Abstract: A method of producing aluminum alloy sheet product includes casting a slab, homogenizing the cast slab, and hot rolling the homogenized slab to provide an intermediate gauge product. The temperature and other operating parameters of the hot rolling process are controlled so that the temperature of the intermediate gauge product exiting the hot rolling step is between about 500.degree. F. and 650.degree. F. Preferably, the temperature does not exceed 575.degree. F. The intermediate gauge product is then subjected to a cold reduction of 45% to 70%, annealed, and cold rolled to final gauge. The combination of controlling the hot rolling to provide a desired exit temperature of the intermediate gauge product and annealing prior to cold rolling to final gauge minimizes or eliminates the appearance of ridging or roping line defects in the aluminum sheet product when subjected to further straining in a forming or stamping operation.

Abstract: A thin-walled metal container is formed with a bottom wall which is substantially flat and connected to a container side wall through a curved wall portion located at the periphery of the flat bottom wall. A stacking support member is attached to the lower surface of the bottom wall to define a rest surface for supporting the container on a horizontal surface, The stacking support member is made of foam material to prevent `sweating` of the container on a table surface while also minimizing scratching, Other non-metallic materials may function as the stacking support member.

Abstract: A method of forming a tube joint which can be used in a desalination plant includes providing a fluted tube, applying a sealant to the tube end and inserting the tube end into a tube sheet or plate to form a joint therebetween. After insertion, the inner surface of the fluted tube is worked to deform external ridges of the fluted tube and uniformly distribute the sealant throughout the joint area. The fluted tube is deformed using a roll expanding method. The fluted design of the tube retains sealant in the joint area during tube insertion and expansion and takes advantage of the heat transfer characteristic of the flutes to provide an improved joint construction especially adapted for heat exchange use.

Abstract: A method for improving the surface quality of electromagnetically cast aluminum alloy ingot includes the addition of an effective amount of calcium prior to the ingot head of an ingot mold of an electromagnetic casting station. The addition of calcium is regulated such that the aluminum alloy cast ingot contains a maximum of 0.05 weight percent calcium. Addition of the calcium prior to the ingot head produces a cast ingot which is generally free of surface imperfections on side surfaces thereof so that the cast ingot can be directly worked or rolled to a desired gauge without a scalping or surface conditioning treatment. The calcium can be added during melting, alloying, filtering, degassing or transferring of the molten aluminum prior to casting. An electromagnetically cast aluminum alloy ingot is produced, preferably an AA5182 can end stock alloy, which is essentially free of surface imperfections to permit direct rolling or other working of the cast ingot without a surface conditioning treatment.

Abstract: A childproof covering of a blister pack, e.g., one used to contain and vend tablets of medication, is heat-sealed to an element containing recesses for containing the tablets. The heat sealing disposes a frangible foil over the tablets, and provides two successive peelably adhered layers, preferably of a transparent plastic material, thereover. These two layers are each provided with a series of perforations in respective different patterns. Such a structure prevents a young child from biting through to the medication yet enables an older child or adult to successively peel away portions of the two plastic films to, thereafter, apply a force to the medication to rupture the foil in known manner. The adhesive layers by which the two plastic films are adhered to the frangible foil may include an ingredient which is harmless but will taste unpleasant to a young child and discourage further efforts to access the medication.

Abstract: An energy absorbing beam construction for use in vehicle seat belt restraining systems includes an energy absorbing beam which is mounted or fastened to a vehicle frame or vehicle seat frame. The seat belt retracting mechanism or belt buckle end of the seat belt restraining system can then be mounted to the energy absorbing beam. In use, when the vehicle is subjected to a head-on collision, the energy absorbing beam deforms elastically at collision speeds less than a target speed and deforms plastically at speeds greater than this to minimize injury to a vehicle occupant that may occur as a result of seat belt restraint.

