Abstract: The present invention discloses solventless composition suitable for application as a hot melt to a substrate, said composition comprising a mixture or alloy of resins, selected such that the averaged glass transition temperature (Tg) of the combined unreacted resins is greater than -30.degree. and less than +60.degree. C. The melt viscosity of the unreacted resins are selected so that the combined resin mix has a melt viscosity of from about 0.05 to 25 Poise when measured at 180.degree. C. and at a shear rate of 10,000 Hz.

Abstract: An impact drivable fastener, suitable for fastening sheet metal articles, includes a shank extending from a tip (10) at one end, which tip is adapted to be driven through a metal sheet, and a head (10) at the other end. A large pitch multi-start thread formation (11), including ribs separated by flutes, is formed on a part of the shank. The depth of the flutes and the height of the ribs increases uniformly from zero at the starting end of the formation nearer to the tip to maximum values at a position adjacent the head.

Abstract: A jet stripping apparatus comprises a stripping nozzle positioned to direct a stripping gas jet stream (11) against each side of a steel strip (7) emerging from a bath (8) of molten zinc or aluminium/zinc alloy with a layer (9) of bath material thereon, means to supply gas to said stripping nozzle at a pressure sufficient to liberate a relatively strong stripping jet stream (11) therefrom, and surface modifying means spaced closely below said stripping nozzle effective to smooth the surface of said layer (9) prior to it reaching the stripping jet stream (11). Said surface modifying means preferably comprise a smoothing nozzle positioned to direct a relatively weak surface modifying gas jet stream (18) against the layer (9) that is effective to smooth the layer but not to substantially affect the quantity of material passing it.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for casting metal strip in which molten metal is introduced between a pair of parallel casting rollers via a tundish and a metal delivery nozzle. Casting rollers are cooled so that shells solidify on the moving roller surfaces and are brought together at the nip between them to produce a solidified strip product at the roller outlet. The delivery nozzle comprises an elongate trough to receive molten metal and an outlet slot extending longitudinally along the bottom of the trough. The floor of the delivery nozzle is formed with an upwardly facing channel extending longitudinally of the trough in side by side relationship with the outlet slot. The channel merges smoothly at one of its sides with a side wall of the trough and rises at the other side above the root of the channel to the outlet slot.

Abstract: A protective core for protecting the internal surface of a coil of strip material comprises, a cylindrical wall (5) formed from sheets (7, 9) of plastic material separated by webs (11) moulded integrally with the sheets to form tubular cavities extending transversely to the longitudinal axis of the core. The wall 5 is formed so that at least one of the surfaces of the wall (5) has surface irregularities (19, 21) which selectively reduce the thickness of the wall (5) compared to adjacent regions of the wall so that the wall (5) is sufficiently flexible to be folded to a collapsed form and held in that position without permanently damaging the wall (5) so that the wall (5) returns resiliently to its original cylindrical form when unfolded from the collapsed form.

Abstract: A first structural frame member (11) has two tabs (15) projecting from one end and may be secured to a second structural frame member (21) having two slots (25) piercing it intermediate its ends by insertion of the tabs through the respective slots N"Z and subsequent deformation of the tabs to prevent their withdrawal from the slots. Each tab tapers from a tab base (15A) to a tab tip (15B) which is narrower than the tab base, and each slot is defined by two opposed, short, end faces (26) and two opposed, elongate "Z side faces, said side faces comprising opposed center parts (27), each at least as long as the width of the tab tip, and opposed flanking parts (28) on either side of the center parts extending from the center parts to the respective end faces.

