Abstract: Dual, series ball screw and ball nut array for reciprocating a cable and a cutting mechanism utilizing the array. The first ball screw is stationary while the second is moveable, spaced apart and axially aligned with the first ball screw. Ball nuts are rotatably carried on each ball screw and the ball nuts are connected as by a tube. A drive means such as an hydraulic piston activator reciprocates the movable ball screw, thereby translating and rotating the second ball nut likewise the ball nut carried on the stationary ball screw. A pulley on either ball nut or on the connecting tube activates a cable connected thereto. A cutter connected to the cable is thereby reciprocated for slicing action.

Abstract: Polymer beads of uniform size are prepared by (a) forming linear polymer beads of a vinyl aromatic polymer containing about 0.8-2.0 chloromethyl groups per aromatic nucleus, (b) removing off-sizes from the linear polymer beads to leave beads of a desired size, (c) recycling the off-sizes into the formation of the linear polymer beads, as required to obtain higher counts of uniform beads, and (d) lightly crosslinking the desired size beads by a thermal treatment to stabilize the beads. Strong base anion exchange resins are produced from the lightly crosslinked beads by swelling the beads in an organic solvent, post-crosslinking the swollen beads with a Friedel-Crafts catalyst, and aminating the post-crosslinked beads. Suitable starting monomers are vinylbenzyl chloride, bis(chloromethyl)styrene and vinyltoluene.

Abstract: Polymeric adsorbents exhibiting improved adsorption are produced from lightly crosslinked vinylbenzyl chloride copolymer beads by post-crosslinking the copolymer beads while in a swollen state by contact with a Lewis acid catalyst such as a Friedel-Crafts catalyst or an acidic sulfonating agent. The adsorbents post-crosslinked with a Friedel-Crafts catalyst may be functionalized to ion exchange resins. Those adsorbents post-crosslinked with a sulfonating agent already are strong acid ion exchange resins.

Abstract: Print pastes are thickened by a thickener concentrate containing about 5-50% by weight of a nonionic polyurethane having a molecular weight of at least 10,000 and at least 3 hydrophobic branching groups linked through hydrophilic polyether segments, a surfactant in an amount providing a thickener to surfactant weight ratio of about 1:0.01 to about 1:10, about 5-35% by weight of a non-aqueous organic diluent, and 0-65% by weight of water.

Abstract: Polymerizable monomers are polymerized in a reaction mixture containing as catalysts (A) an oxygen source and (B) an organic boron compound which is soluble in the reaction mixture, the boron compound being (1) a diborane adduct wherein the boron atoms are linked by a hydrocarbyl group having an aliphatic carbon atom bonded to at least one of the boron atoms, or (2) oligomers based on repeating units containing at least two boron atoms linked by hydrocarbyl groups having an aliphatic carbon atom bonded to at least one of the boron atoms. The diborane adducts include the adduct of borane or a dialkylborane and 1,3-butadiene. The oligomers include polymers of diborane/propadiene adducts. The organoboron catalysts provide rapid initiation of polymerization and the polymerization is relatively insensitive to oxygen concentration, thereby permitting polymerization at ambient temperatures.

Abstract: Latex and other aqueous systems are thickened by incorporation of a low molecular weight polyurethane characterized by at least three hydrophobic groups interconnected by hydrophilic polyether groups. The thickeners are nonionic, hydrolytically stable and are resistant to biodegradation.

Abstract: Graft copolymers wherein the backbone polymer is a rubbery, oil soluble ethylene-propylene copolymer or ethylene-propylene diene modified terpolymer and the graft monomer is a C-vinylpyridine or N-vinylpyrrolidone impart dispersant properties to hydrocarbon fuels and combined viscosity index improvement and dispersant properties to lubricating oils for internal combustion engines. The graft copolymers are prepared by intimate admixture of backbone polymer, graft monomer and free radical initiator at a temperature below initiation temperature, followed by a temperature increase to or above initiation temperature, thus providing a product containing little or no byproduct.

Abstract: Chevroning of fabrics made from skein dyed yarns is avoided or controlled by dyeing the yarns such that the color repeat length is greater than the circumference of the skein. In practice this is achieved by horizontally dyeing only a portion of the width of a skein as the skein is held vertically.

