Abstract: A method and apparatus for continuously seaming cured EPDM membrane to form a composite sheet of predetermined width and indefinite length. The method includes the steps of providing at least two rolls of cured EPDM membrane having longitudinal marginal edges and feeding the cured EPDM membrane from the at least two rolls in a first direction. The longitudinal marginal edges of the cured EPDM membranes are positioned in an overlapping relationship as the cured EPDM membranes are fed in the first direction and then the overlapping longitudinal marginal edges are continuously seamed to form a composite sheet of indefinite length.

Abstract: A large width single-ply heat-weldable roof membrane. The roof membrane includes at least two sheets of a thermoplastic polyolefin and one fold strip of a thermoplastic elastomer. The sheets have side edges. The fold strip is bonded to the sheets to join the sheets and form the large width single-ply roof membrane. The thermoplastic elastomer consists of a highly cross-linked rubbery polymer and a thermoplastic polymer.

Abstract: A method and system for forming an article having an optical effect is provided. An original texture is obtained which is digitized using a scanner. The scanner causes a shadow effect on the texture based on the scanning direction. The digitized texture is then edited to define a selected shape. The texture within the selected shape is offset such that its direction is changed. The digitized texture is then engraved by a laser onto the surface of an article. The selected shape is then visually distinct from the other areas of the texture at certain viewing angles caused by the difference in their texture direction. With the present invention, lines or seams between areas of the texture are eliminated.

Abstract: A roof membrane welding apparatus capable of applying a weld to a first membrane and an overlapping second membrane. The apparatus includes a movably supported chassis, a welder attached to the chassis for heating the top membrane to at least the vicant softening point to weld the overlapping second membrane and the first membrane, and at least one weld wheel rotatably attached to the chassis and located rearward of the nozzle relative to the direction of movement of the apparatus, the weld wheel including a marker having an indicia thereon that is transferred to a top surface of the second membrane only where the first membrane and the second membrane have undergone a phase change during heating.

Abstract: A process for producing a polymerized silicone fluid comprises the steps of charging to a reaction vessel a hydroxy-terminated silicone fluid, an ethoxy-or methoxy-terminated functional silane, a basic catalyst, and a surfactant package having a cloud point of between 2 to 20° C. below the reaction temperature needed to react the functional silane with the hydroxy-terminated silicone fluid; heating the contents of the reaction vessel to a temperature that is about 2 to about 20° C. above the cloud point of the surfactant package to copolymerize the silicone fluid and functional silane; terminating the copolymerization reaction; and diluting the product with water to form an emulsion.

Abstract: A cement composition comprising a polymeric latex prepared by aqueous emulsion polymerization of a monomeric mixture comprising styrene and butadiene in the presence of a seed polymer prepared by aqueous emulsion polymerization of styrene and a salt of 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropanesulfonic acid.

Abstract: Anionic waterborne polyurethane dispersions are formed in the presence of polyfluorooxetane oligomers, polymers, or copolymers so that the polyfluorooxetanes are incorporated in the polyurethane. Coatings made from such polyurethanes have good low temperature flexibility, good chemical resistance and abrasion resistance, as well as a low coefficient of friction. Alternatively, the anionic water borne polyurethane dispersion can be blended with vinyl ester monomers such as various acrylates and subsequently polymerized by radiation, for example ultraviolet light, to form a comingled blend of at least two different types of polymers.

Abstract: Anionic waterborne polyurethane dispersions are formed in the presence of polyfluorooxetane oligomers, polymers, or copolymers so that the polyfluorooxetanes are incorporated in the polyurethane. Coatings made from such polyurethanes have good low temperature flexibility, good chemical resistance, stain resistance, and abrasion resistance, as well as a low coefficient of friction. Alternatively, the anionic water borne polyurethane dispersion can be blended with vinyl ester monomers such as various acrylates and subsequently polymerized by radiation, for example ultraviolet light, to form a comingled blend of at least two different types of polymers. Another embodiment relates to a preformed copolymer made by reacting the polyfluorooxetane oligomer, polymer, or copolymer with a polycarboxylic acid such as a dicarboxylic acid and subsequently reacting the same with a polyol intermediate, such as a polymer, or with monomers forming the polyol intermediate.

Abstract: A co-mingled polyurethane-polyvinyl ester composition can be used as a coating, which has good scratch, mar and solvent resistance. The coating is derived from a waterborne polyurethane solution containing free radically polymerizable monomers such as acrylate, ultraviolet light initiators, and optionally urethane crosslinking agents. A process for forming the co-mingled polyurethane-polyvinyl ester composition comprises drying the waterborne polyurethane containing the polymerizable monomers therein and radiation polymerizing, as by ultraviolet light, the free radically polymerizable monomers on a substrate such as a plastic sheet to form a laminate. Subsequently, the laminate can be utilized to form a coating on a product as by thermoforming, where if urethane crosslinking agents are utilized, the polyurethane will be crosslinked.

