Abstract: A method of producing a patterned shaped article includes the steps of disposing at a prescribed position within a main form for molding the shaped article a projection-bristling form having a support member and a plurality of projections standing upright from the support member, charging a prescribed amount of dry pattern-course material for forming the pattern course of the shaped article into spaces defined by a prescribed number of projections of the bristling form, charging a base-course material for forming the base course of the shaped article into the main form including the remaining space of the bristling form not filled with the pattern-course material, removing the bristling form, causing the charged pattern-course material and base-course material to set into a shaped article, removing the shaped article from the main form and, optionally, sintering the shaped article.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a concrete floor having an autogenous hard high gloss finish that does not require further coatings includes pouring a designed concrete mix to establish a slab having an upper surface slightly below the level determined for the finished floor. A finishing floor surface layer is created by applying an amount of a dry shake dressing material containing quartz crystals and a coloring agent, but no coarse aggregate, to the upper surface of the slab and floating the surface until the finishing layer reaches predetermined amount which cures to form a generally monolithic structure with the slab but having a higher compressive strength when fully cured. Necessary expansion joints are provided. The floor is coated with a curing sealer and allowed to cure for approximately 30 days, or until it reaches a predetermined compressive strength. The sealer material is removed and the expansion joints are sealed.

Abstract: A method for the manufacture of pretensioned prestressed concrete sleepers wherein, the tensioning wires are taken directly from one or more rolls of wire and are introduced in a longitudinal feed into a tensioning frame, and the tensioning wires (5) are initially anchored at the end thereof located at the front in feed direction. The wires are tensioned by a tensioning device arranged outside of the tensioning frame and resting against the opposite end thereof, and the wires (5) are anchored at the tensioning device; only then are the wires severed by means of a severing device. In this manner, it is possible to combine in a single station the operating stages of cutting to length, introducing and tensioning the wires, which stages in the past were distributed over several manufacturing stations, so that the labor intensive and time consuming manipulation of wires which have been previously cut to length is eliminated.

Abstract: An instrument trim panel (12) includes a shell (14) made from a flexible plastic material. A textured section (18) is circumscribed by a simulated seam (20). A closed cell plastic block (28) is press fitted behind the textured section. An air pocket (26) is interposed between the block and textured section. A rigid substrate (22) is molded and cured behind the shell (14) and block (28). The air pocket allows the textured section to be deformed to simulate the appearance and feel of a leather applique.

Abstract: A process for cleaning a surface of a refractory structure which is at an elevated temperature, including projecting against the surface a comburent gas stream which is a powder stream including fuel particles carried in an oxygen-containing carrier gas the comburent gas stream impinging upon the surface at an impingement zone, whereby the fuel particles are caused or allowed to burn in a reaction zone defined generally around the impingement zone and the heat generated by the combustion of the fuel particles causes the surface or material adhered thereto to melt and provide a melted material, and projecting a scouring stream including oxygen simultaneously or alternately at the surface to scour the surface in the vicinity of the reaction zone and thereby clean the surface due to the scouring stream blowing away the melted material.

Abstract: A process for producing a slab of stony material by filling of a mold (42) with a mixture of stony material for the realization of a slab of the material, supplying the mixture with a volumetric distributor with rotating blades (92) and moving the volumetric distributor from a first end to the other end of the mold (42) and then returning the distributor to the first end with the blades (92) in a swinging motion or angle widening motion, and stopping the distributor for a prefixed period of time at each end, during which time the blades (92) are given a limited rotation in the direction of the stopped end.

Abstract: A mandrel for making a rigid tubular article that has integrally-formed straight and arcuate portions. The mandrel has a plurality of shape-providing elements slidably disposed on interconnected straight and arcuate rods. After a rigid tubular article has been formed about the mandrel, the shape-providing elements can be slid off the straight and arcuate rods so that the mandrel can be removed from the rigid tubular article's interior. This provides for easy separation of the mandrel from the tubular article.

Abstract: Waste products which are to be disposed of by burial, are mixed with a hardening substance in bags which are wrapped around circular or approximately circular frames. The circular shape enables efficient mixing. The bagged frames are placed in a rectangular mould and the bags then filled and the contents mixed by stirring; the wrappings are released and the mixes settle into the shape of the rectangular interior of the mold and fill it, thus adopting the most efficient storage shape.

Abstract: Polishing compositions and methods are described for removing scratches and other imperfections from a variety of plastic surfaces in order to improve the clarity and optical quality. Such polishing compositions include a blend of suspension agents, at least one suspension agent having thixotropic qualities and at least one suspension agent having constant viscosity; solid abrasive material; water; and a lubricant. The compositions also preferably include a surfactant. The polishing compositions are applied by means of pads made from a variety of materials, including open-cell polyurethane or polyester, fleece wool, cotton, or other synthetic materials. The compositions are applied by hand or by means of a hand-held rotary, orbital, or oscillating machines, with fixed or variable speeds, and are also compatible with existing scratch removal machines, such as robotic machines.

Abstract: A process of molding a building panel which includes the steps of combining about 25 pounds of Portland Cement Type I, about 15 pounds of water at around 21.degree. Centigrade, added about 1 ounce of aluminum, calcium, magnesium, and silica, respectively, and about 12 ounces of synthetic fibers with about 0.1 ounce of ferro chloride in 40% solution by volume, and pouring the mixture into the lower portion of a mold to about 1/2 its depth and waiting for approximately 4 hours for the mixture to increase by about 100% of its original volume to fill the mold and thereafter stripping the mold from the form and placing it in a heated environment for curing for a period of approximately 24 hours and thereafter removing the panel from the heated environment.

