Abstract: Lightweight beverage containers disclosed herein require less metal per container, exhibit less earing and have one or more of the following features: 1) a reduced seam between the can end and the can body, 2) a side wall having vertically disposed alternating portions of relatively thicker and relatively thinner metal, 3) a can end dimensioned to fit within the domed bottom of a vertically adjacent similar can when stacked, 4) a can body produced from an acircular blank dimensioned to produce said can body without ears, and 5) a can body produced from a cup having a variable radius between the side of said cup and the bottom thereof.

Abstract: A multivariable controller for a hot rolling mill which uses rolling stand speeds to control exit strip temperature and interstand tension, wherein the controller considers the inherent multivariable nature of the tension and temperature processes relative to individual rolling stand speeds by employing a cross-correlation transfer function matrix which is decoupled by modern control methods to yield more robust, stabler and faster control loops, thereby reducing disturbances and improving product quality.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method and apparatus for improving rolling mill efficiency by providing modified fixed setup parameters according to the class of the material being rolled through the following steps: (1) divide the products produced by the rolling mill into hardness/rollability classes; (2) empirically establish a set of fixed interstand thicknesses for each class which produce desired operational characteristics, such as constant thermal operation; and (3) vary the entry thickness for a particular product in accordance with the set of fixed interstand thicknesses for its class proportionally based on the desired exit thickness.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for preparing a continuous flow of castable composite materials of nonmetallic particles in a metallic matrix, wherein particles are mixed into a molten metallic alloy to wet the molten metal to the particles, and the particles and metal are sheared past each other to promote wetting of the particles by the metal. The mixing occurs while minimizing the introduction of gas into the mixture, and while minimizing the retention of gas at the particle-liquid interface. Mixing is done at or below a maximum temperature whereat the particles do not substantially chemically degrade in the molten metal during the time required for processing, and casting is done at a temperature sufficiently high that there is no solid metal present in the melt.

Abstract: A cast composite material is made from particles and a matrix alloy of preselected composition that is difficult to wet to the particles. A wetting alloy having a composition that readily wets the particles is first mixed with the particles under conditions that wet the wetting alloy to the particles. The wetting alloy is selected so that it has no alloying elements in excess of that in the preselected matrix alloy, and preferably with wettability inhibiting elements reduced. After wetting and mixing have been achieved, the remaining alloying ingredients are added to the melt to adjust the matrix to the desired composition. The approach is applicable to cast composite materials containing both reactive and nonreactive particles.

Abstract: Paint or the like coating is applied to a gap between an elongated strip article and an extended surface, such as a coating head. A variable load, such as provided by air cylinders, is continuously exerted on the extended surface during operation for urging the extended surface against the applied layer on the strip, so as to maintain a uniform metering gap between the extended surface and the coated strip surface. The extended surface has a sensor for repetitively determining metering gap. A computer monitors the sensor output and causes load-exerting air cylinders to vary their applied load, in order to urge the coating head toward or away from the back-up roll, so as to reduce difference between the sensed metering gap and a predetermined gap, thus producing a uniform coating film thickness on strip articles having non-uniform surface topography.

Abstract: A new and useful process for producing a plastic article (e.g., vinyl siding) with an accent color pattern incorporated therein, and a specially formed accent color pellet which is useful in such a process. The process contemplates extruding a plastic product from a base compound formed of powder sized particles and specially formed accent color pellets. The accent color pellets are alloyed masses of resins and pigment which are larger than the powder particles of the base compound, and have a higher deflection temperature than the base compound. The alloyed pellets are designed with controlled heat deflection characteristics. During the extrusion process, the accent color pellets begin to soften and disperse later than the base compound, and cause restricted dispersion of the accent color into the base compound, thereby producing accent color streaks in the resulting extrudate. The process is particularly suited for producing a simulated woodgrain or streaking effect in plastic. (e.g., vinyl) siding.

Abstract: This invention provides a panel assembly for buildings and the like comprising, in combination with structure supporting the assembly, an array of overlapping elongated metal panels, each panel including a lower edge, an upper flange, and a web including at least one outwardly protruding longitudinally extending stiffening rib. The stiffening rib adjacent the upper flange has an elongated longitudinally extending groove and an extended bearing portion for contacting the structure when the panel is fastened thereto. These ribs provide structural support without purlins, sheathing, or the like.

Abstract: A fault detection circuit for testing conductor-to-conductor and conductor-to-ground faults in multiple conductor shielded cables. The fault detection circuit includes a voltage source that provides a plurality of distinct voltage phases. Each distinct phase from the voltage source is connected through a resistance and a logic circuit to an individual conductor in the cable. The resistance limits the current flowing through the fault detection circuit to reduce the risk of electrical shock to the operator. The logic circuit includes control relays which are responsive to phase-to-phase or phase-to-ground faults in the cable conductors. The logic circuit also provides a visual indication of a fault in the cable.

Abstract: The invention provides a concealing trim assembly for a wall or ceiling panel system, comprising a trim member fastenable to a channel member of a ceiling or wall panel support, the trim member having a base portion and first and second means for slidably retaining a trim cap; means for fastening the trim member to the channel member; and a trim cap for concealing the means for fastening the trim member to the channel member. The trim cap has first and second edges matable with the first and second means for slidably retaining a trim cap, and at least one clip means for biasing the first and second edges of the trim cap with respect to the first and second means for retaining a concealment trim cap.

