Abstract: A method and apparatus or system for the continuous manufacture of building element consisting of a self-supporting framework of tightly compressed solid particles and a foaming material in the shape of a foamed plastic material, includes the use of a filling station where mold bottoms are placed in series on a roller conveyor, assembled with sidewalls and passed along a guide section, wherein particle-shaped filler is supplied from a silo while premixed foam material is injected into the material through nozzle tubes and the components are mixed before being injected into the mold and compressed. After placing of a top wall on each of the molds, these are passed under a roller conveyor, and while the molds are moved ahead between the roller conveyors and possibly roller conveyors outside the sidewalls, the foam material binds the particles together to form a monolithic unit which will set before the molds leave the roller conveyors.

Abstract: A liquid mixture containing a heat-expandable resin and a catalyst is cast onto a lower facing, which is heated from below to cause expansion of the mixture and hardening of its lower part. The upper surface of the expanding mixture is covered with an upper facing applied while that portion is still soft, and the composite formed thereby is introduced to a heated enclosure while the upper part remains soft. The thickness of the formed composite, and panels derived thereof, is calibrated or limited by opposed conveyors within said thermal enclosure, which limits the maximum expansion to a value less than the theoretical potential expansion of the foam, allowing hardening to be completed, and subsequent cutting of the composite into panels.

Abstract: Fire retardant polystyrene insulating material is manufactured from expandable polystyrene beads in admixture with a phenol-formaldehyde or melamine-formaldehyde resin in resole form, the resin containing a blowing agent and a surfactant. The insulating material is formed from the bead-resin mix by applying dielectric heating to foam the resin, expand the beads, and cure the foamed resin to a closed cell structure.

Abstract: An aqueous frothed and filled vinyl chloride and/or vinylidene chloride polymer latex containing an emulsified plasticizer is used to coat and impregnate the back of a carpet. The carpet containing the froth is heated to drive off or evaporate the water and gel the vinyl polymer. While still hot or soft, the froth on the carpet is densified to obtain uniform dimensions or thickness. The resulting laminate is then cooled and cut to the required shape and size for carpet tiles.

Abstract: Porous bodies, particularly membranes in the form of hollow filaments, are produced by heating a polymer above the upper critical temperature T.sub.c in a mixture of two compounds A and B, liquid and miscible at the dissolving temperature, whereby the employed mixture (polymer, compounds A and B) in liquid aggregate state displays a miscibility gap, the compound A is a solvent for the polymer and the compound B, which preferably is a non-solvent or a swelling agent for the polymer, raises the phase separation temperature of a solution composed of the polymer and compound A. After the dissociation, the components A and/or B if necessary are extracted. Through use of non-toxic substances such as e.g. edible oil as compound A and castor oil as compound B, bodies are obtained which are non-toxic and unobjectionable for use in medical areas and in the foods industry, among others.

Abstract: An improved method for manufacturing a foam-filled polyurethane foam bun from foam particles having uniformly dispersed therewith large amounts of solid material bonded together with new polyurethane foam is described. The method comprises uniformly applying a liquid flexible polyurethane foam-forming material to a dispersion of foam particles and solid material to provide a blend, distributing the blend within a mold, and foaming and curing the foam-forming material by a plurality of steaming steps wherein the mold is flipped from a first to second position between steaming steps. The foam buns have a uniform density gradient. Foam buns are disclosed having a variation in density across the foam bun. There is also disclosed an improved char-forming foam obtained as a result of using boric acid in the foam-forming formulation.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the preparation of elastomeric molded parts having urethane or urethane and urea linkages which comprises reacting(a) an organic polyisocyanate,(b) a polyhydroxyl compound selected from the group consisting of(i) polyester polyols with molecular weights of 1000 to 3000 and hydroxyl numbers of 170 to 35 produced by polycondensation of organic dicarboxylic acids and a polyol mixture of at least 3 polyols;(ii) polyether polyols having terminal ester groups, molecular weights of 1000 to 8000 and hydroxyl numbers of 170 to 15; and(iii) mixtures thereof;(c) a chain extenderwherein components (a) through (c) are processed according to reaction injection molding techniques in open or closed molds.The reaction is preferably carried out as a one-shot process and may also be carried out in the presence of blowing agents (d), auxiliaries (e), and additives (e).

