temperature sensor (38) is configured to produce an air temperature signal (54). An infrared temperature sensor is configured to detect infrared emissions from the emissive surface (44) to produce a sample temperature signal (60) representative of the temperature of the sample material (24). A controller receives the air and sample temperature signals (54, 60) and controls the heater (26) in response to the signals.

Abstract: A method of measuring a parameter in a well, under isobaric conditions, including such parameters as hydraulic gradient, pressure, water level, soil moisture content and/or aquifer properties the method as presented comprising providing a casing having first and second opposite ends, and a length between the ends, the casing supporting a transducer having a reference port; placing the casing lengthwise into the well, second end first, with the reference port vented above the water table in the well; and sealing the first end. A system is presented for measuring a parameter in a well, the system comprising a casing having first and second opposite ends, and a length between the ends and being configured to be placed lengthwise into a well second end first; a transducer, the transducer having a reference port, the reference port being vented in the well above the water table, the casing being screened across and above the water table; and a sealing member sealing the first end.

Abstract: A method is provided for judging whether an ink-containing medium which is used for absorbing an ink is applicable to an ink cartridge. The method includes steps of (a) getting a first value A of a physical parameter of the ink-containing medium, (b) immersing the ink-containing medium into an ink container containing the ink under an immersion temperature for an immersion time, (c) washing the ink-containing medium, (d) drying the ink-containing medium under a dry temperature and a dry pressure, (e) getting a second value B of the physical parameter of the ink-containing medium, (f) calculating a relative change of the physical parameter of the ink-containing medium from the values of the physical parameters of the ink-containing medium, and (g) rejecting the ink-containing medium when the relative change of the physical parameter of the ink-containing medium is larger than a specific value.

Abstract: A device (10) for determining the percent fat of a meat product such as beef or pork. The device 10 is presented in two designs, the first design uses a mechanical device in the form of a slide chart (12) and the second design employs an electronic device which is disclosed in three design configurations. The slide chart includes a stationary member (14) having a plurality of percent moisture windows (30) and percent fat windows (32) and a movable member (62) having a multiplicity of percent moisture figures (72) and percent fat figures (74). When a selected percent moisture figure (72) is located on the percent moisture window (30) the equivalent percent fat figure (74) is displayed on the percent fat window (32). The first design of the electronic device consists of a hand-held electronic calculator (90) which calculates the percent fat of the meat product when the percent moisture is known.

Abstract: Apparatus for determining the actual and proportional amounts of a volatile fluid in a test staple is described. The test staple is stored in a sealed container after being collected and kept in the sealed container through testing. The volatile fluid of interest is evolved from the test sample and a carrier gas transports the volatile fluid past a sensor. The sensor determined the relative amount of the volatile fluid of interest in the carrier gas. The flow rate of the carrier gas is precisely known and is predetermined. A microcomputer is utilized to predict with great accuracy the actual and proportional amount of the volatile fluid in the test sample.

Abstract: A device for measuring the moisture content of a moisture-containing sample, which includes an electronic balance for measuring the weight of an airtight sample holder containing the sample and placed on a receiver thereof. The sample holder has a side wall provided with a gas discharge pipe extending horizontally outwardly from therefrom. A gas feed tube having a front portion inserted into the gas discharge pipe of the sample holder is held without contacting with the inside wall of the discharge pipe. An infrared lamp is disposed above the electronic balance to heat the sample in the sample holder and to remove the moisture from the sample. By feeding an inert gas through the feed tube into the sample holder, the heating of the sample with the lamp is performed in an inert gas atmosphere.

Abstract: According to the invention a hygrometer is provided for measuring the moisture content of a gas, the hygrometer comprising a chamber 2 housing a hygrometer sensor 1, a gas inlet 3 for admitting gas into the chamber and a gas outlet 4 for allowing gas to leave the chamber, the apparatus being such that a drying medium can be stored in the chamber to dry the sensor and then be rapidly removed from the chamber prior to measurement, for example via a removable lid 5.

