Abstract: A device and method for application of a cervical cerclage suture to a patient's cervix is disclosed. The device includes a housing having a first end and a second end spaced from the first end and defining an internal passageway. The device includes a retractable claw having a shaft slidable in the passageway and comprising a plurality of spaced flexible fingers that hold and release the cerclage suture. Each flexible finger may have a through-hole for receiving the cerclage suture, and may have a radial slit in communication with the through-hole and through which the cerclage suture is releasable from each finger. The claw is movable in the housing between a retracted state and an extended state relative to the housing. The shaft is operatively connected to the claw to move the claw axially relative to the housing.

Abstract: The present invention relates to modification of hydratable cement and cementitious materials, such as mortar cement and masonry or ready-mix concrete using ketone alcohol oil waste (“KAOW”) material, obtained as an alkali-soluble liquor waste byproduct at a certain stage in the commercial production of cyclohexanol and cyclohexanone. Preferred applications for KAOW are in chemical admixture formulations whereby KAOW is used to substitute for a portion of a cement dispersant such as sodium lignosulfonate, sodium gluconate, or other conventional dispersant. Another preferred use is in mortar cement and masonry concrete units such as blocks, pavers, curbstones, and other concrete masonry units wherein air void systems advantageously foster freeze-thaw durability.

Abstract: The present invention relates to modification of hydratable cement and cementitious materials, such as mortar cement and masonry or ready-mix concrete using ketone alcohol oil waste (“KAOW”) material, obtained as an alkali-soluble liquor waste byproduct at a certain stage in the commercial production of cyclohexanol and cyclohexanone. Preferred applications for KAOW are in chemical admixture formulations whereby KAOW is used to substitute for a portion of a cement dispersant such as sodium lignosulfonate, sodium gluconate, or other conventional dispersant. Another preferred use is in mortar cement and masonry concrete units such as blocks, pavers, curbstones, and other concrete masonry units wherein air void systems advantageously foster freeze-thaw durability.

Abstract: Pedestrian trafficable skid-resistant flexible articles (24) are described. These articles (24) include a flexible substrate (17) having a non-skid coating that may be either a pressure-sensitive adhesive (13) or a highly- filled, textured binder. These articles may be applied to trafficable surfaces such as roof and floors. Articles in the form of roof underlayments having a skid-resistant surface are described in particular.

Abstract: Methods and compositions involving the use of nitrogen-containing coordinated metal compounds for stabilizing chromium VI reducing metal cations. Exemplary uses include processes for making cement, and exemplary compositions include cement additives, concrete admixtures, as well as hydratable cement and cementitous compositions.

Abstract: Methods and compositions involving the use of nitrogen-containing coordinated metal compounds for stabilizing chromium VI reducing metal cations. Exemplary uses include processes for making cement, and exemplary compositions include cement additives, concrete admixtures, as well as hydratable cement and cementitous compositions.

Abstract: Pedestrian trafficable skid-resistant flexible articles (24) are described. These articles (24) include a flexible substrate (17) having a non-skid coating that may be either a pressure-sensitive adhesive (13) or a highly- filled, textured binder. These articles may be applied to trafficable surfaces such as roof and floors. Articles in the form of roof underlayments having a skid-resistant surface are described in particular.

Abstract: Skid-resistant surfaces as described having either a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer or a highly filled, textured binder to reduce skidding. The surfaces are applied to trafficable surfaces such as roof and floors. Products such as roof underlyments bearing the surfaces are described in particular.

Abstract: Methods and compositions involving hexavalent chromate-reducing agents, particularly hydroxylamine, hydrazine, or their salts or derivatives, for use in cement compositions and cement processing.

Abstract: Methods and compositions involving hexavalent chromate-reducing agents, particularly hydroxylamine, hydrazine, or their salts or derivatives, for use in cement compositions and cement processing.

Abstract: A novel methodology for rapid, cost-efficient discovery, identification, or improvement of additives and/or admixtures for hydratable cementitious compositions. Multiple formulations comprising hydratable cementitious compositions are deposited into a plurality of receptacles. A first assay output is obtained, such as through x-ray diffraction, which is then correlated to provide a second assay output value corresponding to physical or chemical properties of the cementitious compositions.

