Abstract: A system for automatically, remotely monitoring the operational status of and initiating operational commands in one or more copy machines each having a copier computer therein for determining copier status and controlling operation of the copy machine comprising interface means in the copier to monitor status information of the remote location from the copier computer and receive and input operational commands from the remote location into the copy machine and communication means between the individual copiers and the remote location. The system utilizes a scanner to respectively monitor the copiers which can poll each of the copiers at a uniform rate or, when requested by the user at the central location, vary the poll rate of one or more of the copiers to poll the selected copier with increased regularity, slowing the polling rate of the other copiers, to provide a real-time monitoring of the selected copier.

Abstract: A skid-resistant, surface marking material is disclosed. The skid-resistant, surface marking material comprises a polymer matrix phase and a plurality of opaque ceramic spheroids partially embedded in and protruding from the top surface of the matrix layer. The ceramic spheroids have rounded surfaces and no substantial points.

Abstract: A skid-resistant, surface marking material is disclosed. The skid-resistant, surface marking material comprises a polymer matrix phase and a plurality of opaque ceramic spheroids partially embedded in and protruding from the top surface of the matrix layer. The ceramic spheroids have rounded surfaces and no substantial points.

Abstract: A system for automatically, remotely monitoring the operational status of one or more copy machines each having a copier computer therein for determining copier status comprising a data tap in the copier to monitor status information from the copier computer, a translator to adapt the status information from the copier computer into uniform information for transmission to the remote location, and a transmission link between the individual copiers and the remote location. The system utilizes a scanner to respectively monitor the copiers which can poll each of the copiers at a uniform rate or, when requested by the user at the central location, vary the poll rate of one or more of the copiers to poll the selected copier with increased regularity, slowing the polling rate of the other copiers, to provide a real-time monitoring of the selected copier. The system also provides for the operation of the copier from the remote location to allow the user at the remote location to operate the copier, i.e.

Abstract: A skid-resistant pavement marking sheet including a top surface and a plurality of skid-resistant ceramic spheroids embedded in and protruding from the surface. The ceramic spheroids are fired from a raw material mixture including 10-97 wt. % mineral particulates, 3-90 wt. % alumina, and at least 1 wt. % binder, at a temperature of about 1300.degree. C., have an outer surface rich in alumina concentration relative to the center of the spheroid, and are resistant to crushing and fracturing.

Abstract: Process for making particulate ceramics having an alumina rich region near their surface, comprising the following steps:(a) mixing and pelletizing, with the aid of water, raw materials including a mineral particulate such as nepheline syenite and a binder such as bentonite;(b) drying the wet pellets from step (a);(c) mixing the dried pellets with alumina parting agent; and(d) firing the mixture of pellets and parting agent at a sufficient temperature (less than 1450.degree. C.) and for sufficient time for vitrification to occur.

Abstract: A skid-resistant pavement marking sheet including a top surface and a plurality of skid-resistant ceramic spheroids embedded in and protruding from the surface. The ceramic spheroids are fired from a raw material mixture including 10-97 wt. % mineral particulates, 3-90 wt. % alumina, and at least 1 wt. % binder, at a temperature of about 1300.degree. C., have an outer surface rich in alumina concentration relative to the center of the spheroid, and are resistant to crushing and fracturing.

Abstract: Ceramic particulates useful as a proppant in hydraulic fracturing and in gravel packing operations is provided which comprises a ceramic (sometimes vitreous) core surrounded by an epoxy resin coating. Novolac epoxy resin compounds without any substantial acid soluble filler are used to coat ceramic particulates similar to those discloses in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,680,230 and 4,632,876. The result is a product which combines the excellent solvent resistance of the ceramics with the acid resistance of the resin. The resin coating gives the added benefits of lower specific gravity and improved crush resistance.

Abstract: Ceramic particulate useful as a proppant in hydraulic fracturing and in gravel packing operations is provided which comprises a ceramic (sometimes vitreous) core surrounded by an epoxy resin coating. Novolac epoxy resin compounds without any substantial acid soluble filler are used to coat ceramic particulates similar to those disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,680,230 and 4,632,876. The result is a product which combines the excellent solvent resistance of the ceramics with the acid resistance of the resin. The resin coating gives the added benefits of lower specific gravity and improved crush resistance.

