Abstract: A process is disclosed for forming a synthetic fiber including providing a first component of an aliphatic polyester polymer a second component of a multicarboxylic acid, mixing the first component aliphatic polyester polymer and the second component multicarboxylic acid to form an unreacted specified thermoplastic composition, and melt blending the unreacted specified thermoplastic composition in an extruder or a mixer. The second component multicarboxylic acid lubricates the extruder and provides a nucleating agent for crystallizing the specified thermoplastic composition to form a mean crystal size less than about 120 Angstroms. Fiber composed of the specified thermoplastic composition has a mean crystal size less than about 120 Angstroms. The fiber has a glass transition temperature (Tg) less than about 55.degree. C.

Abstract: A process and apparatus are disclosed for electrolytically smelting alumina to produce aluminum metal, including providing a combination solid oxide fuel cell and electrolytic smelting cell for the production of aluminum from refined alumina positioned near tile solid oxide fuel cell. In one aspect, an alumina ore refinery for producing the refined alumina is positioned near the solid oxide fuel cell, and refined alumina is passed at a temperature of at least 900.degree. C. directly from the alumina ore refinery to the electrolytic smelting cell. In one aspect, the solid oxide fuel cell incorporates a planar construction having a solid state cathode material of lanthanum strontium manganate, a solid electrolyte of yttria stabilized zirconia, and a nickel/yttria stabilized zirconia cermet anode.

Abstract: A non-corrosive airport inset light adjustable alignment container set provides a light fixture and support for airport runway, taxiway, or other aircraft ground traffic areas, variable length container means for rotatably adjusting height and azimuth by a vertical displacement, and non-corrosive mounting means on the adjustable fixture container for mounting the airport inset light on the rotatably adjustable fixture container. A container bottom has non-corrosive mounting means for mounting an airport inset light when the bottom is installed initially and before an adjustable top portion is installed. Rotation locking means are provided for securing the rotatable adjustment apparatus from further rotation. A novel top flange is adapted to receive various different designs of inset lights and to provide a protection ring "mud dam." In one aspect, the non-corrosive mounting means is composed of stainless steel.

Abstract: An absorbent article and method are disclosed for providing side leakage protection for an undergarment and absorbent article positioning guidance for proper placement on the undergarment. An absorbent configured to fit the pudendal region of a woman and a liquid-impermeable baffle are provided with multiple pairs of garment-attachment nesting ridges for receiving an arcuately shaped crotch portion of an undergarment. Arcuately shaped pleats on a bottom lateral side surface of the absorbent article form the nesting ridges. In one embodiment, a pressure sensitive adhesive in each nesting ridge provides force to support the nesting ridge holding the undergarment in place during use. In one aspect, the absorbent article provides three or more garment-attachment nesting ridge pairs. In one aspect, the arcuately shaped pleats are formed in a bottom layer polyethylene/polypropylene bi-component web sheet material.

Abstract: A method of handling scrap tires including providing a satellite tire collection enclosure constructed of baled tires and sized to receive scrap tires, collecting scrap tires inside the tire collection enclosure until the enclosure is at or near capacity, volume reducing the scrap tires by baling the scrap tires using a mobile tire baler having a baler and a boom on a mobile platform at a minimum of about 2,400 whole tires into bales having a minimum of about 20 whole tires and a maximum of about 150 tires in a bale to achieve a volume reduction of about 80 percent by volume, and transporting baled scrap tires to a home base, a recycling center, or directly to an end-user. In one aspect, a mobile tire baler includes a baler and a boom on a mobile platform, a cutter for over-size tires, and a crusher for tire rims.

Abstract: A die cutting insert for a rotary die cutter is disclosed as well as the die itself. The insert includes a base formed on a predetermined radius. The base has first and second spaced apart ends and first and second oppositely aligned surfaces. A knife is formed about the periphery of the first surface. The knife has a cutting edge and first and second side walls. The cutting edge has a width of less than about 0.005 inches (0.127 mm). In addition, the first side wall is aligned approximately perpendicular to the cutting edge while the second side wall is aligned at an angle of at least about 15.degree. relative to the cutting edge. The insert also includes a mechanism for removably attaching it to a die shaft. The mechanism includes at least one aperture formed adjacent to each of the first and second ends. The apertures extend completely through the base and each is sized to receive a threaded bolt. The threaded bolts can be torqued to a predetermined value to secure the insert to the die shaft.

