Abstract: Detachably secured to the ear piece of a hearing aid is a user-disposable sleeve comprising soft polymeric retarded recovery foam that can be compressed to be freely insertable into a person's ear canal and then allowed to recover to become wedged in the canal. The sleeve preferably includes a flexible, elongated plastic duct over which the foam fits, and the duct is formed with a screw thread of a rigid plastic which mates with a screw thread on the ear piece for easy attachment and removal. The external surface of the foam preferably is substantially cylindrical and can be formed with flutes to provide venting of the user's ear.

Abstract: Techniques are described for rendering silver and copper surfaces of various articles resistant to corrosion. The surfaces are contacted with compounds selected from the group consisting of 2-mercaptobenzoxazole and 1-phenyl-1H-tetrazole-5-thiol. Abrasion-resistant coatings are preferably applied to the silver and copper surfaces. The corrosion inhibiting compound may be included in the abrasion-resistant coating.

Abstract: An extrudable epoxy resin and curing agent that polymerize when mixed are separated by an extrudable barrier layer disposed between and in contacting relationship with the epoxy resin and curing agent. The material of the barrier layer is insoluble in the epoxy resin and curing agent while being dispersible in a mixture of them. The barrier layer material is selected from hydrogenated rosin ester, terpene phenolic resin, alpha-pinene resin and polybutene. The epoxy resin, curing agent and barrier layer have sufficiently similar rheologies at the temperature at which they are to be extruded from their container to ensure against intermixing until after they emerge from the container outlet.

Abstract: A mold and method is disclosed for the production of a lens that can be placed in or on the eye. The mold employs an inflexible ridge, preferably having a triangular cross section, on one of the mold parts. The ridge contacts the other mold part along an annular line.

Abstract: Miscible blends of slid, non-crosslinked polymers are disclosed. The blends comprise from 2 to 95 parts by weight of a water-insoluble, hydrophobic polymer and, correspondingly from 98 to 5 parts by weight of a hydrophilic polymer. The blends are capable of absorbing at least their own weight in water.

Abstract: The invention provides an encapsulant composition capable of use with signal transmission devices, such as electrical or optical cable. The composition is the extended reaction product of an admixture of an anhydride functionalized composition and a crosslinking agent.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for treatment of a painted or a glass surface providing improved adhesion of a urethane sealant applied thereafter, comprising applying a solution containing p-toluenesulfonic acid, optionally an organofunctional silane, and an appropriate solvent to the painted or the glass surface, the painted surface being cured and devoid of a resin coating, and thereafter contacting the painted or the glass surface with the urethane sealant. A method for joining painted and glass surfaces using a urethane sealant is also disclosed. Compositions useful within these methods are also described.

Abstract: Disclosed is a thermally-curable, one-part epoxy adhesive composition comprising: (1) a glycidyl ether epoxide having a048477475 n epoxy functionality grater than one and a molecular weight between about 150 and 10,000; (2) a catalyst comprising (i) an acid of the formula H.sup.+ SbF.sub.5 X.sup.- wherein X is halogen, hydroxy, or --OR where --OR is the residue of an aliphatic or aromatic alcohol having a molecular weight less than about 10,000 and (ii) N,N-diethyl-o-toluidine; (3) an aliphatic or non-aromatic cyclic polyol having about 2 to 18 carbon atoms, at least two hydroxy groups of which are primary or secondary, and being free of electron-withdrawing substituents, amine substituents, or large substituents that cause steric hindrance in the .alpha.-position in relation to the carbon attached to the methylol group of the polyol; and (4) a toughening agent that does not react with the epoxide during curing and has an epoxide compatible component and an epoxide incompatible component.

Abstract: A triboelectrically chargeable monocomponent toner powder is provided which comprises as a binder a mixture of a copolymer of styrene and an acrylate with an amine-containing aliphatic wax as a charge-control agent. The toner is inherently strongly chargeable positively through triboelectric forces.

Abstract: A moisture resistant splice assembly for communications and electrical cables is provided. The assembly employs a moisture activatable encapsulant.

Abstract: Water-compatible resins containing a residue of an aryl or cycloalkyl compound having a sufficiently bulky structure to raise the T.sub.g of a specified cured epoxy resin by more than 20.degree. C. The resins preferably are used in cathodic electrophoretically-depositable coating compositions.

Abstract: Ophthalmic devices, such as contact lenses, of polymers of telechelic perfluorinated polyether monomers, and compositions for making such devices are disclosed. The devices possess improved oxygen permeability.

Abstract: A substantially water and salt free electrically conductive composition used to assure good electrical conductivity between two points. The composition remains moist (i.e., it does not dry or harden) over an extended period of time.

Abstract: Highly crystalline polymers containing recurring vinylidene fluoride units are disclosed. Such polymers, including homopoly(vinylidene fluoride), have a degree of crystallinity greater than 70%. Also disclosed is a method for enhancing the crystallinity of polymers containing recurring vinylidene fluoride units.

Abstract: An injection head for filling a tubular dispenser with dissimilar materials. The injection head is divided into two or more compartments, and the outlet of each compartment is a set of contiguous honeycomb cells.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is described which is useful in manufacturing molded optical devices. The apparatus and method provide automatic alignment of the mold elements so that cylinder and prism free lenses are provided.

Abstract: Inherently highly abrasion-resistant cast articles are prepared by polymerizing a composition comprising (I) as a first component from 0 to 100 parts of urethane polyacrylic ester and (II) as a second component, correspondingly from 100 to 0 parts of a composition containing (A) 30 to 60% by weight of a polyacrylic ester having 4 to 10 acryloyloxy groups, (B) 20 to 70% by weight of a polymerization shrinkage modifier, and (C) 0 to 30% of a diluent monomer. A source of free-radicals may be added to the composition.

Abstract: Miscible blends of solids, non-crosslinked polymers are disclosed. The blends comprise from 2 to 95 parts by weight of a water-insoluble, hydrophobic polymer and, correspondingly from 98 to 5 parts by weight of a hydrophilic polymer. The blends are capable of absorbing at least their own weight in water.

Abstract: Compositions, devices, and methods are disclosed for controlling insect activity wherein an insect control agent is self-adhered to a rough-surfaced fiber. Preferably the fiber is a graft polymer of cellulose and an ethylenically unsaturated material copolymerizable with cellulose. The invention provides extended control of insect activity.

Abstract: An ophthalmic lens and a method for providing a thin coating thereon is disclosed. The coatings render the surfaces of the devices resistant to abrasion and have an SEB abrasion resistance to at least 20 psi. They are optically clear, aberration-free, and provide essentially exactly an optical surface having the desired surface configuration. The coating compositions employed contain reactive ethylenically unsaturated groups and are applied to a mold face and partially reacted. The coated mold is then used to cast the ophthalmic device.