Abstract: Alkoxylated alkyl glucosides having quaternary nitrogen-containing ether substituents possess cationics utility combined with extreme mildness to skin and hair along with stable personal care compositions and processes.

Abstract: Apparatus for coating the surface of an object with a coating material are disclosed. The apparatus comprise a vacuum chuck assembly suitable for holding the object to be coated in a downward, i.e., inverted position, and a coating material applicator movably positioned beneath the vacuum chuck assembly to traverse the surface of the object in a generally parallel direction to the surface. The vacuum chuck assembly provides a means for temperature control as well as a means for establishing a vacuum for holding the object in the inverted position.

Abstract: Cationic polysaccharide polymers and anionic therapeutic agents delivery systems are disclosed which have been found to be substantive to mucosal surfaces. The present delivery system is well suited for the delivery of anionic ophthalmic pharmaceuticals.

Abstract: Cleaning methods and apparatus for removing particulate materials from the surfaces of objects are disclosed. Megasonic vibrations are utilized to cause a liquid cleaning fluid in a first reservoir to rise above the upper end of the first reservoir, contact the surface of the object to be cleaned and flow over a weir at the upper end of the first reservoir into a second reservoir. The methods and apparatus are useful to remove small particles, e.g. having a particle size of less than about 1 micron, from flat or curved planar surfaces. The methods and apparatus can be integrated with subsequent processing steps, e.g. applying thin film coatings, without intermediate handling of the objects.

Abstract: Solder powders coated with a thin layer of parylene and solder pastes containing the coated solder powders are disclosed. The coated solder powders can exhibit a high degree of resistance to oxidation and to reaction with the flux contained in the solder paste without substantially interfering with the reflow characteristics of the solder.

Abstract: Vinylcyclohexene is converted to ethylbenzene by contacting vinylcyclohexene with an alkali metal, liquid ammonia and an initiator.

Abstract: A process for making a composite article having improved mechanical properties such as fatigue life, which process comprises contacting at least one continuous filament with a mixture comprising a resin and a strain relieving polymer.

Abstract: Apparatus are disclosed for coating the inside surfaces of hollow objects with a coating material by vapor deposition wherein the objects are removably attached to a rotary fixture which is employed for holding the objects while the coating process is being conducted. The rotary fixture comprises a hollow chamber rotatably mounted about an axis of rotation wherein the chamber can have a plurality of connecting union assemblies which secure the objects and provide communication between the inside surfaces of the objects and the inside space of the hollow chamber. The coating material is introduced from the interior space of the hollow chamber to the interior space of the objects under vacuum conditions.

Abstract: Improved processes are disclosed for the removal of hydrogen sulfide from feed streams by conversion of hydrogen sulfide and sulfur dioxide to elemental sulfur and water, e.g. Claus process. The feed stream of the present invention is divided into two split streams wherein one is incinerated to form sulfur dioxide in the presence of oxygen. The sulfur dioxide is then separated from the water, nitrogen and other impurities and combined with the other split stream to form a reactor feed which is passed to a sulfur reaction zone for conversion to elemental sulfur. Due to the rejection of water, nitrogen and other impurities from the reactor inlet stream, a higher concentration of hydrogen sulfide and sulfur dioxide can be achieved in the sulfur reaction zone. As a result, the processes of the present invention can be used to increase the throughput of existing Claus process plants and reduce the size of new Claus process plants.

Abstract: Processes are disclosed for preparing [2.2] paracyclophane and derivatives thereof by conducting the Hofmann elimination of p-methylbenzyltrimethylammonium hydroxide, or derivatives thereof, in the presence of an effective amount of oxygen to inhibit the formation of by-product polymers. The oxygen can be introduced, for example, by a purge gas stream containing molecular oxygen. Products produced by the processes are also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for topical application of a pharmaceutically or therapeutically active agent through the use of a covalent chitosan derivative or chitosonium polymer. The present invention is particularly well suited for the topical delivery of pharmaceutically active quaternary ammonia compounds of the formula: ##STR1## wherein R is alkyl having between 5 and 11 carbon atoms.