Abstract: A method for making aluminum foil comprises providing an aluminum-based alloy composition consisting essentially of about 0.05 to 0.20 weight percent silicon, about 0.02 to 0.50 weight percent iron, about 0.05 to 0.30 weight percent copper and balance aluminum and inevitable impurities and grain refining elements, wherein the ratio of iron to silicon ranges between about 2:1 and 4:1. The aluminum-alloy composition is continuously cast using a unitary and chilled casting wheel to form a cast strip product of desired width and gauge. The cast strip product is then homogenized, cold rolled and recrystallized annealed into an aluminum foil product. The aluminum-based alloy composition produces a single roll cast product having minimum microshrinkage porosity on the air surface thereof. Reducing or eliminating the microshrinkage porosity in the cast product results in an aluminum foil product having a minimum of pinholes in the final foil product.

Abstract: A tube material opening apparatus includes two pairs of rotatable wheels which are positioned at upstream and downstream locations within tube material. The peripheral edge of each rotatable wheel is rounded or tapered and contacts the inner surface of the tube material as the material travels in a longitudinal direction. The wheels are mounted to provide appropriate lateral tension to the tube material. The apparatus may include T-shaped bearing members or positioning rollers for maintaining the rotatable wheel positioning within the tube material.

Abstract: A flanging apparatus includes a flanging head assembly having a cluster of freely rotatable spin flanging rollers and a stop ring against which the flange hits during the final flange forming stages to limit the flange to a specific diameter. To prevent the flange from entering the crack formed between the rotating roller and the stationary stop ring, there is provided a step spacing the stop ring surface from the roller forming surface. The forming process occurs as a result of spring biased relative axial movement of the can open end toward the forming surfaces, caused by contact between the can bottom with a base pad movable in a working stroke toward the flanging rollers with a cam controlled spindle. A spring extends between the base pad and a base pad spring collar attached to the spindle to create a predetermined spring force which is normally applied throughout the flange forming process.

Abstract: A process for preparing an ultra-white alumina trihydrate having a G.E. brightness of at least about 98%. The product is alumina trihydrate that has been rehydrated with coprecipitation, and the crystal phase of the product is primarily gibbsite in thin platelet form having a ratio of thickness to diameter of about 0.2 to about 0.3. The product is prepared by flash activation of a white initial alumina trihydrate, addition of the activated material to a purified sodium aluminate liquor having an alumina to caustic ratio of about 0.5, and rehydrating and precipitating the alumina at ambient temperature under agitation for about 48 hours, followed by washing and drying of the resulting precipitate. The material is especially useful as a filler or coating in papermaking, and it can be substituted for a portion of titanium dioxide pigment in the ratio of 1:1, and can be combined with titanium dioxide as a pigment mixture, either in slurry form or in dry form.

Abstract: A cover or lid of lightweight relatively flexible material including a circular top having a plurality of first planar segments circumferentially spaced along the circular top. Each first planar segment is connected to an adjoining first planar segment by a plurality of first inclined surfaces defining a plurality of first trapezoidal grooves. A sidewall is integrally formed with and extends downwardly from a peripheral edge of the circular top. The sidewall has a plurality of second planar segments circumferentially spaced along the sidewall with each second planar segment connected to an adjoining second planar segment by a plurality of second inclined surfaces defining a plurality of second trapezoidal grooves. The plurality of first planar segments and first trapezoidal grooves of the circular top are aligned with the plurality of second planar segments and second trapezoidal grooves of the sidewall.

Abstract: A film cutting apparatus includes a guide having a clip for attachment to a film material container and a cutting device designed to travel along said guide to sever the film material in predetermined lengths. The cutting device includes two pairs of guide wheels designed to travel in a channel in the guide beneath the cutting plane defined by a top surface thereof. The cutting device also includes a housing having disposed therein a star cutter, a star cutter driver assembly and a plate assembly attached to the housing providing rotatable support for the star cutter driver assembly and guide wheels. In use, the housing is gripped by a user and driven along the length of the guide. During housing travel, the star cutter driver assembly rotatably engages the guide top surface to rotate the star cutter and sever the film material lying in the path of the star cutter. The guide has a non-slip top surface so that the film material adheres thereto during cutting.

