Abstract: Plastic additives which are useful as nucleating agents and which are especially useful for improving the optical properties of polymeric materials are provided. More particularly, this invention relates to certain alkyl (or alkoxy) substituted fluoro-benzylidene sorbitol acetals and polymer compositions thereof which may be utilized within, as merely examples, food or cosmetic containers and packaging. These inventive fluorinated and alkylated benzylidene sorbitol acetals are also useful as gelling agents for water and organic solvents, particularly those used in the preparation of antiperspirant gel sticks.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to substrates that exhibit useful, auto adaptable surface energy properties that depend on the environment of the substrate. Such surface energy properties provide relatively high advancing and receding contact angles for liquids when in contact with the target substrate surface. The substrates exhibit low surface energy quantities of at most about 20 millijoules per square meter (mJ/m2) at a temperature of about 25 degrees C. and a surface energy greater than about 20 mJ/m2 at, or with exposure to, a temperature of about 40 degrees C. More specifically, encompassed within the present invention are textile substrates having this highly desirable unique surface energy modification property and which exhibit wash durable oil and water repellency and stain release features. Novel compositions and formulations that impart such surface energy modifications to substrates are also encompassed within this invention, as well as methods for producing such treated substrates.

Abstract: Certain multi-substituted dibenzylidene sorbitol acetals having electron withdrawing groups as constituents and electron donating groups on the other such that the compounds are asymmetric in structure and are dipolar in nature are provided. Polymer compositions comprising such compounds, are also contemplated which may be utilized within, as merely examples, food or cosmetic containers and packaging. These inventive asymmetric dipolar dibenzylidene sorbitol acetals are also useful as gelling agents for water and organic solvents, particularly those used in the preparation of antiperspirant gel sticks.

Abstract: A novel, easy, and efficient manner of toning shades of toluene-based gravure inks is provided, particularly through the incorporation of certain polymeric colorants therein said gravure ink formulations. In addition, such toner additives provide a toning capabilities of carbon black-based gravure inks that provides jetter black appearances with lower degrees of redness and bronzing on various types of printing substrates than other toner formulations of standard alkali blue types of toning additives. Such printed substrates and methods of printing utilizing such novel gravure toner additives are also encompassed within this invention.

Abstract: Novel ultraviolet absorbing compounds that are liquid in nature, are extremely low in color (and thus permit use without the concomitant necessity of adding large amounts of other coloring agents to combat such discoloring), and are highly effective in providing protection in wavelength ranges for which previous attempts at low-color ultraviolet absorbers have failed are provided herein. Such compounds provide such excellent, inexpensive, and beneficial protection from ultraviolet exposure within various media, including, but not limited to, clear thermoplastics. The particular compounds are generally polymeric in nature including various chain lengths of polyoxyalkylenes thereon and are liquid in nature to facilitate handling and introduction within the target media. In addition, such ultraviolet absorbers also exhibit extremely low migratory properties thereby providing long-term protective benefits to the target media as well.

Abstract: Improvements in preventing heat- and moisture-shrink problems in specific polypropylene tape fibers are provided. Such tape fibers are basically manufactured through the initial production of polypropylene films or tubes which are then slit into very thin, though flat (and having very high cross sectional aspect ratios) tape fibers thereafter. These inventive tape fibers (and thus the initial films and/or tubes) require the presence of relatively high amounts of certain compounds that quickly and effectively provide rigidity to the target polypropylene tape fiber. Generally, these compounds include any structure that nucleates polymer crystals within the target polypropylene after exposure to sufficient heat to melt the initial pelletized polymer and allowing such an oriented polymer to cool. The compounds must nucleate polymer crystals at a higher temperature than the target polypropylene without the nucleating agent during cooling.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of producing syndiotactic polypropylene articles through high performance nucleation via the presence of certain novel nucleating agents within molten syndiotactic resins, and subsequently permitting the resultant molten mixture to cool into a selected shape or configuration. Such novel nucleating agents are new classes of hyper-nucleators that promote crystallization within such target syndiotactic resins at levels well above any previously disclosed nucleators. This invention thus also encompasses the articles and compositions of such nucleated syndiotactic polypropylene as well.

Abstract: A modular airbag cushion system adaptable to different vehicle platform configurations comprises i) a plurality of separate, interconnectable inflatable airbag cushions each of which comprises at least one port for transmitting gas; ii) an optional connector for transmitting gas comprising a tube having a coaxial opening at at least one end, said tube being between and connected with at least two of said airbag cushions to provide a gas-tight connection between said ports; and iii) a gas source in communication with at least one of said ports for inflating said cushions in response to a signal. By varying the length of the connector or the ports, the system can be adapted to a variety of vehicle configurations using cushions of essentially the same length to protect outboard vehicle occupants from injurious contact with exposed interior sides of the vehicle in a crash.

Abstract: Color, pattern, design, and/or the like is applied by means of a jet dye process, or any other secondary or post pattern application process, including but not exclusively, silk screen printing and rotary printing, etc., to a carpet substrate, where the yarn in the carpet is all white (no dye applied) or where the yarn is pre-dyed with a single or multiple colors or where the yarn is treated chemically. The carpet can, for example, be made with any conventional loom weaving process or hand weaving process, for example Wilton, Axminster, spool, spool gripper, and Chenille looms, hand gun tufted, or any other conventional method.

