Abstract: An electron beam processor with an energy storage line and matched field emission diode that define a high energy electron beam generator. A transport system positions a specimen to be thermally processed in a processing station. Energy stored on the line is discharged through the diode and the resulting high energy beam impacts upon the specimen for thermally processing selected regions thereof.

Abstract: Devices and processes are provided for intermittently exploding smoke charges in such a way as to extract thermal energy cheaply and efficiently for various applications.

Abstract: A procedure and arrangement for sanitarily housing livestock is described. The procedure is characterized in separating animal waste as soon as it impacts on a floor covering into its liquid and solid constituents. The liquid constituents are continuously drained off the floor covering by gravity. The solid constituents are accumulated on the covering and are, together with the floor covering, periodically removed. The arrangement is made up of a frame, including a support and a drain channel. A flexible sheet is designed to rest on the support. A portion of the support and the sheet slopingly connects with the drain channel.

Abstract: An adapter is provided for use in venting a coal or wood burning stove through the flue of a fireplace. The adapter includes a fireproof board and a metal pressure plate, each formed with a central opening to receive the exhaust end of stove pipe from the stove. The board and plate are fitted into the fireplace flue and held there by means of a pair of longitudinally adjustable legs, the lower ends of which press against the floor of the fireplace. The pressure plate is provided with studs to receive the upper ends of the legs and tabs are provided on the plate at the sides of the stove pipe hole for fastening with the stove pipe.

Abstract: Printed circuits are produced by an additive technique wherein a metal-loaded resinous ink is first printed on the board, the circuit next being covered with a conductive metal powder while the ink is still wet. The powder is then pressed into the ink and the circuit cured. Next, a solder stratum is alloyed with the powder as by a solder paste printed over the circuit and the board heated to cause the solder to alloy with the ink an powder substrates. A solder resist may then be applied selectively over the circuit and multiple layers of circuits may be built up on the board. The conductive ink is an epoxy resin loaded with a metallic powder, preferably copper, with a catalyst added to the ink. The solder paste is a lead-tin alloy containing antimony suspended in a binder and a flux.The apparatus employed to carry out the procedure includes silk screens and a roller arrangement for pressing the metallic powder into the ink. The press includes a plurality of progressively harder rollers.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for buff blanching peanuts. The machine is adapted to remove the dark outer skin of shelled peanuts and, at the same time, produce a textured finish on the surface of the nuts to enhance the adhesion of an applied coating such as chocolate or the like. The buff blancher includes a pair of driven parallel rollers having abrasive surfaces and mounted in closely spaced parallel relation with one roller being offset above a lower roller. The rollers are mounted in a housing into one end of which peanuts are delivered for movement along and against the two rollers and discharged at the other end of the housing. The housing may be raised at the feed end in order to provide an incline for the flow of nuts and may be tilted about its longitudinal axis to control the degree of buffing action between the peanuts and the rollers.

Abstract: A wide field of view goggle system with a pair of viewing channels that are mounted on a platform and are constrained for relative lateral and angular movement. Control mechanisms are provided for adjustment of the interpupillary distance between the channels and the angular position of the channels relative to one another. An instantaneous wide field of view is provided by relative angular orientation of the viewing channels in a common, overlapping field of view.

Abstract: A binding is provided for use primarily on cross-country skis, which binding is adapted to selectively control the boot with respect to the ski and allow the boot and ski to function in one of the several different modes. Attached to the heel of the boot is a plate that is formed with a rearwardly facing vertical groove and indent located along the groove. Mounted directly behind the boot on top of the ski is a multi-position mechanism having a plunger adapted to engage, partially engage or fully disengage the plate on the boot. Thus, by appropriately positioning the plunger, the boot may be held immobile against the ski, allowed to move only vertically at the heel or to be entirely free and clear at the heel.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for making a permanent mark on a hard surface such as glass or the like primarily for identification purposes. A hand held gun connected to a source of compressed air is adapted to drive a stream of abrasive particles towards a stenciling head on the marking end of the gun, which is held against the surface to be marked. The head carries interchangeable stencils located in the path of the stream of abrasive particles when the gun is actuated. When the stencil head of the gun is held flat against the surface which is to be marked and the gun actuated, the stencil indicia will be formed on the surface by the action of the abrasive particles abrading and etching the surface through the stencil openings. The stencil elements are formed by photo engraving techniques to produce sharp, precise characters and the elements themselves fit snugly together when assembled to prevent leakage between adjacent elements.

Abstract: The properties of nonwoven glass fiber and nonwoven polymer fiber are combined efficaciously in a composite web that comprises two component webs of particular composition. One of the component webs is formed by screen casting, squeezing, and drying an aqueous dispersion of glass fiber, thermoplastic fiber, and a hydrophilic polymer so that temporary adhesion bonding occurs. The other of the component webs is formed by orienting textile polymer fiber and thermoplastic fiber so that temporary matting occurs. The composite web is formed by superposing and calendering the component webs under heat and pressure so that fusion bonding of the thermoplastic fiber occurs within each and between both of the component webs. As a result, the glass fiber and textile fiber are predeterminedly locked and the properties of both are predeterminedly available.

