Abstract: An additive is provided which enables metal additions to be made to aluminum melts with good metal recovery and speed of dissolution. The additive includes a mixture comprising:(a) an aluminum-comprising powder, for example commercially pure aluminum;(b) a powder of one or more metals or alloys comprising the metal or metals to be introduced, for example manganese, chromium, tungsten, molybdenum, titanium, vanadium, iron, cobalt, copper, niobium, tantalum, zirconium, hafnium and silver; and(c) a flux, for example one or more of potassium aluminum fluoride or potassium cryolite, potassium chloride, potassium fluoride, sodium chloride, sodium fluoride, and sodium carbonate.In a preferred form, the additive is a compacted tablet of components (a), (b) and (c), in the weight proportions of about 5%, 75% and 20%, respectively. The additive is especially useful in the method of the invention of introducing one or more metals into a melt comprising aluminum.

Abstract: An adapter union is disclosed which is especially useful for installation by butt welding on containers for fluids to permit a conduit of smaller internal diameter to be removably attached thereto, and also for certain other specialized uses described herein. The adapter union includes an improved butt weld adapter member. When desired, the adapter member may be installed on containers for fluids by butt welding to thereby permit a conduit of smaller diameter to be attached directly thereto. The disclosure further relates to containers for fluids having the adapter union and/or the adapter member installed thereon. When the adapter union is installed properly, the resultant structure provides for permanency of the installation when desired, and also allows future changes and modifications to be made easily and without damaging the adapter union and/or conduits or other cooperating apparatus attached thereto.

Abstract: An improved apparatus is disclosed for filling containers with a liquid. The apparatus is very efficient and the containers may be filled in a small fraction of the time formerly required. The flow of liquid into the containers may be controlled with great precision and without spilling or wasting the liquid. The filling spout has the added advantage of being dripless. The apparatus is especially useful in filling a large number of small open top containers such as communion cups with a liquid such as grape juice.

Abstract: A flange union is disclosed which is provided with inner and outer annular metal-to-metal seals and an optional resilient seal and/or insert. In one embodiment, the two metal-to-metal seals are formed simultaneously, and in another embodiment they are formed sequentially thereby allowing the second to be used as a back-up seal. The configuration of the metal sealing surfaces is such that an annular metal-to-metal line seal of minimum surface area is formed closely adjacent the internal diameter of the bore, and an annular metal-to-metal line seal is formed, or is capable of being formed, outward therefrom. This sealing structure results in markedly less stress and strain on the flange bolts to achieve and maintain the desired sealing pressure. Male-female sealing surfaces mate adjacent the internal diameter of the bore, and the flange union is self aligning in that area. The flange union will seal effectively with the flange members being either in or out of alignment.

Abstract: Line indicating apparatus is provided which is capable of suspending an elongated line indicator whereby it is movable in a direction substantially perpendicular to its linear axis, and is rotatable around a second axis which is angularly disposed with respect to the linear axis and the said direction of movement. A plurality of the basic apparatus may be arranged in a superimposed relationship, and the resultant plurality of superimposed line indicators may be individually moved and/or rotated to positions wherein they are angularly disposed with respect to each other. Preferably, the line indicators are movable and rotatable in closely adjacent fixed planes so that a substantially distortion-free image thereof may be produced and visually displayed.The line indicating apparatus is especially useful in navigational charting or plotting, and in navigational devices pertaining thereto.

Abstract: A flange union is disclosed which is provided with opposed recessed female seats carried by the terminal inner ends of the flange members. A replacable sealing ring having an annular convex sealing surface is positioned between the annular cooperating sealing surfaces of the female seats. The configuration of the sealing surfaces is such that an annular metal-to-metal line seal of minimum surface area is formed closely adjacent the internal diameter of the bore. This results in the need for markedly less stress and strain on the flange bolts to achieve and maintain the sealing pressure. The flange union will seal effectively with the flange members being either in or out of alignment.

