Abstract: Modules for use in fluid separations, especially contained liquid membrane separations, exhibit minimal effective membrane thickness. The modules have a module case and bundle of a dense plurality of hollow fiber membranes contained in the case. One set of the fiber membranes in the bundle constitutes feed-fibers while another set of the fiber membranes in the bundle constitutes strip-fibers for use in contained liquid membrane separations. The feed-fibers and strip-fibers are disposed within the elongate module case in opposite generally wave-like paths such that the feed-fibers and strip-fibers converge at generally lengthwise-separated crossing regions within the module. This disposition of the feed-fibers and the strip-fibers minimizes the effective membrane thickness value of the module as compared to conventional contained liquid membrane modules thereby enhancing the efficacy of fluid separations.

Abstract: A thermally bonded fibrous wet laid web containing a bicomponent fiber including a polyester or polyamide fiber component and a component consisting of a linear low density polyethylene having a density in the range of 0.88 to 0.945 g/cc. A grafted HDPE can be added to the LLDPE to improve adhesion of the bicomponent fiber. The bonded fibrous wet laid web may further include a matrix fiber selected from the group consisting of cellulose paper making fibers, cellulose acetate fibers, glass fibers, polyester fibers, ceramic fibers, mineral wool fibers, polyamide fibers, and other naturally occurring fibres. It has been found that a thermally nonwoven fibrous web made using the foregoing ingredients has improved and unexpected strength, lower web variability and is softer.

Abstract: A bonded fibrous wet laid web containing cellulose acetate fibers, a bicomponent fiber including a polyester or polyamide fiber member and a second member having a melting point 20.degree. C. below that of the first member and an aqueous based organic solvent which solubilizes the surface of the cellulose acetate fibers to permit bonding of said cellulose acetate fibers.

Abstract: A novel catalyst system, a process for using the novel catalyst system, and a product made from the process is described. The novel catalyst system is specific for producing polyethylene terephthalate made from reacting terephthalic acid and ethylene glycol, wherein the catalyst system includes antimony; cobalt and/or zinc, and at least one of zinc, magnesium, manganese or calcium. The antimony is generally present from about 150 ppm to about 650 ppm. The cobalt and/or zinc is usually present from about 5 ppm to about 60 ppm, and the zinc, magnesium, manganese or calcium, as the third component, is generally present from about 10 ppm to about 150 ppm. The amounts of all catalyst components are based on the theoretical yield of the polymer. Using the novel catalyst system to produce PET drastically reduces the polymerization time without sacrificing color and clarity of the polymer produced.

Abstract: A method is provided for the preparation of ibuprofen by carbonylating 1-(4'-isobutylphenyl)ethanol (IBPE) with carbon monoxide comprising initially a reaction mixture comprising IBPE, ibuprofen and a catalyst for the carbonylation with carbon monoxide under conditions to initiate the reaction, and continuing to feed carbon monoxide to the composition to produce the desired yield of ibuprofen. Preferably the catalyst comprises palladium and a monodentate phosphine ligand. The presence of ibuprofen in the feed composition when the reaction is initiated with CO makes it possible to obtain high selectivities to ibuprofen with substantially complete conversion of IBPE at much shorter reaction times than if no ibuprofen is present initially.

Abstract: A flexible magnetic disc cassette includes a cassette case formed of a molded plastics material defining an interior space and a window which opens thereinto. A flexible magnetic disc having a central hub is rotatably accommodated with the interior space of the cassette case such that the magnetic disc is exposed beneath said cassette case window. A shutter formed of a plastics material (which may be the same or different than the plastics material form which said cassette case is formed) straddles an edge of the cassette case adjacent to its defined window. The shutter is reciprocally movable along the edge between a closed position (wherein said shutter covers the window) and an opened position (wherein the shutter exposes the window to allow access to said magnetic disc therebeneath). According to the invention disclosed herein, an elongate spring element is integrally molded (unitary) with either the cassette case or the shutter and so as to occupy a position within a corner pocket of the cassette case.

Abstract: The invention relates to new mixed ester photosensitive compounds and photosensitizer compositions comprised thereof. The photosensitive compounds and photosensitizer compositions are prepared by condensing phenolic compounds with a 1,2-naphthoquinonediazide-4-sulfonic acid halide and an organic acid halide in specific ratios. Photoresist compositions comprising the photosensitive compounds and photosensitizer compositions are also disclosed. The photosensitizer compositions exhibit excellent solution stability and resistance to precipitation when formulated in alkali-soluble resin photoresist compositions. The photoresist compositions have improved shelf life.

