Abstract: An aluminum based alloy useful in aircraft and airframe structures which has low density and consists essentially of the following formula:Mg.sub.a Li.sub.b Zn.sub.c Ag.sub.d Al.sub.balwherein a ranges from 0.5 to 10%, b ranges from 0.5 to 3.0%, c ranges from 0.1 to 5.0%, d ranges from 0.1 to 2.0%, and bal indicates the balance of the alloy is aluminum, with the proviso that the total amount of alloying elements cannot exceed 12.0%, with the further proviso that when a ranges from 7.0 to 10.0%, b cannot exceed 2.5% and c cannot exceed 2.0%.

Abstract: An improved method for extracting lithium from aluminum-lithium alloys includes providing an electrorefining cell which contains a cathode comprising a pure molten tin pool and a source of lithium from a molten aluminum-lithium alloy. The lithium is extracted from the Al-Li alloy by applying an electric current through the electrorefining cell whereby lithium dissolves from the molten Al-Li alloy into the tin pool and forms a tin-lithium alloy. The formed Sn-Li alloy may be recovered by casting under a salt layer and cooled to solidification. In a further aspect, the recovered Sn-Li alloy may be processed to further recover lithium therefrom by either electrolytic recovery in a separate electrolytic cell, vacuum distillation or a chemical extraction process.

Abstract: The density of various refractory hard metal articles are controlled so that articles made from the refractory hard metals are able to float on the surface of molten aluminum. Floating such articles on aluminum has been found to both stabilize and protect the surface of molten aluminum. Floating cathodes for use in aluminum reduction cells is a particular application for the floating refractory hard metals.

Abstract: A method for treating reclamation baghouse dust originating from particulate material emitted during melting of aluminum scrap metal. The reclamation baghouse dust typically comprises a mixture of carbonaceous materials and heavy metals. The method comprises collecting the baghouse dust, mixing the collected dust with limestone, and compressing the resulting mixture into blocks using a pressure of at least about 3,000 psi.

Abstract: A cupfeeder for feeding cups from a supply chute to a feed location in operative alignment with a drawing and ironing machine is disclosed. The cupfeeding mechanism comprises a push rod mechanism mechanically driven in reciprocating strokes to advance a cup which has dropped from the lower end of the chute to the feed location along a transfer path defined by a positioning member. The push rod mechanism includes an inner push rod extending telescopically from an outer push rod driven by the reciprocating drive. The inner push rod is maintained by pressurized fluid in a fixed axial location, relative to the outer push rod, to project forwardly therefrom to a maximum extent to engage the cups in the cupfeeding process. In response to jamming of a cup within the drawing and ironing station, pressurized fluid is re-routed within the outer push rod to retract the inner push rod and prevent further transfer of cups along the transfer path.

Abstract: A composition and method is disclosed for the production of aluminum. A modified cryolite electrolyte bath is shown comprising, by weight: 0.5 to 1.5% LiF; 0 to 2% MgF.sub.2 ; 3 to 5% CaF.sub.2 and 8 to 12% excess AlF.sub.3. Also, Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 in an amount of 1 to 6%; preferably 1 to 3% by weight, is present in the bath.

Abstract: There is disclosed apparatus for measuring forces applied to a pull tab during the formation of an opening in a can end having an upper and lower surface with the pull tab hingedly secured to the upper surface and a source line in the can end defining an opening. A sample set of such can ends is batched loaded, by different plant technicians monitoring different can end forming machines, into a feed chute of the testing apparatus. The individual sample sets are separated from each other with special coded can ends. As each can end is fed into the testing apparatus, it is interrogated by a sensing arrangement which determines the presence of a physical characteristic unique to the coded can end signifying the completion of testing of a particular sample set. In this manner, the host computer precisely correlates the test data of each individual can end with relevant production data.

Abstract: System for cutting and sealing overlapped film for packaging objects by a blade projecting between heated bars, with means movable along slots in the blade to adjust the blade projection.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing draw tape bags, unique tubular films used in the process and the resulting draw tape bags are disclosed. The process begins with the step of forming a tubular film having a longitudinal region with a film strength greater than the film strength of the remainder of the tube. Next, the longitudinal region of greater strength is slit out of the tube and into draw tape ribbons, leaving the remainder of the tube in the form of a continuous sheet with two side edges. A hem with a draw tape access hole is next formed from each of the two side edges, each of the hems encasing a draw tape ribbon. Last, transverse seams are formed in the folded continuous sheet to define individual bag edges and the folded continuous sheets is severed to form individual bags. In one embodiment the longitudinal region of greater strength is made from a resin different than the resin making up the remainder of the tube.

Abstract: End closure for a container is tested for pneumatic pressure required to buckle or rupture it, by applying pneumatic test pressure to one face of the closure, and using that pressure to press an annular peripheral area of the opposite face of the closure against a support to establish a seal without gripping the closure mechanically.

