Abstract: The present invention provides adhesive articles that include more than one adhesive, or if one adhesive is used, include more than one adhesive portion, where, in each portion, the extent of cure of the adhesive is varied in a predetermined manner so that each adhesive portion behaves as if it were two or more different adhesives. The adhesive articles of the present invention are typically provided as adhesive tapes, often in the form of a tape having a longitudinal dimension (down-web dimension) that far exceeds its width (cross-web dimension).

Abstract: A method for making a flexible carrier tape for storage and delivery of electronic components by an advancement mechanism is disclosed. The tape includes a strip portion having a top surface, a bottom surface opposite the top surface, and a device for engagingly receiving the advancement mechanism; and a plurality of aligned pockets for carrying the electronic components. The pockets are spaced along the strip portion and opening through the top surface. The device for engagingly receiving the advancement mechanism includes a plurality of hollow protuberances that are spaced equally along the strip portion, open through the strip portion, and extend outwardly from the strip portion. The protuberances are adapted to receive the advancement mechanism within the hollow portion. The method includes simultaneously thermoforming the pockets and the protuberances to provide excellent registration therebetween.

Abstract: An abrasive article, and methods of making and using same, comprising an inorganic phosphate selected from the group consisting of an alkali metal metaphosphate, an alkaline earth metal metaphosphate, and a Group IIIA metal orthophosphate; the inorganic phosphate may be present in a peripheral coating layer of a coated abrasive article, or an abrasive slurry coating in a uniform thickness, or a structured abrasive article.

Abstract: A biological indicator which utilizes immobilization to increase the thermostability of the biomaterial (e.g., microorganism or enzyme) contained within the indicator. Due to the increased thermostability of the biomaterial, the indicator can be utilized to monitor sterilization with or without conventional test pack materials or devices.

Abstract: The invention discloses a method of preventing transmission of viral pathogens between a source of viral pathogens and a target of said viral pathogens comprising positioning between said source and said target a microporous membrane material comprising (1) a thermoplastic polymer or polytetrafluoroethylene and (2) a water- and oil-repellent fluorochemical compound which provides said membrane with oleophobic, hydrophobic and viral barrier properties.

Abstract: A photocurable composition comrpising: (a) a photopolymerizable silane or siloxane containing epoxycylohexyl group(s), (b) a photoinitiator, and (c) a photosensitizer, wherein the photosensitizer comprises at least one material selected from the group consisting of sulfolene, sulfolene derivatives, isatin and isatin derivatives.

Abstract: A method for imparting soil resistance to unscoured carpets, and a carpet treated in accordance with the method, are provided. In accordance with the method, a substrate comprising unscoured carpet fibers is treated with the ammonium salt of a polycarboxylic acid, such as an ammonium salt of a hydrolyzed styrene/maleic anhydride copolymer. The treated substrate is found to have enhanced water and oil repellency in both heat cured and room temperature drying conditions.

Abstract: A process for selective metalization for electrically isolating areas of a substrate is disclosed. The process employs placing microridges onto a surface, the microridge protruding from the plane formed by the surface. The surface, including the microridge, is then metalized and a portion of the metalized microridge, beyond the surface plane is removed. This removal process creates electrically isolated areas without affecting the integrity of the substrate.

Abstract: A stable amorphous rare earth oxide, such as Y.sub.2 O.sub.3, including a stabilizer, such as carbon, silicon carbide, or hafnium oxide. The stable amorphous rare earth oxide can be used in a dielectric layer in a magneto-optical recording medium.

Abstract: A device for electrically connecting at least one cable having at least two conductive members to another electrical component. The device has at least first and second connection members. The first connection member includes a first portion electrically connected to a first conductive member of the cable and a second portion electrically connected to the first portion and electrically connectable to a further electrical component. The second connection member includes a third portion electrically connected to a second conductive member of the cable and a fourth portion electrically connected to the third portion and electrically connectable to the further electrical component. The device further has a joining portion made from electrically conductive material which electrically connects the first and third portions of the first and second connection members, respectively.

