Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for (1) forming a mat of lignocellulosic particles electrostatically aligned in a cross-machine direction to the direction of movement of the mat being formed, and (2) forming a composite panel having a core layer of particles electrostatically aligned in the cross-machine direction and face layers of particles electrostatically aligned in the machine direction. The multilayered mat of electrostatically aligned particles employs separate orientation cells for aligning the particles in the machine and cross-machine directions. For aligning the particles in the cross-machine direction, a uniformly distributed array of particles is passed through spaced charged plates of a high-voltage electrostatic field having electrical lines of force extending substantially transverse to the direction of movement of the mat being formed.

Abstract: In a hydraulic press for briquetting loose powders into green compacts, a load cell senses maximum compacting force. The maximum compacting force is compared with a compacting standard force known to effect a particular weight and density of compacted briquette. There is next operated a closed-loop servo network which adjusts the peak force to the standard force by varying the initial size of the cavity receiving the loose powders. Should the peak force be greater or less than standard force, an actuating mechanism is energized either to enlarge or diminish the die cavity for receiving the powder. If the peak force is too small, the initial die cavity size is enlarged so that a greater amount of powder is charged to the die cavity. The result is that when the final configuration of the briquette is reached, there will be greater density and greater weight to the briquette, causing it to more nearly approximate a standard briquette weight and density.

Abstract: Scraper apparatus, preferably for pelletizers is disclosed, the scraper being adapted with a plurality of individual blades rotatable into contact with the walls of the pelletizer and removable after excessive wear.

Abstract: A briquetting machine for shaping a pulverized and/or powder material includes, on the downstream side of briquetting rolls, a pair of notching rolls provided with blades on their peripheral surfaces. The blades extend in the circumferential direction and/or the widthwise direction. The notching rolls are rotated in opposite directions in synchronization with the briquetting rolls, whereby a continuous strip of briquettes discharged from the briquetting rolls can be sheared and separated by the notching rolls. In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, in the aforementioned type of briquetting machine, the interval between the notching rolls is selected such that when the continuous strip of briquettes is bitten between the notching rolls and is not sheared nor separated but it is merely notched by the notching rolls. A briquette guide is disposed on the downstream side of the notching rolls.

Abstract: A process for producing a metallic article comprising forming a mixture of metallic particles and plastics particles, injecting the mixture under pressure and at elevated temperature into a die, allowing the die to cool and removing from the die the metallic article.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for direct molding of porous retainers with unobstructed pores for proper lubricant dispensing for use in instrument ball bearings. A method for forming porous ball bearing retainers includes the steps of filling a complex mold with a prescribed quantity of polyamide-imide powder, compressing the powder at high temperatures, and curing the compressed powder for a specified time at high temperatures. A mold for producing such compression molded porous retainers includes a housing having a centrally disposed bore extending longitudinally therethrough. Two plungers are inserted into the bore, one from either end thereof. One of the plungers is spring biased and the inner termination of both plungers are spaced a predetermined distance from one another within the bore. A mandrel is inserted into the bore from one end and passes within both plungers. In this fashion, the inner terminations of the plungers define the top and bottom of the retainer mold cavity.

Abstract: The invention comprises a method for densifying powders utilizing a pair of opposed gas-permeable belts arranged to either side of a common axis so as to define a generally convergent densifying zone between their adjacent faces. The belts are supported spanwise by a plurality of opposed spaced apart support rolls, each opposed pair of rolls defining a densifying station therebetween. The gas-permeable belts are driven toward the convergent end of the densing zone at substantially equal speeds while powder material to be densified is fed into the divergent end of the densifying zone at a rate sufficient to maintain a substantially complete fill thereof.

Abstract: A molding mixture comprising a filler, such as wood particles and a resin binder, is pressed under light pressure on a flat bed to produce a mat with a density between 1/15 and 1/3 of the material in the finished article to be made by pressure molding. A molding preform is then made from a piece of such mat having a suitable contour, by sculpturing one side of the mat with suction devices to provide a thickness variation over the mat area corresponding to the requirements of the molding step.

Abstract: A rod billet is melted by using a low-temperature plasma jet generator built into a lid of a melting chamber. The plasma jet generator can be oriented at different angles .theta. from 0.degree. to 70.degree.. The plasma jet's axis can be displaced, parallel to its original position at the center of the end face of the billet being melted, towards the periphery of that end face along its radius. These features account for an increased output and a better uniformity of granules.

Abstract: Spray dried spheroidal ceramic particles are fired at about 100.degree. to 150.degree. (C.) less than the optimum firing temperature, so as to achieve about 95% of theoretical density while avoiding more than nominal co-sintering (e.g. sticking together). The fired spheroidal ceramics are useful as such in a variety of applications, and can also be pressed into shapes and re-fired to form porous ceramic filter elements of closely controlled permeability.

