Abstract: An improved battery paste composition and a lead-acid electrochemical cell which incorporates the composition. The cell includes a positive current collector and a negative current collector which are each coated with a paste containing one or more lead-containing compositions and a paste vehicle to form a positive plate and a negative plate. An absorbent electrolyte-containing separator member may also be positioned between the positive and negative plates. The paste on the positive current collector, the negative current collector, or both further includes a special additive consisting of polyvinylsulfonic acid or salts thereof which provides many benefits including improved battery cycle life, increased charge capacity, and enhanced overall stability. The additive also makes the pastes smoother and more adhesive, thereby improving the paste application process. The paste compositions of interest may be used in conventional flat-plate cells or in spirally wound batteries with equal effectiveness.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for manufacturing articles, such as syringe barrels, substantially free from contaminants. The apparatus is an enclosure defining at least a class 100 and MCB-3 environment, and includes a molding isolation module and a packaging isolation module. Any contaminants that may exist within the enclosure are removed by the use of horizontal and vertical laminar airflows directed into air filter units. Further, the molding temperature may be selected such that it renders the fabricated articles substantially free from contaminants. The molding isolation module and packaging isolation module keep the fabricated articles substantially free from contaminants from the time the articles are molded to the time the articles are placed in sealed containers for shipment.

Abstract: An method and apparatus for filling packed cylinders with acetylene. The apparatus includes a variable speed compressor which delivers the gas to a manifold. The compressor is operated continuously to maintain a continuous flow of acetylene to the manifold and maintain either a substantially constant manifold pressure or a gradually increasing manifold pressure. The method and apparatus of the invention fills a large number of packed cylinders in less than half the time required by operation of conventional two-speed compressors. Furthermore, the method and apparatus of the invention simplifies the production and bottling of acetylene and enables complete automation of the bottling process after the packed cylinders are connected to the manifold.

Abstract: An apparatus for exposing product to a controlled environment includes a rail top, a rail base, and a longitudinally oriented gas limiting member including two sections connected at their longitudinal ends and providing a gap between the sections. The controlled environment gas may be provided to one longitudinal end of a baffle positioned in a channel region formed in the rail top. The gas is distributed along a longitudinally oriented baffle which is aligned with a gassing element positioned in the rail base. A T-shaped port block may be attached to the rail top and engage with a bracket and adjustment member for positioning.

Abstract: When carrying out a method for sterile bottling of beverages, which comprises the steps of cleaning the bottles first in a cleaning station by means of lye, transporting them then to a separate filling station, filling them in said filling station with the previously sterilized beverage, and closing them finally in a closing station, the sterilization of the interior of the bottles by introducing steam and/or hot water is carried out several times successively in spatially separated stations. This fractional sterilization of the bottles achieves a very high germ destruction rate, the amount of energy consumed being low and the bottles being treated carefully. In addition, measures against a reinfection of the bottles in the area of transport between the stations can be dispensed with so that a good accessibility of the transport area is guaranteed.

Abstract: A process for packaging normally tacky amorphous polyolefins, and other materials having similar melt viscosities, is provided. The process entails flowing a heated material into a molded polyolefin container having a minimum wall thickness of about 0.1 mm to less than 0.24 mm at a temperature above the melting point of the container, followed by slowly cooling the filled container. The process is conducted at ambient conditions without the use of cooling fluids.

Abstract: An improved battery paste composition and a lead-acid electrochemical cell which incorporates the composition. The cell includes a positive current collector and a negative current collector which are each coated with a paste containing one or more lead-containing compositions and a paste vehicle to form a positive plate and a negative plate. An absorbent electrolyte-containing separator member may also be positioned between the positive and negative plates. The paste on the positive current collector, the negative current collector, or both further includes a special additive consisting of polyvinylsulfonic acid or salts thereof which provides many benefits including improved battery cycle life, increased charge capacity, and enhanced overall stability. The additive also makes the pastes smoother and more adhesive, thereby improving the paste application process. The paste compositions of interest may be used in conventional flat-plate cells or in spirally wound batteries with equal effectiveness.

