Abstract: An impulse rocket propellant is comprised of highly hydrated mineral salts such as boric acid hydrate HBO.sub.2.H.sub.2 O and a plaster forming agent comprising calcium oxide hydrate CaO.H.sub.2 O and sodium sulfate hydrate Na.sub.2 SO.sub.4.10H.sub.2 O, all of which are compounded and intimately commingled with a heat conducting inorganic fiber such as glass wool. When these compounds are allowed to dry, loaded into suitable rocket devices, and instantaneously heated, the water of hydration of the hydrated mineral salts instantaneously vaporizes into steam which can be used to propel the rocket. The resulting unhydrated mineral salts are entrained within the steam. Upon coming into contact with the atmosphere, the steam condenses into fine water droplets into which the entrained salts dissolve and ionize.

Abstract: A fish feeder which utilizes water to fill a water container to induce a rotational movement in a rotatable arm. A predetermined rotation of the water container causes the water container to dump its contents and cause a rotation of the rotatable arm in an opposite direction. Abrupt halting of the rotational movement of the rotatable arm induces a vibrational movement to cause fish feed to be dispensed from a feed pan. The amount of fish feed dispensed for a wide range of grain sizes is provided in the present invention in addition to a precise control of the frequency at which food can be dispensed.

Abstract: A digital X-ray scanner device for instantaneously producing an electronic image on a monitor of a object scanned by X-rays. A solid straight electronic linear array is used to detect X-ray shadows and produce an electronic signal which is processed for display. Image enhancement techniques can be utilized including displaying particular windows of the scan data and elimination of background noise and the use of color enhancement. The device can be adapted for retrofitting panoramic dental X-ray scanning machines and other uses such as veterinary scanning and scanning other portions of the human body as well as inanimate objects. Archival storage of the information allows ready access for future use.

Abstract: Structured meat products, particularly structured raw meat products, are prepared by mixing comminuted meat or trimmings with powdered sodium alginate and powdered calcium carbonate. A slow release acid, such as glucono-delta-lactone, citric acid, lactic acid and the like, can also be added. The slow hydrolysis of the powdered form of such acids slowly lowers the pH of the meat to improve its flavor, but still ultimately produces enough hydrogen ions to stimulate the release of sufficient calcium ions from the calcium salt to accelerate formation of an algin/calcium gel. In either case, after being formed into the desired shape, the meat is stored, usually under refrigeration, from about one to four days to allow the algin/calcium gel to set. Thereafter, the resulting structured meat product can be conveniently portioned, packaged and marketed as a refrigerated raw meat product, a frozen raw meat product, or precooked and marketed refrigerated or frozen.

Abstract: A method of treating cellulose-containing materials to increase chemical and biological reactivity of cellulose. The cellulose is contacted, in a pressure vessel, with a volatile liquid swelling agent having a vapor pressure greater than atmospheric at ambient temperatures, such as ammonia. The contact is maintained for a sufficient time to enable said agent to swell the cellulose fibers. The pressure is rapidly reduced to atmospheric, allowing said agent to boil and explode the cellulose fiber structure. The rapid pressure reduction also causes some freezing of the cellulose. The agent is separated from said cellulose and recovered for recycling.

Abstract: A sorbent composition for reducing the stress buildup within sorbent alloys such as hydride powders being used to store hydrogen gas by imparting more of a fluid-like property to the alloys. Under the teachings of the present invention, a second powder is added to the powdered sorbent alloy to serve as a flow aid to the alloy powders so as to allow rearrangement and movement for the alloy powders with respect to each other and with respect to the sidewalls of the container. The flow aid powder which is chemically inert with respect to hydrogen and the sorbent alloys is mixed with the sorbent alloy powder and the amount of the flow aid powder is dependent upon the volume change of the particular hydride, the strength of the container, the geometry of the container, the orientation of the container, and the direction of the reaction front. The addition of the flow aid reduces densification, compaction, settling, and stress buildup during successive cycles of absorption and desorption.

