Abstract: A system for filtering solid-containing plating waste comprises a reusable filter media belt that travels in a continuous loop between a filter tray, where filtration takes place, and a multi-compartmented cleaning tank where the belt is cleaned for reuse. Each compartment in the tank is substantially closed at its lower end, and open at its upper end. The belt travels in and out of each of the tank compartments in sequence, being subjected to a liquid cleaning treatment in each by contacting sprays and/or bath immersion before being returned to the filter tray for reuse. A wringer is provided at the top of each compartment through which the belt passes before proceeding to the next compartment in order to isolate the treatment liquids from each other.

Abstract: Chip-like mulching material having a specific gravity greater than 1 is formed from various plastics. The surface of the chips is embossed with a design providing additional surface area, thereby facilitating the diffusion to the surrounding environment of fugitive active ingredients when the same are contained therein including, for example, animal repellents, insecticides, or odorants. In a preferred embodiment, the chips are made from thermoplastic material, embossed and colored to simulate bark chips from a tree.

Abstract: A process and system for disposing of fluorescent lamps and reclaiming components therefrom which includes the removal of the lamp ends and the washing of the lamp envelopes, or crushed lamp envelopes, with wash water to remove mercury and phosphors therefrom. The wash water is then screened to remove glass fragments, and phosphors and mercury present are removed therefrom by decantation and centrifugation. The residual wash water is thereafter treated with a reducing agent to precipitate remaining mercury, and the precipitate is eliminated by decantation and filtration. Additional mercury and cadmium present in the wash water is thereafter removed by treatment with a cationic exchange resin, and the wash water is recycled along with the other water streams produced during the processing.

Abstract: A catalyst for promoting the molecular restructuring of the components of hydrocarbons to form desired products. The catalyst comprises copper salts, copper acetate being particularly preferred, in combination with anhydrous aluminum chloride. The catalyst can be used with either gaseous hydrocarbon raw materials such as natural gas, refinery gas, biomass decomposition gases, and similar materials, or with solids, meltable solids, or liquid hydrocarbon-containing raw materials including tar sands, oil shale, waxes, asphaltic compositions and the like. In the case of gaseous raw materials, the gases are preferably brought into contact with the copper salt coated on a catalyst support such as refractory alumina, in the presence of anhydrous aluminum chloride, which can be in vaporous form, in a continuous process.

Abstract: A method for recovering reusable materials from aluminum dross is disclosed comprising crushing the dross and extracting solubles therefrom with water in a digester. The brine so obtained is processed in a crystallizer to obtain fluxing materials contained therein, and the insolubles are furnaced to separate the free aluminum metal therefrom. To prevent undesirable reactions from occurring in the digester which result in the production of hazardous and noxious products, the pH in the digester is controlled below about 8, and preferably above about 5, by withdrawing a magnesium chloride-containing stream from the crystallizer and introducing it into the digester.

Abstract: An immersion nozzle for containuous metal casting having an elongated nozzle body formed from a porous, gas permeable refractory material. The nozzle body has a conduit extending longitudinally therethrough and an inner surface which defines the conduit. The nozzle body also includes an outer surface defining a predetermined body profile and channels formed in the outer surface of the nozzle body. A metallic housing encases the nozzle body and has an inner surface dimensioned to substantially conform to the profile of the nozzle body. The housing is secured to the nozzle body by a refractory mortar which forms a rigid, relative air-tight layer between the housing and the nozzle body, wherein the channel means form internal passages in the nozzle. A port is provided on the housing in registry with the channels in the nozzle body. The port is connectable to a source of inert gas, which is operable to force the gas into the passages and into the porous refractory material.

Abstract: A device for fabricating toilet seat covers from paper sheeting comprises three paper shearing and folding assemblies positioned one over the other, each assembly including a drive roll, as well as two additional compression rolls which shear and fold the sheeting. Three layers of the sheeting are fed simultaneously through rotary cutting rolls, and subsequently to the drive rolls associated with each of the assemblies. While one of the layers is fed to the bottom assembly drive roll, a double layer of sheeting proceeds to the drive roll of the middle assembly. There the double layer of sheeting is separated, with one layer being fed to the drive roll of the top assembly, and other layer proceeding through the other compression rolls of the middle assembly. Completed covers exiting from the superimposed assemblies are collated and transferred by transport and collating belts to a transversely adjustable ejection mechanism where the covers are ejected from the device.

Abstract: Apparatus for identifying and indicating the content of document canisters such as those used to hold supplies of documents in Automatic Teller Machines (ATMs), includes a canister (10) holding a stack of documents (30) and having a face plate (24). Face plate (24) includes a plurality of buttonholes (26). Spring loaded buttons (25) are distributed among buttonholes (26); the arrangement of the buttons representing items of data such as ownership of the canister, canister serial number, and document information such as the type, denomination, amount, and character of the documents in the canister. When inserted in the ATM, the canister exchanges identifying information with the ATM via the arrangement of buttons.

Abstract: A method of forming high density silica products, and the products formed therefrom, comprising the steps of:a) preparing a fused silica slip having a moisture content less than 25% by weight and fine silica particles of which about 90% are a size less than 55 microns;b) mixing the fused silica slip with coarse silica particles having a gram size greater than Tyler Mesh -4 to form a mixture having between 20-70% coarse particles;c) inserting the mixture into a mold of the product to be formed;d) vibrating the mold for a predetermined period of time sufficient to settle the coarse silica particles in the mold and to facilitate release of air bubbles from the mixture and hardening the mixture by drying to form a molded piece.

