Abstract: A ring clamp capable of forming a gas-tight 360.degree. indentation in a tubing slip-joint, the structure comprises a circular cross-section which is discontinuous over a minor portion of its circumference and has a threaded bolt leg extending from a first end thereof. A tightening lug member comprised of a cylindrical tubular housing and having a planar web extending from one side thereof fits within the discontinuity in the ring, the bolt leg extending freely into the tubular housing and the other end of the ring being welded to the planar web. An inner edge of the web is arcuately formed to continue the circular arc of the ring within the discontinuity, the arcuate surface thus formed being continued by arcuately edged flared portions of the tubular housing located at the entry end of said housing where the bolt leg extends into said housing.

Abstract: The invention concerns a process for assembling aluminum-based members and steel members.This process is characterized by:covering the steel member with a metal film on the part of the surface to be assembled,disposing grains of silicon at the aluminium-steel interface,providing protection from oxidation for the faces to be assembled,heating the members so as to achieve an interface temeperature of from 500.degree. C. to 650.degree. C. and applying a pressure which is sufficient to totally or partially expel the liquid eutectic which is thus formed,cooling the assembly.The assembly which is produced in this way is used in particular in so-called `clad` connecting members for igneous electrolysis vessels, in armour plating requiring high mechanical strength and in all cases where connections are to be made, which have good electrical and mechanical properties, for continuous use in a temperature range from at least -200.degree. C. to at least +450.degree. C.

Abstract: A gas permeable probe for use in the analysis of absorbed gases in liquids, notably in the blood, by mass spectroscopy, comprises a flexible plastics capillary tube fitted at one end with a plug of porous material and covered with a protective layer of polymeric material. The gas permeability of the porous plug is substantially less than that of the polymeric layer so that it is the plug which defines the gas flow from the liquid under test into the tube when the tube is evacuated.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring components of liquid samples, such as milk samples, based on the ability of these components to absorb infrared radiation at certain frequencies. A single radiation beam is directed through a cuvette containing the sample, and the apparatus comprises a plurality of pairs of optical filters. Each of these pairs is associated with a respective one of the components to be measured and comprises a component filter for passing infrared radiation at a narrow frequency band at which the radiation absorbing ability of the said component is relatively high, and a reference filter for passing infrared radiation at a different narrow frequency band at which the radiation absorbing ability of the component is lower.

Abstract: An electric heating element for a cooking apparatus or other device requiring uniform heat generation over an extended area is presented in which the thickness (T) of the electrically resistive heating element increases from the outer edges of the generally disc-shaped element towards the center in inverse proportion to the square of the ratio of the radius (r) at any point to that of the radius at a reference point ("a"), so that ##EQU1## Heating elements fabricated with cross sectional shapes calculated in accordance with the parameters set forth above and disclosed in detail herein and in which the current flow is radial, provide uniform energy release and therefore nearly uniform heat across the surface of the element. Additionally, the absolute element dimensions and masses per unit surface area are small, maximizing rates of desired temperature setting changes. The basic principle is applicable in several technologies related to cooking, e.g., vacuum evaporation.

Abstract: Tear-off closure caps shaped for distribution at high speed in channels, the caps each comprising two tear-off tongue portions disposed in a flat V-shape in the plane of the rim portion, at the bottom of its skirt portion. The tongue portions have the outer ends slightly bent upwardly, the bends obliging the rim portion of each cap to become engaged under the tongue portions of the cap which precedes it in a distribution channel. The distribution channel includes grooves in the opposed side walls which receive and guide the outer edges of the tongue portions, the outer edges being slightly divergent relative to each other toward their outer ends.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a thermally expansible rubber tube for use in gas pipes and gas pipe joints. About 2 to 30 parts by weight of oxidized, thermally expansible graphite powder is mixed with 100 parts by weight of raw rubber, and a predetermined quantity of a curing agent and a cure accelerator are added to the rubber and graphite mixture, followed by its formation into a tubular shape.

Abstract: A process for the spark erosion machining of a workpiece having a cylindrical orifice, formed of any desired cross-section, the invention utilizes an electrode which is moved relative to the workpiece. According to the invention, a first rapid rough shaping pass is performed by descent of the electrode parallel to the generatrices of the orifice. On raising, the electrode is then translated perpendicularly to the generatrices by a distance r and then is lowered at a slower speed and is raised again before performing a circular translation of radius r. The electrode is again lowered and raised, and the operation is repeated n times so as to perform a complete revolution. The present process allows efficient machining of dies for metal extrusion.

Abstract: A stave for a tub has opposite elongate edges formed with formations each having a section transverse to the stave including an arcuate portion, and a rabbet for receiving a floor of the tub extending between the edges. The formations on each stave are desirably complementary, but need not be. Staves placed in edge-to-edge relation define a tub wall which can conform to an arbitrary shape and size. A tub is formed by a plurality of staves, an appropriately shaped floor, and bands extending around the outside of the tub wall.

Abstract: A device for mounting an accessory on a generally vertical column. The column preferably forms part of a support for an anaesthetic or like machine. The mounting device comprises a ring clamp adapted to engage the column at a chosen location (which may be adjustable), a split bearing adapted to embrace the clamp so as to be capable of only pivotal movement about the clamp and column, and means for securing an accessory onto one element of the bearing.

