Abstract: In the production of thin-walled disposable casting patterns of expanded foamed plastic beads for the full mold casting method, difficulty is encountered in that the prefoamed preexpanded beads to be introduced into the pattern mold cavity with a bulk density of less than 20 g/l have a diameter of about 2 mm and consequently a reliable reproduceable complete filling of pattern mold cavities with a cross-section of less than 5 to 7 mm is not possible. It has been found that prefoamed and preexpanded beads nevertheless having adequate foaming agent content for the final foaming expansion in the pattern mold can be produced in that following prefoaming, evacuation of the steam-air atmosphere in the prefoamed chamber is effected and additional foaming agent is introduced.

Abstract: A full mold for casting contains a plastic foam material lost pattern. The plastic foam material is substantially sulfur-free and can advantageously be used to provide iron alloy-based full-mold cast pieces of high quality.

Abstract: To produce basalt wool having a large fibre diameter of if desired 10 .mu.m with high output and low bead formation, the exit cross-section of the exit orifices (6) of the distributor tank (5), the vertical distance (vA) between the exit orifices (6) and the blow-in slits (29) for propellant gas, the horizontal width (hB) of the nozzle slot (10) and the vertical length (vL) of the nozzle slot (10) downstream of the blow-in slits (29) are dimensioned to be unusually large for an apparatus for producing rock fibres by blast drawing. As a result, it is possible to operate at a low melt temperature and a high propellant gas rate combined with a low propellant gas pressure in order, surprisingly, to obtain a coarse-fibered product with low bead formation and high output.

Abstract: In the production of bonded mineral fibre wool, binder is injected in the chute (16) onto the fibres, as a result of which there is a tendency for the fibres to adhere to the walls of the chute (16) and to form encrustations due to binder becoming cured in the course of time. To avoid such encrustations, which can cause production shortfalls, the circumferential walls (18, 20) of the chute are constructed as jacketed walls and are cooled by passing cooling liquid in the hollow space (30) between the inner and outer surface portions (28, 29). It has been found, surprisingly, that as a result no solid encrustations can form even over prolonged periods, since temporarily adhering fibres cannot in fact become adhesively bonded due to insufficient curing of the binder at the low temperatures, but are continuously removed from the wall again.

Abstract: A thermal insulating flexible ceramic based on a microporous oxide aerogel obtained from flame hydrolysis, especially a silica aerogel with elastically bending or limply bending inorganic fibers and possibly additional additive substances, such as opacifiers, has a portion by weight between about 10 and 30% of the flexible ceramic in the form of fibers with a length of more than 10 mm with a comparatively high bulk density of about 200 to 250 kg/m.sup.3, especially of about 350 kg/m.sup.3. Although no binder such as e.g. phenol resin is contained therein, said flexible ceramic in the case of a given high content of long fibers, has a high bending strength, but at the same time it is very resistant to breakage in the case even of multiple bendings around relatively small bending radii.

Abstract: A heat-insulating body such as a heat-insulating slab is made whose insulating and heat-absorbing material includes a fine powder, in particular a silica aerogel which is pressed to form the body. To carry out the pressing operation a sack-like sheath is required but between the sheath and the insulating material a separating agent is provided which results in the fact that the surface of the insulating material does not intimately engage with the sheath which is for example of glass fibre fabric, the sheath being movable with respect to the insulating material after the pressing operation. Apart from the fact that the sheath can be removed for any cases where it would be a cause of disturbance, additionally the insulating body provides improved bending properties and even when made with a high pressing rate has a homogeneous structure.

Abstract: A thermal insulating body or shape is made up of highly dispersed insulating material together with mineral fiber wool and of opacifier together with a binder for curing. The binder, which is evenly distributed in a first-stage mix with a dispersant, is present in a finely dispersed condition in the insulating material, the corners and edges of the insulating material being able to undergo cross-linking with the binder by heat processing.

Abstract: In a process for making a thermal insulating body from highly insulating material, opacifier, reinforcing fiber mix and, if desired a binder, the materials are mixed together. The opacifier and/or the reinforcing fiber mix being mixed with a dispersant for forming a first-stage mix, which is then nextly mixed with the rest of the materials. The material is then compacted.

Abstract: Metal-foil insulation formed of a multiplicity of substantially rectangular-shaped, air-enclosing metal foils disposed laterally adjacent and above one another and provided with spacers therebetween, the metal foils being packageable in thermally displaceable relationship into panels with connecting means for maintaining the foil in packaged condition, the panels, in turn being mutually alignable with sealable joints in a plurality of coordinate directions, includes bends formed in marginal zones of at least one side of an upper and a lower side of the metal foils in the respective panels, the bends having a shape and a shape elasticity such as to be deformable by a packaging force to a spacing between mutually adjacent metal foils determined by the spacers therebetween, the metal foils packaged into the respective panels being disposed with the bends thereof substantially linearly and sealingly engaging one another.

Abstract: A casting mold filled with free-flowing particulate matter such as sand, in which there is imbedded a vaporizable insert or pattern of wax, foam polymer or the like conforming to the shape of the desired casting, has at least two of its walls formed by flexible membranes exposed to the atmosphere for creating a more or less isobaric pressure upon the application of suction to its interior. One membrane may span the open top of a four-sided rigid shell whose perforated bottom is overlain by another such membrane; alternatively, with the sidewalls of the shell also perforated and/or vertically ribbed or fluted, five membranes may be combined into an open-topped bag lining the interior of the shell, the top of the bag being closed by a sixth membrane after introduction of the sand filling and its pattern insert.

Abstract: A casting mold filled with free-flowing particulate matter such as sand, in which there is imbedded a vaporizable pattern of foam plastic conforming to the shape of the desired casting, has at least two of its walls formed by flexible membranes exposed to the atmosphere for creating a more or less isobaric pressure upon the application of suction to its interior. One membrane may span the open top of a four-sided rigid shell whose perforated bottom is overlain by another such membrane; alternatively, with the sidewalls of the shell also perforated and/or vertically ribbed or fluted, five membranes may be combined into an open-topped bag lining the interior of the shell, the top of the bag being closed by a sixth membrane after introduction of the sand filling and its pattern.

Abstract: An air cooling equipment for cooling containers stacked in ships' holds comprises an upright column attached to a bulkhead or some other part of the ship's structure and provided with connections adapted to cooperate with corresponding connections provided on the containers in the stack for the supply of cold air and the withdrawal of exhaust air. The column is mounted in a manner which permits its horizontal displacement towards and away from the stack of containers. Each column connection is provided with a sealing ring which can be pressed on the cooperating connection of a container to create a tight seal.

Abstract: A forming device for prefabricating structures having a size-adjustable core surrounded by a shell structure displaceable with respect to the core. The shell structure is constructed of a plurality of frame members each independently adjustable with respect to the core. One or more tensioning cables surround the core, the cables being reeved through a series of fixed and movable pulleys mounted at each corner of the shell formed by the intersecting frame members. By operating the cables the frame members are adjustable with respect to the position of the core of the forming device.