Abstract: A process for the production of acetic acid by carbonylating methanol and/or a reactive derivative thereof with carbon monoxide in a carbonylation reactor containing a liquid reaction composition comprising an iridium carbonylation catalyst, methyl iodide co-catalyst, a finite concentration of water, acetic acid, methyl acetate, at least one promoter selected from ruthenium, osmium and rhenium and a stablising compound selected from the group consisting of alkali metal iodides, alkaline earth metal iodides, metal complexes capable of generating I—, salts capable of generating I—, and mixtures of two or more thereof wherein the molar ratio of promoter to iridium is greater than 2:1, and the molar ratio of stabilising compound to iridium is in the range [greater than 0 to 5]:1.

Abstract: The invention provides curable waterborne coating compositions comprising an aqueous dispersion (A) comprising an organic binder component (A1) comprising at least 5% by weight of a reactive component (a), based on the total weight of organic binder component (A1), and at least one crosslinking component (B). The reactive component (a) is substantially free of any heteratoms and is a not a crystalline solid at room temperature and comprises from (i) 12 to 72 carbon atoms, and (ii) at least two functional groups. The curable waterborne coating compositions of the invention show significantly improved pop resistance while also providing improved chip resistance, weathering resistance, flexibility, and/or scratch & mar resistance.

Abstract: A molded article includes a rotationally-molded body of polymer material, formed in a mold, with an elongate reinforcing member, having an end, substantially encased within the body of polymer material during molding thereof. A slip zone, defining a void in the body of polymer material, is formed around the end of the reinforcing member, such that post-molding shrinkage of the polymer material imposes substantially no stress on the end of the reinforcing member.

Abstract: A process for the production of acetic acid by carbonylating methanol and/or a reactive derivative thereof in a carbonylation reactor in a liquid reaction composition comprising an iridium carbonylation catalyst, methyl iodide, methyl acetate, water, acetic acid and at least one promoter selected from the group consisting of ruthenium, rhenium and osmium, characterized in that there is also present in the reaction composition a bis-phosphonate compound having the formula (I): wherein R1, R2, R3, R4 are independently hydrogen or an organic functional group; Y is an optionally substituted C1-C10 alkylene or C6-C10 aryl group.

Abstract: A molded article includes a rotationally-molded body of polymer material, and a reinforcing member substantially encased within and in direct contact with the polymer material. Both the polymer material and the reinforcing member have their own unique post-molding shrinkage characteristics. The reinforcing member has a surface that substantially eliminates adhesion with the polymer material, so as to enable displacement of the reinforcing member with respect to contacting polymer material, and thereby reduce post-molding deformation of the molded article.

Abstract: The present invention provides systems and methods for delivering a controlled amount of scent to a target user. Such methods and systems will preferably provide carefully direct boluses or streams of scent(s) to a single or small group of individual(s) using a bolus generator so as to avoid cross-contamination of scents with other persons and other locations. The present invention preferably delivers the bolus of scent as an air ring. The scented air ring moves through the air between the scent generating device directly to the user as a cohesive unit of air. This phenomenon is similar to a “smoke ring” exhaled by a smoker. The scent ring can be directed with accuracy to a localized target as small as the nose of a single user, such that the entire dosage can be delivered to only the user's direct vicinity. Such targeted delivery minimizes the amount of scent that must be delivered to achieve a desired level of scenting at the target location.

Abstract: The present invention provides systems and methods for delivering a controlled amount of scent to a target user. Such methods and systems will preferably provide carefully direct boluses or streams of scent(s) to a single or small group of individual(s) using a bolus generator so as to avoid cross-contamination of scents with other persons and other locations. The present invention preferably delivers the bolus of scent as an air ring. The scented air ring moves through the air between the scent generating device directly to the user as a cohesive unit of air. This phenomenon is similar to a “smoke ring” exhaled by a smoker. The scent ring can be directed with accuracy to a localized target as small as the nose of a single user, such that the entire dosage can be delivered to only the user's direct vicinity. Such targeted delivery minimizes the amount of scent that must be delivered to achieve a desired level of scenting at the target location.

Abstract: A plastic table structure includes a tabletop comprising a thin polymer shell layer surrounding an expanded foam core. The multiple layers of the finished tabletop are molded concurrently in a one pass biaxial or centrifugal rotational molding process, and cured in an oven. The rotational molding process advantageously allows the shell and foam core polymer materials to be distributed into all portions of the mold. In one embodiment, a structural frame is disposed in the mold, and the foam core encases and surrounds the frame. The structural frame may be made of steel, wood, composite materials, or other materials.

Abstract: The present invention provides systems and methods for delivering a controlled amount of scent to a target user. Such methods and systems will preferably provide carefully direct boluses or streams of scent(s) to a single or small group of individual(s) using a bolus generator so as to avoid cross-contamination of scents with other persons and other locations. The present invention preferably delivers the bolus of scent as an air ring. The scented air ring moves through the air between the scent generating device directly to the user as a cohesive unit of air. This phenomenon is similar to a “smoke ring” exhaled by a smoker. The scent ring can be directed with accuracy to a localized target as small as the nose of a single user, such that the entire dosage can be delivered to only the user's direct vicinity. Such targeted delivery minimizes the amount of scent that must be delivered to achieve a desired level of scenting at the target location.