Abstract: A non-corrosive metal on aluminum or aluminum alloy lamination is disclosed including a non-corrosive metal top sheet, an aluminum or aluminum alloy substrate, and an adhesive bonding the non-corrosive metal top sheet to the aluminum or aluminum alloy substrate to provide a non-corrosive metal on aluminum or aluminum alloy lamination product having lighter weight and less cost than a sheet product of the non-corrosive metal of identical thickness, wherein the lamination product withstands galvanic corrosion between the non-corrosive metal top sheet and the aluminum or aluminum alloy substrate. In one aspect, the non-corrosive metal top sheet is stainless steel. In one aspect, the non-corrosive metal top sheet is nickel or nickel alloy.

Abstract: A corrosion resistant, light weight composite twisted rope rebar is disclosed for reinforcing concrete material, including providing a plurality of continuous glass fibers oriented substantially in the longitudinal axis and coated with a thermoset polyester resin and catalyst. In one aspect, the twisted rope rebar includes two or more bundles in a helical pitch of about two inches to six inches to form the twisted rope rebar.

Abstract: A tampon is disclosed which is useful in preventing premature leakage of body fluid from a woman's vagina, especially during her menstrual period. The tampon includes an absorbent and a liquid-permeable cover. The cover at least partially surrounds the absorbent, and together they form an elongated softwind having a first end and a second end. The softwind is folded upon itself at a minimum of two spaced apart locations to form an M-shaped profile. The M-shaped profile is then compressed into a cylindrically shaped pledget having an insertion end and a trailing end. The insertion end contains a greater amount of absorbent than the trailing end and has a cleft formed therein as a result of the folding. The cleft causes the pledget to laterally expand immediately upon insertion of the tampon into a woman's vagina. The tampon further includes a withdrawal string which facilitates removal of the tampon from a woman's vagina.

Abstract: A novel product composed of a ceramic phase particle dispersoid in metal, including uniformly distributed, finely sized carbide phase particles formed in situ in a molten metal and a novel method for producing such a ceramic phase particle dispersoid in metal are disclosed. A salt-based liquid state reaction involving a liquid metal/alloy containing a liquid Ti, B, Si, Sc, Hf, Nb, Ta, Zr, Mo, Al (when the molten metal matrix is not aluminum), or V and a halide salt containing carbon particles forms a uniform distribution of finely sized ceramic phase particles formed and dispersed in-situ in the metal matrix. The ceramic dispersoid in metal product of the present invention includes at least about 50 volume percent of a matrix metal of aluminum; and up to about 50 volume percent of a uniform distribution of finely sized ceramic phase particles formed and dispersed in-situ in the aluminum metal matrix, wherein the finely sized ceramic phase particles have an average particle diameter of less than about 2.

Abstract: A non-corrosive airport inset light adjustable alignment container set provides a light fixture and support for airport runway, taxiway, or other aircraft ground traffic areas, variable length extension means for rotatably adjusting height and azimuth by a vertical displacement, and non-corrosive mounting means on the adjustable fixture extension for mounting the airport inset light on the rotatably adjustable fixture extension. For previously installed, old airport inset lights, a variable length extension assembly of the present invention can be connected to a fixed connecting flange for rotatably adjusting the height and azimuth alignment of a conventional, prior art airport inset light, e.g., one which has been previously installed without the benefit of the present invention. Rotation locking means are provided for securing the rotatable adjustment apparatus from further rotation. A novel top flange is adapted to receive various different designs of inset lights and to provide a protection ring "mud dam.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for reducing the malodor associated with disposable absorbent products intended for the absorption of body fluids. The method involves applying to the absorbent product, prior to its use, an effective amount of a surface-active agent having a hydrophilic/lipophilic balance of less than about 12. The surface-active agent is effective to reduce the odor of urine. Also disclosed is a disposable absorbent product intended for the absorption of body fluids, which disposable absorbent product includes an absorbent structure including a water-swellable, generally water-insoluble, hydrogel-forming polymeric absorbent material, a covering material, and an effective amount of a surface-active agent having a hydrophilic/lipophilic balance of less than about 12. The surface-active agent is effective to reduce the odor of urine.

