Abstract: A process for melting and refining vitrifiable materials. In this method all or part of the thermal energy necessary for melting the vitrifiable materials is supplied by the combustion of fossil fuel with at least one oxidizer gas, the fuel, gas or the gaseous products resulting from their combustion are injected below the level of the mass of the vitrifiable materials. The refining of the vitrifiable materials after melting includes at least the step of subjecting them to subatmospheric pressure.

Abstract: Apparatus for forming a cased glass stream having an inner core glass surrounded by an outer casing glass includes a first orifice for receiving core glass from a first source, and an orifice ring forming a second orifice vertically spaced beneath and aligned with the first orifice. A chamber surrounds the second orifice and communicates with the second orifice through a metering gap between the first and second orifices. Casing glass is delivered from a second source to the chamber, such that glass flows by gravity from the first and second sources through the orifices to form the cased glass stream. A heater ring of refractory material is disposed beneath the orifice ring, and includes at least one electrical heater embedded in the refractory material of the heater ring. The electrical heater is thus disposed external to the casing glass chamber for adding heat to casing glass flowing through the chamber to the metering gap.

Abstract: The water pipe has a water chamber as for example a small open mouth bottle into which a stopper may be inserted or attached. The stopper has two ducts therein which are approximately 90 degree ducts. A smoke inlet tube is inserted into an exterior inlet port of the first duct and a smoke dispensing tube is inserted into an interior outlet port. A hollow stem is inserted into an exterior outlet port of the second duct. The water chamber is then partially filled with a fluid, and the stopper is attached at the open mouth upper end of the water chamber. A cigarette may then be inserted into the smoking inlet tube and ignited. When a user inhales at the hollow stem mouthpiece, smoke is drawn into the water chamber and through the fluid to exit the chamber through the hollow stem.

Abstract: A spinner disc for a rotary fiberization process, includes a base plate and an annular peripheral sidewall extending upward from the base plate which has a plurality of rows of fiberizing holes therein for fiberizing molten thermoplastic fiberizable materials by centrifugal force. The base plate has: a central bore therein on a rotational axis of the spinner disc for mounting the spinner disc on a drive shaft; an outer annular portion for receiving molten thermoplastic fiberizable materials to be fiberized; and an inner annular portion intermediate the central bore and, the outer annular base plate portion.

Abstract: The present invention is intended to provide piezoelectric ceramic materials having far better strain characteristics than that of conventional piezoelectric ceramics, as well as a novel method for producing such piezoelectric ceramics, and the present invention involves solid solution piezoelectric ceramics primarily comprising the complex perovskite compound Pb(Ni⅓Nb⅔)O3, the simple perovskite compound PbTiO3, and PbZrO3, wherein the aforementioned ceramics primarily comprise compositions within a triangle in which the compositional vertices are (X=52, Y=34, Z=14), (X=49, Y=37, Z=14), and (X=49, Y=34, Z=17), where Pb(Ni⅓Nb⅔)O3 is X mol %, PbTiO3 is Y mol %, and PbZrO3 is Z mol % (X+Y+Z=100) among the triangular coordinates in the phase diagram in which the vertices are Pb(Ni⅓Nb⅔) O3, PbTiO3, and PbZrO3, as well as a method for producing such solid solution ceramics.

Abstract: Flexible setter powder deposition sheets containing setter powders were developed for sintering of ceramic articles including tapes by an economical, fast and simple method. The sheets provide for deposition of a thin and uniform layer of setter powders on a green ceramic article after burnout of a binder in the sheet. Because of high strength and low burnout temperature, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose binder is preferred for production of these sheets. Tape cast sheets with low solids loading can be obtained by optimizing the wetting behavior of aqueous slurries on tape carrier. Setter, powder deposition sheets are of particular benefit in processing of thin ceramic tapes, particularly for processing of piezoelectric ceramic tapes. Tapes can be processed in a sandwich formed by layering setter powder deposition sheets between tapes and cover plates employed to maintain tape flatness and to reduce evaporation of volatile components of the ceramic.

Abstract: Apparatus (700) for sintering a glass base material (2) which is a base material for an optical fiber. The sintering apparatus (700) includes: a control unit which varies a condition for sintering the glass base material; and a furnace (12) which sinters the glass base material by heating the glass base material in an atmosphere of dehydration gas and inert gas. The control unit includes a drive source (3) which supplies the glass base material to the furnace at various speeds. The control unit includes a temperature control unit which controls the temperature of a heating source provided in the furnace.

Abstract: An open-cell glass crystalline porous material made from hollow microspheres which are cenospheres obtained from fly ash, having an open-cell porosity of up to 90 vol. % is produced. The cenospheres are separated into fractions based on one or more of grain size, density, magnetic or non-magnetic, and perforated or non-perforated. Selected fractions are molded and agglomerated by sintering with a binder at a temperature below the softening temperature, or without a binder at a temperature about, or above, the softening temperature but below the temperature of liquidity. The porous material produced has an apparent density of 0.3-0.6 g/cm3, a compressive strength in the range of 1.2-3.5 MPa, and two types of openings: through-flow wall pores in the cenospheres of 0.1-30 micrometers, and interglobular voids between the cenospheres of 20-100 micrometers.

Abstract: An ashtray that can be used in a vehicle has an extinguishing function. The ashtray includes a case having an upper opening and a disposal chamber. A first lid is pivotally supported on one wall of the case and covers a first part of the upper opening. A second lid is pivotally supported on a second wall opposing the first wall and covers a second part of the opening. A slot is formed between the first and second lids. A rotor is rotatably supported by the case below the slot. The rotor has vanes, with adjacent vanes defining receptacles for holding lit cigarettes. One of the receptacles is arranged at a receiving position below the slot and another of the receptacles is arranged at an extinguishing position in which the receptacle is covered by the first lid. A rotating mechanism rotates the rotor such that the receptacle in the receiving position moves to the extinguishing position.

