Abstract: An exercise putty kit for providing manipulative physical therapy of increasing difficulty comprises a container (12) of a large mass (14) of borosiloxane putty and a package (16) of borosiloxane or siloxane putty. At least one small mass (18-32) is provided to the patient along with the large mass (14), the small mass and large mass being manipulated by the patient until a uniform color and stiffness are achieved in the combined mass (38). Preferably, a plurality of small masses (18-32) having a variety of colors are available for successive manipulation with the combined mass (38). The kit provides a means by which the difficulty of manipulative physical therapy may be monitored and increased. As more small masses (18-32) are added to the combined mass (38), the stiffness increases, requiring more manipulation to fully blend the masses.

Abstract: A toothless elastomeric shedding blade (10) is capable of resiliently conforming to arcuate surfaces of a hair- or fur- bearing animal. The blade has two opposed blade portions (18,20) that form different angles of attack to the coat of the animal, and one of these angles of attack can be selected by the user for use. A combination of the resiliency of the shedding blade body, the acute angle of each blade portion and the coefficient of friction of the elastomeric material as applied to the coat of the animal produces a superior cleaning action.

Abstract: A silicone rubber golf club grip comprises one hundred parts by weight of a high molecular weight polyorganosiloxane polymer, and approximately 20 to 40 parts by weight of a fumed silica filler having a surface area per gram of at least about 300 m.sub.2.

Abstract: A silicone rubber article (such as a wiper blade) has a low process fluid leach rate and high resiliency. The composition comprises, prior to cure, approximately 100 parts by weight of a vulcanizable elastomer including at least one silicone polymer, at least one crosslinkable process fluid, and low pressure and high pressure peroxide catalysts to accommodate a two-stage vulcanization process. According to the invention, the composition provides anti-hazing qualities and confers hydrophobic properties to a contacted surface. The polymer also includes about 50 to 220 parts by weight of a siliceous filler.

Abstract: A microwaveable exercise putty includes a borosiloxane or stannosiloxane reaction product. The resulting reaction product is mixed with a second polysiloxane, an internal lubricant such a monounsaturated fatty acid, and a particulate material which creates heating upon subjection to microwave energy. Precipitated silica is a particularly preferred particulate material. The exercise putty may be manipulated by patients, and at the same time is capable of delivering heat to the body part undergoing the manipulation.

Abstract: A painted elastomeric component capable of withstanding temperatures within at least the range of 32.degree. F. and 500.degree. F. and having good flexibility and reflectivity of heat and capable of deformation without damage to the paint. The elastomeric component has a painted surface. The coating of paint covering the painted surface includes about 100 parts by weight of a room temperature vulcanizing sealant, about 300 to 1,000 parts by weight of an aromatic or aliphatic solvent and about 20 to 200 parts by weight of metallic particulate material.

Abstract: Apparatus (10) for providing manipulative physical therapy includes a first mass (14) of a putty including a reaction product of siloxane with a boron- or tin-containing compound and a normal polysiloxane. At least one additional mass (18-32) of the putty is provided to the patient, the additional mass adaptable to be manually combined by the patient with the first mass (14) until a uniform color is achieved in the combined mass (38). Preferably, a plurality of additional masses (18-32) having a variety of colors are provided for successive combination with the combined mass. The apparatus provides a means by which the progress of manipulative physical therapy may be monitored, as a uniform color in the combined mass will be achieved only after extensive manipulation.

Abstract: A painted elastomeric component capable of withstanding temperatures within the range of at most 32.degree. F. and at least 500.degree. F. and having good flexibility and reflectivity of heat and capable of deformation without damage to the paint. The elastomeric component has a painted surface. The coating of paint covering the painted surface includes about 100 parts by weight of a room temperature vulcanizing sealant, about 300 to 1,000 parts by weight of an aromatic or aliphatic solvent and about 20 to 200 parts by weight of metallic particulate material.

Abstract: Apparatus (10, 50) for removing frozen water from vehicle glass includes a cured, microwave-heatable layer (14, 64). The microwave-heatable layer (14, 64) may be formed from at least one elastomeric gum, a curing catalyst adaptable to cure the gum, and microwave-heatable particulate matter dispersed in the gum. In one embodiment, the apparatus (10) is a mitt including an insulative layer (42) which is positioned to be interposed between an inner surface (27) of the elastomeric pad (14) and the hand, such that the hand does not undergo temperature stress. The mitt (10) also preferably includes a visual marker (30) to indicate the temperature of the elastomeric pad (14).

