Abstract: Apparatus for joining cohesive coated plastic sheets in a closed peripheral pattern with bulging of at least one sheet within the closed peripheral pattern to provide a sealed compartment containing only a gas such as air, or foam, under superatmospheric pressure. A method for forming a sealed bulging compartment containing substantially only a gas at superatmospheric pressure comprises joining two cohesive material coated sheets by engagement of said portions of said cohesive material coating at a closed periphery while causing at least one of the sheets to be bulged by gas at superatmospheric pressure. A bulging sealed cushion formed of two sheets each coated on one side with cohesive, air impervious material, at least one of the sheets being bulged outward, and containing substantially only a gas at superatmospheric pressure.

Abstract: Apparatus for generating a stream of high temperature gaseous material comprises a pressure container having an inlet for air under pressure and a restricted outlet orifice. An electrode is within the container, insulated from it, and connected to a source of direct current; it has a discharge point adjacent and aligned with the outlet orifice. The wall of the orifice is conductive and connected to ground. The space between the electrode and the container may converge towards the outlet. A method in which air is compressed within a container having a restricted orifice, at least the portion of the air within the container which is adjacent the orifice is ionized, the excited electrons and ions discharging rapidly from the container through the orifice water or fuel may be introduced into the discharging material, for generation of steam or for combustion, respectively.