Abstract: An apparatus for brewing coffee or the like with microwave energy comprising a generally funnel-shaped reservoir having an open upper end, a closed lower end and an aperture near the closed lower end. A removable cover is provided for closing the open upper end. A flange extends outwardly from the reservoir and is operable to position the apparatus over a conventionally-known cup or mug wherein the aperture is disposed over the cup or mug. A valve is provided to control flow of liquid from the reservoir and is operable to allow flow upon the existence of a predetermined condition in the reservoir.

Abstract: A dental appliance for use with an aspirator tube which forms part of a dental aspirating system, the system being used for periodically removing saliva/water from a patient's mouth by means of suction. The present improvement is a resilient foam sleeve that fits over the end of the aspirator tube which is inserted into the patient's mouth thereby providing a cushioning effect between the tube and the patient's mouth, a damping effect by reducing the rushing sound that usually accompanies such system, an enhanced suction efficiency between of the increased surface area available for suction and a filtering effect by preventing solid debris from entering the aspirator tube.

Abstract: A globe hub for a casual electric light fixture comprising a cap and a globe holder connectable at a point of joinder by fasteners. Electrical wires extend into the interior of the hub through access openings located at the point of joinder, being connected to a lamp socket held by the globe holder. Wire gripping surfaces extend from the interior of the cap and the globe holder, engaging and anchoring the wiring securely within the hub and allowing stresses imposed thereon to be evenly distributed, thereby avoiding damage to the electrical connection.

Abstract: A limited access container that limits the rate at which articles can be withdrawn therefrom includes a retrieval rod which extends through the top cover of the container and which has an article-holding implement on the lower end thereof. After securing an article thereto, the rod is lifted to the top of the container and the article passed through a slotted horizontal passageway to a vertical shaft down which it is lowered to a point adjacent a container opening for removal of the article. A pivotable lever is located adjacent the passageway having a passageway blocking member on one end and a blocking-activating member on the other end.

Abstract: A detachable protective cover for an electrical terminal block comprising a pivot member top whose sides are pivotally attached by pins to support members connected to the terminal block with fasteners. The pivot member top overlays the block in the cover's closed position, but can be pivoted forward to expose the block in the cover's open position. In a preferred embodiment when the block is mounted horizontally on a distributing frame, the pivot member top can pivot forward and downwardly to an angle from the horizontal so as to preclude interference with a ladder associated with the frame when the ladder is positioned in front of an open cover.

Abstract: An adjustable rotary slip clutch comprising a driving portion, a driven portion, an annular cavity defined between the driving portion and the driven portion, a plurality of friction clutch elements of generally conical configuration mounted within the annular cavity, at least one of the friction elements mounted to the driving portion for rotation therewith, an at least one of the friction elements mounted to the driven portion for rotation therewith, and an arrangement for sealing the cavity to maintain lubricant therein.

Abstract: A device for detecting relative differences in conductivity between filtered and unfiltered states of fluid comprises a differential comparator for measuring the voltage difference of its input ports, a differential bridge connected to the input sorts of the differential comparator for measuring the conductivity of the fluid, the differential bridge having electrodes for contacting the fluid in each of its filtered and unfiltered states and bridge adjustment circuitry for compensating for voltage offsets of the comparator and the bridge, and an indicator connected to the output of the comparator for generating an output indicative of the differential conductivity of the fluid in its filtered and unfiltered states.

Abstract: A control knob assembly to be mounted to a panel for use with an adjustable rotary device of the type having a push and/or pull function comprising a control knob having a first portion dimensioned to be grasped by a user, a second portion which is cylindrical in shape and extends from the first portion and a bore extending into the cylindrical portion aligned along the axis of the cylindrical portion, the bore dimensioned to receive a shaft of the rotary control member. A mounting element for mounting assembly to a panel is provided and includes a plurality of annularly arranged, flexible clamping elements, each having a threaded outer surface and a smooth inner surface. The inner surfaces of the clamping elements generally define a smooth cylindrical bore which is dimensioned to receive the cylindrical portion of the control knob and the outer surfaces of the clamping elements define a threaded surface. A locking ring is provided and dimensioned to be circumferentially mounted on the clamping elements.

Abstract: A display shelf for use in an article display unit having a bottom surface, side surfaces, a pair of support members disposed along the side surfaces and at least one partition for partitioning the display shelf into a plurality of compartments, each partition including a middle portion and two support arms attached to the middle portion. The support arms are dimensioned to releasably engage with the support members.

Abstract: A method for preparing biaxially oriented poly(vinylidene fluoride) films involving the addition of a minor amount of a polymer miscible with PVDF, particularly poly(methyl methacrylate), to the poly(vinylidene fluoride) to form a blend exhibiting reduced crystallinity and reduced rates of crystallization during the film forming process. The low crystallinity permits the blend to be subsequently formed into biaxially oriented film in a double-bubble tubular film extrusion process by retarding the rate of crystallization in the first bubble, thereby permitting formation of the second bubble without rupture. The films thus formed possess piezoelectric and other desirable characteristics.