Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for inhibiting scaling in an electrodeionization system and, more particularly, for increasing tolerance to hardness in the feed water to an electrodeionization unit by inhibiting precipitation of scale-forming metallic cations contained in the feed water and thereby increasing efficiencies of the electrodeionization system. Water to be purified is passed through an electrodeionization unit in which the flow in the diluting compartment is countercurrent to the flow in the concentrating compartment. This is to impede the migration of scale-forming metallic cations from the diluting compartment, through the cation exchange membrane, into the concentrating compartment and towards the concentrating compartment side of the anion exchange membrane, thereby preventing scale formation on the anion exchange membrane.

Abstract: Solid and liquid compositions containing particles of highly fluorinated ion-exchange polymer having sulfonate functional groups with an ion exchange ratio of less than about 33. The compositions contain at least about 25% by weight of polymer particles having a particle size of about 2 nm to about 30 nm.

Abstract: Methods and apparati for screening compounds for agricultural activity has now been developed which employ e.g., intact plants grown in microtiter plates on very small amounts of plant growth media containing a test compound. In comparison to the standard greenhouse screen, the microscreen requires vastly less space, labor, and test compound. However, unlike in vitro screens, responses of intact plants are assayed. Using the microscreen, high-throughput screening of test compounds can be accomplished using whole plant responses as the assay.

Abstract: Disposable, thin-walled molded articles, such as cups, plates, fast-food packages, trays, flat sheets and the like are produced by applying a starch-based baking composition onto the lower mold part of a multi-part, preferably two-part mold, and by baking and conditioning the composition to a moisture content of between 6 and 22% by weight. The baking composition, in addition to water and a starch or starch mixtures and/or flour or flour mixtures and/or starch derivatives, contains a fat-free or oil-free release agent and, optionally, other typical additives. Polyvinyl alcohol is added to the baking mixture in quantities of 0.5 to 40% by weight, relative to the starch component. The polyvinyl alcohol has a degree of polymerization of over 1000, preferably over 1600 and in particular over 2000, and the proportion of water is 100 to 360% by weight, relative to the starch component. Polyvinyl alcohol can be added either in dry form or in the form of an aqueous solution.

Abstract: A set for restricting the operation of a spray valve of a flask comprising three main parts, namely: a shoulder, a collar and a lid. The shoulder of the set rests on the shoulder of the flask and is connected to a mouth of the flask by projections from the neck of the set. The shoulder of the set is also solidly linked to the collar of the set by an indentation. The collar constitutes a circular section ring that fits inside a mouth of the of the set's shoulder. The lid constitutes a cylindrical piece having a top with a peripheral skirt. The lid is connected to the collar of the set by an extension and a pin. The lid rotates about the pin through a limited arc and has a closed position. When the lid is in the closed position, it encloses a valve of the flask and restricts the operation of the valve.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for recovering at least one perfluorocycloalkane selected from the group consisting of octafluorocyclobutane, hexafluoro-bis(trifluoromethyl)cyclobutane (1,2 and 1,3; cis and trans), and heptafluoro(trifluoromethyl)cyclobutane from a mixture comprising (a) the perfluorocycloalkane, (b) olefinic impurity and, optionally, (c) saturated chlorine-containing impurity selected from the group consisting of chlorocarbons, hydrochlorocarbons, hydrochlorofluorocarbons, chlorofluorocarbons and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: An improved design and manufacturing method is disclosed for calendered, double side segment coated webs. By staggering the leading edges and/or the trailing edges of the segment coatings on one side of the web from those on the other side, web damage, including the incidence of breakage, can be reduced. Further, vibration and wear on the calendering apparatus can be reduced. The invention is particularly useful for heavily calendered webs such as the electrodes in non-aqueous rechargeable lithium ion batteries.

Abstract: A composite is disclosed which is resistant to knife stab penetration and is made from at least one layer of woven polybenzoxazole or polybenzothiazole fibers and at least one layer of a fiber network of another polymer.

Abstract: A glass composition comprising, based on mole %, 50-67% B.sub.2 O.sub.3 ; 20-50% M.sup.II O where M.sup.II is selected from the group consisting of alkaline earth elements; 2-15% Ln.sub.2 O.sub.3 where Ln is selected from the group consisting of rare earth elements and further comprising, based on mole %, 0-6% M.sup.I.sub.2 O where M.sup.I is selected from the group consisting of alkali elements and 0-10% Al.sub.2 O. The glass composition incorporated into a castable dielectric composition comprising a dispersion of finely divided solids comprising, based on solids: (a) 25-50 wt. % the glass composition; (b) 50-75 wt % refractory oxide; both dispersed in a solution of (c) an organic polymeric binder; and (d) a volatile organic solvent. The castable dielectric composition used in a method of forming a low loss green tape by casting a thin layer of the dispersion onto a flexible substrate and heating the cast layer to remove the volatile organic solvent.

