Abstract: A container closure is disclosed which includes a shell attachable to a container around a container opening thereof. The shell has a shell opening in fluid communication with the container opening when the shell is attached to the container. A tip is received on the shell movable between a closed position sealing the shell opening and an open position. A cover is releasably attached to the shell in a manner indicative of the tip being positioned in the closed position when the cover is attached to the shell. Both the shell and the cover may be provided with tamper-evident bands. The present invention is particularly well adapted to be formed as a push-pull container closure for sports bottles and the like.

Abstract: A container closure is disclosed which includes a shell attachable to a container around a container opening thereof. The shell has a shell opening in fluid communication with the container opening when the shell is attached to the container. A tip is received on the shell movable between a closed position sealing the shell opening and an open position. A cover is releasably attached to the shell in a manner indicative of the tip being positioned in the closed position when the cover is attached to the shell. Both the shell and the cover may be provided with tamper-evident bands. The present invention is particularly well adapted to be formed as a push-pull container closure for sports bottles and the like.

Abstract: A method of forming fiber reinforced aluminum phosphate bonded material having improved strength at elevated temperatures. The method comprises the steps of: (a) preparing a slurry by blending alumina and alumina phosphate solution, the slurry being substantially free of silica; (b) providing a fiber substrate; (c) infiltrating the solution into the fiber substrate; and (d) curing the infiltrated substrate to form a fiber reinforced aluminum phosphate bonded composite material. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the fiber substrate is made from SiC fibers.

Abstract: A projection coined onto a metal sheet, preferably an aluminum sheet, for projection welding the sheet to an adjacent metal sheet. The projection has a thickness greater than the thickness of the sheet on which it is formed. The wall of the projection surrounds a first recess and a second recess is formed in a side of the sheet opposite the projection from which the metal cold flows to form the projection. A welding gun assembly having an improved low interia, fast response to the collapse of the projection welding the sheet having the projection to the adjacent sheet.

Abstract: An automotive vehicle frame has a front frame portion, a rear frame portion and an intermediate frame portion connecting the front frame portion and the rear frame portion. The front frame portion has a pair of relatively spaced front strut towers and the rear frame portion has a pair of relatively spaced rear strut towers. Each of the front strut towers and each of the rear strut towers may have a plurality of frame components connected thereto. Portions of the vehicle suspension system may be secured to the front strut towers and the rear strut towers. The strut towers may have vehicle shock absorbers secured thereto. Numerous other vehicle components may be secured to the strut towers. The strut towers are unitary metal castings.

Abstract: An electrolytic cell and electrolytic process for producing a metal by reduction of a metal oxide dissolved in a molten salt bath containing at least one chloride and at least one fluoride. A solid conductor of oxide ions is interposed between the anode and the cathode. The solid conductor preferably comprises zirconia, stabilized in cubic form by addition of a divalent or trivalent metal oxide such as yttria.

Abstract: An improved casting nozzle for continuous slab casting machines is provided. The nozzle includes a sloped surface which reduces molten metal turbulence during the casting process. The nozzle also includes a resilient, thermal insulation layer which prevents undesired backflow and premature solidification of the molten metal near the nozzle tip. The nozzle may also include a friction reducing layer which prevents excessive wear or fracture of the nozzle as it contacts the casting mold. The casting nozzle is suitable for use with both horizontal and vertical continuous casting machines, and may be used with various types of casting molds including continuous belt or caterpillar molds, and stationary molds. The improved nozzle may be used to cast various metals such as aluminum and aluminum alloys.

Abstract: An aluminum alloy sheet, plate, casting or extrusion having a surface layer containing magnesium oxide and aluminum oxide is cleaned with an acidic solution. The cleaned component has an aluminum oxide layer that is pretreated with a phosphorus-containing organic acid to form a functionalized layer. A layer of polymeric adhesive is applied to the functionalized layer, and the adhesive layer is joined to a metal support structure to form a vehicle assembly.

Abstract: A rocker joint assembly provides adjustability in the Z-axis and Y-axis of a body-in-white structure. The individual components of the assembly includes a vertical pillar and a rocker member that cooperate with a main beam of a frame. The several components can be formed from extrusions or sheet product.

Abstract: A substrate system for receiving a deposit of sprayed metal droplets including a movable outer substrate on which the sprayed metal droplets are deposited. The substrate system also includes an inner substrate disposed adjacent the outer substrate where the sprayed metal droplets are deposited on the outer substrate. The inner substrate includes zones of differing thermal conductivity to resist substrate layer porosity and to resist formation of large grains and coarse constituent particles in a bulk layer of the metal droplets which have accumulated on the outer substrate. A spray forming apparatus and associated method of spray forming a molten metal to form a metal product using the substrate system of the invention is also provided.

Abstract: Alloy and cast alloy product ideally suited for use as a component in a vehicle frame or subframe, i.e., body-in-white, comprising an alloy consisting of about 2.80 to 3.60 wt. % magnesium, less than approximately 0.20 wt. % silicon, approximately 1.10 to 1.40 wt. % manganese, less than approximately 0.2 wt. % iron, less than approximately 0.15 wt. % titanium, about 0.0005 to 0.0015 beryllium, the balance substantially aluminum and incidental elements and impurities. The aluminum/magnesium alloy is typically solidified into ingot derived working stock by die casting into a shape suitable for remelt for die casting, which shape is typically an ingot billet. Excellent mechanical properties are obtained from a cast product that is not subjected to heat treating operations subsequent to casting.