Abstract: Poly(butylene terephthalate) copolyester advantageous of use as sheath materials in bicomponent fibers are prepared by a process for preparing a high-molecular weight, linear copolyester by condensing 40-85 molar percent of terephthalic acid optionally in the form of a dialkyl ester, half of which component can optionally be replaced by another dicarboxylic acid also optionally in the dialkyl ester form, and 60-15 molar percent of a blend of dimethyl adipate, dimethyl glutarate and dimethyl succinate with an alkanediol of 2-6 carbon atoms in its carbon chain, at an elevated temperature in the presence of a conventional catalyst, in a first condensation stage which is an interesterification or esterification stage and a second condensation stage which is polycondensation stage, whereby a copolyester melt is produce. The process comprises, before or during the first condensation stage, adding 0.005-0.1 molar percent, based on the total acid component, of a C.sub.6 -aryl or C.sub.

Abstract: A monofilament, and a fabric made, at least in part with that monofilament, is formed by a blend of two resins. The first resin is a melt extrudable polymer selected from the group consisting of copolymers of at least two halogenated monomers, for example, vinylidene fluoride and hexafluoropropylene. The second resin is polyphenylene sulfide.

Abstract: Poly(2-methyl-1,5-pentylene) terephthalamide is discussed herein. It is manufactured in a process starting with a nylon salt made from terephthalic acid and 2-methyl-1,5-pentylene diamine and an excess amount of the diamine. The polymer is spun to form monofilaments. The monofilaments may be used, among other things, to form dryer screens for use in a paper forming process.

Abstract: A novel catalyst system, a process for using the novel catalyst system, and a product made from the process is described. The novel catalyst system is specific for producing polyethylene terephthalate made from reacting terephthalic acid and ethylene glycol, wherein the catalyst system includes at least 650 ppm antimony; cobalt and/or zinc, and at least one of zinc, magnesium, manganese or calcium. The antimony is generally present from about 650 ppm to about 1100 ppm. The cobalt and/or zinc is usually present from about 15 ppm to about 60 ppm, and the zinc, magnesium, manganese or calcium, as the third component, is generally present from about 10 ppm to about 150 ppm. The amounts of all catalyst components are based on the theoretical yield of the polymer. Using the novel catalyst system to produce PET drastically increases the polymerization rate. In the process, the novel catalyst system can be introduced any time before the polycondensation stage of the manufacturing process.

Abstract: A process is provided for modifying the properties of a hydrophobic microporous membrane which includes the steps of first providing a hydrophobic microporous membrane, treating it with a surfactant to render the membrane hydrophilic, wetting the membrane with an aqueous solution of a polyol such as polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and divinyl sulfone (DVS) or a precursor thereof, washing the membrane with water to displace the polyol/DVA from the exterior of the membrane while retaining it in the pores of the membrane, and crosslinking the polyol/DVS into an aqueous gel to yield a hydrophilic microporous membrane having pores filled with an aqueous polyol/DVS gel, the exterior of the membrane being unobstructed by gel. The modified membranes produced according to the process are useful in carrying out chromatographic separations.

Abstract: A process for removing inorganic compounds from glycol recovery still bottoms resulting from the manufacture of poly(ethylene terephthalate), the novel process using a small amount of phosphoric acid to precipitate the antimony and then removing the titanium dioxide and antimony compound by a centrifuge. The novel process for removing the inorganic compounds from the recovery polyester bottoms includes the steps of distilling ethylene glycol from the spent glycol until the remaining bottoms have a solids concentration from about 15% to about 45%; adding phosphoric acid to the bottoms to form an antimony compound and removing the antimony and titanium precipitates from the bottoms by a centrifuge.

Abstract: An aromatic substituted glycoside is disclosed of the formula ##STR1## wherein the configuration of the substituted --OR on the anomeric carbon is alpha, n is an integer of 0 or 1, and R is a substituted aromatic radical selected from the group ##STR2## where R.sub.1 through R.sub.6 are independently halogen, NO.sub.2, SO.sub.3 H, ##STR3## where R.sub.7 is lower alkyl; and includes its stereoisomers, optical isomers and geometric isomers and mixtures of the foregoing isomers. These substrates are useful as direct substrates for alpha-amylases. A process for the preparation of the substrates and related substances is also described.