Abstract: A microwave oven moisture analyzer is provided with an analysis chamber using a V-shaped structure wherein the wings extend from a vertical back wall forwardly and outwardly to the side walls of the oven. The upper edges of the wings also rise as the wings extend, to where at their ends they engage the ceiling of the oven. A roof rests on the wings and slopes downwardly rearwardly. The back wall is shorter than the adjacent wing portions and hence an opening exists from the analysis chamber into the rest of the oven. Air flowing down over the roof creates a venturi effect at the opening to remove air from the analysis chamber. A four point arrangement supports a fiber-glass pad bearing a sample in spaced relation to the floor and the sides of the chamber and below the opening so that moisture evaporated does not have a place to condense before it is removed from the chamber.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring the water vapor permeability of sheet materials such as films, foils, paper and cardboard, under adjustable constant measuring conditions. A lid having an air inlet opening and an outlet opening is attached on a cup containing water in a vapor and airtight manner. A sheet material, its circumferential border sealingly held between the rims of the cup and lid, separates the water in the cup from the lid. An absorption member containing a moisture-absorbent material is in communication with the outlet opening. A blower in communication with the air inlet opening aspirates air through an air dryer and blows the resulting dry air into the sealed cup containing the sheet material, the permeability of which is to be measured.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for water content determination of soil-water mixtures and of other materials through the use of microwave energy to rapidly dry the material being tested, drying and water content determination being controlled in a preferred embodiment by a computer interfaced with a microprocessor of a digital microwave oven. The invention preferably includes a digital microwave oven mechanically interfaced with a precision digital balance, the oven and balance being operatively interfaced with the computer. As drying in the microwave oven progresses, the computer monitors weigth loss of the test sample as indicated by the balance and controls microwave power levels according to program instructions. The invention is thereby capable of providing rapid, precise and repeatable water content determinations of suitable samples.

Abstract: The invention is used to extract pore fluid from porous solids through a combination of mechanical compression and inert-gas injection and comprises a piston for axially compressing samples to force water out, and top and bottom drainage plates for capturing the exuded water and using inert gas to force water to exit when the limits of mechanical compression have been reached.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of determining the humidity of ambient air surrounding an aircraft in flight are disclosed. Air is captured as the aircraft flies. Measurements for calculating the mass flow rate of the captured air are made. The captured air is dehumidified in a moisture extractor. A flow of moisture and aa flow of dehumidified air exit from the water extractor. The mass flow rate of the moisture exiting from the moisture extractor is measured. The humidity of the captured air is calculated based on the respective mass flows and the efficiency of the moisture extractor. Because the mass flow measurements and the efficiency of the moisture extractor depend, in part, on the humidity of the captured air, an assumed humidity value is used at the beginning of the calculations. The assumed humidity is compared to the calculated humidity. If the newly calculated humidity is approximately equal to that used in the calculations, the value is output as the humidity of ambient air.

Abstract: There are disclosed a method and an apparatus for the measurement of the ice content of snow. Ice content is directly related to the quality of the snow. The method comprises the steps of measuring the weight of ice in the sample by:(1) placing a sample of the snow to be measured in a sample chamber;(2) heating said sample chamber and measuring the heat supplied while measuring its temperature; and(3) calculating the weight of the ice in the sample from the measurements in step (2),and then dividing the weight of the ice in the sample by the total weight of the sample to obtain a value for the snow quality. There is also provided an apparatus for carrying out the described method. The apparatus includes an insulated sample chamber including provision for heating and temperature sensing. The sample chamber is detachably connected to a microprocessor based instrument which controls the heating of the chamber and calculates the ice content from the heat supplied and temperature measurements.

Abstract: A radioactive assay method for measuring the humectant properties of cosmetic or non-cosmetic formulations or substances of any consistency, e.g. biological or synthetic liquids, solids, solutions, suspensions, isolated stratum coreum and hair, by measuring the uptake of radioactive water vapor.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for testing wearing apparel that defines an enclosure for moisture vapor transmission. Thin, flexible, waterproof liners which have a high permeability to moisture vapor are inserted into the interior of the apparel and filled with water. The water may be heated to simulate body temperatures and to produce higher concentrations of moisture vapor inside the apparel article. The amount of moisture transferred to the external environment of the apparel article, as well as the amount of moisture absorbed and condensed in the apparel article itself, can be measured by the weight differences which occur over a test period. The method is non-destructive and suitable for quality control, as well as for new product design.