Abstract: An apparatus and process for applying an electrode paste onto a substrate for use in an electrolytic cell. The apparatus includes a mixing device which mixes, and then dispenses, predetermined amounts of an electrode paste and a polymerization initiator onto a substrate. The mixing device is constructed so as to substantially preclude polymerization of the electrode paste during such mixing, as well as to preclude polymerization prior to application of the mixture onto the substrate.

Abstract: Apparatus for, and a method of, withdrawing liquefied cryogenic fuel stored in a primary insulated storage tank at a relatively low pressure and temperature; increasing the pressure of the withdrawn liquefied cryogenic fuel through a heat exchanger to warm the liquefied cryogenic fuel to a subcooled or near saturated liquid condition; and feeding the warmed and pressurized liquefied cryogenic fuel to an insulated tank on a vehicle at a refueling facility, said vehicle using liquefied cryogenic fuel as its fuel and the insulated vehicle fuel tank being adapted to safely contain and store the liquefied cryogenic fuel in liquid form, at an approximate saturated condition.

Abstract: A method of loading propellant into a spacecraft that comprises storing and transferring propellant in a portable propellant loading tank, temperature conditioning and helium saturating the propellant in the propellant loading tank, transferring the loading tank to a launch site, coupling the loading tank to the propellant storage tank, and pressurizing the portable propellant loading tank to transfer the propellant to the propellant storage tank in the spacecraft. The method may further comprise weighing the propellant loading tank during propellant transfer, venting the propellant storage tank in the spacecraft to a receiver tank, and weighing the receiver tank during propellant transfer. The amount of propellant transferred to the propellant storage tank is equal to the difference between the measured weights of the respective loading and storage tanks.

Abstract: Weight of the paste (21) per area is measured continuously without contact by irradiating the belt-shaped paste-coated punched metal electrode (41) with .beta. ray (51), during running of the electrode (41) on a production line, then trapping dosage of the .beta. ray radiation transmitted through the electrode (41) by an ionization chamber (4b, 50), followed by processing the measured value in a micro-processor unit (6) on the basis of comparing with a previously determined reference value. BY means of the output signal from the processor (6), the gap of slit (24) between the blades (23a and 23b) is feedback-controlled, so as to control thickness, hence weight per unit area of the pasty mixture uniform.

Abstract: Apparatus for, and a method of, withdrawing liquefied cryogenic fuel stored in a primary insulated storage tank at a low pressure and at a temperature close to its boiling point; increasing the pressure of the withdrawn liquefied cryogenic fuel and then feeding the pressurized liquefied cryogenic fuel through a heat exchanger to warm the liquefied cryogenic fuel to a subcooled or near saturated liquid condition; and feeding the said warmed and pressurized liquefied cryogenic fuel to an insulated tank on a vehicle at a refueling facility, the vehicle using liquefied cryogenic fuel as its fuel and the insulated vehicle fuel tank being adapted to safely contain and store the said liquefied cryogenic fuel in liquid form, at an approximate saturated condition.

Abstract: A method of making metal hydroxide plate blanks for use in an electrochemical cell which includes compressing a porous metal web in at least one compression zone to a substantially non-porous state, attaching at least one a non-porous strip of the same metal to the porous metal web in the area of the compression zone, impregnating the porous metal web with a coating of electrochemically active material to form an impregnated web, removing excess coating from the impregnated web, drying the impregnated web, and dividing the dried web into plate blanks in the area of the metal strip. The metal is selected from the group consisting of nickel, silver and copper, with the preferred metal being nickel.

Abstract: A fluid recovery system and method for accessing the contents of a target container. A preferred embodiment of the fluid recovery system includes an auxiliary processing vessel for housing a container to be accessed, a cylinder rupture vessel for housing the auxiliary processing vessel, and a tapping assembly positioned within the cylinder rupture vessel for accessing the contents of a target container. One or more fluid seals may be formed. The use of the auxiliary processing vessel of the preferred embodiment provides an extra level of protection against exposure to the contents of the container.