Abstract: A novel opacifying composition for use with alkaline paper which does not react with alkyl succinic anhydride, is provided. The opacifier comprises a mixture of an aromatic polymer, preferably a styrene acrylic polymer, and a stearamide which preferably comprises either a mono-stearamide or a di-stearamide of amino ethyl ethanol amine or both a mono-stearamide or a di-stearamide of amino ethyl ethanol amine. The opacifying composition comprises the opacifier and water. The water is preferably present in an effective amount to provide the opacifying composition in a liquid, emulsion form. Preferably the opacifier comprises from 5% to 60%, more preferably from 15% to 50% , most preferably from 30% to 40% aromatic polymer and preferably from 40% to 95%, more preferably from 50% to 85%, most preferably from 60% to 70% of the stearamide. A base is preferably present in an effective amount to provide the opacifying composition with a pH of from 7.5 to 11.0.

Abstract: A latex as a binder for nonwoven applications to form a permeable sublayer of personal hygiene articles. The latex is prepared by a process including the steps of (1) polymerizing a monomer mixture comprising styrene, itaconic acid, surfactant and water soluble free radical initiator to form a seed; (2) sequentially adding equal increments of a monomer mixture of styrene, butadiene and acrylic acid to the seed under emulsion polymerization conditions to form a styrene-butadiene-acrylic acid copolymer; and then (3) neutralizing the styrene-butadiene-acrylic acid copolymer to a pH of about 4.5 to 7 to form the latex.

Abstract: A substrate having an adherent and stain resistant layer having durability and flexibility, said layer comprising the reaction product of a reactive polyester having free carboxylic acid and/or hydroxyl groups, a hydroxyl terminated polymer including repeat units from an oxetane having pendant —CH2—O—(CH2)n—Rf groups (said Rf groups generally being a fluorinated alkyl group) and an amino resin curative. The substrate may be printed or embossed or both. The coated substrate has both stain resistant properties and dry erase properties with dry erase markers. The coated substrate can be used as prepared or applied to other substrates.

Abstract: A novel method of opacifying paper, and a novel opacifier and opacifying composition which opacify as well as brighten paper, is provided. The novel opacifier comprises at least one diglyceride and at least one amino-ester compound. The opacifying composition comprises: solids and preferably water. The solids comprise opacifier and surfactant. Preferably, the opacifying composition is an emulsion of the solids in water.

Abstract: Nanocomposite compositions comprising organically modified clays and polyolefins or copolymers containing repeat units derived from olefins have flame retardant or flame resistant properties. Sheets and laminates of the nanocomposite can be utilized wherever flame retardant properties are desired.

Abstract: Monofunctional polyfluorooxetane oligomers and polymers are prepared by the cationic polymerization of fluorooxetane monomers with a monoalcohol. The fluorooxetane oligomers or polymers can be copolymerized with generally cyclic ethers. Alternatively, the polyfluorooxetane oligomer or polymer having a single hydroxyl end group can be functionalized with a variety of compounds so as to yield a functional end group such as an acrylate, a methacrylate, an allylic, an amine, etc., with the functionalized oligomer or polymer being suitable for use in radiation curable or thermal curable coating compositions. These functionalized polymers can be copolymerized and cured to provide improvements in wetting and surface properties that have previously been provided by migratory chemicals such as waxes and oils.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of applying a bead of TPO or TPE adhesive between a talc-free first roofing membrane and an overlapping talc-free second roofing membrane. The apparatus includes a movably supported chassis and an extruder attached to the chassis having a nozzle including an outlet having at least one opening for applying the TPO or TPE adhesive between the first membrane and the overlapping second membrane to adhere the overlapping second membrane to the first membrane. The TPO or TPE adhesive is heated within the apparatus allowing application along the seam between the first and second membranes. The outlet of the nozzle is positioned between the first and second membranes with the TPO or TPE adhesive applied between the overlapping portions of the membranes while pressing the overlapping first and second membranes to hold the overlapping portions together.

Abstract: A polyester polymer including at least one polyoxetane block of repeating units derived from polymerizing at least one oxetane monomer having at least one pendant —CH2—O—(CH2)n— Rf group wherein said Rf group is partially or fully fluorinated is described. A preferred process for forming said polymer by reacting the hydroxyl terminated polymer with a polycarboxylic acid under appropriate conditions to form an ester linkage and then adding and reacting that product with polyester forming reactants.

Abstract: A nonwoven fabric of chemically bonded non-cellulose fibers having improved wet tensile properties. The fabric includes a random arrangement of non-cellulose fibers and an essentially formaldehyde free latex binder. The latex binder contains at least about 6.7 wt. % vinyl cyanide monomer to bond the non-cellulose fibers and form a nonwoven fabric having at least a 10% improvement in wet tensile strength over a comparable nonwoven fabric having a latex binder essentially free of formaldehyde and free of vinyl cyanide monomer in the monomeric mixture.

Abstract: The invention relates to a flexible, waterproof shower pan liner comprised of a water-insoluble thermoplastic sheet. The shower pan liner includes on at least one surface selected indicia such as product information or plumbing codes at regular intervals. The indicia are embossed into the shower pan liner thereby eliminating the need for a protective top coat. In a process for making the invention, the thermoplastic is heated, calendered, and thereafter embossed with the selected indicia while in a heated condition.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing paper with improved strength by introducing into the paper pulp in the wet end of a paper making process an aqueous starch dispersion of a gelatinized cationic starch and a blocked glyoxal resin.