Abstract: An apparatus for inspecting a reflective surface of an article for defects includes a point light source for generally uniformly illuminating the entire surface of the article under inspection, and a diffusing screen for intercepting the light rays reflected from the surface under inspection of the article. The intercepted light rays produce a high resolution image on the screen consisting of bright and dark areas or spots corresponding to surface defects in the article under inspection.

Abstract: The present invention provides a composite material comprised of a matrix polymer and a reinforcing polymer, called a rigid rod polymer, which is well dispersed in the matrix polymer. This material displays enhanced mechanical properties. The matrix polymer is preferably cured resin, preferably epoxy resin. The rigid rod polymer may be made from polyazomethines, polyimides or polycarbodimides, or mixtures thereof. Preferably, the reinforcing polymer is a polyazomethine. The invention also relates to a method for making the composite material. The composite material is preferably made by first dissolving the rigid rod polymer precursors in the matrix polymer precursors, then polymerizing the rigid rod polymer precursors in-situ and then polymerizing the matrix polymer precursors, in-situ. Alternatively, the rigid rod polymer precursors may be polymerized in-situ simultaneously with the polymerization of the matrix polymer precursors.

Abstract: A composite material is comprised of an in situ polymerized rigid rod polymer and an in situ polymerized matrix polymer. The composite material is isotropic and has enhanced mechanical properties as well as improved temperature resistance, improved solvent resistance and improved moisture resistance.

Abstract: A coating blend composition is a physical admixture of an adhesion promoter resin and a coating material resin. The blend can be cured by one or more curing agents existing within either the adhesion promoter resin, the coating material resin, or both. The utilization of such a blend eliminates the need for priming a substrate such as a rubber, or a thermoplastic or a thermoset polyolefin. The adhesion promoter resin is a urethane composition containing a blocked polyurethane prepolymer whereas the coating material resin can generally be any compound which has a functional or cosmetic purpose such as a different type of blocked polyurethane, and is generally utilized in a major amount. A particular application of the coating blend compositions of the present invention is to a glass run channel made from, for example, EPDM, as in an automotive door.

Abstract: A tennis racquet comprising a continuous convex bow containing a plurality of interlaced strings attached under tension, and a handle formed integrally with the bow. The racquet is free of a yoke and a shaft and has a sweet spot located relatively closer to the distal end of the racquet. The racquet exhibits improved stiffness, bending moments and leverage in a racquet having a relatively large head size.

Abstract: A die assembly (10) for controlling extrudate profile dimension. The die assembly includes a die block (12) having a feed passage (16) for movably supporting a diverter member (13) within the die block, and first and second die block passages (18, 20). The diverter member (13) includes a diverter passage (32) and first and second feed openings (34, 36) interconnected by the diverter passage. One of the first or second feed openings (34, 36) has a larger diameter than the other of the first or second feed openings. The diverter member (13) is movable with respect to the die block (12) for directing extrudate flow via the diverter passage (32) through the second die block passage (20), to thereby vary the profile dimension of the extrudate exiting the die block. The die block (12) additionally includes a disposal passage (22).

Abstract: Liquid telechelic polymers are made from dienes and are produced via anionic polymerization. While having low molecular weight, for example less than 15,000, the telechelic polymers are generally gel-free, have high amounts of trans-1,4 structure, low vinyl unsaturation and low bulk viscosities. The liquid telechelic polymers are made utilizing a trimetallic initiator comprised of (1) an organopolylithium compound and (2) a complex of a trialiphatic substituted aluminum compound or derivative thereof and a barium salt of an organic alcohol.

Abstract: A shuttle assembly for an injection molding machine includes a shuttle-support unit adapted to be attached to the machine frame and a shuttle-mold interfacing unit, slidably coupled to the support unit. Mold-coupling members removably coupling a first movable mold platen unit and a second mold platen unit to the shuttle-mold interfacing unit. During operation of the shuttle assembly, a shuttle-drive unit selectively reciprocally indexes the shuttle-mold interfacing unit in a preferably horizontal shuttle-travel path between (i) a first shuttle position whereat the first movable mold platen unit, when coupled thereto, is situated at a first unloading/loading position, and the second movable platen unit, when coupled thereto, is situated at a clamping position; and (ii) a second shuttle position where the first movable mold platen unit, when coupled thereto, is situated at a clamping position, and the second movable platen unit, when coupled thereto, is situated at a second unloading position.

Abstract: Liquid telechelic polymers are made from dienes and are produced via anionic polymerization. While having low molecular weight, for example less than 15,000, the telechelic polymers are generally gel-free, have high amounts of trans-1,4 structure, low vinyl unsaturation and low bulk viscosities. The liquid telechelic polymers are made utilizing a trimetallic initiator comprised of (1) an organopolylithium compound and (2) a complex of a trialiphatic substituted aluminum compound or derivative thereof and a barium salt of an aromatic alcohol.

Abstract: A resin transfer molding apparatus includes a single-shot metering pump which feeds a predetermined amount of resin material to the mold with a single stroke of the pump via an injector assembly which is mounted on the mold. A closed-loop hydraulic control of the metering pump enables the injection rate and pressure of the resin to be varied during the injection cycle to produce a more consistent fill of the mold and eliminate part waviness caused by pressure rise and fall. The mold-mounted injector assembly and placement of a plurality of valves in the apparatus enables recirculation of unused resin material back to the supply tank at a temperature sufficiently cool to prevent curing, so that solvent flushing of the apparatus can be eliminated in most cases. The apparatus is automatically controlled by a computer resulting in an integrated automatic apparatus.

