Abstract: An elastic hard fiber composed mainly of polyisobutylene oxide and having an elastic recovery ratio of at least 70% from 50% extension and a work recovery ratio of at least 70% from 5% extension, is prepared by extruding molten polyisobutylene oxide at a temperature of from 175.degree. C up to the decomposition temperature thereof, cooling the extrudate rapidly to a temperature of -20.degree. to 70.degree. C, and spinning it at a draw ratio of 50 to 1000.

Abstract: 13-Oxabicyclo(10.4.0)hexadec-1(12)-en-14-one is prepared by intramolecular cyclization of .beta.-(2-oxocyclododecyl) propionic acid, or derivatives thereof, in the presence of an acid catalyst or a basic catalyst. The compound is an important intermediate for producing musk perfume fragrance.

Abstract: An antistatic and biaxially oriented polypropylene film is manufactured by the steps of (1) adding to crystalline polypropylene, (a) an antistatic agent and (b) a zinc salt of aliphatic acid, (2) melt-extruding the resulting composition to form a sheet or film, (3) orienting the sheet or film both longitudinally and laterally at a temperature below its melting point, and then (4) activating the surface of the resultant antistatic and biaxially oriented film. The film thus obtained possesses a remarkably improved antistatic property and adhesiveness to ink printed on it and to resins coated on it.

Abstract: A thermoplastic hot melt adhesive composition for bonding metals which comprises a homogeneous mixture of (A) 60 to 90 percent by weight of a nylon material selected from the group consisting of homopolymers and copolymers of nylon monomer selected from the group consisting of nylon salts having at least 10 carbon atoms, nylon-forming .omega.-amino acids and nylon-forming lactams, and (B) 10 to 40 percent by weight of an ethylene/vinyl acetate copolymer containing 1 to 25 weight percent of vinyl acetate.

Abstract: A paint composition dispersible in water is disclosed, characterized by comprising 100 parts by weight of a thermoplastic synthetic resin powder having an average particle diameter in the range of about 0.1 to 250 .mu., 0.01 to 3 parts by weight of an additive of sodium polyacrylate or polyacrylamide and 0 to 20 weight percent, based on the weight of sodium polyacrylate or polyacrylamide, of an acid substance.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing sorbic acid in a continuous manner which comprises preparing a polyester from ketene and crotonaldehyde and then decomposing the polyester with hydrochloric acid in a multiple reactor system under such conditions that the degree of the decomposition of the starting polyester in each reactor is maintained at either (1) not more than 45 percent, or (2) not less than 90 percent.

Abstract: A method of promoting the growth of plants which comprises applying to the surface of a plant growth medium to be exposed to a source of ultraviolet radiation a light-degradable mulching film for agricultural use, comprising a resin composition, whose resin components consist essentially of1. from 5 to 50 percent by weight of polyisobutylene oxide resin,2. the balance of a second resin component selected from the group consisting of at least one polyolefin resin and a mixture of at least one polyolefin resin and at least one polydiene resin.The resin composition can be made into a mulching film which, when exposed to the sunlight, photolytically degrades into a pulverized condition within a selected period of time.

Abstract: A catalyst for preparing .alpha.,.beta.-unsaturated aldehydes by the gas phase catalytic oxidation of .alpha.,.beta.-unsaturated hydrocarbons, which catalyst contains as indispensable metal components molybdenum, bismuth and at least one transition metal selected from iron, nickel and cobalt. A chelating agent, or a chelate compound of any of the metals comprising the catalyst, is added to all or some of the starting liquid mixtures during the catalyst preparation stage, whereby to increase the catalytic activity of the catalyst so that the desired .alpha.,.beta.-unsaturated aldehyde products such as acrolein and methacrolein can be obtained in high yields. In catalysts of this type, the catalytic activity can be maintained at a high level even if the catalyst does not contain an arsenic component.

Abstract: An impact-resistant, flame-retardant resin composition is disclosed comprisingI. 100 parts by weight of a resin mixture of:A. 15 to 85 weight percent of ABS resin, andB. 15 to 85 weight percent of a high molecular weight aromatic polycarbonate copolymer derived from 5 to 50 weight percent of a bisphenol the nucleus of which is substituted with a halogen, and 50 to 95 weight percent of an unsubstituted bisphenol, andIi. 0.001 to 5 parts by weight of an inorganic or organic antimony compound.

Abstract: A catalyst for preparing .alpha.,.beta.-unsaturated aldehydes by the gas phase catalytic oxidation of .alpha.,.beta.-unsaturated hydrocarbons, comprising as critical metal components molybdenum, bismuth and at least one transition metal selected from iron, nickel and cobalt, said catalyst being prepared by adding ammonium rhodanide to all or some of the starting liquid mixtures containing said catalytic metal components.

Abstract: Fruit wines excellent in taste and bouquet can be manufactured from fruit juices of low sugar content by subjecting the crude fruit juices to a semi-permeable membrane separation process (reverse osmosis or ultrafiltration), thereby to concentrate the crude fruit juices. The time periods required for fermenting the concentrated fruit juices and aging the wines made therefrom are considerably shorter in comparison with other wine-making processes.