Abstract: A method for continuously producing an insulation board comprising a rigid plastic foam core having two major surfaces and a facing material on one or both of the major surfaces, the method including conveying a facing material along a production line, depositing a partially expanded froth foam of a plastic mixture, which contains at least one frothing agent, on the facing material, and further expanding and curing the froth foam in contact wiht the facing material to form the insulation board. The board is particularly useful as roof insulation.

Abstract: An apparatus for manufacturing continuous webs of polymer foam obtained from a mixture of liquid reagents, wherein the volume of a container is determined to form a zone of retention of the mixture of reagents in liquid phase and wherein the level of this mixture is maintained at a level slightly higher than the plane upon which the mixture in the liquid state flows, so that the primary phase of expansion of the mixture and its further expansion are produced outside the container on a moving surface of the conveyor, which surface is maintained in a substantially horizontal plane. The invention is particularly applicable to the production of webs of supple foam or of panels of rigid foam.

Abstract: A composite sandwich formed by enclosing a central resilient layer of a soft compressible material between two plate-shaped parts of foamable synthetic material and inserting the assembly into a cavity formed from two shells of prefabricated sheet metal. The resultant composite is subjected to a heat treatment for about 10 minutes at about 200.degree. C. so that the foamable material expands to fill the cavity.

Abstract: The present invention provides for an absorbent planar structure or so-called "sponge cloth" as well as for the method of making such a structure. The absorbent planar structure itself is permeated with pores and comprises a latex-bonded fiber material optionally reinforced with a woven or knit material, a layer of known foamed plastic, non-woven fabric or abrasive fleece. The method for making such a structure dispenses with conventional pore formers and is characterized by forming a foam of the latex and fiber materials by use of a suitable gaseous medium. The foam thus obtained, after homogeneous mixing, is applied to a substrate and the fiber-containing latex foam is then coagulated by heat action, resulting in an open-pore structure which is stabilized by subsequent drying and vulcanization.

Abstract: Process for the preparation of bodies of expanded cross-linked polyethylene, with closed cells, comprising the steps of:melting a polymer of ethylene selected among ethylene homopolymers, copolymers of ethylene with alpha-olefins, copolymers of ethylene with conjugated diolefins and relevant mixtures;homogenizing the polymer of ethylene in the molten state with a quantity of from 0.1 to 2.5% by weight of a cross-linking agent and with a quantity of from 2 to 25% by weight of an expanding agent, the cross-linking agent and expanding agent having a decomposition temperature higher than the melting point of the polymer of ethylene, the homogenizing step operating at temperatures of from 130.degree. to 150.degree. C., and for times of from 5 to 10 minutes;forming the homogeneous mixture in a solid parallelepiped shape by means of extrusion and subsequent cooling, or by means of moulding wherein the extrusion or moulding step is operated at temperatures within the range of from 130.degree. to 150.degree. C.

Abstract: A composite, rigid, structural, foam panel (11) comprising: (i) a flexible, non-structural, open cell reticulated or semi-reticulated, foam sheet (10); and (ii), an essentially closed cell resinous foam formed from a flowable, foamable material (12); and, wherein the open cell non-structural foam sheet (10) and the essentially closed cell foam are each coextensive with the volume of spaced defined by the panel (11). In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the flexible, non-structural, open cell reticulated or semi-reticulated foam sheet (10) comprises an electromagnetic wave absorber and, consequently, the essentially closed cell rigid structural panel (11) produced comprises a rigid, structural electromagnetic wave absorber.

Abstract: Polyurethane, polyurea and polyureaurethane resins having improved mold release properties are made by including with the reactive ingredients certain internal mold release agents which are polysiloxane polymers having pendant organic groups which contain at least one hydroxyl, amino or mercapto group.

Abstract: A body of polymeric material, comprising a core--e.g. of foam plastic--surrounded by a skin of greater density, includes a filler of metallic or other electrically conductive particles distributed throughout the core or at least in an intermediate layer separating an inner part of the core from the skin. The filler particles, preferably consisting of iron or aluminum, are injected together with all or part of the core material during the molding of the body.

