Abstract: This invention relates to the production of a unique class of granular graphitic carbon materials containing metallic elements dispersed throughout the graphitic structure. More specifically, the unique class of products contain elements that enhance the controlled nucleation of dissolved carbon during the solidification of molten cast irons and are of particular value in the manufacture of quality iron castings. Moreover, the chemical form of the selected metallic elements and their high degree of dissemination within and throughout a graphitic carbon structure has been shown to provide special properties that increase the controlled nucleating or "inoculating" ability of the products of this invention over that obtained by use of the components added individually or in a simple mixture to molten cast iron.

Abstract: A self-contained, decorative ice bowl freezing apparatus, including a bowl mold for containing the water to be frozen into the ice bowl; air circulation means disposed within the bowl mold for supplying a stream of air to the freezing water to slow the freezing thereof to provide ice in greater clarity; support means for the air circulation means; a freezer tank containing a refrigerant liquid into which the bowl mold is disposed and held at a selected level; and refrigerant liquid circulation means disposed within the freezer tank for continuously circulating the refrigerant liquid to prevent stratification of temperature levels within the refrigerant liquid, whereby uniformity of freezing of the water in the bowl mold is enhanced.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a reaction product of silica sand and of particulate carbonaceous material to form, silicon carbide on the surface of the carbonaceous particles and within the pores thereof, with the silicon carbide ultra-microcrystallites having a diameter of approximately 500 Angstroms and the composition comprising approximately 60% silicon carbide. The present invention is further directed to the process by which the ultra-microcrystallite silicon carbide product is made. In other preferred embodiments the ultra-microcrystallites of silicon carbide may be separated from the carbonaceous material by heat or physical methods to form a substantially pure ultra-microcrystallite silicon carbide product.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an improved peanut seed meter including a peanut hopper bottom having an outer disposed ring for engaging the seed hopper, and an inner disposed dome to define a peanut seed feeding space there-between. The hopper bottom and the dome are connected by a seed drop cover, defining a volume thereunder. A floor plate is disposed beneath the peanut hopper bottom and includes a seed drop aperture thereon. A generally truncated cone-shaped rotating seed plate is disposed above the floor plate and has means thereon for receiving individual seeds. A generally half crescent-shaped taper gate extends from the seed drop cover and around the dome for gating off a portion of the peanut seeds from those being rotationally carried by the rotating seed plate, and to permit a second portion of the peanut seeds to pass therebeneath to the seed drop aperture of the floor plate for planting.

Abstract: The adjustable width luggage carrier of the present invention is an apparatus for supporting and towably carrying luggage of various different widths, which apparatus comprises front and rear assemblies, each of which includes an axle collar tube telescopingly engaging and interconnecting a pair of wheel axles which have wheels disposed at the distal ends thereof. The front assembly includes a slot holding means thereon which engages the slots of a pair of yoke members that overlap to form a towing yoke. The overlapped yoke members include a plurality of adjustably overlappable apertures for adjusting the width of the towing yoke member.

Abstract: One aspect of the present invention relates to methods for the continuous production of silicon carbide and other carbide and refractory products by fluidized bed techniques, the apparatus for such continuous production, and the carbide products produced therefrom being further aspects of the present invention.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a reaction product of silica sand and of particulate carbonaceous material to form, silicon carbide on the surface of the carbonaceous particles and within the pores thereof, with the silicon carbide ultra-microcrystallites having a diameter of approximately 500 Angstroms and the composition comprising approximately 60% silicon carbide. The present invention is further directed to the process by which the ultra-microcrystallite silicon carbide product is made. In other preferred embodiments the ultra-microcrystallites of silicon carbide may be separated from the carbonaceous material by heat or physical methods to form a substantially pure ultra-microcrystallite silicon carbide product.

