Abstract: Liquid metal M in a casting ladle 1 located under a mold A is cast uphill under low pressure into the mold cavity 10 through a vertical shaft 3. The metal is treated by a soluble inoculation wire 13 suspended down through the cavity over a length L greater than the height h of the mold with its lower part H submerged in the liquid metal filling the shaft. The ladle pressure is maintained until the wire is fully dissolved, and then raised to fill the mold cavity with the inoculated liquid metal.

Abstract: A thin strip of metal or alloy is subjected to rapid solidification as it is ejected under pressure in a molten state from a crucible onto a cold, continuous band moving at high speed beneath the crucible's opening, in order to form metal strips in the vitreous state. An atmosphere under reduced pressure surrounding the zone of impact of the molten metal on the band is provided by a partially evacuated housing having opposed narrow inlet and outlet openings through which the band passes. The band is cooled and precisely positioned, and its vibration is minimized, by ejecting fluid from openings in the bottom of the housing, over which the band passes in closely parallel fashion. A pressurized gas at low temperature, ejected through these openings in the direction of the band, creates a fluid cushion between the band and the bottom of the housing.

Abstract: A cast iron pipe T with a minimal preset diameter is supported by a frame 1 equipped with support rollers 2, 6, the roller 2 being driven to rotate the pipe about axis X-X. Cutting is executed with a tool 16 coupled to the carrier roller 2. The rollers are disposed below the pipe, and the pipe is held against the rollers during cutting by a pressing roller 5 disposed inside the pipe end. The pressing roller is shifted downwardly in relation to the carrier roller.

Abstract: The annular cast body 1 of a butterfly valve is coated both internally and externally, including the butterfly shaft and axle passages 12, 13, with an elastomeric material 2 of the same type and hardness at all points of the valve body. The coating has a thickened band 15 which acts as a seat for the butterfly, and is molded around the valve body rather than being glued.

Abstract: The die (6) comprises a thick cylindrical body (7) which is surrounded by a cooling jacket (15) clamped against the pouring basin (2) and in contact with the latter in a plane (P). The body (7) is extended in the casting orifice (4) by a composite head (17) comprising a thin inner annular lip (22), whereof the inner surface extends that of the body (7) and a ring (24) of refractory material fitted between the lip, the body and the casting orifice. The (hot) lip (22) is connected to the body (7) in the plane (P), so that the ring (24) rejoins it also in this plane and that the flow of heat (f.sub.1) passing from the casting orifice to the cooling jacket must skirt around this ring.

Abstract: The gate valve comprises a body having a horizontal flow passageway, a vertical housing opening into the flow passageway and a closure member movable in the housing and passageway. The closure member has on each side a vertical U-shaped guiding bearing surface which projects from a sealing bead on the closure member and extends from the lower end of the closure member to a region located above the equatorial plane of the valve. This bearing surface permanently cooperates with a vertical bearing surface provided in the body between the flow passageway and a seat surface and having, when viewed along the flow axis a downwardly open C-shape.

Abstract: A manhole cover plug (1A) contains three helical ribs (5A) whose profile, in transverse cross-section, has two lateral quarter-circular parts (11A, 12A). These lateral parts cooperate with helical grooves of the frame with a quarter-circular profile of a greater radius.

Abstract: In order to injection mould smooth walled parts from plastics material containing a filler or cellular material a liquid coating material of low viscosity is introduced into the mould by means of the injected plastics material. Under the pushing action of the injected material, the coating material is deposited in the form of a thin film on the walls of the mould. The injection of the plastics material is effected from the lower part of the mould, so that the coating material rises progressively in the mould with the injected material.

Abstract: A grating (1) is composed of a series of transversal elements (2) which each have a central hole (11) and, at each end and on each surface, a planar surface (5) for abutting an adjacent transversal element. These elements are clamped one against the other by a central crosspiece (3) traversing their central holes. During the passage of rolling loads, the surfaces (5) slide one on the other to ensure at least four effective seat points for the grating, preventing its rocking.

Abstract: Head-to-tail turning of one pipe out of two in a series of pipes being presented at irregular intervals which may occur at even or odd multiples of a step. A horizontal transporter moves by intervals of two steps and a turning device for one pipe out of two moves by one step as necessary to place itself in a position for turning beneath the pipe to be turned. Pipes are arranged head-to-tail, horizontally and vertically, one joint alternating with one smooth end at each end of the pipes in the production of pipe bundles.