Abstract: A method of making a tissue web is disclosed for forming a wet web, drying the web, winding the dried web to form a plurality of parent rolls, unwinding the parent rolls using center drive unwind means, moving the partially unwound roll to effect splicing with a subsequent parent roll, and rewinding the thus united web. In one aspect, a method of making a tissue web is disclosed for the production of a soft, high bulk uncreped throughdried tissue web by depositing an aqueous suspension of papermaking fibers onto an endless forming fabric to form a web and drying the web by throughdrying to final dryness without any significant differential compression to form a dried web having a bulk value of about 15 to 25 cubic centimeters per gram or greater, an MD Stiffness Factor of 50 to 100 kilograms, a machine direction stretch of 15 to 25 cubic percent, and a substantially uniform density.

Abstract: An article and method are disclosed providing a spectacle kit having a protective mask insert clip and detachable means for attaching a spectacle front piece firmly to the protective mask insert, by snapping the receiver onto an insert clip. Notch attachment means connect a holding strap at each horizontal end of the spectacle front piece. In one embodiment, a first elastic strip and quick-snap fastener, e.g., a Velcro fastener, are connected to a second elastic strip and quick-snap fastener, e.g., a Velcro fastener, to form a ring around the wearer's head such that the spectacle kit can be worn external from the protective mask.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of precisely preloading a bearing onto a shaft is disclosed. The apparatus includes a base plate and a support mounted to and extending upward from the base plate. The support is capable of supporting a shaft. The shaft has a shoulder, a tapered surface adjacent to the shoulder and a threaded portion adjacent to the tapered surface. A shim is positioned on the shaft adjacent to the shoulder and a bearing is positioned adjacent to the shim. The bearing has an inner race, an outer race and a plurality of roller elements positioned therebetween. The bearing is preloaded onto the shaft by a lock nut which is secured to the threaded portion of the shaft and which contacts the inner race of the bearing. The apparatus further includes a motor mounted to the base plate and an output shaft which is axially aligned with and connectable to the outer race of the bearing. The motor is capable of rotating the outer race of the bearing at a predetermined speed.

Abstract: An intergrally wrapped sanitary protection absorbent article and method of wrapping are disclosed providing an absorbent configured to fit the pudendal region of a woman, and folded and enclosed in a liquid-impermeable baffle. In one aspect, the liquid-impermeable baffle has a first side on one side of the baffle width and a second side on the other side of the baffle width, opposite the first side, wherein the first side and the second side are sealed along their length to form side seals, such that the sides and the seals form the integrally wrapped sanitary protection absorbent article enclosure of the present invention. In one aspect, a first perforation strip on the first side seal and a second perforation strip on the second side seal make it convenient for opening the individually wrapped absorbent article package of the present invention.

Abstract: Feminine sanitary protection packaging is disclosed which includes a combination vaginal insert or insert applicator and an absorbent pad of a sanitary napkin or panty liner configured to fit the pudendal region of a woman. In one aspect, the panty liner or an ultrathin pad is longitudinally C-wrapped to form a C-wrapped combination panty liner or ultrathin pad and vaginal insert or insert applicator. A pouch is positioned around the longitudinally C-wrapped combination. The pouch provides a means for transporting and disposing of the combination packaging. In one aspect, the vaginal insert includes a tampon or a vaginal suppository. In another aspect, the vaginal insert applicator includes a tampon applicator or a vaginal suppository applicator. In one aspect, the sanitary napkin includes an ultrathin pad or maxipad. In still another aspect, the pouch is sealed and optionally can be perforated on at least one closed end for ease in opening.

Abstract: An applicator article and method are disclosed for inserting a substance into a body cavity. The applicator article and method are especially useful for inserting a catamenial tampon into a woman's vagina. The applicator article includes a tubular member formed from at least one layer of paper which has an exterior surface. The tubular member is capable of holding the substance which is to be inserted. An exterior surface coating of the tubular member includes a compostable coating composed of at least 85 percent by weight of a polymeric material, at least 10 percent by weight of additives, and up to about 5 percent by weight of a residual monomer. In one embodiment, a plurality of layers form the exterior surface coating. In one embodiment, the exterior surface coating has a thickness varying in dimension from the insertion end to the opposite external base end.

Abstract: A novel laser-induced precipitation process is disclosed for forming purified alumina hydrate from a sodium aluminate solution by illuminating with light wave energy produced by the near infrared wavelength, linearly polarized output of a laser. In one aspect, supersaturated sodium aluminate solution is treated by illuminating with light wave energy to produce a photo-induced nucleation of purified gibbsite aluminum trihydroxide crystals. Near infrared pulses of light wave energy, spatially and temporally overlapped inside the supersaturated sodium alumina, form a precipitated purified alumina hydrate without the need for external seed to be added.