Abstract: A freight container made of plastic composite material comprised of (1) an outer skin including a roof, floor and side walls and (2) a main frame structure. The frame structure includes longitudinally extending upper beams and lower beams which extend for the full length of the container. Upright beams connect the upper and lower longitudinal beams at selected locations. The container is also provided with connector regions for connecting two or more intermodal containers in a stacked arrangement and for being engaged by a crane to raise and lower the container. The connector regions are located at intersections of the upper and lower longitudinal beams respectively with certain of the upright beams. The main longitudinal beams are of a tubular construction. Metal reinforcing members are located at each of the upper connector regions and these connectors are effectively incorporated in the hollow beams. Metal lock receiving members are disposed within the upper beams and secured to the reinforcing members.

Abstract: A method for making substantially continuous, fiber-reinforced resin stock without drawing the fibers through a separate resin bath comprises: providing a plurality of fiber layers and resin film layers for positioning into an array having fiber layers for its outermost layers. This array is passed, preferably pulled, through a die having an entrance, an exit downstream from the entrance, and a pool area adjacent the die entrance, said pool area having a larger cross-sectional configuration than that of the array. Upon heating of the die, the resin film layers of the array melt to form a pool of molten resin in the pool area of the die. The fiber layers passing through the die are impregnated with resin from the pool area before the resin-impregnated fibers are optionally shaped, then compressed and solidified to form resin stock. A pultrusion die for making substantially continuous, fiber-reinforced stock from a low viscosity thermoplastic resin is also disclosed.

Abstract: A substantially nitrate-free solution for milling products of refractory metals, especially titanium, which solution comprises: (a) about 5-100 g/l of ammonium bifluoride; (b) up to about 90 g/l of hydrochloric acid; and (c) a balance of water and impurities. Preferred embodiments of this aqueous solution consist essentially of about 15-75 g/l of NH.sub.4 HF.sub.2 and about 8-70 g/l of HCl. An alternative embodiment includes up to about 170 g/l of H.sub.2 O.sub.2. There is further disclosed a method for chemically milling, etching and/or pickling metal products, such as titanium alloy forgings, with the aforementioned solutions.

Abstract: A device for centering a coil of heavy material onto a transporting skid or pallet having intersecting supports, said device comprising a body with top and base portions, the top portion having downwardly diverging sides and a lower section adapted for seating in the core of a coil loaded onto said device. The base portion has a first pair of diametrically opposed notches for receiving a first skid support while a second pair of diametrically opposed notches receives a second skid support angularly disposed from the first support. In one embodiment, the first notch pairs protrude from outwardly extending flanges and more deeply into the base portion than the second notch pair to accommodate platforms having first skid supports which extend over their second skid supports.

Abstract: A cover for a bolt and an annular nut having a plurality of generally planar, side surfaces comprises a shell including a closed end portion and a plurality of side surfaces extending downwardly from the closed end portion. Each side surface of the shell has a generally planar inner wall that terminates in the bottom wall adapted for adjoining a flat surface of the wheel rim mounted on a vehicle with a plurality of such bolts and nuts. The cover further comprises a clip for inserting into the cavity defined by the shell side surfaces. This clip includes an annular ring and a plurality of spaced projections extending downwardly from the ring's perimeter, each projection adapted for engaging a side surface of the annular nut when the cover is installed thereover. The cover further comprises means for retaining the clip within the shell cavity.

Abstract: A method of making a pillared hydrotalcite and an associated products. The pillared hydrotalcite is made by calcining a hydrotalcite having the formula A.sub.w B.sub.x (OH).sub.y [C].sub.z .multidot.nH.sub.2 O, wherein A represents a divalent metal cation, B represents a trivalent metal cation, C represents a mono- to tetravalent anion and w, x, y, z and n satisfy the following:0<z.ltoreq.x.ltoreq.4.ltoreq.w.ltoreq.1/2y and 12.gtoreq.n.gtoreq.1/2(w-x)The method further comprises combining the calcined compound with a salt solution of an anion to make the pillared derivative of the compound and then separating the pillared derivative from the salt solution. A method of intercalating inorganic anions and resulting product is also disclosed.

