Abstract: Protective coatings are applied to substrate metals by coating the metal surface, e.g. by dipping the substrate metal in a molten alloy of the coating metals, and then exposing the coating at an elevated temperature to an atmosphere containing a reactive gaseous species which forms a nitride, a carbide, a boride or a silicide. The coating material is a mixture of the metals M.sub.1 and M.sub.2, M.sub.1 being zirconium and/or titanium, which forms a stable nitride, carbide, boride or silicide under the prevailing conditions. The metal M.sub.2 does not form a stale nitride, carbide, boride or silicide. M.sub.2 serves to bond the carbide, etc. of M.sub.1 to the substrate metal. Mixtures of M.sub.1 and/or M.sub.2 metals may be employed. This method is much easier to carry out than prior methods and forms superior coatings. Eutectic alloys of M.sub.1 and M.sub.2 which melt substantially lower than the melting point of the substrate metal are preferred.

Abstract: Protective coatings are applied to substrate metals by coating the metal surface, e.g. by dipping the substrate metal in a molten alloy of the coating metals, and then exposing the coating at an elevated temperature to an atmosphere containing a reactive gaseous species which forms an oxide, a nitride, a carbide, a boride or a silicide. The coating material is a mixture of the metals M.sub.1 and M.sub.2, M.sub.1 being zirconium and/or titanium, which forms a stable oxide, nitride, carbide, boride or silicide under the prevailing conditions. The metal M.sub.2 does not form a stable oxide, nitride, carbide, boride or silicide. M.sub.2 serves to bond the oxide, etc. of M.sub.1 to the substrate metal. Mixtures of M.sub.1 and/or M.sub.2 metals may be employed. This method is much easier to carry out than prior methods and forms superior coatings. Eutectic alloys of M.sub.1 and M.sub.2 which melt substantially lower than the melting point of the substrate metal are preferred.

Abstract: A method of protecting ferrous metal structures from oxidative attack in an aqueous, corrosive, oxidative environment by applying a thin, impervious coating of an oxide of titanium, zirconium, tantalum or niobium (or a mixture of two or more such oxides). The coating is applied as an alloy (preformed or form in situ) of the respective metal and a more noble metal such as nickel, cobalt, copper or iron and the alloy is preferably thermally oxidized under conditions to oxidize the titanium, zirconium and/or niobium without oxidizing the more noble metal, which serves to bind the oxide coating to the substrate. Alternatively the alloy may be applied, and then oxidized by the conditions of use.

Abstract: Method of crystallizing from aqueous solution an inorganic solute, whose solubility in water varies relatively litter with temperature such that crystallizing by adjustment of temperature results in low yield, such method comprising contacting a concentrated aqueous solution of the solute with a hydrophilic organic solvent at a temperature T.sub.1, T.sub.1 and the organic solvent being selected such that at T.sub.1 a water-rich phase is formed in which the ratio of solute to water is less than the ratio found in the incoming aqueous solution, resulting in formation of crystals of solute. The resulting wet, organic-rich phase is separated and dried by contact with a concentrated aqueous solution of the solute at T.sub.2. T.sub.2 differs from T.sub.1, preferably being less than T.sub.1 if the solute dissolves exothermically in water and preferably being greater than T.sub.1 if the solute dissolves endo- thermically in water. The resulting dried organic phase is recycled to the crystallizing zone.

Abstract: Method of treating hard water containing dissolved and/or suspended volatile non-aqueous material, in which the water is heated by direct contact with steam to precipitate the hardness and resulting in three phases, namely, a gas phase comprising steam and vapor of volatile non-aqueous material, a soft water phase and a sludge (precipitate) phase. The gas phase is separated carrying with it the volatile non-aqueous components derived from the feed water. The soft water phase is separated from the sludge. The separated water phase is free or substantially free of volatile non-aqueous material and is suitable for use in a once through steam generator to produce saturated steam. The steam used to heat and strip the feed water is generated outside the process and preferably is steam generated in a conventional steam generator from a portion of the soft water produced in the process. The remainder of the soft water may be used to generate steam, e.g.

