Abstract: Improvements in polyester yarns of high strength from high viscosity polymer, obtained by melt-spinning such high viscosity polymer at high withdrawal speed to provide a novel intermediate partially-oriented yarn of high viscosity polymer, followed by drawing such intermediate partially-oriented yarn at the appropriate draw ratio to provide the desired high strength polyester yarn, especially of fine denier per filament to provide surprising advantages in durability as shown by an increased flex life, and if desired using a warp-drawing process to provide warp yarns of such high strength polyester, or a draw-texturing process to produce draw-textured yarns.

Abstract: A method for injection molding a transaction terminal case with an integral card slot formed by a knife blade in the female mold section which is supported against twisting during the molding process by a plurality of narrow buttress sections in the male mold section. The male mold section also includes a structural element in the form of a larger central buttress which contacts the knife blade of the female mold section cooperatively to form a read head window in one side of the integral card slot during the molding process. The male mold section further includes structural elements for forming a bracket mounting arrangement which is integrally formed adjacent the read head window during the injection molding process.

Abstract: A mandrel for manufacturing a hollow composite material body. The mandrel is formed by an homogeneous graphite felt block whose fibers are embedded in a pyrolysis carbon matrix. The densification of the arrangement of fibers forming the hollow body is carried out in a neutral atmosphere.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of a synthetic resin-shaped article having good antistatic properties is provided, which entails a) polymerizing a monomer mixture containing monomers (A), (B) and (C) to form a first copolymer; b) subsequently polymerizing monomers (D) and (E) in the presence of the first polymer to prepare a second copolymer; forming a film of the second copolymer on the molding surface of a casting mold; and supplying a starting material capable of forming a synthetic resin into the casting mold and polymerizing the starting material to form the substrate in the casting mold, thereby transferring the film of the previous step to the surface of the substrate from the molding surface of the casting mold.

Abstract: A method for producing composite staple fibers whereby resin matrix and fine and short inorganic reinforcing fibers (e.g., vapor growth carbon fibers and/or potassium titanate whiskers) are processed. A resin material and fine and short inorganic reinforcing fibers having a fiber diameter of 1 .mu.m or less are blended, heated, and mixed to prepare a molten polymer containing dispersed reinforcing fibers. The molten polymer is spouted out of small apertures in a high speed rotator to form filaments. Hot gas is blown onto the spouted filaments to form composite staple fibers. Instead of using the spouting step and the hot gas blowing step, one can spin the molten polymer from spinning apertures into filaments, and simultaneously blow hot gas onto the filaments at a high flow velocity from gas discharging holes arranged near the spinning apertures to draw and cut the filaments into the staple fibers.

Abstract: The invention provides improved thermoplastic high strength, highly oriented fibers and a process for producing the fibers by melt spinning a thermoplastic polymer to form a threadline, preferably passing the threadline through a thermal conditioning zone and then quenching the threadline. The quenched threadline is passed through a hydraulic drag bath maintained at a temperature of greater than the glass transition temperature of the polymer which substantially increases the threadline stress and results in drawing of the threadline. The threadline is withdrawn from the drag bath at a withdrawal rate of at least 3,000 meters per minute.

Abstract: An inplant material for a living body hard tissue which is constructed by forming a core of a carbon material having a smooth and high hardness surface, an excellent mechanical strength against bending and compressing strengths, and non-impregnable to blood, lymph or the like and further forming a porous layer having a thickness of 100 microns or larger, preferably 100 microns or large on the surface of the core. This porous structure of the implant material is very important to smoothly and rigidly bond the material to a living body and is devised to produce the state that a collagen fiber newly produced in the boundary between the living body and the implant material is intruded into the porous tissue of the surface of the implant material and mutually interchanged, and a process for producing the same. Thus, the implant material has a smooth and high hardness surface, an excellent mechanical strength against bending and compressing strengths, and being non-impregnable to blood, lymph or the like.

Abstract: An optical compensator plate is prepared by applying heat and pressure to an ionomer resin in an autoclave to form a resin film having a birefringence, annealing the resin film at a temperature range not less than the softening temperature and not higher than the melting point of the resin, e.g. 60.degree.-100.degree. C. for at least about 30 minutes.

Abstract: Methods for rendering a recording medium for use with a recording laser beam providing light of a given energy and frequency, where the medium is characterized by a light-reflecting structure with a light-absorbing record layer thereon and a sealing overcoat on the record layer, the light-absorbing record layer being prone to exhibit micro-excursions and/or micro-deformation during laser recording thereon, and a transparent "soft-pad" isolation layer is interposed, between the light-absorbing layer and the overcoat, this soft pad having a thickness and other characteristics such that the absorber layer is constrained little, or not at all, in the course of being written-upon with the laser, the soft, pad thus functioning to isolate the absorber layer thermally and mechanically, as well as to help defocus dust, etc.

Abstract: A method of producing near net shape fusion cast refractories. The method includes the steps of continuously introducing refractory particles into a melting furnace, rapidly heating the particles, depositing the heated particles into a melt pool, continuously introducing the molten material into a mold, and continuously withdrawing a solidified body from the mold as the molten material continually solidifies. The above stated method produces a fusion cast refractory having a generally random, fine, uniform microstructure; uniform chemistry; and generally evenly distributed closed pores.

