Abstract: Systems for reinforcing various waterfront properties such as riverbanks, lake shores and beaches of oceans, bays and the like to protect them from erosion and encourage accretion of beach sand and gravel are disclosed. Improved seawalls and the like can be built from L-shaped members having a vertical wall portion, a horizontal footer, a vertical key protruding below the footer and an angular splash plate protruding from the wall opposite the footer. Systems based upon such seawalls may further comprise groins perpendicular thereto which are built from inverted "T"-shaped members, and optionally rows of such inverted "T" members parallel to the seawall as well. Further, erosion of the bank above the seawall and/or the beach below same may be reduced by partially covering them with water-permeable concrete mats. One or more groins extending perpendicular from the seawall may preferably be fabricated of inverted "Double T" members and adapted to support a pier.

Abstract: Distress signal kits comprise a parafoil for carrying aloft various emergency or distress signals such as radar reflective materials, lights, flares, distress flags or smoke signals. Preferably the parafoil itself is colored International orange and contains a U.S. Coast Guard-approved distress signal (BLACK SQUARE AND CIRCLE) on both top and bottom surfaces. The parafoil can be used to raise a spinnaker sail attached to a vessel or swimmer. The spinnaker can also carry radar reflective components and/or distress flags, and can be fitted for other survival uses.

Abstract: Twin-hulled boats such as SWATH (Small Waterplane Area Twin Hull) boats are designed and built to be so dimensioned as to fit transportably and removably atop the sidewalls of the open bodies or beds of various vehicles such as pickup trucks, trailers and the like. The horizontal deck and substantially solid hulls or struts of the boat provide a cover, closure or "cap" for the truck bed while installed. Such boats can be easily removed from the truck bed for use or storage. In one embodiment, the twin hulls have a cross section which is a hybrid of the relatively wide, shallow hulls of a catamaran and the narrow, deep struts attached to the lower flotation hulls of a SWATH boat. In the SWATH embodiment, the flotation hulls can be removed for separate transport, the struts themselves being secured atop the sidewalls, or the hulls can be left installed and themselves secured to said sidewalls.

Abstract: A water-dispersible hybrid polymer comprises an ethylenically unsaturated polyurethane (core) onto which an addition polymer chain (shell) has been provided by polymerization, with the unsaturation of the polyurethane being achieved by the incorporation therein of dimethyl-m-isopropenyl benzyl isocyanate, and the acid number of the shell polymer being in the range of 30 to 120 (mg KOH/g). Aqueous dispersions of these hybrid polymers are pre-eminently suitable for use in aqueous coating compositions of the so-called clear coat type, particularly when stringent demands are imposed with regard to the acid resistance of the topcoats applied using these compositions.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for treating overspray from the spray application of waterborne coatings is provided, which includes at least an electrophoresis separation step (means) for recovering substantially all of solids and higher molecular weight water-soluble components and a second separation step (means) for recovering the remainder. The result of such treatment is a recyclable waterborne coating stream of substantially the same composition as the waterborne coating and a recyclable water stream containing substantially none of the resin or additive parts of the original waterborne coating. The process and apparatus are effective, efficient and relatively simple, and recycling is effected without the use of coagulants, detackifiers and other chemical additives which may complicate the recycling procedure and have a detrimental effect on the so recycled products.

Abstract: A heat exchanger having on a first and a second side inlets and outlets, respectively, for a preferably gaseous heat exchanging medium, and having a heat exchanging component made of a high thermal conductive material, such as metal, and comprised of a package of lamellae, in which the heat exchanging material has a structure permeable to the heat exchanging medium, and in which channels for the medium passing from the inlet side to the outlet side are formed, such that medium flowing in via the inlet channels can flow to the adjacent outlet channels at an angle to the direction of entry via the heat exchanging material.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved powder coating composition comprising (a) a resin, (b) a curing agent and (c) zinc, wherein the zinc is a mixture of (c1) lamellar zinc and (c2) zinc dust.

Abstract: The invention provides an aqueous coating composition curable at ambient temperature comprising a compound having at least 2.alpha.,.beta.-ethylenically unsaturated carboxylate groups; a polyamino amide having an amine number ranging from 60-1000; and either a nitroalkane, a formic acid ester, or an organic compound occurring in at least 2 tautomeric forms, and in one of the tautomeric forms a labile hydrogen atom is linked to a carbon atom. A process of coating a substrate with such composition is also provided.

