Abstract: Compositions and methods useful stabilizing dispersions containing paper sizing agents are provided. The dispersions comprise a hydrophobically modified water-soluble polymer having a viscosity average molecular weight less than about 200,000. Dispersions containing sizing agents and other agents for treating paper can be made according to the methods of the invention.

Abstract: An aqueous microemulsion polymerization procedure is described in which very small colloidal melt-processible fluoropolymer particles are produced from at least one monomer and optionally TFE. The polymerization procedure involves initiating polymerization by adding a free-radical initiator to a microemulsion of at least one liquid organic compound and at least one free-radical polymerizable monomer to the microemulsion.

Abstract: An aqueous microemulsion polymerization procedure is described in which very small colloidal melt-processible fluoropolymer particles are produced from at least one gaseous monomer and optionally TFE. The polymerization procedure involves forming a microemulsion of at least one liquid organic compound; adding at least one gaseous free-radical polymerizable monomer to the microemulsion; and initiating polymerization by adding a free-radical initiator to the mixture.

Abstract: A nozzle assembly adapted for repeatably positioning the nozzle in a precise relationship to an article and method for using it in a seam-sealing operation, the nozzle assembly comprising a nozzle, an alignment plate, and an arm forming a unitary nozzle assembly, and an air conduit for connecting the nozzle to a source of pressurized air. The nozzle assembly may further comprise a base for mounting the integral nozzle unit alignment plate, and a linear actuator connected to the base for moving the base along a linear path from a first, operating position to a second, standby position. The nozzle may be oriented to avoid visually obstructing the article receiving air flow.

Abstract: A nonporous composite material laminate formed by combination of a liquid crystal polymer film with two support membranes and stretching the composite material laminate to provide a multiaxially-oriented liquid crystal polymer film, wherein the liquid crystal polymer film contains 1 to 30 volume percent of a solid particulate material in amounts sufficient to reduce the thickness variability of the film whereby the ratio of the standard deviation of thickness values to the mean thickness value of the film is 0.1 or less. The liquid crystal polymer film has balanced physical properties, uniform thickness, and smooth surfaces. A process for making the composite material and orienting the liquid crystal polymer is also disclosed.

Abstract: An aqueous dispersion of modified granular PTFE particles is sprayed or cast to form a sheet. The sheet is then dried and the modified granular particles fused together to form an open network of fused interconnected particles that define a tortuous network of voids through the sheet. It has been found that when the modified granular-type PTPE aqueous dispersions are employed, the resulting fused sheets are stronger than when the usual unmodified PTFE homopolymer of the granular-type is used.

Abstract: Complex-shaped articles formed by gas-pressure-molding composite preforms of liquid crystal polymer and porous polytetrafluoroethylene material are described. Processes for making the composite material preforms and parisons needed for gas-pressure-molding methods, such as vacuum-molding and blow-molding, are also described.

Abstract: A metallic housing for a shielded electrical connector is provided for connection to a tube-like electrical shield of an electrical cable which is to be connected to the connector. The metallic housing has an opening formed in a face wall at a side where the electrical cable is inserted therethrough. A sleeve, having an inlet opening, is provided with a flange contacting one side of the face wall. The sleeve has at least one projection with an outer thread protruding from the other side of the face wall, onto which a threaded nut is screwed in order to clamp the face wall between the flange and the threaded nut. An end area of the sleeve adjacent to the side at which the cable is inserted has a larger inner diameter adapted to the outer diameter of the cable and the remaining part of the sleeve has a smaller inner diameter adapted to the outer diameter of the shield thereby providing an electromagnetically tight connection.

Abstract: A process which serves to seal and waterproof the outsole-side end area of a waterproof shoe shaft and/or to pad the outsole-side end of a shoe by putting a liquid, curable, filling material into the space between the insole and outsole is described. The outsole is provided with an input opening for putting in the filling material. The outsole is adhered to the shaft only in a circumferential area and in such a way that the outsole-side end area of the shaft remains unadhered. The liquid filling material is put in through the input opening, between the insole and the outsole, from where it flows into the outsole-side end area of the shaft due to its good flowability. The liquid material contains polyurethane precursor ingredients which react to form a foam polyurethane.

Abstract: A test body (10) for testing apparel items is described. The body has air entry means (20) for supplying conditioned gas into the inner of the test body, air exit means (30) for allowing the exit of said conditioned gas from the inner of the test body, and at least one perforation (60) through a side wall (50) of the test body (10) for allowing the conditioned air within the test body (10) to come into contact with an inner side of the apparel item. The pressure difference of said conditioned gas measured between the inner side of the apparel item and the air exit means is (30) less than 10%, preferably less than 5%, and more preferably substantially zero, when said conditioned gas has 0% humidity.

Abstract: The present invention is an improved protective cover for use in protecting a wearer against liquid contact, even under highly demanding conditions. The invention describes a seam that joins two laminates where the seam provides against leakage and air passage according to tests described in the text.

