Abstract: A cushioned oral X-ray plate packet as well as a cushion for use with an X-ray plate packet are provided. The cushion is made of compressed cellulose sponge material which expands in thickness when moistened. A cushion wrap is also disclosed for controlling the wetting and/or expansion of the cushion.

Abstract: A stainless duplex ferritic-austenitic steel with improved corrosion resistance. The steel consists essentially of about: 0.03 w/o Max. carbon, 3.0 w/o Max. manganese, 1.0 w/o Max. silicon, 26.0 to 29.0 w/o chromium, 3.5 to 5.2 w/o nickel, 3.5 w/o Max. molybdenum, 0.15 w/o Min. nitrogen and the balance essentially iron. The steel preferably contains about 0.17 to 0.35 w/o nitrogen for improved pitting resistance and for increased austenite content. Welds of the steel preferably contain at least about 17% austenite in the as-welded condition for improved pitting and intergranular corrosion resistance.

Abstract: A large, austenitic, non-magnetic, stainless steel, alloy article which has been significantly warm worked between about 1500 F. and 1650 F. but not subsequently annealed, which has a 0.2% yield strength of at least about 90 ksi, and which, when formed into a U-bend, does not undergo stress corrosion cracking within about 700 hours in boiling saturated aqueous sodium chloride containing 2 weight percent (w/o) ammonium bisulfite. The alloy of the article consists essentially of about:______________________________________ Elements w/o ______________________________________ C 0.1 Max. Mn 1-11 Si 0.6 Max. Cr 18-23 Ni 14-25 Mo 2.5-6.5 Cu 2 Max. B .01 Max. N 0.15 Min. C + N .gtoreq. ##STR1## ______________________________________and the balance is essentially iron. A preferred alloy for this article contains about: ______________________________________ Elements w/o ______________________________________ C .02 Max. Mn 3.0-9.0 Si 0.5 Max. Cr 18-23 Ni 15-22 Mo 2.5-6.5 N 0.20 Min. 3 Mo + Cr .gtoreq. 29.

Abstract: A galling and corrosion resistant austenitic stainless steel alloy is disclosed containing in weight percent about______________________________________ w/o ______________________________________ Carbon 0.25 Max. Manganese 2.0-7.0 Silicon 1.0-5.0 Phosphorus 0.05 Max. Sulfur 0.3 Max. Chromium 12-20 Nickel 2.0-7.75 Molybdenum 3 Max. Copper 3 Max. Nitrogen 0.35 Max. ______________________________________the balance being essentially iron. To attain its unique properties the alloy must be balanced so as to contain no more than about 10% ferrite. The % Ni+1/2(% Mn) must not be less than 5.5% and not greater than 1/8[11(% Si)+42], and the sum of the (% C+% N) is at least 0.15%. Care must be taken that when the amount of silicon present is less than about 2.25%, at least about 4.0% manganese is present.

Abstract: A coin sorter is described for sorting coins of different denominations by means of ramps and flaps, the sorted coins being directed to different chutes, one chute being provided for each coin denomination, the chutes and coin exit openings at the ends of chutes as well as the ramps being formed in two complementary parts of the coin sorter. The sorter may be provided either in a coin operated assembly for use in an existing coin operated vending machine or in a new machine and in either case is best used in conjunction with a coin totalizer having a ratchet wheel, a price cam and at least two circular cams, the price cam and circular cams being rotatable with the ratchet wheel when the latter is rotated by a trip wire-lever, the degree of rotation being determined by the chute through which a given coin passes.

Abstract: A powder metallurgy consolidation process and apparatus for carrying out said process produces integral metal bodies by heating metal powder of a predetermined composition to a temperature sufficient to cause solid state interparticle bonding, while simultaneously maintaining a reactive fluid in contact with the metal powder. The metal powder is compacted to a density greater than 90% of the full theoretical density of the composition after the reactive fluid has been removed. The reactive fluid is selected to modify the powder particle surface chemistry in order to improve bondability and to obtain other properties as desired. Metal bodies which have been consolidated by the process are sufficiently dense to be mechanically hot worked and exhibit exceptionally low retained gas content.