Abstract: A process for making ceramic spheriods by mixing and converting spheroids, with the aid of water, raw materials of 50-99.8 parts by weight mineral particulate (e.g. blend of orthoclase, nepheline, hornblende and diopside) which particulate includes at least one mineral having chemically bound water or sulphur in a form which is not substantially water soluble and in amounts sufficient to yield 0.5 to 5 weight percent water or 0.04 to 2 weight percent sulphur in the total mass; 0.1 to 50 parts by weight silicon carbide; and 0.1 to 15 parts binder. The wet spheroids are dried and the dry spheroids are fired in contact with a parting agent (e.g. aluminum oxide) for a sufficiently long time to form a shell containing parting agent on the ceramic mineral having a fired density of less than about 2.9 grams per cubic centimeter when fired above 1,100.degree. C. The binder is typically bentonite clay.

Abstract: A two-phase ceramic particulate useful as a proppant in hydraulic fracturing operations is provided which comprises a vitreous matrix phase containing a crystalline alumina phase. The new ceramic particles are characterized by:(i) a concentration gradient of alumina which increases from very low in the center to relatively high near the surface of the particles;(ii) a fired density less than about 2.9 g/cc; and(iii) closed cell microporosity.Certain embodiments of the inventive ceramic particulate are also characterized by a Krumbein roundness of at least 0.8 and are chemically stable.The ceramic is made by a process comprising the steps of:a. mixing and pelletizing, with the aid of water, the dry raw materials including a mineral particulate such as nepheline syenite and a binder such as bentonite;b. drying the wet pelletizer product;c. mixing the dried pellets with a parting agent; andd.

Abstract: Ceramic spheroids having:A. a core made by firing raw materials comprising about:50-99.8 parts by weight mineral particulates;0.1 to 50 parts by weight silicon carbide; and0.1 to 15 parts by weight binder (e.g. bentonite); andB. an outer shell comprising Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 or MgO.More alumina or magnesium oxide is contained in the outer shell than in the core. The core of the ceramic spheroid has closed cell microporosity. The inventive spheroids are characterized by a density less than 2.2 g/cc and can be readily made to have a density less than 1 g/cc. These ceramic spheroids combine high strength (due to the tough outer shell) with low density (due to the closed cell microporosity) and have applications (among others) as buoyant water filtration media and low density fillers.

Abstract: A fire retardant, intumescent composition is provided which comprises a mixture of alkali metal silicate, represented by the formula M.sub.2 O:xSiO.sub.2 in which M is the alkali metal; an oxy boron compound selected from boric acid or salts of Group I and II elements; and water; in which the weight ratio x ranges from about 1.5 to about 4, the molar ratio of boron to M is between 0.2 and 0.9, and the water comprises about 5 to 15 weight percent of the total composition. These compositions are made by mixing an alkali metal silicate sol with a borate (e.g., boric acid) to form a gel which is dried in an oven. The resulting residue is crumbled to granules. A fire retardant which is relatively insoluble and has improved stability to long term exposure to water and humidity is formed. Various parameters (e.g.

Abstract: Glass microspheres having an index of refraction of 2.7 or higher are prepared by (1) forming the microspheres from compositions based principally on 65-85 weight-percent Bi.sub.2 O.sub.3 and 5-35 weight-percent TiO.sub.2, and (2) rapidly heating the microspheres after they have been initially formed to cause an internal structural rearrangement that raises their index. Such microspheres are useful to form retroreflective products having superior properties and a more simplified construction.

Abstract: An isothermal transformation process or method is disclosed for heat treating metals of the class which is characterized by having a time-temperature-transformation, or T-T-T Diagram or Isothermal Transformation Diagram. The process includes the steps of heating the metal workpiece at a heating source or station to a temperature above the solution treating transformation or austenitizing temperature (A.sub.

Abstract: Transparent glass microspheres that are based on a ternary system of TiO.sub.2, heavy-metal oxide selected from BaO and CdO, and strong glass-forming oxide selected from SiO.sub.2, P.sub.2 O.sub.5, and GeO.sub.2 are disclosed. The microspheres have improved uniformity in optical properties and in handling properties, whereby retroreflective products of greater retroreflectivity can be made.