Abstract: The present invention relates to a tampon applicator arrangement, having tampon, applicator unit and a film cap, attached thereto, which is at least partially uniformly shaped, typically being conforming to part or all of the tampon or applicator unit, or such that the film cap has the lowest possible surface area. The film cap is so shaped and/or generally under tension and has no rugosites, folds or even wrinkles, other than optionally tension wrinkles, and preferably also no seams or welds. The invention also relates to specific moulding processes for making the film cap and the arrangement of the invention. The arrangements of the invention provide a smoother, easier and safer insertion of a tampon in the body.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a synthetic method in which one or more diaryl carbonates is reacted with one or more dihydroxy aromatic compounds in the presence of a transesterification catalyst under melt polymerization conditions to afford a product polycarbonate. The transesterifcation catalysts used according to the method of the present invention are alkali metal salts and alkaline earth metal salts of antimony oxides or germanium oxides in combination with tetraalkyl ammonium or tetraalkyl phosphonium compounds which serve as co-catalysts. The antimony oxide derivative “tartar emetic”, structure IV, was shown to possess excellent activity as a transesterifcation catalyst for the preparation of polycarbonate under melt polymerization conditions.

Abstract: Multilayer articles are disclosed which comprise: a substrate layer comprising at least one thermoplastic polymer, thermoset polymer, cellulosic material, glass, or metal, and at least one coating layer thereon, said coating layer comprising at least one stabilizer additive and a thermally stable polymer comprising resorcinol arylate polyester chain members substantially free of anhydride linkages linking at least two mers of the polymer chain, prepared by an interfacial method comprising the steps of: (a) combining at least one resorcinol moiety and at least one catalyst in a mixture of water and at least one organic solvent substantially immiscible with water; and (b) adding to the mixture from (a) at least one dicarboxylic acid dichloride while maintaining the pH between 3 and 8.5 through the presence of an acid acceptor, wherein the total molar amount of acid chloride groups is stoichiometrically deficient relative to the total molar amount of phenolic groups.

Abstract: Copolymers of polycarbonates or polyarylates with polyether polymers such as polyethersulfones, polyetherketones, and polyetherimides are prepared by reaction of the polyether polymer-forming reagents, e.g., bisphenol A disodium salt and bis(4-chlorophenyl) sulfone, in the presence of the polycarbonate or polyarylate. The reaction may take place in a dipolar aprotic solvent, or in a water-immiscible aromatic solvent in the presence of a phase transfer catalyst, preferably a hexaalkylguanidinium halide. Hydroxy-terminated polyether oligomers may be produced from the copolymers by saponification of carbonate or ester groups.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for monitoring a reaction mixture using Raman spectroscopy. In a preferred embodiment, the invention provides a method for monitoring bulk and thin film melt polycarbonate polymerization reactions. In this method, the relative and absolute concentrations of the starting materials diphenylcarbonate (DPC) and bisphenol-A (BPA) are determined. Monitoring and maintenance of optimum stoichiometry in such a reaction is critical to ensuring desired polycarbonate product quality.

Abstract: Substantially solvent-free multilayer articles characterized by excellent color retention and gloss retention, solvent resistance and recyclability comprise a substrate layer comprising a first material selected from the group consisting of a metal, ceramic, glass, a cellulosic material, a thermoset resin, and a thermoplastic resin, and a resinous coating layer which comprises at least one auxiliary color stabilizer additive and an arylate polymer comprising ester structural units derived from a resorcinol or alkylresorcinol isophthalate-terephthalate. An intermediate layer may also be present.

Abstract: A fluorescent probe is applied to bind to a metal oxide on a substrate and the substrate is exposed to an ultraviolet light to identify the metal oxide. A chemical cleaning or stripping solution is selected by combinatorial high throughput screening (CHTS). In the method, an array of regions is defined on a substrate, a candidate cleaning/stripping solution is deposited onto the regions to effect cleaning/stripping of the regions; a fluorescent probe is applied to bind to a metal oxide on the substrate; the substrate is exposed to an ultraviolet light to identify the metal oxide and a product of the cleaning/stripping is evaluated according to the identified metal oxide. An activated metal substrate composition is provided that comprises a metal substrate with a contaminant metal oxide coating and a fluorescent activator bound to the substrate by reaction with the metal oxide coating.

Abstract: An apparatus for cathodic arc coating. The apparatus includes: a vacuum chamber which includes an anode; a power supply; and a cathode target assembly connected to the power supply. The cathode target assembly includes a cathode target and a target holder. In the preferred embodiment, a conductive interlayer is located between the cathode target and the target holder, and a cooling block is in contact with the cathode target.

Abstract: An article, such as an airfoil having a melting temperature of at least about 1500° C. and comprising a first piece and a second piece joined by a braze to the first piece. The first piece comprises one of a first niobium-based refractory metal intermetallic composite and a first molybdenum-based refractory metal intermetallic composite, and the second piece comprises one of a second niobium-based refractory metal intermetallic composite and a second molybdenum-based refractory metal intermetallic composite. The braze joining the first piece to the second piece comprises a first metallic element and a second metallic element, wherein the first metallic element is one of titanium, palladium, zirconium, niobium, and hafnium, and wherein the second metallic element is one of titanium, palladium, zirconium, niobium, hafnium, aluminum, chromium, vanadium, platinum, gold, iron, nickel, and cobalt, the first metallic element being different from the second metallic element.

