Abstract: A polymer composite reed for a reed valve is provided, wherein the reed has improved mechanical properties as a result of its construction and is highly resistant to chemical and thermal attack. The improved mechanical properties of the reed are primarily due to the reed being reinforced with two plies of fabric having a harness satin weave, which provides the reed with a flexural modulus that is substantially greater in one direction of the reed. The chemical and thermal properties are primarily due to the semicrystalline thermoplastic material from which the reed is formed. In addition, the thermoplastic material enhances the fracture toughness of the reed to improve the durability of the reed. As a result, the reed is highly suitable for applications requiring long life under high speed, cyclic loading, such as that found in two-stroke and four-stroke internal combustion engines for the automobile industry.

Abstract: A polyvinylidene fluoride porous membrane has an asymmetrical structure, excellent mechanical strength such as tensile strength at break and elongation at break, and a desirable narrow range of pore diameter distribution. A method of preparing the porous membrane is also disclosed. The membrane comprises a vinylidene fluoride resin having an inherent viscosity from 1.3 to 15.0 (dl/g), and the membrane comprises pores which satisfy the following numerical expression (A):4.0<P.sub.1 /P.sub.2 .ltoreq.10.00 (A)wherein P.sub.1 is an average pore diameter (.mu.m) in a surface which has a larger average pore diameter, and P.sub.2 is an average pore diameter (.mu.m) in the other surface of the membrane.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a canvas reinforcement structure which enables canvas to become strong enough to sustain greater external force (such as wind), and enlarge tension strength to avoid breakage as well as form overall restraint effect for obtaining whole covering performance; it comprises reinforcement corner block mounted on respective corners of canvas, and corner block including upper and lower reinforcement pieces to form contact limited room and outlet hole for retaining canvas and therefore rivetting together with canvas by means of rivet; central position having through hole, collar rope hole for building up each corner of canvas with resistant ability against tearing force without risk of breakage; and restraint portion is folded with appropriate width of canvas for inserting restraint rope and auxiliary rope wrapping body so as to strengthen resistance of canvas periphery against lifting over as well as reinforcing the effect of secure tying.

Abstract: Naturally flame resistant cotton fiber is provided. The naturally flame resistant cotton fiber of the present invention is used to produce fabric that complies with flammability safety regulations without application of a flame retardant chemical, or with application of reduced amounts of flame retardant chemical compared to fabric made from known cotton fiber. The flame resistant cotton fiber of the present invention can be used to produce articles of manufacture including garments, linens, mattresses and upholstery such as that used in home furnishings, motor vehicles and airplanes. Naturally flame resistant colored cotton fiber is provided that can be advantageously used to produce fabric and articles of manufacture that are not treated with chemical dyes or fire retardants. Cotton plant varieties that produce naturally flame resistant cotton fiber, as well as methods for the breeding and selection of these varieties, are provided.

Abstract: Tissue papers, in particular pattern densified tissue papers, having an enhanced tactile sense of softness when treated with certain nonionic softeners are disclosed. These nonionic softeners are biodegradable and comprise sorbitan esters, ethoxylated/propoxylated versions of these sorbitan esters, or mixtures thereof. The softener is typically applied from an aqueous dispersion or solution thereof to at least one surface of the dry tissue paper web.

Abstract: A truck trailer cover 40 includes a multi-layered article 10 that is dimensioned and adapted to be fitted over and secured to a truck trailer 42. The multi-layered article, 10 includes a fabric 12 having a polymeric sheet 14, 16 secured to each side of the fabric 12. Each polymeric sheet 14, 16 secured to the fabric 12 has two non-chlorinated polymeric layers. The first non-chlorinated polymeric layer A, A' is disposed on the inner side of each sheet and contains an ethylene copolymer that has a Shore A hardness less than 85. The second non-chlorinated polymeric layer B, B' is disposed on the outer side of each sheet and contains a polymer having a Shore A hardness greater than 85. The multi-layered article 10 demonstrates good flex-crack resistance to make it suitable for use in a roll-up sign 30 or a truck trailer cover 40.

Abstract: By mixing a high-melting polyvinyl alcohol type polymer (A) and a low-melting water-soluble polymer (B) in a solvent for the polymer (A) to prepare a spinning solution and then subjecting the solution to low-temperature spinning so that the resulting filaments are solidified uniformly in the cross-sectional direction, there is formed a fiber of sea-islands structure comprising said high-melting polyvinyl alcohol type polymer (A) as the sea component and said low-melting water-soluble polymer (B) as the islands component. In this fiber, at least part of the islands component is present in a fiber zone ranging from the fiber surface to 2 .mu.m inside and the fiber surface contains substantially no islands component. This fiber ordinarily shows the performance of the matrix phase, i.e.