Abstract: Low temperature properties of resin-treated textiles are improved by using as the resin an acrylic emulsion polymer wherein the latex particles have a core-shell structure. The monomers forming the core are selected to provide a T.sub.g in the core of -20.degree. C. or lower and the monomer composition forming the shell is selected to provide a T.sub.g in the shell of about 60.degree. C. to about -10.degree. C. The core monomer composition contains a latent crosslinker together with an active crosslinker or a graftlinker, and the shell monomer composition contains a latent crosslinker.

Abstract: Soiling resistance and soil release of carpets are improved by coating the carpets or carpet yarns prior to carpet manufacture with a polymeric material containing either (A) a blend of a methacrylic acid emulsion copolymer and an epoxy resin or (B) a methacrylic acid emulsion copolymer having epoxy monomer units therein. The copolymer in either case contains 40-75% by weight methacrylic acid and the glass transition temperature of cured coatings of the polymeric material is at least 50.degree. C.

Abstract: Latex and other aqueous systems are thickened by incorporation of a low molecular weight polyurethane characterized by at least three hydrophobic groups interconnected by hydrophilic polyether groups. The thickeners are nonionic, hydrolytically stable and are resistant to biodegradation.

Abstract: Chevroning of fabrics made from skein dyed yarns is avoided or controlled by dyeing the yarns such that the color repeat length is greater than the circumference of the skein. In practice this is achieved by horizontally dyeing only a portion of the width of a skein as the skein is held vertically.

Abstract: Thermoplastic yarn is textured while at a temperature at or above its plasticizing temperature by impingement thereon of a converging stream of compressible fluid. Prior to impingement, the fluid stream is passed through a convergent/divergent flow path to accelerate the impinging fluid to a velocity in excess of Mach 1. The yarn is under tension at the point of fluid impingement. Subsequently the yarn is cooled below its plasticizing temperature while in a substantially tensionless condition. Apparatus for performing the texturing process is disclosed.

Abstract: The dye receptivity of polyolefin materials, used as backings for tufted surface coverings such as carpets and upholstery fabrics, is improved by coating the polyolefin material with a self-curing polymeric binder containing a quaternary ammonium salt. The backing is thereby easily dyed on-shade with the tufted face yarns so as to hide the backing.

Abstract: Glass fiber articles such as decorative fabrics are colored with a pigment composition containing a self-curing polymeric binder based on a quaternary ammonium salt. The resulting color has good washfastness without the need for an organosilane coupling agent.

Abstract: The cold drawing of fibers spun from a melt blended mixture of nylon and certain linear thermoplastic polymers provides a soil resistant, soil hiding fiber that is particularly suitable for use in carpets.

Abstract: A procedure is provided for producing a laminate having a crushed, polymeric latex foam, preferably thermoset, bonded either to a non-woven absorbent layer which is bonded to an absorbent layer or bonded directly to the absorbent layer, which in turn is bonded to a liquid-impermeable film or gauze. The crushed foam is self-bonded to the non-woven or absorbent layer, i.e., no adhesive is needed to bond the crushed foam. The foam may be applied by either of two methods. One procedure comprises applying a thin layer of foamed latex of a thermosettable polymer on a release medium and drying without causing thermosetting. The dry foam, still on the release paper, is then bonded to the absorbent layer when crushed by pressure. The thermosetting may be done simultaneously with bonding or subsequent thereto. A second method comprises applying the foam directly on the non-woven and drying, bonding and crushing as described above.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for improving the solubility of Lewis acid dyes including metal chelate dyes and acid dyes, in solvent employing a 5- or 6-membered heterocyclic tertiary amine. Dye solutions prepared by this process are useful in dyeing leather, in dyeing coatings and plastic articles, and are especially useful in combination with reactive urethane systems.

Abstract: A first yarn is combined with a second yarn from one or more yarn packages thereof by a device which includes a yarn holder adapted to hold first yarn wound thereon, the yarn holder having an axial passage through which the secone yarn travels, a guide at the exit end of the holder for guiding the first yarn into engagement with the second yarn as the first yarn unwinds from the holder, and a support for the holder. The support together with the yarn holder pivots about the guide so that the holder is automatically aligned with the second yarn even though the second yarn varies in its angle of delivery to the holder. The second yarn thus carries the first yarn as the first yarn is wound about the second yarn.