Abstract: To fast load a metal alloy casting furnace 1 at a high casting temperature to supply foundry molds at an industrial pace, a liquid portion of the overall load is first introduced deep inside the furnace with a device L comprising a telescopic channel 30-31. A solid portion of the remaining overall load is then introduced with a device S comprising a tilting pusher-equipped channel 20 disposed below a static hopper 15. The liquid part of the load includes alloy compounds which are the least sensitive to oxidation; the solid part includes compounds which are highly sensitive to oxidation.

Abstract: A fusing furnace casting channel 13 is surrounded by an induction heating coil 17 embedded in a refractory lining 12. A graphite sleeve 20 having a refractory inner coating 16 defines the casting channel. The sleeve serves as a permanent, single turn secondary winding such that the channel may be preheated even when no molten metal is present in the channel, which would ordinarily act as the secondary winding or core. This enables the casting channel to be maintained at a high temperature between successive casting operations.

Abstract: A pipeline 1 crosses a manhole 2 with a degree of clearance and is provided, inside the manhole, with a vertical pipe 19 capped with a removable sealing cover 22. The movement of the pipeline in relation to its surroundings is thus enabled without it being necessary for the manhole to be sealed. The cover is provided with a drainage valve 32 operable from the top of the manhole by a chain 33.

Abstract: The manhole has a frame 1 with a flange 4 to be embedded in the road and a movable cover 2 to fit in the cylindrical wall 3 of the frame. On its inside the wall 3 has three support surfaces 9 each downwardly sloping at an angle .alpha. to the horizontal in the circumferential direction and at an angle .beta. to the horizontal in the radial direction. Between the surfaces 9 the frame has three undercut surfaces 11 extending radially. On its underside the cover 2 has six surfaces 14, 15. When the cover is on the frame three surfaces 14 are parallel to the corresponding surfaces 9 and the three surfaces 15 are parallel to the corresponding surfaces 11. The surfaces 9, 11 on the frame abut the surfaces 14, 15 by which the cover is held against rocking.

Abstract: The tap device 1 consists in an articulated mechanism 23 which positions each plastic bottle 5 against the corresponding spigot 2 in a tilted position. The aeration and foaming of the carbonated liquid beverage are thus decreased, filling is more stable, and the star-wheel for removal 3 may be provided with a capper 42 using screw-tops.

Abstract: A cap 42 with a lower spherical surface 46 is held against the flared head 38 of a casting core 24 and rests on the spherical upper surface of an annular bed 50 which is fixed above a casting head 12. The bed is coaxial with an enlarged orifice 40 for the passage of the core, and is coaxial with a casting tank 16. Projections 70 are distributed regularly around the periphery of the core and come into contact with the internal wall of a mold 22 near a die opening to center the core in the mold by possibly moving the cap in relation to the bed, before final tightening.

Abstract: The cast tube (T) is subjected internally in a chill-mould (1) to the uniform spraying of water from 1000.degree. C. approximately to 350.degree. C. approximately. Then it is extracted from the chill-mould and in a furnace is subjected to isothermal bainitization maintenance, after which it is cooled in the atmosphere to ambient temperature. Without it being necessary to add expensive chilling elements, one thus obtains lightened tubes having very good mechanical properties and the ovalization of which remains acceptable.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for bundling beds of pipes using an intermediate cradle, a single removal sled, and a shovel prior to banding. Following delivery of pipe beds to the apparatus by a horizontal conveyor, a shovel repeatedly piles beds of pipes into an intermediate cradle, which subsequently passes the bundles to a removal sled for banding. An intermediate cradle passes obliquely above and below a removal sled to transfer the pipe bundles.

Abstract: The control mechanism to which the invention relates is intended to equip fire hydrants of the type comprising an outer body (1) extended downwards by an underground elongated pipe (2) connecting it to a water supply pipe (3), a valve cooperating with a valve seat, a control member (21) opening out at the upper end of the outer body (1) and said mechanism. The latter is constituted by a control rod (19) integral with a support member (7 ) constituted by a central sleeve (14) connected by radial arms (15) to a circular rim (16) provided with cylindrical bosses (17) and at least one lug (18) engaging in corresponding housings (11-13) provided in a support holder (6) fixed to the upper end of the elongated pipe (2).Application to fire hydrants.

Abstract: The invention provides a pipe or similar tubular member of ductile cast iron having an end casing. The thin walled casing has a curved profile at its entrance divided into two sections, of which one is formed by centrifugal casting, whereas the other, of lesser curvature, is made by hot or cold forming with a simultaneous axial compression and a radial bending directed towards the axis of the pipe. The invention is useful for forming fluid tight seals in pipelines using radial compression packings.