Abstract: A slurry loading apparatus for automatically loading a slurry into a substrate, the substrate having a front surface, a back surface opposite said front surface and an interior with voids between the front and back surfaces, the apparatus including a device for introducing the slurry onto the front surface and into the voids where excess slurry passes through the substrate and exits the back surface, and a device for repeatedly forcing the excess slurry back onto the back surface and into the voids.

Abstract: A novel method for the preparation of a pre-filled plastic syringe, and preferably the preparation of a plastic syringe pre-filled with a diagnostic contrast agent, wherein said syringe comprises as components a barrel, a tip seal capable of sealing the nozzle of the barrel and a piston capable of sliding in the barrel and sealing the open end of the barrel opposite the nozzle, comprising the steps of (a) providing at least one component of said syringe which is molded under conditions which are substantially free of pyrogens and viable and non-viable particulates; and (b) filling and assembling said syringe.

Abstract: A drill assembly for penetrating a wall of a container is provided. The container is supported by a platform within a recovery vessel. The drilling assembly allows removal of a fluid from the container. The drilling assembly includes a tube for lining a first opening into the recovery vessel, as well as a first housing having an interior. A first adapter couples the housing to a first end of the tube to partially define a longitudinal bore. A shaft is rotatably disposed within the longitudinal bore. The shaft has one end for engagement with a drill bit with the other end for engagement with a motor. The drill bit is engaged to the shaft to penetrate the container wall, while the motor is engaged to the other end of the shaft. A first seal assembly forms a first fluid barrier between the interior and the longitudinal bore. Multiple seals may be formed between the first housing and the container. The container and the adapter may be integrally connected.

Abstract: A method of prefilling and terminally sterilizing a syringe including providing a syringe barrel having first and second opposite ends where the first end includes a port therethrough with a connector member formed about an exterior of the port and the second end being open. Particulate matter is removed from the interior of the syringe barrel and a cap and stopper are sterilized, the stopper including first and second opposite longitudinal ends. The first end of the stopper is inserted into the second open end of the syringe barrel until the first end of the stopper reaches the first end of the syringe barrel. The syringe barrel then is filled with a desired liquid, such as a medicament or imaging agent, through the port of the first end of the syringe barrel so that substantially no air enters the syringe barrel and where the stopper moves within the syringe barrel from the first to the second ends thereof upon filling.

Abstract: The invention embraces a method of tanking or filling of motor vehicles with natural gas and also an apparatus for operating the method of the invention. The motor vehicle includes a tank apparatus (2) with a pressure container (19). A tanking plant (1) includes a storage unit (3) for natural gas, a delivery device (5) and also a connection line (14) which can be connected to the tank device (2). The delivery device (5) includes a control and measuring device (5a), a regulating device (5b) and also an input and output device (5c). The control and measuring device (5a) has a regulating valve (7), a mass throughflow measuring device (8) and also a pressure sensor (9), with these three components being so controlled from the governing regulating device (5b) that the pressure container (19) is filled in a short period of time with natural gas.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for supplying a gaseous raw material to plural users. A liquid raw material is evaporated by a single evaporation means and supplied to a gaseous raw material takeout portion provided with a plurality of takeout ports. The gas pressure is varied according to amounts of the gaseous raw material taken out of the takeout ports. The pressure variations are regulated by a main pressure-adjusting means mounted downstream of the gaseous raw material takeout portion. Extra gaseous raw material is sent to a gaseous raw material-condensing means, where the material is liquified. Then, the liquified material is fed back to the evaporation means. Thus, a closed circulatory loop circuit is formed. The gas pressure in the gaseous raw material takeout portion is regulated. The gaseous raw material is distributed to plural users at any desired time at their respective flow rates such that supply of the raw material to each individual user is carried out independent of supply to other users.

