Abstract: A stackable height adjustment ring for supporting a manhole cover frame upon a concrete manhole shaft liner has a ring body that is formed from plastic resin, e.g., scrap plastic. The ring includes inner and outer radially spaced apart side walls and optionally a top wall. Brace arms which are integral with the walls preferably extend radially between the walls for holding them together. The rings have alignment members, e.g., an inner wall of the ring can have an upwardly facing shoulder upon its upper edge and the outer wall, a downwardly facing shoulder on its lower edge. An upwardly extending cylindrical collar at the top of the outer ring fits the downwardly facing shoulder of an adjacent ring. There is also a downwardly extending collar at the lower edge of the inner ring to fit on the upwardly facing shoulder of a similar inner ring.

Abstract: A combined waste recycling and disposal method utilizes a first container or bin having at least one supporting wheel for supporting the bin from the ground. Waste of a first category, e.g., garbage, is stored in the bin. A second container is provided for waste of a second category, specifically, recyclable waste. Waste of the second category is placed in and stored in the second container. The second container is supported on the first container and thereafter the first container is transferred to a pickup point while loaded with both recyclable and non-recyclable waste by moving the first container while it is supported by the wheels. The second container is then removed from the first container and the waste from both containers is transferred to separate compartments of a pickup vehicle, e.g., a truck for hauling the waste to a recycling and a disposal location. The second container is a rigid receptacle with two or more side-by-side compartments for recyclable waste.

Abstract: Disclosed are oriented poly(alkylene carbonates) useful in packaging film for food and other oxygen effected substances. These oriented polymers include poly(alkylene carbonates) with substantial crystallinity. Also disclosed is the crystallization of amorphous poly(alkylene carbonates) by stretching or orienting them. Further disclosed are (1) a high oxygen barrier, high clarity laminate resistant to delamination, that has a layer comprising an oriented, low oxygen barrier, predominantly crystalline polymer, and another layer adherent directly or indirectly thereto and comprising an oriented poly(alkylene carbonate) preferably with substantial crystallinity; and (2) a method for making the laminate from the polymer and the amorphous counterpart of the poly(alkylene carbonate).

Abstract: A tissue grinding system includes a container having an open top portion, a bottom portion having a first grinding surface on an interior surface, and a wall portion interconnecting the top portion and bottom portion defining a hollow interior chamber; a grinder receivable in the top portion of the container and having a second grinding surface engageable with the first grinding surface and including an actuator portion extending beyond the top portion, and a closure device sealingly engaged with the grinder and with the open top portion of the container to seal the chamber.

Abstract: A poly(ethylene glycol) derivative is disclosed that is activated with a sulfone moiety for selective attachment to thiol moieties on molecules and surfaces. The activated PEG is water soluble, hydrolytically stable for extended periods, and forms hydrolytically stable linkages with thiol moieties. The linkages generally are not reversible in reducing environments. The PEG derivative is useful for modifying the characteristics of substances including modifying biologically active molecules and surfaces for biocompatibility. Methods for synthesizing the active PEG and for preparing conjugates of the active PEG and other substances, including biologically active substances, are also disclosed.

Abstract: A floor covering designed to protect concrete floors from extreme mechanical abuse, such as impact and abrasion involving a floor covering which is applied in three steps:the first layer comprises a thermosetting resin with aggregate fillers and broadcast;the second layer is a thermosetting resin compound which serves as a bonding agent between the first layer and the next layer to be applied;the third layer comprises a latex-based cementitious material filled with ductile iron filings.

Abstract: A method for disposing of waste material employs an agglomerate formed by molding an admixture of waste material and thermosetting binder. The use of a thermoplastic resin sheet in conjunction with the agglomeration mold promotes the safety of the molding process. Dust and mold leakage is abated and it subsequently yields a resin coated agglomerate that is safe for handling. The performance of the agglomerate is enhanced by formation of a coating of resin chemically bonded onto its surface. The performance of the agglomerate may be further enhanced by the formation of a seam-free thermoplastic resin jacket over the resin coated agglomerate.

Abstract: A recycling container formed from plastic resin includes a pair of side-by-side upwardly opening integral compartments having a hollow partition between them. Each of the compartments has upright side walls and an upwardly opening wide mouth with a peripheral or top edge for forming the rim of the container. The upper edge of two adjacent side walls that make up the sides of the partition are joined together by a horizontally disposed connecting panel located in the plane of the container rim for defining the upper margin of the hollow partition between the compartments. The center portion of this connecting panel is a carrying handle. The invention also provides a new method of recycling recyclable waste products suited for household use wherein the container is a plastic injection-molded container having a monolithic body formed from plastic resin and includes a pair of integral compartments.

Abstract: An air vent comprising a first row of air vanes for controlling the lateral orientation of air emitted from the air vent and a second row of air vanes for controlling the vertical orientation of air emitted from the air vent. The first and second row of air vanes can be adjusted independently. The first row of air vanes has a control vane to which is mounted a control knob. The control knob is connected to the second row of air vanes by a ball joint mounted pin, whereby the vertical movement of the control knob results in rotation of the second row of air vanes about a horizontal axis. The control knob is connected to the first row of air vanes by links. The lateral movement of the control knob results in a corresponding parallel rotational movement of the first row of air vanes to control the lateral position of a concentrated stream of the air emitted from the air vent.