Abstract: An absorbent floor cleaning and waxing composition is disclosed comprising shreds of a hydrophilic, open-celled, solids-loaded polyurethane foam having an aqueous wax emulsion releasably incorporated therein. The composition is effective to replace soiled coatings of floor wax with fresh floor wax.

Abstract: A process for producing a shaped article of a non-cellular or microcellular polyurethane elastomer by reaction injection molding by using at least two components of (A) a polyol component comprising a high molecular weight polyol and a chain extender as essential ingredients and (B) an isocyanate component comprising a polyisocyanate compound as essential ingredient, characterized in that substantially all or at least 80% by weight of said high molecular weight polyol is composed of a polyoxyalkylene polyol, and the polyoxyalkylene polyol is a single or mixed polyoxyalkylene polyol which has an average hydroxyl number of from 2.0 to 3.5 and an average hydroxyl value of from 15 to 60 and contains at least 5% by weight, in an average, of oxyethylene groups at the terminal portions of the oxyalkylene chain and in which the total oxyethylene group content is, in an average, less than 21% by weight and the average unsaturated monool content is at most 0.085 meq/g.

Abstract: Methods are provided for producing protective work gloves and other wearing apparel, having a variety of different protective and surface characteristics, as desired, without any separate cutting, knitting or sewing operations, and wearing apparel so produced by such methods. The method includes, for example, developing a work glove including its liner in a series of steps applied sequentially to a single form moving through a production line. The method eliminates the need for a separate operation for producing fabric liners including cutting, sewing and the manual loading of each individual liner on a form for subsequent dipping and coating operations. The resulting gloves may be moisture impervious or breathable, and have a variety of textured surfaces for various uses.

Abstract: An electroconductive cross-linked polyolefin foam having electric resistance of not more than 100 M.OMEGA. and comprising uniform minute cells and proving useful for the production of IC cases, etc. is provided by a method which comprises kneading 100 parts by weight of a polyolefin, 10 to 30 parts by weight of carbon particles, and suitable amounts of a foaming agent and a cross-linking agent and heating the resultant cross-linkable and foamable composition under atmospheric pressure thereby allowing the composition to be cross-linked and foamed without being abruptly foamed or expanded or by a method which comprises heating the aforementioned cross-linkable and foamable composition in a metal mold under pressure to a temperature at which the foaming agent is not substantially decomposed thereby cross-linking the composition and then heating the resultant cross-linked foamable composition under atmospheric pressure thereby allowing the composition to be foamed without being abruptly foamed or expanded.

Abstract: A continuous molding machine (10) for forming two chains (55) of soil plugs (50) for use in germinating seeds or otherwise growing plants. A continuous sheet of paper (22) is corrugated to conform to a series of mold elements (14) and a reaction mixture (32) of polymerizing agent and soil slurry is added over the paper to conform to the mold element shape. Another sheet of paper (38) is added over the top of the mixture (32) and the entire assembly is then passed under a series of pressure belts (42, 44, 46) during which time the mixture (32) is cured. The chain of soil plugs (50) which emerges from the pressure belts (42, 44, 46) is encased on both sides by paper (22, 38) and may be cut to provide a pair of separate soil plug chains (55).

Abstract: The aim of the invention was to find a method of producing a sorptive body, to be used especially with objectives such as the elimination of odors and air freshening. In the invented process a granular or powdered solid component consisting of a sorptive material, e.g. active carbon, or a compound containing such a material, is mixed with a binding agent, by which it is generally fixed to a carrier substance. The essence of the invention is that at least part of the finely-ground solid component is mixed with a liquid sorbate; only then it is combined with the dissolved binding agent. In a subsequent operation heat is applied to the mixture, thereby expelling the sorbate. The heat causes pores and capillaries to form within the binding agent, thus enabling air to enter into the sorptive substances deposited in the binding agent and so effecting an increase in the active area of the surface of the body.