Abstract: Turret type labeling machine with pairs of chucks arranged coaxially and rotated orbitally about the machine axis while spinning about their individual axes. Containers are gripped between each pair of chucks, such containers having at one or both ends an inwardly sloping portion. Labels are wrapped around each spinning container with one or both edges unattached and overlapping the sloping end portion or portions. One or both chucks of each pair has an extension which provide an extension of the body surface of the container so that the projecting edge or edges of the label lies against the extension.

Abstract: Protective coatings are applied to substrate metals by coating the metal surface, e.g. by dipping the substrate metal in a molten alloy of the coating metals, and then exposing the coating at an elevated temperature to an atmosphere containing a reactive gaseous species which forms a nitride, a carbide, a boride or a silicide. The coating material is a mixture of the metals M.sub.1 and M.sub.2, M.sub.1 being zirconium and/or titanium, which forms a stable nitride, carbide, boride or silicide under the prevailing conditions. The metal M.sub.2 does not form a stable nitride, carbide, boride or silicide. M.sub.2 serves to bond the carbide, etc. of M.sub.1 to the substrate metal. Mixtures of M.sub.1 and/or M.sub.2 metals may be employed. This method is much easier to carry out than prior methods and forms superior coatings. Eutectic alloys of M.sub.1 and M.sub.2 which melt substantially lower than the melting point of the substrate metal are preferred.

Abstract: Biodegradible polymers are provided which may contain a biologically active substance, e.g. a drug such as insulin, which is released over a period of time as the polymer erodes when in contact with a body fluid. The polymer contains an amine functionality whereby it erodes faster at low acid pH's than at higher acid pH's. As an example, the polymer may contain insulin and may contain or may have an encapsulating hydrogel containing glucose oxidase. As the blood sugar level of a diabetic person rises, e.g., after a meal, glucose diffuses into the polymer or hydrogel and is converted to gluconic acid which lowers the pH, and accelerates erosion and the release of insulin.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an apparatus for realigning vehicle body and frame members including a movable platform on which a vehicle may rest and a movably supported carrier member connected to such platform and carrying force-exerting means for applying force to vehicle elements at various selected angles.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for applying heat shrinkable film to containers and other articles having a vertical body position, e.g., the cylindrical body of a container, and one or two re-entrant portions, e.g., a shoulder on a bottle. A segment of film is applied to the vertical surface without heat shrinking and with one or two end portions overlapping the re-entrant part of the article. Heat is applied to the overlap or overlaps to shrink them onto the article.

Abstract: Apparatus for applying tape and mastic to joints between prefabricated wall sections such as gypsum board comprising a tubular housing which holds a supply of mastic, a main drive roller mounted at the forward end of the housing which rotates by friction as it is moved along a wall and tape drive roller means operated by the main drive roller and which feeds the tape forwardly.

Abstract: Apparatus for removing skins and stems from tomatoes and the like after they have been treated with lye or steam, including a bed of counter rotating rollers which pinch and remove the skins and stems, and one or more rotary elements above the bed which contact and roll the tomatoes so that the entire surface of each tomato is contacted uniformly with the rollers.

Abstract: Biodegradible polymers are provided which may contain a biologically active substance, e.g. a drug such as insulin, which is released over a period of time as the polymer erodes when in contact with a body fluid. The polymer contains an amine functionality whereby it erodes faster at low acid pH's than at higher acid pH's. As an example, the polymer may contain insulin and may contain or may have an encapsulating hydrogel containing glucose oxidase. As the blood sugar level of a diabetic person rises, e.g., afte a meal, glucose diffuses into the polymer or hydrogel and is converted to gluconic acid which lowers the pH, and accelerates erosion and the release of insulin.

Abstract: Process for applying a protective coating to a metal substrate which provides a thermal barrier and a barrier against oxidation of the substrate. The coating material is a mixture of (1) zirconium and/or hafnium and (2) a metal such as nickel which does not form a stable oxide at a high temperature in an atmosphere having a very low concentration of oxygen. The coating is subjected to such conditions to produce an outer oxide layer of metal zirconium and/or hafnium and an inner metal layer of the second metal alloyed with one or more components of the substrate. The oxide layer provides thermal and oxidation protection and the inner layer bonds the coating to the substrate.

