Abstract: A polymer composition comprises a solid fusible particulate polymer material and a quantity of metal particles that have been blended with the particles of polymer material to render the composition electrically conductive. The composition may be consolidated by subjecting the particulate blend to heat and/or pressure. The electrically conductive polymer composition may be used to connect the electrically conductive screen (7) of a dimensionally recoverable article (6) to the electrically conductive shield (4) of a cable (1).

Abstract: Apparatus for excimer laser image protection ablation of a target material comprising a projection lens system for projecting a mask pattern to be ablated onto the target, which lens system is telecentric towards the image (target) end of the projection path, and means for moving the target along the projection path whereby in use the size of the projected image areas to be ablated from the target is adjusted substantially without altering their relative portions of the target.

Abstract: A polymeric composition comprises:(i) an aromatic polyimide or an aromatic carboxylic ester polymer,(ii) a substantially wholly aliphatic polyamide, and(iii) a polyamide that contains both aromatic aliphatic moieties.It is found that the mechanical properties of blends of the aromatic polymers (i) and the polyamides (iii) can be significantly improved by the incorporation of a quantity of the aliphatic amides (ii), even though the miscibility of polymers, as observed by their glass transition temperatures may remain unchanged.

Abstract: Articles including a thin laminar heating element composed of a sintered conductive polymer, and electrodes attached to the heating element so that current flows in the plane of the element. The article can be placed between and in contact with two substrates, and then heated to join the two substrates together. Preferably at least one of the substrates is polymeric and becomes melt-fused to the article.

Abstract: A sealing material preferably having a cone penetration of at least 150 (10-1 mm) and an ultimate elongation of at least 100% is subjected to mechanical deformation by milling or chopping in the presence of a solvent or suspending medium.

Abstract: An electrical cable in-line or branch joint has hydrophobic material located around the connections of the conductors so as to act as a water block. The hydrophobic material is physically prevented from being forced away from the connections into the cables, for example by pressure of water within the cable, by a fibrous material located in and around the crutch regions where the conductors emerge from the cable joints.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for cross-connecting arbitrary fragments of an incoming virtual tributary synchronous payload envelope, or arbitrary fragments of any incoming transmission stream, at a cross-connect element within a communications network is provided without incurring a delay associated with aligning a frame phase of the first digital stream to any arbitrary frame timing reference. The arbitrary fragments are sized smaller than a complete virtual tributary, or equivalent thereof, of the first digital stream, and comprise one or more incoming payload bytes. The incoming payload bytes have incoming identifiers related to their incoming locations and outgoing identifiers related to their outgoing locations.

Abstract: An assembly for forming a semi-permanent electrical connection between a pair of wires (1,2) comprises a male push-fit connector (3) and a female push-fit connector (4).Each connector (3,4) has a connection part to enable it to be connected to the wire, e.g. in the form of a crimp (5,6) and a mating part for engagement to the other connector. Each of the connectors has a sealing jacket (8,10) for sealing the connection to the associated wire, and one of the connectors has a heat-recoverable skirt (11) which, when the connectors are engaged, extends over part of the sealing jacket of the other connector to seal the connection against moisture ingress. The skirt (11) is provided with a layer of adhesive for forming the seal.

Abstract: A device is provided for firmly attaching a plurality of coaxial cable terminus to a plurality of standard connection jacks in such a way that each connection point is effectively shielded from tampering by individuals and is effectively sealed from degrading elements in the atmosphere. The device is a locking shroud which defines a plurality of locking shroud chambers, each adapted to attach to a respective connection jack so as to surround the connection of a cable terminus to the jack. The use of the locking shroud of the invention makes it difficult to de-attach and/or re-attach the cable terminus to the jack without special tooling. The use of the locking shroud further makes it difficult to break off the locking shroud by twisting the shroud, such as with a pair of pliers. The device can be used to make coaxial cable connections secure from tampering and atmospheric degradation. It is simple and inexpensive to install and maintain.

Abstract: A method of forming a branch-off seal between a heat-shrinkable sleeve and at least two spaced-apart elongate substrates, which comprises the steps of:(a) positioning the substrates within the heat-shrinkable sleeve;(b) positioning between the substrates and within the sleeve at an open end thereof a plug having a larger cross-sectional size at a first position away from said open end and a smaller cross-sectional size at a second position towards said open end;(c) positioning a heat-activatable sealing material at the first position;(d) shrinkable conduits in the sleeve by positioning one or more clips at the open end of the sleeve such that the substrates and the plug are in respective conduits; and(e) while the clip remains on the sleeve, applying heat so as to affect shrinkage of the sleeve to activate the sealant, and form the desired seal.

Abstract: A fiber optic splice organizer for storing optical fiber splices and the slack associated therewith to permit ready separation of the optical fibers, such as to remake a splice. The splice organizer includes a generally rectangular base, splice securing slots on the base, and optical fiber guides for guiding slack portions of first and second optical fiber groups from a first end of the base, along respective portions of the base adjacent the first and second sides thereof, into a plurality of overlying slack loops adjacent the second end of the base, and back to the splice securing means from respective first and second sides of the base. The slack optical fibers, including the overlying respective slack loop, of the first and second optical fiber groups, form a figure-eight pattern on the base and are thus readily separable from each other.