Abstract: The apparatus determines the content by weight of a volatile fluid, such as water, in a sample under test where the volatile fluid is typically less than one-half percent by weight by heating the sample in a sealed chamber to evaporate the volatile fluid under test. The evaporated fluid is passed through a collector which senses and collects only the evaporated volatile fluid of interest which collection correspondingly increases the weight of the collector. Measuring the weight change of the collector and comparing it with the initial weight of the test sample provides a determination of the percent of the sensed volatile fluid in the test sample.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for conducting various experiments on skin samples under simulated in vivo conditions. The apparatus includes, in one embodiment, a platform for supporting the skin sample over a chamber containing liquid at a controlled temperature. An activating probe is attached to the surface of the skin sample and is activated in a predetermined manner. The probe is also used to measure the resulting deformations of the skin sample to determine the visco-elastic properties of the skin under various temperature and humidity conditions. The apparatus also includes an access part for applying selected topical solutions to the skin sample. In another embodiment, the apparatus includes additional elements for enclosing the air space above a skin sample and for measuring the transepidermal water loss through the sample.

Abstract: In a process for measuring the equilibrium moisture in hygroscopic, laminar material coated on both sides, preferably in raw paper coated on both sides used as support for a photographic paper, by determining the relative moisture of the air in contact with the material, samples are removed from the material by a process which forms cut surfaces on the material and are introduced into a container which can be sealed off against the outer atmosphere, and after establishment of the equilibrium moisture in this container the relative moisture of the air contained therein is measured.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring the moisture content of falling snow has a sheet of water-absorbing material containing a material which generates a color upon having water added thereto and which is movable from a snow receiving position to a first observation position and then to a heating position and then to a second observation position.

Abstract: A drying balance with a radiation source (11) for heating and drying a substance distributed on a balance scale (5), with a temperature sensor (8) for monitoring and controlling the output of the radiation source (11) and with electronic evaluating circuitry (33) for evaluating the measured values of the balance and for controlling the drying balance that a temperature gauging disk (14) with another temperature sensor built in be used in order to determine in a temperature gauging cycle the deviation of the output signal of the temperature sensor (8) from the output signal of the other temperature sensor built into the temperature gauging disk (14) and to calculate a correction factor from them and to store this correction factor. Then, the output signal of the temperature sensor (8) is multiplied by this correction factor during dryings in order to obtain the true temperature of the substance.

Abstract: A method for measuring the moisture content of a hydrous material employs the steps of determining the tare weight of a shallow rectangular sample container having a top, adding a sample to the container, weighing the sample and container, applying heat and pressure to the sample container using a pair of aluminum or graphite blocks, weighing the sample after heating, and calculating the moisture content. The method is applicable to measurements which are made outside the laboratory.

Abstract: A device for measuring the moisture content and basic weight of paper in a gravimetric and more accurate manner than before. The device includes a cutting device for cutting the sample from a specimen sheet, a balance for weighing the sample, a computer for computing the moisture content and the basic weight of the sample, an output device for printing out the results of the moisture content and basic weight as well as a controller for controlling the device automatically and advantageously a drying device for drying the sample.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for quantitatively measuring volatiles, solids and solvent extractables is described which provides rapid and accurate determinations using microwave heating, electronic balance weighing and solvent extracting of solubles. The method involves subjecting a weighed sample to microwave drying for a preselected time, reweighing to obtain the dry weight and determine volatile loss, solvent extracting the dried sample to determine fats, oils and other extractables followed by final measurement of residual solids. The apparatus is preferably automated to sequentially actuate the required weighing, microwave heating, solvent extraction, redrying, reweighing and calculation of the percentages of volatiles, solvent solubles and solids. The apparatus and method are particularly suited for analytical uses in the food and dairy industries.

Abstract: A device for determining the moisture content of a material which includes a micro wave heating unit (1) for heating a sample of the material which is under investigation and a weighing device (3) for weighing the sample during heating and providing signals representing a series of measurements of the weight of the sample at specific times. The weighing device is connected to a processing unit (4) which is a microprocessor and which includes a computer (9) which produces signals representing the loss of weight of the sample in the course of heating and which computes the parameters of a asymptotic function and which represents the loss of weight of the sample in the course of time. There is also a calculator (11) for determining the differences between two asymptotic values, and a comparator (12) for comparing the differences with a reference value representing the acceptable uncertainty in regard to the moisture content of the material.

Abstract: The invention is related to a method for measuring the quantity of a dried product, particularly that of a concentrate dried in a pressure filter. The method comprises the following stages: inserting (1) the product to be dried in the drying apparatus, carrying out the drying (1,2,3) and discharging (5) the dried product from the drying apparatus. In order to define the exact quantity of the dried product, the whole drying apparatus is weighed (4) both before discharging the dried product and immediately thereafter. The weighing results are processed in a microprocessor. By means of history recordings of the weighing results, the drying process itself can also be optimized.

