Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming a relatively thin releasable layer of copper on a carrier substrate. First, a separation facilitating layer is provided on the carrier substrate. A layer of vapor-deposited copper is then formed over the separation facilitating layer to protect the separation facilitating layer during subsequent processing. Thereafter, the thickness of the copper layer is increased by the electrodeposition of copper onto the vapor-deposited layer. The copper layer is applied to a dielectric and is released from the carrier substrate at the separation facilitating layer.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a Three Dimensional Printing materials systems and method that satisfies the need for a quick, reliable, safe, and inexpensive method for producing both appearance models and small numbers of functional parts in an office environment. The method of the present invention includes building cross-sectional portions of a three-dimensional article, and assembling the individual cross-sectional areas in a layer-wise fashion to form a final article. The individual cross-sectional areas are built by using an ink-jet printhead to deliver an aqueous solvent to an adhesive particulate mixture, causing the particles of the mixture to adhere together, and to previous cross-sectional areas.

Abstract: A three-dimensional printer includes multiple printheads for printing binder and/or colorant onto a bed of build material in a build chamber. The printheads can be mounted on a gantry that is designed for reciprocal displacement across a build chamber along a slow axis. The printheads, in turn, can reciprocally move across the gantry on a fast axis to enable displacement of the printheads along both the fast and slow axes so that the printheads can deposit binder liquid and/or colorant across the surface of a bed of build material in the build chamber.

Abstract: A printer forms three-dimensional objects from a powder by selectively applying a binder liquid to incremental layers of the powder. The binder binds layers of the powder into solid two-dimensional cross sections of the desired object provided from memory. The printer can use dithering and halftoning techniques to shade the object and can also print in color. A filtration system removes airborne powder and recirculates the clean air. The printer also includes additional features to manage excess and airborne powder.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a 3DP™ material system ad method, and an article made therefrom. The method of the present invention includes building cross-sectional portions of a three-dimensional article, and assembling the individual cross-sectional areas in a layer-wise fashion to form a final article. The individual cross-sectional areas are built by using an ink-jet printhead to deliver an aqueous fluid to a particulate material that includes plaster.

Abstract: This invention relates to an improved adhesiveless flexible laminate, comprising: a polymer film having a plasma treated surface; a nickel tie coat layer comprising nickel or a nickel alloy adhered to said plasma treated surface; and a copper seed coat layer adhered to the nickel layer. In one embodiment, another layer of copper is adhered to the copper seed coat layer. This invention also relates to a process for making the foregoing adhesiveless flexible laminate, the process comprising the steps of: (A) contacting at least one side of a polymeric film with a plasma comprising ionized oxygen produced from a non-metallizing cathode to provide a plasma treated surface; (B) depositing a tie coat of nickel or nickel alloy on said plasma treated surface; and (C) depositing a seed coat layer of copper on said nickel tie coat layer. The process also includes the optional step of (D) depositing another layer of copper over the copper seed coat layer from step (C).

Abstract: A printer forms three-dimensional objects from a powder by selectively applying a binder liquid to incremental layers of the powder. The binder binds layers of the powder into solid two-dimensional cross sections of the desired object provided from memory. The printer can use dithering and halftoning techniques to shade the object and can also print in color. A filtration system removes airborne powder and recirculates the clean air. The printer also includes additional features to manage excess and airborne powder.

Abstract: A circulating fluidized bed combustor comprises a fluidized bed combustion chamber, a recirculating system for recirculating fluidized solids through the combustion chamber, and a plurality of fluid injection nozzles disposed around the walls of the combustion chamber above the loop seal returns for injecting a high velocity fluid for improved mixing gases and solids in the combustion chamber.

Abstract: A power plant having a system for converting coal to power in a gas turbine comprises a coal fed pressurized circulating bed for converting coal to pressurized gases, a gas turbine having a compressor for pressurizing air for the pressurized circulating bed and expander for receiving and expanding hot combustion gases for powering a generator, a first fast acting valve for controlling the pressurized air, a second fast acting valve means for controlling pressurized gas from the compressor to the expander.

Abstract: An improved system is described for attaching price tags to garments and for other joining applications using plastic fasteners dispensed through hollow, slotted needles. The system comprises a new method and tool for dispensing fasteners supplied in long lengths, together with improved fastener stock adapted for use therewith and for molding in continuous lengths.

Abstract: A novel polymeric binder for use in an antifouling paint includes an acrylic or methacrylic ester monomer having selected substituted aryl or arylalkyl substituent groups in the ester moiety so that the ester is hydrolyzable at a suitable rate in seawater, and a copolymerizable ethylenically unsaturated monomer unit.

Abstract: A novel polymeric binder for use in an antifouling paint includes an acrylic or methacrylic ester monomer having selected substituent groups in the ester moiety so that the ester is hydrolyzable at a suitable rate in seawater, and a copolymerizable ethylenically unsaturated monomer unit.

Abstract: A novel polymeric binder for an antifouling paint includes greater than 2.5 to less than 25 mole percent of a unit from a tributyltin acrylate or methacrylate monomer group, an acrylic or methacrylic ester monomer unit having selected substituent groups in the ester moiety so that the ester is hydrolyzable at a suitable rate in seawater, and a copolymerizable ethylenically unsaturated monomer unit.The presence of the hydrolyzable ester group in the polymer binder of the present invention enables the paint to erode at a desired rate in seawater even with the low tin content in the polymer, thereby providing a desired low level of tin in solution and exposing a fresh paint surface periodically.

Abstract: Continuous molding of objects using a rotatable molding wheel with peripheral orifices in accordance with the objects to be molded. Plastic is extruded upon the periphery of the wheel and a knife in substantially eliptical contact is used to skive film from the objects being molded. Following molding, selected portions of the objects can be selectively distended. Suitable distention can be achieved using diverging sprocket wheels. When the continuously molded objects are fasteners with filament-like portions, the diverging sprocket wheels can be used to stretch the filamentary portions and reorient their molecules.

Abstract: Continuous molding of objects using a rotatable molding wheel with peripheral orifices in accordance with the objects to be molded. Plastic is extruded upon the periphery of the wheel and a knife in substantially eliptical contact is used to skive film from the objects being molded. Following molding, selected portions of the objects can be selectively distended. Suitable distention can be achieved using diverging sprocket wheels. When the continuously molded objects are fasteners with filament-like portions, the diverging sprocket wheels can be used to stretch the filamentary portions and reorient their molecules.

Abstract: An improved system is described for attaching price tags to garments and for other joining applications using plastic fasteners dispensed through hollow, slotted needles. The system comprises a new method and tool for dispensing fasteners supplied in long lengths, together with improved fastener stock adapted for use therewith and for molding in continuous lengths.

Abstract: An improved system is described for attaching price tags to garments and for other joining applications using plastic fasteners dispensed through hollow, slotted needles. The system comprises a new method and tool for dispensing fasteners supplied in long lengths, together with improved fastener stock adapted for use therewith and for molding in continuous lengths.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for stretching of fastener stock. The stock is of stretchable material and is engaged by members which are spaced apart at an angle and rotate at substantially the same peripheral speed in different planes to stretch the portion of the stock that extends between the members.

Abstract: An improved system is described for attaching price tags to garments and for other joining applications using plastic fasteners dispensed through hollow, slotted needles. The system comprises a new method and tool for dispensing fasteners supplied in long lengths, together with improved fastener stock adapted for use therewith and for molding in continuous lengths.