Abstract: A tuyere for an oxygen blast furnace has a body and a first conduit extending through the body. The first conduit is adapted to receive a medium at one end of the conduit and discharge the medium at a second end of the conduit through at least one discharge nozzle. A second conduit can be arranged concentrically around the first conduit and is adapted to receive a medium and discharge the medium through at least one discharge nozzle. In another aspect, a portable oxygen blast furnace system includes oxygen blast furnace secured to a railcar. The portable furnace system can be transported by rail for processing material at remote locations.

Abstract: Conventional methods of making holographic labels use separate, stand-alone machines for embossing, laminating, printing, and diecutting. This means that embossed material must be transferred and loaded into the laminator, that laminated material must be transferred and loaded into the printer, and that printed material must be transferred and loaded into the diecutter. Unfortunately, transferring and loading material into the separate machines is not only time consuming but also introduces errors, particularly in achieving accurate registration, or alignment, of embossed, printed, and diecut patterns. Accordingly, the inventors devised an in-line rotary microembosser for use with a rotary laminator, printer, and/or diecutter. One embodiment, or implementation, of the invention includes a rotary microembosser operatively coupled in line with a rotary laminator, a rotary printer, a rotary diecutter, or another web processing device to concurrently process a continuous web.

Abstract: Holographic labels are used on a variety of articles of manufacture for security, authenticity, or aesthetic appeal. Manufacturing a holographic label or sticker typically entails microembossing, that is, imprinting or cutting, microscopic grooves into a clear plastic sheet with a shiny aluminum coating. The grooves diffract light and form a three-dimensional image, such as the dove commonly found on Visa™ brand credit cards. Unfortunately, conventional microembossing machines, or microembossers, suffer from a number of problems. For example, these microembossers include two large base rollers that move back and forth in sequence to contact a shimroller. The clumsy back and forth movement not only limits how fast embossing can occur but also causes misalignment of embossed images. To address this and other problems, the inventors devised an exemplary microembosser which includes a single base roller and a shimroller which one or more unique features.

Abstract: A device for removing paper from a damaged paper roll. The device comprising a rotatable platform to support and rotate the paper roll about a central axis. Additionally, the device comprises a circular saw blade attached to a movable arm attached to a track adjacent to the paper roll. The arm is advanceable toward to the central axis of the paper roll such that as the roll is rotated, the saw blade will cut into the roll to thereby remove paper therefrom. The operation of the device can be automated by a controller and sensors such that a single operator can use the device.

Abstract: Holographic labels are used on a variety of articles of manufacture for security, authenticity, or aesthetic appeal. Manufacturing a holographic label or sticker typically entails microembossing, that is, imprinting or cutting, microscopic grooves into a clear plastic sheet with a shiny aluminum coating. The grooves diffract light and form a three-dimensional image, such as the dove commonly found on Visa™ brand credit cards. Unfortunately, conventional microembossing machines, or microembossers, suffer from a number of problems. For example, these microembossers include two large base rollers that move back and forth in sequence to contact a shimroller. The clumsy back and forth movement not only limits how fast embossing can occur but also causes misalignment of embossed images. To address this and other problems, the inventors devised an exemplary microembosser which includes a single base roller and a shimroller which one or more unique features.

Abstract: Described herein is an Improved Converter System designed to help reduce air, land and water pollution by completely converting materials that presently cause pollution into clean burning fuels and a host of other products beneficial to mankind. The primary conversion unit in the system is a zone controlled multipurpose slagging-ash oxygen jet blast converter. All incoming materials are passed through this process computer aided talented offspring of its two ancient prototypes the blast furnace and slagging-ash gas producers and the zone controlled blast furnaces described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,381,938, 4,495,054, 3,928,023 and 3,814,404. It employs two sets of tuyeres located in the bosh to input endothermic reacting gases, vapors and dusts through tuyere sets T1 and T2. A 100% oxygen jet blast is also input through tuyere set T2.

Abstract: Electrical resistance heating elements are provided which are useful in heating fluid mediums, such as air and water. The heating elements include an element body having a supporting surface and a resistance wire wound onto the supporting surface which is connected to a pair of terminal end portions. Disposed over the resistance wire, and over most of the supporting surface, is a thermally-conductive polymeric coating which hermetically encapsulates and electrically insulates the resistance wire from the fluids to be heated. This thermally-conductive polymer coating has a thermal conductivity value of at least about 0.5 W/m .degree.K. Improved properties are preferably provided by ceramic powder, such as Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 and MgO, and glass fiber additives.

Abstract: A one piece "T" shaped surgical drape of uni-body construction is disclosed which provides for a drape covers which extends vertically from and contoured to the armboard and legboard covers. A bottom sheet portion can be added to the surgical drape to cover the leg area of a patient.

