Abstract: Panels (20A, 20B) are attached to extrusions (66A, 66B) by fasteners 90. Clips (70) are attached to a structure (50) by fasteners (35). The extrusions and the clips engage in a manner which allows the panels to move in any direction, as needed, without the panel detaching from the structure and falling. The extrusions also provide for the use of optional reveal strips (87). An extrusion has a restraining area (86), a reveal strip stop area (58), and a T-slot (65). A clip has a T-channel (74), a tensioning stop arm (69), and a secondary reinforcing arm (80). The panels can be installed in rows, in columns, or diagonally, as desired.

Abstract: A feed intake apparatus for a livestock feeding system is disclosed having a hopper with a feed inlet which receives feed from a feed supply source and a feed outlet, hopper having upper and lower switches regulating the amount of feed in hopper; a housing connected to the bottom of hopper having a feed inlet which receives feed from hopper and a feed outlet, housing having a body which generally converges downwardly and inwardly from said feed inlet toward feed outlet; a feed conveyor attached to housing, feed conveyor comprising a conveyor tube with a feed auger housed therein, feed auger having a multiplicity of substantially equally spaced flights and being driven within conveyor for conveying feed through conveyor tube; and an agitation device within housing.

Abstract: A method for forming a metal ion intercalation compound and the use thereof as the cathode material in an alkali metal battery. In one embodiment, a metal ion intercalation compound is mixed with an electrically conductive material. The metal ion intercalation compound is represented by the formula:M.sub.x T.sub.y A.sub.zwherein M is an alkali metal ion, wherein T is a metal ion capable of existing in more than one stable oxidation state, and wherein A is a multi-element anion with a negative charge greater than 1.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process by which smoothness, body and a permanent wave pattern can be imparted to multi-textured hair of all types, from hair having an excessively tightly curled appearance, such as Negroid hair, to hair having a straight appearance, such as Caucasian hair, with substantially less damage to the hair. The process of the present invention uniquely combines the use of two hair structure altering chemicals--an alkaline hydroxide (such as sodium hydroxide) and a thioglycolate reducing agent (preferably ammonium thioglycolate)--to harmoniously bring about a desired wave pattern in the hair. Using the Wave Balance Scale (a hair reference scale) of the present invention, a sodium hydroxide formulation is chosen based on the type and natural curl level of the hair. The sodium hydroxide formulation is applied to the hair for a time sufficient to relax the natural curl in the hair by breaking some of the sulfide bonds in the hair.

Abstract: A full-size mortar training device which includes full-size, simulated, propelling charges is disclosed. Both 81 mm and 60 mm mortar training devices are disclosed. The device provides realistic training on virtually all aspects of mortar firing. The device allows training in target sight acquisition and mortar positioning (elevation and azimuth), sight reacquisition due to recoil, dropping a round, adjusting the number of charges, as required, to achieve a desired zone of firing distance, adjusting the projectile fuse setting to control time of explosion, provides realistic firing sound, and allows trainees to follow procedures similar to those used with standard mortar service ammunition.

Abstract: The recovery of aluminum chloride from deactivated alkylation catalyst complexes by hydrogenation using hydrogen gas and an aluminum catalyst is disclosed. Using aluminum to catalyze the hydrogenation allows the reaction to proceed at a lower temperature and pressure while reducing the amount of hydrogen chloride present in the reactor thus reducing the corrosiveness and cost of the aluminum chloride recovery. Methods for batch, batchwise continuous, and continuous aluminum chloride recovery are disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for charging a battery in a transported apparatus from the electrical system of a transporting vehicle. In one aspect of the invention there is provided circuit means for determining when a battery has been sufficiently recharged, adapted to be respectively coupled to both the battery of the transported apparatus and the electrical system of the transporting vehicle. The circuit means may include means for determining the status of the battery being charged such as a meter, an array of lights, or an array of light emitting diodes, the number and sequence of illumination being indicative of the extent to which the battery has been recharged.

