Abstract: A plastic blow molded bottle (20a, 20b, 20c, 20d) has an upper dispensing end (32) including an upper wall (34) and a generally wedge-shaped bellows (36) that supports a dispensing spout (38) on the upper wall initially vertical for filling and shipping of the bottle. The dispensing spout (38) is tilted as the generally wedge-shaped bellows (36) contracts to allow more convenient dispensing. A frangible connection (40) that initially supports the dispensing spout (38) vertically is broken to allow the dispensing spout tilting for the dispensing. The frangible connection (40) includes a tab (48) having a reduced thickness portion (50) where it is broken, preferably at connection thereof to the upper wall (34) and the dispensing spout (38) such that the tab is removable from the bottle. An inclined wall portion provided by one inclined end (41) of a horizontally elongated gable shape of the upper wall (34) mounts the generally wedge-shaped bellows (36) to support the dispensing spout (38).

Abstract: A system for manufacturing multi-layered preforms from inserts is provided. The system comprises a device for molding the inserts into the multi-layered preforms and a mechanism for arranging the inserts used in forming the preforms into proper position for subsequent relocation to the molding device. A first loading station is provided for receiving the inserts from the mechanism for arranging, wherein the inserts are properly positioned for the molding device when located with the first loading station. A second loading station is also provided along with a mechanism for moving the inserts from the first loading station to the second loading station. A device for relocating the inserts from the second molding station to the molding device is used. A device for detecting if the inserts are at least one of present and absent during movement through the system is also provided.

Abstract: A plastic blow molded container (10) is disclosed as including a freestanding base structure (20) that is constructed with a plurality of alternating hollow legs 22 and curved ribs (34), and a hub (41) from which the legs and ribs extend radially with a construction that provides good stability against tipping as well as the capability of withstanding internal pressure. Each rib (34) has an outer upper end (36) with a circumferential width W.sub.u and an inner lower end (38) with a circumferential width W.sub.l that is greater than the circumferential width W.sub.u of the upper rib end so the lower rib end is capable of resisting stress cracking. An intermediate rib portion (40) of a curved shape tapers between the ends with an included angle B in the range of about 1.degree. to 8.degree. and preferably about 2.degree..

Abstract: A system for detecting the presence and absence of inserts at various stages in a molding system which includes at least a first insert loading station, an insert shuttle plate, an insert relocation device and a molding station including mold cores. The system comprises a device for detecting the presence and absence of the inserts on the insert shuttle plate while the inserts are being moved from the first station to the insert relocation device via the insert shuttle plate. If one of the inserts is detected as absent an indicator thereof is actuated. The device is further for detecting the presence and absence of the inserts on the insert shuttle plate after the inserts have been removed from the insert shuttle plate via the relocation device. If one of the inserts is detected as present, an indicator thereof is actuated.

Abstract: A plastic blow molded bottle (20a,20b,20c,20d) has an upper dispensing end (32) including an upper wall (34) and a generally wedge-shaped bellows (36) that supports a dispensing spout (38) on the upper wall initially vertical for filling and shipping of the bottle. The dispensing spout (38) is tilted as the generally wedge-shaped bellows (36) contracts to allow more convenient dispensing. A frangible connection (40) that initially supports the dispensing spout (38) vertically is broken to allow the dispensing spout tilting for the dispensing. The frangible connection (40) includes a tab (48) having a reduced thickness portion (50) where it is broken, preferably at connection thereof to the upper wall (34) and the dispensing spout (38) such that the tab is removable from the bottle. An inclined wall portion provided by one inclined end (41) of a horizontally elongated gable shape of the upper wall (34) mounts the generally wedge-shaped bellows (36) to support the dispensing spout (38 ).

Abstract: A frozen product dispenser apparatus is provided with a housing which presents a front panel and includes a freezing chamber extending rearward from the front panel. A valve body is positioned to close off the freezing chamber. The valve body supports a valve for movement between closed and open positions, and a handle for operating the valve. The valve body includes an edge wall extending around the body, and is substantially transparent so that the frozen product is visible through the body. A light assembly is provided on the apparatus for lighting the edge wall of the valve body to illuminate the frozen product for display.

Abstract: A plastic blow molded container (10) is disclosed as including a freestanding base structure (20) that is constructed with a plurality of alternating hollow legs 22 and curved ribs (34), and a hub (41) from which the legs and ribs extend radially with a construction that provides good stability against tipping as well as the capability of withstanding internal pressure. Each rib (34) has an outer upper end (36) with a circumferential width W.sub.u and an inner lower end (38) with a circumferential width W.sub.l that is greater than the circumferential width W.sub.u of the upper rib end so the lower rib end is capable of resisting stress cracking. An intermediate rib portion (40) of a curved shape tapers between the ends with an included angle B in the range of about 1.degree. to 8.degree. and preferably about 2.degree..

Abstract: A plastic blow molding machine (40) having a wheel (44) rotatable on a base (42) about a horizontal axis (A) includes a plurality of mold stations (90) mounted on the wheel about the rotational axis and having a pair of mold supports (94) movable toward and away from each other in a parallel relationship to the rotational axis at closing and opening stations (114,116). Operating cams (120,124) of the closing and opening stations cooperate with operating cam followers (110) of the mold stations to provide closing and opening mold movement, and locking cam followers (122,126) of the closing and opening stations cooperate with locking cam followers (112) of the mold stations to lock and unlock a lock mechanism (102) that operates directly between the mold supports (94) of each mold station so that there is no loading of the frame (46) of the wheel during the machine operation.