Abstract: The production of hot soup from soup concentrate involves the use of an apparatus that includes a housing having a refrigerated first section and a second section. A soup concentrate container is positioned within the refrigerated section for receiving soup concentrate and a discharge device is operatively associated with the soup concentrate container for discharging a predetermined amount of soup concentrate from the soup concentrate container. A nozzle which is adapted to be connected to a source of hot water is positioned in the second section of the housing for producing a stream of water. A movable tray is also positioned in the second section for receiving a cup or the like in which is to be mixed hot water and soup concentrate. A tray driving device is connected to the tray for moving the tray between various positions at which a cup is placed on the tray, soup concentrate is discharged into the cup and hot water is dispensed into the cup.

Abstract: An integrated refueling system comprises a fluid circuit including multiple flow paths for directing natural gas to a natural gas liquefier. A portion of the resulting liquefied natural gas is provided to a liquefied natural gas delivery location. Another portion of the liquefied natural gas may be provided to a compressor and subsequently a heat exchanger/vaporizer to produce compressed natural gas. The heat exchanger/vaporizer may utilize the lower temperature of liquefied natural gas to precool incoming gaseous natural gas while simultaneously vaporizing the pressurized, liquefied natural gas to form the compressed natural gas. Compressed natural gas may be provided at a compressed natural gas delivery location.

Abstract: A system for continuously filling a plurality of cylinders with a precise concentration of a vaporized liquid component blended into a gas is disclosed wherein the concentration of the liquid component of the resultant final blended mixture is continuously analyzed, and immediately adjusted, during the filling process. Due to the constant analysis and adjustment, any error in the concentration of a component is typically realized before the concentration is outside an acceptable range. The inventive system allows for a large number of cylinders to be accurately and quickly filled with the compressed, final blended mixture.

Abstract: A device and method for unloading frozen or congealed crude oil, oil product, or chemical cargo from a railway or highway tank car. A brief heating step uses the high thermal conductivity of metal tank walls, and the low thermal conductivity of oil or chemical cargos, to thaw a relatively thin band of cargo adjacent to the longitudinal tank wall. This thin band of thawed liquid lubricates the remainder of the plug, which remains solid, so that the plug can be mechanically ejected into a receiving trough positioned at the same height as the emerging plug; this avoids the requirement of completely thawing the frozen cargo before it can be pumped out. A tank car is disclosed having at least one end wall that can be opened, allowing a frozen or congealed mass to be physically ejected from the tank as a solidified plug.

Abstract: A spreading machine has a first conveyor belt, with a high friction rest surface for carrying a grid to be covered with paste; a paste spreading chamber towards which the first conveyor belt advances, where paste is spread on an upper and a lower face of the grid; apparatus for spreading paste on the grid at the spreading chamber; a paste loading hopper which feeds the spreading chamber; a second conveyor belt moving away from the spreading chamber, having an uncompressible rest surface; a calibrator for regulating breadth of paste spread on one face of the grid; a paste recycling chamber communicating with the spreading chamber and the loading hopper to remove excess paste from the spreading chamber; and a paste pressure regulator inside the spreading chamber.

Abstract: A fitment device is disclosed to be used with a "bag-in-a-box" packaging system. The fitment connects the bag with a valve system and optionally contains a removable diaphragm. The diaphragm is opened by operating a tool which separates and pulls out the diaphragm. A method of assembling the device with the entire system is also disclosed.

Abstract: An aqueous cadmium oxide paste of high flowability for the vibration filling of foam-structure and fiber-structure electrode plaques is characterized by a cadmium oxide content of about 25 to 35% by volume, a pH of about 10 to 12.5, a content of about 0.5 to 2.5% by weight, based on cadmium oxide, of one or more dispersants from the group comprising the water-soluble salts of polyphosphoric acids, di- and polyphosphonic acids and their derivatives, gluconic acid or of antimonyl tartrate. The paste has a plastic viscosity of about 0.1 to 1 Pa.s and also a yield value of between about 10 and 120 Pa. This cadmium oxide paste makes it possible to fill foam-structure and fiber-structure electrode plaques completely in one operation.

Abstract: A smectic liquid crystal is injected into a liquid crystal panel according to the vacuum injection scheme. The liquid crystal is applied over an injection port of a blank panel while maintaining the panel at a temperature below a temperature at which the liquid crystal shows a fluidity and controlling the liquid crystal at a viscosity of 0.0005-0.005 kg/ms. As a result, an appropriate amount of the liquid crystal can be applied, thereby providing a liquid crystal panel free from inversion of bubbles and good and uniform alignment free from alignment failure.

