Abstract: A method for disinfecting and purifying tap water and untreated water using a composite, bactericidal adsorption material as a filter. The method provides efficient and reliable disinfection, with simultaneous purification of water from heavy metal ions and organic matter and improvement of taste and odor. Water is filtered through a composite material containing granules of iodinated anion-exchange resin, granulated activated carbon and silver containing adsorbent, all uniformly distributed between amphoteric fibers. The exterior surface area of the iodine containing anion-exchange resin granules is not more than 1% of the exterior surface area of the amphoteric fibers, and the equivalent content of silver exceeds the equivalent content of iodine.

Abstract: The present process provides improved means for adsorbing components and for regeneration of a composite adsorption carbon material (CRAC) used for effecting the desired separation using an electrochemical process under conditions wherein the specific volumetric electric conductivity of the CRAC differs from that of the electrolyte employed by not more than one order of magnitude, a specific current density of at least 0.01 ampere per gram of CRAC is employed, and a high degree of regeneration of CRAC from polar and non-polar substances and heavy metal ions is obtained, as well as improved adsorption.

Abstract: The invention is directed to purification of liquids, such as drinking water using filters, wherein filtration is effected while the liquid flows upwardly. The invention includes both the method and a device enabling the method to be carried out. The device is constructed to intake impure liquid at the bottom of the filter and initially to effect flow by filling liquid to above the filter outlet near the top, and maintaining flow thereafter by virtue of the presence of a low internal pressure that develops as the liquid passes through the system.

Abstract: A composite adsorbent element comprising a packed mixture of granules and fibers, which are desirably granular activated carbon (GAC) and activated carbon fiber (ACF). The element is employed as a filter for purifying tap water. In the composite adsorbent element the activated carbon fibers fill the spaces between the activated carbon granules. The size and relative amounts of the GAC and ACF are designed to enable water treatment to remove impurities from water more rapidly than conventional filters using granular activated carbon. Furthermore, when there are significant time intervals between filtration, a packed mixture of granular activated carbon and activated carbon fibers made in accordance with the invention shows an improved ability to rejuvenate its adsorption capabilities in the time intervals between filtrations.

Abstract: A composite adsorbent element comprising a packed mixture of granules and fibers, which are desirably granular activated carbon (GAC) and activated carbon fiber (ACF). The element is employed as a filter for purifying tap water. In the composite adsorbent element the activated carbon fibers fill the spaces between the activated carbon granules. The size and relative amounts of the GAC and ACF are designed to enable water treatment to remove impurities from water more rapidly than conventional filters using granular activated carbon.

Abstract: An improved high rate alkaline cell is obtained by employing an anode current collector comprising a foraminous metal.

Abstract: A method for the production of slurries which are uniform in density and consistency. In particular, a method for preparing zinc anode slurries employed in producing anodes for alkaline batteries. The method comprises a bag slurry forming process, using a drum mixer, involving mixing dry anode components within a sealed, inplated, gas-tight, liquid impervious, flexible, collapsible bag; and, then adding a wet component to the bag, collapsing said bag, and tumbling-kneading the components to form a blended slurry.

Abstract: A label for an electrochemical cell with a condition tester for the cell integrated with the label to form a label/tester composite is disclosed. The label/tester composite comprises a thermochromic coating in thermal contact with an electrically conductive coating. The label/tester composite is preferably constructed by applying an adhesive to the inside surface of a heat shrinkable base film forming part of the label. A substructure containing a cured conductive coating and preferably also a thermochromic coating is formed on a releasable web. The substructure is transferred from the releasable web to the inside surface of the heat shrinkable base film and in contact with a portion of the adhesive on the base film. A patterned partition insulating coating is then applied over the transferred conductive coating. The label/tester composite is applied to the cell housing. The integrated tester may be manually activated by depressing one or two regions on the surface of the composite.

Abstract: A thermochromic apparatus for testing dc voltage sources, particularly small, low voltage disposable batteries, employs a very thin resistive heater layer deposited onto a flexible dielectric substrate. A series of thermochromic elements are "stacked" (mounted on top of one another) at a single thermochromic site proximate the resistive heater. During testing current from the battery flows through the resistive layer heats the substrate, causing a series of thermochromic elements mounted on the substrate to undergo visual "temperature events" (such as color changes) at progressively higher temperatures. The thermochromics may be stacked in a series of discrete films, each film containing a dye for one temperature event. Alternatively, the thermochromics may be contained in microcapsules in a common film.

Abstract: A package for a battery or other article, comprising a sheet of material bent or folded along a plurality of substantially parallel fold lines (21, 22, 25, 26) to define an upwardly extending substantially flat panel region (15), an upper end locating region (11) extending forwardly from the lower extremity of the said panel region, a first limb (3) extending obliquely downwardly and rearwardly from the forward extremity of the end locating region, a second limb (5) extending obliquely forwardly and downwardly and defining with the first limb a V-section channel region, a lower end locating region (13) extending rearwardly from the lower limb, and a rear panel region (17) extending upwardly from the rear extremity of the lower end locating region and secured to the first mentioned panel region (15).

Abstract: A system for bonding a condition indicator to an electrochemical cell is disclosed. The system employs an electrically conductive adhesive which bonds the indicator to a terminal of the cell. The terminal contact surface for the adhesive is desirably of tin. The adhesive contains metallic flakes and is preferably a thermally activated polyesterpolyurethane adhesive or a thermosetting adhesive containing acrylate monomers.

