Abstract: In accordance with a preferred embodiment of this invention, a tear resistant silicone elastomer, which has improved elongation properties, is produced. This elastomer is the radiation induced reaction product of a noncured methyl vinyl silicone resin (VMQ) and uniformly dispersed therein a blend of a polyfunctional acrylic crosslinking monomer and a filler.

Abstract: In accordance with a preferred embodiment of this invention, a linear stitching design having improved definition is embossed onto the surface of a hot, thermoplastic sheet. During embossing the sheet is placed over a special anvil formed of an elastomer strip arranged in the pattern of the stitching and inlaid in a rigid support member. The support member confines the elastomeric anvil member such that during the embossing operation the anvil promotes more uniform distribution of pressure on the sheet and forces it into full contact with the embossing die.

Abstract: In accordance with a preferred embodiment of this invention, an active agent, such as a catalyst or a cocatalyst, is encapsulated in a dual-walled microcapsule. Both walls of the microcapsule are polymerization reaction products and both are formed in one basic process. The active agent is initially dissolved in a slowly polymerizing liquid monomer mixture such as a solution of toluene diisocyanate and a polyoxyalkylene polyol. The "monomer solvent" and the active agent combination is selected so that the active agent is nonreactive but soluble in the liquid monomer and insoluble in the polymer formed therefrom. However, before the active agent precipitates, the solution is dispersed in a nonreactive medium and the outer polymeric wall is formed by vigorously stirring the dispersion and then adding a reactive polyfunctional monomer.

Abstract: In accordance with a preferred embodiment of this invention, a linear stitching design having improved definition, is embossed onto the surface of a hot, formable plastic sheet and then coated in one operation. The improved definition is achieved by employing a restrained elastomeric anvil to support the sheet during the embossing operation. The elastomeric anvil provides a relatively uniform distribution of pressure on the sheet during the embossing step and urges the sheet into intimate contact with the recessed features on the embossing die surface. Once the sheet is formed but before the embossing die and anvil surface are separated, paint is injected through passages in the embossing die onto the surface of the thermoplastic sheet. The paint is injected under sufficient pressure to force the thermoplastic sheet, which is supported by the elastomeric anvil, away from the die surface; this provides the necessary space to allow the paint to flow onto specified areas of the sheet.

Abstract: In accordance with a preferred embodiment of this invention, a fire resistant acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS) copolymer composition is provided. The fire retarding additive used in this composition is a combination of magnesium bentonite and a compatible halogenated organic compound of the type that can be used in combination with an antimony containing compound to form a synergistic fire retarding additive for polymer compositions.

Abstract: In accordance with a preferred embodiment of this invention, there is provided a percutaneous gastrointestinal tube which may be surgically inserted into the patient's stomach and then threaded downward into the intestine to provide body intestinal stent plication, and independently controllable gastric and/or intestinal decompression. The subject gastrointestinal tube preferably has two decompression lumens and two inflatable cuffs. One decompression lumen extends the full length of the tube and is vented at the distal end to provide decompression to the lower portion of the intestine, the other decompression lumen is vented so as to decompress the stomach. One inflatable cuff is located near the distal end to facilitate the threading of the tube into the small intestine, and the other inflatable cuff is positioned in the stomach at the inner surface of the incision to help seal the incision and to prevent the inadvertent partial withdrawal of the subject tube.

Abstract: In accordance with a preferred embodiment of this invention, a decorative and protective coating is electrodeposited on a negatively charged metallic substrate from an acidic aqueous dispersion. The dispersed particles contain a film forming addition polymer, copolymer or mixtures thereof. This addition polymerization reaction product has occasional but randomly distributed pendent aminimide and pendent hydroxyl functionalities. The hydroxyl and the aminimide functionalities are present in about equal amounts. Once deposited, the coating is cured at a temperature of about 120.degree. C. or above.

Abstract: In accordance with a preferred embodiment of this invention, a controlled phase change is used to trigger an exothermic polymerization reaction in an injection molding process. The subject method comprises first, dispersing a crystalline urea reactant, 1,3-bis-(3-isocyanatotolyl) urea, in a liquid polyoxyalkylene polyol or mixtures thereof. Since the polyols do not dissolve the urea at room temperature, the dispersion is storage stable over an extended period of time. This is unexpected because the isocyanate and hydroxyl functionalities are normally quite reactive. In the barrel of the injection molding machine, the dispersion is heated to a temperature at which the polyol will begin to dissolve and thereby react with the crystalline urea to initiate a controllable polyurethane-forming reaction.

Abstract: In accordance with a preferred embodiment of this invention, an alkylene-linked dixylyl compound having the following structural formula is synthesized, ##STR1## wherein n may vary from 3 to 18. These compounds may be readily oxidized and dehydrated to form the corresponding alkylene-linked dianhydride which is useful as a precursor in the formation of alkylene-linked polyimide compounds and as a cross-linking or hardening agent in many curable polymer systems such as the epoxy resins.

Abstract: In accordance with a preferred embodiment of this invention, a family of alkylene-linked aromatic polyimides is synthesized. These polymers are thermally stable at a temperature of at least 400.degree. C. and processible in conventional thermoplastic processing equipment. Such new and useful polymers are produced by employing an alkylene-linked dixylene which is oxidized and dehydrated to form the corresponding dianhydride. This alkylene-linked dianhydride is then reacted, through a condensation polymerization reaction, with any of many known diamine terminated compounds to form the subject polyimide resins.

Abstract: In accordance with a preferred embodiment of this invention, a commutator for electrical machines having a polymeric spool and aluminum alloy bars uniformly spaced around its periphery is formed. This commutator is useful in low voltage applications wherein the applied or produced voltage may vary from 3 to 30 volts. A critical feature in forming this commutator is the combination of an electrolytic etch and an electrolytic oxide formation on the surface of the aluminum alloy bars. This combination of steps provides means for bonding the aluminum alloy bars to the polymeric spool and also lowers the electrical resistance of alumina. In addition, alloying elements, preferably iron, increase the conductivity of the alumina layer and directionally balance the electrical resistance across the aluminum-alumina junction.

Abstract: In a preferred form, this disclosure relates to a method for continuously applying a polyimide electrically insulating film laminated on one side with a fluorinated resin such as that marketed by DuPont under the trade designation Teflon FEP-fluorocarbon resin onto a metal conductor. The method includes the steps of (a) simultaneously longitudinally feeding the conductor and the laminated film with the fluorinated resin side adjacent the conductor into a guide means, (b) partially wrapping the film around the metal conductor into a guide means, (c) passing the partially wrapped conductor and the film through a first heater means, in an inert atmosphere to preheat the copper conductor to a temperature of from about 500.degree. F. to about 600.degree. F.

Abstract: In accordance with a preferred embodiment of this invention, a precessing bottom pour stopper is used to accurately and precisely control the flow of molten metal through the tap hole which is located in the bottom of a metallurgical vessel. The precessional movement of the stopper, as it moves into and/or out of sealing engagement with the tap hole, removes any debris which may be lodged between the sealing surfaces and thereby ensures a tight seal over a prolonged period of operation.

Abstract: In accordance with a preferred embodiment of this invention, the useful life of a refractory lining of a substantially cylindrical metallurgical vessel is significantly increased by the use of T-shaped bricks disposed on their face surfaces in an intermeshing relationship wherein some of the adjoining surfaces of adjacent bricks are coincident with a radius of the vessel and the other adjoining surfaces are concentric therewith. This invention extends the life of the vessel by delaying the initial failure of the mortar and then delaying leakage of the molten metal through the refractory lining once the mortar has failed.