Abstract: Adhesive composition, including a mixture of about 1 percent to about 35 percent by weight of chlorinated polymer, about 1 percent to about 35 percent by weight of a nitrile elastomer, a rubber-modified acrylonitrile copolymer, or mixtures thereof, and about 25 percent to about 90 percent by weight of an alkyl acrylate or methacrylate monomer.

Abstract: Adhesive composition, including a mixture of about 1 percent to about 35 percent by weight of chlorinated polymer, about 1 percent to about 35 percent by weight of a nitrile elastomer, a rubber-modified acrylonitrile copolymer, or mixtures thereof, and about 25 percent to about 90 percent by weight of an alkyl acrylate or methacrylate monomer.

Abstract: Novel low VOC solvent-based adhesives are provided, comprising a mixture of low vapor pressure, isomeric dimethyl-2-piperidones (DMPD) blended with (1) a non-solvent diluent, specifically, acetone (a VOC-exempt compound), or with mixtures of acetone and other known ketonic solvents such as methyl ethyl ketone (MEK), diethyl ketone (DEK), methyl propyl ketone (MPK), and methyl iso-butyl ketone (MIBK), cyclohexanone, and (2) thermoplastic PVC or CPVC resins. Omission of the resin provides a novel primer for pipes. The blended mixture yields PVC or CPVC pipe adhesives and primers that: (1) result in low VOC formulas (e.g., less than 510 g/l for PVC pipe and less than 490 g/l for CPVC pipe); (2) are very economical in the industry; (3) yield strong, quick setting, durable pipe joints that meet the required standards and performance criteria (e.g., ASTM D-2564 lap shear for PVC); (4) yield stable, low viscosity solutions that, in the case of adhesives, can be readily adjusted with thixotropes (e.g.

Abstract: A user of a system comprising a large set of information items, for example a multimedia database, is assisted by an agent in searching the set. The agent has a given affinity for the information items and selects a specific information item from the set in conformity with said affinity. On the basis of the interactions between the user and the system an image is formed of the affinity of the user for the information items. The agent utilizes this image, in addition to its own affinity, for the selection of a specific information item. A major application of the invention concerns a system in which the information items are presented as objects in a space and in which the agent guides the user through the space and proposes a specific object to the user.

Abstract: A washer box has a hollow housing with top and bottom walls and a front wall defining a window providing access to the housing interior. A pair of laterally spaced ports in the bottom wall are aligned in a first reference plane parallel to and spaced rearwardly from the front wall, and are configured and arranged to accommodate the connection of hot and cold water supply lines to valves located within the housing. A pair coaxially aligned alternatively useable drain openings in the top and bottom walls are located rearwardly of the first reference plane in a second reference plane extending perpendicular to the first reference plane and bisecting the distance between the laterally spaced ports.

Abstract: CPVC adhesives for joining CPVC substrates, pipes and articles are provided which comprise (a) about 5 to about 25 wt. % CPVC resin, (b) about 20 to about 90 wt. % of a single pentanone or blends of pentanones, (c) 0 to about 20 wt. % total heterocyclic solvent, and (d) 0 to about 45 wt. % total of non-heterocyclic solvents other than component (b) (such as MEK, acetone, cyclohexanone, and so forth). The CPVC adhesive compositions of this invention permit a reduction in the content of heterocyclic solvents to be achieved while meeting performance standards applicable to CPVC pipe joining, such as hydrostatic burst strength and hydrostatic sustained pressure test.

Abstract: A pipe mounting clamp comprises a generally C-shaped piece of plastic or other resilient material which is sufficiently flexible to allow a pipe to be snapped into a central pipe receiving cavity thereof while firmly retaining the same. The C-shaped member has a pair or orthogonal bores for receiving nails, screws or other fasteners which attach the C-shaped member to a stud or joist. The bores are positioned to permit the C-shaped member to be attached to a stud or joist in the appropriate orientation best suited for receiving and retaining the pipe. The bores may be formed of a plurality of offset slots that open onto opposite sides of the C-shaped member to allow the clamp to be injection molded without mold parts that move. The central pipe receiving cavity may be formed with a plurality of radially inwardly directed pipe engaging ribs.

Abstract: An improved two-piece roof flashing comprises a thermoplastic hard base and an elastomeric rain collar. The hard base comprises a planar base plate with a central dome-like portion, with the dome-like portion having a central opening with a solid flange inwardly disposed and encircling the opening. The rain collar has a central opening sized to accommodate an upstanding roof pipe. The rain collar is molded directly onto the solid flange of the hard base, with the resulting seam between the rain collar and hard base being strong and weathertight. When the collar is molded onto the flange of the base element, the materials of the collar and flange fuse together along the seam between the collar and base element. Additionally, with the collar directly molded to the flange, the design of the flange creates a lengthy path that water must traverse in order to penetrate the roof flashing.