Abstract: Electrical resistance heating elements, hot water heaters containing such elements, and methods of preparing such elements are provided. The electrical resistance heating elements of this invention can be disposed through a wall of a tank for heating fluid, such as water. They include a skeletal support frame having a first supporting surface thereon. They also include a resistance wire wound onto the first supporting surface and preferably connected to at least a pair of terminal end portions. The support frame and resistance wire are then hermetically encapsulated and electrically insulated within a thermally-conductive polymeric coating. The skeletal support frame of this invention improves injection molding operations for encapsulating the resistance wire, and can include heat transfer fins for improving thermal conductivity.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for forming pleats in a thermoplastic material by feeding a continuous web of sheet-like thermoplastic material to a pleat forming apparatus and subsequently drawing the web through a bonding device. The pleat forming apparatus includes a rotating drum that has a plurality of apertures and a plurality of radially extensible teeth positioned in peripheral slots. The teeth are spring-biased inwardly to a retracted position within the drum but are extendable, under the urging of an internal cam, to a position wherein a portion of each tooth protrudes outwardly from the drum. The web is carried around the drum and the teeth protrude into the web forming pleats.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for forming pleats in a thermoplastic material by feeding a continuous web of sheet-like thermoplastic material to a pleat forming apparatus and subsequently drawing the web through a bonding device. The pleat forming apparatus includes a rotating drum that has a plurality of apertures and a plurality of radially extensible teeth positioned in peripheral slots. The teeth are spring-biased inwardly to a retracted position within the drum but are extendable, under the urging of an internal cam, to a position wherein a portion of each tooth protrudes outwardly from the drum. The web is carried around the drum and the teeth protrude into the web forming pleats.

Abstract: A trigger system for the ignition system of an internal combustion engine having a crankcase with a rotatable crankshaft includes an aluminum disk-shaped hub for connection to the crankshaft and rotatable therewith on the end opposite the flywheel of the engine. The hub has at least one weight formed into the hub and offset from its center of gravity for balancing and reducing vibration of the engine during operation. A plurality of magnets or other magnetically responsive elements are provided in openings in a flange extending around the periphery of the hub. A stationary sensor is mounted adjacent the hub for detecting impulses from the magnetically responsive elements as the hub rotates and utilizing the impulses to trigger the ignition system.

Abstract: A thermoformable composite article comprising a thermoformable foam core which is reinforced with fibers.

Abstract: An eye shield adapted for use either singly or in combination with a protective face mask. The eye shield includes a flexible transparent material which is generally flat in shape. A moldable stiffener is attached to the bottom edge of the transparent material and permits the transparent material to be molded to conform to the wearers nose and cheeks. Means for spacing the transparent material away from the wearer's eyes is attached to the upper edge of the transparent material opposite the moldable stiffener. A single elastic head band, attached to the other two sides of the transparent material, draws the eye shield closely against the face. Whe used in combination with a protective face mask, the bottom edge of the eye shield overlaps the face mask and provides a shingling effect which keeps any harmful fluids or debris on the outer surfaces of the eye shield and face mask.

Abstract: A thermoformable composite article comprises a core layer made of a synthetic resin foam, a pair of adhesive layers in contact with the opposite, upper and lower surfaces of the core layer, and a pair of fabric layers superposed on the opposite upper and lower surfaces of the core layer, the fabric layers being bonded to the core layer by the adhesive layers. At least one of the fabric layers is made of a non-woven fabric which has been impregnated with a thermoplastic or thermosetting resin. The thermoformable composite articles of the present invention are useful as liners for automotive interiors.

Abstract: A filter mask for filtering air inhaled and exhaled from the mouth and nostrils while providing a positive facial lock at all edges of the mask. In a preferred embodiment of the invention both the upper and lower edges of the mask are provided with moldable stiffeners for conforming to the shape of the wearer's nose and cheek area and the lower jaw and chin area, respectively. The lower edge is folded so as to form a reverse pleat which conforms to the shape of the lower jaw. A single headband may be used to hold the mask on the head. The peripheral edges of the mask are bound. The mask provides excellent filtration since the positive facial lock around all edges of the mask substantially prevents air from leaking between the mask and the face.

Abstract: A method of treating cellulose di-acetate fibers to reduce the shrinkage characteristics thereof. The fibers are first immersed in a treating solution comprising a nonionic fluorocarbon long chain polymer, an organic thermosetting resin, an acid liberating catalyst and a carrier selected from the group consisting of water, a water soluble organic solvent or a mixture of water and water soluble organic solvent. The fibers are then removed from the solution, dried at a temperature below 300.degree. F. to evaporate the water and/or solvent therefrom and cured at a temperatue above 300.degree. F. to effect polymerization of the resin and cross-linkage between the resin and the polymer. Fibers treated by the method exhibit significantly improved shrinkage characteristics without reductions in tear strength, tensile strength or abrasion resistance.