Abstract: A composition comprising (a) a vinylidene fluoride-hexafluoropropylene thermoplastic copolymer and (b) a fluoroelastomer, such as vinylidene fluoride-hexafluoropropylene elastomeric copolymer, at least one of (a) and (b) being cross-linked, exhibits excellent physical properties. The composition is particularly useful in the form of a heat recoverable article or as wire and cable insulation.

Abstract: This invention relates to flat cables comprising a plurality of insulated conductors bonded to a porous substrate. The porous substrate is impregnated with a polymeric material capable of bonding to the insulation of the conductors. The strength of the bond can be varied by varying the amount of the impregnant. If it is desired to separate one or more of the conductors from the substrate, for example to form a branch off, a minimum amount of impregnant can be used.

Abstract: The invention provides for a modularized terminal block and an improved method of manufacturing the modular block. The block permits the connection of a plurality of drop wires or other devices in a reversible manner through the use of a standardized plug in module configuration. The module can be optimized for a given drop wire range which then uniformly connects to the base block through a standardized demateable contact. The mateable connectors each include a collapsible container filled with a sealant material such as gel or grease and an enclosed contact. Upon mating of the contacts, the deformation of the containers maintains the sealant material under compression.

Abstract: A heat recoverable article comprises a tube of polymeric material and a spring. The spring has a first bent configuration in which it is bent at a specific angle and a second configuration in which it is relatively straight, the spring being held in its first configuration by the tube. When the article is heated the polymeric material of the tube softens thereby permitting the spring to recover toward its bent configuration. The spring can be selected such that it recovers with sufficient force to bent a substrate over with the tubular recoverable article is positioned.

Abstract: A method of forming a branch-off seal between a heat-shrinkable sleeve and at least two substrates, which comprises the steps of: (a) positioning the substrates within the heat-shrinkable sleeve; (b) forming at least two heat-shrinkable terminal conduits by positioning a clip having at least three elongate legs over the outer surface of the heat-shrinkable sleeve at an open end thereof, wherein at least two of said legs are positioned externally of the sleeve, the substrates are within the terminal conduits and at least one of said legs is positioned internally of the sleeve, and (c) while the clip remains on the outer surface of the heat-shrinkable sleeve, applying heat so as to effect shrinkage of the sleeve and to form the desired seal; in which the leg positioned internally has a coating of heat-softenable sealing material that extends beyond its distal end, the extension being such that at least a portion of extending material does not flow significantly during step (c).

Abstract: Aromatic bistriazene compounds of the formula ##STR1## wherein --R.sub.1, --R.sub.2, --R.sub.3, and --R.sub.4 are independently --H, --C.sub.6 H.sub.5, --C.sub.6 H.sub.4 Y, or C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkyl; --R.sub.5 -- is ##STR2## --R.sub.6 is --F, --Cl, --Br, --CH.sub.3, or --CF.sub.3 ; r is 0, 1, 2, 3, or 4; and --Y is halogen, --NO.sub.2, --C.sub.6 H.sub.5, or C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkyl. These bistriazene compounds are useful for cross-linking polymers such as poly(imides), poly(aryl ether ketones), poly(aryl ether sulfones), poly(quinolines), poly(quinoxalines), and nonaromatic fluoropolymers having aliphatic C--H groups.

Abstract: This invention relates to flat cables comprising a plurality of insulated conductors bonded to a metallic substrate. The metallic substrate is provided with a layer of polymeric material capable of bonding to the insulation of the conductors. The layer of polymeric material is bonded to the metallic substrate with a peel strength of at least about 1 pound per linear inch (pli). The insulated conductors are bonded to the layer of polymeric material. The bond strength between the insulated conductors and the layer of polymeric material and the bond strength between the layer of polymeric material and the metallic substrate are such that the individual insulated conductors can be cleanly peeled away from the substrate.

Abstract: A method is provided for forming an optical waveguide structure upon a substrate in accordance with the steps of: (a) forming a layer of base coat material upon the substrate, (b) forming a layer of cladding material having a predetermined refractive index upon the base coat layer, (c) applying a channel waveguide pattern defining structure to the layer of cladding material, (d) applying a patterning agent to transfer the pattern of the channel waveguide pattern defining structure to a predetermined depth or depths into the cladding material layer to define a waveguide trench pattern, (e) removing any remaining residue of channel waveguide pattern defining structure, (f) forming a thick coat layer of waveguide material having a higher refractive index than the cladding material onto the cladding material and into the waveguide trench pattern, (g) planarizing the waveguide material substantially to the plane of a topmost surface of the cladding material in order to reduce the thickness of the thick coat layer,

Abstract: Low tortuosity porous polymer sheets (25 to 2000 pores per square millimeter) with metal plated in the pores so as to project beyond sheet surfaces provide uniaxial electrical interconnects. A first "flash" layer of metal is electrolessly plated in the pores and the "flash" coating of metal is then removed from the sheet surface to isolate the pores electrically from one another. Further plating is then applied only to the already plated pore surfaces to fill the pores and/or project beyond the sheet surface. Solder may fill the plated pores. Polymer layers may be removed from the sheets to expose the metal in the pores. The articles are useful in making electrical connections to the contact pads of microcircuits during testing and assembly into electronic devices.