Abstract: A matrix coating system and method of manufacture thereof is presented wherein the matrix coating contains chemical blowing agents which permit low pressure molding and also the formation of printing plates having deep relief. The method of manufacture is such that a foamed coating is produced which at molding temperatures is highly compressible at low pressures and which also expands into the relief or nonprinting regions of the pattern plate. The unusually low molding pressures necessary result in less distortion of rubber pattern plates or made from photo polymers. In addition, the combination of high compressibility in appropriate areas, and of volume expansion in relief areas allows the board coating to conform before and during cure to pattern plates of deep relief, so that in the cured state there results a rigid, durable high fidelity mold useful for molding numerous flexographic printing plates.

Abstract: The process for obtaining fiber-reinforced foams suitable to be transformed nto reinforced solid cellular materials having a density lower than 0.7 kg/l, if inert fillers are not present, and lower than 1 kg/l if inert fillers are present as well, essentially by mechanical incorporation of gas or a mixture of gases into an unsaturated polyester resin containing conventional additives is described. As reinforcing materials synthetic, vegetable or mineral fibers having a maximum length of 3 mm are employed. The mixture of the resin with the fibers, and optionally with the inert fillers, is conveyed by at least one pump to a mechanical foaming device which introduces into the mixture gas in form of small bubbles, homogeneously and uniformly distributed therein.

Abstract: An improved method is described for molding an article having a core of foam and a surface reinforced by fiberglass cloth or the like, which enables more rapid setup for molding and which creates a stronger and more uniform article. The method includes laying several layers of dry tissure paper on the walls of the mold to form a first layer, laying dry fiberglass cloth over the first layer to create a second layer, and laying a sheet of dry tissue paper over the second layer to form a third layer. Foamable plastic is poured in the mold over the three layers and the mold is closed. As the plastic foams and expands, it first presses against the third layer to press it and the underlying first and second layers firmly against the mold walls to thereby position them evenly at the outer portion of the mold cavity. The foam material then penetrates the tissue paper of the third layer, the openings of the cloth of the second layer, and some of the layers of tissue paper of the first layer, before finally hardening.

Abstract: A microwave lens is constructed of a homogeneous body of closed cell rigid polyurethane foam with aluminum flakes dispursed throughout and having a configuration defining an axis and opposed lens surfaces. The method of the invention includes selecting a mold having a cavity of the appropriate configuration, preheating the mold, and filling the mold with a mixture of low density polyurethane foam components and fine aluminum flakes evenly dispersed throughout the foam structure allowing the mixture to cool and form a body of the appropriate configuration.

Abstract: A buoyant fiber product and method of manufacturing same. The fiber product includes a quantity of fibers which are bound together with a binder. The binder also secures a quantity of buoyant particles, such as foam beads, to the fibers. The buoyant particles render the product buoyant. The fiber product is manufactured by adding an adhesive and buoyant particles to a quantity of fibrous material. Upon curing of the adhesive, the fibers and particles are bound together.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a porous tetrafluoroethylene tube comprises forming a sheet of tetrafluoroethylene containing a lubricant, winding it into a tubular shape, wrapping reinforcing material about the tubular shape to form a tubular product, rolling the tubular product so that it may have a uniform wall thickness, preheating the tubular product at a temperature lower than 327.degree. C., stretching the tubular product longitudinally, and heating it at a temperature higher than 327.degree. C., while holding it in its stretched position. The method may also be used to manufacture a tube containing 15 to 95% by weight of a filler.

Abstract: A method of forming a synthetic article by open forming techniques by providing a fluid composition containing a predominant quantity of synthetic resin and having a capability for delayed, substantial gas evolution. To produce reinforced articles, the composition is applied to the reinforcement at a temperature below a predetermined gas evolution temperature and is subjected to fluid spreading conditions to thoroughly wet the elements of reinforcement. Subsequently, the fluid composition reaches the predetermined temperature, the resultant gas evolution effectively expands the composition while it remains in thorough wetting contact with the reinforcement elements, and the resin then solidifies and cures to produce an intimately reinforced, expanded article. In important embodiments the preponderant gas evolution results from the reaction of an organic hydroperoxide with an isocyanate in the presence of a surfactant.

