Abstract: An apparatus and method of use for dissociating materials includes a power supply, high energy capacitor, high energy trigger device and an probe and reactor arrangement for treating both solid and medium/media materials. A near instantaneous discharge of the electrical charge stored in the capacitor via the probe can be used to dissociate the material, either medium/media or solid, for a desired result. Hazardous materials can be treated to be rendered non-hazardous, rocks or other solid material can be treated for reduction in size, plant seeds can be treated to enhance plant growth surfaces of granular material can be scored or thermally polished and milk, juices and blood could be treated for sterilization.

Abstract: A placket sewing machine is provided for attaching a placket patch to a fabric part of a garment. The placket patch and fabric part are positioned in overlying relation to form a multiple layer placket assembly. The placket patch has a leading end for being fed together with the fabric part through the sewing machine, and a trailing end. A sewing head is mounted above the base of the machine, and includes at least one reciprocating sewing needle. The sewing head is operatively connected to a motor for actuating the sewing needle. A controller controls operation of the sewing motor. A throat plate supports the overlaid placket patch and fabric part on the working surface of the machine base in an area of the sewing needle. The throat plate includes a side extension located outside of the area of the sewing needle.

Abstract: A method for making arthropodicidal oxadiazines and intermediates which are racemic or enantiomerically enriched at their chiral center, the method for making the oxadiazines comprising reaction of an intermediate selected from ##STR1## wherein: R.sup.1 is F, Cl, or C.sub.1 -C.sub.3 fluroalkoxy,R.sup.2 is C.sub.1 -C.sub.3 alkyl, andR.sup.4 is H or CO.sub.2 CH.sub.2 (C.sub.6 H.sub.5).as well as certain selected intermediates including those depicted above, and methods of making them.

Abstract: The invention relates to an electrochemical cell which has an electrode, which may be either an anode or a cathode, and a membrane disposed in contact with one side of the electrode. An anode current bus is disposed on the other side of the anode, and a cathode current bus is disposed on the other side of the cathode. An anode current distributor collects current from the anode current bus and distributes it to the anode by electronic conduction, and a cathode current distributor collects current from the cathode and distributes it to the cathode bus by electronic conduction. The anode or the cathode current distributor is made of a metal which is treated by either nitriding, boriding or carbiding the metal in order to make the metal oxide growth resistant. In particular, the current distributor comprises tantalum that has been nitrided to form Ta.sub.2 N. The current distributor thus provides a barrier between the current bus and the electrode, and the anolyte, catholyte and products of the cell.

Abstract: A process for recovering a polyester, preferably polyethylene terephthalate, from contaminated polyester waste containing non-polyester components, such as polyester blended with cotton or other fibers in fabric or fiber forms, polyester magnetic tapes, coated polyester films and engineering resins, by dissolving the polyester in molten dimethylterephthalate, methyl-p-toluate or dimethylisophthalate as solvent and separating the polyester solution from the non-polyester components. The polyester can subsequently be recovered by crystallization or the polyester solution can be used as a feedstock for methanolysis to form dimethylterephthalate (DMT) and alkylene glycol. The DMT can be subsequently hydrolyzed to recover terephthalic acid (TPA).

Abstract: A watch case for a digital or analog watch assembly. The watch case includes a body, a time display element, an electronic speaker unit for generating musical or other acoustical sounds, and an aperture formed in the body which communicates with the speaker. Significantly, the aperture is sized so that the quality sound (e.g., music and voices) emitted therethrough from said speaker unit is clearer and more understandable than has been available heretofore.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for spinning filaments of a polymeric material includes a first temperature control arrangement for heating a spin pack to a first predetermined reference temperature greater than the predetermined polymer inlet temperature such that the temperature across a polymer filter holder and the spinneret plate in the spin pack is substantially uniform, whereby the temperature of the filaments emanating from the spinneret plate is substantially uniform. A plate assembly having at least one polymer flow passage therein is disposed between the outlet of the pump and the inlet of the spin pack. A second temperature control arrangement for independently controlling the temperature of the plate assembly to a second predetermined reference temperature is provided.