Abstract: A method for cracking off glassware (1), whereby glass pieces (1) are subjected to a laser radiation treatment (F). In a first step, the part of the glassware to be cracked off (3) is subjected in a region thereof to the action of a continuous laser radiation beam (F) or to continuous laser radiation beams (F) such that the beams touch the part (4) in the region with a power density per unit area less than 30 W/mm2. In a second step, successive points along a line in the part to be cracked off, which has been subjected in the first step to the action of a continuous laser radiation beam (F), are subjected to the action of a focused pulsating laser beam (F) with power less than 250 W, such that, during this second step, the successive points, in the line of the focused laser beam's successive impact points on the part to be cracked off (3), are spaced from each other.

Abstract: The dielectric constant of low loss tangent glass-ceramic compositions, such as cordierite-based glass ceramics, is modified over a range by selective addition of high dielectric constant ceramics, such as titanates, tantalates and carbides and metals, such as copper. The low loss tangent is retained or improved over a range of frequencies, and the low CTE of the glass-ceramic is maintained. BaTiO3, SrTiO3 and Ta2O5 produce the most effective results.

Abstract: A process for producing inorganic molds involving molding a kneaded mixture containing a particulate inorganic material and water, which process comprises adding water-soluble hemicellulose to the kneaded mixture. The process provides inorganic molds with excellent dispersion stability of the inorganic material particles and improved plasticity, workability including fillability and shape retention, as well as strength.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing molded articles from a ceramic composite structure, in particular from a combination of tri-silicon tetranitride and a metal silicide, in which gas pressures up to 100 bar are used and the sintering additive content can be reduced to under 10 mass percent. This inert gas sintering pressure method makes possible larger molding free spaces in complicated geometrical structures of the molded articles, in contrast to the known methods. In addition, the electrical properties of this composite structure can be regulated by adjusting a defined nitrogen partial pressure.

Abstract: Apparatus for separating particles contained in threshed leaf tobacco includes a plurality of separating chambers, each including a separation chamber and having a fan system for establishing a generally upward air flow. A covered, high speed conveyor of projects the tobacco across the upward flow of air in each chamber in conjunction with additional make up air from the covered, high speed conveyor. Lighter particles of tobacco are carried upward and exit the chamber via a separating mechanism. Heavier particles of tobacco fall onto an integral conveyor and are discharged from the chamber onto another covered, high speed conveyor connecting it to the next chamber. The separating chambers are mounted in line in a configuration to suit the tobacco being processed.

Abstract: A ceramic molded body obtained by molding a raw material powder having a mean grain size of about 1 &mgr;m or less and a BET specific surface area of about 5 m2/g or more is fired in an atmosphere of about 95% or higher oxygen concentration at a temperature higher than an ordinary firing temperature for a time shorter than an ordinary time, whereby the sintering can be completed in a short time.

Abstract: Provided is an aluminum nitride sintered body excellent in thermal shock resistance and strength and applicable to a radiating substrate for a power module or a jig for semiconductor equipment employed under a strict heat cycle. An aluminum nitride sintered body obtained with a sintering aid of a rare earth element and an alkaline earth metal element contains 0.01 to 5 percent by weight of an alkaline earth metal element compound in terms of an oxide and 0.01 to 10 percent by weight of a rare earth element compound in terms of an oxide, and the amount of carbon remaining in the sintered body is controlled to 0.005 to 0.1 percent by weight, thereby suppressing grain growth and improving thermal shock resistance and strength of the sintered body.

Abstract: A method for providing flavorful and aromatic substances for use in a smoking article is disclosed. In the method, a mixture is provided including a reducing sugar source and a base catalyst. The mixture has a selectively enriched content of at least one free amino acid selected from the group consisting of serine, threonine, valine, leucine, and isoleucine.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of making a ceramic solid electrolyte separator for a high temperature electrochemical cell from a particulate starting material capable of being sintered to form a unitary polycrystalline solid electrolyte ceramic artifact. The method includes admixing the particulate starting material with a binder to form an extrudable mixture, extruding the mixture to form a unitary sinterable green artifact including a multiplicity of at least five tubes interconnected together in side-by-side relationship and sintering the green artifact to form a sintered polycrystalline ceramic solid electrolyte artifact. The artifact includes a multiplicity of at least five ceramic solid electrolyte separator tubes interconnected together by sintering and arranged in side-by-side relationship.

Abstract: A filter for a cigarette and a filter cigarette which make a smoking feeling much milder without the original cigarette taste and aroma being spoiled are provided. The cigarette filter has a filter rod 8 having an air permeable peripheral surface, and 3 to 12 axial passages 12 in the rod 8. These passages 12 are distributed on a ring having a diameter of 50 to 70% of that of the rod and have a diameter of 0.1 to 0.7 mm. The wall of the axial passages 12 have air permeability. In smoking, ventilation air introduced into the passages 12 dilutes the smoke stream from the cigarette.

Abstract: In an industrial glass furnace which contains recuperators, regenerators, electric boost or other devices for providing heat to glass batch material an oxy-fuel burner mounted in the roof of the furnace provides additional heat to melt the batch material. A method of mounting and using such a roof-mounted oxy-fuel burner including the operating parameters to maximize heat transfer while minimizing the disturbance of the batch material is disclosed.