Abstract: A nonwoven composite web suitable for use, after post-treatment with a wetting agent, as a battery separator is formed by a wet process on a papermaking machine. One nonwoven composite material is made from a furnish of polyolefin binder fibers and polyolefin staple fibers. The web coming off the papermaking machine is dried using infra-red dryers followed by heated dryer cans. After drying, the web is thermally bonded using heated calendar rolls. The polyolefin binder fibers melt as the web passes through the calendar rolls and thermally bond the polyolefin staple fibers of the web when the melted binder fiber material fuses upon cooling.

Abstract: Cellulosic materials such as cotton fabrics and paper are crosslinked with a composition comprising (A) polymers of ethylenically unsaturated polycarboxylic acid monomers or salts thereof, the monomers having one or more dicarboxylic groups wherein the carboxyl groups are on adjacent carbon atoms; (B) saturated .alpha.-hydroxypolycarboxylic acids or salts thereof; and (C) one or more curing catalysts, and heated to produce esterification and crosslinking of the celluose by reaction of the cellulosic hydroxyl groups with carboxyl groups in the reaction product of (A) and (B).

Abstract: A fiber-reinforced concrete-like material product includes a plurality of fibers containing an effective amount of at least one antimicrobial agent to inhibit organisms and protect the concrete from biological attack. Preferably, the antimicrobial agents are added to the fibers prior to the fibers being dispersed in the concrete. Such a concrete product containing antimicrobial-enhanced fibers simultaneously inhibits organisms from biological attack, reduces plastic shrinkage cracking of the concrete and improve post-peak flexural strength of the concrete.

Abstract: A flame retardant cloth, used for example in interiors as a material for curtains, comprises (A) 60-40 parts by weight of fiber which contains 8-70 wt. % of halogen chemically bonded to a polymer and 1-8 wt. % of Sb compound not chemically bonded to a polymer, and has a shirnkage factor at 240.degree. C. of not less than 40% under a load of 300 mg/metric count yarn count (17), and (B) 60-40 parts by weight of polyester fiber, which compounded making a total of 100 parts by weight. This cloth can retain its high fire retardance even after it has been subjected to a process using a binder, such as pigment printing, and enables the range of application of a compound flame retadant fiber product comprising polyester fiber and halogen-containing fiber to be further widened.

Abstract: The present invention provides a low-bleed coloring composition incorporating a film-forming agent, an alkali-soluble resin, an aqueous carrier, and a colorant. The coloring composition can optionally include one or more of a humectant, a surfactant, a preservative, a drying agent, a pH regulant, a bittering agent or a fragrance. The present invention further provides a mark upon the surface of a substrate. The present invention furter provides a writing instrument comprising the coloring composition.

Abstract: There is disclosed a heat-fusible composite fiber comprising a sheath component of a crystalline propylene copolymer resin having a low melting point and a core component of a crystalline polypropylene resin having a higher melting point, wherein said fiber has a resistance of incipient tension of 5 to 15 gf/D {44.1.times.10.sup.-3 to 132.4.times.10.sup.-3 N/dtex} and a heat shrinkage of 15 percent or less at 140.degree. C. over 5 minutes, as well as a non-woven fabric made of such a fiber.

Abstract: Novel polyindanebisphenols or PIBPs for the preparation of new and improved thermosetting polymers having the general formula of ##STR1## are provided. Also disclosed are thermoplastic or thermoset compositions prepared using the novel compounds of the invention, as well as methods of making and using the same. When copolymerized or reactive with other commercial resins such as, e.g., epoxy compounds, PIBP based polymers are characterized by high glass transition temperature ("Tg"), low dielectric constant, low moisture absorption, low coefficient of expansion, low cost, and can be processed on equipment typically used for the production of epoxy based laminates.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to spacer assemblies for insulating glass units. More specifically, this invention relates to a single component desiccant matrix which can be applied to the interior of a spacer assembly at room temperature. Upon exposure to the ambient atmosphere, the desiccant matrix irreversibly cures.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to spacer assemblies for insulating glass units. More specifically, this invention relates to a single component desiccant matrix which can be applied to the interior of a spacer assembly at room temperature. Upon exposure to the ambient atmosphere, the desiccant matrix irreversibly cures.

Abstract: Fabric blends of inherently flame resistant fibers and flame resistant cellulosic fibers that contain a flame retardant. According to the method of production of these blends, the inherently flame resistant fibers can be dyed a full shade of color without depleting the flame retardant contained in the cellulosic fibers. In addition, the potential for laundering shrinkage of the inherently flame resistant fibers of the blends is reduced regardless of whether both, one of, or neither of the inherently flame resistant fibers and the flame resistant cellulosic fibers are dyed. Dyeing and/or shrinkage prevention of these blends is conducted at temperatures below 100.degree. C., typically approximately between 70.degree. C. and 100.degree. C.

Abstract: Disclosed are articles useful in cleansing, and particularly wet-like cleansing wipes, which are dry until used, where fluid is released from the article. These articles comprise:a. a carrier comprising a cellulosic fibrous structure having at least a first region of relatively high basis weight that comprises an essentially continuous network and a second region of a plurality of mutually discrete regions of relatively low basis weight which are circumscribed by the high basis weight first region; andb. an emulsion applied to the carrier, where the emulsion provides fluid for cleaning when shear forces are applied to the article.The first and second regions of the cellulosic fibrous structure are disposed in a nonrandom, repeating pattern. The articles offer a number of significant advantages over prior cleaning products when in the form of wet-like cleansing wipes such as those used for cleaning of hardsurfaces (e.g., floors, countertops, sinks, bathtubs, toilets, and the like).