Abstract: A smooth, oblique-angled endface fracture of an optical fiber 39 useful in low reflectance, low insertion loss mechanical splices is achieved by creating tensile stress in the fiber and scoring the fiber at an angle to its longitudinal axis. Tension may be applied by bending the fiber with a flexible platen 16 to which it is affixed, and the scoring may be accomplished by scribing the fiber surface with a sharp point or impressing a notch into the fiber with a blade 28.

Abstract: A plastic blow molded container (10) is disclosed as including a freestanding base structure (20) that is constructed with a plurality of downwardly projecting hollow legs 22, a plurality of curved ribs (34) located between the legs, and a hub 41 from which the legs and ribs extend radially with a construction that provides good stability against tipping as well as the capability of withstanding internal pressure. Each leg (22) has a lower flat foot (24) coplanar with the other feet and the feet have an outer diameter D.sub.f that is at least 0.75 of the diameter D of the cylindrical body portion. Each flat foot (24) also has a junction (28) with an associated outer wall (26) of the foot and this junction has a radius of curvature R.sub.j less than 0.05 of the diameter D of the cylindrical body portion.

Abstract: A smooth, oblique-angled endface fracture of an optical fiber 20 useful in low reflectance, low insertion loss mechanical splices is achieved by tensioning the fiber while it is in contact with the abrupt edge 23 of an anvil 22 and applying a shearing force to the fiber at a point closely offset from the anvil edge and in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the fiber.

Abstract: A plastic blow molded container (10) is disclosed as including a freestanding base structure (20) that is constructed with a plurality of downwardly projecting hollow legs 22, a plurality of curved ribs (34) located between the legs, and a hub 41 from which the legs and ribs extend radially with a construction that provides good stability against tipping as well as the capability of withstanding internal pressure. Each leg (22) has a lower flat foot (24) coplanar with the other feet and the feet have an outer diameter D.sub.f that is at least 0.75 of the diameter D of the cylindrical body portion. Each flat foot (24) also has a junction (28) with an associated outer wall (26) of the foot and this junction has a radius of curvature R.sub.j less than 0.05 of the diameter D of the cylindrical body portion.

Abstract: An implantation method for the improvement of the corrosion resistance and hydrogen absorption resistance of zirconium alloys in a light water nuclear reactor environment includes the steps of sputtering a layer of hafnium ions onto a zirconium alloy and the implanting the hafnium ions with xenon doses of 3.times.10.sup.16 ions/cm.sup.2.

Abstract: A plastic flask (10) is embodied by a blow molded plastic container (12) including an upper neck (14), a convex front wall (24), a concave rear wall (26), curved side walls (28), a pair of shoulders (30) extending laterally outward from the neck, and chamfers (32) that connect the shoulders with the concave back wall and the pair of side walls. These chamfers (32) reduce the internal volume of the plastic container (12) so as to be generally the same as a glass flask of the same outer size and shape when viewed from a frontal direction. Each chamfer (32) preferably has an inclined upper end (34) that is planar and of a triangular shape. Each chamfer (32) also preferably includes a planar portion provided by a lower end (36) that extends downwardly in a vertical direction from the inclined upper end (34). The container (12) can be made by an injection-stretch blow molding process so as to be biaxially oriented or by extruding a hot plastic parison that is formed to include a compacted neck.

Abstract: A plastic blow-molded container (20) for liquids is disclosed as having particular utility for dispensing water and includes a body portion (22) with pairs of longer and shorter side walls (24, 26). At least one rib and preferably a pair of upper and lower ribs (30, 32) extend completely around the body portion along each of its side walls. The ribs project farther inward along the longer pair of side walls (24) than along the shorter pair of side walls (26). A generally flat bottom wall closes the bottom end of the body portion (22) and a top closure (40) closes the top end of the body portion. The top closure (40) includes an upper handle (42) and a spout (44) that projects upwardly in a vertical direction perpendicular to the bottom wall. A unitary valve (46) is mounted on the spout (44) and movable from a closed position to an open position to permit liquid dispensing when the container is supported sideways on one of its side walls.

Abstract: A marking system for providing a superficial metallurgically immaterial mark on zirconium, its alloys, and other metals is disclosed. The method includes producing a thin oxide layer on the surface of the metal, and locally heating a portion of the oxide layer to reduce it to the base metal and oxygen, which is driven into solid solution, thereby leaving a mark of contrasting color.

Abstract: Continuously variable attenuation between the substantially abutting ends of two optical fibers is provided by varying the angle formed between the fiber ends. In the disclosed embodiment, the ends of two optical fibers are abutted and biased against a fiber receiving member. The varying angle is then formed by displacement of the receiving member.

Abstract: A fixed member has angular indicia circumscribing a given area. A first disc is rotatable about an axis at its center and at the center of the angular indicia, and a second disc is rotatably secured to the first disc about an axis parallel to the axis of rotation of the first disc. Bridging lines on the first disc couple a reference point on the second disc to angular scalar indicia on the fixed member to indicate the relative angular position of the reference point with respect to the axis of rotation of the first disc. Radial displacement indicia on the surface of the first and second discs indicate the relative radial displacement of the reference point from the axis of rotation of the first disc along a radial line through that axis.