Abstract: Apparatus for agitating a cleaning agent into a carpet comprises a housing within which a first and a second roller are each mounted for rotation in a first angular direction. A platen is mounted intermediate the rollers. A belt agitator comprising a fabric substrate having a pile surface is trained about the first and second rollers and extends under the platen. The rollers the platen support rectilinear movement of the belt agitator in the first direction to bring a portion of its surface sequentially from a first position within the housing to a contacting position in which the portion of the surface is in agitating contact with a carpet and, thereafter, to a second position within the housing.

Abstract: A method for producing coating composition exhibiting sprayability at low VOC and excellent performance characteristics as a coating is disclosed. The composition is based on low molecular weight anhydride resin having pendant non-cyclic anhydride moieties and epoxy resin. The composition includes an active catalyst for controlling the volatility of the coating during cure. The composition also includes a surface tension reducing agent that wets the surface during coating application.

Abstract: An ink/textile combination is provided wherein the ink contains an aqueous carrier and a pigment dispersion and the textile contains moieties selected from the group consisting of epoxy, hydroxyl, amine, amido, carboxyl moieties and mixtures thereof; wherein an interactive polymer is present in at least one of the ink or the textile and wherein the interactive polymer has at least one A monomer unit having active methylene groups and at least one B monomer unit selected from the group consisting of acrylates, methacrylates, polymerizable vinyl monomers, vinyl pyrrolidone, acrylamides, methacrylamides, vinyl acetate, vinyl alcohols and combinations thereof.

Abstract: Improved processes for laser thermal imaging and imaged laserable assemblages obtained using the improved processes of this invention are described. These improved processes operate effectively at high speeds and also afford high image densities and good durability of images present on receiver elements upon thermal imaging done in accordance with these improved processes. One application of the improved process provides a color filter element.

Abstract: An internal side load compensation device for use with a linear actuator comprises at least one cam beam affixed to the actuator housing pre-loaded to a known side load to influence at least one cam roller affixed to the primary driver of the linear actuator. The cam beam is pre-loaded by adjusting pre-load bars extending within the actuator housing.

Abstract: A device for carrying out motional training by continuously flexing and extending a joint of the body comprises a mounting piece for mounting the device in the vicinity of a joint, a drive unit arranged on the mounting piece including a reversable rotation motor having a motor output shaft, a manual switching clutch connected to the motor output shaft, a power transmission connected to the motor output shaft and a transmission output rotating shaft, a swinging arm having a base portion mounted on the mounting piece, and a free end portion of the device including another mounting piece for mounting the free end side of the device to a portion of the shaft body in front of a joint. The swinging arm is coupled to the transmission output rotating shaft and subjected to a reciprocating swing motion during regular and reverse rotation of the transmission output rotating shaft. A movable range setting copying mechanism sets the first swing end and the second swing end of the swing arm.

Abstract: The present invention relates to industrial fibers and products made therefrom and more specifically to industrial polyester fibers and products made therefrom. The fibers comprise a synthetic melt spun polymer having a relative viscosity about 24 to about 42, a denier of about 4 to about 8, a tenacity of about 6.5 grams/denier to about 9.2 grams/denier, and a sinusoidal shaped cross section normal to a longitudinal axis of the filament, the cross section having an aspect ratio of about 2 to about 6.

Abstract: A novel plasticizer composition is disclosed which comprises an ethylene copolymer combined with a reactive ultraviolet (UV) absorbing agent by reaction. Useful UV absorbing agents include homopolymers and copolymers of vinyl-functionalized monomer of benzotriazole, benzophenone, or benzophenolate. A process for preparing this novel plasticizer composition is also provided.

Abstract: There is provided soybean protein products of significantly lowerstachyose content as a function of an improved soybean having a seed stachyose content of less than 50 .mu.mol/g. Improved soybean lines are provided as are methods of using such reduced stachyose soybeans.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a fiber optic coupler of first and second optic fibers formed by a length of the two fibers. The first optic fiber along the length has a different core diameter than that of the second optic fiber. At the both ends of the length the first and second optic fibers are twisted about each other with a central portion in which said first and second optic fibers are fused substantially parallel to each other. The resulting coupler is such that an input light signal is split into output light signals in a predetermined power ratio on the two optic fibers with the coupled power ratio relatively insensitive for a predetermined range of signal wavelengths.

Abstract: An improved fluid energy mill having a curved-shaped insert having a leading edge and a trailing edge with an azimuthal angle of between 10.degree. and 300.degree. and a positive or zero angle of attack is disclosed. This mill provides for lower energy consumption while improving or maintaining product specifications, and improved production rates.