Abstract: A heat tipping method and apparatus for surgical sutures to facilitate inserting the sutures into the barrel ends of surgical needles. The method comprises tensioning the suture, heating a portion of the suture to be heat tipped by blowing a current of hot air across the portion of the suture, and releasing the tension and cutting the portion of the suture to create heat tipped ends. The apparatus comprises a cylindrical drum around which the suture is wound, a concave channel in the drum for delimiting a portion of the suture to be heated, and hot air blowers for heating the delimited portions of the suture to a heat tipping temperature. In another embodiment, the suture is looped and knotted. The loop and/or knot is then heated under such conditions so as to reversibly stiffen the loop and/or knot. Such stiffening facilitates placement and securement of the suture loop during surgical procedures.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing concrete panels by continuously pressing and an apparatus for carrying out the method. The concrete panels are successively manufactured by continuously feeding pallets onto a conveyor, feeding a concrete material onto the pallets, continuously pressure frames against the concrete material from the upper side and both lateral sides of the concrete material while imparting vibrations to the pressure frames, forming hollows in the concrete material by thrusting a rotary screw-type core rod therethrough to provide a panel shape hollow molding, and cutting the molded concrete material into a length corresponding to the length of each pallet. In the manufacture process, an organic or inorganic fiber material may be incorporated into the concrete material for the purpose of reinforcement of the finished products.

Abstract: Apparatus for forming a continuous ribbon of connected dish-shaped sequins including a punch-and-die system for receiving a continuous ribbon of moldable material, a power source coupled to the continuous ribbon of moldable material to move the ribbon through the punch-and-die system incrementally to discrete spaced positions; and forming a score line at a first discrete position of the ribbon, punching a hole at a second discrete position of the ribbon, shaping the sequin at third and fourth discrete positions of the ribbon, forming the dish-shaped face at a fifth discrete position of the ribbon and accomplishing the formation of the score line, the hole, the outer shape of the sequin and the dish-shaped face on each sequin simultaneously by the punch-and-die system.

Abstract: A method and composition for the preparation of calcium silicate bounded shaped articles comprising mixing SiO.sub.2 containing powder, unslaked or slaked lime, calcium hydroxide, with a waste paper pulper slurry containing cellulosic particle of less than 1.1 mm in length is described. Additionally, Portland cement, alumina cement, calcium sulfate anhydride, plaster of Paris, a foam, and a thermally activated accelerator may also be added to the mixture which is then shaped into blanks, and autoclaved.

Abstract: A method of producing surface features having topological variances in the scribeline areas of a wafer adjacent to the dies. Surface features are used to reduce fracturing of molding compound and to prevent movement of the molding compound with respect to the surface of a die in a plastic encapsulated integrated circuit.

Abstract: An apparatus for cutting a honeycomb half-cell structure into sheets includes a blade for cutting the structure and a conveyor for positioning a length of the half-cell structure so that the blade cuts across the diagonal surface of the half-cell structure, thereby forming the sheets. The conveyor comprises platens including a plurality of bars contacting the valleys on one side of the half-cell structure and a space between each consecutive bar. The half-cell structure is cut along the diagonal surface alternating between one side of a first predetermined bar and one side of a second predetermined bar. A process for cutting a half-cell structure into sheets includes positioning a length of the half-cell structure so that the diagonal surfaces of the structure are positioned adjacent a blade for cutting and cutting across the diagonal surface to form the sheets.

Abstract: A polycrystalline diamond is prepared by chemical vapor deposition (step 101). A surface of the polycrystalline diamond is metallized (step 102). The metallized surface of the polycrystalline diamond is grooved with a YAG laser (step 103). A wedge or the like is driven into the grooves of the polycrystalline diamond to pressurize the same, whereby the polycrystalline diamond is divided along the grooves (step 104). Alternatively, a surface of a polycrystalline diamond prepared by chemical vapor deposition is grooved with a YAG laser (step 112), so that the surface of the polycrystalline diamond is metallized (step 113) after the grooving.

