Abstract: A microprocessor based sequence controller is disclosed in connection with a soup and beverage vending machine, in which sequences of functions required in the operation of the vending machine are under the control of the microprocessor unit. The microprocessor unit has two separate storage sections, one of which is not alterable and contains the basic program for the vending machine. The other section is alterable and contains adjustable modifications of the basic program. The alterable storage section is modifiable through the use of a separate service module, which is not normally connected with the sequence controller during normal vending operations. The start and stop times of each function of the sequence of functions are independently modifiable, and an interlock is provided to assure against unintentional modification of the start and stop times. The integrity of the stored modifications is automatically checked periodically, and the stored modifications are ignored if the integrity check fails.

Abstract: A method for preparing an improved filter medium of enhanced electrokinetic capture potential for contaminated liquids having suspended therein electro-negative particles of about 0.1 to 0.7 micron diameter. The method comprises forming a filter medium from a dispersion of negatively charged particulate material for filtration and a sufficient amount of fibers to form a matrix of self-bonding fibers. The surface of the particulate has been modified with a melamine formaldehyde cationic colloid.

Abstract: A combination hip and leg sled exerciser having an adjustable toe rest when used as a leg exerciser, and an adjustable body board when used as a hip sled.

Abstract: A pan indexer for use with a moulder/panner with a gate and a conveyor, having a carrier for a cantilevered template with a spaced series of tangs for successively engaging and releasing pans on the conveyor when the template is moved up and down in synchronism with dough pieces being deposited through a gate from the moulder/panner to pans on the conveyor.

Abstract: A biaxially heat shrinkable sleeve, a prism which is usually a roller having its lateral area covered with a biaxially heat shrunken sleeve and the method for covering the lateral area of a prism such as a process roller with a biaxially heat shrunken sleeve.

Abstract: A refractory moldable composition which, upon drying, sets up to refractory shapes which are strongly adherent to the molding surfaces and are essentially crack-free, contains about 45 to about 65% of a liquid vehicle, such as water; about 21 to about 26% ceramic fiber; about 7 to about 30% finely divided silica; and sufficient adhesion enhancing agent to impart from about 18 to about 50 grams per square centimeter adherence to steel. The molded composition adheres excellently to molding surfaces and dries to give an essentially crack-free refractory shape, useful as thermal insulation at temperatures up to 1300.degree. C. The composition may optionally include hollow plastic or ceramic spheres.

Abstract: A shrink resistant flexible ceramic fiber and its process of manufacture which comprises melting from about 40 to 65 weight percent of alumina with from about 35 to about 60 weight percent of silica, forming fibers from the melt, rapidly solidifying the fibers, heating the fibers to a sufficient temperature for a sufficient time to form microcrystals and cooling the fibers to below the crystallization temperature before macrocrystals can form.

Abstract: An improved throw-away, or single use, adaptor particularly useful with depressed center grinding wheels is described. The adaptor comprises a hollow mandrel having an internal threaded portion for attaching the adaptor to the shaft of a grinding machine. The hollow mandrel has a saucer-shaped disc portion extending axially from the outer portion of the mandrel. The saucer-shaped disc portion has a concave surface and a convex surface. The concave portion is equipped with a plurality of internal rib members and has a flange around the periphery thereof to contact the side of a grinding wheel. The flange portion has a plurality of protrusions, or bosses, thereon adapted to be received in corresponding orifices in the grinding wheel. In operation, as the grinding wheel contacts a work piece, the torque, or stress, is directly imparted to the adaptor, as the adaptor is threadably attached to the shaft of the grinding wheel.

Abstract: A process for strengthening carbide fibers by removing internal stresses caused by their formation. This process is accomplished by drawing the carbide fiber under tension through a furnace. The temperature of the furnace may range from about 2050.degree. to 2300.degree. C. while the fiber tensile stress may vary from about 200 to 3500 p.s.i. when using boron carbide fibers with diameters ranging from about 8 to 14 microns.

Abstract: A method of pressureless sintering silicon carbide mixtures to obtain a sintered, dense product when the silicon carbide starting materials do not include a densification aid, such as boron, beryllium or aluminum, is described. The starting materials are mixtures containing predominantly particulate silicon carbide and include usually less than about 10 and, preferably, less than about 6 percent by weight of carbon in the form of elemental carbon or in the form of a carbon source material. The mixtures may also contain minor amounts of other additives, such as lubricants, surfactants or agglutinants, to aid in forming a compact, or green body, from the mixtures, or minor amounts of other ceramic materials depending upon the nature of the desired final product. The mixtures are formed into compacts, or green bodies, by known techniques.