Abstract: A system and method for diagnosing and validating a machine over a network using waveform data. Historical waveform data are obtained via the network from machines having known faults along with corresponding actions for repairing the machines and are used to develop fault classification rules. The fault classification rules are stored in a diagnostic knowledge database. The database of classification rules are used to diagnose new waveform data from a machine having an unknown fault, via the network.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a synthetic method in which one or more diaryl carbonates is reacted with one or more dihydroxy aromatic compounds in the presence of a transesterification catalyst under melt polymerization conditions to afford a product polycarbonate. The transesterifcation catalysts used according to the method of the present invention are alkali metal salts and alkaline earth metal salts of heterocyclic diols in combination with tetraalkylammonium or tetraalkylphosphonium compounds which serve as co-catalysts. The furan diol derivative dimethyl 3,4-dihydroxy-2,5-furandiacarboxylate disodium salt, structure IV, was shown to possess excellent activity as a transesterifcation catalyst for the preparation of polycarbonate under melt polymerization conditions.

Abstract: The present invention provides polycarbonate copolymers having improved hydrolytic stability, solvent resistance, or combinations thereof. In particular, certain of the copolymers of the invention have improved resistance to dilute caustic solution. Thus, the copolymers of the present invention are particularly useful as structural elements in applications where such elements routinely come in contact with caustic solutions, such as in automatic dishwashing equipment. Preferred comonomers include 4,4′-biphenol, bis-(4-hydroxyphenyl)terephthalamide (“BHPT”), and a bisimide bisphenol obtained by reacting Bisphenol A dianhydride (BPADA) with 4,4′-isopropylidene phenol aniline. The comonomers are utilized along with 2,2-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)propane (Bisphenol A) in concentrations in a range between about 1 and about 50 weight percent of the repeating units in the polycarbonate.

Abstract: A liquid chemical stripping or cleaning solution is selected by combinatorial high throughput screening. A high throughput screening well array assembly includes (A) a metal substrate and (B) a mask that defines an array of wells on the substrate. A combinatorial high throughput screening system includes (A) a metal substrate and (B) a mask that defines an array of wells on the substrate and a reaction vessel to receive the well array assembly.

Abstract: The useful life of x-ray tubes is extended by filtering metal particles and other decomposition products out of the coolant fluid by filter means permanently included in the closed loop cooling fluid circuit which also includes pump means and heat exchange means.

Abstract: A silicone composition is provided which comprises a vulcanizable adhesive formulation which comprises at least one oxygen-substituted allyl aromatic compound, a vinyl-containing polydiorganosiloxane, a hydrogen-containing polysiloxane, and a catalytic amount of a hydrosilylation catalyst. Further embodiments of the present invention include the oxygen-substituted allyl aromatic compound which provides adhesion to a substrate when present in a silicone composition and a method to provide cohesive failure to a silicone composition and a polyamide substrate.

Abstract: An electrochemical stripping method for selectively removing at least one coating from the surface of a substrate is described. The substrate is immersed in an aqueous composition through which electrical current flows. The composition includes an acid having the formula HxAF6, in which “A” is Si, Ge, Ti, Zr, Al, or Ga; and x is 1-6. Various coatings can be removed, such as diffusion or overlay coatings. The method can be used to fully-strip a coating (e.g., from a turbine component), or to partially strip one sublayer of the coating. Related processes and an apparatus are also described.

Abstract: A process of forming a soft and resilient web (10) exhibiting a substantially continuous pattern of debossments or apertures is disclosed. The process comprises locally heating process to melt predetermined points of the web.

Abstract: A method of preparing polyestercarbonates is presented in which a mixture of at least one activated diaryl carbonate is reacted under melt polymerization conditions with at least one aromatic dihydroxy compound together with at least one dicarboxylic acid. Polyestercarbonates possessing up to about percent 10 mole dicarboxylic acid residues based on the total amount of structural units derived from aromatic dihydroxy compounds are obtained. The method provides both for high levels of incorporation of the dicarboxylic acid into the polyestercarbonate backbone and a high level of polymer endcapping.

Abstract: A rare earth-activated terbium-containing garnet phosphor is capable of absorbing radiation in the range from near UV to blue and emitting a broad spectrum of visible light in the range from about 490 nm to about 770 nm. The emission of the phosphor under an excitation at 450 nm exhibits a peak in the range of maximum sensitivity of the human eye. A light source combining a UV/blue LED and this phosphor can provide a white light that is on or near the Planckian locus and may be useful for general illumination.

Abstract: Permanent magnets, devices including permanent magnets and methods for manufacture are described with the permanent magnet comprising, for example: iron-boron-rare earth alloy particulate having an intrinsic coercive force of at least about 1591 kiloamperes/meter (about 20 kiloOersteds) and a residual magnetization of at least about 0.8 tesla (about 8 kiloGauss), wherein the rare earth content comprises praseodymium, a light rare earth element selected from the group consisting of cerium, lanthanum, yttrium and mixtures thereof, and balance neodymium; and a binder bonding the particulate.