Abstract: The invention relates to a storage box for an object that is to be protected from physicochemical contamination. The storage box is intended to have low weight, good mechanical strength, a good electrical condition, with a low degassing rate in time with prevention of diffusion of gasses from the external atmosphere into the interior of the box. The inner and/or outer surface of the box's walls are coated with at least one protective layer. The box may be used to store silicon wafers.

Abstract: A rubber pad comprises a support plate having substantially the same shape as an outer surface of an iron shoe plate provided on its outer surface with lugs, a rubber block vulcanized and adhered to the support plate, wherein the support plate is provided with a bolt or a female member fixed to at least one side face of the support plate, a hook member fixed to the support plate at a position opposite to the bolt or female member. Further, the rubber pad is provided with a fastening member securing the rubber pad to the iron shoe plate through another female member or bolt.

Abstract: A multilayered article and vessel, which are superior in the properties, such as shock resistance, rigidity, an ability to barrier against gasoline and interlayer adhesion, and are permissible of being recycled for reuse, comprising a base layer (A1) comprising a polyetylene resin (a1) having an MFR (ASTM D 1238, 190° C., 2160 g) of 0.001 to 0.5 g/10 min. and a density of 0.945 to 0.980 g/cm3, an adhesive layer (A2) comprising a modified etylene/&agr;-olefin copolymer (a2) which is modified by having grafted thereon an unsaturated carboxylic acid or its derivative and has a density of 0.900 to 0.940 and a barriering layer (B) comprising an ethylene/vinyl alcohol copolymer (b), wherein the Izod impact strength (with notch) (ASTM D 256, −40° C.

Abstract: Disclosed is a casing for storing an airbag for an airbag restraint system, cavingg: a main body formed of a material comprising a thermoplastic elastomer composition which is prepared by: mixing 100 parts by weight of a copolymer composition with 0.05 to 0.5 parts by weight of a lubricant comprising higher fatty acid amide to obtain a mixture; and dynamically heat-treating the mixture in the presence of an organic peroxide and an auxiliary crosslinking agent. The copolymer composition contains: (A) 20 to 50 parts by weight of an olefin copolymer resin of propylene and one or two kinds of 1-olefin other than propylene; (B) 10 to 50 parts by weight of ethylene-propylene copolymer rubber having a Mooney viscosity (ML1+4, 100° C.) ranging from 30 to 60; (C) 10 to 70 parts by weight of ethylene-propylene-nonconjugated diene copolymer rubber having a Mooney viscosity (ML1+4, 100° C.

Abstract: Fabrics are used as integral elements of electrical circuitry—to facilitate control over the operation of external components connected thereto, to serve as substrates onto which electrical components are connected, or as the electrical components themselves. In one aspect, selective, anisotropic electrical conductivity is achieved using conductive fibers running along one weave direction and non-conductive fibers running along the opposite direction. The conductive fibers, which may be continuous or arranged in lanes, serve as electrical conduits capable of carrying data signals and/or power, and may be connected, for example, to electrical components soldered directly onto the fabric. In a second aspect, passive electrical components are integrated directly textiles using threads having selected electrical properties.

Abstract: A solar cell module comprising a photovoltaic element, and at least a surface side filler and a surface protective member which are disposed in this order on a light incident face of said photovoltaic element, wherein said surface side filler comprises a non-crosslinked organic polymer resin and a crosslinked organic polymer resin, said crosslinked organic polymer resin being provided on at least a surface of said non-crosslinked organic polymer resin. Said solar cell module excels particularly in weatherability and moisture resistance.

Abstract: A hydrogen getter comprising a thin film having a layer of inert material, and a hydrogen reactive material disposed in or attached to the layer of inert material. The hydrogen reactive material may comprise palladium oxide powder, and the layer of inert material may comprise an epoxy resin. Various forms of the hydrogen reactive material may be used including porous composite, or a solid composite comprising a powder coated organic thin film, for example. An alternative gettering system that is operative in an oxygen environment uses a thin film of hydrogen reactive material that catalyzes the reaction of hydrogen and oxygen to form water. Improved sealed microelectronic packages are also disclosed along with methods of fabricating same.

Abstract: A compostion having improved fuel vapor barrier properties comprising a blend of about 20 to 80 weight percent of a first fluorointerpolymer with about 80 to 20 weight percent of a second fluorointerpolymer, the first fluorointerpolymer comprising a copolymer, terpolymer or mixture thereof formed by the copolymerization of two or more monomers selected from the group consisting of hexafluoropropylene, vinylidene fluoride and tetrafluoroethylene, and the second fluorointerpolymer comprising a copolymer, terpolymer or mixture thereof formed by the copolymerization of two or more monomers selected from the group consisting of hexafluoropropylene, vinylidene fluoride and tetrafluorotheylene, wherein the first fluorointerpolymer exhibits elastomer characteristics and the second fluorointerpolymer exhibits thermoplstic characteristics.

Abstract: A plastic packaging material which, when formed as a package having seams, will provide a predictable line of failure along a seam when the package is opened to prevent the package from tearing down the side. The predictable failure path is provided through a lamination process involving specific resins or blends of resins laminated in three (or more) layers in which an extruded inner layer forms a weak inner bond wholly within that inner layer to create the predictable line of failure and in which the process of forming the material does not inhibit processing speed, efficiency, and economics of materials used to provide this reliable openability.

