Abstract: Thin flat hexagonal silver crystals are formed by rapidly mixing at a temperature of 30.degree.-80.degree. C., a water solution of inorganic silver salt containing a chelating agent for ferric iron with a water solution of ferrous sulfate containing sulfuric acid and additional chelating agent. The preferred chelating agent is phosphoric acid, and the crystals which are formed are stabilized by the addition of a protective colloid such as polyvinyl alcohol.

Abstract: A toy construction system incorporating fabricating members each defining a plurality of bores and holes, a large number of which holes and bores are provided with expansion slits which permit easy insertion and removal of rods and tubes in the holes and bores and which serve to enable the holes and bores to act resiliently when a rod or tube is inserted. The rods and tubes are preferably flexible, thereby to facilitate the making of assemblages which have a highly contoured or sculptured look.

Abstract: Epoxy resin-based coating systems of high solids content and possessing an entended working period are provided using a fluid mixture of cyclohexene oxide moiety-containing polyepoxide, in admixture with a carboxyl functional material, especially a resin, and a stannous salt such as stannous chloride as catalyst. These systems cure well on baking, even at low baking temperatures.

Abstract: A spring bias safety trip mechanism for holding a ground working tool in a fixed position with respect to a support frame is disclosed herein. The spring bias safety trip mechanism consists of a plurality of links that are interconnected in such a manner that the links act as a rigid bar between the frame and standard and collapse when excessive forces are encountered by the standard. The spring biased linkage system is designed to eliminate the need for large springs that must produce sufficient forces equal to the normal forces encountered during the normal earthworking operation.

Abstract: A tampon which is expansible in the vagina, once inserted, for improved absorbence of menstrual fluid, particularly in post-partum women. The tampon includes an absorbent member and a core embedded within the absorbent member and constructed to expand the absorbent member so that it closely conforms to the shape of the vaginal wall. Initially, the absorbent member and core are compressed and snugly positioned within a tubular applicator which is used to guide the insertion of the tampon into the vagina. In the compressed position, the lateral extent of the leading end of the absorbent member, the end thereof to be positioned adjacent the cervix, is approximately the same as the lateral extent of the opposite end of the absorbent member. Once the tampon is discharged from the applicator, the core expands the absorbent member from the compressed position to a relaxed position where the end of the absorbent member nearest the cervix is wider than the end of the absorbent member facing the exterior of the vagina.

Abstract: A sleeve forming method wherein a rectangular sheet of thermoplastic material is formed into a tubular shape having overlapped end portions that are sealed together by directing heated air between the end portions to soften their facing surface and pressing the end portions together to form a seam. The seam preferably is liquid-tight, so that the sleeve may be utilized to form the sidewall of a cup or nestable container wherein the sleeve is heat-shrunk about a generally frusto-conically shaped mandrel to give the container sidewall its desired shape. A two-piece container can be formed by sealing a bottom disc member to the end of the sidewall, and a one-piece container can be formed by collapsing and fusing the end of the sidewall sleeve to close the bottom of the container.

Abstract: A foam package for food comprises a dish section and a cover section which are provided with hinging and latching mechanisms for closing and opening the package. The hinging and latching mechanisms comprise outwardly projecting tongues on the dish section which extend into complementary apertures in the cover section. The latching tongue is biased forwardly by the dish section. The dish section includes an outwardly extending peripheral flange which includes a handle means for carrying the dish section or the entire package.

Abstract: A cup or other container is fabricated from two continuous web stocks. The sidewall, which is formed from a rectangular sheet-like blank of thermoplastic material cut from one web, is produced by winding the blank in a cylindrical winding mechanism to present the edges in overlapping relationship, heating the edges as the cylindrical blank is transferred axially in the winding mechanism, and compressing the edges between seaming rollers to join the edges into a liquid-tight seam. The cylindrical sleeve is placed on an upward-facing forming mandrel carried on a conveyor. A bottom disc closure is partially cut from a second web, transferred by the web into overlying relationship with the path of the forming mandrels, punched from the web, and deposited on the top of the forming mandrel preparatory to reception of the cylindrical sleeve. The cylindrical sleeves are shrunken about the forming mandrels to cause them to assume the shape thereof.

Abstract: This invention relates to a personal automatic tablet dispenser for the pocket or purse adapted to contain medical pills, vitamins, sugar substitutes, or the like and in the form of a container shaped somewhat like a writing pen of the ball point type. The dispenser mechanically discharges its contents one item at a time and includes relatively slidable barrel elements forming a housing for a plurality of stacked tablets or the like with a releasable lock mechanism to secure the barrel elements against relative movement. A chamber for one tablet to be discharged is provided and turning means is formed in the housing to position a tablet for passage into the chamber in position for ultimate discharge. The barrel elements are operated against the pressure of a spring means which returns the elements to normally closed position.

Abstract: A one-piece reusable closure for home canning. The closure is adapted for sealing home canning containers, such as "Mason Jars." The closure has a one-piece threaded cap with a bonded annular closed-cell foam gasket at the periphery of the central cover panel positioned to seal against the jar lip. A central cover portion is dished outwardly and moves to an inwardly dished configuration when vacuum is developed in the container. When the closure is unscrewed, the central panel portion springs with an audible click to the outwardly dished configuration. Limiting projections extending downwardly into the gasket bear and compress the gasket material against the lip of the jar to control tightening of the closure on the jar so that, when the jar contents are heated, gases will be vented under the circumferentially spaced portions of the gasket.

