Abstract: An optical disk exhibiting no detrimental thickness increase (edge wedge effect) that arises at the outer diameter of an optical disk substrate during an injection molding manufacturing process, and an apparatus and method for making such a disk. The optical disk of the present invention is designed for use with an optical disk player, especially where the data on the optical disk is stored air incident. This optical disk includes a disk substrate made from a molded polymeric material. The disk substrate has a first major surface, a second major surface, and an outer edge. The first major surface of the optical disk includes a data region having an intermediate portion and an outer portion. The outer portion extends to the outer edge of the optical disk. The disk substrate has a thickness defined by the distance between the first major surface and the second major surface. The optical disk also includes an information layer covering the data region.

Abstract: The present invention relates to multilayer decorative sheet comprising: (a) an outer heat resistant carrier first carrier sheet, (b) a clear coat, which in one embodiment, comprises a blend of a fluorocarbon polymer and an acrylic or methacrylic resin, coated on the carrier sheet, (c) a tie coat layer on the clear coat layer, (d) fade print coat on the tie coat layer, (e) an optional back coat on the print layer, (e) a pressure-sensitive adhesive, and (f) a second carrier sheet adhered to the pressure-sensitive adhesive. When used on a vehicle the graphic has an opaque portion, such as a metallic finish, at the topside of the vehicle and the opacity fades over the graphic to clear, thereby revealing the vehicle's color under the decorative sheet. The fading occurs across the width of the graphic. In one embodiment, the fade is gradual and reveals little stark changes in opacity.

Abstract: A method is provided for producing electrodes using microscale and nanoscale metal materials formed from hydrogen driven metallurgical processes; such a the HD (hydriding, dehydriding) process, the HDDR (hydriding, dehydriding, disproportionation, and recombination) process, and variants thereof.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing three-dimensionally shaped polymeric sheets and laminates with color-matched digitally printed full color ink jet images. A flexible thermoformable polymeric baseweb is placed in an ink jet printer and a solvent-based (non-aqueous) digital printing ink is applied directly to the baseweb, in the absence of an ink receptive layer on the baseweb, to form a decorative pattern in multiple colors in a single pass through the printer. The finished product can be thermoformed or injection molded to a three-dimensional shape. A protective topcoat can be laminated to the digitally printed sheet prior to the thermoforming and/or injection molding step. A process for making color-matched products comprises producing a software-driven image of a pattern on a screen representing a standard color print pattern; evaluating and adjusting the standard displayed on the screen using software-driven image related adjustments for hue, contrast, lightness/darkness, etc.

Abstract: Metallized multilayer laminates are described which provide a bright reflective finish on deformable articles, such as impact absorbing bumpers of automobiles and also provide bright reflective surfaces on molded parts or three-dimensional shapes as an alternative to chrome plating.

Abstract: A dispersant is prepared from an amine and a hydrocarbyl-substituted acylating agent, wherein the hydrocarbyl substituent is a polymerized olefin having a polydispersity {overscore (M)}w/{overscore (M)}n of greater than 5. Such polyolefin substituents are prepared by polymerization of olefins in the presence of a calcined catalyst comprising a partially or fully neutralized ammonium salt of a heteropolyacid.

Abstract: A dispersant is prepared from an amine and a hydrocarbyl-substituted acylating agent, wherein the hydrocarbyl substituent is a polymerized olefin having a polydispersity {overscore (M)}w/{overscore (M)}n of greater than 5. Such polyolefin substituents are prepared by polymerization of olefins in the presence of a calcined catalyst comprising a partially or fully neutralized ammonium salt of a heteropolyacid.

Abstract: A dispersant is prepared from an amine and a hydrocarbyl-substituted acylating agent, wherein the hydrocarbyl substituent is a polymerized olefin having a polydispersity {overscore (M)}w/{overscore (M)}n of greater than 5. Such polyolefin substituents are prepared by polymerization of olefins in the presence of a calcined catalyst comprising a partially or fully neutralized ammonium salt of a heteropolyacid.

Abstract: An optical disk exhibiting no detrimental thickness increase (edge wedge effect) that arises at the outer diameter of an optical disk substrate during an injection molding manufacturing process, and an apparatus and method for making such a disk. The optical disk of the present invention is designed for use with an optical disk player, especially where the data on the optical disk is stored air incident. This optical disk includes a disk substrate made from a molded polymeric material. The disk substrate has a first major surface, a second major surface, and an outer edge. The first major surface of the optical disk includes a data region having an intermediate portion and an outer portion. The outer portion extends to the outer edge of the optical disk. The disk substrate has a thickness defined by the distance between the first major surface and the second major surface. The optical disk also includes an information layer covering the data region.

