Abstract: A metered dose dispensing valve is described that is particularly suitable for dispensing metered volumes of a pressurised aerosol formulation. The valve comprises a chamber, and a valve stem extending into the chamber and movable relative to the chamber between non-dispensing and dispensing positions.

Abstract: A brush made from a nonwoven, thermally bonded bicomponent fiber web is described. The nonwoven brush of the invention includes a plurality of compressed annular sections assembled about a central carrier with each section made of a mat of bicomponent fibers which have been crimped and melt bonded. In a preferred embodiment, the brush will have a compacted density of between about 50 and about 250 kilograms per cubic meter. The fibers making up the compressed annular sections are preferably a combination of polyolefins (e.g. polypropylene and polyethylene) but may also include polyesters and other materials.

Abstract: Filter material comprising fabric of ceramic oxide fibers and vermiculite particulate is disclosed. The presence of the vermiculite provides an improvement in the flexural endurance of the fabric.

Abstract: A metal-coated multilayer mirror having high reflectivity and high specularity. The mirror comprises a multilayered polymer film and a reflective metal layer. The multilayered polymer film preferably comprises layers of a crystalline, semi-crystalline, or liquid crystalline material, such as a naphthalene dicarboxylic acid polyester, having an average thickness of not more than 0.5 microns and layers of a second polymer having an average thickness of not more than 0.5 microns. Preferably, the layers of semi-crystalline naphthalene dicarboxylic acid polyester have a positive stress optical coefficient. The reflective metal layer comprises a metal selected from the group consisting of silver, gold, aluminum, nickel, copper, and titanium, with silver and aluminum being particularly preferred. The metal-coated multilayer mirrors are useful in applications requiring broad bandwidth reflection, high specularity, low manufacturing costs, and high reflectivity.

Abstract: A composite bubbles comprising a silicate glass bubble or a bubble of silicate glass-ceramic having an aluminum nitride coating thereon; and a method of making the same. In another aspect, composite articles (electronic substrate materials) having the composite bubbles therein are disclosed.

Abstract: Abrasive grain including manganese oxide therein are provided. The inclusion of manganese oxide can be utilized to reduce the transition temperature of transitional alumina(s) to alpha alumina(s), during the formation of the abrasive grain. Further, manganese oxide presence can be utilized to generate sintered abrasive grain having a submicrometer, faceted microstructure. The abrasive grain are useful in abrasive articles such as coated abrasives, three-dimensional, low density abrasives, and bonded abrasives.

Abstract: A Z-axis adhesive is produced by dispersing electrically-conductive particles in an organic binder and then imagewise exposing the material to electromagnetic radiation, preferably from a laser or a flash lamp, under conditions sufficient to transfer the particles from the binder to a receptor in a patterned fashion such that the resulting adhesive is a Z-axis conductor in the patterned areas. The patterned adhesive can then be used to establish electrical interconnection between facing electrodes of a number of different structures including semiconductor chips and a flexible printed circuit board.

Abstract: A device, comprising a switchable optical panel and means for switching the panel between a reflecting state and a transmitting state. The switchable optical panel includes a transparent optically active layer having a first and a second major surface, a first reflective polarizer disposed on the first major surface and a second reflective polarizer disposed on the second major surface. The optically active layer preferably comprises a liquid crystal device and the switching means preferably comprises a system of drying electronics for applying voltage across the liquid crystal device. The invention also includes a switchable window and a transflective optical display.

Abstract: A cellulose polymer network crosslinked with metal ions selected from the group consisting of: Al.sup.+3, Zr.sup.+4, and Ti.sup.+4, the crosslinked cellulose polymer network having incorporated therein a colloidal sol containing metal oxide-hydroxide particles wherein the metal is Al, Zr, or Ti. The inventive material is optically clear and can be used to cast microporous films, either supported or unsupported, which are useful as coatings on ink jet recording materials.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and a method for holding flexible cassettes such that the radiographic film loaded in the cassettes is in intimate contact with the intensifying screens in the cassettes, thereby improving the quality of radiographic images provided when using flexible cassettes.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing a background image from a plurality of images of a scene and for subtracting a background image from an input image are described. A background image is produced by dividing an image into subimages, acquiring reference subimages for each subimage location and comparing subsequent subimages with the reference subimage to determine if any objects have passed between the reference subimage and the video camera that acquired images. When objects have passed between the reference subimage and the video camera, the reference subimage is designated as background and stored in a background image. Background portions of an input image can be removed or their intensity diminished with a background image. Foreground weights can be determined by comparing the difference between a background image and an input image. To the extent that corresponding pixels are the same, the pixel is given a low foreground weight, indicating that the pixel is a background weight.

Abstract: A sintered bead that includes at least 95% by weight silicon nitride, based on the total weight of the bead, and has a bulk density no greater than about 60% of theoretical density. The invention further features aggregates prepared from a plurality of such beads, as well as methods for preparing the beads and aggregates.

Abstract: A method is provided for making microwave-sintered, free flowing alpha alumina-based ceramic abrasive grain, under conditions effective to couple microwaves with calcined alpha alumina-based abrasive gain precursor and sinter it at a temperature of at least about 1150.degree. C.

Abstract: Methods for making abrasive articles (e.g., coated abrasives, bonded wheels, and three dimensional, low density abrasives) comprising crystalline ceramic, alpha alumina-based abrasive grain.

Abstract: This invention provides oligomer-free polyesters that consist essentially of repeating, interpolymerized units derived from isophthalic acid and/or terephthalic acid, and 9,9-bis-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-fluorene, a process for making such polyesters and articles comprising said polyesters such as electrical capacitors, optical films and fibers.

Abstract: Anaerobically-curing compositions are described comprising a first part and a second part with at least one of said first part and said second part comprising as a major constituent a polymerizable monomer having at least one .alpha.,.beta.-unsaturated carboxyl functionality per molecule of monomer, and with said first part comprising as a first initiator component a perfluoroalkyl sulfonanilide and said second part comprising as a second initiator component a secondary or tertiary aromatic amine.

Abstract: For use with a tissue stimulator device, e.g., a cardiac pacer, a connector element for operatively connecting the generator of the tissue stimulus and the lead which carries the tissue stimulus to the tissue, the connector element having an electrically insulating barrier which results in an open circuit such that current cannot flow through the connector from the power source until the lead is inserted in the connector element thereby by-passing the electrically insulating barrier.

Abstract: This invention provides a composite article having discrete microstructures partially encapsulated within a layer. A method of making the same is also provided. The article of the present invention is useful for visible radiation absorbing devices, such as, for example, selective solar absorbers, flat plate solar collectors, solar absorption panels, and solar cells.