Abstract: There is disclosed a manual assist for opening a window, door or other mechanism that slides in a preset track. The manual assist comprises an elongated, preferably contoured handle; a wedge near one end of the handle; and a base pivotally mounted to the handle near the wedge end. Preferably, this manual assist may be hung near a window using a Velcro® strip pair, aperture or hook when not in use.

Abstract: There is disclosed a manual assist for opening a window, door or other mechanism that slides in a preset track. The manual assist comprises an elongated, preferably contoured handle; a wedge near one end of the handle; and a base pivotally mounted to the handle near the wedge end. Preferably, this manual assist may be hung near a window using a Velcro® strip pair, aperture or hook when not in use.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method for surface treating aluminum products, especially vehicle wheels, to improve their brightness. The method comprises: (a) applying a chemical brightening composition to these products; (b) deoxidizing the surface of these wheel products in a nitric acid-based bath; (c) forming a porous oxide on that with an electrolytic bath containing phosphoric acid; and (d) applying, preferably spraying, a siloxane-based film to that porous oxide. In many instances, intermediate rinsing substeps are performed between these respective main steps.

Abstract: A novel fixed block polarized, specular reflective accessory apparatus and method are disclosed, including providing an infrared light generator, a polarizer to polarize infrared light generated by the infrared light generator, a fixed block having an aperture for receiving a sample, a first fixed position mirror on one side of the fixed block wherein the first fixed position mirror is positioned to receive incident infrared light parallel to the plane of reflection at a fixedly set angle, and a second fixed position mirror positioned to receive infrared light reflected from said sample. In one aspect, the fixedly set angle preferably is fixed at about 55.degree.. The novel fixed block polarized, specular reflective accessory apparatus and method provide a high efficiency, high accuracy, high quality and quantitative process control coating measurements for coating operations in manufacturing coated aluminum alloy sheet.

Abstract: A novel gelation-resistant alumina and process for producing such a product and aqueous slurries composed thereof are disclosed, including grinding aluminum oxide of .alpha.-Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 in the presence of about 0.5 to 3.0 wt. % water. The grinding preferably is performed in a sealed ball mill. Dual phase alumina particles have an aluminum oxide inner core of .alpha.-Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 and an aluminum oxide hydroxide outer phase of .gamma.-AlOOH on the .alpha.-Al.sub.2 O.sub.3, including to a nominal depth, e.g., by way of example, of about 5 to 100 nanometers on the inner core of .alpha.-Al.sub.2 O.sub.3, and having up to 40% higher surface area than the initial aluminum oxide of .alpha.-Al.sub.2 O.sub.3. The novel gelation-resistant alumina can be dispersed in an aqueous slurry having a solids content of 65 wt. % and higher, and the resulting slurry has significantly extended shelf life.

Abstract: A novel gelation-resistant alumina and process for producing such a product and aqueous slurries composed thereof are disclosed, including grinding aluminum oxide of .alpha.-Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 in the presence of about 0.5 to 3.0 wt. % water. The grinding preferably is performed in a sealed ball mill. Dual phase alumina particles have an aluminum oxide inner core of .alpha.-Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 and an aluminum oxide hydroxide outer phase of .gamma.-AlOOH on the .alpha.-Al.sub.2 O.sub.3, including to a nominal depth, e.g., by way of example, of about 5 to 100 nanometers on the inner core of .alpha.-Al.sub.2 O.sub.3, and having up to 40% higher surface area than the initial aluminum oxide of .alpha.-Al.sub.2 O.sub.3. The novel gelation-resistant alumina can be dispersed in an aqueous slurry having a solids content of 65 wt. % and higher, and the resulting slurry has significantly extended shelf life.