Abstract: A row of open top containers travelling on a conveyor is purged of oxygen by passing the containers along a gas distribution manifold disposed parallel to the direction of travel of the containers. The manifold includes at least one region of lower flow resistance disposed parallel to the direction of travel, for supplying a higher velocity inert gas flushing stream continuously and at substantially steady state to the containers. The manifold also includes at least one region of higher flow resistance disposed parallel to the direction of travel, for supplying a lower velocity inert gas region along the containers, continuously and at substantially steady state. As the containers pass along the manifold, the inert flushing gas steadily removes oxygen from the containers, while the lower velocity inert gas region prevents the flushing gas from drawing in air.

Abstract: A method of refueling a road transportation vehicle or the like comprising receiving and storing liquid natural gas in a relatively large supply tank at relatively low temperature and moderate pressure, dispensing the liquid natural gas from the supply tank generally exclusively on demand when a vehicle is present for refueling, delivering the dispensed gas to a high-pressure fuel tank on the vehicle while simultaneously converting it to compressed natural gas at relatively high pressure and moderate temperature through the addition of energy to the gas primarily in thermal form. In one embodiment the pressure of the natural gas is elevated by a mechanical pump while in another embodiment the pressure of the natural gas is raised primarily by the addition of heat.

Abstract: A method of injecting liquid crystal for producing a liquid crystal display panel, in which the liquid crystal is injected into a cell of an LCD panel after the liquid crystal is purified by adding ionic material captures for capturing ionic material which increases the contamination degree of the liquid crystal, into the liquid crystal contained in a liquid crystal tray having a contact coil formed at the upper part thereof. According to the method of the present invention, the specific resistivity of the liquid crystal is prevented being lowered down and the number of times of injecting the liquid crystal into a cell of an LCD panel is decreased because the contamination of the liquid crystal contained in the liquid crystal tray by ionic material in producing the LCD panel is restrained.

Abstract: An apparatus for pasting a battery collector assembly having a current collector and enlarged members having a top surface and a bottom surface and a thickness greater than the current collector is provided. The current collector has at least one predetermined area into which paste is to be filled. The apparatus comprises a paste-dispensing nozzle having an orifice located in a dispensing end of the nozzle. The nozzle is mounted to dispense paste in at least one paste area of the collector assembly. The nozzle dispensing end is adapted to size a first level of paste dispensed in the paste area on one side of the current collector, and a surface is provided opposite the dispensing end of the nozzle which is adapted to size a second level of paste dispensed in the paste area on the other side of the current collector.

Abstract: A fitment device is disclosed to be used with a "bag-in-a-box" packaging system. The fitment connects the bag with a valve system and contains a removable diaphragm. The diaphragm is opened by operating a snaring tool which pulls on a tab to tear out the diaphragm. A method of assembling the device with the entire system is also disclosed.

Abstract: In order to improve a method for filling a cryotank with liquid hydrogen, in which thermal energy is introduced into the liquid hydrogen by the transfer of the liquid hydrogen to the cryotank, such that the amount of gas which results during filling of a cryotank and is carried away via the gas return line is reduced to as great an extent as possible, preferably to zero, it is suggested that for filling hydrogen be used at a pressure and a temperature corresponding to an undercooled state of the liquid hydrogen.