Abstract: Biocompatible polymeric complexes having utility in many fields including medical applications, as well as personal and health care, are provided and can be affixed to a variety of substrate materials which themselves may or may not also be biocompatible. The complexes of this invention are comprised of a carboxylic acid polymer with either a poly(lower-alkylene oxide) or a poly(N-vinyl lactam). Moreover, a complex of an antimicrobial agent such as iodine can be formed with the complex to provide antimicrobial activity. The complexes are also useful for forming biocompatible coatings on medical devices, some of which can render the surface lubricious when exposed to aqueous or body fluids.

Abstract: Processes are disclosed for converting heat stable amine salts to heat regenerable amine salts using a modified electrodialysis zone. The processes of the present invention can be used to reduce the level of heat stable salts in a lean solvent stream in an acid gas removal process and can be integrated with the acid gas removal process to utilize process streams as a source of ions.

Abstract: Solder powders coated with a thin layer of parylene and solder pastes containing the coated solder powders are disclosed. The coated solder powders can exhibit a high degree of resistance to oxidation and to reaction with the flux contained in the solder paste without substantially interfering with the reflow characteristics of the solder.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for coating flat or curved planar surfaces by flowing a coating material through a porous applicator onto the surface of the object to be coated. Menisci of the coating material are maintained between the porous applicator and the surface of the object to be coated by attractive forces between the coating material and the surface of the object. Thin, uniform coating thicknesses, e.g., less than about 1 micron, and conformal coatings of objects having irregular surfaces can be obtained. The methods are useful, for example, for coating objects such as flat panel displays, optical devices, silicon and germanium wafers, and hybrid circuit boards.

Abstract: Spray coating, particularly flat spray coating of circuit boards. Applicant's method of discrete conformal coating eliminates "railroading" at the edges of the flat spray web and assures precise control of the amount of coating material placed on the circuit board surface, as well as on the varying and complex circuit board components. The method includes pressurizing the coating; longitudinally advancing a surface to be coated, such as a circuit board, beneath the coating, while simultaneously feeding the coating onto the advancing surface as a plural series of aligned droplets extending transversely across the advancing surface. The feeding of coating is triggered "ON/OFF" so as to define longitudinally the series of droplets feeding onto the advancing surface.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for coating an article with a coating material by vapor deposition wherein an improved deposition chamber having a base and a cover is employed. The cover of the deposition chamber is removable and interchangeable with other deposition chamber covers which have different sizes and geometries. By changing the covers, the inner surface area of the deposition chamber cover can be adjusted to accommodate the surface area of the articles to be coated. Thus, it is possible to avoid loses of parylene which can coat on the inner surface of the deposition chamber during the parylene coating process. A vapor deposition apparatus providing a generally upward flow pattern of parylene monomer is also disclosed.

Abstract: Processes for the removal of sulfur dioxide from gas streams, e.g., stack gases, are disclosed wherein the absorption occurs in the presence of a diamine. The first amine group, i.e., stronger amine group, of the diamine is in salt form, having sulfite anions associated therewith, and absorbs by a sulfite/bisulfite absorption mechanism. The second amine groups absorbs sulfur dioxide in free base form. The sulfite salt on the first amine group is maintained by controlling the level of heat stable salts in the absorbent. Both the first and second amine groups can be conveniently regenerated together, e.g., by steam stripping.

Abstract: Residual ethylene oxide is removed from poly(ethylene oxide) by the steps of adding to particles of high molecular weight poly(ethylene oxide) a finely divided solid particulate material which is capable of coating the poly(ethylene oxide) particles and impeding their agglomeration under conditions of heating, heating the particles of poly(ethylene oxide) at a temperature of at least 40.degree. C. and preferably which is near their crystalline melting point, and maintaining the temperature for a sufficient time to reduce the ethylene oxide in the particles of poly(ethylene oxide) to ten ppm or less. In one embodiment, the poly(ethylene oxide) is heated by holding the particles in a heated enclosure; in another, it is heated as a slurry in a liquid medium; in yet another, it is heated by warm gas in a gaseously-fluidized bed; and in a fourth, it is heated by microwave radiation.

Abstract: Processes are disclosed for the preparation of octafluoro-[2,2]paracyclophane which utilize a low temperature, e.g., less than about 200.degree. C., and a reducing agent comprising titanium to promote the dimerization of dihalo-tetrafluoro-p-xylenes. One suitable reducing agent is prepared by combining TiCl.sub.4 with LiAlH.sub.4 in an organic solvent.