Abstract: A non-polar synthetic resin is mixed with an organic peroxide and cross-linked with a high frequency alternating current field. The peroxide is a perketal or perester of the formula 1, 1a, 2, 3, 4 or 5 of the drawing. The cross-linked resin is useful for the insulation of an electrical conductor.

Abstract: A polymerizable or copolymerizable unsaturated polyester composition contains a peroxide initiator and a compound of the formula: ##STR1## wherein Y is hydroxy, alkoxy having 1-12 carbon atoms, or alkyl having 1-12 carbon atoms, and Z is hydrogen, hydroxycarbonyl, alkyl, cycloalkyl, aralkyloxycarbonyl having 1-20 carbon atoms, benzoyl, or alkanoyl having 1-4 carbon atoms.

Abstract: A process is provided for making a solid precursor of a solution of cellulose in a tertiary amine oxide by suspending cellulose in a mixture containing a tertiary amine oxide and water under conditions where the amine oxide will not dissolve the cellulose until sufficient amine oxide has been absorbed to dissolve the cellulose when it is heated. An organic liquid which is not chemically reactive with the amine oxide or cellulose but is miscible with the tertiary amine oxide and is a non-solvent for the cellulose may be included in the amine oxide-water mixture to assist in the removal of excess water from the precursor or promote better distribution of the tertiary amine oxide through the cellulose.

Abstract: An alloyed regenerated cellulose fiber containing an alkali metal or ammonium salt of a copolymer of an alkyl vinyl ether and an ethylene dicarboxylic acid or anhydride is prepared by a process wherein the copolymer is mixed with a viscose solution and the mixture is spun through a spinneret into a suitable spin bath and processed into staple fibers adapted to be used in non-woven absorbent articles such as diapers, tampons, sanitary napkins, wiping cloths and the like. The alloyed regenerated cellulose fiber of the invention has increased fluid absorbency characteristics over fibers of the same regenerated cellulose composition without the alloying material.

Abstract: A process is provided for making precipitated cellulose by dissolving cellulose in a tertiary amine oxide solvent containing from about 1.4 to about 29% of water.

Abstract: A process is provided for making a solution of cellulose in an amine oxide. In accordance with one aspect of the invention, a solid precursor of a solution of cellulose in a tertiary amine oxide in the form of a chip or the like which has been prepared by suspending cellulose in a mixture containing a tertiary amine oxide and water is heated in the barrel of an extruder to dissolve the cellulose, and the resulting solution is extruded to provide an extrudate adapted to be shaped into a cellulosic product. In another aspect, a tertiary amine oxide solvent for cellulose can be added directly to the extruder where mixing and dissolution take place under the application of heat and pressure. It is further advantageous, in either case, where a non-solvent for the cellulose, compatible with the tertiary amine oxide and water, is employed.

Abstract: A process is provided for making a solid precursor of a solution of cellulose in a tertiary amine oxide by suspending cellulose in a mixture containing a tertiary amine oxide and water under conditions where the amine oxide will dissolve the cellulose and cooling the resulting product to ambient temperature to provide a solid solution of cellulose in amine oxide. The product may be comminuted to form chips which are adapted to be fed to an extruder or other apparatus for shaping it into a cellulosic article. An organic liquid which is miscible with the tertiary amine oxide and is a non-solvent for the cellulose may be included with the amine oxide-water mixture to improve the up-take of the tertiary amine oxide by the cellulose.

Abstract: A hydraulic hose having a core tube, a layer of reinforcing material disposed about the core tube and a protective sheath about the reinforcing material is provided with a coupling member on one end thereof having a nipple inserted in the core tube and a shell disposed about the sheath of the hose. The shell has a plurality of circumferentially spaced integral solid three-dimensional barbs piercing the sheath and embedded in the reinforcing material. The barbs are preferably either conical or pyramidal and have a pointed apex in order that they can pierce the reinforcing material when the coupling member is installed on the end of the hose by insertion between fibers without cutting or tearing the reinforcing material.

Abstract: A synthetic resinous tube having a plurality of bonded coaxial layers with at least one layer being thermoplastic and another substantially non-thermoplastic is formed by the simultaneous coaxial extrusion of thermoplastic tubes and electron irradiation of one of the layers of the tube to convert it from a thermoplastic resin.

Abstract: A poly(oxyethylene-oxypropylene)glycol and poly(sutramethylene ether)glycol are blended together and the resulting blend and a chain extender are reacted with an organic diisocyanate under conditions which produce a thermoplastically processible polyurethane elastomer. The polyurethane elastomer can be used to advantage for making the sheath of a hydraulic hose.

