Abstract: Process for the arc welding in pulsed mode of one or more workpieces made of carbon steel, stainless steel, aluminum or aluminum alloy, with the use of a gas shield, in which an electric arc welding torch is supplied with at least one consumable wire at a wire feed speed (Vwire) and the consumable wire is subjected to current pulses, in order to melt the end of the consumable wire in which, for a given pulse frequency, a wire feed speed (Fwire), a mean current (Imean) value and an rms current (Irms) value are chosen, so as to detach one drop of molten metal per current pulse and to obtain a low degree of spatter.

Abstract: Coating system for the preparation of aqueous coating compositions used for the preparation of waterborne basecoats for the coating of vehicles and vehicle parts in vehicle repair coating, containing: A) 55-95 wt-% of at least one special effect composition, containing at least 15 wt-% water, special effect pigments, at least one water-dilutable resin selected from the group of polyurethane, polyester, and poly(meth)acrylate resins, and optionally organic solvents and additives conventionally used I coating, and B) 5-45 wt-% of a pigment-free component, containing: B1) 0.3-5.0 wt-% of at least one inorganic layered silicate, B2) 1.0-20.0 wt-% of at least one water-dilutable polyurethane resin, which optionally can be modified B3) 75.0-98.7 wt-% water; And optionally organic solvents and additives conventionally used in coating, whereby the wt-% of A and B total 100 wt-% and the wt-% of B1, B2 and B3 total 100 wt-% of component B.

Abstract: An audio description of a television program, i.e., a sound bite, is reproduced simultaneously with the display of the program at a television receiver. Specifically, the sound bite is embedded in a television signal that contains audio component and a video component. The television signal is transmitted to a plurality of television receivers and intercepted at one of the receivers. The video component is displayed on a monitor and the audio component is reproduced. On command the sound bite is reproduced instead of the audio component. An audio description of a television program, i.e., a sound bite, is also reproduced simultaneously with the display of a program listing of the program at a television receiver. Specifically, when the program listing is marked with an on-screen cursor, the sound bite is reproduced.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an interlayer product for laminated safety glass whereby multiple layers of interlocking interlayer film having the desired properties of thickness and melt fracture surface pattern are combined to meet a specific functional need. In the present invention, two or more rolls of sheeting comprising polyvinyl butyral as the primary component are simultaneously unwound and rewound together under controlled tension, line speed and temperature so that the edges of the respective layers are aligned and roll formation is normal, the tension on the respective sheets is equal, thickness is maintained and entrapped air is minimized. The resulting product is used to produce laminated safety glass with thick interlayer construction.

Abstract: A process for increasing the rate of polymerization of low molecular weight polyester particles under solid state processing conditions whereby the progress of polymerization is preferred over the progress of crystallization for a given mass of particles.

Abstract: A flag seal comprises a thermoplastic socket, flag and shackle molded one piece. A metal locking tang element may optionally be molded into the socket. The shackle has a weakening groove. A finger gripping loop member extends about the flag both of which are flexible for receiving a finger. The gripping loop member provides enhanced finger gripping of the seal to pull on the seal to fracture the seal at the shackle weakening groove with an increased tensile load than otherwise possible.

Abstract: Selected nickel complexes of the anions of certain 2-aminotropones are olefin polymerization catalysts. Novel 2-aminotropones and their nickel complexes are also disclosed together with methods of making these 2-aminotropones. Suitable complexes have the following structure: wherein: R2 is hydrocarbyl or substituted hydrocarbyl, provided that R2 is attached to said nitrogen atom in (I) by an atom that has at least 2 other atoms that are not hydrogen attached to it; and R3, R4, R5, R6 and R7 are each independently hydrogen, hydrocarbyl, substituted hydrocarbyl or a functional group, provided that any two of R3, R4, R5, R6 and R7 vicinal to one another may form a ring; L1 is a monodentate monoanionic ligand and L2 is a monodentate neutral ligand or an empty coordination site, or L1 and L2 taken together are a monoanionic bidentate ligand.

Abstract: A polymer dispersant for pigments based on a random copolymer wherein the copolymer has a weight average molecular weight of at least 3000 and comprises a polymeric backbone of primarily acrylic monomers wherein the backbone contains multiple pigment anchoring groups attached thereto including at least one amide group and one or more additional pigment anchoring groups selected from the group consisting of aromatic esters, aromatic amines, and quaternary ammonium salts. These materials disperse a wide variety of pigments and are useful in solvent borne coatings where they can provide improved efficiency of pigment use, lower paint viscosity, and reduced emission of volatile organic solvent.

Abstract: The present invention comprises an aqueous emulsion for imparting oil and water repellency to textiles prepared by polymerizing a mixture of monomers (a), (b) and (c) as follows: (a) 70-90% polymer chain units derived from a mixture of monomers of the formula: Rf—Q—A—C(O)—C(R)═CH2  wherein Rf is a straight or branched-chain perfluoroalkyl group containing from 2 to about 20 carbon atoms; R is H or CH3; A is O, S, or N(R′); Q is alkylene of 1 to 15 carbon atoms, hydroxyalkylene of 3 to 15 carbon atoms, —(CnH2n)(OCqH2q)m—, —SO2—NR′(CnH2n)—, or —CONR′(CnH2n)—, wherein R′ is H or alkyl of 1 to about 4 carbon atoms, n is 1 to about 15, q is 2 to about 4, and m is 1 to about 15; (b) 5-25% monomer chain units derived from a long-chain alkyl (meth)acrylate of the formula: R″—O—C(O)—C(R)═CH2  wherein R″ is an alkyl group of about 12 to about 24 carbons and R is H or CH3; (c

Abstract: A charge equalizer for a string of series-connected batteries includes a shunt path for each of the batteries. The equalizer measures the voltage of each of the batteries of the string and then closes a switch in the shunt path associated with the highest voltage battery for a predetermined time. Then the switches of all of the shunt paths are opened and the cycle repeats. In this way, charging is equalized in the batteries of the string, regardless of whether or not any of the batteries of the string is in an over charged condition.