Abstract: A novel methodology for rapid, cost-efficient discovery, identification, or improvement of additives and/or admixtures for hydratable cementitious compositions. Multiple formulations comprising hydratable cementitious compositions are deposited into a plurality of receptacles. A first assay output is obtained, such as through Raman spectroscopy, which is then correlated to provide a second assay output value corresponding to physical or chemical properties of the cementitious compositions.

Abstract: In the preparation of aqueous cement compositions containing a plasticizer, such as an EO/PO polymer-containing plasticizer, or EO/PO comb polymer-containing plasticizer, and further containing clay, such as a smectite clay, which expands when in contact with water, the step of providing an agent operative to modify the clay whereby the plasticizer absorbing capability of the clay is reduced. In exemplary methods of the invention, the plasticizer is an EO/PO (e.g., oxyalkylene) plasticizer and preferably an EO/PO comb polymer, and the clay-activity-modifying agent may comprise an inorganic cation, an organic cation, a polar organic molecule capable of being absorbed by the clay, a clay dispersant (such as a polyphosphate), or a mixture thereof. For clay-activity-modifying agents which comprise a cation or a polar organic molecule, the agent is preferably added to the clay before water is introduced to the clay.

Abstract: In the preparation of aqueous cement compositions containing a plasticizer, such as an EO/PO polymerontaining plasticizer, or EO/PO comb polymer-containing plasticizer, and further containing clay, such as a smectite clay, which expands when in contact with water, the step of providing an agent operative to modify the clay whereby the plasticizer absorbing capability of the clay is reduced. In exemplary methods of the invention, the plasticizer is an EO/PO (e.g., oxyalkylene) plasticizer and preferably an EO/PO comb polymer, and the clay-activity-modifying agent may comprise an inorganic cation, an organic cation, a polar organic molecule capable of being absorbed by the clay, a clay dispersant (such as a polyphosphate), or a mixture thereof. For clay-activity-modifying agents which comprise a cation or a polar organic molecule, the agent is preferably added to the clay before water is introduced to the clay.

Abstract: In the preparation of aqueous cement compositions containing a plasticizer, such as an EO/PO polymer-containing plasticizer, or EO/PO comb polymer-containing plasticizer, and further containing clay, such as a smectite clay, which expands when in contact with water, the step of providing an agent operative to modify the clay whereby the plasticizer absorbing capability of the clay is reduced. In exemplary methods of the invention, the plasticizer is an EO/PO (e.g., oxyalkylene) plasticizer and preferably an EO/PO comb polymer, and the clay-activity-modifying agent may comprise an inorganic cation, an organic cation, a polar organic molecule capable of being absorbed by the clay, a clay dispersant (such as a polyphosphate), or a mixture thereof. For clay-activity-modifying agents which comprise a cation or a polar organic molecule, the agent is preferably added to the clay before water is introduced to the clay.

Abstract: Copolymers of styrene and sodium styrene sulfonate can be combined with a plasticizer to make a non-PVC plastisol sealant for containers.

Abstract: A reactive plastisol composition includes a one component, solventless, storage stable, low temperature curable polyurethane composition and a thermoplast plastisol. The urethane composition is formed from a blocked isocyanate prepolymer and a curing agent. The isocyanate prepolymer is the reaction product of a polyol, a diisocyanate, and a ketoxime blocking agent. The diisocyanate has the formula ##STR1## in which R.sub.1 -R.sub.4 are each a C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 alkyl which can be linear or branched, R.sub.5 is a phenylene or naphthalene ring which is unsubstituted or substituted by one or more C.sub.1 -C.sub.12 linear or branched chained alkyl groups or halo groups, and m and n are each integers from 0 to 6. A polyurethane curing catalyst can also be used.

Abstract: A process of forming 2-bromo-2-nitro-1,3-propanediol by contacting a 5-nitro-1,3-dioxane with bromine under alkaline conditions and hydrolyzing the brominated product.

Abstract: A sheet product useful as a battery separator which is formed from a cationic polymer membrane free of hydrolyzable groups and, preferably, is part of a multi-ply sheet product composed of at least one ply of the cationic membrane and at least one ply of a microporous polyolefin sheet.

Abstract: A product formed by reacting a polymeric polyamidoamine with a low molecular weight polyamine under reactions conditions to cause transamidation and then further reacting the transamidation product with a compound which is polyfunctional with respect to amino groups present in the transamidation product. The resultant material is useful in paper making processes as a retention and drainage aid.