Abstract: An apparatus for fuel ignition comprising an electrical source for providing electrical current; an electrically operated fuel ignition means; a valve means which allows passage of fuel to the ignition means when the valve means is opened; a first valve control means which will open the valve upon application of an electrical current and a second valve control means which will retain the valve means in an open position but will not initially open the valve upon application of an electrical current; an activating switch electrically connected between the electrical source and the rest of the apparatus so that the apparatus will not operate unless the activating switch is closed; a time delay switch connected between the activating switch and the rest of the apparatus and connected to an ignition sensing switch means so that the time delay switch stops the flow of electrical current to the rest of the apparatus if the ignition sensing switch means does not sense ignition within the time delay; and an ignition s

Abstract: Ceramic compositions that may be injection molded and subsequently sintered are described. A particulate ceramic material, such as silicon carbide, is coated with a mixture of thermoplastic resin and oils or waxes, and utilized as a feed material in an injection molding process. The molded product may subsequently be sintered at 2000.degree. C. to 2200.degree. C. to produce a hard, dense article.

Abstract: A composition comprising negatively doped hot pressed particulate silicon carbide, the process for making the composition, an electrical hot surface fuel ignitor manufactured from the composition, a silicon brazed electrical connection for the ignitor and an ignitor circuit containing a dropping resistance.

Abstract: A coated abrasive belt backing material woven from 100% high tenacity polyester staple yarns in a sateen weave is heat set and destretched to a dimensional stability warpwise of less than 6.5% elongation at 170 pounds per linear inch of width tensile, while maintaining its desired width during such heat setting and destretching, cloth finished, coated with maker, abrasive and size, cured and product finished to form endless belts having superior properties of strength, toughness, body retention, pliability and base adhesion.

Abstract: A neutron absorbing article, preferably in long, thin, flat form, suitable for but not necessarily limited to use in storage racks for spent nuclear fuel at locations between volumes of such stored fuel, to absorb neutrons from said spent fuel and prevent uncontrolled nuclear reaction of the spent fuel material, is composed of finely divided boron carbide particles and a solid, irreversibly cured phenolic polymer, forming a continuous matrix about the boron carbide particles, in such proportions that at least 6% of B.sup.10 from the boron carbide content is present therein.

Abstract: A composite, neutron absorbing, coated article, suitable for installation in storage racks for spent nuclear fuel and for other neutron absorbing applications, includes a backing member, preferably of flexible material such as woven fiberglass cloth, a synthetic organic polymeric coating or a plurality of such coatings on the backing member, preferably of cured phenolic resin, such as phenol formaldehyde or trimethylolphenol formaldehyde and boron carbide particles held to the backing member by the cured coating or a plurality of such coatings. Also within the invention is a method for the manufacture of the neutron absorbing coated article and the use of such an article.

Abstract: Neutron absorbing articles, such as those in plate form suitable for use in a storage rack for spent nuclear fuel and having such properties as to make them useful in such application for long periods of time, are made by an improved one-step curing method in which a mixture of boron carbide particles, powdered phenolic resin and a minor proportion of a liquid medium which boils at a temperature below 200.degree. C., preferably water, is compacted to desired article form and is cured at an elevated temperature, without simultaneous imposition of pressure in compacting or pressing means, so as to cause bonding of the irreversibly cured phenolic polymer resulting to the boron carbide particles and production of the neutron absorber in desired form.

Abstract: Ceramic compositions that may be injection molded and subsequently sintered are described. The compositions include minor amounts of organo-titanates which materially reduce the viscosity of the compositions. The reduction in viscosity is particularly effective in compositions containing high loadings of silicon carbide as the ceramic material. The organo-titanates found useful are represented by the formula:(R.sub.1 --O).sub.m --Ti--(O--X.sub.z --R.sub.2).sub.nwherein:(a) m is an integer from 1 to 8 andn is an integer from 0 to 4,(b) m+n=4,(c) z is an integer from 0 to 1,(d) R.sub.1 is aliphatic containing 1 and 4 carbon atoms,(e) X is independently selected from the group of phosphite, phosphate, and pyrophosphate.(f) R.sub.2 is aliphatic containing from 8 to 25 carbon atoms.