Abstract: A dry flocculant powder comprises an inorganic substrate consisting essentially of metal oxide/hydroxide particles having an average particle size of less than about 30 microns, said substrate having a cationic or anionic polyelectrolyte coated onto its outer surface, preferably under other than high shear conditions. A method for coating or adhering polyelectrolytes to the outermost surface of inorganic particles comprises dispersing a polyelectrolyte in a substantially non-aqueous solvent, preferably having a low boiling point and a low to intermediate polarity relative to the polyelectrolyte; adding the inorganic particles to the solvent to form a slurry; mixing the slurry under low to moderate shear conditions; and removing excess solvent from the slurry. There is also disclosed a method for removing clay, clay-like materials, humic acids, yeast, biological cells and/or other cell debris from an aqueous stream through contact with the aforementioned dry flocculant powder.

Abstract: A method for treating caustic solutions to remove colorants, including iron, therefrom comprises: contacting the solution with a substance comprising a calcined product of a compound having the formula: A.sub.w B.sub.x (OH).sub.y C.sub.z.nH.sub.2 O, wherein A represents a divalent metal cation; B a trivalent metal cation; C a mono- to tetravalent anion; and w, x, y, z and n satisfying the following: 0<z.ltoreq.x.ltoreq.4.ltoreq.w.ltoreq.1/2y and 12.gtoreq.n.gtoreq.1/2(w-x). On a preferred basis, the contacted substance is a hydrotalcite derivative made by reacting activated magnesia with an aqueous solution of aluminate, carbonate, and hydroxyl anions before calcining at one or more temperatures between about 400.degree.-650.degree. C. There is further disclosed a method for producing an aluminum hydroxide having improved whiteness according to the invention.

Abstract: A dual-phase magnesium-based alloy consisting essentially of about 7-12% lithium, about 2-6% aluminum, about 0.1-2% rare earth metal, preferably scandium, up to about 2% zinc and up to about 1% manganese. The alloy exhibits improved combinations of strength, formability and/or corrosion resistance. There is also disclosed a composite matrix whose metal phase consists essentially of the aforementioned composition.

Abstract: A method for reducing the amount of anionic metal-ligand complex in a solution comprises: (a) contacting the solution with a substance selected from: a compound having the formula: A.sub.w B.sub.x (OH).sub.y C.sub.z.nH.sub.2 O, wherein A represents a divalent metal cation, B represents a trivalent metal cation, C represents a mono- to tetravalent anion, and w, x, y, z and n satisfy the following: 0.ltoreq. z.ltoreq.x.ltoreq.4.ltoreq.w.ltoreq.1/2y and 12.gtoreq.n.gtoreq.1/2(w-x); a calcined product of said compound and mixtures thereof; and (b) separating the substance from the solution. A method for removing substantially all metal-cyanide, -thiocyanate, -thiosulfate, -citrate and/or -EDTA complex from a solution containing one or more of said complexes is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for making a light metal-rare earth metal alloy comprises adding a pellet to a bath of molten light metal, said pellet consisting essentially of a mixture of light metal powder and rare earth metal-containing compound. Such pellets, which are made under pressures of about 9 ksi or more, are preferably added to molten baths of aluminum, magnesium or combinations thereof. The light metal powders and rare earth metal-containing compounds that are mixed together to form said pellets are preferably substantially similar in terms of median particle size. This method is suitable for aluminothermically reducing scandium oxide to make aluminum-scandium alloy therefrom.

Abstract: A system for in-line alloying of a molten metal stream comprises: means for controlling mass flow rate of the stream; means for adding alloying material to the stream at an adjustable rate; means for determining chemical composition of the stream downstream from the material adding means, preferably at timed intervals; and means for adjusting the rate at which alloying material is added to the stream based on mass flow rate and the extent to which the determined stream composition differs from a desired composition. A method for conducting in-line alloying and analysis of a continuous metal stream is also disclosed.

Abstract: An end shell for a container, as well as a method and an apparatus for making the same, is provided, comprising a central wall and an annular groove around and below the general plane of the central wall. The annular groove is defined inwardly by a panel wall integrally connected to the central wall and outwardly by a chuckwall which extends upwardly beyond the general plane of the central wall and outwardly therefrom to form an outwardly projecting peripheral flange. The panel wall is disposed at an angle of less than ninety degrees from the general plane of the central wall.

