Abstract: A process which can be used in oligomerization, polymerization, or depolymerization such as, for example, the production of a polyester is provided. The process comprises contacting a carbonyl compound, in the presence of a composition, with an alcohol. The catalyst comprises a catalyst having the formula of M.sub.x Ti.sup.(III) Ti.sup.(IV).sub.y O.sub.(x+3+4y)/2 wherein M is an alkali metal, Ti.sup.(III) is titanium in the +3 oxidation state, Ti.sup.(IV) is titanium in the +4 oxidation state, x and y are numbers greater than or equal to zero wherein if x equals zero, y is a number less than 1/2.

Abstract: A thermal insulating material with a cellular structure is disclosed which comprises a bound SiO.sub.2 -containing material converted to at least 90% into a tobermorite phase. The SiO.sub.2 -containing material is diatomaceous earth, the density of the thermal insulating material is less than 150 kg/m.sup.3 and the thermal conductivity (declared value)is less than 0.05 (W/m.sup..multidot. K).

Abstract: This invention relates to improved sheets of flash-spun plexifilamentary film-fibrils useful in fluid microfiltration and sterile packaging. The sheet material suitable for use in microfiltration of liquids has a permeability that causes a pressure drop of less than 21 kPa at a water flow rate per unit area of 12.55 ml/min/cm.sup.2, and that has a filtration efficiency of 99% of dust particulates in the size range of 1 to 2 microns suspended in a stream of distilled water pumped through the sheet material at a pressure differential of 207 kPa. The sheet material suitable for use in sterile packaging that has a Gurley Hill Porosity of less than 15 seconds and a bacteria spore log reduction value of at least 2.5.

Abstract: Advantageous processes are disclosed for the production of vinyl fluoride. Also disclosed are advantageous methods which may be employed for the preparation of catalysts useful in such processes. Included are methods which involve (i) reducing surface B.sub.2 O.sub.3 present in a bulk chromium oxide composition containing surface B.sub.2 O.sub.3 by treating said composition with HF at an elevated temperature and/or (ii) treating a bulk chromium oxide composition containing B.sub.2 O.sub.3 to enrich the B.sub.2 O.sub.3 present on its surface by heating said composition in oxygen or an oxygen-containing environment (e.g., air) at an elevated temperature for a time sufficient to enrich the B.sub.2 O.sub.3 on the surface of the composition by at least a factor of two compared to the surface analysis of the untreated bulk composition.

Abstract: An aspirating jet piddler that has no moving parts and operates by swirling a textile tow line pneumatically to achieve a soft laydown with reduced tangling.

Abstract: A food material dispensing apparatus for adding a topping to a target food is described. The apparatus comprises a first hopper and a first food distributing system. The first hopper is adapted for receiving the food material at an inlet and delivering the food material through an outlet toward a target location. The first food distributing system is designed for spreading the food material over the target food. The food distributing system includes a motor positioned a horizontal distance from the inlet of the first hopper, a curved conduit, and a flexible, rotary shaft. The curved conduit has a proximal end and a distal end. The proximal end is releaseably connected to the motor, and the distal end is adapted for insertion into the hopper. The flexible, rotary shaft is for stirring and/or mixing the food material. The flexible, rotary shaft passing through the curved conduit and is operatively connected at a first end to the motor.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are processes for polymerizing ethylene, acyclic olefins, and/or selected cyclic olefins, and optionally selected olefinic esters or carboxylic acids, and other monomers. The polymerizations are catalyzed by selected transition metal compounds, and sometimes other co-catalysts. Since some of the polymerizations exhibit some characteristics of living polymerizations, block copolymers can be readily made. Many of the polymers produced are often novel, particularly in regard to their microstructure, which gives some of them unusual properties. Numerous novel catalysts are disclosed, as well as some novel processes for making them. The polymers made are useful as elastomers, molding resins, in adhesives, etc. Also described herein is the synthesis of linear .alpha.-olefins by the oligomerization of ethylene using as a catalyst system a combination a nickel compound having a selected .alpha.-diimine ligand and a selected Lewis or Bronsted acid, or by contacting selected .alpha.

Abstract: Porous microcomposites comprising a perfluorinated ion-exchange polymer (PFIEP) containing pendant metal cation exchanged sulfonate groups, metal cation exchanged carboxylate groups, or metal cation exchanged sulfonate and carboxylate groups, wherein the metal cation may be ligand coordinated, and optionally pendant sulfonic acid groups, carboxylic acid groups, or sulfonic acid and carboxylic acid groups, the PFIEP being entrapped within and highly dispersed throughout a network of metal oxide, a network of silica or a network of metal oxide and silica can be prepared from PFIEP and one or more precursors selected from the group consisting of a metal oxide precursor, a silica precursor, and a metal oxide and silica precursor using an in situ process. Preferred metal cations are Cr, Sn, Al, Fe, Os, Co, Zn, Hg, Li, Na, Cu, Pd or Ru. Such microcomposites have a first set of pores having a pore size diameter ranging from about 0.

