Abstract: A method for making water-soluble potassium formate substantially free of water-insoluble salts selectively and in high yield at temperatures at or below about 100.degree. C., includes contacting potassium sulfate, potassium carbonate or a mixture of potassium and sodium carbonate and potassium and sodium sulfate with calcium formate, forming water-soluble potassium formate and water-insoluble calcium sulfate, calcium carbonate, or mixtures thereof, thus permitting recovery of substantially potassium-free calcium sulfate, calcium carbonate or both, and substantially calcium sulfate-free calcium carbonate-free potassium formate from the aqueous media.

Abstract: In a water mattress, a series of interior bags or bladders are individually attached to the top and bottom layers in order to damp the movement of water. Each bag or bladder comprises a pair of disks or layers peripherally heat sealed together. Each of the layers of each of the bags or bladders are welded to the respective layers of the waterbed mattress, there being indentations on the inside of the bag or bladder layers, the outside of the mattress layers being substantially free of indentations, there being a bead formed between the welded layers which bead is extruded primarily from the bag or bladder layers.

Abstract: A diazo microfilm which is resistant to fading upon exposure to strong light for extended periods of time is provided. The fade-resistant diazo microfilm is produced by saponifying a cellulose alkanoate film to an extent defined by certain infrared absorption parameters.

Abstract: Methods for making mixtures of hydrocarbons including at least about 85% methane include hydrolyzing at least one metal pseudo-carbide that includes at least one metastable carbide-forming metal element and at least one stable carbide-forming metal element to release methane and the metals, then reforming the pseudo-carbides by reacting the recovered metals with a carbon source such as coal.

Abstract: A character display system which generates analog signals to write sequentially specified strokes forming a character on a display device is described. The character strokes are stored as digital words in a Read Only Memory (ROM) and are sequentially read out in response to instructions to write a specified character. The ROM also contains address words that specify a group of words elsewhere in the ROM that together constitute the instructions for writing the character designated. The address words include fields controlling incrementing within the addressed word group, movement on the display device to a new character space, and positioning of the character space on that display device. Each word in a character word group includes fields representing the X- and Y-end points of the stroke signal, the slope of the X- and Y-components, the blanking and unblanking of the stroke signal, and, in some cases, a pause in movement where a change in slope occurs during execution of a single word.

Abstract: An alarm system includes: (1) a central station having power generating means and alarm registering means, and (2) a plurality of alarm-producing systems in locations remote from the central system, each electrically connected to the central station through a single pair of conductors, and each including circuitry for producing up to eight separate alarm conditions as the power generating means alternately impresses a first predetermined DC voltage on each pair of conductors simultaneously, then interrupts voltage to all conductors simultaneously, impresses a second predetermined DC voltage only on the first of each pair of conductors simultaneously, and again interrupts voltage to all conductors simultaneously.

Abstract: An injection device especially useful in the injection of radio-opaque fluids into humans and animals under continuous pressure includes a pair of blocks mounted side-by-side on a planar base that is supported by legs mounted below the base near its corners. Each block includes a syringe holding passage flanked by a pair of passages shaped to receive rods joined to a weight of predetermined size. The syringe holding passage is narrowed at the bottom to preclude passage of the syringe completely therethrough, but has an opening sufficiently large to permit passage of a needle or a catheter and needle joined to the discharge end of the syringe.A slot extends from the outer surface of each block into the syringe holding passage in that block and extends along the length of the passage and through the base means to permit means joined to the discharge end of the syringe to pass through the block and the base from above the base.

Abstract: A process for recovering mineral values from fly ash in commercial quantities comprising forming an alkaline aqueous fly ash blend, filtering the alkaline aqueous fly ash blend and recovering a solids blend therefrom, leaching the solids blend with hydrochloric or hydrofluoric acid to form dissolved chloride or fluoride salts of iron, aluminum and other metals, electrolyzing the dissolved chloride or fluoride salt solution to plate out at least iron, and, optionally, one or more other metals, recovering silicon dioxide as a precipitate from the leaching solution, and recovering the leaching solution free of silicon dioxide. Neutralizing the leaching solution in a certain pH range permits precipitation and recovery of aluminum hydroxide as a solid. The hydroxide may then be converted to alum or alumina by conventional methods.