Abstract: The invention relates to the manufacture of manganese dioxide by a chemical process. The resulting product takes the form of gamma manganese dioxide particles characterized by filament-like protrusions of ramsdellite manganese dioxide jutting out from the surface of the particles. The manganese dioxide particles having such features can be manufactured by reacting manganese sulfate with sodium peroxodisulfate in an aqueous solution. The process can be controlled to yield high density manganese dioxide. The manganese dioxide formed in the process can be deposited directly onto the surface of electrolytic manganese dioxide (EMD). The manganese dioxide product is particularly suitable for use as a cathode active material in electrochemical cells.

Abstract: The invention relates to alkaline cells containing manganese dioxide cathode active material. A substance selected from the group of compounds CaWO.sub.4, MgTiO.sub.3, BaTiO.sub.3, CaTiO.sub.3, ZnMn.sub.2 O.sub.4, and Bi.sub.12 TiO.sub.20 is added to the cathode of conventional alkaline cells typically having an anode comprising zinc and cathode comprising manganese dioxide and an alkaline electrolyte. The additive increases the service life of the cell.

Abstract: A metal support disk for an electrochemical cell seal exerts a resilient outward radial force against the seal to maintain seal integrity over a wide range of operating temperature and, at the same time, exerts an upward force against the bottom of the metal end cap terminal of the cell to assure electrical contact between the anode inside the cell and the terminal. The disk includes a central, circular platform connected to an outer, sealing edge sealing flange by an annular flexure means which permits radially inward and outward movement of the sealing edge when the end of the cell is radially crimped during the sealing process. The crimping also moves the central portion of the disk up which results in the upward force being exerted against the end terminal. The flexure means is a sequential series of three annular, curved fibs with the first and third curved downward and the second curved upward.

Abstract: The invention relates to alkaline cells containing manganese dioxide cathode active material. A substance selected from the group of compounds Bi.sub.2 O.sub.3, PbO.sub.2, SnO.sub.2, Co.sub.3 O.sub.4, CoO, Bi.sub.2 O.sub.3.3ZrO.sub.3 and K.sub.2 Cr.sub.2 O.sub.7 is added to the cathode of conventional alkaline cells typically having an anode comprising zinc and cathode comprising manganese dioxide and an alkaline electrolyte. The additive increases the specific capacity (amp-hr/g) of the manganese dioxide in the cathode.

Abstract: Goods which come in different sizes, shapes, numbers, etc. are packed in assemblies which comprise a tray and a plurality of open-top box-like modules which sit snugly side-by-side in the tray. Each module is prepacked and contains only one size, shape etc. goods. At its destination the loaded assembly, usually along with other loaded assemblies, becomes the display package for the different size, shape, etc. goods. The method of the invention utilizes a lap-top computer working with a mainframe by which the order is placed and immediately gives pricing information. In the case of a custom or tailored order of different numbers of various sizes of goods, the computer is able to indicate whether the order will make up a complete shipment of packing assemblies, with the correct number of pre-filled modules to fill the trays with none left over.

Abstract: A thermochromic apparatus for testing dc voltage sources, particularly small, low voltage disposable batteries, employs a very thin resistive heater layer deposited onto a flexible dielectric substrate. A series of thermochromic elements are "stacked" (mounted on top of one another) at a single thermochromic site proximate the resistive heater. During testing current from the battery flows through the resistive layer heats the substrate, causing a series of thermochromic elements mounted on the substrate to undergo visual "temperature events" (such as color changes) at progressively higher temperatures. The thermochromics may be stacked in a series of discrete films, each film containing a dye for one temperature event. Alternatively, the thermochromics may be contained in microcapsules in a common film.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell having an on-cell tester for visually indicating the condition of the cell is provided with an electrically conductive metal ring pressed onto the negative terminal at the crimp seal end of the cell, to permit the tester lead to make an electrical contact with the negative terminal without shorting across the positive terminal of the cell. The ring has a cylindrical wall portion or gripping means which frictionally grips a corresponding mating cylindrical wall potion on the negative terminal and also has a flange portion adjacent the positive terminal. A layer of electrically insulating material disposed between the flange and positive terminal prevents electrical contact between the terminals. The tester lead is either permanently electrically connected to the ring or intermittently connected by the user, depending on the type of tester used.

Abstract: The invention relates to the manufacture of manganese dioxide by a chemical process. The resulting manganese dioxide product takes the form of particles characterized by filament-like protrusions jutting out from its surface. The manganese dioxide particles having such surface features can be manufactured by reacting manganese sulfate with sodium peroxodisulfate in an aqueous solution. The process can be controlled to yield high density manganese dioxide. The manganese dioxide formed in the process can be deposited directly onto the surface of electrolytic manganese dioxide (EMD). The manganese dioxide product is particularly suitable for use as a cathode active material in electrochemical cells.

Abstract: A positive displacement pump is disclosed having a pump body, a cylinder member rotatably accommodated within the pump body and a piston member within the cylinder member. At least a portion of the cylinder member is rotatable about the cylinder axis in step with the reciprocal motion of the piston relative to the cylinder. The rotatable portion of the cylinder has as least one flow port which communicates with the working volume of an intake or discharge port for material being pumped. The rotatable portion of the cylinder preferably has two flow ports, one which will communicate with the intake port and the other which will communicate with the discharge port.