Abstract: A computer controlled, laboratory heat-sealing machine is employed as a quality control device to ensure that adequate heat seals are formed under pre-defined and outputted pressure, dwell time and temperature parameters. The apparatus includes sensors for monitoring temperature and pressure conditions throughout the sealing dwell period. The clamping pressure is constantly adjusted to be maintained at a preset level by sensing the clamping pressure and controlling the top heat-sealing bar through an eccentrically driven crankshaft linkage. Load cell arrangements for monitoring pressure in high and low pressure ranges are also disclosed.

Abstract: Strength anisotropy of aluminum-lithium alloy wrought products is reduced by subjecting these types of alloys to improved T8 temper practice. The wrought product, after solution heat treating and quenching, is subjected to a combination of cold rolling and stretching steps prior to aging. The cold rolling can range between 1 and 20% reduction with the stretching step ranging between 0.5-10%. The cold rolling step may be performed in one or a multiple of passes. When multiple passes are used, the cold rolling may be done in different directions to further enhance reductions in strength anisotropy for these types of alloys. An aluminum-lithium alloy wrought product subjected to the improved T8 temper practice has an increased minimum tensile yield stress throughout its thickness and in various directions to facilitate commercial application of the product in high strength applications.

Abstract: A computer controlled, laboratory heat-sealing machine is employed as a quality control device to ensure that adequate heat seals are formed under pre-defined and outputted pressure, dwell time and temperature parameters. The apparatus includes sensors for monitoring temperature and pressure conditions throughout the sealing dwell period. The clamping pressure is constantly adjusted to be maintained at a preset level by sensing the clamping pressure and controlling the top heat-sealing bar through an eccentrically driven crankshaft linkage. Load cell arrangements for monitoring pressure in high and low pressure ranges are also disclosed.

Abstract: A porous plug assembly for use in a vessel containing molten metal, such as a melting furnace or a holding furnace, for introducing fluxing or other gases into the molten metal. The porous plug assembly includes a frustoconical porous refractory core member that is enclosed around its side and bottom by a non-porous refractory lining. Positioned about the outer surface of the non-porous refractory lining is a metallic outer liner, preferably made from inconel, which includes a ceramic anti-corrosion coating. A gas distribution pipe, which also can be made from inconel, extends upwardly through the bottom of the metallic outer liner, through the non-porous refractory lining, and into the interior of the core member for introducing a fluxing gas therein. Surrounding the intermediate, non-porous refractory lining and the metallic outer liner is a refractory nest block. The fluxing gas passes through the porous core member and exits at the top thereof to enter the molten metal melt.

Abstract: Aluminum can stock is delacquered by treatment with a composition comprising a mixture of a polyalkylene glycol polymer and an aqueous solution of a dicarboxylic acid such as oxalic acid. The cans are cleaned sufficiently for recycling and the solution can be reused to delacquer additional aluminum can stock.

Abstract: A thin-walled metal container is formed with a bottom wall having a substantially flat central panel connected to a curved wall portion through an annular, inclined flat or frustum wall portion. The curved wall portion joins the container side wall and is defined by the base radius. The inclined or frustum connecting wall portion acts as a hinge which enables the central panel to move between an upper, non-tensioned position and a lower, tensioned position. In the upper position, the annular downward facing surface of the curved wall located at the radially outermost periphery of the bottom wall defines a support surface which supports the container against necking, seaming, and filling column loads. After displacement of the central panel to the lower, tensioned position, which may occur after filling as a result of carbonation pressure, the container rests on a series of circumferentially spaced feet.

Abstract: Casting aluminum-lithium based alloys under a salt cover involves forming a molten aluminum-lithium alloy, transferring the molten aluminum-lithium alloy to a casting station, and direct chill casting the aluminum-lithium alloy, wherein a protective molten salt cover comprising a mixture of lithium chloride and potassium chloride is maintained over the aluminum-lithium alloy during the casting process. Formation of the molten aluminum-lithium alloy includes alloying of lithium with aluminum by adding lithium to the salt-covered molten aluminum in a melting vessel. The molten salt may be added to the ingot head during casting. A preferred salt mixture includes 35 to 90 mole % LiCl and 10 to 65 mole % KCl.