Abstract: Nuclear fuel rods are processed to remove moisture in an oven which is evacuated. Measurement of the moisture content in each of a plurality of nuclear fuel rods (typically 44) is carried out by condensing the vapor derived from one randomly-selected control rod in a nitrogen-liquid cooled trap, collecting the condensed vapor in magnesium perchlorate, and determining the weight of the collected moisture. Moisture from the one fuel rod is condensed, collected and has its weight determined repeatedly in increments until the difference between the weight of a last increment and of a just preceding increment is less than 1 mg. (The permissible content is 6 mg. or less.) The rods have small perforations through which the vapor can escape. The evacuating system includes a main evacuating channel connected directly to the oven and a branch channel connected to the one fuel rod through the cold trap.

Abstract: A waste material compression tester is provided and having a reservoir or chamber for holding a sample of waste material containing liquid, a pressure source to apply pressure to the waste material under a pre-set pressure and a predetermined time period and a detector to indicate whether liquid was exuded from the waste material after the pressure is removed.

Abstract: In a drying balance with scale on top and with a radiation source for heating and drying material to be weighed located on the balance scale, the radiation source (11) is permanently located behind the balance scale (5) and a bent cover (7) which functions as a radiation deflector is movably located over the balance scale (5). This makes the construction lower and a moving of the radiation source (11) with its electric connections is avoided when the balance scale (5) is loaded. Moreover, differently constructed inner surfaces (7') of the cover (17) permit the drying balance to easily adapt to different radiation sources (11) and to different drying tasks.

Abstract: Apparatuses and processes are described for the automatic determinations of fat contents of foods, such as dairy products, e.g., milk, wherein automatic density and solids content determining apparatuses are employed, together with a computer, to determine the fat contents of food samples being tested. The density determining apparatus is preferably one which is electromagnetically excited to vibrate at its natural resonant frequency, so that from the change in such frequency, compared to a control, the mass of the sample may be determined. The means for measuring the solids content is preferably an automatic volatility computer in which electromagnetic radiation (microwave energy) is employed to drive off the volatile material (usually mostly water) in the sample, which is automatically weighed before and after such volatilization.

Abstract: A food weight measuring device comprises a table for carrying a foodstuff, a pivotable electrode plate for receiving the food weight, the pivotable electrode plate being pivotably moved responsive to the food weight, a fixed electrode plate for providing an electrical signal corresponding to the food weight in cooperation with the pivotable electrode plate, and an output circuit responsive to the fixed electrode plate for outputting the electrical signal representative of the food weight.

Abstract: A process for analyzing a sample of cuttings from oil or gas wells includes as its first step the determination of the water and light hydrocarbon content of the sample. The sample may then be sieved to remove any powders which may affect subsequent steps. The sample is also sieved to separate it into medium and large size fragments which are then weighed. A medium sized fragment is ground, mixed with potassium bromide (KBr) and tested with a Fourier transform infra red spectrometer to determine its mineral content. The larger size fragments are heated in an oven to burn off their volatiles and reweighed to determine their heavy hydrocarbon content. The large size fragments may now be tested with a helium pycnometer to determine the grain density of the sample, a second pycnometer, which uses a clay suspension as the working fluid, to determine the bulk density and porosity of the sample and a permeameter to determine the permeability of the sample.