Abstract: A method for producing a synthetic board from cellulosic and/or lignocellulosic materials wherein a polyisocyanate binder is applied to the hot and wet fibrous material in the blow line out of the refiner of the board forming process. Polyphenylpolyisocyanates, such as a mixture of diphenylmethane-4,4'-diisocyanate and polymethylene polyphenyl polyisocyanates, are a particularly suitable binder.

Abstract: A method for the production of a composite material formed from comminuted particles including blending the particles and a suitable adhesive, forming the blend into a mat, and compressing the mass by at most about 65 percent. In related aspects, the particles have a defined diversity of thicknesses, adhesive is used in an amount less than about six percent by weight, and the material is compressed to have a void volume of at least about 10 percent.

Abstract: A device for producing metallic particles utilizes the Coanda Effect to draw one stream of gas toward another stream of gas flowing over a foil. Molten metal is introduced between the two gas streams, and the resulting interaction breaks up the molten metal flow into particles of appropriate size, shape, composition and the like.

Abstract: Normally solid materials, e.g. metals or metal alloys, are provided as solid particulates, and preferably as fine spherical to almost spherical, as well as fiber-like, particulates, including solid particulates of a metallic glassy structure, by contacting a molten stream of the material, which at a temperature within 25 percent of its equilibrium melting point .degree.K. has a surface tension of 10 to 2500 dynes/cm. and a viscosity of 0.001 to 1 poise, preferably from 10.degree. C. to 100.degree. C. above its melting point, with a rapidly moving wall of a centrifugally disposed rotating liquid quench fluid, e.g. water or an oil, etc., in a manner adapted to disrupt the stream with breaking of the stream into molten globules or particles and to quench rapidly those globules or particles into the solid particulates. The produced solid particulates subsequently are separated from the liquid quench fluid and classified to find utility for example in powder metallurgical applications.

Abstract: A waferboard panel is disclosed and a method of making the panel having a friction surface on at least one side. The friction surface retains the water resistant properties of the panel surface and allows a firm footing when the panel is used in sloped roofs. The waferboard panel has at least one surface being a friction surface comprising a plurality of raised protrusions spaced apart in a predetermined pattern. The process of making the panel comprises the steps of assembling wood wafers coated with an adhesive binder into a mat with a plate, the plate having a surface adjacent the mat with a plurality of indentations or holes therein in a predetermined pattern, and pressing the mat in a press at a high temperature with the plate adjacent the mat to form the wafers into a waferboard panel such that the friction surface of the waferboard panel has a plurality of raised protrusions spaced apart in a predetermined pattern.

Abstract: An apparatus for loading cosmetic material into a hollow space includes a porous absorbent block arranged to define at least a part of a closed hollow space. A cosmetic material is injected into the closed hollow space, the cosmetic material being prepared by mixing powder cosmetic material with a binder and solvent. The absorbent block is separated from the cosmetic material solidified in the hollow space. Solvent which is absorbed by the absorbent block is removed therefrom after separating the block from the solidified cosmetic material.

Abstract: Iron-containing refractory balls, in a retorting process for oil shale, permit effective magnetic separation of the balls from the spent shale. These ceramic balls can be made by a process such as admixing powdered alumina and water to form an extrudable mixture, extruding to form cylinders, reshaping cylinders into balls, overcoating with iron particles, further overcoating with alumina, and firing.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing a synthetic board from cellulosic and/or lignocellulosic materials wherein a thermosettable binder, preferably a polyisocyanate binder, is applied through a cooled nozzle to the hot and wet fibrous material in the blow line out of the refiner of a board forming process. Polyphenylpolyisocyanates, such as a mixture of diphenylmethane-4,4'-diisocyanate and polymethylene polyphenyl polyisocyanates, are a particularly suitable binder.

Abstract: The processing for reconditioning of waste cement kiln dust to reuse the valuable metal salts thereof as a combination soil conditioner, liming agent and potassium-enriched fertilizing material, wherein water is admixed with the waste dust in a carbon dioxide-containing atmosphere to primarily reduce the alkalinity of the dust and to secondarily granulate the mixture.

Abstract: Iron-containing refractory balls, in a retorting process for oil shale, permit effective magnetic separation of the balls from the spent shale. These ceramic balls can be made by a process such as admixing powdered alumina and water to form an extrudable mixture, extruding to form cylinders, reshaping cylinders into balls, overcoating with iron particles, further overcoating with alumina, and firing.