Abstract: The side wall of a container is joined to the bottom portion thereof by a first frustoconical portion and a first semi-torroidal portion which, in turn, is joined to a second semi-torroidal portion; and, a bottom closing portion. In one embodiment the second semi-torroidal portion is joined to the bottom closing portion by a second frustoconical portion; a third semi-torroidal portion; and, a third frustoconical portion. In another embodiment the bottom closing portion is substantially flat but adapted to be domed outwardly under pressure and "cricket" inwardly when pressure is relieved.

Abstract: A method for extracting aluminum of substantial purity from furnace products resulting from carbothermic reduction of alumina-bearing ores and contaminated with up to about 30 weight percent of aluminum carbide is disclosed. The method involves contacting the furnace product with a high alumina-containing molten slag in the substantial absence of reactive carbon, so as to cause the alumina-containing slag to react with the aluminum carbide, thereby diminishing the aluminum carbide content of the furnace product.

Abstract: A flexible container closure, which is preferably formed of a metallic foil, is disclosed. This closure has a generally planer peripheral surface which may be sealed by either adhesive bonding or heat sealing to a container body. The closure includes an initially inwardly concave central portion which, in combination with the container walls, defines the container volume. This inwardly concave portion is capable of deformation upon increased pressure within the container to increase the volume of the container and reduce the internal pressure therein. By employing the closure structure of the present invention, the chances of leakage failure in the seal between the closure and the container body is substantially reduced.

Abstract: Magnesium metal is produced in a magnesium reduction furnace by the reaction of aluminum metal with a calcium magnesium aluminate slag or with magnesium oxide in the presence of such slag, wherein aluminum is fed to the magnesium reduction furnace as an aluminum silicon alloy and wherein magnesium oxide is fed in less than stoichiometric amounts so that not all of the aluminum is reduced, such additions producing magnesium vapor and two liquid layers: an aluminum silicon alloy having a reduced aluminum content and a MgO.CaO.Al.sub.2 O.sub.3.TiO.sub.2 slag. The aluminum silicon alloy layer is tapped and recovered from the furnace. The recovered alloy may be used in the production of silicon alloy product by addition to aluminum.

Abstract: Heat and electrical energy are generated from aluminum by introduction of aluminum particles on demand into a reaction chamber for reaction with an aqueous electrolyte solution with the concurrent formation of aluminum hydroxide. Improved packing of the aluminum is achieved by exertion of a positive downward pressure on a packed bed of aluminum by a weighted or spring-loaded piston, the pressure providing improved contact between the aluminum particles with resulting improved electrical continuity.

Abstract: A carton for cutting and dispensing sheet material in flattened form with a cutter mechanism for effecting same. The cutter is part of an upper bar suitably attached to the top wall member of the carton with the top normally maintained open by a spring carried by one or both of separate plastic end cap members. The upper bar also carries a pair of parallel plate-like members which extend laterally for substantially the full length of the carton and engages and wipes past a pair of similar parallel plate-like members on a lower bar attached to the front panel. This wiping action places the sheet material, which is manually positioned to overlie the lower bar, in tension with the cutter severing the tensioned sheet material.

Abstract: A process for the concentration of hydrated aluminum oxide minerals from raw materials by flotation alone or in combination with magnetic separation using a series of conditioning steps prior to flotation involving dispersion, precipitation and flocculation.

Abstract: A composition and method for deoxidation or "activation" treatment of aluminum according to the stannate process in an alkaline tin solution, for either immersion or electrolytic plating of aluminum with tin, that provides an adherent tin layer and extends the allocable elapsed transfer time, between the activation bath and bronze strike bath, from the 20 seconds of the prior art to up to 2 minutes or more, whereby the stannate method for depositing tin on heavy parts such as aluminum automobile bumpers is commercially practicable for automatic plating of certain aluminum alloys such as alloy 7029.

Abstract: A gaseous electrode for a magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) generator is positioned in a primary magnetic field. Single or multiple openings or slots are provided in the electrode from which a gaseous plume or plumes may be emitted into the main MHD channel depending on whether one or more than one opening is provided. The openings or slots are normally oriented parallel to the magnetic field, but can be at an angle to the magnetic field. The electrode is formed having an inter cavity which is continuously filled with an ionizable inert gas. Microwave or RF energy is radiated into the cavity to ionize the gas thereby generating an ionized plasma source from which a gaseous plasma plume may be formed. The plasma plume is injected into the MHD generator's main channel thereby forming a gaseous electrode. The electrode is oriented in the main channel opposed by at least a second electrode which may be of the same or a different configuration.

Abstract: A novel process is disclosed for the production of colored coatings on articles of aluminum or aluminum alloys which are particularly adapted to be employed for architectural uses which involves first forming a hard, dense anodic coating on aluminum and aluminum base alloys by anodizing the aluminum in a specific electrolyte comprising sulfuric acid, a polyhydric alcohol of 3 to 6 carbon atoms and an organic carboxylic acid containing at least one reactive group in the alpha position in order to obtain a material having a film thickness of between about 0.6 to about 1.1 mils and thereafter electrolytically coloring said anodized aluminum by passing alternating current between said anodized aluminum and a counter-electrode in an aqueous bath containing acid and a metal salt.

