Abstract: A layered structure for adhering gold to a substrate and a method of forming such on a substrate are disclosed. An article of jewelry or the like which is formed by the disclosed method and which includes the disclosed layered structure is also disclosed. The layered structure includes a first layer overlying the substrate. The first layer includes a member selected from the group consisting of metal nitrides, metal carbides and metal carbonitrides wherein the metal is selected from the group consisting of titanium, zirconium and hafnium. The layered structure also includes a transparent layer of refractory metal which overlies the first layer and underlies the gold or alloy thereof. The disclosed method includes forming the aforementioned first layer over the substrate and then forming the transparent layer of refractory metal on the first layer. Both the first layer and transparent layer are preferably formed or deposited on the substrate by a cathodic arc plasma deposition process.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for joining overlapping sheets of thermally sealable material is disclosed. The method includes applying moving pressure to the sheets to define a moving compressed portion on the sheets, inserting heating means between the overlapping sheets and positioning and maintaining the heating means against an upstream face of the moving compressed portion so that the heating means and moving compressed portion move in unison. The sheets are heated by the heating means as such movement in unison takes place to form a liquified interfacial region between the sheets when the sheets are engulfed by the moving compressed portion. The sheets are joined to each other when the liquified interfacial region cools and solidifies. The heating means is sized and configured to cooperate and move in unison with a selected compressing means which compresses and moves the moving compressed portion along the sheets.

Abstract: The present invention provides an automatic welding apparatus for welding a pair of horizontally overlapping thermoplastic materials in sheet form along the overlap thereof. The apparatus includes, in a preferred embodiment thereof, a chassis having a material guide including a pair of overlapping channels, vertically spaced from one another and said materials, to receive the overlapping portions of the materials and to maintain and to produce a separation between the materials. Located within the separation are an electrically heated prismatic member and a first and a second means to produce first and second streams of heated air to heat the materials to plasticity. A pair of pressure rollers acting against the materials and in a preferred embodiment a pair of guide rollers mounted on a guide plate attached to the aforementioned material guide are provided to urge the materials against one another so that they weld to one another.

Abstract: A cover for covering a selected exterior portion of a vehicle is disclosed. The cover includes at least one layer of flexible material having a relatively even surface with a plurality of raised portions projecting outwardly from the surface. The raised portions are sized and spaced from each other to prevent the layer of flexible material from collapsing between the raised portions. The raised portions are also sized and spaced to prevent non-pooled liquid water lying on the surface of the vehicle from making contact with the even surface of the cover. As such, non-pooled water lying on the vehicle's surface is incapable of sticking to the even surface when it freezes. Accordingly, the only portions of the cover capable of freezing and sticking to the vehicle's surface are the raised portions. Thus, the cover is easy to pull off the car even when its raised portions are frozen to the car.

Abstract: A flexible bag such as a trash bag is disclosed. The bag includes a flexible bag body having an open end with inflatable means located at the open end of the bag for maintaining the open end of the bag in an open position so that matter can be easily deposited into the bag through the bag's open end. In a preferred embodiment, the inflatable means includes a chamber-defining, inflatable rim which extends substantially around the open end of the bag body. An inflating means such as a valve or sealable stem-like member is also provided in communication with the chamber of the inflatable rim for receiving air to inflate the inflatable rim. The inflatable rim, when inflated, significantly enhances the ease with which matter may be deposited into the bag by defining an opening for receiving such matter.

Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing a roll of paper towels and the like is disclosed. The apparatus includes a base and an upright rod attached thereto for maintaining a roll installed thereon in an upright position. The roll is installed on the rod with the rod positioned within the hollow interior of the roll. The apparatus also includes a brake support structure attached to the base which is spaced from the rod to permit a roll of paper towels to be installed on the rod. The apparatus further includes brake means having releasable attaching means and movable attaching means. The releasable attaching means attaches the brake means to the rod to secure the brake means in a braking position. The movable attaching means movably attaches the brake means to the brake support structure. Together, the movable and releasable attaching means enable the brake means to be released and moved away from the rod.

Abstract: A method for adding alloying material to a molten metal media, such as molten aluminum, is disclosed. The method includes converting the alloying material into a spray of superheated alloy material and directing the spray into the molten metal media at a depth below the media's surface to enhance dissolution and dispersion of the alloying material in the molten media.