Abstract: A process for fabricating an aluminum alloy rolled sheet particularly suitable for use for an automotive body, the process comprising: (a) providing a body of an alloy comprising: about 0.8 to about 1.5 wt. % silicon, about 0.15 to about 0.65 wt. % magnesium, about 0.00 to about 0.1 wt. % copper, about 0.01 to about 0.1 wt. % manganese, about 0.05 to about 0.3 wt. % iron; and the balance being substantially aluminum and incidental elements and impurities; (b) working the body to produce a the sheet; (c) solution heat treating the sheet; and (d) rapidly quenching the sheet. In a preferred embodiment, the solution heat treat is preformed at a temperature greater than 460.degree. C. and the sheet is quenched by a water spray. The resulting sheet has an improved combination of formability, strength and corrosion resistance.

Abstract: A stretch wrapped and roped package for heavy loads such as cylindrical coils of metal, paper or the like that includes a skid supporting the load. A friction layer on the top of the skid and another friction layer on the bottom of the load which is covered by an overwrap of protective material such as plastic or paper. The skid is especially designed to reduce risk of damage to the stretch wrap roping that holds the skid onto the bottom of the load.

Abstract: The invention provides a vehicle frame joint structure that is used in a ladder frame structure and in space frame type structures. The joint includes at least a first member, a second member, and a third member extending thereinbetween. Each of these three members has an upper surface, a lower surface, and opposed side walls. The third member, which is adapted to extend thereinbetween has an upper surface that extends beyond its opposed side walls and lower surface. Each of the first and second members has therein a relief adapted to receive the third member such that the third member's extending upper surface is in close relationship with the first and second members' upper surface. Also, the third members' side surfaces proximate the extending upper surfaces at each end thereof are in close relationship with the opposed side walls of each of the first and second members.

Abstract: A process and apparatus are disclosed for electrolytically smelting alumina to produce aluminum metal, including providing a combination solid oxide fuel cell and electrolytic smelting cell for the production of aluminum from refined alumina positioned near tile solid oxide fuel cell. In one aspect, an alumina ore refinery for producing the refined alumina is positioned near the solid oxide fuel cell, and refined alumina is passed at a temperature of at least 900.degree. C. directly from the alumina ore refinery to the electrolytic smelting cell. In one aspect, the solid oxide fuel cell incorporates a planar construction having a solid state cathode material of lanthanum strontium manganate, a solid electrolyte of yttria stabilized zirconia, and a nickel/yttria stabilized zirconia cermet anode.

Abstract: An integral structural element particularly well suited as a component of a body-in-white comprises an elongated hollow member with a first end and a second end opposite thereto. A first region, a second region, and a third region extend between a first end and a second end of the hollow member. A first flange extends substantially the length of the elongated hollow member. A second flange extends substantially the length of the elongated hollow member's first region. A first socket or connecting structure is adapted to receive therein a roof header and is disposed on the elongated hollow member between the first region and the second region. A second socket is adapted to receive therein a B-post disposed on the elongated hollow member between the second region and the third region. This integral structural element is a component of a motor vehicle's body-in-white.

Abstract: An A-rated, aluminum alloy suitable for machining, said alloy consisting essentially of: about 4-5.75 wt. % copper, about 0.2-0.9 wt. % bismuth, about 0.12-1.0 wt. % tin, the ratio of bismuth to tin ranging from about 0.8:1 to 5:1, up to about 0.7 wt. % iron, up to about 0.4 wt. % silicon, up to about 0.3 wt. % zinc, the balance aluminum, incidental elements and impurities. On a preferred basis, this alloy contains about 4.4-5.0 wt. % copper, about 0.4-0.75 wt. % bismuth, about 0.2-0.5 wt. % tin, the ratio of bismuth to tin ranging from about 1:1 to 3:1, about 0.2 wt. % or less iron and about 0.2 wt. % or less silicon. The alloy is substantially lead-free, cadmium-free and thallium-free. There is further disclosed an improved method for making screw machine stock or wire, rod and bar product from this alloy by casting, preheating, extruding, solution heat treating, cold finishing and aging the same.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of making lithium-containing aluminum base alloy extrusion having at least a section thereof having a low aspect ratio or which is generally axisymmetrical, the extrusions having improved properties in sections thereof having the low aspect ratio or which are axisymmetrical. The method comprises providing a body of a lithium-containing aluminum alloy, pressing a portion of the body which is to form the axisymmetrical or low aspect ratio section through a tortuous path and extruding an axisymmetrical or a low aspect ratio extrusion section. The axisymmetrical or low aspect ratio section of the extrusion has a tensile strength of at least 60 ksi and an ultimate yield strength at least 4.5 ksi greater than the tensile yield strength.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method employing wet chemistry techniques of treating wrought aluminum alloys in order to quickly and efficiently separate the alloys into their alloy families and major constituent members by separation by surface color of the treated alloys.

Abstract: A reflective laminated strip includes an aluminum alloy or steel strip having a cleaned and conversion coated outer surface, an adhesive layer adjacent the conversion coated outer surface, and a polymer layer joined to the adhesive layer. An exterior side of the polymer layer is coated with a reflective metal layer that is preferably stainless steel, chromium, nickel or aluminum having a thickness of less than about 5000 .ANG.. In a preferred embodiment, an interior side of the polymer layer is coated with an adhesion-promoting metal layer or metal oxide layer having a thickness of about 50-5000 .ANG..