Abstract: An electrical insect killing apparatus includes a killing unit having a light source for attracting insects surrounded at least in part by electrodes for electrocuting such insects, and a perforate enclosure for the killing unit detachably joined at one end to a switch housing a light source having a removable cover and housing a switch for interrupting the flow of electricity to the killing unit. The cover and the perforate enclosure co-act to close the switch when both are joined to the apparatus. However, detachment of either from the apparatus opens the switch.

Abstract: A phonetics system for the English language includes a plurality of tiles that provide a progressive, systematic approach to learning the sounds of English words by associating vowels associated with the sounds of vowels alone, vowels in digraphs, vowels in diphthongs, vowels in vowel/consonant combinations, vowels in vowel combinations and vowels in vowel patterns with colors that uniquely identify each of these vowel sounds as they commonly occur in English words.

Abstract: A composition useful as a developer for high-contrast, extremely fine and microfine grain silver halide-containing emulsions comprises at least one 3-pyrazolidone compound, at least one hydroxybenzene compound, and p-methylaminophenol sulfate, at least one accelerator and at least one alkaline preservative. This composition is a semi-compensating, low contrast, fine grain, developer for producing normal contrast photographic negatives from exposed film emulsions generally considered to be capable of reproducing only black or white with repression of almost all gray tones found in normal tone-graduated subjects.

Abstract: Carpeting especially suitable for use in areas subjected to heavy wear or abrasive weather includes a plurality of cured, rubber-based strips with filaments embedded in and projecting upwardly from them forming a pile on their upper surfaces. The strips lie side-to-side, and each is bonded along its bottom surface only to a vulcanized, rubber-based sheet that does not project substantially into the spaces between the elements. Apparatus and a method for making the carpeting are also disclosed.

Abstract: A linearly displaceable poppet controls the flow of fluid through a valve. The poppet has an external annular channel to communicate an inlet and an outlet port of the valve. Abutting poppet sleeves define a dovetailed groove of restricted volume, the sides of which extrude a Teflon O-ring into the path of a shoulder of the wall defining the channel to close the valve. The extruded section is on the high pressure side of the poppet and is backed by the shoulder and an adjacent poppet sleeve. The seat and seal thus defined are spaced from the channel outlet to the outlet port to avoid erosion from throttling.

Abstract: A process for the removal and recovery of acidic gas(es) from a gaseous mixture comprising electrolysis of a chloride salt to produce an aqueous metal hydroxide solution, hydrogen and chlorine. The metal hydroxide solution is used to absorb acidic gas from the gaseous mixture and to form an aqueous metal salt. The hydrogen and chlorine are reacted to produce hydrochloric acid, which is used to decompose the aqueous metal salt to produce an aqueous chloride salt and acidic gas. Following separation, the aqueous chloride salt may be electrolyzed again.

Abstract: A locking device includes a base having openings therein for joining the base to a first surface, such as the surface of the door, and a cover hinged to the base plate by a solid bar passing through apertures in flanges near the upper end of the base plate and cover. This solid bar is sufficiently long to engage an opening in a second surface, such as a door jamb. Joined to and extending laterally from the solid bar is a second bar that lies between the flanges of the cover plate, thus confining the second bar to the space between them, and preventing removal of the solid bar from the device. Projecting from the inner surface of the plate and from the inner surface of the cover are lock-receiving flanges having apertures which lie proximate one another when the cover plate is closed against the base. The apertures in these lock-receiving flanges lie at least partly in the same plane, permitting the hasp of a padlock to pass through both, thus locking the cover to the base plate.

Abstract: A perishable product is enclosed within a flexible bag and the air is evacuated from the bag to a predetermined pressure below atmospheric pressure. A predetermined volume of a gas is then introduced into the bag.

Abstract: A lockable zipper closure includes at least one slider with a pulling tab that has an opening therein, and means such as a T-shaped column for locking the zipper in the closed position, that is movable from a position in which the column may pass through the opening to a position in which the column will not pass through the opening, and means for locking the column in the position where the column cannot pass through the opening.

Abstract: A hydraulic pump particularly suited for the extracorporal circulation of blood, having a readily replaceable and disposable pumping member is disclosed. The pump avoids injury to the blood cells and creates a minimum of turbulence during the pumping operation, thus limiting the buildup of fibrin.