Abstract: Apparatuses and processes are described for the automatic determinations of fat contents of foods, such as dairy products, e.g., milk, wherein automatic density and solids content determining apparatuses are employed, together with a computer, to determine the fat contents of food samples being tested. The density determining apparatus is preferably one which is electromagnetically excited to vibrate at its natural resonant frequency, so that from the change in such frequency, compared to a control, the mass of the sample may be determined. The means for measuring the solids content is preferably an automatic volatility computer in which electromagnetic radiation (microwave energy) is employed to drive off the volatile material (usually mostly water) in the sample, which is automatically weighed before and after such volatilization.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for quantitatively measuring volatiles, solids and solvent extractables is described which provides rapid and accurate determinations using microwave heating, electronic balance weighing and solvent extracting of solubles. The method involves subjecting a weighed sample to microwave drying for a preselected time, reweighing to obtain the dry weight and determine volatile loss, solvent extracting the dried sample to determine fats, oils and other extractables followed by final measurement of residual solids. The apparatus is preferably automated to sequentially actuate the required weighing, microwave heating, solvent extraction, redrying, reweighing and calculation of the percentages of volatiles, solvent solubles and solids.The apparatus and method are particularly suited for analytical uses in the food and dairy industries.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for detecting the boiling point of liquids being heated by a cooking appliance and automatically reducing the output power of the heat source, once the boiling point has been reached, to a level which will sustain a desired evaporation rate, by measuring the initial weight of the liquid to be heated; energizing the heat source at a predetermined power level, periodically measuring the weight of the liquid as the heating process continues; computing the rate of change of the weight of the liquid, and reducing the power level of the heat source to a lower power level when the computed rate of change exceeds a reference rate and increasing the power level when the computed rate of change is less than the reference rate once the boiling point has been reached. The first occurrence of a measured weight decrease greater than the reference rate signifies that the boiling point of the liquid has been reached.

Abstract: A computer controlled apparatus for grain elevators which includes a computer with keyboard and display and suitable output devices such as a printer and which receives inputs from sensing devices such as scales and moisture analyzers and sensors and which records and retains grain transactions as the grain is weighed and unloaded and in which samples of the grain are selected and analyzed in a moisture meter. The elevator operator inputs with the keyboard particular customer numbers and other desired information and the apparatus eliminates weigh ticket writing and prints over the scale transactions automatically and provides instant decision data such as marketing data so that the accounting functions can be automatically selected.

Abstract: An automatic volatility computer and a method for automatically determining weight changes in substances containing a volatile material. In particular, an apparatus which automatically determines the percentage of volatiles in a substance which contains unknown quantities of polar volatiles such as water or moisture, solvents, plasticizers and the like. The apparatus provides rapid automatic analysis without operator assistance other than the placing of the sample on the automatic balance. The particular improvement in the present invention relates to the ability of the apparatus to project final dry weight without completely drying the test sample utilizing a short heat induction period. This improvement greatly reduces the heat time required and avoids overdrying of the test sample.

Abstract: A rapid volatility analyzer is described, as well as a method for rapidly determining weight changes in substances containing a volatile material. In particular, there is described an apparatus which rapidly determines the percentage of volatiles in a substance which contains unknown quantities of polar volatiles such as water or moisture, solvents, plasticizers and the like. The apparatus provides rapid determinations without operator assistance other than the placing of a sample of the substance being tested on the electronic balance. The particular improvement in the present invention relates to the ability of the apparatus to project final dry weight without completely drying the test sample utilizing a short heat induction period. This improvement greatly reduces the heating time required and avoids overdrying of the test sample.

Abstract: Rapid and accurate determination of the fat, moisture, and protein content of meat products such as beef or the like is obtained by exposing a sample to microwave energy for a period of time sufficient to achieve a relatively constant chemical analysis in the residue. During heating on a weighing device, a substantial portion of the moisture in the sample is vaporized and a substantial portion of the fat is melted and collected in a separate container which is maintained below the sample but off of the weighing device. By monitoring the time rate of change of weight loss in the sample until it reaches a predetermined value and terminating cooking, a relatively constant chemical analysis of the residue is achieved. Collection of rendered fat off of the weighing device avoids erratic fluctuations in weight readings caused by spattering, dripping, and explosions of the melted fat in the collection container.

Abstract: The digital moisture meter includes means for taring an empty sample pan placed on the balance platen. After the balance has been tared, a small sample is placed in the sample pan and a heat lamp energized. At this same time, the initial weight of the sample is stored in memory and after twenty seconds a first calculation is made to determine the percent weight loss, the value of which is also stored in memory. Subsequent percent weight loss values are calculated and if the latest percent weight loss is greater than the one that has been stored in memory, the stored one is then replaced with the latest value. However, if the latest percent weight loss value is less or equal to the stored value, the stored value is retained in memory for comparison with the next percent weight loss value that is calculated.

Abstract: An apparatus that is capable of continuously measuring the weight loss of a light weight, porous sheet material during drying while in constant contact with a heated surface. The resulting data may be converted to drying rate curves suitable for analyzing the effects on drying rate of furnish additives and processing conditions. The testing device is particularly useful for evaluating grades of paper or paperboard having basis weights greater than 50 g/m.sup.2. The device includes an electrically heated arcuate plate maintained at a constant temperature. The paper sample to be tested is brought into good heat transfer contact with the plate by means of a tensioned fabric that exerts a normal load on the sample but does not interfere with mass transfer of the vapor away from the drying sample. An air ventilating system provides a low turbulence flow of air uniformly over the fabric covering the sample.

