Abstract: A device for forming decorative designs or other indicia on a malleable or deformable material. The device comprises a single, integral outer die having a pair of longitudinal grooves for extruding a bead or rim on the deformable material. The device further includes a series of independent inner die sections, releasably held within a passage in the outer die by means of bolts inserted through transverse openings in the outer die. Longitudinal outer surfaces or faces of the inner die sections include decorative patterns for extruding the designs or indicia on the material. The extrudable piece of material is positioned against the faces of the inner die sections and the grooves of the outer die. A pressurizing tool is then applied against the piece of material simultaneously forming the design patterns of the inner and outer dies on the malleable material.

Abstract: A rugged maneuverable articulate mine service vehicle includes a power unit and a utility formed from welded steel plate, which units are interconnected by an articulated joint having a pivot axis and an axis of rotation. Each of the units has a pair of drive wheels with each drive wheel being powered by its own hydraulic motor. The power wheels are directly secured to the respective units. A hydraulic crane is pviotally mounted on the utility unit with the mast of the crane in close proximity to the articulated joint connecting the utility unit to the power unit. Hydraulic steering cylinders are connected between one of the units and the articulated joint and cause relative rotation of one unit of the vehicle about the pivot axis of the joint with respect to the other to steer the vehicle. Hydraulic outriggers are located at opposite corners of the front of the utility unit.

Abstract: A container is provided having an improved sealing arrangement to prevent the entry of moisture into the container and the escape of moisture therefrom when it is used to hold a moisture-containing substance. The container includes a first and a second wall integrally joined together along their side and bottom margins while their top margins are separable to form an open container. The first and second walls include a lower portion to house an article and an upper portion to be wrapped into a spiral seal formation. A pair of vertically spaced, elongated closure strips extend laterally across and are secured to the inner surface of the upper portion of the first wall. A first flap member is connected along its edge to the outer surface of the first wall while a second flap member is connected along its edge to the outer surface of the second wall. The flap members include a plurality of snap members.

Abstract: A self-monitoring ion chamber type combustion products detection apparatus operable to generate perceptibly different output signals indicative of, respectively: the apparatus is being tested; the condition of the apparatus is normal; an alarm condition is detected; an apparatus malfunction is detected; and, a low power supply voltage is detected. The impedance of the ion chamber of the apparatus varies as a function of the degree of combustion products in the atmosphere being monitored and this change in impedance produces a variation in the output voltage of the ion chamber which is used by the apparatus to produce an alarm signal. In generating different output signals, the apparatus employs test, alarm, fault and low power supply reference voltages. An oscillator circuit is selectively driven by one or more substantially constant current sources to produce output pulses having predetermined frequencies which are utilized in producing at least some of the perceptibly different output signals.

Abstract: An improved tool for piercing the skin of an animal and inserting a loopless identification tag of the type having a base connected to an anchoring head by a narrow neck portion. The tool comprises a handle having a palm engaging portion for thrusting the tool through the animal's skin and further includes an integral pointed and sharpened skin piercing blade attached to the handle by a long narrow shank. A sliding element comprises a pair of generally parallel rods extending along opposite sides of the shank and joined at their forward ends by a yoke extending under and partially encircling the blade. The sliding element is movable from an extended position with the yoke encircling the blade to a retracted position in which the rods slide into the handle and the yoke is adjacent the forward end of the handle. To insert a tag, it is positioned with the ears of the anchoring head extending into variable length slots formed between the shank and the parallel rods.

Abstract: Copper is recovered from copper salts selected from the group consisting of copper chlorides, copper oxides and copper oxychlorides by reducing the finely divided solid copper salts with hydrogen under turbulent conditions at a temperature greater than the melting point of elemental copper.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for the two stage grinding of paper material with the controlled addition of dry and wet fire retardant chemicals to produce a desirable cellulose insulation material. The paper is first ground into coarse granules which are placed in a storage hopper and systematically fed by an auger into a fine grinder. At the same time that the cellulose material is introduced into the fine grinder, a controlled flow of dry fire retardant chemicals is continuously added and ground with the material. The resultant granular material is then transported by air in an upward direction where a solution of liquid fire retardant chemicals is sprayed in a concurrent direction with the flow so as to wet and saturate the cellulose material producing a fire retardant product. The wetted material, because of its adhering qualities, is directed through a corrugated flexible pipe section to storage.

Abstract: A display marker device is provided which has a body sheet with an open-ended sleeve formed along one edge and an edge tab or marker arranged along at least one of the other edges. An elongated member can be inserted in the sleeve for hanging or supporting the sheet. The elongated member can be arranged so that one or both ends can be clamped in an object or supported on spaced members so that the device is suspended. Advertising displays or designs can be printed or adhered to the face of the body sheet or one or more transparent sheets can be joined to the body sheet to form pockets which can hold advertising or informational pages. The display device can also be used as a book marker or a book can be supported by its binding by being draped over the elongated member of the device. A support case which is mountable on a vertical surface such as a wall and sized to receive the marker device and a book supported thereon can be provided.

Abstract: A locking device, in combination with a self-locking tag, insertable through a slit in the ear of an animal, includes a disc with a centrally disposed slit for more securely attaching the tag to the animal. Similar to the function of a pedestal, the device may also support the tag in an essentially upright position in the animal's ear. In addition, two locking devices may be utilized on both sides of the ear to prevent the tripping of the tag from either side of the ear. Another salient feature of the locking device is that it may be of a color which provides information concerning the animal. Additionally, the device may be impregnated with an insecticide repellent which will bleed out over a period of time thereby providing a measure of control over flies, lice, and other insects that may come near the animal's ear.

