Abstract: Material conditioning apparatus particularly suited for disjoining compacted asbestos comprising a closed system in which material on a loading platform is manually fed into a delivery chute, directed by the chute to an agitating zone, and released upon adequate agitation through an outlet. Escape of airborne particulate matter from the system is avoided by delivery of material in a path generally tangential to an area of retreating blade movement, and control of air pressure and flow by means of an air inlet vent in the delivery chute.

Abstract: A technique for accurate determination is provided which allows, at any point of navigation of a tanker and regardless of variation in the velocity of the tanker, the determination of the oil content in deballasting water and tank cleaning water that has been discharged during the navigation of a range extending from said point of navigation to another point with a given distance backward of said point. The technique comprises the determination of an instantaneous rate of discharge of oil content based on the concentration of oil and the quantity of water discharged within a given period of time, thereby obtaining the quantity of oil discharged within a given distance up to the present time as well as an incremental quantity of oil discharged in the period of time that the tanker was traveling a predetermined distance, and use of the thus obtained signals of discharged quantity for recording or control of discharge of deballasting water and tank cleaning water.

Abstract: A gamma radiation detector, wherein it comprises a xenon crystal, a xenon atmosphere above said xenon crystal, a pair of electrodes comprising two metallic electrodes on either side of the xenon crystal, the first electrode being brought to negative potential (cathode) and located in the vicinity of one face of the xenon crystal and the second electrode brought to positive potential (anode) is placed parallel to the cathode in the xenon atmosphere and visualization device of the photons emitted in the gaseous xenon, whereby the face of the xenon crystal in the vicinity of the cathode is arranged in such a way that it receives the gamma radiation to be measured.

Abstract: A carbon article manufacturing method is disclosed in which a raw material for a carbon article is revolved and heated at the same time, whereby the raw material is pressurized by centrifugal force and baked simultaneously. Further, carbon article manufacturing apparatus is disclosed which is provided with means for housing a raw material and pressurizing it by centrifugal force, means for revolving the housing and pressurizing means, and means for heating the housing and pressurizing means.

Abstract: The method of forming hollow concrete articles such as tanks which are cast in a mould around reinforcing metal, the mould being shaped to form a bottom and including an upstanding integral ridge which forms a mould for the inner lower portions of a wall subsequently formed on such bottom after the bottom is cast, characterized by an interlocking ridge at the join and by the absence of reinforcing metal at such join.

Abstract: The present invention is related to a new process for producing cellulose C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 -alkyl ethers by subjecting cellulose to reaction with an alkali metal hydroxide and subjecting the resulting alkali metal salt of cellulose to reaction with an alkyl halide wherein the alkyl group contains 1 to 4 carbon atoms. The new process is characterized by subjecting 1 part by weight of cellulose to reaction with 0.5 to 4 parts by weight of the alkyl halide in a positive mixer having a fast-running mixing appliance and a container with adjustable internal pressure and cooling of the internal container wall, adding the alkali metal hydroxide in a concentrated aqueous solution or in a substantially water-free and finely divided state, and adjusting the pressure in the reaction vessel with cooling in such a way that the temperature of the reaction mixture remains in the range of from 15.degree. to 40.degree. C., and raising the temperature of the reaction mixture after termination of the alkalization to from 50.

Abstract: In a method of decontamination of a radioactive effluent from at least ruthenium, a reduction of the effluent is carried out by adding hydrazine or a hydrazine salt. Precipitates having absorbent and/or coprecipitant properties with respect to radioactive elements are formed in the effluent without any intermediate separation of phases, a cobalt sulphide precipitate being formed for the removal of ruthenium.

Abstract: A nozzle attachment for use in combination with a vacuum cleaner to inflate or deflate air expandable articles, a portion of the nozzle having a relatively large diameter for coupling with the free end of a flexible hose, a relatively small extended tip portion insertable into bodies of inflation valves to mechanically open recessed check valve elements, and an intermediate cross sectional transition portion having at least one conical zone for sealing against the mouths of the inflation valve bodies. For inflation, the opposite end of the hose is connected to the fan outlet of the vacuum cleaner while for evacuation it is connected to the fan inlet.

Abstract: A pedestal assembly for supporting elevated floors having means for adjusting its height in the form of a generally triangular wedge. The wedge is horizontally displaceable on the assembly to cam an upper carrier element of the assembly into a desired elevation. The assembly is provided with self-locking means to maintain the wedge and carrier elements in their selected positions. The self-locking means comprises a taper lock and supplementary locking teeth operative on the wedge in response to loading applied thereto through the carrier element.

Abstract: A web construction of diaper tab stock is provided for separation into diaper tabs of the refastenable type wherein a minor part of the tab transfers from one part of the diaper to another incident to the first cycle of fastening and unfastening. The release-coated substrate face which substitutes for a liner does not stay with the main part of the tab structure during such cycle but instead transfers with the minor part of the tab structure. The diaper tab stock is suited to low cost production and to high speed dispensing on automatic equipment by diaper manufacturers.