Abstract: The present invention includes of a method for producing a cross sectionally tetragonal tube package for flowable substances, in particular milk and juices. A carrier material (12) coated with synthetic plastic is cut longitudinally and horizontally through to center (35) and then shaped to form two welds (13,14) which made up the relevant tube (1) of the package. The stepped edge (10) of each web (13,14) serves as the top-end edge (10,16) of the tube (1), the blank (I) of which is separated form the web (13,14) by (at 41) parting it in transverse relationship to their direction of movement (15), the blank being provided with a longitudinal sealing seam for formation of the tube. At the top end of the tube (1), there are formed extensions of oppositely disposed side walls (3,5) and projecting wall panels (8,9) which are folded over into the surface of the top (7), the top (7) being integrally moulded on the free edge (10) of the wall panel ( 8,9) and the adjacent stepped end edge (10).

Abstract: A method of environmental cleanup by producing an autoclaved aerated cement building material (termed AAC) by a process that uses the available silica sand and other raw materials in mine tailings, in particular copper mine tailings from porphyry copper mines. The process minimizes the need for processed silica sand and other raw materials, normally used in the production of the AAC building material. The lightweight AAC building material produced from the mine tailings has excellent thermal insulation properties, sound absorption and other desirable construction qualities comparable to AAC building material produced using processed silica sand, i.e. from non-mine tailings raw material sources.

Abstract: In a method for the manufacture of stacked or wound type capacitors, made by the stacking and cutting out into unit blocks or by the winding of metallized polyethylene naphthalene films, at least after the stacking phase for the stacked type capacitors or the winding phase for the wound type capacitors, the capacitors are subjected to at least one annealing operation at a temperature of 240.degree. C. to 295.degree. C. for a period of at least one hour. The method can be applied notably to the making of chip capacitors for SMC mounting.

Abstract: A heat tipping method and apparatus for surgical sutures to facilitate inserting the sutures into the barrel ends of surgical needles. The method comprises tensioning the suture, heating a portion of the suture to be heat tipped by blowing a current of hot air across the portion of the suture, and releasing the tension and cutting the portion of the suture to create heat tipped ends. The apparatus comprises a cylindrical drum around which the suture is wound, a concave channel in the drum for delimiting a portion of the suture to be heated, and hot air blowers for heating the delimited portions of the suture to a heat tipping temperature.

Abstract: A process of producing a one-piece intraocular lens in which the lens includes an optical portion and at least one support portion produced integrally with each other, the process including the steps of (a) forming a first polymerized material into a lens blank, the lens blank including a convex portion to provide the optical portion of the intraocular lens, and a flange portion surrounding the convex portion, (b) applying, to one of opposite surfaces of the flange portion on a side of a convex surface of the convex portion, a monomer composition which is polymerizable to produce a second polymerized material different from the first polymerized material, the monomer composition including at least one polymerizable monomer, (c) polymerizing the monomer composition on the flange portion to provide a double-layer portion defined by the flange portion and the second polymerized material produced integrally with the lens blank from the monomer composition, and (d) forming the convex portion and double-layer porti

Abstract: Extrudable labelstock for in-mold labeling purposes which has a tensile ultimate elongation per ASTM D-882 of at least about 10% in one or both of the machine and transverse directions, and which contains a sufficient amount of one or more slip additives to prevent a significant degree of edge-welding between adjacent stacked sheets of the labelstock on a high type die cutter in an in-mold labeling process, and the improved in-mold labeling process employing such labelstock.

Abstract: Dimensionally stable, cured phenolic foams are described that have a thermal conductivity after 10-days below 0.0185 watts/m .degree.C., a density of 30 to 70 kg/cubic meter and a closed-cell content of at least 85%.

Abstract: A continuous, non-hesitant apparatus and process for producing a molded body of plastics material and for simultaneously securing the molded body to a tubular body by means of a plurality of heading units mounted in series on a continuous conveyor, each heading unit having a mold cavity associated with the mold arm slidably positionable with respect to a mandrel arm having a mandrel, press rod and mold core secured thereto, the mold core and press rod in coaxial alignment with the mold cavity, each of which responsive to a camming surface, the tubular body positioned on the mandrel and brought in registration with a continuous web of hot plastics material which is positioned at one end of the tubular body, the tubular body and mold core then positioned within the mold cavity responsive to the camming surfaces for a time sufficient to form the molded body and secure the molded body to the tubular body, the molded body and tubular body then released from the heading unit, the heading unit recirculating to obtai

Abstract: A method for making concrete roof tiles includes the steps of forming a continuous elongated ribbon or layer of concrete; cutting the continuous layer into a row of spaced end to end ribbon sections having a front edge and a rear edge; precompacting the front edge of one of two adjacent ribbon sections and compacting the precompacted front edge of the other ribbon section.

