Abstract: A multifilament sheet, tow or web of acrylonitrile precursor fibres are passed through a pre-heat zone at a temperature at least 100.degree. C below the critical temperature. The material is then passed through a two-stage oxygenation zone comprising a first stage at 220.degree. to 250.degree. C and a second stage at 260.degree. to 300.degree. C. The material passes straight through the oxygenation zone and is held in sufficient uniform tension to stretch the fibres during heating and oxygenation. The oxygenated material is then passed through a carbonizing zone comprising at least one stage at 1050.degree. to 1600.degree. C under non-oxidizing conditions. The resulting carbon fibre has a mean Young's modulus of at least 25 .times. 10.sup.6 p.s.i. and a mean tensile strength of at least 250,000 p.s.i.

Abstract: A device and method are provided for monitoring the metal content of aqueous systems. The device involves the use of a porous membrane permeable to the metal ions to be detected in an aqueous phase and an organic liquid medium containing a trapping agent for the ions and capable of forming therewith a complex soluble in the organic liquid medium. The organic medium with its trapping agent is contained in a housing with an opening covered by the membrane which can be presented to the aqueous phase.The device and method allow the aqueous and organic phases to wet opposite faces of the membrane so that ion transfer can take place across the membrane. The trapped ions are analyzed at intervals by conventional means.

Abstract: A hinge of the semi-concealed, wrap-around type is provided with a slot extending transversely to the hinge axis so that with the cabinet door assembled to the door leaf of the hinge, the frame leaf of the hinge (which in its finally installed position seats on the edge of the frame) can be shifted to and temporarily secured in an angular orientation and forwardly of its finally installed position. In this position most of the parts of the frame which are ultimately covered by the frame leaf are exposed for a surface coating operation, and the door itself is in a position generally corresponding to a partly open position to facilitate the application of the coating to the inside face of the door. After the coating operation is completed the frame leaf is shifted to its finally installed position and secured to the cabinet frame.

Abstract: Rotary engine has four pistons circling in a toroidal chamber formed inside a casing, successive pairs of cylinders accelerating and decelerating relative to each other. The pistons are carried on piston carriers that are generally figures of revolution. Portions of these piston carriers are joined by bevel gears through which both rotation and accompanying oscillation are enforced upon the piston carriers.

Abstract: The invention relates to the fixing of disperse dyestuffs which are printed by transfer from support webs onto fabric webs. Fabrics which are cellulosic or part cellulosic are treated with suitable resins which are uncured or part cured and are chosen to have hydroxymethyl, alkoxymethyl and/or aldehyde groups capable of reacting with corresponding reactive amino, hydroxy and/or hydroxyalkylamino groups of the dye or dyes used in the printing inks. The heat treatment for transfer of the print from the support to the textile fabric is effected under such conditions of temperature and time that either curing or end curing of the resins takes place with simultaneous fixing of the dyes onto the textile fabric through reaction between the reactive groups of the dyes and corresponding unreacted end groups of the resins.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for transporting an elongate piece of material along a predetermined path. The apparatus includes a flexible endless driven belt, for example of a plastic material, which is guided, for example by rollers along the predetermined path. Spaced clips are secured to the belt for engaging the edge region of the piece of material. The material is engaged by some of the clips at a feed station, carried along the path, and then disengaged from the clips.In a particularly advantageous application of the invention the piece of material is a length of photographic material, and the predetermined path runs through a photographic processing installation.

Abstract: The invention is concerned with a change in the current practice of dyeing natural and synthetic polyamide materials with reactive dyestuffs. The invention involves pre-treating the material to be dyed with an amphoteric auxiliary in a bath which is brought rapidly to the later dyeing temperature and which contains an amphoteric auxiliary preferably at a pH buffered within a specific range. It is found that the pre-treated material takes on the reactive dyestuff very readily and that the dyed materials have a good fastness. A major achievement is that the dyeing time is cut to about one-half of that presently employed.