Abstract: A generally planar mounting plate is formed to slidingly receive at least one mounting strap for supporting the plate between two adjacent wall studs. A mounting dish overlies a first side of the mounting plate. A valve, such as an angle stop valve or a gate valve, is secured to the mounting plate and mounting dish utilizing a cylindrical hollow adapter and a nut. The adapter has a female threaded forward end which is screwed over the male threaded shank of the valve. The adapter has a male threaded rearward end that extends through a hole in the base of the dish and a hole in an intermediate region of the mounting plate. A nut is screwed over the rearward end of the adapter to squeeze the mounting dish and the mounting plate between a shoulder of the adapter and the nut. A detachable outer cover is provided for frictionally engaging an internal wall of the dish for enclosing and protecting the valve during installation and finishing of the surrounding drywall.

Abstract: An insulator is designed to mount 3/8, 1/2 or 3/4 inch pipe in a hole through a sheet metal wall stud. The pipe insulator includes a generally cylindrical body that fits within a circular hole pre-punched in the intermediate planar portion of the sheet metal wall stud. The body has a circular, radially extending mounting flange which is held against the periphery of the hole in the sheet metal stud by a plurality of axially extending, circumferencially spaced mounting fingers formed in the cylindrical body. These mounting fingers momentarily deflect out of the way and then snap back into position when the cylindrical body is forced into the hole in the sheet metal stud. The pipe insulator further includes axially spaced sets of pie-shaped pipe gripping segments which extend radially inwardly from the cylindrical body and bend a sufficient amount to permit passage of the pipe through the center of the cylindrical body while holding the pipe rigidly in position.

Abstract: An ABS adhesive for joining ABS articles, such as pipes, comprises: (a) about 10 to 35 wt% ABS resin; and (b) about 40 to 60 wt % dibasic esters and, optionally, at least one solvent selected from the group consisting of 0 to about 30 wt % methyl ethyl ketone and 0 to about 10 wt % acetone. The VOC level of the ABS adhesive composition of the invention is at or below the allowed maximum value of 350 g/l. The lap shear strength ranges from about 400 to 700 psi, which is deemed adequate for most non-pressure applications, such as drain, waste, and vent uses, and pool and spa applications.

Abstract: A PVC adhesive for joining PVC pipes comprises: (a) about 10 to 22 wt % PVC resin and about 2 to 25 wt % acrylic resin, the total of the PVC resin and acrylic resin ranging from about 18 to 35 wt % of said adhesive; (b) a high vapor pressure solvent comprising about 10 to 50 wt % tetrahydrofuran and 0 to about 40 wt % methyl ethyl ketone, with the total high vapor pressure solvent concentration not exceeding a maximum concentration of about 55 wt % of the total adhesive composition; and a low vapor pressure solvent comprising about 10 to 35 wt % cyclohexanone and 0 to about 35 wt % N-methyl pyrrolidone, with the total low vapor pressure solvent concentration at least about 19 wt % of the total adhesive composition. The VOC (volatile organic compound) level of the PVC adhesive composition of the invention is at or below the allowed maximum value of 450 g/l, yet the adhesive meets or exceeds required performance standards, such as lap shear strength.

Abstract: An ABS adhesive for joining ABS articles, such as pipes, comprises: (a) about 10 to 35 wt % ABS resin; and (b) about 40 to 60 wt % dibasic esters and, optionally, at least one solvent selected from the group consisting of 0 to about 30 wt % methyl ethyl ketone and 0 to about 10 wt % acetone. The VOC level of the ABS adhesive composition of the invention is at or below the allowed maximum value of 350 g/1. The lap shear strength ranges from about 400 to 700 psi, which is deemed adequate for most non-pressure applications, such as drain, waste, and vent uses, and pool and spa applications.

Abstract: A plumbing installation is provided which includes an outlet box, at least one water supply pipe extending into the box and a torque inhibiting connection between the pipe and a boiler drain valve positioned in the interior of the box. A compression nut is screwed over a male threaded lower shank of the boiler drain valve to compress a ferrule around the upper end of the water supply pipe. A male threaded cylindrical adapter is connected to, and extends downwardly from, the compression nut through a water supply hole in a bottom wall of the outlet box. The adapter surrounds the water supply pipe. A lock nut is screwed over the adapter and squeezes the bottom wall between the compression nut and the lock nut. When the water supply pipe is made of CPVC this installation prevents lateral movement and/or torquing of the pipe which could weaken or fracture chemical welds between a lower end of the CPVC pipe and a CPVC fitting.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for storing and preparing a two component reactive acrylic adhesive in which a liquid acrylic resin is mixed with an organic peroxide in solution without causing yellowing. A sealed container is used to house the peroxide solution and an inert gas, preferably nitrogen. The container is made from a translucent or transparent material to permit viewing during the mixing operation and is covered with an opaque material during storage of the peroxide solution and gas.