Abstract: A mold for the casting of aluminum sow ingots includes a mold box having a bottom wall and side walls that define a generally rectangular mold cavity. The bottom wall includes a central raised longitudinally extending protrusion and side longitudinally extending protrusions adapted to define corresponding depressions in the ingot bottom. The side depressions establish ledges for receiving a pair of fork lift blades or tines entering the ledges from either transverse side of the ingot perpendicular to the ledges. A pair of transversely extending protrusions in the mold bottom wall establish corresponding transverse depressions in the mold bottom that are perpendicular to the central longitudinal depression and equispaced from the central transverse axis by a distance enabling the pair of fork lift blades to enter the transverse depressions from a direction perpendicular to either of the longitudinally extending ingot sides to provide a dual entry feature for ease of handling.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for automatically inspecting containers at an increased rate is characterized by simultaneous inspection of adjacent containers by a plurality of photosensors. Containers are moved in series order along a prescribed path through an inspection area. Exterior surfaces of containers are illuminated; openings in the container bodies permit light to be transmitted to a photosensor through a viewing window in an opaque disk which shields unwanted light from the sensor. Photosensors are arranged to receive light in parallel overlapping paths. Optical units including lens and optic fiber bundles direct light from successively tested containers to different sensing paths. In an alternative embodiment, the disk has a split window configuration permitting successively tested containers to be detected by alternate sensors.

Abstract: A horizontally movable ram and crank drive mechanism therefor for reciprocating the working end of the ram in straight line motion through a die pack for ironing and drawing metallic can bodies is disclosed. The ram is supported by a hydrostatic type bearing support assembly to counteract gravitational vertical deflection of the unsupported working end of the ram. A cardan type crank drive mechanism for converting rotational input force into straight line reciprocating movement of an output shaft is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of direct casting crystalline metal sheet in continuous strip form from a melt of metal having a melting point below about 900.degree. C. on a continuously driven substantially smooth chill surface cooled to extract heat from the strip being cast avoids gas pockets between the strip and chill surface by applying heat from an external source to the chill surface prior to the chill reentering the melt whereby vaporizable condensates and deposits on the chill surface are eliminated prior to contact with the melt.

Abstract: A method for enhancing the thermal quenching of a metal surface comprises treating the metal surface with a complex phosphate acid ester. The metal surface is simultaneously or subsequently treated with a thermal quenching fluid. The method is particularly adapted for use in thermal quenching of aluminum and aluminum alloy surfaces.

Abstract: A blade setting tool assembly for clamping a plurality of heat seal and cutting blades within a blade retaining channel of a three blade seal bar is disclosed. The blade setting tool assembly includes a blade positioning block having an upwardly directed blade positioining slot extending along its length to receive the exposed blade edges. A pair of mounting straps fixed to the blade positioning block extend upwardly along opposite sides of the block and include upper ends terminating above the height of the blade seal bar. The strap upper ends are each formed with a slot open to one of the vertical edges thereof to receive opposite end portions of an eccentric roller extending between the upper ends.

Abstract: Disclosed are process and apparatus for use in the direct casting of metal strip from molten metal deposited on a moving chill surface from a tundish having a floor, opposed upwardly extending sidewalls, an end wall, an open outlet opposite the end wall with the open outlet extending substantially the full width of the tundish between the sidewalls, and an inlet for providing a flow of molten metal into the tundish from a source of molten metal. Flow distribution and diffusers within the tundish control and diffuse the flow of molten metal to provide molten metal of substantially uniform temperature across the width of the tundish at the outlet.

Abstract: A melt drag metal strip casting system of the type wherein molten metal is delivered from a supply of the molten metal into contact with a grooved chill surface at a casting station and the chill surface is driven for movement in a path past the casting station at a predetermined linear rate to quench and withdraw a continuous strip of metal from the molten metal supply, the grooves in the chill surface being gradually parallel and spaced from one another to provide land regions between adjacent grooves and the strip having a bottom surface adhering to the land regions of the chill surface and an unsolidified top surface as it is withdrawn from the molten metal supply, including a top roll adjustable mounted above the chill surface and spaced therefrom by a distance substantially equal to the thickness of the strip desired with the top roll in contact only with the unsolidified top surface of the strip, with the temperature of the top roll surface in contact with the unsolidified top surface of the strip bein

Abstract: An improved method of and apparatus is disclosed for direct casting of molten metal to form a strip by solidification of the molten metal on a moving chill surface using the vessel having a floor, spaced sidewalls, an inlet and an outlet extending between the sidewalls for supplying the molten metal to the chill surface in which the transverse dimension of the outlet may be adjusted during casting to change the width of the strip and preferably adjustable baffles or flow diverters are provided to control the flow pattern to provide a substantially uniform flow of metal to the outlet.