Abstract: A roll cleaning brush (21) for application to a rotating roll (12) includes an elongate brush element holder (24), a plurality of brush elements (25) each including a brush element base (26) and brush bristles (27) projecting from the base (26). Brush elements (25) are held by the brush element holder (24) in an array extending along the holder so that the bristles (27) form a substantially continuous brush tip for application to a roll to be cleaned but so that the brush elements are independently movable transversely of the holder to allow the tip to vary in shape to conform to the roll surface to be cleaned. Brush element holder (24) is formed with a longitudinally extending open mouthed channel (28), and brush element bases (26) are captive within the channel such that the bristles project from the mouth of the channel but are movable toward and away from the open mouth of the channel.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for casting metal strip in which molten metal is introduced between a pair of parallel casting rollers (16) via a tundish (18) and metal delivery nozzle (19). Casting rollers (16) are cooled so that shells solidify on the moving roller surfaces and are brought together at the nip between them to produce a solidified strip product (20) at the roller outlet. A clean head end of the strip (20) is formed by adjusting the nip of the casting rollers to form a transverse bulge (103) across the width of the strip. The two separate solidified metal shells (105) and defines a line of weakness across the width of the strip. The strip separates at the line of weakness to form a clean head end for the following strip.

Abstract: A wrapping apparatus applies a wrapping medium to an annular article such as a coil of a metal strip, to cover the inner surface as well as the outer surfaces thereof. The apparatus includes a rigid loop structure defining an endless T-sectioned track, and extends as a cantilever extending from a free standing columnar support. The support includes an elevator device for raising and lowering the loop structure. The loop structure includes a hinged gate portion that may be moved to an open position to enable the track to be linked with the annular article, and then reclosed. A self-propelled shuttle moves around the track and carries a dispensing device and a prestretching device that hold wrapping medium and enable the medium to be removed from the coil. A trolley with two power driven rollers continuously reorients the article as wrapping proceeds.

Abstract: A metal strip (4) is continuously coated with a thermoset resin based paint by passing it through a pre-heating furnace (5) wherein it is raised to a pre-heat temperature of from 100.degree. to 210.degree. C., then through a coating applicator (6) wherein a solid, substantially solvent free block (11) of the paint composition is pressed against the strip (4) at a substantially constant pressure of from 10 to 100 kilopascals to cause a liquid layer (13) of the paint composition to be deposited on the strip, then through a roll type smoothing device (18) to smooth and spread the layer and doctor it to thickness, then through a curing furnace (8) to thermoset the layer, and finally through a quenching bath (9).

Abstract: Apparatus for casting metal strip in which molten metal is introduced between a pair of parallel casting rollers (16) via a tundish (18) and metal delivery nozzle (19). Casting rollers (16) are cooled so that shells solidify on the moving roller surfaces and are brought together at the nip between them to produce a solidified strip product (20) at the roller outlet. The tundish (18), delivery nozzle (19) and a pair of side closure plates (56) to confine the pool of metal on the casting rollers are separately preheated to working temperature and then rapidly brought into an operative assembly and casting is started before detrimental uneven or localized cooling of the preheated components can develop. To this end the casting rollers are mounted on a carriage (13) movable between a first station (14) at which the preheated components are fitted and a second station (15) at which casting is carried out.