Abstract: A system for adding alloying material to molten metal media is disclosed. The system includes spark cup means, preferably cylindrically shaped, which is partially immersed in the molten media. The spark cup preferably has a lower open end which is exposed to a submerged surface of the molten media and an upper inlet, at least a portion of which is located above an exterior surface of the molten media. Means for supplying the spark cup means with an arc shielding gas through the inlet is provided as is means for feeding an elongated form of the alloying material through the spark cup inlet into the cup area or chamber of the spark cup. Also provided is means for establishing an electrical arc discharge between the submerged molten metal surface and the free end of the alloying element in the spark cup. The free end of the alloying element is converted into a spray of superheated alloy materials as it passes through the arc discharge.

Abstract: A lightweight mounting structure combination for small dish antennae is provided. The structure includes an upright mast for supporting the dish antennae. The mast has an upper end for attachment to said dish and a lower end for anchoring to a rigid-type structure. The structure also has a bent strut having a lower end for anchoring to a rigid-type structure and an upper end for attachment to said mast. In addition, a second strut is provided having a lower end for anchoring to a rigid-type structure and an upper end for attachment to said mast. Further included is means for anchoring the respective lower ends of the mast, bent strut and second strut to the rigid-type structure and for attaching the respective upper ends of the bent and second struts to the mast. The means includes a bracket, a threaded bolt having a shank portion for extending through the bracket and respective end, and a nut threaded on said bolt for drawing the bracket and respective end tightly together.

Abstract: A process for cleaning lime having undesirable levels of contaminants, particularly manganese oxide, is disclosed. The process includes leaching the contaminants from the lime with an aqueous means, preferably spent Bayer liquor, to form a slurry containing said impurities and cleaned lime. The cleaned lime is then removed from the slurry containing the contaminants.

Abstract: A lightweight mounting structure combination for small dish antennae is provided. The structure includes an upright mast for supporting the dish antennae. The mast has an upper end for attachment to said dish and a lower end for anchoring to a rigid-type structure. The structure also has a bent strut having a lower end for anchoring to a rigid-type structure and an upper end for attachment to said mast. In addition, a second strut is provided having a lower end for anchoring to a rigid-type structure and an upper end for attachment to said mast. Further included is means for anchoring the respective lower ends of the mast, bent strut and second strut to the rigid-type structure and for attaching the respective upper ends of the bent and second struts to the mast. The means includes a bracket, a threaded bolt having a shank portion for extending through the bracket and respective end, and a nut threaded on said bolt for drawing the bracket and respective end tightly together.

Abstract: A process for removing hydrocarbon combustibles from the surface of metal particles and recovering the heat content therefrom is disclosed. The process is carried out in a system having a smoke collection zone, a heating zone and burner means supplied with fuel and air. The process includes charging the metal particles into a moving molten metal bath contained in the smoke collection zone. The charging generates smoke and vaporizes the hydrocarbon combustibles to provide unburned hydrocarbon fumes. A burner means is fired to draw transporting gas into the smoke collection zone to entrain and transport the smoke and fumes from the smoke collection zone to a jet stream exiting the burner means. The smoke and fumes are incinerated in the jet stream to provide hot gas. The transporting gas also contains oxygen for incinerating the smoke and fumes. The hot gas provided by incinerating the smoke and fumes is then jetted via the jet stream into the heating zone where its heat content is recovered.

Abstract: A lightweight mounting structure combination for small dish antennae is provided. The structure includes an upright mast for supporting the dish antennae. The mast has an upper end for attachment to said dish and a lower end for anchoring to a rigid-type structure. The structure also has a bent strut having a lower end for anchoring to a rigid-type structure and an upper end for attachment to said mast. In addition, a second strut is provided having a lower end for anchoring to a rigid-type structure an an upper end for attachment to said mast. Further included is means for anchoring the respective lower ends of the mast, bent strut and second strut to the rigid-type structure and for attaching the respective upper ends of the bent and second struts to the mast. A bolted joint connection and a method for installing a dish antenna mounting structure are also provided.

