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: A process for the production of high molecular weight, fiber- and film-trimming polyterephthaloyl oxalamidrazone and polydiphenylether-4,4'-dicarboxylic acid oxalamidrazone where a solution of pure terephtaloyl chloride or diphenyl-ether-4,4'-dicarboxylic acid dichloride in an inert solvent free from amines and water is slowly added, at a temperature between 10.degree. C. and 35.degree. C., to a solution of pure oxalic acid bisamidrazone in dimethyl acetamide and/or N-methyl pyrrolidone, free from amines and water, containing 4 to 6 percent by weight of anhydrous lithium chloride, the total quantity of the solvents used amounting to 1.25 to 3.30 liters per mole of oxalic acid bisamidrazone.

Abstract: Scraping agents such as silicone oils are applied, preferably continuously, to the circumference of the spinneret between the outer edge and the spinning holes nearest to it. Application is effected by means of a ring of an absorptive, surface active material, e.g., a ring wick located in a groove or a ring chamber which may be fitted with feed lines to supply the scraping agent.

Abstract: A tubular device for separating liquid-liquid systems, said device having at least one slot covered with a sheet structure permeable to only one of the liquids, a collecting means for the separated liquid and means for reinforcing the tubular device to prevent compression or collapse thereof.

Abstract: An improved process is provided for making a precipitated cellulose product wherein cellulose is dissolved in a solvent containing both a tertiary amine N-oxide solvent and water and precipitated therefrom with water or other non-solvent for cellulose. The water content of the solution may be adjusted to any level of up to about 29% by weight with the amount of water decreasing substantially linearly as the cellulose is increased. A solution substantially free from undissolved cellulose and solid tertiary amine N-oxide which is adapted to be spun, extruded or molded at a temperature below the melting point of the tertiary amine N-oxide can be prepared with a solvent which contains water within a specified critical range mixed with the tertiary amine N-oxide. Preferably, N,N,N-triethylamine N-oxide or a tertiary amine N-oxide having a cyclic or pseudo-cyclic molecular structure is mixed with water to form the solvent.

Abstract: Flame resistant foam plastics of cellulose and kieselguhr or one of several types of mica such as roscoelite, lepidolite, biotite, phlogopite, vermiculite or muscovite where at least 80 percent by weight of the kieselguhr or the mica show grain sizes ranging from 0.4 to 650 microns and where the bulk density of the kieselguhr is less than 0.40 g./cc. and the bulk density of the mica is less than 0.37 g./cc.

Abstract: Flame retardant, and under some conditions self-extinguishing synthetic polymers are made by the addition thereto of a complex salt of an alkali aluminum acid of the formula:Me.sub.k.sup.I Me.sub.m.sup.II [Z(C.sub.2 O.sub.4)n]wherein Me represents Li, Na, K, Rb, Cs or NH.sub.4, Me.sup.II represents one of the aforementioned cations or Ba; Z represents one of the central atoms Mg, Ba, Zr, Fe, Co, Cu, Zn, Al, Sn, Cr and Sb and k.apprxeq.0,1,2,3, or 4, m.apprxeq.0 or 1 and n.apprxeq.2,3 or 4, where the value of k, n and m may be other than integers provided that k and m are not, simultaneously, zero.

Abstract: Nylon 6 containing a metal salt of a copolymer of a vinyl ether and 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropanesulfonic acid to improve its affinity for cationic dyes is provided.

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 filament of a thermoplastic synthetic polymer having a plurality of adjacent, separate discontinuous cavities is made by a process wherein a silicone oil and an inert gas or gas-forming substance are dispersed in a polymer melt, and the melt is extruded into a filament. The melt contains up to and including 1% by weight of the silicone oil, based on the weight of the melt, at the time it is extruded and up to and including 10% by weight of an inert gas.

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 solution of cellulose or cellulose derivative suitable for spinning, extruding or other shaping process is prepared by steeping unaged cellulose or a cellulosic derivative a plurality of times, consecutively, subsequently shredding and then aging prior to xanthation or the like. The concentration of alkali metal hydroxide of the solution used for resteeping is lower than that in the first steeping step. The process produces a viscose with less carbon disulfide than the conventional process without reduction in yield of cellulose. The process is adaptable for steeping in conventional press steeping apparatus or slurry steeping apparatus.

Abstract: A stable floor for animals which is in structural combination with a floor covering sheet having at least two layers: a compressible sublayer of a resilient and highly porous filamentary matting partly embedded in a top layer which is impermeable to moisture. The floor covering sheet provides good insulation and has dimensional stability so as to remain resilient over a prolonged period of time.

Abstract: An alloyed cellulosic fiber containing an alkali metal salt or ammonium salt of a copolymer or terpolymer of acrylic acid and/or methacrylic acid and an aliphatic ester of at least one of the acids is prepared by a process wherein the copolymer or terpolymer is mixed with a viscose solution and the mixture is extruded through a spinneret into a conventional spin bath and processed into staple fibers which are adapted to be used in absorbent articles and the like. The alloyed cellulosic fiber of the invention has increased fluid absorbency characteristics over the fibers of the same cellulose composition without the alloying material. An unsaturated aliphatic dicarboxylic acid such as maleic acid or anhydride may be incorporated in the copolymer or terpolymer. Also, a copolymer or terpolymer of acrylic acid or methacrylic acid and an aliphatic ester of acrylic acid or methacrylic acid may contain radicals obtained from acryloamidoalkane sulfonic acid or an unsaturated phosphorous acid.

Abstract: The disperse dyeability and moisture absorbency of a fiber and film forming poly(ethylene phthalate) ester is improved by including a hydantoin alcohol, hydantoin diacid, or a diester as a comonomer in the mixture of a phthalic acid or diester thereof and ethylene glycol to produce a random copolyester. The dyed fibers are useful for making various kinds of fabrics and articles made therefrom.

Abstract: Highly absorbent, cardable cellulosic fibers are made by incorporating therein, an alkali metal or ammonium salt of a copolymer of acrylic acid and methacrylic acid, where the ratio of acrylic acid units to methacrylic acid units (by weight) is from 90:10 to 10:90.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are novel synthetic polymer filaments, and yarns made therefrom, for use in synthetic turf products. The filaments have a rectangular cross-section and the normal directional tendency of such filaments when used in synthetic turf is overcome by folding or texturing the filaments in such a manner that, while the normal advantageous flexibility of the rectangular filament is retained, the directional tendency is removed. When filaments of the invention are used to produce synthetic turfs, the turf surface imparts an essentially non-directional response to objects rolled thereon.

Abstract: This invention relates to hydantoin polyamide-poly(oxyethylene) block copolymers which have good thermal stability and an increased hydrophilicity of the polyamide blocks, and which can be used as an additive to polyamides, resulting in improved antistatic properties of the polyamides.The formula for a typical copolymer is: ##STR1## IN WHICH X IS 2 TO 5, Y IS ABOUT 23, AND Z IS 2 TO 3.