Abstract: An improved process for preparing a biaxially stretched thermoplastic film, such as polyethylene naphthalate (PEN) or polyethylene terephthalate (PET) film, having low thermal shrinkages by simultaneous biaxial stretching of the film in a tenter frame using linear electrical motors to drive the tenter clips. The film is relaxed in the machine direction (MD) and the transverse direction (TD) by converging the paths of the tenter clips and decelerating the tenter clips during heat-setting to provide film having tailored levels of MD and TD shrinkages.

Abstract: A process for preparing polyvinylbutyral sheet having a desired uniform adhesivity comprising preparing a blend of polyvinylbutyral and a compatible quantity of a at least one plasticizer and an adhesion control agent, and extruding the blend to form a sheet, the improvement comprising monitoring the acidity of the sheet and adding water to the blend as an agent for controlling the adhesivity of said sheet.

Abstract: A pedal rod for an automotive vehicle braking system has a spring seat formed between the ball and the head by displacing a thin peripheral laminar layer through a finite longitudinal dimension thereby to form a circumferentially continuous annular radially outwardly projecting spring seat.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method by which olefinically-unsaturated organic molecules, which are otherwise nonpolymerizable, may be homopolymerized or copolymerized with conventional monomers through the use of cobalt chain transfer catalysts. The resulting macromonomers contain one terminal functional group and a terminal double bond on the other end of the chain.

Abstract: A method to make electrically conductative high strength and high modulus poly(p-phenylene terephthalamide) fibers rendered electrically conductive with sulfonic acid insitu ring-substituted polyaniline.

Abstract: A voltage compensation system for an A.C. power line supplying one or more air conditioners, a telephone system or other telecommunication system, a battery charger, or some other utilization system that should have an input voltage within a given normal range. The voltage compensation system includes a transformer unit containing a transformer having at least two windings coupled electromagnetically by a transformer core; one of those windings preferably is in two segments that are connectable in series or in parallel. One winding is connected to an input terminal and to an output terminal. The other winding adds to the A.C. line voltage when the line voltage drops below a low voltage threshold and/or subtracts from the line voltage when the A.C. line voltage exceeds a high voltage threshold. If the A.C. line voltage is in the range required by the utilization system, the other transformer winding is effectively shorted out or otherwise disconnected.

Abstract: Synthetic fibers that have a round cross-section and three round longitudinal voids.

Abstract: Ethylene/carboxylic acid ionomers may be made, using a meltspun, and particularly meitblown process, into microfibers and thence to filter webs which are efficient gas filters for removing particles having a diameter of from 0.5 to 20 microns from a gas. The webs are effective without a deliberate specific post-charging operation during production. A deliberate post-charging operation can also be carried out to result in further efficiency.

Abstract: An improved aqueous electrocoating composition that contains an anticrater agent which is a reaction product of polyoxyalkylene diamine and glycidoxy alkyl alkoxy silane which is hydrolyzed and has a number average molecular weight of about 700-5,000; electrodeposited finishes are formed that have a significant reduction in craters and are smooth and even finishes.

Abstract: Systems for manufacturing sheets having a highly inorganically filled matrix. Suitable inorganically filled mixtures are prepared by mixing together an organic polymer binder, water, one or more inorganic aggregate materials, fibers, and optional admixtures in the correct proportions in order to form a sheet which has the desired performance criteria. The inorganically filled mixtures are formed into sheets by first extruding the mixtures and the passing the extruded materials between a set of rollers. The rolled sheets are dried in an accelerated manner to form a substantially hardened sheet, such as by heated rollers and/or a drying chamber. The inorganically filled sheets may have properties substantially similar to sheets presently made from traditional materials like paper, cardboard, polystyrene, plastic, or metal. The systems yield sheets can be rolled, pressed, scored, perforated, folded, and glued.

Abstract: A process for making polyurethaneureas using cryogenic mixing is provided. Such polyurethaneureas are useful for making spandex and, ultimately, various types of clothing. The process involves cooling an isocyanate prepolymer or the like to a temperature of less than about -100.degree. C., forming a powder from the isocyanate prepolymer, adding at least one chain extender and/or chain terminator, and warming the powder to at least about room temperature to produce a polyurethaneurea. Such polyurethaneureas are useful for making spandex and, ultimately, various types of clothing.

Abstract: A process for producing sulfuryl chloride and/or thionyl chloride is disclosed which involves contacting a mixture comprising SO.sub.2 and Cl.sub.2 (e.g., at about 300.degree. C. or less) with carbon having an active metal content of less than 1000 ppm by weight and a high degree of oxidative stability (i.e., a weight loss of about 12%, or less, in the WVC Temperature Test as defined herein).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a continuous process for acid hydrolysis of lignocellulosic material through which the delignification and saccharification operations are carried out in a single reaction cycle utilizing a solubilizing organic solvent of lignin and a strong and extremely diluted inorganic acid, and obtaining highly concentrated recoveries of sugar. For the execution of the present process a hydrolysis reactor is further presented.

Abstract: A process for the manufacture of vinyl fluoride (i.e., CH.sub.2 .dbd.CHF, VF or 1141) from 1,1-difluoroethane (i.e., CH.sub.3 CHF.sub.2, F152a or HFC-152a) is disclosed which involves contacting the 1,1-difluoroethane at an elevated temperature (200.degree. C.-400.degree. C.) with a multiphase catalyst composition consisting essentially of (a) fluorides of at least one divalent metal selected from magnesium and zinc, and (b) fluorides of trivalent aluminum, in which phases of the divalent fluorides are homogeneously dispersed with phases of the trivalent fluorides.

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 heated gutter system for preventing the build up of ice and snow on and in a roof gutter. The roof gutter includes a bottom wall, an upper wall, a front wall, a rear wall, and a pair of opposing ends. The upper and front walls have a space therebetween. A plurality of support brackets are positioned in the gutter along the length of the same. Each of the support brackets has a groove formed therein which is positioned adjacent the rear wall of the gutter. The groove in each of the brackets is aligned with the grooves in the other brackets. A heating element extends along the length of the gutter in between the grooves in each of the bracket.

Abstract: This invention concerns an organic/inorganic composite in particulate form prepared by spray drying a solution or dispersion comprising an organic polymer and an inorganic glassy polymer precursor under such conditions that the inorganic glassy polymer precursor forms an inorganic glassy polymer to yield the particulate. Such particulates are useful as reinforcing agents for polymers and in monolithic structures prepared by compression of a plurality of said particulates.

Abstract: A misaligning wellhead system for use on the surface end of well production tubing in a well produced by a pump driven by a pumping unit operated polished rod extending through the wellhead to the pump. The wellhead system includes a flange for connection of the system to the surface end of the production tubing, a blowout preventer above the flange, a flow tee above the blowout preventer for directing well fluids into a flowline, and a floating tubular body supporting a stuffing box and a flapper valve for torsional and lateral movement relative to the longitudinal axis through the wellhead body as the polished rod reciprocates to compensate for misalignment of the pumping unit relative to the wellbore centerline.

Abstract: An improved stitchbonded nonwoven fabric having repeating patterns of stitches in a fibrous layer is prepared with a stitching thread that consists essentially of fiber of partially molecularly oriented synthetic organic polymer. The fabric can be stretched, shrunken, and/or heat set and is particularly suited for thermoforming operations.

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.