Abstract: A mounting structure for satellite dish antennae and method and means for anchoring the structure to the roof or sidewall of a typical residential building, such as a house, are disclosed. The mounting structure includes a mast for supporting the dish antennae. The anchoring means includes a bar having a back portion and sides which define an open-ended channel. The sides of the bar are further provided with integral adjoining lips which extend the length of the bar. Also included in the assembly is a clamp provided with holes through which bolt means may be inserted to tighten and secure the clamp about the mounting structure's mast to the bar's lips. When so tightened, the clamp tightly engages the external surface of the mast to prevent it from torsional movement relative to the clamp.

Abstract: Calcium is produced by a thermal reduction process in a reaction-condensation system having a reaction zone and a condensation zone. According to the process, a reducing agent is contacted or reacted in the reaction zone with at least a partially molten slag to produce calcium vapor. The calcium vapor is transported from the reaction zone to the condensation zone and condensed therein.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for heating and melting electrically conductive material are disclosed. The method includes the steps of heating a jet of gas or gaseous mixture, directing a heated jet of gas or gaseous mixture to the material, and drawing a diffuse current through said gas jet to said material by seeding it with an additive having a low ionization potential so as to increase the rate at which the material is heated. The apparatus includes means for heating gas(es), means for directing a jet of said gas(es) to the material, means for introducing an additive having a low ionization potential into the gas(es) for purposes of ionizing said gas(es), and means for drawing a diffuse current through the jet of ionized gas to the material.

Abstract: A method for the recovery of free aluminum metal from its dross is disclosed. The dross is charged into a receptacle having at least one inclined sidewall and at least one passageway extending through the receptacle's bottom. The passageway is sized and configured to permit the passage of free aluminum metal but inhibit the passage of the dross' network of solid particles. Dross having been charged into the receptacle is then mechanically compacted by applying compressive forces on the dross towards the inclined sidewall. Such compression causes the free aluminum in the dross to coalesce and pass through the passageway in the receptacle's bottom. Steps are also taken during the aforesaid charging and compaction steps to prevent or inhibit the dross from cooling. Free aluminum passing through the receptacle's bottom passageway is then collected. Compacted dross remaining in the receptacle can be subjected to conventional reprocessing techniques for recovering remaining aluminum contained therein.

Abstract: A container for arc-free use and minimal electromagnetic reflection in a microwave oven is disclosed. The container includes a tray having smooth side and bottom walls and edges, with the side wall in elevation having a curved configuration provided with a substantial radius. The configuration of the tray in plan view is either round (circular) or has rounded corners formed with substantial radii. The surfaces of the tray are coated on both sides with a layer of heat-resistant plastic material having a thickness on the order of 0.25 to 2.5 mils. A heat-resistant plastic microwave transparent lid is provided for the tray. In a preferred embodiment, the tray's bottom defines a steam port that, during heating, allows steam to escape therethrough and travel along the tray bottom to further heat the tray bottom and thus the tray's contents.

Abstract: Scrap metal contaminated with hydrocarbon combustibles is reclaimed by vaporizing the hydrocarbon combustibles contaminating the metal in a kiln so as to produce partially unburned fumes in said kiln. The fumes are separated from the metal as the metal is discharged from the kiln, and the separated fumes are then transported to a heat generating means having a burner means secured therein. The fumes are incinerated in the heat generating means by the flame of said burner means so as to provide hot gas which is recirculated to the kiln for purposes of conducting the aforementioned vaporization step. The firing rate of the burner means is regulated to maintain the recirculating hot gas close to a predetermined temperature, and the air to fuel ratio supplied to the burner means is varied to maintain the concentration of oxygen in the recirculating hot gas close to a predetermined level.

Abstract: A power driven press for recovering aluminum from aluminum dross is disclosed. The press has a receptacle for containing dross. The receptacle has at least one inclined sidewall and at least one passageway extending through its bottom. The passageway is sized and configured to permit the passage of free aluminum but inhibit the passage of a network of solid particles contained within the dross. Ram means for mechanically compacting the dross is also provided. The ram means applies a compressive force on the dross towards the inclined sidewall of the receptacle to force coalescence and separate a substantial portion of the free aluminum from the dross and pass it through the passageway provided in the receptacle's bottom. The ram means is provided with a ramming surface which faces the inclined sidewall surface of the receptacle. The ramming surface is inclined at an angle which is slightly less than that of the sidewall surface.