Abstract: Compositions and methods for manufacturing sheets having a starch-bound matrix reinforced with fibers and optionally including an inorganic mineral filler. Suitable mixtures for forming the sheets are prepared by mixing together water, unmodified and ungelatinized starch granules, a cellulosic ether, fibers, and optionally an inorganic mineral filler in the correct proportions to form a sheet having desired properties. The mixtures are formed into sheets by passing them between one or more sets of heated rollers to form green sheets. The heated rollers cause the cellulosic ether to form a skin on the outer surfaces of the sheet that prevents the starch granules from causing the sheet to adhere to the rollers upon gelation of the starch. The green sheets are passed between heated rollers to gelatinize the starch granules, and then to dry the sheet by removing a substantial portion of the water by evaporation.

Abstract: A waveguide coupler comprises at least a first waveguide coupled at a coupling region to a second waveguide such that at least a part of radiation propagating along the first waveguide is coupled into the second waveguide. The second waveguide comprises a diffraction grating disposed at the coupling region to inhibit coupling of radiation from the first waveguide into the second waveguide at wavelengths characteristic of the diffraction grating.

Abstract: A flash-spinning solution of a polyolefin dissolved in a primary solvent selected from the group consisting of methylene chloride and dichloroethylene, and a co-solvent selected from the group of hydrofluoroethers, cyclic perfluorinated hydrocarbons, and cyclic partially fluorinated hydrocarbons.

Abstract: The invention concerns a plate resonator for absorbing sound and including a thin front plate with high elasticity and low internal friction, e.g., made of metal; a back plate which likewise has high elasticity but which has high internal friction; an all-over solid connection between the front and back plates in the form of a bonded connection (e.g. double-sided adhesive tape); and a border which is closed all around by the back plate but does not prevent sound entering the back plate from the side.

Abstract: A bow making apparatus (10) for receiving and maintaining the disposition of bow fabricating material during the making of a decorative bow. The bow making apparatus (10) includes a base member (12) defining an upper work surface (14) for supporting bow fabricating material (28) during the bow making operation. The apparatus (10) also includes first, second and third retainer members (22, 24, 25) extending upwardly from the upper work surface (14) of the base member (12) for releasably receiving and maintaining the position of gathered sections of bow fabricating material (28).

Abstract: The end groups of an aliphatic polyamide may be changed by reacting a polyurea with a molten aliphatic polyamide at temperatures of about 260.degree. C. or more. Carboxyl end groups are controllably converted to amine end groups. This is especially useful for controlling the dyeability of fibers spun from such aliphatic polyamides.

Abstract: A method for applying to a surface a viscous liquid having a low shear rate viscosity in the range from about 0.1 Pascal.seconds to about ten (10) Pascal.seconds at a shear rate of ten (10) per second, a shear-thinning power law index in the range from about 0.2 to about 0.6, a high shear rate viscosity in the range from about 0.05 Pascal.seconds to about 0.5 Pascal.seconds at a shear rate of twenty thousand (20,000) per second, and a surface tension in the range from about fifteen (15) dynes/cm. to about sixty (60) dynes/cm. is characterized by pressurizing the liquid to a static pressure in the range from about five hundred (500) pounds per square inch to about fourteen hundred (1400) pounds per square inch, and thereafter spraying the viscous liquid at a dynamic pressure in the range from about one hundred (100) pounds per square inch to about one thousand (1000) pounds per square inch, whereby the liquid emanates as a spray with substantially no mist through a spray tip of an applicator wand.

Abstract: The reactions of cyclic carbonates, especially 1,3-dioxolan-2-ones, with amines, especially primary amines, are catalyzed by the presence of a base whose conjugate acid has a pKa of about 11 or more. The products are hydroxy urethanes, and the process can be used to form crosslinked polymers which contain urethane groups. Such crosslinked polymers are useful in coatings.