Abstract: A package is disclosed for containing a commestible and includes an integrally formed plastic base member and an integrally formed plastic top member. The base member includes a centrally disposed commestible receptical defined by a commestible supporting bottom portion and side wall portions extending substantially perpendicularly therefrom, with the side wall portions being bounded by an upwardly projecting engagement lip. The side wall portions have on oppositely disposed sides side wall peak portions having a greater height, and normally thereto side wall valley areas having a lesser height. Extending substantially horizontally from the lip is a lip re-enforcement flange. The integrally formed top member includes a centrally disposed commestible containing portion bounded by structures which matingly engage with those of the base member to enclose the commestible.

Abstract: A package is disclosed for containing a commestible and includes an integrally formed plastic base member and an integrally formed plastic top member. The base member includes a centrally disposed commestible receptical defined by a commestible supporting bottom portion and side wall portions extending substantially perpendicularly therefrom, with the side wall portions being bounded by an upwardly projecting engagement lip. The side wall portions have on oppositely disposed sides side wall peak portions having a greater height, and normally thereto side wall valley areas having a lesser height. Extending substantially horizontally from the lip is a lip re-enforcement flange. The integrally formed top member includes a centrally disposed commestible containing portion bounded by structures which matingly engage with those of the base member to enclose the commestible.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an orthopedic traction device comprising a plurality of pressure plates for disposition intermittently disposed in spaced array about a selected anatomical portion for effecting traction. The pressure plates are spanned by at least one pressure strap such that intervening areas of the anatomical portion are not placed under pressure to retain circulation downstream thereof. A pivotably adjustable traction securement means is attached to the pressure plate on either side of the anatomical portion to permit adjustment of the angle of traction, thereby to vary the longitudinal distribution of the inwardly directed pressure on the pressure plates for adjusting the direction of the traction.The scope of use of the circulo-segmental spanning, traction and holding apparatus of the present invention is not confined to traction only, but may also be applied for other purposes including, inter alia, tortion, rotation, counterpull, or other anatomical movements.

Abstract: One aspect of the present invention concerns an improved process for the electrolytic reduction of a metal from a metal compound and comprises the steps of providing a carbon cathode within a container, dissolving the metal compound in a molten salt electrolyte solvent bath which is disposed within the container, the molten electrolyte bath having a higher decomposition potential than the metal compound and having a lesser density than the reduced molten metal, and continuously providing a particulate, free-flowing, high purity, and highly conductive carbon material to the molten bath to serve as the anode, the particulate carbon material having a lesser density than the molten bath, placing an electrical connection in contact with the particulate carbon anode material and applying an electric current thereto, and collecting reduced metal at the cathode.

Abstract: The label indexing and applicator apparatus of the present invention includes laminating means for bonding labels in a controlled index from a rolled strip of flexible and stretchable label stock to a surface of a substrate to form a laminate. The apparatus includes means for unrolling the strip label stock at a tension less than the tension sufficient to impart any substantial longitudinal stretch thereto. Electric motor brake means are connected to and drive one of the nip rollers to grippingly drive the strip label stock therethrough at a controlled linear speed which is less than the pulling speed thereby to effect tension sufficient to impart a longitudinal stretch of controlled magnitude on the strip label stock. Control means are connected to the sensor means and the electric motor brake for receiving detection signals and for controlling and varying the drive speed of the electric motor brake.

Abstract: An improved hypocyclic drive transmission which is utilized especially in applications where high gear reductions and high torque output are required, and without limitation may be utilized in connection with specific applications such as self-propelled, wheel-driven apparatus, including irrigation systems, mowers, and heavy, earth moving equipment and/or fertilizer units, which devices may be powered by any power source, including for example a hydrostatic or electric drive.

Abstract: An improved method of making and filling a package for containing a slab of sliced commestible product disposed in overlapping array, the package including a backing board having rounded and upwardly disposed corners with a smooth radius and lateral edges all of which are covered by the overlapping array of sliced commestible, and a film of transparent flexible material snugly enclosing the backing board and the overlapping array of sliced commestible product with the overlapping array of sliced commestible product interveningly cooperating with the lateral edges and rounded corners of the backing board to prevent puncturing of the film by the lateral edges and upwardly extending rounded corners of the backing board.