Abstract: A stable dental hygiene composition comprising a mixture of hydrogen peroxide and zinc chloride, the present mixture is stabilized by the addition of water-soluble vitamin E. The presence of water-soluble vitamin E in the mixture of hydrogen peroxide and zinc chloride acts to prevent the usual instability of hydrogen peroxide in a solution containing a metal salt while still allowing a desirable release of oxygen from the hydrogen peroxide when the mixture is used, that is, in the presence of organic matter.

Abstract: A method of plating a strip of a metal having a melting point and a mechanical resistance which are higher than those of aluminum. The metal strip which is to be plated onto the aluminum strip is interposed between the roll or rolls and the aluminum strip on at least one face of an aluminum strip by continuous casting between rolls and by use of a nozzle. The strip of plating metal contacts the roll at least over the portion between the generatrix closest to the end of the nozzle and the generatrix situated in the plane of the roll axes. The clearance between the nozzle and the plating metal strip applied to the roll is less than 1 mm and the elongation of the plating metal strip is greater than 1% and less than that of the solidified aluminum. The present method is used in the production of composite aluminum-copper or aluminum-stainless steel strips.

Abstract: A gas-operated motor system of the stored energy type--as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,092,830--in which the gas exhausted from the motor is ducted to a chamber during operation of the motor and thereafter compressed back into the gas reservoir vessel. Recompression may be achieved e.g. by providing the exhaust gas chamber with a movable piston, or by running the motor in the reverse mode as a compressor.

Abstract: A composition for polishing synthetic resin comprises a calcined alumina polishing agent and water. The polishing agent is prepared by burning boehmite, crushing it into particles and separating particles having a predetermined particle distribution. Also disclosed is a synthetic resin polishing composition further containing as a polishing accelerator an aluminum compound selected from among aluminum nitrate, polyaluminum chloride, aluminum bromide, aluminum sulfate, aluminum iodide, aluminum chloride and aluminum phosphate and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: A method for continuous packaging in metal packages produced in situ, the invention comprises the fabrication of aluminum containers from aluminum sheet immediately prior to packaging of a material in the containers, the operations being conducted as part of a continuous flow process. The metal packages are produced by thermoforming, that is, the deformation of a heated metal body in a mold by pressure, thereby resulting in the production of containers which are aseptic and which can be easily coated with a protective layer of a plastic or similar material. The invention is particularly useful for the packaging of perishable produce.

Abstract: A built-in suction cleaner has a waste bucket of translucent material to permit its contents to be seen. The bucket has handles and is secured to a body section by co-operating projections and recesses, facilitating removal and replacement of the bucket. A filter in the body section is secured by a spring band in the filter edge being received within a groove in the body section wall. The body section supports a suction unit, which is resiliently secured in place only by a cover being fixed to the body section.

Abstract: A transcutaneous probe for causing oxygen and other gases or vapors carried in the bloodstream of a mammal to be extracted from the blood through the skin and passed to a device, such as a mass spectrometer, for analyzing the extracted gas. The probe has a boundary wall intended to be placed in contact with the skin comprising a first layer of gas permeable material and a second layer of perforate or porous gas-impermeable material in intimate contact with the first, the size and distribution of the perforations or pores in the second layer being such that the wall has a substantially uniform extrinsic macropermeability which is significantly lower than the inherent permeability of the first layer alone and such that in use, gas passes into the perforations or pores of the second layer from respective volumes of tissue which do not substantially overlap.

Abstract: Material for the production of hydraulic cements or for pozzolanic materials which develop cementatious characteristics after blending with an activator, is treated in an expanded precessive plasma in a plasma reactor of the type in which at least one plasma gun orbits about a vertical axis and is directed obliquely to said axis towards a counter electrode. The material preferably includes at least a proportion of a naturally occurring carbonaceous material of low calorific value, such as colliery spoil, oil shale or oil sand. In such case, as the material emerges from the plasma it is preferably contacted with air to effect combustion of the combustible material. The thermal energy thus released is recovered by suitable instrumentalities and is preferably converted to electrical energy to power the plasma reactor.

Abstract: Apparatus and a method for separating elongate elements one at a time from a batch of elements. The apparatus comprises a batch receiver means having an inclined support face to support the leading element of the batch, and element ejector means including at least one finger engageable with the trailing element of said batch to lift said trailing element in an upwardly forward direction to separate said element from said batch.

Abstract: A volume-cycled lung ventilator providing for both spontaneous breathing of a patient and intermittent mandatory ventilation, the invention provides two parallel inspiratory flow paths, one flow path including a demand valve for supplying gas to the patient during spontaneous breathing and the other flow path including a solenoid-operated inspiratory flow valve for providing intermittent mandatory breaths. The invention provides structure capable of adjusting the intervals between mandatory breaths, the volume of each such breath and the flow waveform of each such breath. An expiratory flow path including a fluid operated expiratory flow valve is further provided. A flow rate signal generator in the expiratory flow path acts to sense the rate of exhalation of the patient and is effective to inhibit the opening of the inspiratory flow valve unless the rate of exhalation is below a predetermined value.