Abstract: A process is provided for preparing N-acyl-aminothiophenols, e.g., N-acetyl-para-aminothiophenol, or aminothiophenols, e.g., para-aminothiophenol, by reacting a hydroxy aromatic ketone, e.g., 4-hydroxyacetophenone (4-HAP), with hydroxylamine or a hydroxylamine salt, to form the oxime of the ketone, subjecting the oxime to a Beckmann rearrangement in the presence of a catalyst to form the N-acyl-hydroxy aromatic amine, e.g., N-acetyl-para-aminophenol (APAP), reacting the N-acyl-hydroxy aromatic amine with an N,N-di (organo) thiocarbamoyl halide, e.g., N,N-dimethylthiocarbamoyl chloride, to form an O-(N-acyl-aminoaryl)-N,N-di (organo) thiocarbamate, e.g., O-(N-acetyl-para-aminophenyl)-N,N-dimethylthiocarbamate, pyrolytically rearranging the O-(N-acyl-aminoaryl)-N,N-di (organo) thiocarbamate to form an S-(N-acyl-aminoaryl)-N,N-di (organo) thiocarbamate, e.g., S-(N-acetyl-para-aminophenyl)-N,N-dimethylthiocarbamate, and hydrolyzing the latter compound to obtain the N-acyl aminothiophenol or aminothiophenol.

Abstract: Oriented polymeric film coated with polyethyleneimine is disclosed, in which the polyethyleneimine is coated in-line, i.e., during the film manufacturing process for forming the polymeric film and before heat setting the film. In-line polyethyleneimine coated polymeric film, when used to make a laminate with other polymers such as polyethylene or ionomer type polymers, shows no signs of delamination between the polymeric film and the extrusion coated polymer after 2 hours in water at 121.degree. C. at 15 psi. In-line coating polyethyleneimine on the polymeric film can occur before any orientation of the polymeric film, during interdraw, with respect to biaxially oriented film, or after orienting the film, so long as the coating occurs before heat setting the film. The preferred polymeric film is polyethylene terephthalate.

Abstract: A reclosable box construction suitable for storing, transporting, and dispensing sheet materials, as well as an article and method for making the box construction. The box construction has an outer shell and an insert member. The outer shell member has a generally rectangular central panel of flexible sheet material, a pair of side panels folder into a plane above the central panel, a first and second wing panels positioned over a portion of each of said side panels at opposite longitudinal ends of the central panel, the second wing panel having a removable pull tab element. The insert member comprises top and bottom rectangular panels joined at a fold line and having a tearable perforation line along its entire width. The insert member is positioned within the outer shell such that the side panels are between the top and bottom rectangular panels. The bottom insert panel is positioned between said central panel and the side panels and the top insert panel is between the side panels and the two wing panels.

Abstract: N-acetyl-para-aminophenol is prepared by contacting 4-hydroxyacetophenone oxime with a Beckmann rearrangement catalyst in an alkyl alkanoate reaction solvent. An integrated process is disclosed wherein 4-hydroxyacetophenone is reacted with a hydroxylamine salt and a base to obtain 4-hydroxyacetophenone oxime, the oxime product is extracted from the resulting reaction mixture with a substantially water-immiscible solvent, and the mixture of oxime and substantially water-immiscible solvent is contacted with a Beckmann rearrangement catalyst to produce N-acetyl-para-aminophenol. Novel Beckamnn rearrangement catalysts are used to limit by-product formation in the ester solvent.

Abstract: Acetic acid containing iodide, unsaturates and carbonyl impurities is purified by treatment with ozone and thereafter contacted with activated carbon and/or an ion-exchange resin for removal of impurities.

Abstract: A hot melt adhesive composition which is especially useful for bonding polyamide article to surfaces, particularly polyamide surfaces. The composition contains an ethylene-vinyl ester copolymer or a polyamide polymer, and additionally contains a poly(p-hydroxystyrene) homopolymer or a copolymer of poly(p-hydroxystyrene) with a C.sub.1 to C.sub.4 alkyl acrylate.