Abstract: A hose and tube coupling assembly provided with a coiled insert between the outer surface of the hose or tube and the coupling member. The coiled insert has a plurality of coils and is provided with circumferentially spaced longitudinal members secured to at least a portion of the coils to provide transverse means of securing a spaced relationship between the secured coils during installation and use of the coupling member.

Abstract: An electrical conductor insulated with a cured heat resistant, radiation resistant, substantially dimensionally stable electrical insulation comprising a chlorinated polyethylene elastomer composition which has been electron cured with a dosage of at least 1 megarad. The product of the invention may be a single insulated wire or a group of twisted or cabled insulated wires enclosed in an electron cured chlorinated polyethylene elastomer composition jacket.

Abstract: Pellets adapted to be burned in industrial applications are prepared by adjusting the particle size of organic fibrous material to not more than about 85% of the minimum dimension of the pellets to be produced, adjusting the moisture content of the fibrous particles to about 16% to about 28% by weight, pelletizing the particles into substantially symmetrical pellets having a maximum dimension of about one-half inch at a pressure whereby constituents of the particles exude and form a coating of wax-like material on the surface of the pellets, and adjusting the moisture of the pellets to a content which is in equilibrium with the atmosphere.

Abstract: A poly(oxyethylene-oxypropylene)glycol and poly(tetramethylene ether)glycol are blended together and the resulting blend and a chain extender are reacted with an organic diisocyanate under conditions which produce a thermoplastically processible polyurethane elastomer. The polyurethane elastomer can be used to advantage for making the sheath of a hydraulic hose.

Abstract: An electrical cable of conventional or retractable helical coil form which is relatively small in diameter and sufficiently flexible to be used to advantage on a tractor-trailer to connect the power supply on the tractor with the electrical system carried by the trailer has a polymeric sheath, an insulated 10 gauge stranded conductor substantially coaxial with the sheath, four to six insulated stranded 12 gauge conductors substantially evenly spaced about the periphery of the 10 gauge conductor, a plurality of uninsulated stranded conductors of 14 gauge disposed between the smaller insulated conductors, filler material filling the spaces between the conductors and preferably a plastic film helically wound about the conductors. The 12 and 14 gauge conductors are helically wound about the 10 gauge conductor. The assembly of conductors, filler and plastic film combine to form a cable having a substantially circular cross-section and substantially fill the sheath.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for processing curable thermoplastic elastomers and particularly to flexible, shaped articles made therefrom which have improved high strength, radiation and temperature resistance and electrical characteristics useful as fluid transmission tubing and/or as electrical insulation. Such articles are made from uncured, thermoplastic elastomer materials -- in the form of selectively hard, radiation sensitive, flowable solids -- which are thermoplastically molded to provide an essentially uncured, dimensionally stable, intermediate shaped article. Such intermediate articles are radiation-cured to provide finished cross-linked articles having such characteristics.

Abstract: A digger-shaker adapted to dig two rows of growing peanut laden plants and shake soil therefrom is provided with two carrier belts disposed at the rear thereof and spaced transversely from each other adapted to intercept the peanut plants as they are discharged by the digger-shaker, support them nearer the root portions than the tops of the foliage, move them rearwardly from the digger-shaker while thus supported whereby the foliage of the plants falls inwardly between the spaced carriers until not above horizontal, and then discharge the plants to the ground with the peanuts spaced away from the ground. The digger-shaker is also provided with an improved conveyor for elevating the peanut laden plants in which a front idler wheel is not journaled on the frame with an outwardly projecting bearing and additional idler wheels direct the conveyor along an irregular path to improve its soil removing properties.

Abstract: A dimensionally stable, flexible, hydraulic hose having an elastomeric core tube cross-linked by irradiation with ionizing electrons, a fibrous reinforcing layer surrounding the core tube which prevents the core tube from expanding with increase in pressure and a protective elastomeric sheath about the reinforced core tube.

Abstract: A self-retracting flexible composite hose of helical configuration has a core tube and sheath of crystalline-like polymer which has an elastic memory, a layer of helically wound spaced strands of fibrous reinforcing material which only partially covers the core tube and polymeric protuberances integral with the sheath extending between the strands and fusion welded to the core tube.

Abstract: An apparatus for bagging a comminuted material such as broken or shredded tree bark, shredded insulating materials, plastic pellets, granular fertilizer material, grain or the like has a hopper provided with a discharge chute and bag holder adapted to sense the presence of a bag associated therewith, means for discharging a measured volume of bark into the bag responsive to the bag holder, means for conveying the bag after it is charged with bark through means for sealing the bag, and conveyor means for carrying the sealed bag to storage or transporting means.