Abstract: A hollow, tapered, fiber-reinforced plastic utility pole, and a method for making the pole. The pole is designed by a computer-modelling technique that simulates applying resin-coated, reinforcing strands over the outer surface of a mandrel. A plurality of test stations are incrementally spaced from the tip portion to the butt portion of the pole simulated on the mandrel. The thickess-to-diameter ratio must be equal to or greater than an established constant at each station or additional circuits of resin-coated, reinforcing strands deemed to have been applied, as required. One then calculates the stress resistance at each successive station to determine if the acceptable stress is greater than the stress resistance required. Whatever additional circuits of resin-coated, reinforcing strands are necessary are then deemed to have been applied.

Abstract: A polyester fabric is formed from a plurality of woven polyester monofilaments. The fabric exhibits improved hydrolytic stability and abrasion resistance. The woven polyester monofilaments are manufactured from a polymer blend comprising at least about 75 percent by weight of a polyester resin, up to about 20 percent by weight of a melt extrudable fluoropolymer resin, and more than 1.5 percent by weight and up to about 5 percent by weight of a hydrolytic stabilizing agent, to form 100 percent by weight of a polymer blend. Such fabrics have utility as fabrics for the dryer sections of paper making machines.

Abstract: A polyester monofilament is formed from a high temperature polyester resin, a PET resin and a hydrolyric stabilizing agent, and exhibits increased resistance to hydrolytic and thermal degradation. The high temperature polyester resin can be blended with from 0 to about 5 percent by weight of a thermal stabilizing agent. In addition, a masterbatch including the PET resin and hydrolytic stabilizing agent may be compounded prior to blending with the high temperature polyester resin. A fabric may be produced having increased resistance to hydrolytic and thermal degradation and includes a plurality of woven polyester monofilaments, comprising a high temperature polyester resin, a PET resin and a hydrolytic stabilizing agent. Such fabrics have utility as fabrics for the dryer sections of paper making machines.

Abstract: A polyester monofilament which exhibits improved abrasion resistance and is formed from the extrusion of a polymer blend of a polyester resin and a melt extruded fluoropolymer resin. The monofilament exhibits an improved resistance to abrasion as compared to standard high temperature polyester monofilament.

Abstract: A monofilament which exhibits improved hydrolytic stability properties as compared to conventional polyester monofilaments is formed from the extrusion of a blend of PPS and at least one polymer selected from the group consisting of PET, a high temperature polyester resin and polyphenylene oxide and possibly, a hydrolytic stabilizing agent. The monofilament is produced without the inclusion of compatibilizers or fillers, even though PPS is known to be incompatible with PET and high temperature polyester resins in most applications. A fabric may be produced having increased resistance to hydrolytic degradation and includes a plurality of woven monofilaments, comprising a blend of PPS with at least one other polymer selected from the group consisting of PET, a high temperature polyester resin and polyphenylene oxide and, a hydrolytic stabilizing agent. Such fabrics have utility as fabrics for the dryer sections of paper machines. Methods for the production of such monofilaments are also provided.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a closure hatch assembly for the access port of a utility pole. The access port has opposed, lateral edges and opposed, longitudinal edges. The hatch plate has a closure wall that is adapted to close the access port. The closure wall has a reverse face with laterally spaced protuberances extending outwardly therefrom. Opposed walls on the protuberances define a channel therebetween, and a bracket member is receivable within the channel. The bracket member presents longitudinally spaced bearing surfaces that are adapted operatively to engage the opposed longitudinal edges of the access port. The bracket member also has laterally spaced walls that are receivable within the channel in sufficiently close proximity with the opposed walls that define the channel in order to transfer compressive forces therebetween. A fastener releasably secures the bracket member within the channel and thereby mount the bracket assembly to the utility pole.

Abstract: A degradable, reusable, partially synthetic and partially non-synthetic bedding material for animals includes a plurality of flexible monofilaments formed from a blend of a thermoplastic polymer and starch. An effective amount of at least one transition metal salt may also be added to enhance ultraviolet and/or thermal degradation. The partially synthetic animal bedding has an appearance, texture and sound very similar to that of natural straw, but can be cleaned and reused repeatedly. The partially synthetic straw-like material is inert as far as digestibility and is degradable when exposed to sunlight and dry heat, and is biodegradable and compostable thereby providing for relatively easy disposal.

Abstract: A monofilament which exhibits improved hydrolytic stability properties as compared to conventional polyester monofilaments is formed from the extrusion of a blend of PPS and at least one polymer selected from the group consisting of PET, a high temperature polyester resin and polyphenylene oxide and possibly, a hydrolytic stabilizing agent. The monofilament is produced without the inclusion of compatibilizers or fillers, even though PPS is known to be incompatible with PET and high temperature polyester resins in most applications. A fabric may be produced having increased resistance to hydrolytic degradation and includes a plurality of woven monofilaments, comprising a blend of PPS with at least one other polymer selected from the group consisting of PET, a high temperature polyester resin and polyphenylene oxide and, a hydrolytic stabilizing agent. Such fabrics have utility as fabrics for the dryer sections of paper machines. Methods for the production of such monofilaments are also provided.

Abstract: A polyester monofilament which exhibits improved abrasion resistance and is formed from the extrusion of a polymer blend of a polyester resin and a melt extruded fluoropolymer resin. The monofilament exhibits an improved resistance to abrasion as compared to standard high temperature polyester monofilament.

Abstract: A high temperature copolyester monofilament exhibits enhanced knot tenacity and is formed from the extrusion of a polymer blend of a copolyester resin and a fluoropolymer resin. Additives such as thermal stabilizers may be added to the polymer blend. The polymer blend may be extruded in the presence of other additives such as a hydrolytic stabilizer. The monofilament exhibits a higher average knot tenacity, a higher minimum knot tenacity, a narrower knot tenacity range and lower standard deviation as compared to standard high temperature copolyester monofilaments. A dryer fabric comprises a plurality of woven copolyester monofilaments having enhanced knot tenacity, the monofilaments comprising a polymer blend of copolyester resin and fluoropolymer resin, and may further include thermal stabilizers and hydrolytic stabilizers.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a closure hatch assembly for the access port of a utility pole of the type particularly suited for supporting an electrical device and housing the electrical cables required to provide power to the electrical device. The closure hatch assembly has a hatch plate made of a composite, non-conductive material and is of such dimensions as to close the access port. A lip extends outwardly from the periphery of the closure plate to engage the exterior surface of the utility pole circumjacent the access port. A groove, or channel, is provided on the hatch plate to receive a hollow bracket member. The hollow bracket member is also made of a non-conductive composite material. When received within the channel, the bracket member has sufficient length to extend beyond the hatch plate to engage the interior surface of the utility pole.

Abstract: A breakaway utility pole (9, 109) mounting structure. The mounting structure presents a base portion (11', 16 or 20) within which the end portion (10, 110) of the pole (9, 109) is telescopically received. The base portion (11', 16 or 20) of the mounting structure extends below ground level, and an adhesive material (17, 117) bonds the pole end portion (10, 110) to the base portion (11', 16 or 20). The adhesive material (17, 117) is adapted to fail when the pole (9, 109) is subjected to an impact at a predetermined distance above ground level from a vehicle of predetermined minimum weight moving at a predetermined minimum speed.