Abstract: Provided is a radiation-curable optical glass fiber coating composition adapted to provide the combination of properties of:(i) enhanced resistance to thermal degradation when suitably cured; and(ii) a viscosity sufficient to provide a surface substantially free-of pitting.The composition is formulated from components including:(A) at least one epoxy silicone monomer or oligomer which is crosslinkable via actinic radiation, or mixture thereof;(B) at least one thermoplastic resin which is substantially unreactive to actinic radiation and which is soluble or dispersible in component (A), said thermoplastic resin being present in an amount to provide said composition with a viscosity suitable for application to an optical glass fiber; and(C) a catalytically effective amount of a photoinitiator for catalyzing the crosslinking reaction of component (A) and which is soluble or dispersible in component (A) or a mixture of said component (A) and said thermoplastic resin.

Abstract: The invention relates to a solvent-free radiation curable, optical glass fiber coating composition containing:a) a urethane oligomer having a functional group capable of polymerization in the presence of actinic radiation, with an average functionality of at least about 1.2, having a vinyl addition polymer as backbone.b) a urethane compound having a functional group capable of polymerization in the presence of actinic radiation, with an average functionality of at least about 1, containing an organic moiety having about 5 or more carbon atoms as backbone.c) a reactive diluent.Furthermore, the invention relates to a solvent-free method for producing a solvent-free, radiation curable urethane oligomer composition.

Abstract: A double layer sweater which is knit simultaneously of two independent layers, one being an inner layer, and the other layer being an outer layer. Joining the two layers together is a polygonal-shaped quilting stitch pattern forming insulating pockets between the layers. Each layer is different and may be comprised of a blend of wool and acrylic yarn in the outer layer and a synthetic wicking enhanced yarn, such as polyester or acrylic, in the inner layer, such that there is a hydrophilic inner layer and a hydrophobic outer layer. The inner layer is comprised of synthetic yarn with enhanced wicking features. The outer layer of yarn is treated in a bath of teflon material such that the teflon-coated yarn produces the hydrophobic outer layer. The sweater has the properties of insulation to provide warmth to the wearer; has a water repellant and stain resistant outer layer.

Abstract: A waste containment system has been developed which in one aspect includes a container and a waste removal apparatus removably disposed in the container. In one aspect the waste removal apparatus is releasably held by a hook on a handle or handles, the hook engaging a lip of the container. The waste removal apparatus, in one aspect has a reticulated grid or mesh structure for the passage therethrough of litter material and for the retention thereon of either animal waste deposited on or in the litter or waste/litter agglomerates formed upon contact of agglomerating litter with animal waste. Such an apparatus may have a plate or blade end to facilitate its insertion into a mass of litter and one or more side walls or handles for ease of manipulation. A tapered pointed lip is on the blade end of certain embodiments. One or more weights may be placed on, releasably connected to, or formed of the apparatus or the reticulated structure to inhibit up-thrust of a mass of litter material.

Abstract: Provided is a radiation curable coating composition suitable for coating optical glass fiber, having a viscosity in the range of about 10 mPas to 10,000 mPas made of about 20 to about 99.9 weight % of at least one of a thermoplastic non-crosslinking polymer and an ethylenically-unsaturated oligomeric compound; optionally, from 0 to about 60 weight % of an ethylenically-unsaturated diluent, optionally, from 0 to about 60 weight % of a multifunctional ethylenically-unsaturated compound, and optionally, from 0 to about 10 weight % of a photoinitiator, provided that if the thermoplastic non-crosslinking polymer is present and no ethylenically-unsaturated oligomeric compound is present, then the ethylenically-unsaturated diluent is present in an amount up to about 60 weight % and the multifunctional ethylenically-unsaturated compound is present in an amount up to about 60 weight %. The composition provides a tack-free handeable fiber after radiation cure and is fugitive upon thermolysis.

Abstract: A waste removal device has been developed which in one aspect has a reticulated grid or mesh structure for the passage therethrough of litter material and for the retention thereon of either animal waste deposited on or in the litter or waste/litter agglomerates formed upon contact of agglomerating litter with animal waste. Such an apparatus may have a plate or blade end to facilitate its insertion into a mass of litter and one or more side walls or handles for ease of manipulation. A tapered pointed lip is on the blade end of certain embodiments. One or more weights may be placed on or formed of the apparatus or of the reticulated structure to inhibit up-thrust of a mass of litter material.