Abstract: A plurality of binary diffractive optic lenses are formed in the surface of one substrate and a corresponding plurality of recesses are formed in the surface of another substrate. The binary diffractive optic lenses on one substrate are aligned with the recesses on the other substrate and the two substrates are bonded together. A plurality of individual binary diffractive optic lens cover assemblies are obtained by dicing the two bonded substrates.

Abstract: A method for producing polymer profiles, having a varying thickness over their width and at least one longitudinal side tapering off to form a thin edge, includes of the following steps: Extruding simultaneously a plurality of the polymer profiles through a common die such that the thin edge of each one of the polymer profiles is connected to the thin edge of at least the neighboring one of the polymer profiles to form an interconnected extrudate; in a cross-section of the interconnected extrudate, providing an angle of between 45.degree. and 135.degree. between angle bisectors of neighboring ones of the polymer profiles; and separating the polymer profiles from one another after the step of extrusion.

Abstract: A method of producing fiber reinforced plastic moldings.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing low-edge V-belts including the steps of: forming an unvulcanized belt annular body inside out by winding respective components constituting the elongated portion, tension-resistant portion, and compressed portion of the belt in laminated form on the circumferential surface of a forming drum; vulcanizing the unvulcanized belt annular body to obtain a vulcanized annular body; revolving the vulcanized annular body by winding on a pair consisting of a drive drum and an idle drum thereby to grind V-shaped grooves on the surface of the vulcanized annular body with a grinding wheel which is a group of grindstones whose cross-section is V-shaped being in pressure contact with the drive or idle drum; causing projections arranged on a positioning member which is capable of gradually increasing the depth of engagement to engage with the V-shaped grooves; and cutting the vulcanized annular body thus processed thereafter.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for manufacturing a frame with a groove such as a molding for use with a panel such as a windshield of an automobile. The process includes the steps of preparing a dummy panel having an outer configuration and a thickness equal to those of the panel, and continuously moving an extrusion port of a molding die means along the peripheral edge of the dummy panel so that a molding product is continuously formed along the peripheral edge of the dummy panel. The molding product is stripped from the peripheral edge of the dummy panel to obtain the frame with a groove. The groove is closely engageable with the peripheral edge of the panel. The apparatus includes a dummy panel having an outer configuration and a thickness equal to those of the panel, molding die means having an extrusion port, and moving means for moving the extrusion port of the molding die means relative to the peripheral edge of the dummy panel.

Abstract: A convoluted foam pad for supporting a reclining human body on a bed including an area for supporting the shoulders of a body, an area for supporting the tail portion of a body and a general support area surrounding the shoulder and tail support areas for supporting the remainder of the body. Each support area is formed by peaks arranged in rows, wherein each peak has a flat top and is spaced from any adjacent peak in the same row by a valley. The average valley thickness of the valleys in both the shoulder support area and the tail support area are less than the average valley thickness of the valleys in the general support area.

Abstract: In the method for the manufacture of curved plastic pieces, such as brassiere underwires, the plastic pieces are formed from hot plastic material in a selected mold and are cooled to solidify the plastic material. In the improved method, a continuous thermoplastic wire in its thermoplastically formable state is coiled into a coil and simultaneously cooled thus forming turns of a solidified coil. The turns are subsequently cut along the axis of the coil over the entire length of the coil to produce the curved plastic pieces.

Abstract: A method for extruding a wide variety of plural-component fiber configurations in a spin pack utilizes one or more disposable distributor plates in which distributor flow paths are etched on one or both sides to distribute the polymer components to appropriate spinneret inlet hole locations. The etching process permits the distribution paths to be sufficiently small to facilitate issuing multiple discrete polymer component streams axially into each spinneret orifice inlet hole, whereby the resulting extruded fiber can be made up of at least one hundred side-by-side sub-fibers. If the adjacent sub-fibers are weakly bonded, they can be readily separated by agitation to significantly increase the effective yield from the spin pack and provide very fine and uniform fibers.