Abstract: A simplified method of manufacturing a silicon elastomeric foam comprises mechanically generating a stable froth of an aqueous silicone emulsion, while adding surfactant and thickener, then removing the water from the stable froth. The emulsion consists essentially of anionically stabilized hydroxyl endblocked polydiorganosiloxane, colloidal silica, an organic tin compound, and water, the emulsion having a pH in the range of 9 to 11.5 inclusive. The dried foam is an elastomeric, cellular structure possessing typical silicone elastomer heat stability.

Abstract: Microcellular foam materials having void fractions of about 5 to 30 percent and uniform void sizes on the order of 2 to 25 microns are produced by pre-saturating the material to be processed with a uniform concentration of a gas while controlling temperature and pressure to avoid cell nucleation. Processing is also done under pressure to avoid nucleation. After processing, pressure is released and cell nucleation occurs at or near the glass transition temperature of the material; it is then cooled quickly to preserve the microcellular structure.

Abstract: A method of forming reinforced synthetic articles of polyester resin by reaction injection molding techniques comprising combining a set of reactants including a major base mass of polyester resin in fluid form, at least one polyester cure accelerator, a selected quantity of isocyanate, a surfactant, and an additive that is highly exothermically reactive with at least one other component in the mixture. The isocyanate is added in sufficient quantity to react with at least one other component in the mixture to provide mold filling and shrink-resistant quantities of carbon dioxide throughout the mixture. The resultant mixture is injected into a mold prior to substantial reaction. The additive is allowed to react and the heat produced by this exothermic reaction is effective to trigger and accelerate gas forming soon after injection. The gas formation generates pressure to expand the polyester base resin mass and maintain pressure through the curing reaction of the accelerator with the polyester resin.

Abstract: Process for obtaining cellular materials, based on unsaturated polyester in optionally containing reinforcing and/or inert fillers, having a density between 0.2 and 1.0 kg/l by moulding under pressure a liquid foam of said resins, characterized by the fact that the liquid foam based on unsaturated polyester resins containing conventional additives, optionally containing an inert and/or reinforcing charge of mineral or organic fibers having a length which is less than 5 mm, preferably less than 3 mm and more preferably less than 1.5 mm, obtained by mechanical introduction of a gas and/or by means of a chemical and/or physical foaming agent, is firstly introduced into an open half-mould optionally containing a further fiber reinforcement, by casting an amount higher than the free volume of the mould, and subsequently said foam is cross-linked.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a protective and decorative molding for an automobile, comprising the steps of: adding a foaming agent to a starting resinous material comprising a vinyl chloride polymer or copolymer or a blend thereof; kneading the foaming agent and the starting resinous material; successively forming the kneaded mixture into an elongated rod or sheet blank by means of extruder or calender rolls; shearing the rod or blank into pieces having a predetermined shape; and molding the piece in a mold having high-frequency heating electrodes to apply a high-frequency voltage to the piece so that the foaming agent contained in the piece decomposes and foams to provide a product having a predetermined shape.

Abstract: A polyamine mixture formed from formaldehyde, an ortho-alkylaniline, and an ortho,ortho-dialkylaniline. The polyamine mixture is prepared by heating one of the anilines with formaldehyde, mixing the other aniline with an acid catalyst, and slowly adding the former to the latter. The mixtures are useful as chain extenders in polyurethane processes including reaction injection molding. The novel mixtures give unexpected mold gel and set times as compared to corresponding unmixed compounds formed from a single aniline or formed by previous typical condensation reactions. Also, the proportion of polyamines made by the novel mixtures may be varied to give excellent physical characteristics.

Abstract: The invention relates to an earplug, produced with the use of a polysiloxane which is made foamable and cross-linkable by the use of expanding and cross-linking agents. The method for producing such an earplug comprises preshaping the polysiloxane together with the additives, then finally shaping the earplug in the foaming process and then tempering the finally shaped product.