Abstract: A jet stripping apparatus includes two dual-nozzle assemblies (12) which, when in use, are disposed one on either side of an ascending, substantially vertical steel strip (10) which is to be partly stripped of a molten zinc or aluminium/zinc alloy coating (19). Each assembly comprises upper and lower elongate nozzles (13,14) extending transversely of the strip, a device to supply pressurized gas (15) to the nozzles for emergence therefrom as jet streams (20,21) directed towards the strip, and a reaction body (16) intermediate the nozzles defining a pressurized stabilizing zone (17) between itself and the strip. The lower jet streams are inclined downwardly at 5.degree. to the horizontal.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming a strip of metal which includes: a tundish for receiving molten metal; a metal delivery nozzle located below the tundish in a position to receive molten metal flowing downward from the tundish; and a pair of chilled rollers, which are capable of being contra-rotated, positioned below the metal delivery nozzle which are adapted to receive molten metal from the metal delivery nozzle into a pool of molten metal formed above the nip of the roller. The tundish is equipped with a series of openings in the base thereof directed toward the metal delivery nozzle through which the molten metal flows, and with an outlet flow control means. The outlet flow control means is a movable plate with apertures therein which substantially coincide with the apertures in the base of the tundish.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for casting metal strip in which molten metal is introduced between a pair of parallel casting rollers (16) via a tundish (18) and metal delivery nozzle (19). Casting rollers (16) are cooled so that shells solidify on the moving roller surfaces and are brought together at the nip between them to produce a solidified strip product (20) at the roller outlet. The tundish (18), delivery nozzle (19) and a pair of side closure plates (56) to confine the pool of metal on the casting rollers are separately preheated to working temperature and then rapidly brought into an operative assembly and casting is started before detrimental uneven or localized cooling of the preheated components can develop. To this end the casting rollers are mounted on a carriage (13) movable between a first station (14) at which the preheated components are fitted and a second station (15) at which casting is carried out.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for casting molten metal by passing molten metal form a casting pool above the nip of the pair of chilled rollers and thence through the pair of counter rotating chilled rollers, to thus form a thin sheet of solid metal. The molten metal is delivered to the casting pool from a metal delivery nozzle which contains an outlet flow passage at the bottom thereof, below the surface of the casting pool, through which the molten metal passes into the casting pool, which further contains a diffuser therein just above the outward flow passage, and which contains a pool of molten metal sufficiently deep that its surface is above the diffuser. The diffuser had a multiplicity of flow passages (holes) therein through which the molten metal, which is fed to the delivery nozzle, passes and is diffused into the outlet flow passage. An energy absorbing baffle means may be provided above the diffuser.

Abstract: This invention relates to the provision of mechanical anchorage in composite steel and concrete structural members such as slabs and beams, and more particularly to anchors adaptable as end anchors, to decking panels fitted with end anchors, and to composite structural members incorporating concrete slabs on such decking panels. According to a first aspect, the invention provides an anchor for composite steel and concrete structural members including an element of substantially rigid sheet material defining a base portion and at least two flange portions upstanding from the base portion, which element is a length to fit across a pan of a ribbed metal sheet with the flange portion extending across said pan, and means on or co-operable with the base portion engageable with complementary holes in the metal sheet so to extend through said holes, said means being adapted for holding the element in the metal sheet.

Abstract: A structural spacer adapted to bridge between two stringers each comprising a web pierced by a pair of slots of predetermined size comprises a steel channel-sectioned body (10) with pressed metal end fittings (11,19) at each end. One end fitting (19) includes two projecting, relatively small hooks (24) with arcuate outer surfaces (25), adapted to respectively engage an edge of the slots. The other end fitting has two relatively larger hooks (14) with arcuate inner surfaces (15) adapted to enter the respective slots and engage over the small hooks of a second spacer engaged therewith. The depths of the large hooks progressively increase from a minimum at their tips, so that when the spacer is swung into the operative position, but not before, the two hooks extending through each slot substantially fill it. An abutment (18) on the end fitting with the larger hooks determines the extent to which the spacer may be swung as aforesaid.

Abstract: A continuous hot-dip coating line, whereby an aluminum-zinc alloy coating, comprising from 25% to 75% aluminum by weight, is applied to a steel strip, includes an induction furnace whereby the coated strip is heated to a treatment temperature within the range of from 165.degree. C. to 275.degree. C., preferably about 200.degree. C. The strip emerging from the furnace is coiled directly at that treatment temperature into close wound coils having a mass of at least 2 tons, and the coils are allowed to cool in still air at the ambient indoor temperature pertaining, at a rate of no more than 40 centigrade degrees per hour, for all but a predetermined number (typically less than four, usually only one) of the outer turns of the coil which are scrapped, to enhance the ductility of the coating on the remainder of the coil. If the treated coated strip is subsequently painted, the paint is cured at a peak metal temperature of less than 240.degree. C.

Abstract: A high resolution CCD video camera (6) is positioned and aligned with respect to an illuminated article (7) so that a straight edge of the article, or a straight line junction between a bright zone and a dark zone of its surface, crosses the field of view of the camera in a direction substantially parallel to the rows of the camera's orthogonal array of rows and columns of light responsive elements, to divide that field of view into bright and dark zones. A frame store and digitizer (9) converts the individual signals generated by the elements into digital grey values.