Abstract: This invention relates to certain phenylhetercyclic compounds, herbicidal compositions thereof and a method for their use as general and selective preemergent or postemergent herbicides or plant growth regulants.

Abstract: A process is provided for producing a bonded nonwoven sheet from a lightly consolidated fibrous polyolefin sheet wherein the sheet is preheated on one or more preheating rolls, is bonded in one or more calendering nips, and is cooled on one or more cooling rolls. The process is used to make bonded polyolefin fibrous sheets that are smooth, are substantially impermeable to air and water, and are moisture vapor permeable.

Abstract: Perfluoroelastomer compositions of improved processability are provided which have reduced levels of ionized or ionizable polymer endgroups.

Abstract: An ultrafine titanium dioxide powder is disclosed that can be produced by hydrothermal treating an amino titanium oxalate composition. Ultrafine titanium dioxide powders are useful in cosmetic and other applications for controlling exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light.

Abstract: A hoist is constructed for powered drive by an impact tool. The hoist includes tension means for applying a force in tension to a load. Gear means are operatively associated with the tension means for producing a tension force in the tension means. The gear means include a gear element which provides a positive hold of the produced tension force when the gear means are not being driven. Impact fitting means are connected to the gear element for enabling the gear means to be power driven by an impact tool.

Abstract: A liquid storage and dispensing device includes a bottle and a fluid flow control device which is mounted to the neck of the bottle. The bottle includes a planar surface upon which the bottle may rest in an inclined orientation, with the neck of the bottle pointed down. The planar surface is formed at an angle with respect to the rest of the bottle geometry so that the center of gravity of the bottle, when full of liquid and in the inclined orientation, is above the planar surface. Thus, the full bottle is able to be safely stored in the inclined orientation with any level of liquid contained in the bottle, without concern that the bottle will topple over, and the liquid contents may be dispensed through the fluid flow control device.

Abstract: A sensor for the detection and measurement of an analyte in a biofluid. The sensor includes two enzymes. One type of sensor measures the concentration of hydrogen peroxide using a thermostable peroxidase enzyme that is immobilized in a redox hydrogel to form a sensing layer on a working electrode. This sensor also includes a hydrogen peroxide-generating second enzyme which is insulated from the redox hydrogel and electrode. This second enzyme generates hydrogen peroxide in response to the presence of an analyte or analyte-generated compound. The second enzyme may be insulated from the electrode by placement of an electrically insulating layer between the sensing layer and the second enzyme layer.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for manufacturing a controlled gloss fluoropolymer film by casting a fluoropolymer dispersion onto a support substrate which has been coated with a solution containing a substantially inert particulate material, curing, drying and stripping a fluoropolymer film, which has a controlled-gloss or matte finish from the support substrate. The gloss of the matte fluoropolymer film is dependent upon and controlled by the amount of particulate material in the coating solution.

Abstract: An automobile acoustic unit is provided for installation into an interior of an automobile. The automobile acoustic unit includes an audio source for generating audio signals, a chamber configured to receive and store a cellular phone, and a circuit for controlling and selecting the playback of audio signals from the audio source and signals from the cellular phone.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel arrangement for attaching, by screw threads, one device to another wherein the one device has a greater thermal rate of expansion than the other and the devices are assembled at a temperature which is lower than that at which the two devices are regularly subjected. In particular, the novel arrangement maintains the security of the attachment where the differing thermal rates of expansion would normally cause the screw thread attachment to become loose.

Abstract: A support device for controlling breast thickness during stereotactic guided needle biopsy is provided. The support device includes a compressible support having an inner surface which extends adjacent to a substantial portion of a peripheral surface of a patient's breast when the breast and the support are disposed between the fixed and pressure plates of an apparatus for performing stereotactic guided needle biopsy. The compressible support restricts the inferior and lateral excursion of the breast as the plates are moved toward one another and the patient's breast and the compressible support are pressed between the plates. A method for controlling breast thickness during stereotactic guided needle biopsy is also provided.