Abstract: Improved liquid phase process useful in the hydrocyanation of diolefinic compounds to produce nonconjugated acyclic nitrites and to the liquid phase process of isomerization of the nitrites to 3- and/or 4-monoalkene linear nitriles. The improvement involves conducting the process in the presence of zero-valent nickel and a multidentate phosphite ligand. The invention also provides a novel method of making phosphorochloridite.

Abstract: A method and device for locating and identifying objects uses an encoding transponder in combination with the use of an SAR device carried in aircraft and spacecraft. Signals transmitted by the SAR device are received by the transponder are provided with an additional dominant signal structure and subsequently retransmitted back to the SAR device. Once the modulated code sequence is known, a signal correlation can be carried out between the signals output by the transponder and the signal reflected from the environment.

Abstract: A process for spinning a fully water washed fluorinated olefinic polymer intermediate fiber structure from a mixture of an aqueous dispersion of particles of the fluorinated olefinic polymer and a solution of a cellulosic ether.

Abstract: Compound steering assemblies, usable in both diagnostic and therapeutic applications, enable a physician to swiftly and accurately steer the distal section of the catheter in multiple planes or complex curves to position and maintain ablation and/or mapping electrodes in intimate contact with an interior body surface.

Abstract: A multi-mode, typically triple-mode, cavity (1), for waveguide band-pass filters is disclosed, which cavity requires no tuning or coupling screws and rounded. The cavity comprises a waveguide element such as an iris (IR1) or a waveguide segment (CR2) arranged in a generically eccentric position with respect to the general development of the cavity and in particular to the main axis (Z) of the same. The cavity may be used to make narrowband filters for satellite communications. A filter comprising cavities (1) of the type described can be designed entirely using an electronic computer and requires no calibration procedure.

Abstract: A novel dry thinned starch produced by continuously feeding a mixture of a base starch and a chemical which hydrolyses the glycosidic linkage of starch to a plug flow reactor, passing the mixture through the reactor, recovering the mixture and neutralizing the mixture. The present invention also includes starches produced by the process and paper products produced from the starch and coated with the starch.

Abstract: New polyester composition for new polyester staple fiber that provides fabrics having a combination of excellent pilling performance, aesthetics and tactility ("hand"). Preferred fibers have non-round cross-sections that are retained, especially such non-round cross-sections having multi-grooved scalloped-oval cross-sections that provide fabrics having outstanding comfort qualities of moisture-management, dryness and comfort, along with minimal pilling.

Abstract: A high performance optical circulator is formed by a polarization beam splitter and optical port assemblies. The polarization beam splitter is formed by two prisms with an interface between the prisms. The interface transmits linearly polarized light directed at the interface in directions responsive to a polarization orientation of linearly polarized light. The optical port assemblies are arranged with respect to the polarization beam splitter so that light from one port assembly is transmitted by the polarization beam splitter interface to another optical port assembly and light from this optical port assembly is transmitted by the beam splitter interface to still another optical port assembly.

Abstract: Ethylene/carboxylic acid ionomers may be made, using a meltspun, and particularly meltblown 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: Polymethyl methracrylate (PMMA) articles filled with alumina trihydrate (ATH) are made by a compression molding technique wherein methyl methacrylate monomer is completely absorbed into performed particles of PMMA and of PMMA filled with ATH to give a mix with the consistency of dry sand, the mix is placed into rigid mold, and pressure and heat are applied to the mold, causing monomer to exude from the mix and to cure in the interstices.

Abstract: A nonwoven fabric characterized in that it contains:1) a fiber comprising a copolymer of propylene and ethylene; and2) a fiber comprising a polypropylene homopolymer is disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to nonchemical sunscreen composition comprising as its active components, in synergistically effective amounts, a plant extract containing at least about 50% by weight of proanthocyanidins, .gamma.-oryzanol, ferulic acid and/or an ester thereof, titanium dioxide and optionally, Scutellaria extract.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for producing 1,12,2,3,3,4,4-octafluorobutane. The process involves chlorination of 2,2,3,3-tetrafluorobutane to form a mixture of chloro-compounds wherein compounds of the formula C.sub.4 H.sub.4 Cl.sub.6-x F.sub.4 (where x is 0 or 1) comprise at least 50 mole % of the mixture of chloro-compounds, followed by hydrofluorination, then hydrogenolysis, and sufficient recycle to provide a selectivity to CHF.sub.2 CF.sub.2 CF.sub.2 CHF.sub.2 of at least about 75% based upon the moles of CH.sub.3 CF.sub.2 CF.sub.2 CH.sub.3 reacted. Also disclosed is a multi-distillation process for the purification of CHF.sub.2 CF.sub.2 CF.sub.2 CHF.sub.2 from a mixture of HF and the compound(s). Also disclosed are certain new halogenated butanes containing fluorine, and a composition which contains HF in combination with an effective amount of CHF.sub.2 CF.sub.2 CF.sub.2 CHF.sub.2 to form an azeotrope or azeotrope-like composition with hydrogen fluoride.

Abstract: A vehicle security system includes a controller that may also the disarmed mode responsive to receiving a predetermined coded signal from a remote transmitter, and generate an alarm based upon receipt of a coded signal other than the predetermined coded signal from the remote transmitter. More particularly, the coded signal may comprise a pseudorandomly coded signal which is decoded by the controller. The alarm may be generated based upon detecting a previously received pseudorandomly coded signal. Method aspects of the invention are also disclosed.

Abstract: A system and method for printing a postage meter stamp, including a desired postage amount and a personalized postage indicia, onto a piece of mail. A user takes a postal storage device to the Post Office in order to obtain a replenishment of the amount of postage stored within the postage storage device. A desired amount of postage is entered into the storage device by a postal employee through a processor-based system. The user is then able to access this stored postage at the user's location through a complementary processor-based system. The user is also able to create or to select one of a variety of graphical configurations of postage indicia to be imprinted as the postage meter stamp on a piece of mail.

Abstract: A mixing apparatus for continuously generating a homogeneous mixture of a polymer and a less viscous fluid is provided. The mixer includes means for continuously injecting a viscous polymer into a pressure vessel; means for continuously injecting a lower viscosity fluid into the pressure vessel; means for continuously injecting a plasticizing agent into the viscous polymer entering the pressure vessel; high shear centrifugal mixing means within the pressure vessel for mixing the polymer and the less viscous fluid; drive means for rotating the rotational mixing means; heating means for maintaining the temperature of the substances being mixed in the pressure vessel at a desired mixing temperature; and means for continuously discharging a homogeneous mixture of the polymer, the plasticizing agent, and the less viscous fluid from the mixer.

Abstract: An aqueous dispersion contains melt-fabricable fluoropolymer particles and acrylic copolymer particles, said acrylic copolymers having a decomposition temperature of less than 340.degree. C., wherein the dispersion contains about 75 to about 95 wt % of fluoropolymer and about 5 to about 25 wt % of acrylic copolymer, based on combined weights of the two polymers. Coated articles comprise a substrate coated with a primer layer, optional intermediate coats, and a topcoat with at least the topcoat being formed from the aqueous dispersion.

Abstract: A toughened thermoplastic polymer composition comprising (a) 1-30 weight percent of a polar toughening agent compatibilized with a polyphenol, and (b) 70-99 weight percent of at least one thermoplastic polymer, the above state percentages being based on the total weight of components (a) and (b) only.