Abstract: A novel method and improved apparatus are disclosed for generating fuel vapor from a volatile normally liquid fuel, safely handling and controlling the fuel vapor, and utilizing the same in the operation of an internal combustion engine. Preferably, the fuel vapor is generated by introducing the liquid fuel under pressure into the lower portion of a vessel via an elongated tubular member having a plurality of spaced openings. The pressurized liquid fuel flows from the openings under vigorous conditions of agitation and fuel vapor is evolved from the liquid surface without forming finely subdivided liquid droplets in the vapor phase. Air is mixed with fuel vapor in the upper portion of the vessel in an amount sufficient to lower the dew point, but insufficient to produce an explosive mixture. The mixture is withdrawn from the vessel and, after adding sufficient air to produce an explosive mixture and for efficient combustion, is passed to the intake manifold.

Abstract: Closed cell phenol-aldehyde foam is prepared by a method which includes a novel frothing and curing technique. An admixture containing a liquid phenol-aldehyde resole resin, a volatile blowing agent, and a surfactant is frothed to produce a stable froth containing closed cells. The cell walls are formed of the liquid resole resin and the closed cells are expanded by the blowing agent in gaseous phase. The froth is formed into an uncured shape and the liquid resole resin is cured to the solid state in the presence of an acid catalyst to produce cured closed cell foam. The internal temperature throughout the shape during curing is above the boiling point of the blowing agent but less than 212.degree. F., and is sufficiently low to prevent further expansion of the shape in an amount to rupture the closed cell walls and thereby form an open cell structure.

Abstract: Solid carbonaceous fossil fuels such as coal, lignite and peat are treated with an aqueous medium containing a novel catalyst to remove undesirable constituents and produce valuable products. The catalyst is prepared by steps including admixing a water soluble alkali metal silicate with an aqueous medium containing carefully controlled amounts of dissolved water soluble substances which are sources of calcium ion and magnesium ion, reacting the same to produce an aqueous colloidal suspension of the reaction product, admixing a micelle-forming surfactant with the aqueous medium, and agitating the aqueous medium containing the colloidal particles and surfactant to form catalyst-containing micelles. Particles of the fossil fuel, or components thereof, are treated and solubilized in the aqueous catalyst suspension to produce a novel aqueous solution which has highly unusual and unexpected properties. The resultant solution has important applications in agriculture and animal husbandry.

Abstract: A suction cup mounted holder is provided for waterborne watercraft which may be easily attached and detached to the exterior hull surface both above and below the waterline, and without penetrating or permanently disfiguring the exterior hull surface. The holder is especially useful in securing a swimmer or diver in the water during cleaning and maintaining the exterior hull surface. This may be accomplished while the watercraft is waterborne and without the expense and inconvenience of drydocking or otherwise removing the watercraft to dry land. A waterborne watercraft is also disclosed which has the holder of the invention releasably attached thereto to thereby allow the exterior hull surface to be cleaned and maintained by swimmers and/or divers. In a further aspect, a novel method is disclosed for cleaning and maintaining the exterior hull surface of a waterborne watercraft by swimmers and/or divers.

Abstract: A golf putting aid includes a pressure sensitive adhesive backing for removably attaching the aid to the striking face of a prior art putter without noticeably changing the characteristics of the putter. The putting aid preferably includes a pair of upright spaced parallel rails extending outward at 90.degree. from the front surface of a backing member and terminating in spaced angular surfaces. When properly stroked with the putter, the angular surfaces allow a golf ball to pass therebetween and strike the front surface of the backing member thereby causing the golf ball to roll straight in the direction of the intended target. When the golf ball is improperly stroked, it strikes one of the angular surfaces and is turned away from the target.

