Abstract: This disclosure is directed to an improvement in the method of tempering glass sheets having at least one opening therethrough so as to reduce the breakage which occurs to such glass sheets because of the stresses set up therein during the quenching portion of a glass tempering operation. The method involves cutting a relief opening in the glass sheet from the opening in the glass sheet to an edge of the glass sheet. Thereafter the tempering operation is carried out on the glass sheet after the relief opening has been cut therein.

Abstract: This disclosure teaches a stabilized rhenium catalyst in which the rhenium does not volatilize away from a catalyst substrate when oxidized to its higher valence state. The rhenium is protected by having sufficient refractory oxide available on the catalyst substrate to trap any higher oxide of rhenium developed when the rhenium is oxidized.

Abstract: A rechargeable electrochemical cell is disclosed which includes both a cathode and a gas generating and consuming anode housed within a closed container. A storage volume is provided within the container for storing the gas used by the cell. A capillary mat lining material is provided throughout the gas storage volume of the cell. This lining material is in liquid transfer contact with a separator and electrolyte storage material located between the electrodes of the cell. If any electrolyte (i.e. water) of the cell is vaporized into the gas storage volume, the electrolyte will condense on the lining material and be conducted back to the separator and electrolyte storage material positioned between the electrodes.

Abstract: A windshield heating device for a motor vehicle having a windshield with an upper portion normally within the driver's field of vision and a lower portion normally not within the driver's field of vision is disclosed. A plurality of electrically conductive grid lines are deposited on the lower portion of the windshield. The grid lines are bonded to the windshield and are formed of a material which heats up when an electrical current is passed therethrough. An instrument panel of the motor vehicle is mounted adjacent the lower portion of the windshield. The instrument panel has openings therein in juxtaposition with the grid lines on the windshield. Operation of a blower motor directs air over the grid lines when they are heated to cause a moving current of heated air to pass from the lower portion of the windshield to its upper portion. This action defogs and/or defrosts the windshield.

Abstract: A rechargeable electrochemical cell is disclosed which includes both a cathode and a gas generating and consuming anode housed within a closed container. A closed volume is provided within the container for storing the gas used by the cell. A separator and electrolyte storage material is located between the electrodes of the cell. A reservoir is formed of a material capable of storing electrolyte. This reservoir is in liquid transfer contact with the separator and electrolyte storage material between the electrodes. If any electrolyte of the cell stored in the separator and electrolyte storage material is vaporized into the gas storage volume, such electrolyte is replaced by transfer of electrolyte from the reservoir to the separator and electrolyte storage material.

Abstract: This application teaches a methanation catalyst in which nickel is employed on a zirconium oxide substrate. This catalyst may be used in a methanation process in which the feed gases to the process contain between about 10 to 100 ppm (parts per million) of sulfur.

Abstract: A method of forming an article of silicon nitride is disclosed. A complex shape of an article is formed in a molding material which may be liquified by heating. A porous shell is formed about the shaped molding material with a refractory ceramic material which loses its structural strength when heated to a high temperature. The molding material is removed from the porous shell and a silicon metal slip is cast into the vacated volume. The silicon metal of the slip is nitrided at a temperature which is also effective to destroy any structural strength of the refractory ceramic material forming the porous shell. The weakened porous shell is removed from the nitrided article to produce the final article.

Abstract: A method of increasing the oxidation resistance of silicon nitride is disclosed. A furnace is preheated to a temperature in the range of 2500.degree.F to 2750.degree.F. The silicon nitride body to be treated is inserted into the preheated furnace. The silicon nitride article is maintained in the furance for a period of time sufficient to develop an oxidation resistant surface on the article. The period of time is generally in the range from one-half hour to five hours.

Abstract: A method of making a covered article such as an automobile seat cushion is disclosed. The method includes the steps of forming covering members from a covering material which is impervious to a foam material formed by reacting a foamable composition. The covering members are sewed together along sew lines to form a cover. A peripheral edge of the cover is joined to an interior peripheral edge of a locating member. A plurality of small openings are formed along the sew lines of the cover in the sewing operation. These openings are sealed so that the foam material produced upon the foaming of the foamable composition cannot flow therethrough. The cover and attached locating member are positioned in a foaming mold. The locating member aligns the cover properly with respect to the foaming mold so that a vacuum can be drawn on a die surface of the mold to draw a surface of the cover into contact with the die surface.

Abstract: A method of pelletizing glass batch materials including commercially available sand, soda ash, salt cake, other minor glass forming materials, dolomite having an average (statistical mean) particle size less than 15 microns, and limestone having an average (statistical mean) particle size less than 250 microns is disclosed. The process involves the steps of mixing the glass batch materials together. A pelletizing regime is established on a rotating, pelletizing disc in which three zones of pelletization exist in the form of a pellet nucleation zone, a pellet growth zone, and a pellet tumbling zone. Each of the zones exists generally from the top of the pelletizing disc downwardly in a curved fashion over an area of the pelletizing disc with each zone having a discernable width. A prescribed amount of water is added to a portion of a pellet growth zone established on the pelletizing disc.

Abstract: An apparatus for expanding a laminating interlayer is disclosed. The apparatus includes structure for feeding a heated web of laminating interlayer material to a conical member. A stretching of the web occurs between the feeding structure and the conical member. The web is cooled on the conical member. The apparatus also includes structure which maximizes the yield from the web being stretched.

Abstract: This application teaches a method of producing an article of glass by cutting it out of a sheet of flat glass. Flat glass is formed in a glass ribbon forming apparatus and is discharged therefrom at a temperature in excess of 1000.degree.F. The hot flat glass is moved under at least a pair of focused laser beams which cut patterns in the glass having a common starting and ending point. In such a manner, a glass article is cut from the ribbon. The article is removed from the remaining portion of the ribbon and cooled in a controlled manner to produce a final glass article. The cooling operation may be rapid or slow so as to produce a tempered or an annealed article.