Abstract: The total container comprises inner and outer container bodies, each closed at the bottom and sides and open at the top. The side margins of the inner container body are sealingly connected to the side margins of the outer container body, and the bottom margin of the container body is sealingly connected to at least one wall of the outer container body. The bottom of the compartment within the inner container body is a substantial distance above the bottom of the outer container body. The upper margins of the inner container body are sealingly connected to upper portions of the walls of the outer container body, so that the inner container body serves as a partition between first and second inflation chambers having valved air flow ports. The upper end of the outer container body may be wrapped up into a spiral formation to seal the compartment and the container as a whole.

Abstract: A wedge-shaped whipstock is provided for directional well drilling which tapers from the lead end to a thick section at the bottom, and is fabricated from a tough polymeric material. An adhesive coating is applied to the outside surface of the wedge for permanent adherence of the whipstock to the surface of the drill hole. A deformable highly viscous material can fill and complement the internal wedge portion to produce a cylindrical configuration prior to use. Alternatively, or in conjunction with the deformable viscous material, a compressive element having a shaped compression face and made from a frangible material may be formed on the drill bit and/or attached to the prepared whipstock for the lowering of the tool into the drill hole and bonding the whipstock in place. The bottom surface of the whipstock is reinforced for positioning in the hole over a bridge plug or broken drill pipe.

Abstract: A solar energy collector which is inexpensive to manufacture and install comprising a heat absorber unit of rubber-like material having channels for the passage therethrough of heat exchange fluid and spaced-apart retainer means on its top for retaining a flexible solar collector cover in a flexed configuration accomplished by wedging it between the retainer means so that the area of the insulating space between absorber and collector can be controlled for different climates by spacing the retainer means and a simple means for assembling absorber and collector is provided. The collector is adapted to be mounted on a base to form a modular unit.

Abstract: A process for forming a metal chloride of a metal or its compound comprising forming a liquid fused salt bath mixture of at least two metal chlorides, the bath having the property of dissolving the formed metal chloride, and introducing the metal or compound into the liquid fused salt bath in the presence of chlorine to form the metal chloride and recovering the formed chloride from the liquid fused salt bath mixture. The metals which may be chlorinated are those from groups 1b, 2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4a, 5a and 8 of the periodic table and the rare earth metals. Compounds from which the metals may be chlorinated are the sulfides, oxides, carbonates and sulfates. Chlorine may be introduced as such or its source may be a chlorine donor such as ferric chloride or sulfur chloride. The chlorides for the liquid fused salt bath are those of alkali metals, alkaline earth metals, ammonia, zinc, and ferric iron. The chlorination can be performed within a temperature range of 150.degree. C.-1000.degree. C.

Abstract: Raw coal is improved by reacting it with a metal containing compound selected from the group consisting of organic iron containing compounds which exert sufficient vapor pressure, with iron as a component in the vapor, so as to bring the iron into contact with the impurity at the reaction temperature, organic iron containing compounds in solution at the injection temperature, solid organic iron containing compounds capable of being directly mixed in solid form at the mixing temperature with the coal, and ferrous chloride, ferric chloride, and alkyl aluminum compounds, in order to enhance the magnetic susceptibility of certain impurities, e.g., pyrite and ash-forming minerals contained in the raw coal, thereby permitting the removal of these impurities by magnetic means.

Abstract: An improved debridger is provided in one or more storage bins in a cellulose insulation manufacturing plant which minimizes the bridging of the cellulose insulation across the storage bins between an inlet at the top thereof and an auger-fed outlet at the lower end thereof. The debridger comprises a vertical rotatable shaft having a plurality of horizontally extending arms for agitating the insulation and minimizing bridging. The arms or vanes on the auger vary in length and are removable from the vertical shaft for installation of the shaft in the bins. The shaft is rotatably driven by power means located outside of the storage bin.

Abstract: The trailer comprises a transport base with road wheels and a floor on which is mounted an elongate shell having side walls and a roof, the planform of the shell corresponding to the planform of the base. Separate, removable fasteners connect the shell to the base. Jacks are connected to the aft end of the shell to raise it out of contact with the base when the fasteners have been removed. Extensible rollers at the forward end of the shell are lowered to contact the floor of the base. The base can then be moved forward to remove it from under the shell so that it can be used as an open flat bed trailer. Other jacks are connected to a forward portion of the shell, to support the shell when not in use. An assemblage of partitioning components is provided to provide compartments for transporting a pair of horses and is removable to provide an open cargo space when needed.

Abstract: A system for varying valve timing; i.e. the rotational angle of the crankshaft during which an intake or an exhaust valve of a cylinder of a reciprocating internal combustion engine is open which results in varying valve overlap, and for varying valve lift of such intake and exhaust valves. A desmodromic cam and cam follower convert rotation of a cam shaft to reciprocating rotation, or oscillation, of the cam follower. The reciprocating rotation of the cam follower is converted by the interaction of a secondary cylindrical cam, a cylindrical control ring, and a reciprocating member to linear motion of the reciprocating member which reciprocating member is operatively connected to a poppet valve. Timing and lift of the reciprocating member and valve are variable over predetermined limits as a function of engine rpm and load by rotation of the cylindrical control ring. Each valve train positively closes as well as opens its associated valve.

Abstract: Hydrocarbon mixtures containing 1-80% wax, e.g. shale oil, can be transported in a pipeline by distilling the mixture into an overheads fraction and a bottoms fraction, cooling the overheads fraction to a temperature above its pour point, but to a temperature sufficiently low so that when it is admixed with the bottoms fraction, the composite temperature of the mixture will be at or below the temperature at which the mixture is to be transported, and admixing the overheads fraction with the bottoms fraction (at a temperature above that at which wax crystals form) while imparting to the mixture a shear rate less than about 20 sec.sup.-1 to form a pumpable slurry. The slurry is preferably transported in a pipeline at conventional temperatures.