Abstract: The invention provides a process for preparing a filled halobutyl elastomer which comprises admixing a halobutyl elastomer, particles of filler and a silane that has at least one hydroxyl group or hydrolysable group attached to a silicon atom of the silane, and curing the filled halobutyl elastomer with sulphur. The invention also provides a filled composition that has improved properties when compared with known carbon black filled elastomeric compositions.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for emulating operation of a complex circuit within a system, thereby creating a virtual system, is achieved within a system that includes a central processing unit (CPU), system memory, at least one functional module, and an emulator that includes a circuit simulator, a virtual coupler, and an evaluation module. The circuit simulator simulates the functionality of the complex circuit, includes an individual system identifier, and is operably coupled to, and substantially controlled by, the at least one functional module. At system start-up, or at initiation of a simulation test, the system determines its configuration by obtaining the individual system identifiers of each system element. Because the circuit simulator has a system identifier, it is treated by the system as a real entity. As such, when the CPU requests the function of the complex circuit to be performed, the CPU provides its request to the at least one functional module.

Abstract: A bagger with a pair of doors at its opening is provided for a walk-behind lawn mower. The bagger opening is provided with a rectangular metal framework with one door being swingably attached to each spaced-apart vertical leg of the framework. The bagger includes a rear handle for supporting its rear portion from the mower push handle and a front handle integrally formed as part of the framework. The front handle is slidably and removably receivable on a hook secured to the mower discharge chute for quick and easy installation and removal. The dual doors, which swing away from one another, facilitate easy insertion of the bagger opening and doors into or out of a refuse can or bag to permit disposal of clippings.

Abstract: An apparatus for securing equipment to mounting surfaces includes two clamps connected by a strap. One clamp is adhesively mounted to the mounting surface and the second clamp is adhesively mounted to the equipment. Latches pivotally mounted on the top of the clamps include a protrusion, and the strap has holes formed therein. When the latch is pivotally locked onto the strap, the protrusion extends through one of the holes and into a cavity in the base of the clamp. The protrusion also includes a forward corner that is distorted upon pivoting the latch to cause the latch to lock down onto the strap.

Abstract: A process for grafting halogenated butyl rubbers with polymers based on conjugated diolefin monomers is provided which comprises mixing a first solution of halogenated butyl rubber with a second solution of a living alkali metal terminated polymer based on conjugated diolefin monomers and having a number average molecular weight of at least 40,000 at a temperature of from about -10.degree. C. to about 80.degree. C. for a period of time of from about 30 minutes to about 24 hours whereby the graft copolymer is formed. Rubber compositions comprising the halogenated butyl rubber graft copolymers upon vulcanization exhibit improved abrasion resistance and wet skid resistance while a desirable balance of other physical properties is maintained.

Abstract: A method of extracting copper from an aqueous ammoniacal leach solution which is derived from the leaching of copper dross and which contains impurity cations, comprising contacting the leach solution with a copper-selective organic phase to take copper into the organic phase and then stripping the copper from the organic phase into an aqueous phase, the organic phase being washed with a dilute acid before stripping, wherein before the organic phase is washed with the dilute acid the concentration of copper in the organic phase is reduced below a level at which poor phase separation occurs under acid conditions.