Abstract: A vending machine for newspapers and the like having a coin operated mechanism with:(a) a coin sorter;(b) a coin chute assembly having a plurality of vertical chutes through which coins of different denominations, from the coin sorter, fall;(c) a trip wire, one end of which extends through the coin chutes and can move downwardly in the chutes with downward movement of coins;(d) a totalizer, connected to the other end of the trip wire, for counting the value of coins which fall through the coin chutes; and(e) a vending controller connected to the totalizer.

Abstract: An austenitic alloy useful as the high thermal expansion element of a temperature-sensitive bimetal strip. The alloy consists essentially of about 0.5 w/o Max. carbon, 3.0-7.0 w/o manganese, 2.5-4.0 w/o chrominum, 16.0-22.0 w/o nickel and the balance essentially iron, except for incidental impurities.

Abstract: An improved consumable electrode remelting furnace and a method of monitoring decreases in the weight of a consumable electrode during remelting are provided. An electrode support structure is movably supported above a mold for moving the electrode into and out of substantially coaxial relationship with the mold. The base of a load cell is supported above the mold by the electrode support structure so that the load cell is electrically remote from the electric melting current conducting paths in the furnace. Apparatus are provided for: (1) suspending the weight of the electrode and substantially only that weight from the top of the load cell; and (2) vertically displacing the mold and the electrode relative to each other toward and away from a position of the electrode in the mold where the electrode can be remelted.

Abstract: A large, austenitic, non-magnetic, stainless steel, alloy article which has been significantly warm worked between about 1500.degree. F. and 1650.degree. F. but not subsequently annealed, which has a 0.2% yield strength of at least about 90 ksi, and which, when formed into a U-bend, does not undergo stress corrosion cracking within about 700 hours in boiling saturated aqueous sodium chloride containing 2 weight percent (w/o) ammonium bisulfite. The alloy of the article consists essentially of about:______________________________________ Elements w/o ______________________________________ C 0.1 Max. Mn 1-11 Si 0.6 Max. Cr 18-23 Ni 14-25 Mo 2.5-6.5 Cu 2 Max. B .01 Max. N 0.15 Min. C + N .gtoreq. ##STR1## ______________________________________and the balance is essentially iron. a preferred alloy for this article contains about: ______________________________________ Elements w/o ______________________________________ C .02 Max. Mn 3.0-9.0 Si 0.5 Max. Cr 18-23 Ni 15-22 Mo 2.5-6.5 N 0.20 Min. 3Mo + Cr .gtoreq.

Abstract: An austenitic stainless corrosion resistant alloy and articles made therefrom having good resistance to pitting and crevice corrosion in oxidizing chloride-bearing media combined with resistance to general corrosion and to intergranular corrosion in oxidizing media, containing in weight percent about______________________________________ w/o ______________________________________ C 0.06 Max. Mn 1.4 Max. Si 0.9 Max. P 0.035 Max. S 0.035 Max. Cr 20-26 Ni 34-44 Mo 3-<5.1 Cu 0.1-<3.1 N 0.4 Max. B 0.005 Max. Ce + La 0.4 Max. Added Nb 1 Max. Ti 0.5 Max. ______________________________________and the balance iron. The amount of nitrogen is not greater than that which can be retained in solution. When present niobium plus titanium ranges upward from a minimum which is sufficient to combine stoichiometrically with the amount of carbon present in excess of 0.025 w/o. In this composition the elements chromium, nickel, molybdenum and copper are balanced so that the value of Correlation I is equal to or less than 1.

Abstract: A dispenser for a stack of horizontally disposed, rectangular cards or the like and a product vending machine incorporating the dispenser. The dispenser features a magazine for the stack of cards and a dispensing chute beneath the magazine. Between the magazine and the chute, on one lateral side thereof, is a slider with a pair of laterally extending front and rear fingers that can be moved frontally and rearwardly against the front and rear edges, repectively, of the bottommost card of the stack. When the dispenser is actuated, the slider moves rearwardly so that its front finger urges the bottommost card to move rearwardly to an intermediate position in which the rear portions of the card are restrained from moving downwardly while the front portions of the card are free to move downwardly into the dispensing chute.

