Abstract: There is provided an adhesive closure tab with release surfaces adjacent adhesive surfaces by coating a continuous region of a tape backing with a soluble low adhesion backsize composition, drying, then solvent zone coating an adhesive on at least one strip of said tape backing previously coated with the low adhesion backsize thereby slightly dissolving said backsize so as to promote adherence of said adhesive to said backsize.

Abstract: A magneto optic recording medium comprising a substrate, an amorphous magnetizable rare earth-transition metal alloy layer, a transparent dielectric layer on at least one side of the magnetizable layer, and a reflective surface located to reflect light through the magnetizable alloy layer. The dielectric layer is comprised of silicon carbide of the formula SiC.sub.x, wherein x, the molar ratio of carbon to silicon, is greater than 1. The dielectric layer is preferably deposited by direct current magnetron sputtering at low argon partial pressure from an electrically conductive mixture of silicon carbide and carbon. The medium exhibits similar or improved characteristics over media constructed with present dielectrics, for example, silicon suboxide (SiO.sub.y, y<2).

Abstract: A polymorph of a phthalocyanine, designated M-phthalocyanine or M-metal phthalocyanine, has spectroscopic properties different from those of any of known crystalline polymorphs of phthalocyanine, the polymorph having been prepared in an environment of at most 0.1 G. In a further aspect, a process is disclosed for preparing novel organic films comprising a closed chamber physical vapor transport (PVT) in a low gravity environment.Films of novel polymorphs have a surface roughness factor in the range of greater than 1.000000 and less than 1.000010, a density of at least 50 percent increase over anypolymorph of the same molecules produced in unit gravity, and in which at least 50 weight percent of the molecules of said film have a common uniaxial orientation.

Abstract: An optical fiber termination module for use in terminating having an end wall and a splice magazine, a connector supported on said end wall, one plug of which has a short optical fiber extending therefrom straight to a splice supported in the magazine, and the support having a flucrum to afford tilting of the support intermediate its ends to afford movement of the end wall to a position away from the end wall of other modules to allow easy access to the connector for attaching a distribution plug.

Abstract: Method of preparing an article comprising a substrate bearing a microlayer which comprises uniformly oriented, crystalline, solid, organic microstructures. The microstructures may be mono- or polycrystalline. In the preferred embodiment, the microstructures are of uniform shape and size. The articles can be prepared by (1) vapor-depositing an organic compound as a thin, continuous film onto a substrate to provide a composite, and (2) annealing the composite in a vacuum sufficiently to induce a physical change in the original deposited film to form the microstructures. The microlayer can be overcoated with other materials to provide desired properties to the article. Articles of this invention are useful for many forms of light trapping, energy absorption, imaging, data transmission and storage, and gradient index applications.

Abstract: A tinnitus suppression device using an in-the-canal external ear canal pressure regulating device to alter the pressure of the fluid of the external ear canal interior of the pressure regulating device. The device has a body which can be inserted into the external ear canal and which seals the canal from ambient pressure. An adjustably sized body such as a collapsible bulbous portion or a bellows type wall provides a mechanism for altering the pressure in the canal. Either a valve or a mechanical displacement device maintains the pressure differential created.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for applying heat-sensitive adhesive tape, such as frontal diaper tape, of the type having a layer of heat sensitive adhesive material to a web moving at high speed, such as a web of water-resistant material designed for use as the outer layer of disposable diapers. The apparatus comprises a tape-feed wheel for preheating and feeding the tape to the apparatus from a supply of generally continuous tape, and a tape-applying wheel in rolling engagement with the web for applying tape fed to it from the tape-feed wheel to the web. The tape-applying wheel includes vacuum passageways for providing suction through a circumferential surface of the tape-applying wheel to hold the tape thereon, and a heating mechanism for heating the tape to an elevated temperature at which the heat-sensitive adhesive is tacky and for maintaining the tape at the elevated temperature until it is applied to the web.

Abstract: Negative-acting flexographic printing plates display enhanced performance when backside irradiated with ionizing radiation instead of longer wavelength ultraviolet radiation. A better defined floor and more readily controlled floor is produced on the final printing plate.