Abstract: A longitudinally stretched nonwoven fabric and a method for producing the same, which nonwoven fabric is a web mainly composed of long fiber filaments of 3 .mu.m to 15 .mu.m in diameter and made by short distance stretching in one direction at a stretching ratio of at least 5, and which production method is characterized in the steps of: maintaining the spun filaments in a draftable state; cooling the filaments with a cooling fluid, then guiding the filaments onto a conveyer with inclining the flow of filaments toward the transferring direction, and sucking by a reduced pressure from the back side of said conveyer, and further subjecting the web of filaments to short distance stretching in the longitudinal direction.

Abstract: The present invention provides a warmer in the form of a sheet shaped heat generating body which is obtained using a warming composition that generates heat when in contact with air, in which the warming composition can be easily dispersed and held in a uniform arrangement, and in which the warming composition is prevented from leaking; and provides a method for manufacturing such a sheet. The sheet shaped heat generating body pertaining to the present invention is obtained by supporting a warming composition and a heat-fusible adhesive powder on a nonwoven fabric (a), superposing a nonwoven fabric (b) on the upper surface, heating and pressing the assembly with the aid of a molding press, and impregnating the resulting sheet with water or an aqueous solution of an inorganic electrolyte.

Abstract: Provided is a heat generating bag for footwear having a comfortable temperature regardless of the state of use, namely, when staying still, walking etc., which is thin and avoids an uncomfortable feeling of the wearer. The heat generating bag for footwear is made by having a heat generating composition powder and hot-melt adhesive powder held in the pores of multiporous vegetable fiber non-woven fabrics, such fabrics being heat compressed on a mold compressor, and the obtained sheet shaped heat generating body being packed in an air-permeable bag. The heat composition is held in the pores of multiporous vegetable fiber non-woven fabric layers which are superposed by the adhesion of water. Such non-woven fabric are compressed on a mold compressor, and the obtained sheet shaped heat generating body is impregnated with water or an inorganic electrolyte and then packed in an air-permeable bag.

Abstract: Polymer fine particles are obtained by emulsion-polymerizing one or more monomers having a carboxylate group represented by the following formula and an unsaturated group that is radical polymerizable:--COO.sup.- X.sup.+ (I)wherein in the formula (I), X.sup.+ is one species selected from the group consisting of monovalent metal ion, ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 to R.sub.5 may be the same or different, representing hydrocarbon groups having a number of carbon atom or atoms of 1 to 4 respectively. Alternatively, polymer fine particles may be obtained by performing emulsion polymerization in the presence of a compound containing the foregoing carboxylate group. In the obtained polymer fine particles, the carboxylate group is incorporated into surfaces of the fine particles by the aid of covalent bond or physical adsorption. Metallic parts such as those contained in a printer are not corroded owing to the presence of the carboxylate group on the surfaces of the fine particles.

Abstract: The present invention is embodied in ceramic matrix composites with porous interfacial coatings and the methods and processes for fabricating such coatings integral with the ceramic matrix composites. Each ceramic matrix composite of the present invention includes a fibrous substrate or fabric material with a porous interfacial coating. The coating, prior to processing, is comprised of a coating solution made of a carbon precursor and a ceramic precursor resin dissolved directly within a solvent or solvents. Fabrication is achieved by first desizing the fibrous substrate, second immersing the desized fibrous substrate in the mixed coating solution, third evaporating the solvent and curing the precursor and resin via a low temperature cure, and fourth pyrolyzing the coating via a high temperature pyrolysis, preferably in an inert atmosphere. Next, the coated fibrous substrate is combined with a ceramic matrix composite (CMC).

Abstract: Provided is a composite film comprising a continuous phase of para-oriented aromatic polyamide and a phase of low-dielectric resin, said film having a dielectric constant at 1 MHz of not more than 3.2 and a linear thermal expansion coefficient at 200 to 300.degree. C. of within .+-.50.times.10.sup.-6 /.degree.C. The composite film has characteristics such as a low dielectric constant, favorable mechanical strength, homogeneous structure, light weight, and a low linear thermal expansion coefficient, and the film is useful as a base substrate for a flexible printed circuit board.

Abstract: Thermoplastic compositions containing certain anthraquinone polysulfonamide colorants incorporated therein as toners or colorants. The anthraquinone colorant moieties which are incorporated into the polymer chain of the polysulfonamide colorants are not leachable, sublimable or extractable and do not exude from the thermoplastic compositions. The anthraquinone polysulfonamide colorants may be added to the thermoplastic polymers during production or melt blended with the polymer by conventional techniques to produce transparent thermoplastic compositions useful for a variety of end uses where nonmigrating or nonextractable colorants are needed.

Abstract: Disposable garments, protective clothing and accessory items formed from one or more layers of fractured plastic film or treated nonwoven material are provided for use in clean rooms and similar working environments. The use of non-particulating or low particulating fractured plastic films and treated nonwoven materials reduces particulate contamination resulting from wearing the associated garment or using the accessory item in a clean room environment. Samples of disposable clean room products may be tested in a manner that closely approximates the intended application for the respective disposable clean room product to provide a more realistic measure of particulate emission rates during actual wear or use.

Abstract: The invention comprises devices composed of at least one microscopic hollow tube having a wall of single or multiple layers with a thickness of at st one nanometer and a diameter of at least 5 nanometers. The walls of the tubes can be formed from a wide variety of materials, some of the preferred materials include metals, polymers, carbon, ceramics, glasses. If the space between the tubes is filled, the tubes become channels in a monolithic or composite body. The channels can have a random or ordered orientation. The interior of the tube walls can be coated with a desired material such as a catalyst and also may have depressions or elevations therein that were imparted to the fibers upon which the tubes are formed. The wall layers may be porous for the purpose of removing the fiber therethrough. Microtubes and microtube devices may be interfaced with the macroscopic world in a number of ways.