Abstract: A cut resistant fabric is made from woven or knitted yarn; the yarn includes a cut resistant fiber having a tenacity of less than about 10 grams/denier. A cut resistant fabric is made from woven or knitted yarn. The yarn includes a polyethylene fiber having a tenacity of less than about 10 grams/denier and a molecular weight of about 100,000. The yarn may be in the form of a composite yarn having a core and a wrap. The polyethylene fiber is in the wrap.

Abstract: Continuous seamless cross-plied battery separators are formed by bringing at least two anisotropic with respect to mechanical strength (e.g. uniaxially oriented), microporous plies into adhering face contact such that the uniaxial orientation of one microporous ply is angularly biased relative to the other microporous ply (e.g., between 20.degree. to 90.degree.). This biased relationship between the microporous plies is most preferably achieved by spirally or helically slitting a tubular microporous membrane. The plies are adhered to one another with adhesive and/or by means of heat and pressure. The cross-plied battery separators of this invention exhibit increased puncture strength without significant decrease in permeability.

Abstract: A process for dye removal from effluent is disclosed which includes treating the effluent with a reducing agent, adjusting the pH to a selected value in the range of 2-7, treating the effluent with a particular charge neutralization mixture, adjusting the pH a second time and subjecting the mixture to a flocculating process with selected chemicals.

Abstract: A method for removing condensable organics from a fluid is disclosed. A fluid contaminated with condensable organics is provided. A poly (alkyl sulfone) permeable membrane having a selectivity.gtoreq.20 is provided. The fluid is passed along a surface of the membrane. The organics permeate through the membrane. The permeated organics are recycled.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a shutdown, bilayer battery separator and a process for making the same. A first microporous membrane with shutdown capability and a second microporous membrane with strength capability are joined together in face-to-face contact. The face of the first membrane being adhered by calendaring, adhesives, or welding, to the face of the second membrane, and the separator having a thickness of less than 3 mils, and a puncture strength, as measured from the second microporous membrane, of greater than 1900 g-mm, and a peel strength of greater than 1 grams/centimeter.

Abstract: A process for recycling waste from the manufacture of filtered cigarettes is disclosed herein. The process comprises the following steps: A waste stream from the manufacture of filtered cigarettes is provided. The waste stream includes tobacco, filter tips comprising cellulose ester polymer, and paper. A substantial portion of the filter tips is separated from this waste stream. The filter tips are washed with a sufficient volume of water to liberate bound tipping paper and to remove contaminants from the cellulose ester polymer. The cellulose ester polymer may then be dried, resolutioned, and processed into useful articles of commerce.

Abstract: A process for recycling waste from the manufacture of filtered cigarettes is disclosed herein. The process comprises the following steps: A waste stream from the manufacture of filtered cigarettes is provided. The waste stream includes tobacco, filter tips comprising cellulose ester polymer, and paper. A substantial portion of the filter tips is separated from this waste stream. The filter tips are washed with a sufficient volume of water to liberate bound tipping paper and to remove contaminants from the cellulose ester polymer. Oxidizers may be added to improve tip color and/or serve as a pretreatment. The cellulose ester polymer may then be dried, resolutioned, and processed into useful articles of commerce.

Abstract: A process for recovering dimethyl terephthalate (DMT) comprises the steps of: providing a dimethyl terephthalate stream including dimethyl terephthalate, glycols, and coordination compounds; acidifying the coordination compounds to disassociate the ligands from the metalions; separating the ligands from the metalions; separating the dimethyl terephthalate from the glycols; and recovering the dimethyl terephthalate. Additionally, the process may include the step of basifying the metalions to precipitate the metal; and recovering the metal.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a man-made fiber comprising a cellulose ester and 0.05 to 5.0% by weight of a titanium dioxide having an average particle size of less than 100 nanometers.

Abstract: The instant invention is directd to the removal of nicotine from tobacco smoke by the use of compounds containing a metal with a valence of +2.

Abstract: Modules for use in fluid separations, especially contained liquid membrane separations, exhibit minimal effective membrane thickness. The modules have a module case and at least one pair of superposed fabric sheets disposed within the case, the fabric sheets being pleated and nested in the lengthwise direction of the case. Each fabric sheet contains warp-wise extending hollow fiber membranes. The hollow fiber membranes within the folds of one fabric sheet will therefore form alternating rows with the hollow fiber membranes within the folds of the other fabric sheet by virtue of the length-wise nested pleating. As a result, the effective membrane thickness value of the module is minimized thereby enhancing the efficacy of fluid separations.

