Abstract: Disclosed is an assembly or matrix comprising an arrangement of integrally fused tubes forming a series of nonporous, longitudinal parallel passageways therethrough. The matrix is of a low-expansion ceramic material and the passageways therethrough have thin walls; a high proportion of the cross-sectional or frontal area of the matrix is free open area. Also disclosed are methods for making such a matrix from glass tubes that are thermally crystallizable; one method involves longitudinally bundling the tubes with their ends sealed and heating the assembly to soften, expand and fuse the tubes in a heat treatment schedule that also nucleates and thermally crystallizes the matrix to the final ceramic product. Another embodiment involves superimposing a plurality of layers of tubes, one layer above the other in successive parallel planes, with the tubes in each plane being essentially parallel to each other and transverse to the tubes in adjacent layers.

Abstract: Disclosed are new copolyesters of terephthalic acid, bis(4-.beta.-hydroxyethoxyphenyl)sulfone, ethylene glycol and a very small amount of trimellitic acid, particularly useful as molding compounds, especially for the extrusion-blow molding process of making hollow articles, and a method of making hollow articles.

Abstract: Colored and/or transparent, low-expansion, crystallized glass-ceramics formed by thermal in situ crystallization from a differently colored crystallizable base glass and having lithium-containing crystals as the predominant crystalline species. The products have coefficients of thermal expansion of less than about 12 x 10.sup.-7 per .degree.C. over the range of 0 to 300.degree. C. Telescope mirror blanks can be made from the transparent, low-expansion, crystallized glass-ceramics.

Abstract: There is disclosed a degradable article made from photodegradable polymeric or plastic compositions comprising at least one organic polymer or copolymer and at least two different aromatic carbonyl photosensitizers.

Abstract: Disclosed is a luminescent solar collector comprising a relatively thick layer with a photocell coupled to a face surface thereof and at least one thin luminescent layer optically coupled to said thick layer, said thick layer having an index of refraction at least 0.04 more than each of said luminescent layers and being at least 10 times as thick as the sum of all other layers of said collector.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process and apparatus for concentrating sunlight optically and impinging the concentrated light on at least one luminescent solar collector coupled to a first photocell, passing residual concentrated sunlight to at least one other luminescent solar collector in one embodiment, coupled to a different photocell, and finally passing the remaining concentrated sunlight directly to a still different photocell.

Abstract: Disclosed is a luminescent solar collector optically coupled to a photovoltaic cell and in confronting relationship thereto a diffusing layer of a particulate phosphorescent material deposited on and backed by a mirror.

Abstract: Disclosed is a modified flat plate thermal collector, modified to substitute for one of its insulating flat light conducting members a flat luminescent solar collector plate coupled to a photocell and having a thin layer containing a luminescent species responsive to solar radiation, to provide a structure for producing both electrical and thermal energy, wherein said thin layer is protected from the ambient atmosphere and wherein the thin layer is out of contact with said photocell.

Abstract: Disclosed is a structure which in one apparatus converts a part of incident solar energy to electrical energy by the use of photocells mounted on a luminescent solar collector of tubular design while another portion of such incident energy is converted to thermal energy.

Abstract: Disclosed are new polycrystalline ceramic bodies formed from melts containing as essential components P.sub.2 O.sub.5, Ta.sub.2 O.sub.3 and Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 and sometimes containing small amounts of SiO.sub.2. Also disclosed are such bodies in the form of planar dopant hosts for doping silicon or germanium with phosphorus. Methods of making both products are disclosed as well as how to use the dopant hosts in a doping process.

Abstract: Disclosed is a composite collector and concentrator structure comprising a laminate having a self-supporting layer of solid light transmitting material of extended area in one plane in optical contact with a relatively thin layer of a silicone resin derived from a trifunctional silane containing at least one species of luminescent material which absorbs electromagnetic radiation and emits electromagnetic radiation of a longer wave length. Use with photovoltaic solar cells is also disclosed.

Abstract: Heat sensitive containers with loosely fitting circumferentially heat shrinkable sleeves are conveyed linearly while rotating, past heating means for impinging hot gas against the sleeve serially from the bottom to the top thereof to heat shrink the sleeves around the bottles; also disclosed is delivering different amounts of heat per unit height to at least two axially adjacent horizontal zones of said sleeve.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for reinforcing hollow articles, such as bottles, blow molded from a heated thermoplastic material. A hollow parison is preformed with concave grooves in its exterior surface and corresponding ribs on its interior surface at locations in which the finished article is to be reinforced. The parison is then blow molded into the finished article. The blowing pressure and the temperature of the thermoplastic material collapse and fuse the concave grooves to form solid reinforcement ribs located inside the article while the exterior of the article has a rib-free surface defined by the blow mold.

Abstract: Disclosed is a luminescent solar collector having a beveled edge meeting an extended face surface thereof at an angle of 40 to 50 degrees, ideally essentially 45 degrees, and physically attached and optically coupled to a relatively small area of said surface a photovoltaic cell adjacent to and parallel to said edge. Usually the beveled edge is a straight edge.

Abstract: Disclosed are B.sub.2 O.sub.3 -containing glass-ceramic bodies made by in situ thermal crystallization of glasses and useful as a host for diffusion doping of semiconductors by the vapor phase transport of B.sub.2 O.sub.3 to the semiconductor from the glass-ceramic which in mole percent consists essentially of SiO.sub.2 15-40, Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 15-30, B.sub.2 O.sub.3 20-60, RO 5-25, La.sub.2 O.sub.3 0-5, Nb.sub.2 O.sub.5 0-5 and Ta.sub.2 O.sub.5 0-5 wherein RO is selected from MgO, CaO, SrO and BaO in specified percentages, and mixtures thereof and wherein the ratio Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 to RO is 1.5-4.

Abstract: A method of making blown plastic containers having internal ribs is disclosed. The first step of the disclosed method is to prepare a substantially amorphous blowable plastic parison such that a major portion thereof is at a temperature within the orientation temperature range of the plastic, and a strip portion has a higher modulus of elasticity than the major portion. The second step is to blow out the parison within a blow mold such that the major portion expands faster than the stiffer strip portions and interior folded ribs are formed by the strip portions and adjacent areas of the major portion. Various means of performing those steps are also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed is a plastic drum having a circumferential recess in the sidewall of the drum near its top, in the form of a frustum of a cone and adapted to receive a one-piece snap-on metal ring carrier structure of a disclosed design that allows handling of the drum with fork lifts, parrot beaks and similar chime engaging devices.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed to a fluid product dispenser. The dispenser includes first and second containers. The second container is positioned within the first container. The product is placed in one of the containers and a dispensing nozzle or opening is in communication with the product. The second container has a flexible wall adjacent the product. Fluid is introduced into the other container. A force is applied to the flexible wall to urge the product outwardly through the dispensing nozzle or opening.

Abstract: Linear copolyesters are contemplated having the following repeating units: ##STR1## in their backbone structure. These polyesters have utility in the packaging industry for packaging various comestibles.