Abstract: A fixed sulfur fuel is produced by proportioning sulfur-bearing coal and limestone in amounts which will cause the calcium in the limestone to react with a large amount of sulfur in the coal. The proportioned mixture is ground and blended and then balled or compacted to form pellets. By means of either a carbonizing or pyrolyzing technique conducted in a traveling grate machine, where the pellets are heated to at least 800.degree. F., the coal is pyrolyzed or carbonized, the limestone is calcined, and the sulfur is fixed in a calcium compound which remains stable in the ash after the pellets are burned as a fuel.

Abstract: An apparatus for inductively heating cooking utensils comprising four induction cooking coils excited by a central power oscillator providing an alternating sinusoidal excitation voltage at about 25 kilohertz which is 100% amplitude modulated at 120 hertz. Power to the four induction coils is duty cycle controlled by four 60 hertz triacs each series inserted between the power oscillator and a respective one of the induction coils. The triacs switch to excite their respective induction coils only at the zero point of the excitation voltage modulation envelope. Line power fluctuations are minimized by sequential switching of the triacs in a manner that results in an effective power switching frequency of approximately 46 hertz when all four induction cooking coils are excited. The central power oscillator is inherently protected from high Q load conditions without the provision of feedback loops.

Abstract: A heat-transporting fluid F is passed over a material C having a high latent heat of fusion and in direct contact therewith so that the fluid and the material exchange heat at a temperature close to the melting point of the material. By contacting the hot fluid F with the material C, this material melts and accumulates heat in the form of latent heat of fusion while cooling the fluid F. When the cold fluid is contacted directly with the material C, this material solidifies and releases heat which is transmitted to the fluid F.

Abstract: A suspension ceiling system having an improved connecting system comprising a pair of similar ends on crossbeam connectors which are received through a single slot opening in a main beam in side-by-side relationship by a straight- in movement. Projections the crossbeam connectors interlock when fully engaged and prevent axial movement in either direction. A tab on each connector holds the first-inserted end in place prior to the insertion of the second connector.

Abstract: A primary fluid is circulated within vertical flexible tubes enclosed within a fluid-tight shell and a secondary fluid flows over the external tube walls. A secondary fluid admission chamber is formed in the top portion of the shell by a horizontal tube plate traversed by primary fluid distribution means. The upper end of each tube is fixed on a unit of revolution having a passage for the primary fluid and constituted by a sliding ring and two components. The first component has a frusto-conical external surface which cooperates with the internal wall of the ring. The second component has a cylindrical external surface provided with grooves which define passages for the downflow of secondary fluid with the internal wall of a tube-plate hole.

Abstract: A disposable, centrifugal separator for separating contaminants from contaminated oil is disclosed. The centrifugal separator has a shroud which defines a first chamber and has a hollow rotor rotatably mounted in the first chamber and defining a second chamber. Oil under pressure is admitted to the second chamber through concentrically arranged tubes or spindles and past a low pressure shut-off valve. The oil flows into the first chamber through tangential reaction nozzles in the rotor to cause contaminants to migrate toward the sidewall of the second chamber under the influence of centrifugal force. The shroud and rotor are permanently closed so that the entire assembly may be discarded when a significant amount of contaminants has been deposited on the sidewall of the second chamber.

Abstract: A container includes a fiber tube and a plastic end closure. The end closure is of one piece plastic construction and includes a base having a central opening. A dish shaped dispensing wall covers the central opening and provides a plurality of small dispensing holes. A tab covers the central opening of the base and provides a sealing pin for closing each of the dispensing holes.

Abstract: An assembly, particularly useful in a fluid filter system, in which fluid is caused to flow in a helical pattern in a circular canister to increase turbulence of the fluid and thereby benefit both the filtering process and heat transfer with the canister body. Flow directing means is disclosed for gradually accelerating and deflecting fluid into the helical flow pattern in an efficient manner without internally heating the fluid, thereby allowing the assembly to serve as a fluid cooler.

Abstract: A device in a domestic sewing machine for automatically sewing a buttonhole pattern in four successive stages comprising, in order, lock stitches at one end, stitches to one side, lock stitches at the other end, and finally stitches at the other side. Only a single manual step, that of presetting an adjustable element to program the desired length of the buttonhole, is required of the operator to condition the machine. The device includes a set of cams for controlling needle amplitude, lateral position or base line, and direction and rate of feed. The cams are rotationally driven by a pair of ratchet wheels in timed relation to the formation of stitches. Means are provided to alternately establish and interrupt the drive to the ratchet wheels, and therefore the cams, at certain times in the sequence to effect appropriate changes in the sewing pattern.

Abstract: A portable sign assembly comprising a rigid knockdown frame and a flexible display web. In a collapsed condition elements of the sign assembly afford a relatively small package size which is conveniently handled and economically shipped. The sign is quickly assembled and disassembled by simple manipulation of the frame elements. In accordance with an important aspect of the invention, the display web is provided with relatively high elastic elongation properties and the frame is arranged to slightly stretch the web to thereby completely tension it and ensure that it is drawn into a planar configuration.