Abstract: An improved wiper blade of the type used on a vehicle windshield having an indicator means painted on the wiper blade which indicates that the wiper blade should be replaced. The exposure to UV light of the indicator painted on the wiper blade causes it to change in color and thus communicate to the user that it is time to change. The indicator paint is a silicone resin paint and would be applied to a wiper blade made of a resilient elastomeric material which is degraded with exposure to UV light in the atmosphere.

Abstract: A windshield wiper blade capable of inexpensive manufacture and having good wipe quality comprises approximately 100 parts by weight of a vulcanizable elastomer including at least one silicone polymer, and about 75 to 220 parts by weight of a siliceous filler dispersed in the elastomer. The siliceous filler preferably includes a substantial portion of particles having a relatively large diameter in the range of 5 to 100 microns in order to lower the coefficient of friction of the wiper blade with respect to automotive windshield glass.

Abstract: A gasket assembly and method of making same from at least two gasket structures provides a sufficiently leak-proof seal without the use of a fluid sealing or caulking medium. The first gasket has a contact area on a major surface which includes an array of peaks and valleys which is periodic in two dimensions. The second gasket has an end surface with a contact area which includes an array of valleys and peaks which is periodic in two dimensions. When the peaks and valleys on the contact area of the major surface of the first gasket are engaged with the valleys and peaks on the end surface of the second gasket, the peaks and valleys allow for shift along the x-axis, y-axis and z-axis, accommodating any misalignment of the gaskets within a predetermined stack-up error and thereby providing proper engagement to yield a substantially leak-proof seal.

Abstract: Expansion joints are sealed with a combination of curable elastomeric adhesive and an elastomeric longitudinal sealing element having three segments in cross-sectional profile including parallel segments for bonding through the adhesive to the wall of the expansion joint, a looped or folded segment for completing the seal and compressive segments for positioning the longitudinal sealing element in the joint.

Abstract: A method is shown for applying heat to a localized area such as a joint of the human body. A malleable heating pad is provided which can be applied to the localized area by molding the heating pad about the localized area. The heating pad includes a layer of uncured, microwaveable rubber formed from a rubber matrix having blended therein an electromagnetic absorptive material. The heating pad is heated to a temperature above ambient by exposing the heating pad to microwave energy and the pad is then applied to the affected area by molding the pad about the localized area.

Abstract: A method is shown for forming a microwaveable container which is heated in the presence of microwave energy to warm contents placed within the container. The container has at least one exposed wall which does not contact the contents of the container. The exposed wall of the container is coated with a microwaveable, room temperature vulcanizable composition and allowed to cure. Exposure of the coated cup to microwave energy serves to heat the contents within the container.

Abstract: A method is shown for reducing the degrading effect of heat upon an elastomeric component used in the engine compartment of a vehicle. The elastomeric component is first formed into the desired shape and then sprayed with a heat resistant, heat reflecting paint to create a reflective surface on the component which reduces the effect of radiant heat present in the surrounding environment and improves the life expectancy of the component.

Abstract: A microwaveable hair curler is shown which is also electrically heatable. The microwaveable hair curler is preferably blended from a polyorganosiloxane gum, a particulate electromagnetic absorptive material, a filler and a catalyst and extruded as in a cylindrical shape. The hair curler is heatable by exposure to microwave energy in a microwave oven or can be used in a variety of commercially available electric heating units.

Abstract: A method is shown for manufacturing an engine gasket having reduced oil permeability. The engine gasket is formed in the desired shape from a silicone rubber compound having an inner surface exposed to hot engine oil and an outer surface. A silicone varnish coating is applied to at least the inner surface of the engine gasket, whereby the inner surface is substantially coated by the silicone varnish coating.

Abstract: A door gasket is shown for sealing between confronting surfaces. The gasket has a base for mounting to one confronting surface and a deforming section which protrudes outwardly for contacting the second surface. A wire extends through the base parallel to the axis of the gasket member. The deforming section includes a bottom wall, a vertical wall and a slanting wall which are integrally formed with the base and interconnected to define a right triangular exterior which produces improved sealing characteristics.

Abstract: A method is shown for forming a wiper blade in which a continuous length of elastomer is extruded through a die having a die opening shaped to produce a pair of wiper blades joined in edge-to-edge relation. The elastomer is preformed to produce a weakened mid- section and then cured. The cured elastomer is then separated into two separate lengths of wiper blade by pulling the length of continuous elastomer along the weakened mid-section.