Abstract: A process for preparing a low-dusting, free-flowing pigment which has not been subjected to any micronizing treatment comprising the steps of providing an inorganic pigment material; providing a source of water; forming a fine, well dispersed slurry of the pigment and water; milling the slurry; depositing a treating agent having the formula ROOCCHSO.sub.3 MCH.sub.2 COOR' wherein R and R' are monovalent alkyl radicals having from about 2 to about 20 carbon atoms, and M is a metallic monovalent cation on the slurried milled pigment; and drying the pigment material having a treating agent deposited thereon. The invention also provides the free-flowing pigments produced by this process.

Abstract: A continuous method of preparing a single phase lithiated manganese oxide intercalation compound of the formula Li.sub.1+x Mn.sub.2-x O.sub.4 comprising the steps of: mixing intimately a lithium hydroxide or a lithium salt and a manganese oxide or a manganese salt; feeding the intimately mixed salts to a reactor; continuously agitating the mixed salts in the reactor; heating the agitated mixed salts in the reactor at a temperature of from about 650 .degree. C. to about 800.degree. C. for a time not in excess of about 4 hours in an oxygen-containing atmosphere; and cooling the reacted product to less than about 200.degree. C. in an oxygen-containing atmosphere for a time not in excess of about 2 hours.

Abstract: A high density fiber product is made from natural lignin containing plant fibers. Plant fibers ranging in size below about 3000 microns in diameter are used. Binding agents and other additives may be mixed with the fibers to enhance product or process performance. The plant fibers or mixture of fibers and additives are heated to between about 50 degrees C. to about 140 degrees C. The heated fibers are compressed in a mold to an average density of about 50 pounds per cubic foot to about 100 pounds per cubic foot. Compression pressures of about 500 psi to about 2500 psi are used to achieve product densities within this range. The compressed fibers are cured under these temperature and pressure conditions. After the curing time has elapsed, the compressed fiber product is released from the mold and the mold may be reused. A high density product made from small plant fibers is provided.

Abstract: A rapid infusion system for rapidly delivering blood and/or volume expanding fluid to a patient, said rapid infusion device comprising in combination: a permanent portion and a removable portion; wherein said permanent portion includes an adjustable drive means and related control means therefor, wherein said removable portion includes sub-components that come into contact with the fluid infused to the patient, and optionally wherein said system can be portable.

Abstract: A process for reacting titanium tetrachloride vapors with oxygen including a first oxygen preheat assembly for preheating oxygen to a first predetermined temperature and a titanium tetrachloride preheat assembly for preheating titanium tetrachloride to a relatively low, temperature. The process includes adding a second oxygen preheat assembly for preheating oxygen to a second temperature substantially below the first temperature, and includes a second reaction zone adapted for receiving the mixture from the first reaction zone, the oxygen at the second temperature being reacted with the titanium tetrachloride in the mixture from the first reaction zone to produce titanium dioxide. Also provided is a process for the preparation of titanium dioxide comprising reacting titanium tetrachloride with oxygen at an elevated pressure and at a temperature above about 1750.degree. F.

Abstract: Thermoplastic concentrates comprising inorganic pigments, such as titanium dioxide, treated with a dialkyl sulfosuccinate treating agent, of the formula ROOCCHSO.sub.3 MCH.sub.2 COOR', where R and R' are monovalent alkyl radicals containing from about 2 to about 20 carbon atoms and M is a metallic monovalent cation, are disclosed. Such treatment improves the dispersibility of the pigments in thermoplastic resins. The treatment also enables the production of thermoplastic concentrates comprising a high percentage of treated inorganic pigment dispersed in a thermoplastic resin.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing Li.sub.2 M.sub.b Mn.sub.2-b O.sub.4 which comprises the steps of providing LiM.sub.b Mn.sub.2-b O.sub.4 ; providing a lithium salt; forming a mixture of the LiM.sub.b Mn.sub.2-b O.sub.4 and lithium salt in a liquid medium; adding a reducing agent to the mixture; heating for sufficient time to effect substantially complete conversion; and separating the product Li.sub.2 M.sub.b Mn.sub.2-b O.sub.4 .