Abstract: A method for attenuating sound waves passing from a source area to a receiving area comprises the steps of providing a nonwoven acoustical insulation web comprising thermoplastic fibers, the web having an average effective fiber diameter of less than about 15 microns, a density of less than about 50 kg/m.sup.3, and an air pressure drop across the web of at least about 1 Mm water at a flow rate of about 32 liters/min.; and positioning the web between the source area and the receiving area such that a major face of the web intercepts and thereby attenuates sound waves passing from the source area to the receiving area. Also, a laminate adapted to be applied to the inner panel of a vehicle door comprises the web and a second layer, such as a scrim, nonwoven fabric, film, or foil, laminated thereto. The laminate can be applied to the inner panel of a vehicle door so that the second layer provides water barrier protection and the web provides acoustical insulation.

Abstract: A piece of microwave-active tape which is odor-free and physiologically inert can be adhered to a food package and remains strongly adhered during cooking at temperatures of at least 200.degree. C. The tape has layers of microwave-active material and a pressure-sensitive adhesive which is a polymeric .alpha.-olefin that has been cured to afford a "Peel Value" of at least 5 N/dm and a "Shrink Back" at 220.degree. C. of less than 5%. The tape can have a flexible backing such as a low-adhesion carrier web which can be stripped off from a piece of the tape that has been applied to a microwave food package, or when the backing is heat-resistant, it can be left in place.

Abstract: Tris(pentafluorophenyl)borane complexes having the general formula (C.sub.6 F.sub.5).sub.3 B.(YXH).sub.q wherein X is oxygen, or sulfur; q is 1 to 3; Y is a hydrogen atom, R.sup.1 --, (R.sup.2).sub.3 Si--, or (R.sup.3 ).sub.2 C.dbd.N--; R.sup.1 is a hydrocarbyl group containing 1 to 500 carbon atoms, and may contain a divalent oxygen and further may be a fluorine-containing hydrocarbyl group; R.sup.2 is independently a linear or branched alkyl group containing 1 to 25 carbon atoms, or a phenyl group, further R.sup.2 may contain a SiO-- group; and R.sup.3 is independently a hydrocarbyl group containing 1 to 25 carbon atoms, R.sup.3 may be a hydrogen atom provided both R.sup.3 groups selected are not hydrogen atoms; and to complexes containing the borane complexes with an organometallic compound, either as a neutral compound or as an acidic salt that are useful as catalysts for polymerization and copolymerization of olefins and to polymeric products prepared using these catalysts.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a novel polymodal asymmetric elastomeric block copolymer and a pressure sensitive adhesive and tape made therefrom. The novel block copolymer comprises from about 4 to about 40 percent by weight of a polymerized monovinyl aromatic compound and from about 96 to about 60 percent by weight of a conjugated diene. The block copolymer has the general formula Q.sub.n Y where Q represents an individual arm of the block copolymer and has the formula S-B; n represents the number of arms and is at least 3; and Y is the residue of a multifunctional coupling agent. Furthermore, S is a nonelastomeric polymer segment endblock of a polymerized monovinyl aromatic homopolymer, there being at least two different molecular weight endblocks in the block copolymer. The number average molecular weight of the higher molecular weight endblock (Mn).sub.H is in the range of from about 5,000 to about 50,000, and the number average molecular weight of the lower molecular weight endblock (Mn).sub.

Abstract: Polymerization of ring-strained cyclic olefins takes place in the presence of a one-part or two-part catalyst which is air and moisture stable and which comprises a transition metal-containing compound.The one-part transition metal-containing catalyst is selected from the group consisting of(a) compounds of the formula(L.sup.1)(L.sup.2)QwhereinQ represents Mo or W;L.sup.1 represents one to six CO (carbonyl) ligands;L.sup.2 represents none to 5 ligands, each of which is a non-ionic compound or unit of a polymer which can be the same or different, each contributes two, four, or six electrons to the metal and is different from L.sup.1 ; wherein the sum of the valence electrons of Q and the electrons contributed by the ligands L.sup.1 and L.sup.2 is 18,(b) at least one of cationic ruthenium and osmium-containing organometallic salts having at least one polyene ligand, and(c) [Ir(RO.sub.2 CHC.dbd.CHCO.sub.2 R).sub.2 Cl].sub.2 wherein each R independently is hydrogen or lower alkyl (C.sub.1 to C.sub.

Abstract: A forming apparatus has a passage with a chamfered entrance for bending a tip of a syringe such as a syringe used for dispensing dental material. The passage and chamfered entrance enable the tip to be bent to a desired angular configuration while in view of the user.

Abstract: A novel blade design for a tool which strips the buffer layer and protective coating away from a ribbon having a plurality of optical fibers. The blade design includes two generally identical blade halves, each having a cutting edge. Each cutting edge has side borders, and semicircular cutouts between the borders, forming tips between adjacent cutouts. The tips are smoothly rounded, and also recessed whereby, when the blades are brought together in a closed, cutting position, the tips are still separated by a gap. The cutouts have an effective diameter which is slightly larger than the outer diameter of the fiber cladding. The rounded tips minimize damage to the fibers during the stripping operation by providing a self-centering effect as the tips graze the buffer coating of the fibers in a misaligned ribbon, and by further reducing the effective force applied by the tips to the fibers. The larger cutouts and gap between opposing tips further minimize any possible damage to the fibers.