Abstract: The present invention relates to barrier membranes including a barrier layer which includes one or more thermoplastic urethane formed from polyester polyols. More particularly, the membranes include a barrier layer including blends of one or more polyester polyol based thermoplastic urethanes and one or more copolymers of ethylene and vinyl alcohol. The barrier membranes can be employed in a variety of applications and can be used as either monolayers or multi-layered laminates.

Abstract: An integrated photovoltaic system includes a plurality of individual photovoltaic modules that each convert solar energy into DC power. Each of the photovoltaic modules is coupled to a busway that combines the DC power generated by each photovoltaic module into a DC power output. The connection between each photovoltaic module and the busway is environmentally sealed, as is the electrical wiring contained within the busway. The busway is coupled to a DC to AC power inverter that provides a supply of AC power. The coupling between the busway and the power inverter is environmentally protected, such that the entire DC wiring for the photovoltaic system is environmentally sealed and the system functions as an “AC photovoltaic system” having an AC power output.

Abstract: This invention provides a method of bonding substantially non-fluorinated polymeric material to a fluoropolymer utilizing a bonding composition comprising primary or secondary di- or poly-amine and a melt-processable, substantantially non-fluorinated component. Multi-layer articles and composite constructions, including retroreflective sheeting and fuel line hoses, made of a fluoropolymer layer and a substantially non-fluorinated layer are also provided.

Abstract: A unique powder-free medical glove fabricated from a neoprene copolymer, and a method of making same is described. The gloves of the invention are easily donned without the use of powdered donning agents and retain their puncture resistance, tensile strength, stress at 500% and elongation to break after post-processing by chlorination and sterilization by irradiation. Additionally, the gloves of the invention exhibit minimal discoloration (as measured by the per cent change in yellowness index) and minimal stickiness to themselves and to glove packing materials after sterilization by irradiation.

Abstract: There is disclosed a pyrolytic boron nitride container for accommodating a material serving as a source of molecular beams for molecular beam epitaxy, wherein the transmissivity of the pyrolytic boron nitride container with respect to light having a wave number of 2600 cm−1 to 6500 cm−1 has a profile such that the transmissivity changes in the height direction of the container. The pyrolytic boron nitride container can be manufactured through a simple process and at low cost. The pyrolytic boron nitride container can prevent material melt from rising along the inner wall surface and prevent splashed material melt from adhering to the upper portion of the container. Further, the pyrolytic boron nitride container can stabilize molecular beam epitaxial growth and improve the quality of epitaxial film.

Abstract: Disclosed is a heterogeneous polymer gel comprising at least two gel networks. One embodiment of the present invention concerns a heterogeneous polymer gel comprising a first gel network comprising an environmentally-stable gel and a second gel network comprising an environmentally-unstable gel wherein the first gel network interpenetrates the second gel network. The heterogeneous polymer gel exhibits controlled changes in volume in response to environmental changes in condition, such as of temperature or of chemical composition.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing multi-ply tubular containers for food products is provided including the steps of advancing a continuous body ply formed of paperboard towards a shaping mandrel and advancing a continuous polymeric liner ply adjacent to one surface of the paperboard body ply. The polymeric liner ply includes a moisture barrier layer and an adhesive layer defining one surface of the liner ply, wherein the adhesive layer includes a polymeric adhesive which is activated at a predetermined activation temperature. The body ply is heated to a temperature above the activation temperature of the adhesive, and the body ply and the liner ply are then passed in face-to-face contact through a nip to adhere the liner ply to the body ply. The body ply and liner ply are then wrapped around a shaping mandrel to create the tubular container.

Abstract: A process of making a composite vessel with superior mechanical and aesthetic characteristics includes the steps of: A) preforming a composite thermoplastic shell (e.g., by winding a commingled roving of fiberglass and a thermoplastic material onto a thermoplastic liner) having an opening for access to the interior; B) placing the shell (which may optionally be preheated) into a mold (which itself may optionally be preheated); C) introducing an inflatable bag containing a heater into the shell through the opening; D) heating the inflatable bag to a temperature which is sufficient to render the shell fluid while pressurizing the interior of the inflatable bag; E) continuing step D) until the shell forms against the interior walls of the mold; F) allowing the formed composite vessel to cool; G) removing the inflatable bag; and H) removing the formed composite vessel from the mold.

Abstract: A silicon article including a silicon base and columns extending from the silicon base. The columns define a gap between the columns which is devoid of material so that the article can act as a filter or heat sink. Also disclosed is a method of making the silicon article.

Abstract: For obtaining firmly adhering decorative layers of ceramic colors applied to glass or glass ceramic substrates, prior to stoving, optically inactive inorganic substances, e.g., mica, which are chemically inert with respect to the base enamel and the pigments are added to the base enamel together with the pigments in fine-particle form, e.g., 20-40 &mgr;m, in a quantity of 1-20 wt. %.

Abstract: A multi-layer tube suitable for use in a motor vehicle system to transport fluids containing hydrocarbons such as would be found in a fuel line, a vapor return line or a vapor recovery tube having a first layer radially disposed innermost made up of an extrudable melt-processible thermoplastic material selected from the group consisting of aromatic polyketones, aliphatic polyketones and mixtures thereof, and second layer made up of an extrudable, melt-processible thermoplastic material capable of sufficiently permanent laminar adhesion with the first layer so as to prevent delamination between the first and second layers during a desired lifetime of the tube, and a third layer overlying the first layer made up of a melt-processible thermoplastic material such as polyamides, high density polyethylenes and mixtures thereof.