Abstract: An electrical cable and method for making the same. The cable includes a plurality of conductors formed into a bundle and surrounded by an armor sheath. A barrier, formed of polyester or polypropylene tape, is disposed directly between the bundle of conductors and armor sheath. The tape is formed into layers, each layer extending over the length of the bundle of conductors. The tape has a thickness of about 1.5 to 2.0 mils. The preferred form of tape has longitudinally extending corrugations providing a corrugated thickness of 8.0 to 10.0 mils. Each layer of tape is applied either helically or longitudinally wrapping the tape around the bundle of conductors. The barrier separates the bundle of conductors and the armor sheath and provides impact resistance against the armor sheath being driven into contact with the conductors.

Abstract: Paint or the like coating is applied to a gap between an elongated strip article and an extended surface, such as a coating head. A variable load, such as provided by air cylinders, is continuously exerted on the extended surface during operation for urging the extended surface against the applied layer on the strip, so as to maintain a uniform metering gap between the extended surface and the coated strip surface. The extended surface has a sensor for repetitively determining metering gap. A computer monitors the sensor output and causes load-exerting air cylinders to vary their applied load, in order to urge the coating head toward or away from the back-up roll, so as to reduce difference between the sensed metering gap and a predetermined gap, thus producing a uniform coating film thickness on strip articles having non-uniform surface topography.

Abstract: The invention provides a sinterable brass powder blend, comprising about 90% to about 99% by weight of brass powder, about 0.2% to about 6.0% by weight manganese sulfide, and 0% to about 5.0% by weight of lubricants, binders, graphite, sintering enhancing additives and mixtures thereof.The invention also provides methods for making lead-free but machinable sintered brass powder metal parts.

Abstract: A cast composite material is made from particles and a matrix alloy of preselected composition that is difficult to wet to the particles. A wetting alloy having a composition that readily wets the particles is first mixed with the particles under conditions that wet the wetting alloy to the particles. The wetting alloy is selected so that is has no alloying elements in excess of that in the preselected matrix alloy, and preferably with wettability inhibiting elements reduced. After wetting and mixing have been achieved, the remaining alloying ingredients are added to the melt to adjust the matrix to the desired composition. The approach is applicable to cast composite materials containing both reactive and nonreactive particles. (aluminum matrix with silicon additions).

Abstract: A ceiling panel system for suspending a new and improverd ceiling panel from an assembly of inverted T-beam support members. The support members are suspended in a horizontal plane to form a desired grid pattern for supporting a plurality of ceiling panels to form a continuous ceiling. The T-beam support members comprise a vertical center leg having a pair of opposite horizontal arms, and a pair of opposite ribs projecting from the vertical center leg. The ceiling panel include a main body portion and integral resilient side walls. The side walls extend at an angle from body portion, and are adapted for captured engagement between the horizontal arms and ribs of the T-beam support members to resist removal of the panel from the support members. Each of the side walls includes a top edge spaced from said body portion having one or more slits extending transversely from the top edge toward the main body portion, to prevent the removal of the panel from captured engagement in the support members.

Abstract: A new and useful latch structure for suspending ceiling panels from a grid of inverted T-beam support members. The latch structure comprises a relatively rigid, hook-shaped member which is coupled to a respective ceiling panel so as to move with the ceiling panel relative to the inverted T-beam support members. Each hook-shaped member can tilt, or pivot, relative to its respective ceiling panel. Each hook-shaped latch member is biased by gravity toward a locking position. As a ceiling panel is brought upward against an inverted T-beam support member, the inverted T-beam support member engages the hook-shaped latch member and tilts the latch member away from its locking position, to allow the latch member to clear the inverted T-beam support member. Once the hook-shaped latch member clears the transverse leg of the inverted T-beam support member, the latch member tilts, or pivots, under the influence of gravity, to its locking position.

Abstract: A corner cap which is designed to be formed into a selected configuration, and then attached to the corner post of a building. The corner cap is designed so that its configuration is adjustable to enable the corner cap to be attached to corner posts with configurations which can vary over a predetermined range. In use, the corner cap is adjusted, on site, to a selected configuration which corresponds to the configuration of a corner post. The corner cap is then fixed in the selected configuration, and attached to the corner post to close the end of the corner post.

Abstract: A security panel system which may be assembled into security panels, having at least one pan member with interlockable ribs for formation of continuous, interlocking pan surface, at least one channel member having a web, a first flange and a second flange having at least one notch for passage of pan ribs therethrough for attachable abutment of the pan ribs against the first flange and at least one trim member attachable to the channel member, for placement against the pan member so that the pan member is captured between the channel member and the trim member. A pair of channel members may be combined along their webs to form a carrier member having pairs of first and second flanges that are oriented opposite each other.

Abstract: A method of detecting spray header valve and nozzle malfunctions, in a spray header including plural nozzles each having its own control valve, by supplying the spray header with liquid at a constant pressure head through a conduit while opening and closing the nozzle valves one at a time, and measuring the flow rate through the conduit each time one of the valves is open and when all the valves are closed. In response to detection of a malfunction at a particular nozzle, the valves of one or more adjacent nozzles are adjusted so that the adjacent-nozzle flow rates compensate for the malfunction, for example to maintain a desired cooling pattern across a surface being cooled by the spray header notwithstanding the malfunction at the particular nozzle.

Abstract: A ceiling system constituted of inverted T support members arranged in a horizontal grid, wherein T members aligned in end-to-end relation are interconnected by a splice member bridging the joint between them and having a pair of horizontally spaced clips respectively projecting through openings in end portions of the webs of the interconnected T members. The splice member is a sheet element having portions bent laterally and downwardly about horizontal bending axes to form the clips, and side edges bent obliquely about vertical bending axes for bearing against the webs of the T members to cooperate with the clips in securely interlocking the splice member and the T members.