Abstract: Cushioned overpacks are employed for containing, transporting, and storing discarded electrical transformers contaminated by toxic materials such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB's). Other articles may be similarly contained, transported, and stored using such cushioned overpacks. The discarded transformers are then consigned to such overpacks together with one or more cushions. The cushions serve to prevent puncturing of the overpack by the transformers during transport and storage. Preferred cushions have a foam composition and are inserted into the overpack by means of a pour-in-place process. Preferred overpacks include an inner surface which is roughened so as to adhere to the inserted cushion. After the insertion of the transformer and cushion is complete the assembly is hermetically sealed by a spin welded closure onto the receptacle. Uncushioned overpacks are fabricated at or near the process site by rotational molding.

Abstract: A shutter door assembly assembled primarily from extruded plastic components is provided. The shutter door assembly includes an outer rectangular frame surrounding a pivotally attached vaned panel door. Various side, top, and bottom legs of the frame and door are constructed of a hollow extruded plastic and are securely mounted together to form a rigid, durable shutter door. The resulting shutter door has the general look and feel of an actual wooden door. An after-former device for forming extruded tubes for use in the shutter assembly is also provided. The after-former system mounts to a standard circular extrusion head, and converts a circular tube of extrudant to a desired noncircular shape, such as a rectangular shape. The after-former has a conical conduit, with an entrance aperture having a circular shape for receiving the initial extrudant and an exit aperture having the desired noncircular cross-section.

Abstract: Methods and composition of an improved water based human tissue lubricant are disclosed. The lubricant includes an aqueous solution of high molecular weight polyethyl oxide, a humectant polyol, a sterilizing agent and may include an anti-sticking agent to prevent tackiness on drying. The formulation is ideally suited for use as a vaginal lubricant, as a shaving lubricant and dermatological emollient and as a contact medium for an ultrasonic transducer.

Abstract: Disinfectant mixture containing water soluble lubricating and cleaning agents comprising a water-based polymer serving as a water-based lubricant, a disinfectant and deionized water.

Abstract: Water-reducible curing agents for epoxy resins are made from the diglycidyl ether of cyclohexane dimethanol and a diamine selected from the group consisting of meta-xylylene diamine, isophorone diamine, diaminocyclohexane and 1,3-bisaminomethyl cyclohexane.

Abstract: Process of mixing a fugitive plasticizer, e.g., ethylene carbonate, with moist particulate polyacrylonitrile then removing the water enabling adjustment of the melt viscosity for extrusion of the polyacrylonitrile into film, fiber, pellets and shaped articles. Stretching and heating the extruded polyacrylonitrile film or fiber causes the fugitive plasticizer to exude and vaporize from the film or fiber, carrying with it any remaining acrylonitrile monomer. The resulting film or fiber exhibits substantially increased molecular weight, thus enhancing the tensile strength and barrier properties of the polyacrylonitrile product. The process also produces polyacrylonitrile foam products. A novel cross-linking agent for polyacrylonitrile, divinyloxybutane, is disclosed. Thermostabilizing agents for polyacrylonitrile, N-maleimides and stilbene derivatives, are also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention provides a hand held razor-containing cutting device formed from two separable halves that are connected together during use along a centrally located longitudinally extending parting line. The two halves of the tool are held in contact with one another by means of frictional connecting elements that allow the halves of the tool to snap together for use. A pair of adjacent disassembly tabs are provided. One such tab is located on each half of the tool to facilitate separating the halves of the tool by prying the halves apart, usually with a screwdriver or similar tool that is placed between the tabs and then twisted to pry the tabs away from one another for separating the two portions of the cutting device so that the razor blade can be removed and replaced when required. The frictional connecting elements comprise C-shaped cooperating retaining studs that extend from one half of the tool and during assembly snap into openings provided in the other half.

Abstract: The invention includes a system for producing a monolithic injection molded pipette including a mold having an elongate cavity enclosing a prolate core, both cavity and core having tapered ends, paired retractable locking pins for stabilizing the core, solonoid drives for extending and retracting the pins, a resin source for for injecting resin into the cavity, and a controller for retracting the pins as injected resin flows along the core to the space proximate the pins. The invention includes a method for making a pipette including enclosing an elongate, tapered core in a mold having a prolate, tapered cavity to accept the core, extending paired locking pins to stabilize the core, injecting resin into the cavity and sequentially retracting the locking pins as the resin flows in the cavity proximate the pins. The pipette according to this invention is an injection molded monolithic structure comprising an elongate tube and a tapered tip formed integrally with the tube.

Abstract: High solids coating compositions are made from organic solvent solutions of the reaction product of a diglycidyl ether of a dihydric phenol, vernonia oil and a dihydric phenol.