Abstract: Tooling for facing a wall includes a plurality of cavities which are formed by four blades, each of the cavities corresponding to various brick sizes. Six lines of interconnected cavities are attached to a cross beam. Adjacent cavities and lines are spaced from another by a predetermined dimension. Unset settable building material is mixed with appropriate coloring and waterproofing agent and is applied to a wall to form an outer layer. The surface thereof is sponged to produce a brick like surface relief. The tooling is pressed into the outer layer to impress a pattern resembling brickwork. Unset material is sucked from the joint line space between adjacent cavities and the layer is allowed to set. Then, mortar is added to the joint line. Once the mortar has set, the final outer layer has a true brick finish that resembles a real brick wall. The unset settable material can be applied to damaged or wood walls so that a true brick finish can be given to a wall in a quick, simple and cost effective manner.

Abstract: A method of carrying out aggregate exposed finish for concrete capable of extremely reducing the usage amount of decorative aggregates, and of facilitating the work without requiring the long working time and the technique of a high level is as follows. The method includes the steps of: loading aggregates on an adhesive sheet; burying part of the aggregates in an adhesive layer of the adhesive sheet; casting mortar or concrete onto an aggregate loading surface of the aggregate loading adhesive sheet; hardening the mortar or concrete; and removing the adhesive sheet.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing a porous Si.sub.3 N.sub.4 ceramic filter, wherein silicon powder, the raw material, methyl cellulose, the binding agent, and water, the solvent, are well-mixed together to obtain a slurry. A sponge is then dipped into the slurry to adsorb the slurry. After drying the sponge in an oven, it is biscuit fired at 350.degree. C. for 2 hours, and then sintered at 1200-1400.degree. C. for 15 hours.

Abstract: A molding mechanism and method of using that mechanism for simultaneously forming, by injection molding, two molded parts intended to be interference fit together and then, while the two molded parts are still within the molding mechanism, repositioning them and fitting them together. The sequenced interplay of the moving parts of the molding mechanism which accomplishes this process may be controlled by either a two-part or a single-part camming mechanism. The two molded parts may be an actuator-overcap and a spray nozzle insert.

Abstract: A lightweight concrete forming tube is disclosed, and wherein the tube has a very thin wall of wound paper layers which permit the tube to be collapsed and wound into a reel to facilitate shipment and storage. In use, the desired length is severed from the reel, and the severed length is opened and positioned about a vertically disposed steel reinforcing structure. Concrete is then poured into the opened tube, and the hydrostatic pressure of the liquid concrete causes the tube to assume a circular cross-section and straight vertical configuration. Upon hardening of the concrete, the tube is severed with a knife and removed, leaving a formed concrete column of circular and straight configuration.

Abstract: A simplified, low-cost forming system (46) and method for the rapid construction of integrated, monolithic cast structures such as storm shelters (20). The preferred forming system (46) includes an inner core form member (48) presenting a base (54) and upstanding sidewall structure (56), together with an open-top outer form member (50) having a circumscribing sidewall assembly (118) and a superstructure (120) releasably secured thereto. In use, the outer form member (50) is telescoped over the inner core form member (48), with the distance between the form walls defining the thickness of the resulting shelter (20); preferably, a reinforcing grid (52) and door frame (32) are located between the form members (48, 50). After form assembly, concrete (178) is poured through the open top of the outer form member (50) to fill the complete form.

Abstract: A method of producing replicated paving stone including a base having a shaded and stratified layered upper surface with a plurality of simulated grout lines formed therein including the steps of preparing a cementitious mortar, applying a release agent to the interior of a forming mold, pouring the cementitious mortar into the forming mold, leveling the mortar, vibrating the forming mold and cementitious mortar therein, allowing the cementitious mortar to cure forming a base with an upper surface, releasing the base from the forming mold, applying an acid stain to the base, allowing the acid stain to etch the base to shade the upper surface, accenting the plurality of simulated grout lines with a pigment and sealing the replicated paving stone with an acrylic polymer sealer.

Abstract: A device for repairing laminated glass by inserting a liquid, curable resin into the fracture in the glass. An absorbent material is attached to the bottom of a suction cup. When it is desired to commence a repair, several drops of the resin are placed in the absorbent material. The suction cup is then positioned over the fracture such that the absorbent material is aligned with the center of the damage. Then the center of the suction cup is depressed toward the glass until resin flows from the absorbent material. To expedite the repair process, the vacuum between the suction cup and the glass may be intensified by pulling the center of the suction cup farther from the glass without detaching the edge of the suction cup; the center is maintained at this distant location for several seconds before being returned to its original position; and the pulling and returning is repeated several times. This process may be facilitated by attaching a handle to the top of the suction cup.

Abstract: A method of producing slab-like concrete elements having mutually parallel sides and containing one or more filling bodies wherein a part of the element which contains one or more filling bodies is cast in a first manufacturing stage and allowed to harden, and wherein the hardened part is turned upside down and lowered into a mould which contains fresh concrete, in a second manufacturing stage and the fresh concrete is allowed to harden. In the first manufacturing stage the concrete is poured into the mould to a level such that the upwardly facing side of each filling body will be free from concrete; in that the free surface of each filling body has provided therein recesses whose combined volumes correspond to the variation in the amount of concrete used in the second manufacturing stage; and in that in the second manufacturing stage the first part is lowered into the mould containing fresh concrete to a level at which the produced concrete element has a nominal thickness.

Abstract: Material having improved characteristics for filling endodontically prepared root canals is obtained by heat treating gutta percha based material at a temperature in the range of 210.degree. F. to 310.degree. F. for a period of two to twenty-four hours, the time being decreased as the temperature is increased.