Abstract: A heat tipping method and apparatus for surgical sutures to facilitate inserting the sutures into the barrel ends of surgical needles. The method includes tensioning the suture, heating a portion of the suture to be heat tipped by blowing a current of hot air across the portion of the suture, and releasing the tension and cutting the portion of the suture to create heat tipped ends. The apparatus includes a cylindrical drum around which the suture is wound, a concave channel in the drum for delimiting a portion of the suture to be heated, and hot air blowers for heating the delimited portions of the suture to a heat tipping temperature.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a randomly patterned floor covering having contrastingly-colored zones from a preform of rubber in which the preform is cut in pieces, each of which are molded into a blank having projections extending from a top side of the blank in relief-like fashion, solidified by vulcanization and then machined by cutting only in the region of the projections. The rubber forming the contrastingly-colored zones is mixed with contrastingly-colored particles in an amount of at least ten percent by weight. These particles are substantially free of flat surfaces and are in, at least, an advanced state of vulcanization. The particles located in the projections extending from the top side of the blank are exposed during the cutting step.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a method for manufacturing heat-activatable articles from a synthetic thermoplastic material on which a shape memory is impressed by introducing molecular orientations and molecular structures. These articles, after the impressing of the shape memory, are subsequently subject to a further change in shape, at least in sub-regions thereof. The shape memory is influenced by this further change in shape.

Abstract: A runner-strip and articles attached to the runner-strip are molded into a piece in an injection molding unit. The piece is pulled out of the injection molding unit by a pulling-out unit. A back end of the runner-strip is left in the injection molding unit and is continued to a subsequent runner-strip to form a series of the pieces. The articles are separated from the runner-strip by providing a shock to both sides of the articles. Collecting units are provided for collecting the articles and the runner-strip.

Abstract: A method of extruding a profiled strip of polymeric material off the extrusion die of a plastic extruder and immediately thereafter compression forming a predetermined section of the profiled strip into a predetermined shape when temperature of the polymeric material is sufficiently high to allow plastic flow in the profiled strip.

Abstract: A process for the production of concrete roofing products of reduced weight loading having a thickness in section of not greater than 15 mm. The process involves forming an asbestos-free cementitious composition comprising (i) lightweight aggregate, (ii) hydraulic cement, (iii) water and (iv) reinforcing fibers in an amount of not more than 4% by weight of the total weight of the composition but the fibers being present in an amount sufficient to provide a reinforcing effect and impact strength in the roofing product, the cementitious composition being capable of being shaped by a roller and slipper method, and thereafter shaping the cementitious composition by the method to provide a shaped extrudate, dividing the extrudate to form sections and curing the sections to provide roofing products, wherein the reinforcing fibers have lengths of 0.5 mm to 20 mm. The impact resistant roofing products are useful as roofing tiles, or a replacement for shingles, shakes and slates.

Abstract: The production of concrete building products having thickness in section of not greater than 15 mm includes forming a cementitious composition containing aggregate, hydraulic cement and water. The composition is shaped by a roller and slipper method to produce a shaped extrudate which is then divided into form sections. The sections are then cured to provide the aesthetically pleasing product. The cementitious composition also contains reinforcing fibres. The building products are used for roofing tiles or replacement of shingles, shakes and slates.

Abstract: Bristle articles can be manufactured in that the bristle carrier and optionally the ends of the bristles are melted and brought together under pressure, or the bristles are introduced into an injection or foaming mould for the bristle carrier and are embedded in the bristle carrier material by injection moulding or foaming. The cycle time of these processes is extremely long as a result of the thermal processes (heating, melting, injection moulding, cooling). It is possible to significantly reduce the same in that the tools for holding or producing the bristle carrier on the one hand and the clamping devices for the bristles on the other are moved on closed paths and the clamping devices at at least one common station are transferred to the path of the tools and at least during the thermal processes are jointly moved with the tools and are subsequently returned to their movement path.

Abstract: Concrete blocks are formed in a mold having a cavity into which block-forming material is placed. A portion of the material is retained in place relative to the cavity walls when the block is removed from the cavity, and the face of the block forming material adjacent a surface of the material retained in place is provided with a split-type appearance to its surface. A block having a rough surface closely resembling a split surface can thus be attained without the expense and time involved in conventional block splitting. The assembly can be constructed to form blocks having non-planar split-type surfaces. Additionally, split-type surfaces can be formed on an interior surface of a composite block module adapted for splitting along a splitting plane, to attain a block providing a split-type appearance along two spaced planes.