Abstract: A solar collector is provided comprising a cover assembly which employs a flexible polymeric cover sheet and means for stretching the cover sheet and maintaining it taut under various ambient temperature conditions, a simple and economical peripheral supporting structure, and support means for a solar heat exchanger of the solar collector which supports such heat exchanger in a high strength manner yet in thermally insulated relation.

Abstract: A novel process is disclosed for the production of colored coatings on articles of aluminum or aluminum alloys. The process involves first forming a hard, dense anodic coating of between about 0.2 to about 1.1 mils on the aluminum or aluminum base alloys by anodizing the aluminum in an acidic aqueous electrolyte comprising sulfuric acid, a polyhydric alcohol of from 3 to 6 carbon atoms and an organic carboxylic acid containing at least one reactive group in the alpha-position coloring the coating by applying alternating current to an electrode system comprising the coating and a counterelectrode immersed in an acidic aqueous bath containing a metal salt while modulating the voltage externally of said electrode system so as to apply voltage with controlled assymmetry to said electrodes.

Abstract: The side wall of a container is joined to the bottom portion thereof by a first frustoconical portion and a first semi-torroidal portion which, in turn, is joined to a second semi-torroidal portion; and, a bottom closing portion. In one embodiment the second semi-torroidal portion is joined to the bottom closing portion by a second frustoconical portion; a third semi-torroidal portion; and, a third frustoconical portion. In another embodiment the bottom closing portion is substantially flat but adapted to be domed outwardly under pressure and "cricket" inwardly when pressure is relieved.

Abstract: In an easily hand-held metal container construction for containing a product under pressure wherein the container construction has an outwardly convex bottom wall and an adjoining side wall defined as a single-piece structure with the side wall terminating at a top portion adapted to have a top closure fixed thereon, the improvement wherein the downwardly convex bottom wall has a plurality of integral feet supporting the container construction thereon, each of the feet being defined by a downwardly convex dimple having a base portion provided with an outer periphery, a rounded outer portion, and a wall thickness which is substantially the same thickness as the remainder of the bottom wall, and each of the dimples having a central axis and the outer periphery of its base portion disposed radially inwardly from the side wall by a distance at least equal to one half the minimum dimension across the outer periphery measured through the central axis.

Abstract: An improved mounting for ironing dies used in forming drawn and ironed metal articles, such as can bodies, at high speeds is disclosed. The support is formed of a metal ring having a plurality of fingers extending outwardly and axially from the ring. These fingers act as springs to allow the ironing dies, which are deflectably mounted on these fingers, to shift slightly in a direction generally perpendicular to their axes to accommodate off-centered cups which pass through the ironing dies to be formed into can bodies. The improved support is unaffected by the lubricant present in great amounts in the die cavities and on the cups so that the ironing die support will not deteriorate over time.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for manually closing foil containers of the type having a generally horizontally extending shoulder for supporting a closure lid and an upstanding closure flange which is foldable over onto a closure lid. A hand-held tool is employed in combination with a closure die member which holds the container in stable condition during the closing operation. The tool has a key means which is inserted into a mating track in the die member which surrounds the pocket means of the die member. The tool is advanced within the track and effectively plows the upstanding closure flange down onto the upper surface of the closure lid thereby effecting a closure.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a tab (43) of the type attachable to an easy-open contained wall to initiate severance of a tear panel of the contained wall, including an initial step of placing a protruding stitch (45) in a sheet metal strip (47) from which the tab is to be formed. Thereafter, a tab blank (51) is cut in the strip of sheet metal, with this cut starting and ending immediately adjacent to opposite sides of the stitch, but the cutting die is separated slightly from the stitch. Thereafter, the outer periphery (61) of the tab blank is curled onto the inner surface of the tab blank. The stitch is then severed adjacent the tab.

Abstract: A system and method for continuous casting involves performing low-head casting within a highly electrically conductive shield/mold to block out an electromagnetic field that exists below the shield/mold. In this respect, the shield/mold and the electromagnetic field primarily cooperate to provide an environment in which low-head continuous casting can be safely carried out under controlled conditions. In one embodiment, the shield/mold is constructed of aluminum and a molten metal meniscus extends 1/2-to-11/2 inches above the bottom of the shield/mold. The shield/mold is normally not in contact with the ingot being cast.

Abstract: Apparatus for heating and maintaining the temperature of water in a hot water tank of a solar hot water system and method of making same are provided wherein such apparatus comprises a thermally insulating container disposed around and in spaced relation from the tank with the container having a bottom portion defining a sump for a heat transfer liquid employed in the system and a device for maintaining the level of such liquid in the sump beneath the tank during normal system operation to thereby assure maintenance of an air space substantially completely around the tank with the air space cooperating with the insulating container to assure the temperature of water in the tank is maintained with minimum loss; and, the apparatus may also employ a pressure sensitive shut-off device in the cold water supply to the tank which cooperates with the air space to assure operation of the system with substantially no likelihood of contamination of the cold water supply.

Abstract: A drawn and ironed easily hand-held metallic container construction is provided and has a central longitudinal axis, a sidewall, and a high-performance bottom wall. The bottom wall has a first substantially frustoconical portion adjoining the sidewall and extending downwardly and toward the longitudinal axis, a second frustoconical portion interconnected to the first frustoconical portion and extending upwardly therefrom toward the longitudinal axis. The bottom wall also has a substantially semi-torroidal inwardly convex bead adjoining the second frustoconical portion and a dished portion adjoining the semi-torroidal bead with the dished portion having a flat central part.