Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for intermittently dispensing sheet material from a roll to an operating apparatus. The apparatus includes means for accumulating sheet material from the roll which does not require the roll to be motor driven and means for preventing pull back of the sheet material through the dispensing apparatus and permitting low force advancement of the sheet material.

Abstract: A composite aluminum wheel for use with an inflatable tire on vehicles such as automobiles, vans, trucks and the like is disclosed in which a cast aluminum insert is permanently and integrally mounted within a base aluminum wheel to form a composite structure. The cast aluminum insert is mounted into the aluminum base wheel so as to prohibit axial movement thereof by means such as swage-forging or the like. The cast aluminum insert allows almost unlimited styling variations for the face of the composite wheel and adds structural strength to the aluminum base wheel such that weight reduction from the rim area of the aluminum base wheel can be accomplished.

Abstract: A solar liquid-to-liquid heat exchanger, method of making the same, and hot water heating apparatus employing same are provided wherein such heat exchanger is comprised of a first tubular member made of a heat conductive tube material and having a plurality of turns, a second tubular member made of a heat conductive tube material and having a plurality of turns which correspond to and are fixed against the turns of the first member to provide a strong mechanical and thermal connection between immediately adjacent faces of associated member turns. The fixing of the turns of the members and utilization of the heat exchanger in a hot water heating apparatus with flow of a solar fluid used in such apparatus in one direction through the first tubular member and water to be heated through the second tubular member in counterflow to the one direction assures optimum transfer of heat from the solar fluid to the water to be heated.

Abstract: There is described a process for preparing large crystals of basic aluminum nitrate (BAN) from a nitric acid feed solution containing Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 values comprising the steps of:(1) evaporating water and nitric acid from the solution in a single step evaporation performed at a temperature of between about 270.degree. and about 450.degree. F. and at a pressure of between about atmospheric and about 60 psig to produce an evaporated liquor comprising at least about 16% alumina by weight;(2) holding the evaporated liquor in a quiescent state for a period of between about 20 minutes and about two hours within the temperature range of about 270.degree. F. to about 340.degree. F.;(3) injecting water into the product of step 2, the water being added in an amount sufficient to adjust the composition of the conditioned liquor to a composition expressible as the sum of two components(1) ANN (Al.sub.2 O.sub.3.6HNO.sub.3.15H.sub.2 O or Al(NO.sub.3).sub.3.9H.sub.

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: 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 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 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: 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: 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 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: 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.

Abstract: A solid inductor for forming an inner wall of a coolant box for an electromagnetic continuous casting system has a deflector integrally formed on the exterior surface thereof to deflect coolant passing through passages in the solid inductor. In one embodiment, the deflector is formed by an indentation on the exterior surface of the deflector, and in another embodiment, it is formed by a protrusion on the exterior surface of the solid inductor.

Abstract: Light source and light sensor on opposite sides of wall of container detect pinhole or crack in container wall, with container rejection means operable by light sensor.