Abstract: A desalinization process is disclosed employing freezing and pressure steps. In the process, salt water is frozen to provide - liquid free ice. The ice is then crushed and subjected to a compression force and external heat for a period sufficient to liquify at least 30 percent of the crushed ice. The remaining ice is recovered and melted to yeild purifed water.

Abstract: An improved explosive composition is disclosed and comprises a major portion of an explosive having a detonation velocity between about 1,500 and 10,000 meters per second and a minor amount of a getter additive comprising a non-explosive compound or mixture of non-explosive compounds capable of chemically reacting with free radicals or ions under shock initiation conditions of 2,000 calories/cm.sup.2 or less of energy fluence.

Abstract: An improved explosive composition is disclosed and comprises a major portion of an explosive having a detonation velocity between about 1500 and 10,000 meters per second and a minor amount of a donor additive comprising a non-explosive compound or mixture of non-explosive compounds which when subjected to an energy fluence of 1000 calories/cm.sup.2 or less is capable of releasing free radicals each having a molecular weight between 1 and 120. Exemplary donor additives are dibasic acids, polyamines and metal hydrides.

Abstract: An improved explosive composition is disclosed and comprises a major portion of an explosive having a detonation velocity between about 1500 and 10,000 meters per second and a minor amount of a donor additive comprising an organic compound or mixture of organic compounds capable of releasing low molecular weight free radicals or ions under mechanical or electrical shock conditions and which is not an explosive, or an inorganic compound or mixture of inorganic compounds capable of releasing low molecular weight free radicals or ions under mechanical or electrical shock conditions and selected from ammonium or alkali metal persulfates.

Abstract: An improved modular wall or shelf assembly is disclosed which may be locked into place. The assembly comprises an upright support for supporting the modular wall or shelf component and a mounting bracket connected to the modular wall or shelf component along a vertical plane for adjustably affixing the modular wall or shelf component to the upright support. The mounting bracket is composed of two parts, namely an upper bracket member and a lower bracket member. The upper bracket has an elongated body portion which is adapted to be connected to the upper portion of the modular wall or shelf component and a plurality of linearly aligned tabs. The tabs extend outwardly and each have a horizontal lower lip for supporting the vertical load of the modular component. All of the tabs, except the uppermost tab, have an upper lip which extends horizontally or downwardly.

Abstract: An improved machine and method for making meatballs is disclosed. The ground meat is first compressed in a compaction chamber and then extruded through an orifice located at one end of the chamber. A cutter severs a portion of the compressed meat after it is extruded through the orifice. The severed meat drops into an annular chamber formed by a semi-circular groove around the perimeter of a rotable cylindrical disc and an opposing semi-circular groove around the inner perimeter of a stationary housing surrounding the cylindrical disc. The cylindrical disc revolves causing the meat to roll within the annular chamber and form a spherical ball.

Abstract: An improved explosive composition is disclosed and comprises a major portion of an explosive having a detonation velocity between about 1500 and 10,000 meters per second and a minor amount of a getter additive comprising a compound or mixture of compounds capable of capturing or deactivating free radicals or ions under mechanical or electrical shock conditions and which is not an explosive. Exemplary getter additives are isocyanates, olefins and iodine.

Abstract: A multifunctional circuit analyzer is disclosed which is capable of determining the complete signature of an unknown electrical signal. The circuit analyzer utilizes a high and low peak detection circuit and an analog to digital converter to determine the outer limits of the signal. The high and low threshold voltages are selected between the limits of the signal. Each time the unknown electrical signal passes through the preset high or low threshold voltage, a high or low threshold digital signal occurs. A logic circuit operates on these high and low threshold digital signals and activates the start and stop gate signals. These gate signals allow a time base signal to pass through a gate circuit into a series of decade counters. The information in the counters are thereafter transferred into decoders and then multiplexed to a display.

Abstract: An improved bottle cap particularly useful for returnable containers is disclosed. The cap is composed of a top disk, a thin-walled cylindrical outer skirt and a coaxial inner skirt. The outer skirt is weakened along two circumferential score lines which traverse the skirt in an arc of about 250.degree. to 358.degree. forming a weakened cylindrical band around most of the outer skirt. A narrow strip connecting the upper portion of the skirt to the lower portion is left between the incompleted arc. At least one vertical score line extends downwardly from the lower circumferential score line to the bottom edge of the outer skirt. A tab is attached to the cylindrical band to provide a means whereby a person may grasp the tab between the fingers and tear the band from the cap. Two circumferential beads traverse the inside of the outer skirt with one bead being disposed above the upper score line and one bead below it.

Abstract: A solid substance is cleaned by a vapor cleaning method. In the method, a cleaning vessel which is opened to the atmosphere at its top is used. A hazardous solvent is vaporized at the bottom of the vessel and cooling coils within the vessel condense the vapors as they travel upwardly to the open top. The solid substance to be cleaned is placed in a zone where the vapors are condensing. The invention resides in blanketing the top of the condensing vapors with an inert gas which is less hazardous than the volatile solvent thereby forming a buffer layer between the atmosphere and the solvent. The gas has a density at the conditions existent within the buffer layer which is greater than the density of air at ambient conditions, and has a boiling point below the boiling point of the solvent.

Abstract: An improved gate stop is disclosed comprising a flat plate having a forward first section, a central second section, and a rear third section. A narrow slit is cut through the plate following a path beginning at the junction of the second and third sections near the lower boundary of the plate, extending toward the first section, then upwardly toward the upper boundary of the plate, and then toward the third section, and terminating at the junction of the second and said third sections near the upper boundary of the plate. This slit defines the border of a flap which projects outwardly when the third section is bent perpendicular to the second section.