Abstract: The invention relates to a breast prosthesis for breast-amputated women with a flexible plastic body comprising two plastic sheets connected to each other along their common edge and a plastic mass enclosed between the two plastic sheets, wherein the plastic body has a front side formed to resemble the contour of the natural breast and a back side capable of facing the torso of the person, and an elastically deformeable thin part secured with its edge to the back side of the plastic body. In order to improve the wear comfort of the breast prosthesis, the thin part is secured to the plastic body inside the common edge of the connected plastic sheets.

Abstract: A apparatus particularly for the operative placement of surgical instruments in cavities under controlled pressure in the surgical field or in the medical field in general, of the type that comprises a hollow body suitable to provide an access pathway to a cavity under controlled pressure, further comprising at least two sealing gaskets made of elastically deformable material and contained in the hollow body; the gaskets are coupled at their perimetric portion, are flat, and are arranged in succession coaxially; each gasket is provided with at least three radial cuts. The radial cuts of a same sealing gasket are staggered with respect to those of the adjacent sealing gasket.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a multi-lobal hollow filament having stiffening ribs in the core portion and at least one transverse web in each lobe.

Abstract: A sanitary napkin and particularly an intimate woman's sanitary napkin is disclosed. The sanitary napkin is provided with a conveying element, capable of conveying the flow of vaginal exudates to a central area of the sanitary napkin, thus minimizing the possibilities of side leakage. The conveying element is vertically aligned and disposed along the longitudinal axis of the sanitary napkin above the absorbent element, and being substantially laminar and orthogonal to the surface of the sanitary napkin.

Abstract: The invention relates to a wiring method for vertical system integration. According to the method described in the invention, the individual component layers in different substrates are first processed independently of each other in accordance with the state of the art (DE 44 33 846 A1) and then assembled. First, via holes are opened up on the front side of the top substrate which preferably pass through all the component layers present. The top substrate is then thinned from the rear side as far as the via holes, after which a fully processed bottom substrate is joined to the top substrate. Next, the via holes are extended (so-called interchip via holes) as far as a metallized level of the bottom substrate and the contact between the top and bottom substrates is established (wiring). According to the present invention the wiring is carried out in a way which allows for a maximum density of the vertical contacts between the metallization of the top substrate and that of the bottom substrate.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus of cutting an object with a laser beam, comprising using a diode laser-pumped pulsed solid state laser having an average power output from about 2 to about 100 watts and delivering an average laser beam brightness of greater than 1012 W/m2*sr and a peak brightness of greater than 1013 W/m2*sr to the object. Objects cut with the laser cutting method having heat affected zones (HAZ) of less than 4 mm, and having substantially no microcracks.

Abstract: An evaporation device 2 is disclosed for the evaporation of volatile substances, in particular insecticides and aromatics, which includes a housing 13 which contains a heating element and a container 50 for a substance to be evaporated. This container 50 contains a wick which is associated with the heating element with a wick end 30 protruding from container 50. The heating element can be longitudinally displaced near the container 50 in the housing 13 relative to the wick end 30 to adjust the degree of evaporation. According to the invention, the heating element is carried on a movable heater assembly that can be displaced longitudinally in the housing relative to the wick end. The movable heater assembly can be fixed in different positions relative to the wick end 30 and the longitudinal direction of the wick axis for the adjustment of the degree of evaporation.

Abstract: A process that can be used for sulfonating, sulfating, or sulfamating an organic compound is disclosed. The process can comprise, consist essentially of, or consist of, contacting the organic compound with sulfur trioxide under a condition sufficient to effect the sulfonation, sulfation, or sulfamation of the organic compound. The organic compound can be an aromatic compound, alcohol, carbohydrate, amine, amide, protein, or combinations of two or more thereof. The sulfur trioxide can be present in a complex comprising an inorganic support such as zeolite, silicalite, silica, titanosilicate, borosilicate, clay, aluminophosphate, and combinations of two or more thereof.

Abstract: D1 protease has been isolated from the alga (Scenedesmjus obliquus), wheat, and Synechocystis PCC 6803 and the genes encoding these enzymes have been cloned and sequenced. Native or recombinantly produced enzyme has been used to develop assays to detect herbicidal compositions capable of inhibiting the D1 protease enzyme.

Abstract: A melt spinning apparatus for spinning continuous polymeric filaments including a first stage gas inlet chamber adapted to be located below a spinneret and optionally a second stage gas inlet chamber located below the first stage gas inlet chamber. The gas inlet chambers supply gas to the filaments to control the temperature of the filaments. The melt spinning apparatus also includes a tube located below the second stage gas inlet chamber for surrounding the filaments as they cool. The tube may include an interior wall having a converging section, optionally followed by a diverging section.