Abstract: A low-profile transmissive overhead projector employs a folded optical path and an off-axis Fresnel lens condensing system which includes a catadioptric lens element. This lens provides a fast condensing system which allows collimation, dispersion, or concentration of light striking the lens at a high angle of incidence, with efficient transmission to the far edge of the lens. This also enables additional reduction in the OHP base height by allowing the single mirror to be mounted at a flatter angle, with the light source still maintained at a position below (and adjacent) the stage. A novel catadioptric lens design further imparts achromaticity to the element, so that it may be constructed of any material, regardless of its index of refraction. The condensing system may have a single or doublet catadioptric lens.

Abstract: A pressure-sensitive adhesive comprises a moisture-curable polymer comprising a polymer prepared by polymerization of at least one .alpha.-olefin monomer, said polymer containing hydrolyzable or condensable silyl groups and having a weight average molecular weight of at least 30,000. The pressure-sensitive adhesive can be hot-melt coated without emitting volatiles and then can adhere aggressively to both polar and nonpolar substrates. The PSA has good internal strength at high temperatures.

Abstract: An adhesive sheet comprising (1) a backing, and (2) an adhesive layer having at least one topologically microstructured surface comprising a plurality of pegs, optionally containing one or more beads, substantially uniformly distributed and protruding outwardly from the adhesive layer, wherein the pegs have essentially flat tops that comprise less than 25% of the total surface contact area of the adhesive layer, and have a height of at least 15 .mu.m.

Abstract: The invention provides pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA) compositions comprising a graft copolymer of one or more of ethylene and C.sub.3 -C.sub.18 .alpha.-olefins and one or more of a new class of macromonomers. The adhesive composition comprises a blend of the graft copolymer with a tackifying resin. Sheet materials can be coated with layers of the adhesive composition to provide tapes and laminates.

Abstract: A method of providing patterned, thin-film materials on flexible substrates by depositing a first, etchable, integral mask onto a substrate, depositing a second pattern material over the mask region and then removing the mask, such as by etching. Patterned films useful as printed circuits and the like can be prepared by this method. In an alternate embodiment, patterned particles can be prepared for dispersion in a vehicle or matrix using the described process.

Abstract: This invention provides oligomer-free polyesters that consist essentially of repeating, interpolymerized units derived from isophthalic acid and/or terephthalic acid, and 9,9-bis-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-fluorene, a process for making such polyesters and articles comprising said polyesters such as electrical capacitors, optical films and fibers.

Abstract: Disclosed is a dispenser for padded tape handles.

Abstract: Energy polymerizable compositions comprising at least one cyanate monomer and as curing agent an organometallic compound are disclosed. The compositions are useful in applications requiring high performance, such as high temperature performance; in composites, particularly structural composities; structural adhesives; tooling for structural composities; electronic applications such as printed wiring boards and semiconductor encapsulants; graphic arts; injection molding and prepregs; and high performance binders.

Abstract: Composition comprising (a) susceptors having the capability of absorbing microwave energy, and (b) a matrix substantially non-reflective of microwave energy. The susceptors comprise a particulate substrate having a thin-film coating thereon. The particulate substrate is substantially non-reflective of microwave energy and the coating is capable of absorbing microwave energy. The matrix typically comprises polymeric or ceramic materials that are stable at temperatures conventionally used in microwave cooking. The composition allows reuse of the susceptors, eliminates decline in heating rate, eliminates arcing, allows the heating rate to be controlled, allows overheating to be controlled, and allows formation of microwave heatable composite materials having very low metal content.

Abstract: The system ensures the proper placement of bottles which deliver material to a system. The system prevents male components from being mounted on incorrect female components. The male components can be tubes, and the female components can be covers which fit on the openings of bottles. A first key is formed on a first male component and a complementarily-shaped first keyway is formed on a first female component. Additional male and female component pairs have similar key-keyway pairs. Each key and each keyway includes first and second projections. The first projection is located in a reference position, and the second projection is located a predetermined distance from the reference position. This distance for each component pair is selected to identify the particular component pair.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for analyzing tracking errors in magnetic tape. The apparatus and method allow for distinguishing between those errors in track configuration due to rotational errors (i.e., errors deriving from rotation of the head wheel of a recording and/or reading machine) and errors in track configuration due to other sources of error. An apparatus useful to practice the method holds a magnetic tape in a condition useful for examining the magnetic tape to measure the configuration of recorded tracks on the recording surface of the tape. The apparatus includes means for applying and maintaining a selected tension to the longitudinal and cross-web axes of the tape, a planar measuring surface having X and Y measuring scales allowing for measurement of distances between selected points on the recording surface of the tape, and a microscope or other sensing device for examining the recording surface.

Abstract: Novel polymers are disclosed which can be used to prepare water-based compositions are disclosed having the capability of forming a uniform, low surface-energy, thin film on a substrate. Such compositions comprise a polymer having at least one fluoroaliphatic moiety and at least one anionic moiety, and a novel polymer having at least one fluoroaliphatic moiety and at least one oxazoline moiety.

Abstract: The lubricity of any shaving preparation is enhanced by providing an emollient oil and a thermoplastic polymeric elastomer additive in an amount effective to increase its lubricity. Specific shaving preparations suitable for application to human or animal skin may comprise at least 5% by weight of an emollient oil, and a thermoplastic polymeric elastomer additive in a ratio of emollient oil to additive of between about 5:1 and 20:1, and preferably in a ratio of between about 8:1 and 10:1. Shaving creams generally contain 5-30% of an emollient oil, a thermoplastic polymeric elastomer additive present in a ratio of emollient oil to additive of between about 5:1 and 20:1, and at least 5% by weight of soap, detergent or a combination thereof.