Abstract: A rigid porous, deformation resisting, nonresilient inflexible thermoset resin foam having macroscopic open cells and the method of making the same. The method comprises foaming and partially curing a polyepoxide or polyurethane resin in which the cells are closed. The partially cured resin is softened by heating and then crushed to compress the cells to produce an open-celled product. The crushed foam is reexpanded and finally cured. The foam may be filled for strengthening with a filler such as carbon black before or after the final cure.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing porous shaped articles, such as flat or channel shaped insulation plates, blocks and similar building elements, in particular for building completely insulated houses, the articles obtained by this method and building constructions erected from these articles, in which method spheres of expanded porous resinous foamed material are blended with a binder, comprising a mixture of a bituminous product, and waterglass with a waterglass content of at the most 75% by weight, while at the end of this blending operation a quantity of particulate or powdery material including an additive such as sand is added to and co-blended with said blend until the mass again consists mainly of loose spheres, whereupon cement is added to the blend and the entire mixture is subjected again to a second mixing operation, while metering a quantity of water, and the mixture thus finally obtained is formed into the desired articles by compression and vibration followed by drying said articles in a self-supporti

Abstract: After arranging on dual pans two thick strips of a deformable fiber-reinforced spongeous material and covering them with a liner made of an elastic cloth, a fluid polymer is poured into said pans which reacts to set and foam in a conveniently short time. During the setting time, the user keeps his/her feet fixedly inside the pans, to thus leave an impression which accurately reproduces the shape thereof. After setting, the deformable strips is bonded to the liner and retains the exact impression left by the foot.Successive trimming operations provide an insole taylored to fit the user's feet.

Abstract: A method of improving the physical properties of high density reinforced reaction injection molded microcellular or solid elastomers is disclosed. The method involves placing an inert filler material wholly in the isocyanate component of a two component reaction system where the other component contains predominantly polyol before mixing the components to effect reaction. This modification will result in an improvement in tensile strength and thermal dimensional stability when compared to placing the inert filler material in the polyol component before reaction.

Abstract: A process for obtaining cellular materials from unsaturated polyester resins reinforced with fillers having a density below 0.7 kg/lt by injecting a liquid foam, made from the resins by mechanical introduction of a gas therein into a closed mold, is described. The liquid foam, obtained from polyester resins including additives and optionally a reinforcement of synthetic, artificial, vegetable or mineral fibres having a length lower than 5 mm, and optionally containing a low boiling foaming agent, is injected voluminized and cross-linked in the hot or in the cold in a closed mold containing a reinforcing agent of synthetic, artificial, vegetable or mineral fibers as a monofilament mat, a cut fibre mat, a mono or bidirectional roving woven mat, rovings, fabrics.

Abstract: A process for obtaining fiber-reinforced foams suitable to be transformed to reinforced solid cellular materials having a density lower than 0.7 kg/l, if inert fillers are not present, and lower than 1 kg/l if inert fillers are present as well, essentially by mechanical incorporation of gas or a mixture of gases into an unsaturated polyester resin containing conventional additives is described. As reinforcing materials synthetic, vegetable or mineral fibers having a maximum length of 3 mm are employed. The mixture of the resin with the fibers, and optionally with the inert fillers, is conveyed by at least one pump to a mechanical foaming device which introduces into the mixture gas in form of small bubbles, homogeneously and uniformly distributed therein.

Abstract: Methods of converting essentially unpolymerized precursors into polyimides in which the precursors are exposed to microwave radiation. Preheating, thermal post-curing, and other techniques may be employed to promote the development of optimum properties; and reinforcements can be employed to impart strength and rigidity to the final product. Also disclosed are processes for making various composite artifacts in which non-polymeric precursors are converted to polyimides by using the techniques described above.

