Abstract: A staged feeding process for preparing a composition by mixing at least a first polymer and a second, dissimilar polymer forms a final composition comprising a uniform, small-particle dispersion of the first polymer in a matrix of the second polymer. Preferably, the first polymer has a melt viscosity greater than the second polymer. The process comprises the steps of feeding the first polymer in a first feed stage and feeding all of the second polymer as a melt at least two feed stages to mix the first and second polymers. Alternatively, the process may comprise feeding the first polymer in a first feed stage and feeding all of the second polymer in at least two feed stages subsequent to the first feed stage. In either case, this mixing initiates a chemical reaction between the first and second polymers.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a multi-layer lidding film and a package with the lidding film heat-sealed thereto as a cover. The multi-layer film comprises: 1) a support layer, such as polyester, 2) a non-crosslinked amorphous acrylic interface layer, and 3) an outer copolyester heat seal layer. The acrylic interface layer advantageously limits the peel strength of the heat seal, making it easy for consumers to open the lidded package while still provides heat seal reliability and allowing the film to be heat-sealed to the package.

Abstract: A photosensitive printing element having an overall layer of powder material and a process for making a flexographic printing plate from such an element are disclosed. The photosensitive element includes a support, a photopolymerizable layer, and a layer of powder material on the photopolymerizable layer. The layer of powder material can be opaque or transparent depending upon desired use.

Abstract: Grafted thermoplastic elastomer compositions formed by melt blending of a minor proportion of a thermoplastic material having a high softening point with a minor proportion of a glycidyl-containing copolymer, followed by melt blending of the thermoplastic material/glycidyl-containing copolymer blend with a major proportion of an acid-containing ethylene copolymer have a unique combination of unexpectedly good high temperature properties, compression set resistance and/or rebound.

Abstract: The present invention provides a nitrile hydratase nucleic acid fragment isolated from Pseudomonas putida which encodes a nitrile hydratase activity capable of catalyzing the hydrolysis of certain racemic nitrites to the corresponding R- or S-amides. Also provided are transformed microorganisms capable of the active expression of said nitrile hydratase activity. Additionally, the invention provides a transformant harboring the nitrile hydratase gene in conjunction with an amidase gene, both of which may be co-expressed producing active nitrile hydratase and amidase enzymes respectively. Methods for the production of such enantiomeric materials are also provided.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for splicing a moving threadline to a stationary threadline utilizing adhesive tapes is provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for forming an outwardly extending tubular portion in a side wall of a workpiece, such as a rocker arm. The method includes the following steps: (1) positioning the workpiece in a punch press having a central shaft with a movable punch mounted in an aperture formed in the central shaft for lateral sliding movement with respect to the shaft; (b) extending the central shaft into the interior cavity of the workpiece; and (c) actuating lateral sliding movement of the movable punch against the side wall of the workpiece to cold form the outwardly extending tubular portion in the side wall.

Abstract: White-pigmented polymers (particularly, polyolefins such as polyethylene) containing white pigments treated with at least one silane or a mixture of at least one silane and at least one polysiloxane are disclosed to improve processibility in compounding and improve performance properties such as lacing resistance in a polymeric matrix.

Abstract: A mechanical sphincter device is to be located in the body for engaging the urethra to control urinary incontinence. The device is formed by a curved piece of flexible material having free ends and a pair of juxtaposed strips of flexible material having their ends connected to the corresponding ends of the curved piece with the urethra disposed between opposing faces of the strips. When the curved piece is in a relaxed state it tensions the strips to apply pressure to the urethra therebetween to restrict flow of urine and when force is applied to the curved piece relaxing the tension on said pair of strips the pressure on the urethra is reduced and permits urine flow.

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: A copolymer composition and coating comprising the copolymer composition containing a vinyl silane of the formula ##STR1## where R.sub.1 is an aryl or alkyl group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms and R.sub.2 is a hydrolysable group; anda vinyl ester of a branched fatty acid having the formula ##STR2## wherein R.sub.3, R.sub.4, R.sub.5 are hydrogen or alkyl groups with 1 to 12 carbon atoms andwherein the total of R.sub.3, R.sub.4 and R.sub.5 contain at least 3 carbon atoms andoptionally at least one olefinically unsaturated compound.