Abstract: A network communications device is arranged to have a fast throughput of data packets. This is achieved by recognising that, in protocols such as Ethernet, the first symbols in a data packet do not carry any data and therefore do not necessarily require to be properly carried through a communications hub. Rather, a known number of symbols are discarded from the start of a packet on receipt and replaced on re-transmission. This discarding reduces the reception delays particularly in bussed-architecture repeaters where bus arbitration must take place for each received packet.

Abstract: A network in which a data packet is altered, for instance by the insertion or removal of a data portion such as a VLAN tag. The data of the data packet is read out of memory to an output means which forms the altered data packet with a new FCS portion and to a checking means which checks the integrity of the input packet using the existing FCS. The possibility for discrepancies to occur between the data supplied to the output and checking means is reduced.

Abstract: The present invention provides a coating composition containing a two-stage polymer emulsion. The two-stage emulsion polymer contains composite polymeric particles of a first stage polymer prepared from about 0.25% to about 5% by weight monomer having at least two polymerizable ethylenically unsaturated groups, about 2.5% to about 10% by weight hydroxyl monomer, preferably at least about 50% by weight of non-functional monomer of hydrophobic monomer, and preferably without addition of any acid-functional monomer; and a second stage polymer having a theoretical glass transition temperature of at least about 50° C. prepared using, by weight, about 25% to about 50% by weight hydroxyl monomer, about 3% to about 9% carboxylic acid monomer, and preferably at least 25% by weight of non-functional monomer of hydrophobic monomer;. The composite polymeric particles have a theoretical glass transition temperature of not more than about 30° C., preferably not more than about 0° C., and include from about 0.

Abstract: The occurrence of collision and activity in a computer network is indicated by activation of a visual indication device. The device is activated for periods which are longer than the actual periods of collision and activity to permit the human eye to register the visual indications. This is particularly useful for high speed networks where the periods of collision and activity may be very brief.

Abstract: A media ejection system includes a peripheral unit having a housing, an ejection mechanism, and a memory wire coupled to the ejection mechanism. The system further includes a digital processor for issuing ejection commands, and a controller responsive to the ejection command for controlling a current flow through the memory wire. When sufficient current flows through the memory wire, it contracts to activate the ejection mechanism, thereby ejecting a removable medium (such a PCMCIA card) from the housing of the peripheral unit. A method of the invention includes the steps of receiving an ejection request, issuing a ejection command in response to the ejection request, where the ejection command includes parameters for controlling current flow through the metal alloy, and electrically energizing the memory alloy in accordance with the parameters such that the memory alloy undergoes a dimensional change to activate a removable medium ejection mechanism.

Abstract: A repeater for a computer network, and a network incorporating such a repeater are described in which repeater communication addressed to a subset of the devices connected to the repeater are transmitted in a corrupt or scrambled form to other network devices. The processing load is thus reduced for such other network devices, in particular in the context of high volume multicast traffic such as in video conferencing.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of Identifying an animal within a group, the method of identification being characterised by the steps of: a) attaching an identification (21) to the animal, and b) locating an activation device (23) at a location, and c) activating an indicator (25) when the identification device Is near the activation device.

Abstract: A media ejection system includes a peripheral unit having a housing, an ejection mechanism, and a memory wire coupled to the ejection mechanism. The system further includes a digital processor for issuing ejection commands, and a controller responsive to the ejection command for controlling a current flow through the memory wire. When sufficient current flows through the memory wire, it contracts to activate the ejection mechanism, thereby ejecting a removable medium (such a PCMCIA card) from the housing of the peripheral unit. A method of the invention includes the steps of receiving an ejection request, issuing a ejection command in response to the ejection request, where the ejection command includes parameters for controlling current flow through the metal alloy, and electrically energizing the memory alloy in accordance with the parameters such that the memory alloy undergoes a dimensional change to activate a removable medium ejection mechanism.

Abstract: A housing and ejection mechanism for PCMCIA electronic "smart cards" is disclosed. The ejection mechanism comprises a pair of cooperating lever arms and springs. When a "smart card" is inserted into the housing, the two lever arms pivot into the housing, extending an ejection spring. As the spring is pulled back by means of the lever arms, insertion of the card requires only slightly more force than would be needed to connect a "smart card" with its socket were no spring present. Full insertion of the card leaves the two lever arms coupled, but with only one of the lever arms locked in position. When the user triggers the ejection process, the two levers are mechanically separated and one of them applies the full spring force to the "smart card", freeing it from its socket and starting to push it out of the housing. After the first arm frees the "smart card" from its socket, it frees the second lever arm from its latch. The two lever arms then cooperate to push the "smart card" further out of the housing.

Abstract: A connector assembly with a connector body molded directly about a captive ball formed on a separate shaft, where the shaft and connector are attached to separate bodies which move relative to each other. This assembly retains an essentially zero clearance fit between the ball and the connector so as to prevent rattling between the parts from vibrations. This zero clearance fit is achieved at a much lower cost than comparable quality connectors due to higher diametric tolerances for the ball component. Higher diametric tolerances do not affect the final fit because the connector is molded directly about the ball.