Abstract: A single-phase, storage-stable, emulsifier-free polyol mixture comprising 100 parts of a relatively high molecular weight polyoxyalkylene polyol of OH number from 20 to 120, which has at least 5% and less than 80% by weight, of terminal oxyethylene blocks; from 1 to 100 parts of a low molecular weight diol mixture which is a reaction product of ethylene glycol, butane diol-1,4, or a mixture of ethylene glycol and butane diol-1,4, with from 0.05 to 0.50 mols of alkyl oxiranes; from 0.1 to 5 parts of solubilizing additives comprising one or more salts, the cations of which are from Groups I, II and III of the Periodic Table, ammonium or mono- to tetra-alkyl ammonium ions, and the anions of which are produced by removing at least one proton from an acid having a K.sub.s value of at least 10.sup.-7 ; and, optionally, other compounds having isocyanate-reactive hydrogen atoms and other auxiliaries and additives for polyurethane production. Also polyurethanes produced using these polyol mixtures.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for manufacturing a fabric-type artificial leather, wherein a nonwoven fabric is formed by using a dry method to join together hydrophobic fibers. The fabric so formed is densified by needling and the activation of shrinking forces. It is then impregnated with a mixture of a heat sensitive elastomeric bonding agent, powdered barium sulfate and a compound that reacts with acid to form a gas. The impregnated fabric is then exposed to a heated, acidified liquid which triggers coagulation of the bonding agent and liberates a gas formed by reaction of the acid and acid-reactive compound. The resulting solidified fabric is then washed, dried and ground-over on at least one side to produce a nap. Finally, the fabric is intensively fulled.

Abstract: Apparatus for continuously and rapidly forming trays of highly uniform elastomeric soil plugs comprises means for continuously mixing a water-containing soil slurry with a water-reactive pre-polymer compound, means for supplying the soil slurry and the pre-polymer compound to the mixing means at respective controlled rates, and means for delivering the mixed soil slurry and pre-polymer compound to a dispensing station for dispensing into mold receptacles; the receptacles are disposed in a closed path and carried by transport means seriatim past the dispensing station. Releasable bias means biases a tray mold member against a base mold member within each receptacle so as to extrude soil-pre-polymer mixture into plug-molding cavities of the tray mold member. The bias means is released after the plugs within the tray mold member have cured.

Abstract: This invention relates to dry, dense, hydrophilic polyurethane foam cleaning pads containing abrasives, detergents and combinations thereof dispersed integrally therein as well as to a method of manufacturing these pads. The pads' surfaces are strengthened by the densification of the reacting prepolymer resin during manufacture, and preferably the pads have at least one surface textured for additional cleaning area. The surfaces can contain an optional additional layer of abrasives to obtain a greater durability and a more desirable scouring action.

Abstract: Particulate absorbents of a water-insoluble water-swellable polymer having a gel capacity of at least 10 are immobilized with a composition comprising the absorbent in a liquid polyhydroxy organic compound. The composition may be employed by applying to an appropriate surface and subjecting the liquid film to solidifying conditions. The solidified film product has high absorptive capacity and is free of undesirable movement when positioned in absorbent articles. A foam product having both absorptive and cushioning properties is prepared from a solid, particulate, water-insoluble, water-swellable polymer having a gel capacity of at least 10, a solid, particulate blowing agent, and a liquid polyhydroxy organic compound.

Abstract: A tubular frame structure adapted for use as a tennis racket which includes an elastic polymer core which is bonded to and surrounded by a rigid shell of graphite composite. The elastic polymer core is a flexible vinyl foam prepared from plasticized polyvinyl chloride in which a suitable blowing agent is dispersed. A method for preparing the racket structure is disclosed.The elastic polymer core provides a particularly desirable core material which does not degrade or breakdown during prolonged use and provides enhanced racket shock and vibration absorption, and, most importantly, the means to obtain the desirable variable density characteristics at the desired locations within the structure of racquet without a corresponding reduction in structural capability.

Abstract: A thermal and acoustic insulating plate comprising an aminoplastic resin and a fiber reinforcement embedded therein in the form of a non-woven body of glass fibers extending uniformly throughout the entire volume of the plate. In preparing the plate a non-woven body of glass fibers is impregnated with aminoplastic resin, whereafter the resulting structure is expanded and cured in a mould by supplying heat energy thereto.

Abstract: Compositions comprising propylene polymer, e.g., polypropylene, and hydrated alumina as filler precursor and sole blowing agent, wherein the alumina can be 30 to 60 weight percent of the total composition, are converted into foam having a fine and uniform cellular structure by passage through an unvented extruder at specified temperature profiles and pressures.