Abstract: An access union is disclosed which is especially useful for installation on containers for fluids to permit access thereto. The invention is also concerned with containers for fluids having the access union of the invention installed thereon. When installed on containers for fluids, the access union of the invention provides for permanency of the installation when desired, and also allows future changes and modifications to be made easily and without damaging the access union and/or an access conduit or other cooperating apparatus attached thereto.

Abstract: The incidence of infectious disease in poultry is reduced and/or antisocial behavior is controlled by providing the poultry with drinking water containing a catalytically effective amount of a unique catalyst. In a preferred variant, the drinking water may also contain lignite which has been pretreated with the catalyst until it is soluble. The catalyst is prepared by a process including the steps of admixing a water soluble alkali metal silicate with an aqueous medium containing carefully controlled amounts of water soluble substances which are sources of calcium ion and magnesium ion, reacting the same to produce an aqueous colloidal suspension of the reaction product, admixing a micelle forming surfactant with the aqueous medium, and agitating the aqueous medium containing the colloidal particles and surfactant to form catalyst-containing micelles. The preparation of the novel catalyst and the water soluble catalyst treated lignite is described in detail hereinafter.

Abstract: An improved trailer is provided for use with an automotive draft vehicle. The trailer is of the class including a coupling member attached on its forward end to a draft vehicle and having a trailer rear axle assembly slidably mounted on the rear end so as to be movable longitudinally along the coupling pole between predetermined long-coupled and short-coupled positions to thereby adjust the effective length of the trailer. Improved coupling assemblies are also provided for adjusting the effective length of the trailer and maintaining the rear axle assembly in the adjusted positions.

Abstract: An improved process is described for synthesizing simple and complex 6,6'-diacyl esters of trehalose and intermediates useful therein. Novel 6,6'-diacyl esters of trehalose and novel intermediates useful in the process of the invention are also disclosed. The inventive process is capable of producing the desired compounds economically and in pure form from readily available starting materials.

Abstract: Closed cell phenol-aldehyde foam is prepared by a method which includes a novel frothing and curing technique. An admixture containing a liquid phenolaldehyde resole resin, a volatile blowing agent, and a surfactant is frothed to produce a stable froth containing closed cells. The cell walls are formed of the liquid resole resin and the closed cells are expanded by the blowing agent in gaseous phase. The froth is formed into an uncured shape and the liquid resole resin is cured to the solid state in the presence of an acid catalyst to produce cured closed cell foam. The internal temperature throughout the shape during curing is above the boiling point of the blowing agent but less than 212.degree. F., and is sufficiently low to prevent further expansion of the shape in an amount to rupture the closed cell walls and thereby form an open cell structure.

Abstract: A modified internal combustion engine useful as a power plant in automotive vehicles is operated on an admixture of air and fuel vapor. An apparatus is disclosed for generating the fuel vapor from a volatile normally liquid fuel of the type useful in operating a conventional internal combustion engine having a prior art carburetor. Apparatus is also disclosed for safely handling and controlling the fuel vapor thus generated, and utilizing the same in the operation of the internal combustion engine. In a further aspect, a novel method is provided for generating vapor of a volatile liquid fuel and operating an internal combustion engine therewith. The method is also useful in modifying a conventional internal combustion engine including a prior art carburetor. The resultant modified internal combustion engine operates more efficiently and with lower exhaust emissions.

Abstract: Improved apparatus is disclosed for treating waste water with a chemical. The apparatus is self-contained and may be moved from site to site for use on a permanent, semi-permanent or temporary basis as needed. It is strong, durable and light weight in construction, operates automatically or semi-automatically, and does not require a full-time operator. An outside power supply is not needed as the apparatus is powered by the water being treated. The apparatus is especially useful in treating acidic mine water with a chemical having a basic reaction before it is discharged into a stream or sewer, but other types of waste water may be treated.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved fishing rod holder which is especially useful for holding and tending a fishing rod when surf fishing from a sandy beach, or when fishing from an earthen shoreline. The invention also provides an inexpensive method of producing the fishing rod holder of the invention from readily available materials.