Abstract: A blast-resistant container for receiving an explosive or explosive-suspect article comprises a high-strength outer housing, and an inner compressible layer of a mixture including vermiculite in a binder, effective to space the article from the outer housing, to absorb energy of the blast before transmited to the outer housing, to distribute the blast forces over a larger surface area of the outer housing, and to impart resistance to the penetration of fragments to the outer housing.

Abstract: A self-contained, unitary mixing cartridge for use in hot and cold water faucets for manually selecting the mixture-proportions and flow-rates of water supplied from separate hot water and cold water inlets to a common outlet, comprises an outer housing, an inner housing, a lever pivotably mounted in the inner housing and having an outer end projecting through the top wall of the outer housing for coupling to the faucet handle, and a slide valve within the inner housing and coupled to the inner end of the lever.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are described for handling a pressurized fluid inletted from a pressurized fluid supply line into a container and outletted therefrom through a pressurized outlet line in order to avoid pressurizing the container. According to the described method and apparatus, the energy of the fluid inletted from the pressurized fluid supply line into the container is utilized for driving a motor, thereby reducing the pressure of the fluid stored in the container; and the motor is utilized for driving a pump which increases the pressure of the fluid outletted from the container to the pressurized fluid outlet line. The invention is described particularly with respect to hot water supply systems in order to avoid the need of making the storage tank of pressurized construction.

Abstract: A protective wall structure having a high resistance to blast and fragments includes two spaced groups of panels of sheet metal in interlocking relationship and defining each of the two opposite faces of the wall structure, a plurality of diagonal panels extending diagonally in saw-tooth configuration between the face panels and in interlocking relationship with them, and a filling material of concrete or asphalt filling the space between the face panels and embedding the diagonal panels therein.

Abstract: A vapor generating gun on a movable support comprises a combustion chamber having an inlet for receiving fuel and pressurized air and an outlet for the hot gases of combustion under pressure, a secondary inlet providing a flow of pressurized air adjacent the outlet and a water injector providing a spray of water in the path of the hot gases. A tertiary air inlet may also provide a flow of air adjacent the water ejector.

Abstract: A solar collector is described including a backing plate to be disposed at an incline, and a darkened heat-absorbing pliable film loosely lying over the backing plate in direct contact with it, the side edges of the film being unsecured for free and unrestrained movement on the backing plate. The solar collector further includes an inlet for introducing a light mineral oil between the backing plate and the darkened heat-absorbing film such that the light mineral oil flows downwardly by gravity in the form of a thin uniform coating between the film and the backing plate.