Abstract: Alloys having compositions similar to commercial tool steels, but modified by the addition of 0.1 to 1.5 wt. % boron are disclosed. The alloys are subjected to a rapid solidification processing (RSP) technique, producing cooling rates between 10.sup.5 -10.sup.7 .degree.C./sec. The as-quenched RSP ribbon or powder, etc. consists essentially of a single phase with a body centered cubic structure. After selected heat treatments, the rapidly solidified alloys have a microstructure consisting of ultrafine metallic carbides and metallic borides dispersed in an iron rich matrix and thus have high hardness, wear resistance and high-temperature stability. These final structures have improved properties for applications, e.g., where standard high speed tool steels are now utilized.

Abstract: The present invention features essentially only two relatively movable components, of which an outer sheath provides a forwardly curved path, a flexible mouth and a forwardly extending reference foot, and an inner flexible shaft has a forward element, which serves to open the mouth and to collect a mucus specimen when the flexible shaft moves forwardly and which serves to protect the mucus specimen and to close the mouth when the flexible shaft moves rearwardly.A probe is provided for inserting a test element into the vaginal cavity while shielding it from intermediate vaginal contact, for positioning the test element precisely in contact with the cervical os in order to collect a specimen of cervical material therefrom, and for retrieving the test element and the specimen from the vaginal cavity while shielding them from intermediate vaginal contact.

Abstract: A condenser and transducer assemblage, within a gas filled protective enclosure, receives and processes a substantial proportion of mid and far infrared radiation from a subject in order to produce selected physiologic responses as a result of radiant cooling.

Abstract: Shelled nuts, particularly peanuts, are blanched by depositing the nuts in a stream onto the surface of a horizontal, rotating table. Relatively fixed baffles or vanes having abrasive working faces are positioned slightly above the upper surface of the rotating table and extend generally from the periphery of the table to a point offset from the center thereof, whereby nuts deposited near the outer portion of the table will be carried against the abrasive face of each vane and spin inwardly towards the center of the table as they are being blanched. The center of the table is formed with a well opening into which the blanched nuts are dropped and then fed onto a conveyor by an inclined trough for subsequent handling such as roasting, packaging or the like. The vanes may be curved or straight and may be adjustable to control the blanching action as well as the blanching time.

Abstract: A system is provided for heating a building with solar energy by means of solar panels provided with hydronic sub-loops which connect with radiators separately heated by a furnace. Each hydronic sub-loop serves to supplement heat from the furnace and, while an integral part of each radiator, nevertheless is separate from the furnace system, and provides heat exchanging action therebetween. Separate circulating pumps, valves and control means are disclosed for operation in conjunction with a furnace and radiator circulating system.

Abstract: A transparent, flexible curtain with spaced access slits is provided for installation across the opening of display-type, open front and open top coolers, freezers and the like of the sort used in retail food stores. The curtain is comprised of a rectangular sheet of flexible, transparent material secured at one end to the top or rear edge of the cooler cabinet and extending across the cabinet opening. The curtain is formed with a plurality of spaced parallel slits, all extending in the same direction and all originating and terminating within the margins of the sheet. The curtain retains cold air within the refrigerator and allows the food products to be clearly visible to the customer. Goods are removed by the customer reaching through any slit near the product selected. The forward or lower edge of the curtain is weighted in sections to keep the curtain taut across the opening and to allow it to be folded back for loading food into the cooler.

Abstract: A handle is provided for use with an Allen wrench by means of which leverage and grip on the wrench is improved and protection is provided in the event that the wrench should break during use. The handle is comprised of an elongated shank portion having an axial passage therein to receive the long end of the wrench. A head is provided at the end of the shank portion and formed with a recess perpendicular to and open to the shank passage to receive the short end of the wrench. Releasable retaining means are provided to hold the end of the wrench within the handle during operation thereof.

Abstract: A flue system, for adapting a masonry chimney to a wood burning stove, comprises a flexible flue pipe extending from the wood burning stove upwardly through the convolutions of the chimney, and, at the top of the chimney, a control assemblage including a lower anchor plate, an upper rain cover, and extending therebetween a control pipe of particular size and construction. The control pipe has an inner shell composed of stainless steel, an outer shell also composed of a metal, and an interposed insulator. The control pipe is of the correct length and diameter to be heated by the flue gas to a temperature at which creosote condensation at the top of the chimney is minimized or prevented.

Abstract: An electron beam processor with an energy storage line and matched field emission diode that define a high energy electron beam generator. A transport system positions a specimen to be thermally processed in a processing station. Energy stored on the line is discharged through the diode and the resulting high energy beam impacts upon the specimen for thermally processing selected regions thereof. A tubular capacitor is disclosed for use in the processor. The capacitor (electrical energy store) has a shape so that it can be secured in coaxially in a pressure vessel. An outer electrode of the capacitor can include a mesh screen.