Abstract: A mechanical gum massaging device in which the stimulating or massaging element is caused to move (a) in a generally elliptical path, with (b) the plane of said path being substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the device, and (c) the operative portion of the stimulator element extending outwardly from the device in a direction such that the plane containing said direction and the longitudinal axis of the device is substantially perpendicular to the major axis of said generally elliptical path.

Abstract: A three-way urinary irrigation valve for use with a catheter is disclosed which is movable from a first position in which long term drainage takes place to a second position in which irrigating liquid can be introduced to a bladder, all while maintaining a closed system. The urinary irrigation valve includes a housing defining a first passage having an inlet leading to a bladder and an outlet leading to a drainage bag, and a second passage angularly disposed relative to the first passage and having an inlet at one end and an opposite closed end. A valve gate disposed in the second passage controls the flow of liquids between the inlet and outlet in the first passage, and between the inlet in the first passage and the second passage. An open-topped cap sealingly engages the housing adjacent the end of the second passage having the inlet.

Abstract: A strip of nails for use in a rapid-acting driving apparatus which includes a plurality of nails with shanks in a side-by-side closely spaced parallel array. The shanks of each of the nails in the array are secured together by a carrier of a single-component, metal-adherent plastic defining uniform envelopes for opposed sections of the periphery of each nail shank. Within the gaps between the shanks, adjacent envelopes form opposed spaced generally V-shaped folds which act as sites for easy shearing of a nail from the strip. The bond between the plastic and the nail shank is greater than the shear resistance of the carrier material between two adjacent fasteners and greater than the resistance of the workpiece encountered when fastener and carrier material penetrate the same, with the result that all the material that holds the fastener together enters the workpiece.

Abstract: A container cap having flat flanges extending outwardly therefrom is presented on first folding means above a container tube having flanges extending outwardly from the walls thereof. The first folding means are pivoted to raise the cap and to form first fold portions in the cap flanges which are positioned in a pickup cavity. The cap is supported by the free end of each flange on a ledge at the base of the cavity. The container tube is elevated and second folding means fold the first fold portions of the cap flanges into underlying relationship with the container flanges as the container rises, whereby each container flange is substantially encompassed by a U-shaped cap flange. Continued elevation of the container causes the flanges to engage downwardly tapered bearing surfaces which fold the flanges into parallel relationship with the wall of the container tube to interlockingly fold the cap to the container.

Abstract: Thermosetting coatings which cure to provide exceptionally corrosion resistant coatings are deposited at the cathode by combining a water dispersible salt of an acid with certain polyamine resins with a water dispersible heat-hardening phenolic resin. The polyamine resin is hydroxy functional and it contains diprimary amine adducted with the epoxy groups of an epoxy urethane. These polyamines provide aqueous electrocoating baths having a pH in the range of 5-7.5.

Abstract: In heavy mobile construction machinery such as backhoes, power shovels and boom cranes, wherein outriggers are extended for lateral stabilization, a latching mechanism is provided to restrain an outrigger in its retracted inoperative position when not in use. The mechanism is operable in response to simple hydraulic actuation of the outrigger, and does not require manual operation or remote controls to effect locking or release of the mechanism.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed for providing a measured quantity of extrudate material to a plurality of continuously moving uniformly spaced receptacles on a rotating conveyor which can travel at varying speeds. The extrudate material is severed by a cutting means having a driving means which is intermittent in operation and is preferably driven by a stepping motor, thereby enabling the cutting means to have a cutting velocity independent of the feed rate of receptacles and to cleanly sever a slug of extrudate material for each receptacle for any speed at which the conveyor is operating.

Abstract: A new form of assembly for a high torque capability spin-type driver tool is disclosed. The tool has a shaft of uniform cross-sectional dimension with an elongated segment of substantially reduced cross-sectional dimension or shape at one end. A plurality of fin-shaped members extend radially outward along the reduced cross-sectional portion to provide a coupling for applying the turning force or torque to the shaft. The shaft is adapted for use with handled driver tools, such as screwdrivers and nutdrivers as well as with power driving tools. The reduced cross-sectional dimension segment and fin-shaped members present an axially smooth surface about which a press-fitted handle grip will contiguously engage. The fin-shaped members prevent the handle grip from slipping rotationally about the shaft in the presence of torsional forces.

Abstract: A method for treating an edible oil containing fatty acids which comprises the treatment of the edible oil with a molecular sieve to remove fatty acids therefrom.

Abstract: An improved adjustable cross frame member for use in a bed frame having side frame members and another such cross frame member. The improved member is comprised of first and second elongate L-shaped elements having mutually perpendicular legs. Both elongate elements are provided with a plurality of longitudinally spaced slots and protruding fingers in one leg thereof, with the spacing between slots and fingers and their sizes being alike for both elongate elements. The fingers of each element are oriented to be inserted into respective slots of the opposite element which are complementary therewith when the elements are initially positioned with like legs in face abutting engagement. The elongate elements are then longitudinally moved relative to each other to position each inserted finger in overlapping engagement with the portion of the opposite element adjacent the slot in which the fingers are initially inserted, and thereby positively hold the elements against separation.