Abstract: A vending apparatus well suited for vending such articles as newspapers, magazines or the like which vary in size, in which the articles to be vended are supplied to one side of an access opening in the vending apparatus enclosure. Access opening gating structure normally in a closed position prevent removal of an article unless, after paying a prescribed fee, the customer operates a gating actuator to cause the gating structure to be shifted to an open position in which an article can be removed through the access opening. Removal of the article causes the release of the gating structure permitting it to be returned to its normally closed position. In a preferred embodiment, the gating means includes at least two mutually independently movable blocking members which normally close the access opening.

Abstract: A free machining cold formable austenitic stainless steel alloy and articles made therefrom which contains in weight percent about______________________________________ w/o ______________________________________ Carbon 0.15 Max. Manganese 4 Max. Chromium 14-20 Nickel 8-12 Copper 1.0-2.4 Nitrogen 0.2 Max. Free Machining 0.02-0.25 Additive ______________________________________with the balance iron and preferably no more than 2 w/o manganese, 1 w/o silicon, 0.04 w/o phosphorus, 0.08 w/o nitrogen. Also, the alloy preferably contains 1.4-2.0 w/o copper and the free machining additive is 0.08-0.14 w/o sulfur.

Abstract: A vending apparatus well suited for vending such articles as newspapers, magazines or the like which vary in size, in which the articles to be vended are supplied to one side of an access opening in the vending apparatus enclosure. Access opening gating normally in a closed position prevents removal of an article unless, after paying a prescribed fee, the customer operates a gating actuator to cause the gating to be shifted to an open position in which an article can be removed through the access opening. Removal of the article causes the release of the gating permitting it to be returned to its normally closed position. The size of the access opening is readily adjustable, preferably by tubular members movable to more or less obstruct the access opening, and including elongated blocking members one of which extends through each of the tubular adjusting members to close the access opening.

Abstract: An electrokinetic display system in which zones or patterns of different chemical concentrations and gradients associated therewith are displayed in an electrochemical cell. The electrolyte contains reagents which take part in a reversible reaction during electrolysis. The reagents are self-indicating or include an indicator, or can be mixtures of both. Gas evolved at the electrodes is prevented from mixing the electrolyte too vigorously. D.C. current is passed between the cell electrodes in one direction long enough to establish a visible flow in the electrolyte. The use of reagents which take part in redox reactions or in which a reversible change in pH takes place is set forth. In a preferred embodiment, the active species in the electrolyte including the electrolysis reaction products are accelerated by a magnetic field transverse to the electric current path.

Abstract: An in-basin measuring system for determining changes in the longitudinal profile of nuclear fuel channel members which have been subjected to radiation in the reactor core section while maintaining the protective shield provided by the deep water in the storage basin of a boiling water nuclear reactor. A holder is provided having a support for a channel member with means for moving the channel member into a stepped gage coupled with means for indicating the position of the channel member in the gage to determine the dimensional changes along the length of the channel member.

Abstract: A sulfidation-resistant alloy containing about 0.02-0.08 w/o carbon, 21-24.5 w/o chromium, 52-60 w/o nickel, 1-3.5 w/o molybdenum, 1.75-3.25 w/o titanium, 0.75-2.25 w/o aluminum, 0.50-2 w/o columbium, up to 0.02 w/o boron and the balance iron, the elements being balanced to provide an average electron-vacancy number Nv not greater than 2.54. When so balanced, the alloy is stabilized against the formation of no more than 10 v/o Cr-rich alpha phase. Preferably, the elements are balanced so that Nv is not greater than 2.45 and better yet not greater than 2.40.

Abstract: A corrosion resistant austenitic stainless steel alloy and articles made therefrom consisting essentially in weight percent of______________________________________ (w/o) ______________________________________ C 0.03-0.1 Mn 4-11 Si 0.6 Max. Cr 20-23 Ni 14-18 Mo 4.8-5.6 B 0.01 Max. Ce + La 0.4 Max. Al 0.1 Max. C + N 0.23 Min. ______________________________________in which nitrogen ranges from a minimum of 0.15 w/o to no more than the amount that can be retained in solid solution, the balance being essentially iron, and the elements being balanced so that cold rolled annealed specimens prepared with a crevice and tested in accordance with ASTM G48-76 in 10 w/o FeCl.sub.3 .multidot.6H.sub.2 O at 50.degree. C. for 72 hours have a weight loss of less than 0.3 gram. An embodiment that is particularly well suited for making autogeneously welded articles, e.g.