Abstract: The present invention comprises an improved ceramic gate valve having within the valve housing a ceramic valve gate, which is surrounded by a peripherally disposed compression band for providing strength thereto, and which is engaged by a pair of ceramic valve seats, which are in turn urged inwardly for such engagement by ceramic springs. The ceramic springs comprise a plurality of plates of ceramic material separated by spacers which are disposed in a staggered array to form the ceramic spring.

Abstract: The method of bonding a pocket blank to a garment portion of the present invention comprises the steps of providing a pocket blank at a first station. The pocket blank is conveyed to a second station. The bottom and side margin tabs of the pocket blank are folded over the pocket body. Heat and pressure are utilized to apply a strip of heat fusing adhesive to a top margin tab of the pocket blank. Heat and pressure are also applied to the folded over side and bottom margin tabs to crease the same. Next, the top margin tab bearing the adhesive is folded over and heat and pressure are applied to bond the same to the pocket body. Heat and pressure are applied to fuse strips of the heat fusing adhesive to the side and bottom margin tabs of the pocket blank. The prepared pocket blank is then conveyed along the path of travel to a third station where an overlaid garment portion is heat and pressure bonded to the prepared pocket blank.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved nozzle mixing line burner for automatically increasing available oxygen for combustion as the fuel gas flow rate increases. This improved nozzle mixing line burner includes a pair of fuel gas manifolds, each of which has a row of gas discharge ports discharging laterally and toward the opposite manifold to provide streams of fuel gas. An orifice plate extends between the fuel gas manifolds and includes a plurality of rows of air orifices extending along the line of the burner, with the air orifices closest to the gas manifolds being relatively smaller in size and the more internally disposed rows of air orifices increasing in orifice size toward the middle of the orifice plate, to increase the available air supply proportionately as the velocity of the fuel gas flow increases.

Abstract: The method of bonding a pocket blank to a garment portion of the present invention comprises the steps of providing a pocket blank at a first station. The pocket blank is conveyed to a second station. The bottom and side margin tabs of the pocket blank are folded over the pocket body. Heat and pressure are utilized to apply a strip of heat fusing adhesive to a top margin tab of the pocket blank. Heat and pressure are also applied to the folded over side and bottom margin tabs to crease the same. Next, the top margin tab bearing the adhesive is folded over and heat and pressure are applied to bond the same to the pocket body. Heat and pressure are applied to fuse strips of the heat fusing adhesive to the side and bottom margin tabs of the pocket blank. The prepared pocket blank is then conveyed along the path of travel to a third station where an overlaid garment portion is heat and pressure bonded to the prepared pocket blank.

Abstract: The improved automatic ripper reset mechanism of the present invention includes a punch fixedly disposed on the distal free end of a ripper blade head for downward arcuate motion in response to the ripper blade striking an obstruction, a die having a matching contour surface, an incrementally fed shear bar disposed opposite the punch for fixed engagement between the punch and the die when the reset apparatus is in ripping functional position, and to be sheared off when the reset mechanism is sprung, a reset mechanism frame supporting a spring loaded push block means for incrementally advancing the shear bar, brake means for preventing expulsion of the shear bar from the frame by the push block means when the reset mechanism is in sprung position, and torque storage means for receiving torque during the springing of the reset mechanism by means of striking an obstruction and for retransmitting the stored torque to reset the mechanism.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for automatically maintaining rechargeable batteries at maximum capacity and includes the steps of detecting the presence of a battery, deep discharging the battery to a predetermined level above cell reversal, recharging the battery to its rated capacity, discharging the battery at a controlled rate while measuring battery output voltage and determining whether its capacity is above or below a selected minimum, deep discharging and recharging if the battery is below the selected minimum until reversible memory effects are removed, providing a positive indication of battery failure, maintaining the full battery capacity by trickle charging, and periodically repeating the above steps to avoid onset of battery memory.