Abstract: A hollow tube constitutes a structural member having an opening in a wall thereof which surrounds a short hollow sleeve closely fitting within the tubular member, the sleeve having diametrically opposed openings one of which is of the size and shape of the opening in the tube wall. The margin of one of the openings in the sleeve is shouldered inwardly. The sleeve is so positioned within the tube that the openings are aligned, the shouldered opening of the sleeve being diametrically opposed to the aligned openings in the tube and sleeve. A hollow tubular bracing cross-member is provided of such dimension as to pass through, with minimum clearance, the aligned openings in the tube and sleeve, the free end of the cross member being received within the diametrically-located opening in the sleeve and resting upon the shoulder thereof. Means are provided to lock the bracing cross member removably within and to the tube and sleeve.

Abstract: Hydrogen fluoride is produced from hydrofluosilicic acid. The hydrofluosilicic acid is reacted with ammonia. An aqueous solution of ammonium fluoride thus produced is fed with partly recycled alkali metal fluoride to a continuously operated reactor where a bifluoride of the alkali metal is formed in aqueous solution. Reaction mixture is continuously withdrawn and solid alkali metal bifluoride crystallized therefrom. The mother liquor is recycled to the reactor. The solid alkali metal bifluoride is decomposed by heat to produce hydrogen fluoride and solid alkali metal fluoride. The alkali metal fluoride is recycled to the reactor.

Abstract: Particulate matter is separated from an aerosol by a process in which the aerosol is spun fast enough to create a vortex therein. The temperature in the relatively colder inner zone near the axis of spin of the vortex is made to fall low enough to cause at least part of the particulate matter to be wet therein by the condensation thereupon of vapor. This vapor is introduced or evaporated into a relatively warmer outer zone of the vortex farther away from the axis of spin.

Abstract: Hydrogen fluoride is recovered from hydrofluosilicic acid by-product of phosphoric acid manufacture. The hydrofluosilicic acid effluent is reacted with ammonia to form ammonium fluoride which is converted to a bifluoride by reaction with an excess of soluble metal fluoride. The bifluoride is readily recoverable and decomposable to yield hydrogen fluoride.

Abstract: A preformed bridge element has concave curved sides to embrace the inner aspects of a metal racquet frame, and has a locating pin extending laterally from each side to engage openings in the frame sides, the stringing eyes extending upwardly from the top of the bridge bar being defined by a sinuous element, the ends of which are secured to the locating pin.

Abstract: A collar attached to an outer shirt folds neatly along one curved line when the shirt is worn with the neckband closed or the ends thereof overlapped, and to fold easily along a second curved line, spaced below the first line, when the shirt is worn with the neckband open so the upper portions of the shirt body adjacent the opening will fold back as lapels to lie flatly and neatly against the front panels of the shirt body; the fold lines being defined, at least in part, by slots in the collar interlining.

Abstract: A structure for illuminating vertical displays such as pictures or the like includes a rectangular window in the ceiling whose front and rear edges are spaced from the display area so that lines extending between such front and rear edges, and the top and bottom edges of the display area, are approximately between 15.degree. and 45.degree. to the vertical. A series of spaced inclined slats registering with the window have specular front faces and light absorbing rear faces and are inclined, related and dimensioned to direct and confine the ambient exterior light traversing the window to the display area. In one form the slats lie in forwardly downwardly converging planes and have top edges terminating in rearwardly directed flanges lying in a horizontal or inclined plane and a light modulating grid plate may be provided having alternate laterally extending opaque and transparent stripes overly the flanges and the plate is transversely adjustable.

Abstract: Steel, alloy steel or a ferrous alloy is maufactured in a converter by charging the converter with a metallic feedstock comprising steel, scrap, iron sponge, high grade cast iron or a mixture thereof together with a ferro-alloy and a flux to provide a pool of molten metal. The molten metal is refined by blowing it with a decarburizing feed gas which is reducing to wustite at the temperature at which the converter is operated. A metallic oxide may be added to the converter, the addition being either to the initial metallic feedstock or, preferably continuously, during whole or part of the refining operation. The metallic oxide may be an oxide of a metal which is used as an alloying constituent or additive to a steel, alloy steel or ferrous alloy. Where a metallic oxide is added the blow gas can also be hydrogen or an inert gas such as nitrogen or argon.