Abstract: A gasproof inflatable cushion with a hole which perforates it and whose edge is provided with an inner valve part on the inside and with an outer valve part on the outside such that the hole is enclosed and the construction is gasproof. The inner valve part is provided with a through-opening which ends in the cover hole and has such inner dimensions that the cover material can be pulled through the inner valve part and the outer valve part is provided with a through-part which ends in the cover hole at an inner opening and which ends outside at an outer opening. Gas pumped into the outer opening or extracted from the outer opening is pumped into or extracted from the inside of the cover through the through-part of the outer valve part and the through-opening of the inner valve part. The sealed edges of the covers forming the cushion are located on the inside.

Abstract: A new composite damping material is presented which exhibits an enhanced ability to dampen mechanical oscillations. The enhanced damping properties of this material are achieved through the entrapment of highly viscous damping fluids within the pores of a porous material (such as: an expanded polymer, felt, foam, fabric, metal, etc.). The entrapment of the fluid within the porous scaffold prevents flow, providing a stable composite which may be shaped into useful articles. Such a construct allows utilization of the high performance damping properties of fluids which, in pure form, are too fluid-like for most practical applications (which typically require a solid, stable, material). This composite, possessing damping performance approaching that of certain fluids, combined with stability in a solid form, can be used in many applications where materials are needed to damp the vibration of mechanical systems.

Abstract: A textile material having thermal image masking or suppression in the mid and far infra-red region without compromising the effectiveness of visual and near IR camouflage or comfort level, or the effectiveness, and mobility of a person. Specifically the invention is directed to an air permeable, moisture vapor transmissive, waterproof, heat reflecting material consisting essentially of at least one metallized microporous membrane, with an oleophobic coating over the metallized portions thereof. This membrane is laminated to at least one other layer or textile backing material such as woven, nonwoven or knitted nylon, polyester, cotton, silk, etc. or additional microporous layers, in which the metal in the metallized membrane forms a discontinuous layer on the surface and on the pore walls adjacent the surface of the microporous membrane.

Abstract: An elastic fixing roll having an elastic, compliant body material and release surface material is disclosed. The body material comprises porous silicone rubber or fluorosilicone rubber foam, or a porous synthetic polymer foam reinforced with silicone rubber or fluorosilicone rubber. The release surface material is formed of porous polytetrafluoroethylene film containing silicone rubber or fluorosilicone rubber. The elastic fixing roll has the strength, resilience, and heat resistance and is suitable for use in hot toner fixing assemblies of copying machines and printing machines.

Abstract: A line coupler is provided having a bus line piece, at least one transformer, two electrically shielded housings and a coupling site. The transformer is equipped with two primary and two secondary winding terminals. The two primary winding terminals are connected to the pair of coupling elements located at the coupling site. Each coupling element is connected to one of the bus line wires contained in the bus line piece. The secondary winding terminals are connected to branch line wires, which are brought out from the secondary electrical shielded housing. The two electrically shielded housings are electrically connected to each other by two connectors, these connectors also allow the two housings to be releasably connected.

Abstract: An assembly consisting of at least one seal layer and a solid polymer ion exchange layer wherein the seal layer covers essentially only the region of the ion exchange layer which is to be sealed. The seal layer is made of porous polytetrafluoroethylene film having one surface coated and partially impregnated with a solid polymer ion exchange material. The seal layer provides support and masking functions for the solid polymer ion exchange layer during intermediate manufacturing steps, and reinforcement and effective sealing when assembled in an electrochemical apparatus.

Abstract: A ribbon cable plug-in connector is provided for plug-in connection of a strip-type electrical ribbon cable. One end of the ribbon cable is provided with a locking rib that cooperates with a locking arm and locking shoulder of a plug-in connector housing when the ribbon cable is inserted into an opening of the plug-in connector housing.

Abstract: An application method restores the water or stain repellency of outer wear, foot wear, apparel, clothing, shelters, or fabrics that have already been pretreated with a water or stain repellent finish. This method involves washing the apparel item or fabric, rinsing it, removing excess rinse water and then applying the restorative repellent treatment to the wet apparel item or fabric by spray. The retreated apparel item or fabric is then dried and heated for a sufficient time to cause distribution of the new repellent material with residual amounts of the original repellent finish and activation of the fluoropolymer.

Abstract: A composite material is formed by combining a liquid crystal polymer with a porous or nonporous support membrane to provide either a thin, multiaxially oriented liquid crystal film on the support membrane formed by laminating the liquid crystal polymer onto a porous or nonporous support membrane, followed by multiaxial orientation; or to provide a thin, multiaxially oriented liquid crystal polymer region within a porous support membrane formed by impregnating the liquid crystal polymer into a porous support membrane, followed by multiaxial orientation. Lyotropic or thermotropic liquid crystal polymers may be used.