Abstract: A safety belt buckle guard comprising a flexible body of fabric adapted to wrap around an engaged belt buckle assembly, a rigid member for preventing depression of the release mechanism on said belt buckle assembly, means for positioning the rigid member adjacent the flexible body or attaching it thereto, and means for connecting the flexible body to itself after it is wrapped an engaged belt buckle assembly. Preferred embodiments include connecting means consisting essentially of a pair of hook and loop fastener, or Velcro, strips attached to the flexible body interior and exterior along opposite edges of said flexible body.

Abstract: A method for regulating the temperature at which two or more substances combine to form end product in the reactor, at least one of said substances produced from two or more reactants in the reactor, said method comprising: combining at least some of the reactants in a vessel thermally isolated from the reactor to produce substance in the vessel; and transferring substance from said vessel to the reactor. The invention constitutes an improved method for producing magnesium chloride by heating magnesium carbonate in packed bed reactor; passing carbon monoxide and chlorine gas through the packed bed; and withdrawing carbon dioxide from above the packed bed and molten magnesium chloride from below said bed. This improvement consists essentially of reacting at least some carbon monoxide and chlorine in a continuously-cooled vessel to form phosgene; and substituting a sufficient amount of phosgene from the vessel for the carbon monoxide and chlorine gas otherwise passed through said packed bed.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for reducing the amount of a first contaminant and second contaminant in a solution to environmentally safe levels, said solution having a substantially greater amount of the first contaminant than the second contaminant. The method comprises: contacting the solution with an activated or calcined product of a compound having the formula A.sub.6 B.sub.2 (OH).sub.16 C.4H.sub.2 O, wherein A is a divalent metal cation, B is a trivalent metal cation and C is a mono- to tetravalent anion. The method further comprises separating the solution from the contacted product. The method is particularly useful for removing both selenium and sulfate, arsenic and sulfate, or arsenic and phosphate from a waste water stream. An unpredicted preference for selenium and arsenic, in the presence of other contaminants including sulfate and phosphate, was also shown herein.

Abstract: An easily-openable container lid made from a laminate material which includes a thick outer thermoplastic layer, a thin intermediate gas barrier layer, preferably of metallic foil, and a heat-sealable inner coating or film layer. A score line extends only partially through the outermost layer of this container lid to define an openable section thereof. The lid is further provided with a pull tab severing laminate material along its score line without delaminating, said tab being affixed to the openable lid section with a hollow, integrally-formed rivet. A retortable container and laminate lid combination is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for making stock shapes from a composition which includes a liquid crystal polymer having a high crystallization temperature, said method comprising: (a) densifying the composition into a compact; and (b) processing the compact at one or more temperatures below the crystallization temperature using a moderate to high strain rate. For the liquid crystal polymer consisting essentially of p, p' biphenol, p-hydroxybenzoic acid and terephthalic acid monomers and sold under the trademark "Xydar.RTM.", a preferred embodiment includes heating the compact to one or more temperatures between about 400.degree.-650.degree. F.; and extruding the heated compact in the solid state through a uniform flow-type die at a strain rate of at least about 2 sec.sup.-1. Thermoplastic stock shapes weighing about four or more pounds and having thicknesses in all dimensions greater than the maximum thickness obtainable through injection molding are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for making light metal-alkali metal master alloy using alkali metal containing scrap comprises: (a) establishing an electrolytic cell divided into two or more laterally adjacent areas by porous alkali metal ion transport means, said cell including a first cell area supplied with alkali metal-containing scrap and a second cell area consisting essentially of molten light metal; (b) supplying current to this cell for transporting alkali metal ions from the first cell area to the second cell area; (c) forming master alloy by combining these ions with the molten light metal in said second cell area; and (d) withdrawing master alloy from the second cell area. An apparatus for making aluminum-lithium or magnesium-lithium master alloy using the lithium from aluminum-lithium alloy scrap is also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for producing hydrotalcite in high yield including reacting activated magnesia with an aqueous solution containing aluminate, carbonate, and hydroxyl ions. The .[.method further includes a first step of.]. .Iadd.activated magnesia is produced by .Iaddend.heating magnesium carbonate or magnesium hydroxide to a temperature between about 500.degree.-900.degree. C. .[.to form activated magnesia or magnesium oxide..]. The method is suited to producing synthetic hydrotalcite from industrial Bayer liquor.