Abstract: A shape-preserving device which is attached to the top and bottom mold section of a thermoforming machine which reciprocatingly thermoforms articles from a heat-softened plastic sheet. The device includes a cavity mold attached to one mold section and a remolding shoe assembly attached to the other. The remolding shoe assembly includes a floating remolding shoe attached to the outer end of a piston rod connected to a pressurized fluid-actuated pneumatic cylinder which is in unimpeded flow communication with a source of compressed air.

Abstract: Novel processes are provided for the stabilization of modified celluloses in brine solutions useful for well completion and workover. Copper species are added to such fluids in an amount effective substantially to decrease the rate of decomposition of such cellulose at temperatures above about 225.degree. F.

Abstract: Useful product is recovered from an underground coal seam by drilling a passage extending from the surface to a cavity formed in the floor rock below the coal seam, drilling one or more upwardly radially extending channels from the cavity forming an injection manifold-like system which extends to the interface between the floor rock and the coal seam, injecting an oxidant or oxidant gas mixture into these channels from the surface, igniting the coal where the radially extending channels connect with the base of the coal seam and recovering product gases generated by the gasification process through a plurality of surrounding production wells.

Abstract: Laminar thermoplastic film constructions comprising a layer of low density polyethylene bonded to a layer of a dissimilar polymer blend comprising high density polyethylene and polyethylene copolymers. In particular such copolymers comprise polyethylene copolymerized with another alpha olefin containing from about 3 up to about 15 carbon atoms. Such copolymers are also characterized by being linear, low density polymers having densities which are below about 0.94 grams/cc.

Abstract: This specification discloses a method of seismic exploration and in particular a method of generating and gathering field seismic data. Paths or seismic lines are traversed across the earth or water layers overlying the earth and over subsurface earth formations thereunder, and seismic energy is generated and transmitted into the earth and a portion thereof is reflected from the subsurface formations back toward the surface of the earth where the reflected seismic energy is detected and recorded. In conducting the seismic survey, a long linear array of seismic sources is simultaneously activated to produce a seismic pulse that is focused essentially vertically into the earth, and seismic energy is reflected from subsurface formations thereof and is detected by a long array of seismic detectors and is recorded.

Abstract: Disclosed is a motor control apparatus which includes a pulse generator for producing a first signal as a pulse signal having a period corresponding to the rotational speed of a motor, a timer for producing a second signal inverted to a first level in response to the first signal and subsequently inverted to a second level after the lapse of a predetermined period of time, a phase compensator for producing a third signal obtained through a phase advance type phase compensation for the second signal, a voltage/current converter for supplying and receiving a first current signal and a second current signal in accordance with the level of the third signal, an integrator for producing an output signal obtained through the integration of the first and second current signals, and a buffer for driving the motor in accordance with the level of the output signal.

Abstract: A novel method is disclosed for using the resonance behavior of reservoir sand to distinguish between oil-rich, gas-rich and water-rich zones. A wellbore is logged, as for example with a long spaced acoustic logging tool, to obtain data which are then interpreted to determine the damping of the acoustic signal in one sand versus another, or in that sand versus a reference sand having similar resonance characteristics.

Abstract: A novel multilayer film is made by extruding and/or casting at least two layers of resin, such as polyacrylonitrile homopolymer or interpolymers. By co-extruding a continuous multilayer film with contiguous or tandem dies from a first supply of homogeneous resin solution and a second supply of non-homogeneous redissolved resin scrap, a film may be cast onto a smooth cooled drum surface to form substantially continuous adjacent layers from two or more resin supplies. Scrap resin, such as selvage trimmed from stretched film or mill scrap, is comminuted and redissolved in solvent for recycle to the second supply of the extrusion step. The homogeneous layer prevents film disruption by inhomogeneities present in the contiguous layer containing redissolved scrap, which might cause localized stresses in the film and discontinuities during stretching.

Abstract: This invention provides a formulation comprising a thermosetting polyester, p-methylstyrene, a hydroquinone stabilizer, and 4,4'-thiobis-(3-methyl-6-t-butyl)-phenol.

