Abstract: A perforated retainer is installed just under the top surface of the gelled electrolyte in a lead-acid storage battery to prevent the gel from crumbling and separating from the element plates when the battery is mounted horizontally. The size and density of the perforations are such that the retainer does not impede the initial introduction of the electrolyte solution. An the solution "gels", it cannot penetrate back through the retainer, but normal gas migration is not impeded by the retainer.

Abstract: A submersible flame-retardant vent plug is adapted for use in storage batteries of the type containing liquid electrolyte. The plug has inlet and outlet slots and a hollow portion providing a gas communication path. A porous flame arrester is positioned in the path. A check valve is positioned in the path between the flame arrester and the outlet slots and is adapted to be opened by gas pressure from the battery's interior and to be closed by water pressure from the battery's exterior.

Abstract: The present invention is a process for treating plastic substrates to improve their surface properties. The process involves exposing the plastic substrate to UV radiation at wavelengths of 185 and 254 nm in the presence of atomic oxygen for about 5 to 60 minutes. The treated plastic substrates have improved wettability. The process is particularly well suited for the treatment of plastic intraocular lenses and plastic packaging materials such as PVC film.

Abstract: An apparatus for washing storage batteries comprises a rinse section for removing water soluble acid, followed by a wash section to remove non-soluble contaminants. The water in the rinse section is isolated from the water in the wash section. Means are provided for collecting acid solution from the rinse section, and for filtering and recycling the water in the wash section. Batteries are moved through the sections in sequence on a carrier. In a preferred embodiment, the rinse section comprises a partitioned collecting pan underlying the carrier to create sequential rinsing in progressively less acidic rinse water and to concentrate the most acidic rinse water before the first partition for extraction as an acid solution. A drying section using air blowers along the carrier may be included after the washing section.

Abstract: A process for purifying contaminated aqueous solutions without using ion exchange resins or organic solvents is provided. The process comprises contacting an aqueous solution with a getter compound and a non-polymeric carrier compound in a dispersed state to remove dissolved contaminants or recover dissolved valuable materials. Suitable carrier compounds having pendant long chain hydrocarbon radicals and hydrophilic moieties are disclosed. The process is highly efficient and effective for removing a wide variety of dissolved contaminants such as metal ions, non-metal ions and dissolved organic contaminants such as dyes.

Abstract: A message display boot is provided for a fuel dispensing nozzle. The display boot comprises a flexible plastic boot in close conforming fit over at least the front valve housing of the nozzle. At the top of the boot in a message platform upon which rests a message placard. The placard is removable held on the platform by an optically clear skirted cover conforming to the contour of the platform, such that the cover is held on the platform by the close conforming fit of the skirt along the sides of the platform, but can be easily pried off the platform to change the placard. A bellow portion at the bottom of the boot provides a conforming fit over nozzles of various height. A resilient bumper shields the message platform and cover from contact with the vehicle. In a preferred embodiment, the boot, platform, bellows and bumper are integrally molded of plastisol vinyl.

Abstract: A process for purifying contaminated aqueous solutions without using ion exchange resins or organic solvents is provided. The process comprises contacting an aqueous solution with a non-polymeric getter compound in a dispersed state to remove dissolved contaminants or recover dissolved valuable materials. Suitable getter compounds having pendant long chain hydrocarbon radicals and complexing moieties are disclosed. The process is highly efficient and effective for removing a wide variety of dissolved contaminants such as metal ions, non-metal ions and dissolved organic contaminants such as dyes.

Abstract: A method and means for accurately positioning a tool slide in an automatic machining apparatus. Said method and means utilizing a fluid operated drive means, a linear position detecting means, an encoder means operatively associated with said linear position detecting means, means for controlling fluid flow to said fluid operated drive means and a programmable controller means for receiving and storing control data information and for receiving coded information for comparison to said control data information and for outputting a signal to control the operation of said fluid drive means.

Abstract: A fluid piston actuated press is provided with a lever arm having multiple bearing means for transmitting and amplifying the force exerted by a piston to the movable parts of the press and work piece. A novel fulcrum bearing is provided which ensures that frictionally induced shearing forces are counteracted. This is achieved by allowing the bearing to reciprocate along an axis which is acute with respect to the stroke axis. Additional means are provided to adjust the degree of amplification and stroke of the movable part without altering the stroke of the fluid piston. A novel arrangement of component parts is described which allows easy accessibility to the work area and great flexibility of application.

Abstract: A heat sealing machine having platen means for melting at least a portion of the object to be sealed, said platen means being mounted on a carriage means for moving said platen means along at least a first axis, is described having the improvement wherein track means are provided for allowing movement of the platen means with respect to the carriage means along a second axis which is perpendicular to said first axis. Additionally, the present invention provides a pin means for fixedly engaging said platen means at a precise, predetermined position with respect to said carriage means, as well as providing for carriage and extension portions of said track means which provide for the quick interchange of platens from reserve to operating positions. Various features of the present invention allow for the preheating and prealignment of reserve platens, whereby substitution of the desired platen is safe, simple, fast and reliable.

Abstract: Batteries are moved by a conveyor to a predetermined position, and a plurality of nozzles attached to an adjustable filling assembly are lowered over the battery such that the nozzles mate with inlet ports of the battery cells. A ladling assembly which had been immersed in a tank of electrolyte is raised above the level of the nozzles, such that electrolyte flows from the ladling assembly through a plurality of hoses to the nozzles and thence into the battery cells.

Abstract: Battery plate elements and separator elements are maintained in hopper type sources along opposite sides of a conveyor, and with pivotally swingable vacuum pickup heads serving to withdraw plates and separators from their sources and to deposit them onto a conveyor, with a plurality of plates or separators being withdrawn simultaneously, and with the conveyor being indexed from withdrawal station to withdrawal station for stacking of plates and separators one upon the other, alternately, whereby at any given time a plurality of plate-and-separator sandwiches are being formed, but in different progressive stages. A number of source stations may be deactivated, depending upon the number of plates and separators desired in any given sandwich. Capability is also provided for various size adjustments for handling different sized plates and separators. Particularly novel vacuum operated pickup technique is employed.

Abstract: An automated apparatus for sequentially forming integrally fused battery terminals on a plurality of storage batteries is described wherein a head means having a mold means adjustably mounted thereon is automatically movable with respect to a vertical axis, and has slidably mounted thereon a burning means for automatically producing a variable-intensity flame for melting said battery elements to form said integrally fused battery terminal during a vertical stroke thereof. An automated post burn station is further described having a conveyor means for advancing batteries sequentially to said burning station and for aligning said batteries with respect to said station for the above described fusing process. A plurality of novel sensors incorporated into the automated post burn station facilitates the rapid, automatic processing of batteries, while providing a high degree of safety and reliability.