Abstract: A rigid, aromatic polyimide composition prepared using a solution imidization process from an aromatic tetracarboxylic dianhydride and a diamine which is greater than 60 mole % to about 85 mole % p-phenylene diamine and 15 mole % to less than 40 mole % m-phenylene diamine exhibits exceptional tensile properties and thermal oxidative stability.

Abstract: Transparent electroconductive coating compositions, methods to prepare such coating compositions, and substrates coated with these coating compositions. The coatings are based on polymeric resins containing finely dispersed electroconductive powders. The coatings can be characterized by the following: thermoformable while retaining transparency and electrical conductivity that is insensitive to humidity; low chloride extractability, stable to exposure to isopropanol or water/soap solutions.

Abstract: This invention relates to a new nonwoven material which has very high Frazier permeability while having substantial hydrostatic head liquid barrier properties. The material is comprised of fibers which are approximately one denier and finer fibers which have sufficient strength properties so as not to need a support scrim. The fabric is quite comfortable because of its breathability, quite soft because of its construction, and protective from liquids from rain to hazardous chemicals.

Abstract: Dicarboxylic acids or esters thereof are recovered from solid phase polyester materials, such as post-consumer products and factory scrap, by subjecting the polyester to at least two hydrolysis stages in at least the first of which the amount of water used is substantially less than needed to effect total conversion of the polyester to the dicarboxylic acid. Also the diol content is controlled in the course of carrying out the hydrolysis. The hydrolysis reactions may be preceded by reaction of the polyester with a diol, the resulting depolymerisation products then being hydrolysed.

Abstract: Fluoropolymer is advantageously foamed by first forming a composite structure of a layer of the fluoropolymer to be foamed and a layer of different material such as a different fluoropolymer not to be foamed, followed by heating the composite structure to the foamable state for the layer of fluoropolymer to be foamed, pressurizing the heated composite structure with supercritical carbon dioxide, rapidly depressurizing the heated composite structure, whereby the foamable layer foams and the other layer foams less or not at all, and cooling the foamed composite structure.

Abstract: Compounds of Formula I, and their N-oxides and agriculturally suitable salts, are disclosed which are useful for controlling undesired vegetation ##STR1## wherein Q, X, A, B, R.sup.1 through R.sup.3, m, p, q, r, and s are as defined in the disclosure.Also disclosed are compositions containing the compounds of Formula I and a method for controlling undesired vegetation which involves contacting the vegetation or its environment with an effective amount of a compound of Formula I.

Abstract: The present invention relates to TiO.sub.2 pigments having TiO.sub.2 particles with substantially discrete inorganic particles dispersed on the surfaces of the TiO.sub.2 particles. Suitable inorganic particles include silica, calcium carbonate, and mixtures thereof. The substantially discrete inorganic particles have an average diameter size within the range of about 5 to about 50 nm and are dispersed on the surfaces of the TiO.sub.2 particles in an amount of less than 20 wt. % based on total pigment weight. This invention also includes coating compositions containing these pigments and processes for making these pigments.

Abstract: A novel class of interpenetrating polymer networks which are dispersible in conventional coating solvents is disclosed. Such dispersions are useful in preparing protective and/or decorative film coatings and are particularly useful in photosensitive or imaging formulations such as photoresists, solder masks and the like. These polymer networks are comprised of at least two interpenetrating crosslinked polymers. At least one of the polymer networks is formed by polymerization in a solvent. In one embodiment of this invention, at least one polymer network is prepared from macromers to produce a polymer system having functionalized branch or graft linear segments. The solvent dispersible interpenetrating networks of this invention are particularly useful as binders in addition polymerizable photosensitive compositions containing crosslinking monomers such as solder masks. Upon exposure to actinic radiation and suitable thermal curing, solder mask coatings of such photosensitive compositions form multiple, e.g.