Abstract: The invention also relates to a method of packing an analytical column with packing particles. The method comprises the steps of pressurizing a first reservoir having packing particles disposed therein, with a solvent until the density of the solvent equals the density of the particles and forms a slurry where the particles are suspended in the solvent. Then, there is the step of fluidically connecting the first reservoir to an analytical column at essentially the same pressure as the first pressure such that the slurry flows into a chamber of the analytical column.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for flavoring coffee with a particular flavoring ingredient in situ within the package. The apparatus includes a hopper for containing a supply of coffee and a connected feed tube through which the coffee is delivered in measured amounts into the lower end of a tube of sheet material or web which is being continuously formed about the coffee feed tube to define the package for the coffee. A flavoring feed tube connected in communication to a reservoir containing a supply of flavoring material is disposed along the coffee feed tube and through which the flavoring material is circulated for injecting a predetermined amount of flavoring material into the coffee being delivered into the lower end of the continuously formed tube. The lower end of the continuous tube containing the predetermined amount of coffee and flavoring material is thereafter sealed and separated from the remainder of the continuous tube to define an individual package of flavored coffee, and the sequence repeated.

Abstract: A process for catching and processing non-aqueous drip-liquids, characterized in that the drip-liquid to be processed is caught in an oily and non-aqueous liquids absorbing, water-repelling, liquid catching on a non-woven cloth, incorporated into an envelope of a hydrophobic synthetic resin fiber fabric, which envelope with cloth is partitioned in a suitable manner in a number of tracks of fields; the enveloped liquid catching cloth with absorbed drip-liquid are collected, the collected envelope liquid catching cloths are washed in a solvent for the drip-liquid, the drip-liquid is separated from the solvent, the drip-liquid so recovered is incinerated with power-generation and the cleaned enveloped liquid catching cloths may be used anew.

Abstract: Apparatus for, and a method of, withdrawing liquefied natural gas stored in a primary insulated storage tank at a low pressure and at a temperature close to its boiling point; increasing the pressure of the withdrawn liquefied natural gas and then feeding the pressurized liquefied natural gas through a heat exchanger to warm the liquefied natural gas to a subcooled or near saturated liquid condition at a temperature of about -220.degree. F. to -126.degree. F. when at a pressure of about 50 psig to 550 psig; and feeding the said warmed and pressurized liquefied natural gas to an insulated tank on a vehicle at a refueling facility, said vehicle using liquefied natural gas as its fuel and the insulated vehicle fuel tank being adapted to safely contain and store the said liquefied natural gas in liquid form, at an approximate saturated condition at a temperature of about -220.degree. F. to -126.degree. F. and a pressure of about 50 psig to 550 psig.

Abstract: By means of a combined heat/internal pressure treatment, reusable bottles of plastic material have their volume enlarged before they are filled. The shrinkage caused by cleaning with a hot cleaning liquid is thus compensated for and the attainable number of cycles is substantially increased.

Abstract: An LNG refueling facility includes a nozzle for mating with the receptacle on a motor vehicle to deliver a flow of LNG to the vehicle's tank. The nozzle is supplied with a flow of dry gas to purge moisture-laden air from around surfaces which mate with the receptacle to prevent freezing of moisture on the mating surfaces when the nozzle turns very cold. The nozzle also includes a boot enclosing mechanical linkages for latching the nozzle to the receptacle. Dry gas is supplied to the interior of the boot to displace air from around the mechanical linkages and thereby prevent moisture from freezing onto the mechanical linkages.

Abstract: A method for the manufacture of lead-acid batteries and associated apparatus and a lead-acid battery design resulting therefrom is disclosed. The method involves providing a battery grid and pasting the grid with a battery paste such that a profiled and tapered battery plate is formed. This battery plate is wrapped onto a coil and cured in curing apparatus. A battery element is formed using coils of the finished plate stock, separator material, and winged end plate. After this, several battery elements are then placed into a battery container.

Abstract: A process for preparing a medicinal aerosol formulation containing a propellant that is gaseous at standard temperature and pressure and filling the formulation into a metered dose aerosol canister. The process involves mixing the propellant and the drug at ambient temperature and under pressure sufficient to liquify the propellant to afford a formulation. The formulation is cooled to a temperature sufficiently low to liquify the propellant at atmospheric pressure and filled into aerosol canisters in an environment of controlled humidity. An aerosol valve is placed on each aerosol canister and the finished canisters are removed from the controlled environment.