Abstract: A vapor control system and an electrophotographic system having a vapor control system for reducing vapor emissions. A vapor collection mechanism collects at least some of the vaporized carrier which is then transmitted to a container having a vapor inlet and a vapor outlet containing a cooling liquid, the cooling liquid having a temperature less than the temperature of the vaporized carrier but greater than zero degrees Centigrade. A vapor inlet located at a point below the surface of the cooling liquid results in the vaporized liquid bubbling through the cooling liquid and being condensed therein. The cooling liquid is immiscible with water and, preferably is the carrier liquid. Mechanical resistance devices promote increased bubble residence time and smaller bubble size.

Abstract: The invention provides a catalytic converter or diesel particulate filter comprising: (a) a housing; (b) a catalytic converter element or diesel particulate filter element disposed within said housing; and (c) a flexible intumescent sheet material disposed between said catalytic converter element and said housing; wherein said flexible intumescent sheet material comprises 1 to 70 dry weight percent of at least one unexpanded intumescent material, from greater than 20 to 50 dry weight percent of organic binder, 5 to less than 79 dry weight percent of inorganic binder, and 0 to 70 dry weight percent of one or more fillers.

Abstract: The present invention provides a fastener which does not generate noise when it is engaged to an article and vibration is applied thereto.The fastener comprises a base portion, a stem portion implanted and interconnected to the base portion in a spaced-apart relationship by a predetermined distance from the base portion, and a head portion interconnected to the distal end of the base portion. At least a part of the stem portion or the head portion comprises (1) a polyphase polymer material having a first polymer resin and a second polymer resin, or (2) a polymer resin that increases the flexural modulus of the fastener.Since the fastener does not generate noise during vibration, it is useful as a fastener particularly for fitting automobile components together.

Abstract: A dispenser for dispensing relatively low viscosity material includes a plunger that is movable to advance the plunger in the chamber. A full stroke of the lever dispenses no more than a single drop of material from the chamber. A cap is detachably connected to an outlet of the chamber and includes an arm in contact with the lever when the cap is connected to the outlet for releasably retaining the lever in a fixed position to prevent unintentional discharge of material from the chamber. A stop comprising one or more sets of teeth is connected to the lever for hindering advancement of the plunger after the lever is released. In certain embodiments, the dispenser includes two side-by-side chambers, and a mixing tray has a well with side recesses for receiving protruding outlets of the chambers.

Abstract: An apparatus for removing back-plated developer from a development device includes a shaft, cleaning media mounted about the outer surface of the shaft, means for loading the cleaning media against the development device, and means for rotating the shaft and the cleaning media, wherein the cleaning media removes back-plated developer from the development device. The cleaning media may include a fiber material having a plurality of flow paths. A fluid flow means can be provided to deliver a cleaning liquid to the cleaning media to flush at least a portion of the removed back-plated developer from the cleaning media.

Abstract: A method of forming apertures generally greater than about 0.05 square millimeters in a thin sheet material. The thin sheet material includes a first side and a second side at least one side of the thin sheet material is substantially coated with an adhesive. The method comprises the steps of (a) placing the adhesive-coated thin sheet material on a patterned anvil having a pattern of raised areas wherein the height of the raised areas is equal to or less than the thickness of the thin sheet material and the adhesive; and (b) subjecting the thin sheet material to a sufficient amount of sonic vibrations to aperture the thin sheet material and the adhesive; and whereby the thin sheet material and the adhesive is apertured in a pattern generally the same as the pattern of raised areas on the patterned anvil.

Abstract: A system and method for assigning and scheduling resource requests to resource providers use a modified "best-first" search technique that combines optimization, artificial intelligence, and constraint-processing to arrive at near-optimal assignment and scheduling solutions. In response to changes in a dynamic resource environment, potential changes to an existing assignment set are evaluated in a search for a better solution. New calls are assigned and scheduled as they are received, and the assignment set is readjusted as the field service environment changes, resulting in global optimization. Each search operation is in response to either an incremental change to the assignment set such as adding a new resource request, removing a pending resource request, reassigning a pending resource request, or to a request for further evaluation. Thus, the search technique assumes that the existing assignment set is already optimized, and limits the task only to evaluating the effects of the incremental change.

Abstract: A one-piece edge protector for a roll of tape is described. The protector has a pair of sides and transverse, peripheral bridge portion which may receive a leading portion of a roll of tape to assist in dispensing the tape. The protector is particularly suitable to protect a roll of hand tearable medical tape.