Abstract: Slip preventing means for garment hangers is provided by a flexible, sleeve-type member having (1) an upper surface of uneven contour, (2) flexible lip portions which curl under the upper surface to engage a top flange of a garment hanger having an I shaped cross section and one or more openings in its top flange, and (3) a cuff which also curls under the upper surface to engage one of the projections of the top flange which forms an end of the opening. The cuff section is open at both ends. It is located interior to the ends of the member to the extent that either end of the member will bridge the opening when the cuff engages a projection and thereby prevent garments hanging on the hanger from getting caught or torn in the opening as the garment is removed from the hanger.

Abstract: An improved dynamic current interruption-type flashover indicator responsive to lightning strikes for releasing from the tip of arc horns located on power transmission towers and for interrupting the resulting dynamic current. The present invention utilizes a uniquely designed propellant having a formed center hole extending the longitudinal length of the propellant and containing therein a fuse wire extending from a separation plate at one end and engaging an inserted pin at the other end. When lightning strikes, the resulting arc is lead into and throughout the formed center hole by the fuse wire, the fuse wire melts and the temperature of the arc causes the propellant to vaporize uniformly into steam and the resulting gaseous force causes the indicator to become rocket-like and to suddenly leave the tip of the arc horn.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for attaching facing pieces to building structures in predetermined horizontal row and vertical tier arrangements. This method and apparatus is particularly well-suited for mounting removable marble face stones to crypt vaults in mausoleums. Anchor blocks are set in the structure in predetermined vertical and horizontal alignment positions and mounting bolts upon which the facing pieces hang are inserted into the anchor blocks. The mounting bolts are characterized by their ability to produce an eccentric motion which is used to cam the facing piece horizontally or vertically and thereby providing means for making small adjustments necessitated by the fact that the building structure and/or the face pieces have slightly irregular dimensions. Shims are used to make adjustments in the third dimension.

Abstract: A pump primarily intended for use in a portable ventilator. The pump includes a piston-cylinder arrangement in which the piston is reciprocally moved within the cylinder by rotating a shaft. The shaft is threaded and mounted for rotation within the cylinder at a fixed location along the axis of the cylinder. The piston has an aperture through its center and the shaft extends substantially between the end walls of the cylinder and through the center of the piston. The piston is held against rotation relative to the shaft and cylinder by a collapsible hinge and is attached to the shaft by an arrangement including a ball nut and sealing nut. The piston forms a variable volume, working chamber with one end of the cylinder and in operation, the shaft is selectively rotated to move the piston toward and away from the end wall. This positioning of the shaft within the cylinder reduces the overall size of the pump and specifically adapts it for use in a portable ventilator in which size limitations are critical.

Abstract: This invention involves methods and apparatus relating to the assembly and structure of a dot matrix print head. The invention includes a single unit, coil assembly of a bobbin, coil, and clapper which can be removeably placed as a unit among fixed pole pieces and yoke members in the print head. The print head also includes a supporting arrangement for the coil assemblies which automatically aligns the clapper of each coil assembly with the impact end of one of the print wires during the assembly of the print head. Other disclosed features of the invention are novel designs for the wire guide members, a heat sink member, and mounting structure by which the print head is attached to the main guide and rail guide bearings of the printing mechanism.

Abstract: A process for selectively extracting and ultimately recovering copper from acidic chloride solutions containing the same wherein an acidic chloride solution containing copper is initially contacted with an extractant to selectively extract copper, as copper chloride, therefrom. The loaded extractant is contacted with a suitable aqueous stripping solution to strip copper therefrom. Thereafter, the pregnant aqueous stripping solution is contacted with an active hydrogen ion exchange extractant, such as hydroxy oxime, a beta diketone or mixture thereof dissolved in an inert organic carrier solvent. The active hydrogen ion exchange extractant selectively extracts copper from the pregnant aqueous stripping solution with hydrochloric acid being formed.