Abstract: A process for the production of a complex component made of metal, ceramic or plastic, in which process powder (7) is blown by means of a transport gas into a gas-permeable negative mold (14), which is under reduced pressure and is located in a container (11), and pre-compacted, after which the negative mold (14) is removed from the container (11) and the green compact is sintered, either in a separate ceramic supporting composition or in the negative mold (14) itself, which consists of ceramic. The process allows production of a hollow body or of a layered body as the component by programming the powder injection.

Abstract: A method for casting a housing around an endoscope frame is shown. The method includes the step of assembling an endoscope frame comprising a proximal end of an elongated shaft having a first working channel, a second working channel, a fiber optical image bundle channel, and fiber optic light carrying member. Each of the working channels and the fiber optic light carrying member extend in a predetermined direction from the elongated shaft to a preselected location wherein each of the working channels are terminated in an input opening member. The fiber optic image bundle terminates in a viewing member. The fiber optic light carrying member terminates in a light connecting member.

Abstract: A method for the production of metal oxide ceramic membranes is composed of very small pore size. The process is particularly useful in the creation of titanium and other transition metal oxide membranes. The method utilizes a sol-gel process in which the rate of particle formation is controlled by substituting a relatively large alcohol in the metal alkoxide and by limiting the available water. Stable, transparent metal oxide ceramic membranes are created having a narrow distribution of pore size, with the pore diameter being manipulable in the range of 5 to 40 Angstroms.

Abstract: The PMMA (Polymethyl methacrylate) plastic used to produce one-piece intraocular lenses is modified by a novel thermoplastic pressure forming process to produce a much tougher material with improved mechanical properties. The improved material exhibits greater ductility and fatigue resistance than conventional cast PMMA sheet, resulting in a one-piece lens that is less prone to breakage from implantation or use.

Abstract: Disclosed is a melt-blowing process for producing a fiber of an extrudable polyurethane having a large amount of hard segment, which comprises supplying a polyurethane comprising the reaction product of:(a) an organic polyisocyanate;(b) an isocyanate-reactive material having an average functionality of at least 1.9, a glass transition temperature (Tg) of less than 20.degree.C., and a molecular weight in the range of 500 to 20,000; and(c) at least one chain extender having a functionality from 2 to 3 and a molecular weight from 50 to 400;which reaction product has up to 25 percent by weight of soft segment derived from the organic polyisocyanate (a) and the isocyanate-reactive material (b) and at least 75 percent by weight of hard segment derived from the organic polyisocyanate (a) and the chain extender (c), in a molten form from at least one orifice of a nozzle into a gas stream supplied to an area adjacent to the orifice which attenuates the molten polymer into fibers.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for incrementally stretching "zero strain" stretch laminate webs to impart elasticity thereto in the direction of initial stretching, at least up to the point of initial stretching. The "zero strain" stretch laminate material is formed of at least two plies of material which are either intermittently or substantially continuously secured to one another along at least a portion of their coextensive surfaces while in a substantially untensioned ("zero strain") condition. One of the plies is stretchable and elastomeric, while the second ply is elongatable, but not necessarily elastomeric. The second ply will, upon stretching of the laminate, be at least to a degree permanently elongated so that, upon release of the applied tensile forces, it will not return to its original undistorted configuration.

Abstract: Ultra-fine polymeric fibers are produced from various polymeric materials by mixing with thermoplastic poly(vinyl alcohol) and extruding the mixture through a die followed by further orientation. The poly(vinyl alcohol) is extracted to yield liberated ultra-fine polymeric fibers. The polymer utilized can include post-consumer polymer waste.

Abstract: A method for decoration of paper or plastic sheeting and other substrates, involving a novel technique for coating and embossing the substrate. The paper or plastic sheeting is supplied with a coating of thermosensitive material, as by extrusion. The coated sheet is heated to adequately soften the coating, such as by use of a heated cylinder, and remote heat sources such as infrared heaters. The softened sheet surface is then decorated using an embossing member, to provide a diffraction pattern or hologram. Use of an embossment pattern of lesser depth than the surface roughness of the sheet before embossing provides attractive decorative patterns.

Abstract: A process for the production of a molded article having positive temperature coefficient characteristics from a resin composition containing a crystalline resin, electrically conductive particles and an organic peroxide. A molded article having excellent PTC characteristics over that of a conventional molded article can be obtained by a process which includes mixing the crystalline resin and the electrically conductive particles to obtain a mixture; crosslinking the crystalline resin with the organic peroxide by kneading the mixture under a shear force; and simultaneously or successively molding the resultant kneaded mixture.

Abstract: A process for the continuous production of laminated sheet materials of thermoplastic polymers, reinforcing fibers and metals, in which endless sheets of reinforcing fibers, thermoplastic polymers and metals are combined in layers and the layers thus combined are continuously exposed for 0.1 to 10 minutes to a pressure of 0.5 to 50 bar at a temperature 20.degree. to 150.degree. C. above the melting temperature of the thermoplastic polymer.