Abstract: Apparatus for disintegrating solids resulting from partial hydrolysis of cellulosic or lignocellulosic material comprising a cylindrical chamber having a perforated mid portion and a plurality of hammer elements supported for rotation within and coaxially to the chamber with their tips close to the perforated mid portion of the chamber. This disintegrator may be connected to the lower end of a hydrolyzer to receive the product of hydrolysis from such chamber.

Abstract: A precision centerable, rotatable shaft assembly (60) has a shaft (62) and a housing (64) extending generally axially along the shaft (62). The shaft (62) is journalled to the housing (64) by a first roller bearing assembly (66) and a second roller bearing assembly (68). The first roller bearing assembly (66) is connected to the shaft (62) near end (80) and a second roller bearing assembly (68) is connected to the shaft (62) near end (83). The first roller bearing assembly has a first inner race (70) fixedly attached to the shaft (62) and a first outer race (74) fixedly attached to the housing (64). The outer race has an inner surface (78) tapering toward the shaft (62) approaching the end of the shaft (62). The second roller bearing assembly has a second inner race (82) fixedly attached to the shaft (62) and a second outer race (86) axially movable within the housing (64) toward the first roller bearing (66).

Abstract: Method of treating an aqueous solution of a non-volatile inorganic solute to produce a more concentrated solution or to crystallize solid solute from the solution. The solution is contacted at a higher temperature T.sub.1 with a suitable organic liquid to extract water and form an organic phase (organic liquid contacting water). The organic phase, separated, cooled and contacted at a lower temperature T.sub.2 with a drying medium to dry the organic liquid which is then re-used to treat a further quantity of aqueous solution. The drying medium may be a portion of the concentrated aqueous solution resulting from the first step, or it may be a concentrated aqueous solution or a slurry from an outside source, or it may be a combination of two such drying media.

Abstract: A graphics protractor (10) for placement on a computer display screen (52) to determine direction changes for graphics commands has a circular ring (12) bearing indicia (14) representing relative angles with respect to a point (16) of origin on the ring (12). First and second sheets (18,20) through which display screen (52) is visible are rotatable with respect to the ring (12). The sheets (18,20) each have a straight line (44) movable into and out of registration with respect to the straight line (44) of the other sheet (20,18) by rotation of the sheets (18,20) within the ring (12). The sheets (18,20) have a graphics symbol (28) centrally located with respect to the ring (12), which is placed over a corresponding graphics symbol (50) on the computer display screen (52) to use the protractor (10).

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for the repetitive dispensing of a predetermined quantity of eyedrops (12) has a cylinder (14) with a restricted opening (18) at a first end (16). A plunger (20) attached to rod (23) extends into the cylinder (14) from end (22). Biasing member (28) has a ramped cam surface (32) incorporating a pair of steps (46), actuating member (26) has an opposed surface (30) with a projection (44) which rides on ramped cam surface (32) and drops off step (46) when actuating member (26) is rotated. Rotation of the actuating member (26) also advances the actuating member (26) on threaded member (24). Spring (42) biases surfaces (30) and (32) together. A projection (44) drops over each step (46), plunger (20) is moved incrementally toward end (16) of cylinder (14) to discharge eyedrops (12) through opening (18 ). A disposable cartridge (50) may be substituted for the cylinder (14).

Abstract: An optical sensor system (10) in the form of a hand held tonometer probe has an infrared emitting diode (34) and a phototransistor detector (36) positioned to receive light from the diode (34). A rod (18) serves as a variable attenuator to intercept a portion of light from the diode (34) directed at the detector (36). A signal level detecting amplifier (104) is coupled to the detector (36) to receive an output signal from the detector (36) in response to light from the diode (34) received by the detector (36). The amplifier (104) has a non-inverting input (102) and an inverting input (106). The amplifier (104) receives the output signal from detector (36) at non-inverting input (102). A +5 volt reference potential is connected through a variable resistor (110) and a resistor (108) to establish a bias at the inverting input (106) which is approximately equal to signal levels supplied by the detector (36) to the non-inverting input (102).