Abstract: An interior automotive skin material has a thermoplastic resinous base coat/clear coat paint film bonded to the outer surface of a thermoplastically formable semi-rigid resinous backing sheet. The base coat/clear coat paint film is preferably formed by dry paint transfer techniques in which the clear coat layer and pigmented base coat layer are coated on a polyester carrier and dried, followed by transfer-laminating the base coat/clear coat paint film from the carrier to the backing sheet on which the clear coat layer forms a low gloss protective outer surface. The clear coat material preferably comprises an alloy of an acrylic resin and a fluoropolymer resin, preferably polyvinylidene fluoride. The low surface gloss of the outer clear coat is produced by a dispersed fine particulate filler such as silica combined with coating the outer clear coat layer on a matte carrier.

Abstract: Calcined ammonium salts of phosphotungstic acid salts are used to polymerize C2-C30 &agr;-olefins and derivatives thereof to form highly reactive products having a high content of terminal vinylidene groups and &bgr;-isomers in resonance therewith.

Abstract: The present invention provides a non-stoichiometric alloy comprising a composition having the formula AB5+X an atomic ratio wherein A is selected from the group consisting of the rare earth metals, yttrium, mischmetal, or a combination thereof; B is nickel and tin, or nickel and tin and at least a third element selected from the group consisting of the elements in group IVA of the periodic table, aluminum, manganese, iron, cobalt, copper, antimony or a combination thereof; X is greater than 0 and less than or equal to about 2.0; and wherein at least one substituted A site is occupied by at least one of the B elements. An electrode incorporating said alloy and an electrochemical cell incorporating said electrode are also described.

Abstract: Described is a preferred method for manufacturing a coal tar enamel-coated steel pipe, in which a primer coat of epoxy resin is applied to a preheated steel pipe, and coal tar enamel is applied to the primer coat prior to full curing of the latter. The resulting coated steel pipes, which also are described, exhibit excellent resistance to cathodic disbondment, heat and water.

Abstract: A facial quality paper usable with a center feed roll dispenser. The paper has a plurality of perforations for permitting detachment of paper sections from the loose paper end of the roll. A linear density of six perforations or less per inch are formed along the detachment line to facilitate detachment of each paper section without permitting premature detachment of the paper section within the center feed roll dispenser. Alternatively, control over the separation strength is provided by one or more perforations comprising less than seventy percent of the base line. Separation control is provided by the number or perforations per linear inch, by the total ratio of perforations versus paper along the detachment base line, or by the perforation shape 1.

Abstract: An apparatus for containing and dispensing toilet paper. The apparatus holds the toilet paper roll in a stationary position as the loose paper end is pulled from the inner core of the paper roll. A housing for containing the paper roll is attached to a base, and a cover engaged with the housing compresses the paper roll against the base. This compression prevents sag of the layered toilet paper roll as the void in the paper core becomes enlarged.

Abstract: An interior automotive skin material comprises a thermoplastic resinous base coat/clear coat paint film bonded to the outer surface of a thermoplastically formable semi-rigid resinous backing sheet. The base coat/clear coat paint film is preferably formed by dry paint transfer techniques in which the clear coat layer and pigmented base coat layer are coated on a polyester carrier and dried, followed by transfer-laminating the base coat/clear coat paint film from the carrier to the backing sheet on which the clear coat layer forms a low gloss protective outer surface. The clear coat material preferably comprises an alloy of an acrylic resin and a fluoropolymer resin, preferably polyvinylidene fluoride. The low surface gloss of the outer clear coat is produced by a dispersed fine particulate filler such as silica combined with coating the outer clear coat layer on a matte carrier.

Abstract: Described is a preferred method for manufacturing a coal tar enamel-coated steel pipe, in which a primer coat of epoxy resin is applied to a preheated steel pipe, and coal tar enamel is applied to the primer coat prior to full curing of the latter. The resulting coated steel pipes, which also are described, exhibit excellent resistance to cathodic disbondment, heat and water.

Abstract: Phosphotungstic acid salts are used to polymerize C.sub.2 -C.sub.30 .alpha.-olefins and derivatives thereof to form highly reactive products having a high content of terminal vinylidene groups and .beta.-isomers in resonance therewith. Isobutylene has been polymerized to form a Mn 300-20,000 polymer.

Abstract: An apparatus for plug-assisted thermoforming of a cup or other hollow article has a concave well or cone region machined into its top with a series of small holes drilled near the deepest part of the well and connected to a port inside the plug which is connected to a specifically sized manifold system. The manifold has a source for positive (pneumatic) and negative (vacuum) pressure air. During the machine cycle, a vacuum is introduced into the plug, which draws the hot plastic sheet into the plug well to stretch it. The vacuum is replaced by compressed air to transfer the pre-stretched sheet into a mold. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the plug is shaped to provide stretching in both the central well and in peripheral regions concentric with the well. Controlled air pressure in the mold may be used to provide the concentric prestretching.

Abstract: An apparatus for containing and dispensing toilet paper. The apparatus holds the toilet paper roll in a stationary position as the loose paper end is pulled from the inner core of the paper roll. A housing for containing the paper roll is attached to a base, and a cover engaged with the housing compresses the paper roll against the base. This compression prevents sag of the layered toilet paper roll as the void in the paper core becomes enlarged.