Abstract: An applicator device may include a back panel, and may further include one of: a pole attached to the back panel; and a coupler coupled with the back panel and configured for receiving a pole. The applicator device may include an applicator panel having four sides each of which at least partially defines a rectangular perimeter, the applicator panel comprising a plurality of openings. The applicator device may include at least one spacer coupled between the applicator panel and the back panel, the at least one spacer facilitating a gap between the applicator panel and the back panel, wherein the applicator panel comprises a flat top surface and is configured for applying a layer of wet drywall compound to one of a wall and a ceiling. In implementations multiple spacers are included, which are hollow, and which facilitate coupling of the back and applicator panels using threaded couples passing therethrough.

Abstract: A process for treating an alkali metal hydrosulfite solution containing thiosulfate ions as an impurity which comprises reducing cathodically the alkali metal hydrosulfite solution to convert thiosulfate ions to sulfide ions, the alkali metal hydrosulfite solution having a residual alkalinity of from about 0.1 to about 20 grams per liter of hydroxide ion.

Abstract: Apparatus for detecting at least one metallic object in a series of metallic objects lying along a path in a repetitive pattern by a metallic detector mounted on a vehicle movable along the path with the movement of the vehicle controlled by the detector to position the vehicle over a detected metallic object and blocking detection of a previously detected object subsequent to the detection of the previously detected metallic object to prevent erroneous metallic object detections, and further controlled to initiate different travel modes of movement including a fast mode to move the vehicle in a forward direction along the path at an optimum speed and controlling deceleration of the vehicle for accurately positioning it at a detected one of the metallic objects. The apparatus has particular application to the tamping of crossties on railway tracks and includes programs for controlling the movement of the vehicle and the tamping operation.

Abstract: A resin chelating agent and process for making it are disclosed. The process comprises reacting the crosslinked product formed from the reaction of an aqueous suspension of a polyethyleneimine with a polycarboxylic acid with a mixture of a caustic agent comprising an alkali metal or alkaline earth metal hydroxide and carbon bisulfide to produce the finished resin. The resin can be produced in both head and powder form and is capable of selectively removing a large number of metallic contaminants from process and waste water streams. It is also essentially insensitive to the presence of alkali metal and alkaline earth metal ions dissolved in said streams.

Abstract: A track gauger includes a vertically movable gauger frame having a pair of fixed rail gauge bars extending between the rails upon a lowering of the frame. The gauger frame lies crosswise relative to the frame of a rail vehicle on which it is mounted, and outer edges of the bars are spaced apart in this crosswise direction a fixed distance for establishing a predetermined rail gauge distance. Pivotable rail gauge levers on the gauger frame engage the rails for gauging them at such predetermined distance upon engagement between the rails and the outer edges of the gauge bars. A track pre-gauger is mounted on the front end of the vehicle frame for pre-gauging the rails at such predetermined rail gauge distance.

Abstract: An apparatus for driving plugs into railway tie holes remaining after the removal of at least one rail and its associated tie plate and rail spikes from the railway ties, includes a vehicle adapted for travel along narrow gauge rails temporarily installed on the ties, or along the standard gauge rails while spanning a rail removed section of the track. Vertically reciprocable tamper plates are mounted on the vehicle frame and are reciprocated by the provision of limit switches on the frame in timed relationship to the rate of travel of the vehicle along the rails.