Abstract: The instant invention is directed to an article of manufacture for absorbing liquids. This invention comprises: a superabsorbent structure; and a permeable means for coating the superabsorbent structure. The superabsorbent structure comprises a superabsorbent polymer mixed into a matrix material, the matrix material being selected from the group consisting of cellulose ester, acrylic acid ester, polyvinyl ester, copolymers of the foregoing and combinations thereof. The permeable means is laminated onto the superabsorbent structure.

Abstract: A cut-resistant tarpaulin has a waterproof coating bonded to a cut-resistant woven fabric. The fabric has a leno or gauze weave. The fabric has warp yarns and weft yarns of braided fibers. The fibers have an initial modulus greater than 400 grams per denier.

Abstract: The present invention provides super absorbent materials in the form of sheets or fibers made from high melting polymers and having super absorbent polymer material dispersed uniformly throughout. The materials are capable of incorporating large amounts of super absorbent polymer and so demonstrate substantially improved absorbency and retention properties.The superabsorbent materials comprise a matrix material polymer selected from the group consisting of cellulose esters, acrylic acid esters, polyvinyl esters and copolymers of same, particles of superabsorbent material distributed throughout the matrix material and a plasticizer mixed into the matrix material.

Abstract: A process for recycling by-products produced from a process for the manufacture of polyethylene terephthalate is disclosed. The process includes the steps of: (a) providing ethylene glycol distillation bottoms from an ethylene glycol recovery unit associated with the manufacture of polyethylene terephthalate, the bottoms containing an alkali metal organic salt produced during the manufacture of polyethylene terephthalate, the alkali metal organic salt being in excess of about 100 ppm of the bottoms; (b) stripping the alkali metal from the organic acid by use of a strong acid; and (c) depolymerizing the organic acid.

Abstract: A process for recovering dimethyl terephthalate (DMT) is disclosed. The process includes the steps of: (a) providing a DMT stream, the DMT stream including DMT, catalyst, and ethylene glycol; (b) adding a solvent to the DMT stream, the solvent being immiscible with water and miscible with DMT; (c) adding water to the DMT stream; and (d) forming two phases, a first phase of the solvent and DMT, and a second phase of water, ethylene glycol, and catalyst.

Abstract: A test apparatus includes an optical displacement transducer for sensing deformation of the cigarette filter responsive to a predetermined load applied transverse to the filter during simulated smoking of the cigarette, and a barcode laser scanner for sensing relative movement of a charline along a tobacco rod of the burning cigarette during simulated smoking. The optical displacement transducer thus produces a filter hot collapse signal, while the barcode laser scanner produces a tobacco consumption signal. A processor, such as a microprocessor operating under stored program control, samples the hot collapse signal and the tobacco consumption signal to generate a series of respective data points. A display is operatively connected to the processor for generating a graphical representation of at least one of the hot collapse signal and the tobacco consumption signal as a function of time, based upon the respective sampled data points.

Abstract: A method for the manufacture of an absorbent material containing a superabsorbent polymer is disclosed herein. The processing steps include: providing a matrix material in a suitable solvent; mixing particles of a superabsorbent polymer into said solutioned matrix material to form a suspension; homogenizing the suspension; and removing the solvent from the suspension.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a process for preparing a blended tow of thermoplastic and reinforcing fibers. The process of the invention includes the steps of forming a substantially planar spaced array of thermoplastic multifilament yarns and superimposing the spaced array of separate yarns onto a spread tow of reinforcing fibers. The resulting planar mixed yarn is then gathered into a tow having a nonuniform distribution of thermoplastic fibers throughout the tow. The tow is useful in forming fiber-reinforced composite articles by shaping the tow into a desired form and then heating the shaped tow to melt the thermoplastic fibers which, in turn, form a plastic matrix which is reinforced by the reinforcing fibers.

Abstract: A high efficiency air filtration media comprises: about 5 to about 20% by weight of fibrids; about 5 to about 20% by weight of a binder; and about 60 to about 90% by weight of staple fiber. The media has a pressure drop of air across a face of the media of less than or equal to 0.4 inches of water. The media, also, has a sodium chloride particulate test for respirator filter percent efficiency of greater than or equal to 60%.