Abstract: Unique thermoplastic (polypropylene, specifically) monofilament and/or tape fibers and yarns that exhibit heretofore unattained physical properties are provided. Such fibers are basically manufactured through the extrusion of thermoplastic resins that include a certain class of nucleating agent therein, and are able to be drawn at high ratios with such nucleating agents present, that the tenacity and modulus strength are much higher than other previously produced thermoplastic fibers (particularly those produced under commercial conditions), particularly those that also simultaneously exhibit extremely low shrinkage rates. Thus, such fibers require the presence of certain compounds that quickly and effectively provide rigidity to the target thermoplastic (for example, polypropylene), particularly after heat-setting.

Abstract: A flexible fire resistant innerduct structure is configured to contain a cable within a conduit. The innerduct structure includes a pair of adjacent strip-shaped layers of flexible material that are joined along their longitudinal edges to define a channel through which the cable can extend longitudinally through the innerduct structure between the layers. The adjacent layers have differing widths between their longitudinal edges, whereby the wider layer bulges away from the narrower layer to impart an open configuration to the channel. Other features of the innerduct structure relate to the material of which it is formed. Such features includes the structure of the material, such as a woven structure, and further include properties such as melting point, tensile strength, fire resistance, elongation, coefficient of friction, crimp resistance and compression recovery.

Abstract: A composite textile includes a batting layer, a cushion layer, and a face fabric. The batting layer has high melt temperature and low melt temperature fibers. The cushion layer is needled to the batting layer. The face fabric is bonded to the cushion layer by an adhesive. The face material/cushion layer/batting layer is heat set and rolled onto a roll for use in forming composite parts. The composite textile is more readily recyclable when the batting layer, the cushion layer, the adhesive, and the face material are all formed completely from material of the same chemical nature, such as polyolefin, polyester, or the like.

Abstract: Individual compounds that provide effective toning (or bluing) to combat yellowing within polyester articles (such as bottles, containers, and the like) are provided. Such a novel toner permits effective neutralization of yellowness while also providing highly desirable low haze and increased brightness due to a sharp absorption peak within the needed range of wavelengths (e.g., from about 565 to 590 nm) and a narrow half-height band width. Furthermore, such an individual compound is preferably liquid in nature and may thus be incorporated within an added ultraviolet absorber solution or shelf-stable dispersion to facilitate addition within target polyesters at various stages of production. The particular UV absorbers desired as additives within target polyesters also tend to exhibit certain yellowing effects that require attention as well. The inventive single bluing agent compound thus also accords effective neutralization of such UV absorber yellowing as well.

Abstract: A film container incorporating a light-blocking pile fabric composite disposed in bounding relation to a slit opening in the container. The pile fabric composite includes a heat curable resilient polymeric stiffening primer disposed across the underside of a pile fabric and a layer of substantially solvent free, heat activatable adhesive disposed below the primer and bonded to a bare or coated surface of black pigmented polyvinyl acetate of the container.

Abstract: Novel addition products of hydroxyl-protecting groups (such as isocyanates) with oxyalkylene-substituted intermediates, such as poly(oxyalkylenated) aniline compounds, for the eventual production of substituted, and substantially pure, colorants, particularly diazo and triphenylmethane derivatives, through the reaction of such intermediates with certain reactants are provided. These new colorants exhibit improved wax and/or oil solubility and high purity, particularly due to the inability of certain impurities to deleteriously react with the protected hydroxyl groups of either the intermediate or the colorant during and/or after formation thereof. A method for producing such novel colorants through utilization of these novel substantially pure colorant intermediates is also provided.

Abstract: A pile fabric suitable for use as a primary carpet fabric within a carpet construction or composite such as a cushioned carpet or tile. The primary carpet fabric includes a plurality of pile-forming yarns tufted through or adhered to a primary backing of integral dimensionally stable character. A cushioning layer of foam, felt, fabric, or other suitable cushioning material may be disposed at a position below the primary carpet fabric.

Abstract: A pile of a pile fabric is subjected to a forward abrasive action and a reverse abrasive action. The pile of the pile fabric obtains disturbances and/or fibrils on the ends of the piles.

Abstract: A process for producing fancy woven fabrics having balanced hand characteristics on each of the face and back is described. The process involves hydraulically processing a fancy-woven fabric having spun yarns in the warp to force fibers from spun yarns which are dominant on one fabric surface through the fabric to regions to form a nap on the other surface of the fabric. The process achieves fabrics having balanced hand characteristics with superior strength to those formed by conventional napping and sanding processes. In addition, the patterns have good pattern clarity.

Abstract: In a preferred embodiment, the present process involves subjecting a fabric having splittable conjugate yarns both to an acidic treatment and to a basic treatment, each of which erodes a portion of the components of the conjugate yarns. The acid treatment, given certain reaction kinetics, removes a portion of the polyamide element of the conjugate filament. The basic treatment has a similar effect on the polyester element of the conjugate filament, making it more hydrophilic. The at least partial removal of the polyamide component, coupled with the increased hydrophilicity of the polyester component, results in a fabric having enhanced absorptive properties. In an alternate embodiment, treatments with only acid or only basic solution may be employed.

Abstract: Unique thermoplastic (polypropylene, specifically) monofilament and/or tape fibers and yarns that exhibit heretofore unattained physical properties are provided. Such fibers are basically manufactured through the extrusion of thermoplastic resins that include a certain class of nucleating agent therein, and are able to be drawn at high ratios with such nucleating agents present, that the tenacity and modulus strength are much higher than other previously produced thermoplastic fibers (particularly those produced under commercial conditions), particularly those that also simultaneously exhibit extremely low shrinkage rates. Thus, such fibers require the presence of certain compounds that quickly and effectively provide rigidity to the target thermoplastic (for example, polypropylene), particularly after heat-setting.