Abstract: Disclosed is a highly conductive polymer electrolyte membrane and a process for producing it. This invention also describes batteries which employ the polymer electrolyte membrane of this invention.

Abstract: A sod comprising a root support matrix that itself comprises a mixture of soil and/or sand, and shredded carpet fragments, wherein the shredded carpet fragments are from about one-tenth percent (0.1%) to about five percent (5.0%) by weight of the matrix; and a plurality of plants growing in said root support matrix, said plants having roots entangled with said shredded carpet fragments. The shredded carpet fragments comprise a mass of entangled face yarns some of which yarns have bits of carpet backing material attached thereto, wherein at least about ninety percent (90%), and more preferably at least about ninety-five percent (95%), of the bits of carpet backing material have no one dimension greater than about one-quarter (0.25) inch.

Abstract: The present invention relates to cosmetic or pharmaceutical compositions comprising a magnetic metal species bound to an ion exchange resin as well as a method for preparing stable compositions of this type.

Abstract: A process for synthesizing aromatic urethanes, which entails:a) reacting an organic carbonate, in an amount which is equal to or greater than a stoichiometric amount, with an aromatic amine at a temperature of 00 to 190.degree. C.; andb) recovering the aromatic urethane from the reaction mixture, wherein step a) is carried out by maintaining reaction alcohol in an amount of from 10 to 40 mol % based on a total quantity of alcohol coproduced during the reaction.

Abstract: Fluoropolymers containing a specified ratio of hydrogen to fluorine atoms attached to polymer backbone atoms dissolve in carbon dioxide under relatively mild conditions of temperature and pressure. The resulting solutions may be used for coatings or encapsulation.

Abstract: A wand for cleaning a carpeted stair tread includes a vacuum tube and a plurality of partitions attached thereto. The vacuum tube and the partitions cooperate to define a central channel and a pair of generally enclosed lateral channels. A nozzle bar for dispensing a liquid cleaning material extends through the central channel. The lateral channels extend in side-by-side relationship with the central channel. Each lateral channel is open along the bottom edge thereof to define a vacuum slot. Each of the lateral channels communicates with the vacuum tube through a respective opening formed in the vacuum tube. The wand may also include an elongated operating handle. Preferably the handle is attached to the wand such that the axis of the handle is substantially parallel to the axis of the wand. The wand includes a nose piece having a central channel and a pair of generally enclosed lateral channels that extend side-by-side relationship with the central channel.

Abstract: The present invention provides mice which are deficient in the normal expression of one or more members of the RAR or RXR class of receptors, mice which are heterozygous for such deficiency, and to cell lines, preferably pluripotent or totipotent cell lines, which are heterozygous or homozygous for such deficiency. The present invention further provides the use of any of the above mice and cell lines in situations where the absence of at least one RAR or RXR receptor(s), or the normal expression thereof, is desirable.

Abstract: This invention provides a process for the manufacture of a fluoroolefin of the formula (R.sup.1).sub.2 C.dbd.C(R.sup.1).sub.2 wherein each R.sup.1 is independently selected from the group consisting of --H, --F, --CF.sub.3, --CHF.sub.2, --CH.sub.2 F, --C.sub.2 F.sub.5, --C.sub.2 HF.sub.4 and --C.sub.2 H.sub.2 F.sub.3, provided that at least one R.sup.1 is not --H. The process comprises contacting a hydrofluorocarbon of the formula (R.sup.1).sub.2 CHCF(R.sup.1).sub.2 with a catalyst comprising cubic chromium trifluoride, i.e., a chromium trifluoride having an X-ray diffraction powder pattern shown in Table I, at a temperature of from about 200.degree. C. to about 500.degree. C.

Abstract: A jack assembly includes two lower arms each having an upper end portion and a lower end portion pivotally attached to a base, two upper arms each having an upper end portion pivotally mounted to a support bracket and a lower end portion pivotally mounted to the upper end portion of one of the two respective lower arms, a drive shaft having two end portions each rotatably extending through the connection of the lower end portion of one of the two respective upper arms and the upper end portion of one of the two respective lower arms, and an drive device including a drive gear train driven by a motor so as to rotate the drive shaft electrically, and a drive nut driven by a tool such as a socket so as to rotate the drive shaft manually. In such a manner, the jack assembly can be operated manually or electrically.

Abstract: An aramid ballistic protection construction is disclosed with a combination of woven para-aramid fiber sheets and compressed pulp sheets. The construction exhibits improved wearer comfort and increased flexibility, with a level of ballistics protection nearly equal to that provided by an equivalent areal density of woven sheets, alone.