Abstract: A process for the catalytic hydrodesulfurization of hydrocarbon- containing feeds using a catalyst of a phosphorus component, a cobalt component and a Group VIB metal component on an alumina carrier.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a liquid crystal pigment which allows the simpler use of liquid crystals in coating applications with greatly improved appearance uniformity of the liquid crystal effect. The liquid crystal pigment comprises a laminar particle which is at least partially coated with a liquid crystalline material, which has been precipitated from a solution onto the laminar particle.

Abstract: The present invention relates to preprimed metal substrates suitable for use in formed metal applications. The preprimed metal substrate is coated with, as primer layer, (1) a first coating layer applied onto the metal substrate, the first coating layer being based upon a particular hydroxyl group-containing block copolymer, and (2) at least one flexible subsequent coating layer applied onto the first coating layer. The preprimed metal substrates are especially useful in automotive applications.

Abstract: A thermosetting coating composition is provided, which composition is based upon (A) an activated unsaturated group-containing compound, (B) an activated CH group-containing compound and (C) a strong basic catalyst, wherein the strong basic catalyst is blocked with a [particular] carboxylic acid which is volatile and/or undergoes decarboxylation under curing conditions. These coating compositions possess extended potlife, good curing speed, and a good balance of physical and mechanical properties making them especially well suited for a variety of coatings uses such as in paint, impregnating, sealing and bonding compositions.

Abstract: A process for hydrotreating a hydrocarbon oil contaminated with suspended solid particles and dissolved metallic compounds, comprising the contacting of the oil at an elevated temperature in the presence of hydrogen with porous inorganic oxide particles having a surface area of 1 m.sup.2 /g or less and a pore volume of at least 0.1 ml/g in pores having a diameter of at least 10 microns.

Abstract: A polymeric material used in laminates with metal-comprises an interpenetrating polymer network composed of a cyclic moiety-containing pollyallyl compound optionally with an aromatic difunctional compound (co)polymerized and cross-linked in the presence of a free radical initiator, and an epoxy resin cross-linked with a polyhydric phenol.

Abstract: A thermochromic effect coating is provided which that it comprises an aqueous binder component including a flop effect pigment and an encapsulated thermochromic liquid crystal pigment. The particular combination in accordance with the present invention results in a coating with altered flop effect from the flop effect pigment as well as a more uniform color appearance from the liquid crystal pigment.

Abstract: A water-dispersible hybrid polymer of a core/shell structure is provided which is based upon (A) a polymer (core) of a mercapto-functionalized poly(epoxyester) onto which (B) at least one addition polymer-based chain (shell) has been grafted via the addition polymerization of free-radically polymerizable monomers in the presence of the mercapto-functionalized poly(epoxyester). Also provided are aqueous dispersions of these hybrid polymers and coating compositions therefrom, which coating compositions are especially suited for use as clearcoats and surfacers.

Abstract: An improved towing rig for objects such as mobile floating dock sections for small craft moorings includes a towing fixture with a connection for a tow tractor, at least one connector adapted for swivelable connection to a forward or side vertical surface of the object to be towed and a load-distributing assembly adapted to bear upon at least the upper surface of the towed object when a pull is exerted upon the tow bar assembly of the towing fixture. The towing rig can further include at least one wheel-axle assembly adapted for temporary attachment to the object to be towed. The wheel-axle assembly is preferably buoyant in water to permit easy mounting and recovery with a towed floating object in the water.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a crosslinkable binder resin comprising an acrylate copolymer backbone having as pendant groups water soluble half esters of dicarboxylic acid and crosslinkable olefinic groups which contain an activated ethylenic unsaturation, such as (meth)acryloyl groups. The (meth)acryloyl groups can be crosslinked by polyfunctional crosslinking agents such as amino or blocked amino crosslinkers. The water-soluble half esters preferably are formed by the reaction of pendant hydroxy groups with unsaturated cyclic anhydrides (the unsaturation providing an additional crosslinking site). The (meth)acryloyl groups preferably are formed by the reaction of pendant epoxy groups with (meth)acrylic acid or derivatives thereof.

Abstract: Metallic objects such as conductive metal powders comprising metal such as copper, nickel, silver, cobalt and palladium can be treated to remove surface oxide layers by contacting with a combination of a chelating amine compound and a reducing catechol derivative at elevated temperature, preferably in a solution of ethylene glycol.