Abstract: This invention deals with novel copolymers having K values of from 5 to 80 prepared by the radical polymerization of:(A) 20 to 80 weight percent, based on the total weight of (A) and (B), of at least one olefinic unsaturated polyoxyalkylene alcohol adduct or a polyester alcohol adduct;(B) 80 to 20 weight percent, based on the total weight of (A) and (B), of at least one vinyl monomer selected from the group consisting of N-vinylformamide, N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone, N-vinyl-piperidone, N-vinyl-2-caprolactam, N-vinylimidazole, N-vinyl-2-ethylene-urea and N-vinyl-2-propylene-urea;(C) 0.05 to 40 parts by weight of glycidyl acrylate and/or glycidyl methacrylate;(D) 0 to 10 parts by weight of at least one .alpha.,.beta.-monoolefinic unsaturated acid; and(E) 0 to 30 parts by weight of at least one olefinic unsaturated carboxylic acid amide and or carboxylic acid ester and/or styrene;whereby the parts by weight of (C), (D) and (E) are each based on 100 parts by weight of monomers (A) and (B).

Abstract: A method of forming a chain of meandering or zig-zag coupling elements for slide fasteners includes dividing or bifurcating a continuous length of substantially cross-sectionally circular monofilamentary material axially into identical halves of substantially semi-circular cross-section immediately prior to introduction to a forming apparatus. The identical halves may be provisionally joined together to provide a cross-sectionally circular monofilament and divided back into respective halves immediately prior to formation thereof into respective rows of coupling elements for slide fasteners.

Abstract: The process includes molding a plurality of recesses on a layer of foam material which is laid on a laying surface and moved forward. These recesses include a base open on the laying surface and are subsequently cross-linked by introducing steam under pressure through the bases of the recesses into cavities of the recesses formed during the molding step. The plant includes a conveyor element in which a plurality of plates disposed side-by-side are provided with protuberances corresponding to the recesses to be formed in the foam layer. The protuberances are open at their bases to enable introduction of steam into an inner space within each of the protuberances.

Abstract: A concrete slab, and a building construction system employing the concrete slab, in which the slab is formed in a casting or extrusion process to include a plurality of longitudinally extending core passages, and a groove extending transversely across one end face thereof. A plurality of invention slabs are stacked side by side to form a continuous wall structure, a plurality of conventional cored floor slabs are arranged with their one ends supported on the upper ends of the invention wall slabs, and concrete slurry is poured into the interface between the wall slabs and the floor slabs to fill at least some of the vertical core passages in the wall slabs and at least portions of the horizontal core passages in the floor slabs to form a continuous reinforcing concrete frame within the wall and floor.

Abstract: The method of making a plastic article having a plurality of small openings which utilizes a plurality of thin plastic tubular members combined together in a side-by-side relationship forming an assemblage. Each tubular member has an exterior layer of a first plastic and a core of a second plastic. The second plastic is to be dissolvable by a solvent. This assemblage is passed through a furnace with the result that the assemblage is drawn into a thin filament. Once cooled, the thin filament is cut into segments of a desired length and these segments are placed within a solvent bath for a sufficient period of time in order to affect complete removal of the second type of plastic resulting in producing of a plurality of small, through openings within each section.

Abstract: A process for die cutting a sheet of thermoplastic material imprintd with information or data of limited spatial displacement therebetween wherein the data is sequentially die cut in alternating rows and lines in a plurality of registered die cutting stations until all such pieces have been die cut generally in like sizes or pieces and wherein each piece is in residual attachment to the sheet of thermoplastic material.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing stratified pieces, such as roof tiles and wall tiles, by sucessive and independent extrusion of mortars or concretes. In the process mortar is deposited on a limited part of the molds. The mortar is extruded and compacted, and some mortar is dislodged from cross strips in each zone of contact between two consecutive molds. Thereafter, complete sheets of mortar are shaped on the first layers, filling both the emptied cross strips and the limited sides, and lastly the thicknesses of the pieces are cut in their entirety in a vertical transversal plane at each zone of contact of the molds to form multiple layer tiles having homogeneous facing surfaces.

Abstract: A process for producing improved gypsum models and molds of high duplication accuracy is provided. In the process, bundles of carbon fibers of specified length and amount having a sizing agent deposited thereon are treated to remove the sizing agent from the carbon fibers which are then separated into single fibers in water. A major part of hemihydrate gypsum (CaSO.sub.4.1/2H.sub.2 O) powder is then added to the carbon fibers dispersed in water to obtain a gypsum slurry having the carbon fibers uniformly dispersed therein. The slurry is then cast to obtain the models or molds.

