Abstract: A one-piece, cold-formed rocker arm of the cam-follower type is provided. The rocker arm includes a one-piece metal body cold formed from a metal blank and being of inverted U-shaped cross section throughout most of its length. The body has a top wall with depending, structurally-integral side walls. An intermediate, convex portion of the top wall has an opening extending therethrough with an axle extending between the side walls below the opening. A cam-contacting roller is rotatably mounted on the axle and has a circumferential surface exposed at the opening to engage a cam. The rocker arm body has a recess at one end portion to receive a lifter post and an additional recess at another end portion to receive an end of a valve stem. The one end portion of the body is wider than the remainder of the body. Ribs are formed at the lower edges of the body and extend along the intermediate portion of the body between the two end portions.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for handling heat-softenable batch material prior to melting it. The batch components are mixed together and then mixed with liquid and formed into balls or pellets of substantially uniform size and shape. The pellets are then collected into a heat-exchange chamber through which hot gases are passed from a melting unit in which the pellets are to be heated to a heat-softened state. The pellets thereby are preheated prior to entering the melting unit to save considerably on energy requirements. A physical characteristic and specifically the depth of a portion of the batch being formed into the pellets is sensed, the depth being related to moisture content. The ratio of the batch material and liquid is accordingly regulated to achieve uniformity in pellet size, which is influenced by the moisture content. Size uniformity is important in maintaining relatively free flow of the hot gases through the pellets in the heat-exchange chamber.

Abstract: The production of organic fibers with inorganic cores is set forth. Inorganic, such as glass, fibers are attenuated from a bushing and then covered individually or in small groups with organic sheaths. With individual fibers, rows or orifices in a bottom of the bushing are staggered so as to equally space the filaments. The applicator for applying the organic sheaths has one groove for each of the individual fibers for applying the organic material and for maintaining the fibers separated therebelow. The applicator can be mounted in a manner such that it can be retracted from an operating position in engagement with the filaments when the bushing operation is stopped, raised to a position near the bushing bottom, and moved into engagement with the fibers again to automatically place one fiber in each groove when the bushing is restarted. The applicator is then moved down to the operating position again when the bushing is back in normal operation.

Abstract: A porous article with a special finish treatment is provided, the article typically being an article of furniture, such as a cabinet door, by way of illustration. The article can be made of a molding compound comprising discrete glass fibers which can be produced by milling cured phenolic-bonded glass fibers. A coupling agent or binder is added to the milled fibers and the combination formed and cured under heat and pressure into the shape of the article. The surface of the formed article is porous and, in fact, the article is porous throughout its thickness. This presents a substantial problem in applying a satisfactory finish. To overcome this, with the article at an elevated temperature, it is immersed in a liquid containing particles in suspension, i.e. polyester liquid containing talc.

Abstract: The production of organic fibers with inorganic cores is set forth. Inorganic, such as glass, fibers are attenuated from a bushing and then covered individually or in small groups with organic sheaths. With individual fibers, rows or orifices in a bottom of the bushing are staggered so as to equally space the filaments. The applicator for applying the organic sheaths has one groove for each of the individual fibers for applying the organic material and for maintaining the fibers separated therebelow. The applicator can be mounted in a manner such that it can be retracted from an operating position in engagement with the filaments when the bushing operation is stopped, raised to a position near the bushing bottom, and moved into engagement with the fibers again to automatically place one fiber in each groove when the bushing is restarted. The applicator is then moved down to the operating position again when the bushing is back in normal operation.

Abstract: A level-sensitive system responsive to the level of liquid in a container is provided. A level-sensitive device, e.g. a gauge or pressure switch, is connected by a line to a lower portion of the container. Gas, specifically air, is supplied to the line under pressure sufficient to enable the gas to pass slowly into the container and to bubble upwardly, thereby keeping the liquid out of the line and away from the level-sensitive device. The flow of the gas is sufficiently slow that it does not affect the operation of the level-sensitive device. A liquid such as water also can be supplied to the line under pressure to flow into the container. The quantity of the water is also maintained small enough so as not to affect the operation of the level-sensitive device. The water is effective to prevent growth of fungus or the like in the liquid of the container which otherwise can form adjacent the line leading into the container and block the line after a period of time.

Abstract: Improved roof insulation for vehicles is provided. The insulation includes a layer of glass fibers held by a binder, which layer is flexible and compressible. A non-woven sheet is adhered to the lower surface of the fibrous layer and thereby improves the handleability of the layer and retains particulate material and especially fibers in the layer when being installed in a vehicle. The non-woven sheet also adds a degree of stiffness to the fibrous layer to prevent excessive drape thereof when being installed overhead, and yet the flexibility of the layer is retained. The non-woven sheet also protects the fibrous layer from tearing during installation and preferably can be dyed, which is particularly important when perforate headliners are employed therebelow. A non-woven porous sheet also can be employed on the upper surface of the fibrous layer which further improves the handleability and dimensional stability thereof, and protects the fibrous layer from damage.