Abstract: An extrudable composition comprising thermoplastic hydrocarbon polymer, poly(oxyalkylene) polymer and fluorocarbon polymer. The poly(oxyalkylene) polymer and the fluorocarbon polymer are present in the composition in such relative proportions and concentrations as to reduce the occurence of melt defects during the extrusion of said hydrocarbon polymer composition.

Abstract: The invention consists of a process for pulse electroplating electroactive polymer substrates at potentials sufficient to cause reduction of the substrates. The inventive process can be used to make polymer-metal composites having one or more metal films. More specifically, it can be used to electroplate polyimide substrates with gold, or to electroplate gold over a copper plated polyimide substrate. These inventive composites exhibit improved polymer-metal adhesion when they are exposed to elevated temperatures and humidities, i.e., 85.degree. C. and 85% R.H.

Abstract: Elements for making butt splices in optical fibers formed of a deformable material, e.g. metal or polymeric materials, can be formed to define three surfaces for contacting the fibers to be spliced. The surfaces are formed between two legs of an element such that when the legs are closed onto the fibers, the surfaces center the fibers by embedding the fibers into the surfaces and afford a resilient spring compression reserve force on the aligned fibers to maintain them in contact and clamp the fibers in the element.

Abstract: A coated abrasive article comprised of a blend of premium abrasive grains and nonabrasive diluent grains adhered to a backing material by a resinous binder. The article has an unexpected abrading efficiency, performing equal to, or superior to, a coated abrasive article containing only premium abrasive grains.

Abstract: Sintered ceramic abrasive grains having increased surface area and a method of making the same are provided. The abrasive grains are incorporated into improved "shelling-resistant" abrasive articles such as coated abrasives, grinding wheels and non-woven abrasives. The ceramic abrasive grains are made by providing first particles comprising alpha-alumina precursor, introducing fine particles which can be sintered directly to the surface of the first particles upon sintering of the same, and heating the mixture of particles under sintering conditions to cause autogenous bonding of the fine particles to the surface of each of the first particles.

Abstract: A polymorph of a phthalocyanine, designated M-phthalocyanine or M-metal phthalocyanine, has spectroscopic properties different from those of any of known crystalline polymorphs of phthalocyanine, the polymorph having been prepared in an environment of at most 0.1 G. In a further aspect, a process is disclosed for preparing novel organic films comprising a closed chamber physical vapor transport (PVT) in a low gravity environment.Films of novel polymorphs have a surface roughness factor in the range of greater than 1.000000 and less than 1.000010, a density of at least 50 percent increase over any polymorph of the same molecules produced in unit gravity, and in which at least 50 weight percent of the molecules of said film have a common uniaxial orientation.

Abstract: A curable orthopedic support material is disclosed wherein a flexible sheet material is impregnated with a liquid resin system; the resin-impregnated material cures upon exposure to a curing agent into a resilient, semi-rigid support device. In one preferred embodiment, one or more layers of a cushioning material such as foam is associated with the support material. The cured support is especially designed for orthopedic applications where conventional rigid casts are neither necessary not desirable, such as athletic uses.

Abstract: Disposably attached to the ear piece of a hearing aid, which includes any sound transmission device, is a user-disposable sleeve comprising soft polymeric retarded recovery foam that can be compressed to be freely insertable into a person's ear and allowed to recover to become wedged in the canal. Preferably, the sleeve is disposably attached to the ear piece by mating of screw threads on the sleeve and the ear piece. The ear piece may be a separate component from the hearing aid. The component is made either of rigid or flexible plastic and has connecting portions of various lengths depending on the depth of insertion of the sleeve into the canal. The sleeve may be of various lengths depending on the depth of insertion into the ear canal desired. The sleeve/ear piece assembly may also have a layer of sound transmitting scrim over its central opening to minimize penetration of the connecting portion past the end of the sleeve.

Abstract: Activator compositions for redox-initiated cure of adhesive compositions of ethylenically-unsaturated monomers which comprise the condensation reaction product of an alpha-hydroxy ketone, e.g., benzoin, and a primary amine, and preferably a transition metal salt. Also two-part adhesive compositions comprising such activator compositions and a process for bonding two or more adherends with such activator compositions.