Abstract: Polymer foam is extruded as a tube or sheet into a cooling liquid which is maintained at a temperature up to about 85.degree. C. Either one or both surfaces of the polymer are cooled as the extrudate emerging from the die orifice passes through the liquid. Styrenic polymer foam extrudate produced by such a method exhibits excellent puncture resistance and tensile properties.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for mixing a gaseous oxidant (e.g., oxygen) and a lixiviant (e.g., an aqueous carbonate solution) at a downhole location in a well before the oxygen-saturated lixiviant is injected into a formation to be leached. The invention involves establishing a mixing zone in the well by positioning an orifice plate in the well at the downhole location. Lixiviant as it is flowed down the well passes through a restrictive opening in the plate causing a substantial increase in the flow velocity of the lixiviant. At the same time, gaseous oxidant is supplied to a point adjacent the opening in the plate and due to the increased velocity of the lixiviant flowing through the orifice, the oxidant is trapped to form a gas pocket below the orifice. Lixiviant flows through the gas pocket and becomes saturated with the gaseous oxidant.

Abstract: A molded food packaging tray for use in packaging meats, fish, poultry and other comestibles in conjunction with a transparent overwrap film. The inventive packaging tray is provided with a novel peripheral lip structure which will aid in preventing the collapse or fracture of the tray side walls in view of pressures exerted by the overwrap film when applied to the tray in an automatic tray overwrap machine.

Abstract: The shear strength cling of thermoplastic food wrap film is improved by coating at least one surface of the film with a composition comprising a major proportion of an alkali metal dialkyl sulfosuccinate and a minor proportion of a high boiling moisturizing liquid.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for preparing a low density polymer shrink wrap which comprises uniaxially cold-orienting and irradiating a film formed from a low density ethylene homopolymer or copolymer, and then forming a wrap by sealing a portion of the film along a seam which runs generally perpendicular to the direction of the orientation.

Abstract: A liquid well-treating chemical composition is injected into the production tubing during gas lift operations by providing a differential pressure operated valve downhole from the lowermost gas lift flow valve and maintaining sufficient liquid head of the chemical composition in the annulus to open the valve and cause the liquid chemical composition to pass into the interior of the production tubing.

Abstract: A process is described for improving yields and leaching rates of mineral values in highly reducing uranium-bearing formations, while minimizing deleterious environmental impact, by injecting an oxidant such as gaseous air or O.sub.2 into the formation prior to leaching. The preoxidation may be enhanced by the presence of CO.sub.2 gas in the pre-leaching oxidant. The process is particularly suitable for systems employing a CO.sub.2 /O.sub.2 lixiviant. The presence of sulfate ion further improves the leaching rate of such a system.

Abstract: Certain glucans are made useful as mobility control agents in subterranean oil recovery by the addition of a clay flocculant to minimize adsorption losses. Because of the non-ionic character of glucans, these losses are excessive in the absence of the flocculants used herein.

Abstract: Biaxially-oriented film comprising a layer of solid thermoplastic methyl styrene polymer, said polymer having at least 90 percent repeating units of 4-methyl-styrene.

Abstract: According to the present invention, it has been found that blended polyolefin resins containing linear low density polyethylene copolymers (LLDPE) are advantageous in the manufacturing of thermoplastic films and bags. The blended polyolefin resins are particularly well suited for making seamless-wall handled strap bags from thin tubular film consisting essentially of a homogeneous blend of HDPE, LLDPE, and ordinary branched LDPE. Superior physical properties of blown film from this blend permits the fabrication of economical carrying bags from thinner film, resulting in substantial material savings.

Abstract: Process for the in-situ leaching of uranium from a subterranean ore deposit comprising introducing into the deposit an aqueous lixiviant formulated from a dilute sulfuric acid solution which also contains carbon dioxide. The lixiviant has a pH within the range of 1.0-2.5. The lixiviant may also contain an alkali metal sulfate such as sodium sulfate. The process is particularly applicable to subterranean deposits containing uranium associated with carbonaceous material.