Abstract: Floating roof storage tanks are modified to include a foam surge tank, a low-pressure blower and a foam generator for generating vapor-suppressing foam during withdrawal of liquid from the storage tank and after the floating roof reaches its lowest elevation in the storage tank so that the tank space previously occupied by volatile liquid is provided with a vapor-suppressing foam blanket during liquid withdrawal and refill. The surge tank is mounted directly on the floating roof and discharges its foam through an opening in the roof into the tank storage space. During liquid refill the foam may be forced out through a vent conduit onto the roof of the tank and dissolved and recovered.

Abstract: In the "undercap" method of, and closure cap crimper-propellant fill head apparatus for, introducing a charge of volatile propellant in its liquid state into an aerosol container containing product to be dispensed, a significant residual amount of the propellant charge remains in the crimper-propellant fill head bell after the closure cap has been secured in place to seal the container. Not all crimper-propellant head machines are equipped with systems for reclaiming residual propellant, and even when so equipped, it is not always practical to reclaim residual propellant since certain products to be dispensed will foul the reclamation equipment. According to this invention a compressed purge gas is injected into the crimper-propellant fill head bell to purge a substantial portion of the residual propellant into the container before it is sealed by crimping its closure cap on the container mouth.

Abstract: The positive nickel electrode is provided having a structure of cellular nickel foam filled with a paste based on nickel hydroxide. The paste contains (in dry matter and per 100 parts by weight nickel hydroxide) 7 to 8 parts by weight powder-form nickel metal, 5 to 12 parts by weight of a cobalt hydroxide and/or salt, the parts by weight being expressed as equivalents of cobalt metal.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for filling fibrous-structure electrode plaques for rechargeable batteries with an active compound paste, with simultaneous sizing of the plaque. The fibrous-structure electrode plaque is fed by means of a conveyor device to a roll mill whose roll nip is uniformly filled with a flowable active compound paste over the nip width. As the plaque passes through the roll nip, it is filled with active compound paste from both sides, simultaneously sized for thickness, its surface is smoothed and excess paste is removed from the main surface.

Abstract: An apparatus for rapidly filling a pressure vessel such as a fuel storage tank with highly pressurized gas by initially inserting into the tank, a measured quantity of liquefied natural gas (LNG) or some other type of cryogenic liquid and permitting the temperature of the liquid to rise within the tank to vaporize it into a gas under a pressure which at least approaches the design working pressure of the tank. The storage tank maintains the gas under sufficiently high pressure that automotive fuel tanks or other small tanks can be rapidly filled from the storage tank without compressors due to the high internal pressure of the storage tank.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are described for filling a blind cavity, for example a blister of a blister pack, with a quantity of powder. The cavity, with its open side downwards, is urged into a reservoir (30) of powder, and withdrawn from the reservoir with the quantity of powder therein. An elongate sheet (12) with a plurality of blisters disposed along the length thereof preferably passes around, and travels with, a wheel (38) partially immersed in the reservoir (30) of powder.

Abstract: In the "undercap" method of, and closure cap crimper-propellant fill head apparatus for, introducing a charge of volatile propellant in its liquid state into an aerosol container containing product to be dispensed, a significant residual amount of the propellant charge remains in the crimper-propellant fill head bell after the closure cap has been secured in place to seal the container. Not all crimper-propellant head machines are equipped with systems for reclaiming residual propellant, and even when so equipped, it is not always practical to reclaim residual propellant since certain products to be dispensed will foul the reclamation equipment. According to this invention a compressed purge gas is injected into the crimper-propellant fill head bell to purge a substantial portion of the residual propellant into the container before it is sealed by crimping its closure cap on the container mouth.

Abstract: A method for supplying foam to a tank, said method comprising positioning a foam generator in a housing positioned over a tank opening, installing a foam solution line to provide foam solution to said foam generator, and supplying foam to at least a portion of said tanks. The foam generator in a housing comprises (a) a generally cylindrical body adapted to sealingly engage the tank above an opening in the tank, (b) a plate positioned to sealingly engage a first end of the cylindrical body to form a zone enclosed within the cylindrical body above the opening in the tank, and (c) a foam generator positioned in the enclosed zone for supplying foam to the tank. The method is useful for loading tanker ships.