Abstract: A composition which is cured upon exposure to ultraviolet light in the absence of solvent is disclosed. The liquid composition is prepared by combining a liquid maleate polyester and at least one of a vinyl compound and an allyl functional compound. A photoinitiator is then added to the polymerizable liquid composition. A substrate is impregnated with the polymerizable liquid composition and exposed to actinic energy of a sufficient dosage for a sufficient amount of time to polymerize the composition to a sufficient degree to impart useful properties to the substrate. The composition can be used as a binder for fiberglass insulation, in the manufacture of transparent or semi-transparent paper and to manufacture paper for use in photocopy machines.

Abstract: A composition which is cured upon exposure to ultraviolet light in the absence of solvent is disclosed. The liquid composition is prepared by combining a liquid maleate polyester and at least one of a vinyl compound and an allyl functional compound. A photoinitiator is then added to the polymerizable liquid composition. A substrate is impregnated with the polymerizable liquid composition and exposed to actinic energy of a sufficient dosage for a sufficient amount of time to polymerize the composition to a sufficient degree to impart useful properties to the substrate. The composition can be used as a binder for fiberglass insulation, in the manufacture of transparent or semi-transparent paper and to manufacture paper for use in photocopy machines.

Abstract: The present invention contemplates a stereolithographic apparatus and method having a liquid organic phase and a fluid phase separated by a membrane that inhibits contact between the phases.

Abstract: A cationically curable polyurethane composition comprises the reaction product of an organic polyisocyanate with a transvinylation polyhydric alcohol mixture containing hydroxy groups. The polyisocyanate consumes substantially all of the available hydroxy groups in the transvinylation polyhydric alcohol mixture. These compositions are particularly useful in stereolithography. A method of transvinylation utilizing ultrasonic energy is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of curing a three-dimensional specimen of preformed cross-linked polymeric material containing polymerizable ethylenically-unsaturated material is provided in which the specimen is immersed in water having dissolved therein an amount of a water-soluble organic free-radical polymerization catalyst effective to transfer a polymerization-initiating amount of the catalyst into the preformed cross-linked polymeric material. This specimen containing the water-soluble organic free-radical polymerization catalyst is heated to a temperature causing polymerization, and is maintained at that temperature while the cure is completed. The aqueous bath preferably contains a catalyst mixture which includes a catalyst of oxidizing character in admixture with a reducing agent, such as an amine, and is maintained at a polymerization temperature of from 60.degree. C. to 100.degree. C. so that immersion of the specimen in a single bath completes the cure.

Abstract: An improved stereolithographic process is provided in which the formation of a thin walled three-dimensional object in a reservoir of liquid ultraviolet-curable ethylenically unsaturated material using a support is positioned immediately beneath the upper surface of the liquid reservoir with that upper surface being exposed to ultraviolet light in a pattern to solidify the liquid at and near the upper surface in a series of cross-sections of the desired three-dimensional object, one atop the other. In this way there is formed a series of superposed layers which adhere to one another to build the desired three-dimensional object within the liquid reservoir. The improvement comprises, stopping the exposure at any portion of the surface in the formation of said layers and then repeating the exposure at least once again in the production of each surface layer so that the strength and solvent resistance of the formed object are increased and its distortion is minimized.

Abstract: A photocurable ethylenically unsaturated liquid coating composition consisting essentially of: 1- polyethylenically unsaturated material in which the ethylenically unsaturated groups are polymerizable groups which are not (meth)acrylate groups; 2- a polyamine resin; and 3- an hydroxyalkyl phenone photoinitiator to speed the cure. The photocure rate is also speeded by combining a tertiary amine-functional acrylic copolymer, an allyl-functional resin, and a maleate-functional resin in a weight ratio of about 15-65/5-45/30-70. In preferred practice both expedients are used to maximize the cure speed.