Abstract: A method is shown for forming a wiper blade in which a continuous length of elastomer is extruded through a die having a die opening shaped to produce a pair of wiper blades joined in edge-to-edge relation. The elastomer is preformed to produce a weakened mid- section and then cured. The cured elastomer is then separated into two separate lengths of wiper blade by pulling the length of continuous elastomer along the weakened mid-section.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a three-sided culvert includes prestressing tendons in the culvert form. A series of prestressing tendons are secured within a form adapted for casting a concrete culvert having three orthogonal sides. The prestressing tendons are utilized in the top slab of the three-sided culvert and are positioned within the form prior to the pouring of concrete therein. Reinforcing steel can be eliminated along with the costs associated therewith and a culvert configuration can be provided with enhanced strength and improved material properties. Such culverts may thus be provided in modular form for placement upon foundations at remote locations for the creation of bridges, drainage areas and the like.

Abstract: Bristle articles can be manufactured in that the bristle carrier and optionally the ends of the bristles are melted and brought together under pressure, or the bristles are introduced into an injection or foaming mould for the bristle carrier and are embedded in the bristle carrier material by injection moulding or foaming. The cycle time of these processes is extremely long as a result of the thermal processes (heating, melting, injection moulding, cooling). It is possible to significantly reduce the same in that the tools for holding or producing the bristle carrier on the one hand and the clamping devices for the bristles on the other are moved on closed paths and the clamping devices at at least one common station are transferred to the path of the tools and at least during the thermal processes are jointly moved with the tools and are subsequently returned to their movement path.

Abstract: A method of custom manufacturing of shoes at a specified heel height is disclosed and includes forming a positive impression mold of the foot from a negative impression mold made with the foot oriented at the specified heel height. A sold impression form is provided having an upper surface shaped to correspond to the lower surface of the sole of a shoe with the specified heel height. The positive impression mold is located with its lower surface separated from the upper surface of the sole impression form by a distance approximating the desired sole thickness, after which a settable material adapted to harden to form a suitable sole is introduced into the space between the positive impression mold and the sole impression form. The sole impression form is then removed from the sole and the desired upper materials are attached to the sole to generally conform to the shape of the positive impression mold.

Abstract: A method is shown for forming a wiper blade in which a continuous length of elastomer is extruded through a die having a die opening shaped to produce a pair of wiper blades joined in edge-to-edge relation. The elastomer is scored in the mid-section thereof to produce a score line and then cured. The scored and cured elastomer is then separated into two separate lengths of wiper blade by dividing the length of continuous elastomer along the score line.

Abstract: A method for making elastomeric cushion pads which can be used in off-the-road vehicles and in the draft gears of railroad cars. The method includes solidifying a molten mass of the elastomer under a pressure of at least 1000 psi to form an elongated slug of the elastomer which is then cut into a plurality of unfinished cushion pads which are then individually momentarily compressed to remove any permanent set or deformation of the pads which occurs when an uncompressed pad is initially compressed.

Abstract: This invention relates to a cutting mechanism and its method of operation in "cutting side-lock" portions from "green state" roofing tiles. The tiles are manufactured in a conventional concrete roofing tile making plant in which mortar fed to a hopper extruder (18) of conventional design is formed as a continuous ribbon (26) on a series of pallets (P) conveyed beneath the hopper extruder (18). The ribbon (26) is thereafter cut by a knife (3) into discrete tiles (T) on said pallets (P) with a "side-lock" portion of each tile being blanked out by extension portions (32) (34) of the knife (30). The blanked out portions are thereafter removed from the remainder of the tiles by a blade 90 of removal means 14 such that no damage is caused to the tiles (T) and little or not detritus remains on the tile or the conveyors of the tile making plant.

Abstract: Cylindrical rods of titanium carbide or other refractory material with uniform, high density are prepared by hot pressing plates from powders of the material, with a uniaxial pressing pressure applied to the broad faces of the plate. Bars of square cross section are then cut from the plate and machined to cylindrical rods. The process is particularly suited to the preparation of refractory material preforms to be used in single crystal growth by the float zone method. Titanium carbide rods having a highly uniform density of about 96% that of the theoretical maximum can be readily prepared and then grown into titanium carbide crystals.

Abstract: Preparation of a novel polyester fiber, such as a poly(ethylene terephthalate) fiber, having at least one continuous groove wherein the surface of the groove is rougher than the surface outside the groove is accomplished through a drafting process involving surface hydrolysis. The fibers have improved cover, softness, and wetting characteristics.