Abstract: Blends of highly-neutralized ionomers of copolymers of ethylene and high weight percentages of .alpha.,.beta.-ethylenically-unsaturated C.sub.3 -C.sub.8 carboxylic acids dispersed in a continuous or co-continuous polyamide phase are provided and a process for making such blends. The blends are particularly useful in applications such as molded parts where toughness, high gloss, abrasion/scratch (mar) resistance, UV resistance, high temperature properties and stiffness are desired.

Abstract: Tetrafluoroethylene is safely shipped or stored in the form of a liquid mixture with 35 to 65 mol % hexafluoropropylene.

Abstract: A process for the selective and high yield preparation of 1,1-difluoroethane (CHF.sub.2 --CH.sub.3, HFC-152a) from chloroethene and anhydrous hydrogen fluoride is disclosed. The process involves the reaction of chloroethene with anhydrous hydrogen fluoride in a liquid phase between the temperatures of 30.degree. and 160.degree. C. in the presence of a tin catalyst and at least one compound selected from the group consisting of alkali metal halides and saturated halogenated hydrocarbons.

Abstract: Fluorinated vinyl ethers having cyanate or carbamate groups are useful as monomers in making fluoropolymers having functional sites.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for the selective and high yield preparation of 1,1-difluoroethane (HFC-152a). The process comprises contacting chloroethene with anhydrous hydrogen fluoride in a liquid phase at a temperature from about 50.degree. C. and 95.degree. C. while in the presence of a tin(IV) catalyst and an alkali metal halide.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for enriching the amount of CFC-114 relative to the amount of CFC-114a from an initial mixture containing both isomers, by contacting said initial mixture with hydrogen chloride in the vapor phase at an elevated temperature in the presence of a catalyst to produce a product mixture containing C.sub.2 Cl.sub.2 F.sub.3 and chlorination products of CCl.sub.2 FCF.sub.3 wherein the weight ratio of CClF.sub.2 CClF.sub.2 to the total C.sub.2 Cl.sub.2 F.sub.4 is higher than the weight ratio of CClF.sub.2 CClF.sub.2 to the total C.sub.2 Cl.sub.2 F.sub.4 in the initial mixture. The chlorination products of CFC-114a (e.g., CCl.sub.3 CF.sub.3) in the product mixture may then be separated from the C.sub.2 Cl.sub.2 F.sub.4 therein (e.g., by distillation).

Abstract: A novel resin composition for use in applications requiring low formaldehyde concentration levels. The novel composition comprising a stabilized polyacetal polymer with capped end groups is characterized by the concentration of formaldehyde generated from a formed object of the said composition in a closed environment being less than 20 ppm.

Abstract: The present invention is a holder cup for a stick-type product which comprises a hollow housing which is configured to receive a stick-type product. The hollow housing has a wall which contains at least one aperture. A tab capable of occupying a first open position or second locked position is pivotally mounted within an aperture. The tab has an outer cam surface which extends past the outside of the wall of the housing, and has a notch which fits the wall of the housing when the tab is in the second position. When the tab is caused to pivot toward the center of the holder cup the tab punctures the product and locks in place, thus preventing the release of the product from the holder cup.

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: Optic switches manipulate an optical signal that has been expanded by a collimating lens. Switching is effected by introducing a prism between collimating lenses to redirect the optical signal to an alternative lens. The prism preferably has a cross-section defining a parallelogram, so that the optical signal is reflected twice within the prism to minimize cross-sectional distortion and avoid spectral effects. A circuit provides feedback on the actual position of the relay and prism for fault detection and diagnosis.

Abstract: The invention relates to an electrochemical cell having an electrode with a catalyst layer and a gas diffusion layer. The cell also includes a mass flow field for directing fluid to and away from the electrode. An additional gas diffusion layer is disposed between the gas diffusion layer and the flow field. This increases the diffusion resistance of the fluid. The electrochemical cell of the present invention is particularly useful in a process for electrochemically converting anhydrous hydrogen halide to essentially dry halogen gas, where it is necessary to control and increase limiting current. It is also possible to use the additional gas diffusion layer in an aqueous process electrochemical cell.