Abstract: A process to prepare a glass run channel composite of the type utilized in vehicle applications for sealing against window glass, includes a cured elastomeric substrate having one or more sealing surfaces, and a polyolefin compound having a low melt index and a high density, and optionally containing a softening compound and other additives. The polyolefin compound is solvent-free and substantially melted when contacted with the sealing surfaces of the elastomeric substrate prior to cure, and upon cure of the elastomeric substrate, the polyolefin compound adheres to the substrate and provides a solid, low-friction abrasion-resistant coating on the sealing surfaces of the substrate for sealing against a window introduced into the glass run channel.

Abstract: A method for injecting molding material into a self-clamping mold. The method comprises the steps of supporting the mold in a support frame clamped in engagement with an injector using a lift mechanism. The pressure required to inject material into the mold is pre-determined and applied by the lifting mechanism to maintain the condition and position of self-clamping mold during injection, and is a function of the area of exposed sprue openings in the mold. The molding material is transferred into the injector. The temperature of the molding material transferred to the mold is controlled, and the molding material is injected into the mold under the pre-determined pressure using the injector, while clamping the mold within the frame with a force of less than 25 tons.

Abstract: An apparatus for application of material to the internal surface of cylindrical items of manufacture. The apparatus includes a frame, a transport system having work stations supporting the items, an application system, and a curing system for curing the material applied to the cylindrical items. The application system includes a drive roll, movable into engagement with the item for rotating the item, a coating roll movable between a position engaging the internal surface of the item to apply the desired material, and a position engaged with a reservoir system having a rotating supply roll for supplying the coating roll with material.

Abstract: An embossing apparatus is disclosed as having a unique, perforated stainless steel platen which is fixedly disposed vertically above a nip which is formed between an embossing roll and a backup roll, both of which are designed to rotate about horizontal axes. The platen is curved so as to slidably support a sheet of thermoplastic material, as it moves from a generally horizontal position on the platen to a vertical position as it exits the platen downwardly into the nip. Means are provided above and below the platen for heating the platen and helping heat the sheet of thermoplastic material as it travels along the fixed platen.

Abstract: A two-component polyurethane composition has good shelf stability and the adhesive made by curing the same has good high temperature stability and no adhesion loss after high temperture bake. The base or prepolymer component containing a primary hydroxyl intermediate also has a sufficiently large excess of free isocyanate so that the ratio of free NCO groups in the prepolymer component to OH curative groups plus any amine groups in the curative component is generally from about 1.2 to about 2.0. The curative component contains a trimerization catalyst so that upon cure, isocyanurate units are produced. The system also contains molecular sieves, as well as phosphorous-type adhesion promoters.

Abstract: An automobile door glass cassette containing a frame and seal assembly and a glass regulator means which is pre-assembled and fitted into an automobile door as an integral member. In a first embodiment of the invention, the seal assembly is a peripheral elastomeric gasket secured to the outer periphery of the cassette frame structure and is readily fitted into an automotive door structure and assures a tight sealing fit. In a second embodiment of the invention, the seal assembly is a continuous peripheral elastomeric gasket secured to the outer periphery of the cassette frame structure and is readily fitted into an automotive door structure and assures a tight sealing fit. In a third embodiment of the invention, the frame assembly, a glass regulator means back mounting plate, and the exterior seals of the cassette are molded as an integral one-piece structure.

Abstract: An engine mount is described as having two concentrically disposed annular resilient rubber springs, the outermost of which is provided with a pair of cavities and connecting passageway for receiving a dampening fluid. The spring rates of the two rubber springs can be individually tuned by the use of voids or cavities. Thus, there is a threefold manner in which the spring rate of the engine mount can be tuned.

Abstract: An aqueous latex contains a functionalized copolymer prepared by emulsion polymerization. The copolymer can be applied to textile nonwoven materials and to various cellulosic substrates, and when utilized as a binder imparts enhanced properties thereto such as wet tensile strength, low temperature cure rates, and the like. The monomers generally forming the copolymer include at least two functional type monomers, one of which contains an activatable ester group, and at least one latex forming monomer.

Abstract: An automotive power transmission mount is described as having resilient elastomeric springs radially disposed with a non-rigid intermediate mass which has its own spring rate and an outer member which is also of a non-rigid construction. The resilient elastomeric springs are located about a rigid, inner, hollow, metal core.

Abstract: A shock absorber mount is described as having two pressed fittings which are mounted in end-to-end relationship. Each insert has two rigid, radially spaced cylindrical sleeves which are separated by a resilient rubber insert. The inner sleeve of the vertically lowermost fitting, when the fittings are properly mounted on, for example, an automobile frame, extends upwardly beyond the associated outer sleeve and is coated with rubber to enter a hollow bore formed by the inner sleeve of the upper fitting. The extension allows the lower fitting to initially absorb an upwardly applied axial force until it moves into shock absorbing relation with the upper fitting. The extension also acts to bolster the radial shock absorbing characteristics of the upper fitting to provide improved shock absorbing characteristics of the mount; namely, low axial shock absorption and high radial shock absorption.