Abstract: A stereolithographic method which employs an ultraviolet-curable liquid composition adapted to cure rapidly to a lightly cross-linked solvent-swellable three-dimensional complexly-shaped polymeric thin-walled element constituted by heat-softenable solid polymer upon exposure to ultraviolet dosage in the range of about 0.1 to about 10 Joules per square centimeter and which possesses reduced distortion comprises, from 20 to 80 weight percent, of a resinous polyacrylate or polymethacrylate dissolved in a combination of 10 to 45 weight percent of a liquid polyacrylate or polymethacrylate, which is preferably trifunctional, and 10 to 45 weight percent of liquid N-vinyl monomer, preferably N-vinyl pyrrolidone. Thus, the weight ratio of polyacrylate: polymethacrylate: N-vinyl monomer is about 1:2:2 to about 8:1:1. One of the foregoing polyacrylates or polymethacrylates is a polyacrylate and the other is a polymethacrylate so that good cure speed is accompanied by good distortion resistance.

Abstract: A method of investment casting utilizes a pattern produced by stereolithography in which a three-dimensional specimen is provided by light cure of ethylenically unsaturated liquid material. The stereolithography composition is constituted by the ethylenically unsaturated liquid material in admixture with an inert low thermoplastic material which weakens the pattern when heated within the mold used in the investment casting process to prevent the thermal expansion of the pattern from cracking the mold.

Abstract: Ultraviolet-curable ethylenically unsaturated liquid coating composition are disclosed which consist essentially of:1--polyethylenically unsaturated material in which the ethylenically unsaturated groups are polymerizable groups which are not (meth)acrylate groups;2--a polyamine resin, preferably a polytertiary amine resin; and3--an aryl ketone photosensitizer.

Abstract: Ultraviolet-curable liquid coating compositions are disclosed in which improved adhesion to metal and plastic surfaces is obtained. This improvement is obtained by using, in admixture: (1) from 10% to about 60% of total resin solids of an organic solvent-soluble solution copolymer of monoethylenically unsaturated monomers including from 2.5% to 10% of tertiary amine monomer which is an aminoalkyl ester or amide of an alpha, beta-monoethylenic monocarboxylic acid in which the alkyl group contains 2-4 carbon atoms; and (2) from 40% to 90% of total resin solids of radiation-curable ethylenically unsaturated liquid. The coating composition includes photoinitiators and/or photosensitizers rendering the composition sensitive to ultraviolet light, and the components are present in solution in at least about 10% of inert volatile organic solvent.

Abstract: Epoxy-free hydroxy functional polyethers are provided which are the reaction product of a diglycidyl ether of a bisphenol having a molecular weight of about 1000 with a stoichiometric proportion of oleyl alcohol. These oleyl alcohol-based polyethers can be copolymerized in organic solvent solution with monoethylenically unsaturated monomers to form solvent-soluble copolymers. When the monomers include carboxyl-functional monomers providing an acid number in the range of 12-60, the copolymers are particularly adapted to be dispersed in water with the aid of a base and then electrodeposited at the anode together with a heat-hardening formaldehyde condensate to form corrosion resistant coatings.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a polymeric hair conditioning composition of vinyl pyrrolidone monomer, an ammonium derivative monomer and a substantially major amount, based on said monomers, of vinyl caprolactam said polymeric composition optionally containing a minor amount of stearyl methacrylate. Suitable ammonium derivative monomers include dimethylamino propyl methacrylamide, dimethyl diallyl ammonium chloride and a dialkylamino alkyl methacrylate, such as for example dimethylamino ethyl methacrylate.

Abstract: A method of providing a stone chip-resistant finish to the undersurface of an automobile is disclosed in which the undersurface is coated with a cationically initiated liquid mixture of cationically curable polyepoxide, polyhydric alcohol, and a photoinitiator for an ultraviolet-activated cationic cure. The liquid mixture is applied at a resin solids content of at least about 50% and in a thickness to provide a cured coating of at least 2 mils thick, and the wet coating is cured by exposing it to ultraviolet light. The automobile undersurface is desirably primed with a cross-linked amine-functional polymer primer, and the coating includes from 1% to 8% of a finely divided silica which prevents running but does not interfere with the ultraviolet cure.