Abstract: To measure stomatal resistance of a leaf, signals are obtained from: (1) a small thermocouple positioned adjacent to the leaf in a cuvette to measure temperature of the leaf without conducting excessive heat; (2) a thermistor in the cuvette chamber; and (3) a moisture sensor in the chamber. The moisture signal automatically controls a magnetically operated bypass valve from a source of air flowing through the cuvette chamber so that the moisture remains constant while the flow rate of the air is varied. The flow rate is measured in a flow meter having two laminar paths in series, composed of equal-length equal-diameter tubes but differing in the number of tubes, with the flow rate being measured in a different one of two tubes in each path for different scale measurements.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is described for improving the weighing accuracy of sensitive automatic balances when weighing heated substances. This is accomplished by substantially eliminating or reducing convection currents from interfering with and fluctuating the weight being sensed. An air barrier shield is used to cover the balance plate without contacting or touching the balance, thereby eliminating convection air currents from interfering with the movement of the balance. The air barrier is permeable to microwave radiation and capable of absorbing moisture and other volitilized substances while being substantially impermeable to air currents. Glass fiber matting or padding is particularly useful for forming the air barrier enclosure. The invention is particularly applicable to analytical determinations which require microwave heating of the substance to remove volatiles and the requirement to accurately and sensitively weigh the substances while still hot using an electrical balance.

Abstract: There is disclosed a technique for tightening threaded fasteners in which values of offset torque, initial tension rate relative to angle, final tension rate relative to angle and other joint related factors are empirically determined by instrumenting a plurality of fasteners of the type ultimately to be tightened. In one embodiment, torque and angle are monitored during tightening. Calculations are conducted, while tightening, to determine the tension prevailing in the bolt at a particular angle of advance. By using the calculated tension value and the particular angle of advance, an instantaneous position of threading advance on the tension-angle curve of the fastener is established. From this instantaneous position, it is determined how much greater angle of advance or how much torque is required to tighten the fasteners to a final desired tension value. The same technique may also be used merely to monitor tightening which is terminated by a different tightening strategy.

Abstract: Apparatus for contacting various samples with water vapors has a vessel which is sealable by a removable cover and contains an insert above a supply of liquid electrolyte. The insert has an annulus of sockets for containers each of which confines a different sample and can be sealed by a removable lid. A vertical shaft is mounted in the insert with minimal friction for rotary and axial movement and is driven by a stirring device which rotates a permanent magnet serving to rotate a permanent magnet or a magnetizable body which is secured to the shaft. The shaft carries an impeller which agitates the gas in the interior of the vessel while the lids are off the respective containers. The supply of electrolyte is agitated by a bar which is rotated by the magnet of the stirring device or which constitutes the magnet or magnetizable body on the shaft.

Abstract: An ink composition is provided which is suitable for use on plastic, bare metal, for example, tinplate or aluminum as well as on such metals having organic coatings applied to surfaces thereof. The inks are suitable for use in contact printers or in jet ink printing techniques and apparatus. The ink compositions are thermotropic, i.e. they change color in the presence of water or steam at elevated temperature and are useful as sterilization or pasteurization indicators. The inks comprise essentially a binder resin component, or mixture of such resin components, an alcohol solvent and a combination of dyes which produce a visible and permanent color change in the presence of water or steam at elevated temperatures.

Abstract: Volatile content of a sample is determined by volatilizing a portion of such content, taking weight measurements at uniform intervals during such volatilization after a preselected delay, obtaining differences between weight measurements taken at times separated by a predetermined uniform measure and processing such weight differences.

Abstract: An automatic volatility computer is described as well as a method for automatically determining weight changes in substances containing volatile material. In particular, there is described an apparatus which automatically determines the percentage of volatiles in a substance which contains unknown quantities of polar volatiles such as water or moisture, solvents, plasticizers and the like. The apparatus provides rapid automatic analysis without operator assistance other than the placing of a sample on the automatic balance. In the preferred embodiment, a digital panel meter provides rapid readout coupled with the ability to recall the original weight and the weight obtained after removal of the volatiles.