Abstract: A mouthpiece for cigarettes comprising a tubular exterior cylinder of substantially circular cross-section obtained by extrusion molding of synthetic resin and having at least one deflecting wall extending inwardly from the inner surface of said exterior cylinder, and the juncture of said deflecting wall with the inner surface of said exterior cylinder being formed in a helix about the central longitudinal axis of said exterior cylinder.

Abstract: A polystyrene resin composition is prepared by adding to polystyrene resin, a mixture of (a) tricresyl phosphate and/or triphenyl phosphate and (b) a carbonate oligomer of 2,2-(4-4'-dihydroxy-3,3,',5,5'-tetrabromodiphenyl) propane which is terminated at its ends with a monofunctional phenol. These compounds are mixed with the oligomer in a selected mole ratio. The resin composition is self-extinguishing and possesses excellent thermal resistance, without diminution of the other original desireable properties of the resin.

Abstract: Peracetic acid is produced by the catalytic reaction of acetaldehyde with molecular oxygen or an oxygen containing gas by forwarding the reactants through an upright reaction vessel which is divided into at least three reaction zones by perforated partition plates in which the size of the perforations and the height of the reaction zones are selected so as to achieve an average gas flow velocity in the range of 0.4 - 6.0 m. per second at the perforations and a superficial gas flow velocity of 0.04 - 0.15 m. per second across the entire vessel.

Abstract: A separator in which at least one tubular separating element comprising a semipermeable membrane in the shape of a lined envelope and a corrugated spacer which are wound spirally around a collecting pipe having a plurality of small transverse bores. The spacer is positioned between adjacent convolutions of the envelope and forms channels which extend substantially parallel to the collecting pipe. The inner part of the envelope is open to the outer periphery of the collecting pipe. The spacer is provided with notches in opposite edges thereof arranged so that the notches in the respective edges open in opposite circumferential directions. The notches allow passage of the liquid being treated, as well as objects for cleaning the membrane, from one channel to the next. The separator and the collecting pipe are housed in a pressure vessel.

Abstract: A new impact-resistant ABS resin composition is disclosed comprising (1) 100 parts by weight of a graft copolymer of vinyl aromatic monomer and vinyl cyanide monomer, said copolymer being grafted onto butadiene rubber particles of a size of from 0.5 to 2.0 .mu. dispersed in the graft copolymer and (2) 1 to 10 parts by weight of a straight chain saturated polyester having an average molecular weight of from 1000 to 50000. The composition is prepared by the bulk-suspension two stage polymerization of vinyl aromatic monomer and vinyl cyanide monomer in the presence of butadiene rubber component. The polyester is incorporated during either the bulk polymerization stage or the suspension polymerization stage, or it is blended with the ABS polymer after the two stage polymerization is completed.

Abstract: Novel sytrene resin compositions, especially styrene-acrylonitrile resin and styrene-acrylonitrile-butadiene resin compositions, are provided, which comprise a styrene resin having blended therein as lubricant at least one of the compounds represented by the following general formula: ##EQU1## wherein R and R' each represent hydrogen or a straight chain, saturated alkyl radical, the sum of the carbon atoms in both radicals R and R', being 14-42.This application is a division of application Serial No. 376,318, filed July 5, 1973, now U.S. Pat. No. 3,883,464, which in turn is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 212,787, filed Dec. 27, 1971, now U.S. Pat. No. 3,817,900.

Abstract: Supported semi-permeable membranes are prepared by coating a membrane-forming solution directly on a membrane support, said membrane support comprising a woven fabric selected from (1) a woven fabric made of mixed yarns and formed by employing as a part of the weft and/or warp yarns a yarn composed of a component soluble in a solvent used for forming the membrane-forming solution, (2) a woven fabric composed of a blended yarn including as one blend component fibers composed of a component soluble in a solvent used for forming the membrane-forming solution and (3) a woven fabric having its surface coated with a polymer soluble in a solvent used for forming the membrane-forming solution.

Abstract: A semipermeable membrane for ultrafiltration is prepared byDissolving a copolymer of acrylonitrile (90 to 60 molar percent based on total monomers) and a non-electrolytic water-soluble vinyl monomer (40 to 10 molar percent based on total monomers) in a solvent selected fromI. one or more water-miscible solvents each having hydrogen bond and dipole parameters within the pentagonal area (3, 6), (5.5, 4), (7.5, 6), (7.5, 10), (6, 10) and (3, 6) as determined by a two-dimensional rectangular coordinate graph, orIi. a mixture of (i) and an organic water-miscible solvent in such proportion that the hydrogen bond dipole parameters calculated from weighted averages are within said pentagonal area,Forming a film of said resulting solution on a surface and then immersing said film in water.

Abstract: A flame retardant resin composition having a high impact resistance is disclosed, containing (A) 20 to 85 weight percent of a high molecular weight aromatic polycarbonate copolymer comprising (1) 2 to 30 molar percent of a bisphenol the nucleus of which is substituted with a halogen and (2) 70 to 98 molar percent of a halogen-free bisphenol and (B) 80 to 15 weight percent of an ABS resin comprising a mixture of (1) a graft copolymer of a butadiene-based rubbery polymer to which is grafted a vinyl aromatic hydrocarbon and acrylonitrile and and (2) a copolymer of a vinyl aromatic hydrocarbon and acrylonitrile. The amount of said rubbery polymer is 5 to 40 weight percent of the ABS resin.