Abstract: There is provided a laminate of nonwoven fabrics for barrier applications which has improved ratios of barrier and strength to weight, of softness to strength and of vapor transmission to barrier. The laminate has a meltblown layer sandwiched between spunbond layers to produce an SMS laminate. The meltblown and spunbond layers may have between 0.1 to 2.0 weight percent of a fluorocarbon and the meltblown layer preferably between 5 and 20 weight percent polybutylene. The laminate also may have pigments if desired. Such laminates are useful for garments.

Abstract: A multi-layered article 10 includes a fabric 12 having a polymeric sheet 14, 16 secured to each side of the fabric 12. Each polymeric sheet 14, 16 secured to the fabric 12 has two non-chlorinated polymeric layers. The first non-chlorinated polymeric layer A, A' is disposed on the inner side of each sheet and contains an ethylene copolymer that has a Shore A hardness less than 85. The second non-chlorinated polymeric layer B, B' is disposed on the outer side of each sheet and contains a polymer having a Shore A hardness greater than 85. The multi-layered article 10 demonstrates good flex-crack resistance to make it suitable for use in a roll-up sign 30 or a truck trailer cover 40.

Abstract: A bulk material transport bag has a plurality of sidewalls, a lower end wall, and an upper wall, defining a bulk material space therewithin. The surrounding sidewalls are formed by a panel of fabric, positioned at each corner of the bag, the panel of fabric formed into a right triangle, so that the first and second legs of the triangle form the outer wall of the bag at each corner, and the third leg (or hypotenuse) of the triangle forms the internal baffle wall of the bag. Each corner triangle is stitched to a flat panel of fabric, defining the remaining central portion of each sidewall, so that when the eight portions of fabric are joined, there is defined the enclosed wall of the bag, together with the baffles formed in the interior of the bag. The bag includes a plurality of rectangular or triangular shaped openings in each of the baffle walls for allowing bulk material to flow therethrough in order to completely fill the bag.

Abstract: There is disclosed a structured fiber material with a three-dimensional network structure containing non-elastic crimped short fibers (A) and three-dimensionally crimped composite fibers (B), the fibers (B) being partially interlocked with each other, in which contact portions the fibers (B) are partially heat-bonded with each other; the fibers (B) being partially wound around the fibers (A) at their contact points, in which contact portions the fibers (A) and (B) are partially heat-bonded with each other; and the material having an apparent density of 0.005 to 0.10 g/cm.sup.3. Also disclosed is a process for producing the structured fiber material.

Abstract: A coveting web formed by a compound web material of coarse filaments and fine microfibers constituting a mixture without discrete phase boundaries between the individual components. The compound web material is produced in an integrated formation process on the same layering device of a web-forming installation. As a novel feature, the compound web material has strip-like regions not forming a mixture but consisting only of coarse filaments or containing only a small proportion of free microfibers. These strips are bordered on either side by other strips containing a mixture of both components--coarse filaments and free microfibers.

Abstract: A urea-formaldehyde resin modified with a water-insoluble anionic phosphate ester is used as binder in the preparation of glass fiber mats using a hydroxyethyl cellulose white water system. High tear strength glass fiber mats can be produced in a hydroxyethyl cellulose white water system using such a binder.

Abstract: A reinforced bituminous roofing membrane includes a first layer, a second layer, a third layer and bituminous material. The first layer consists essentially of a lightweight, open grid of adhesively bound non-woven fabric in which yarns in the cross-machine direction are held between pairs of yarns in the machine direction, each such pairs of yarns having one yarn that is essentially above the other and each such pair of yarns being coated and bound next to the other by adhesive which accumulates between the yarns of each pair. The second layer consists essentially of a high strength reinforcing fabric, while the third layer consists essentially of a porous fiberglass mat. The bituminous material saturates and contains the first, second and third layers, such that the three layers are completely embedded within the bituminous material and the bituminous material on one side of the membrane bonds through the layers to the bituminous material on the other side of the membrane.

Abstract: The present invention relates to sealing materials free from asbestos or other inorganic fibrous substances in the form of papers, paperboards, cardboards or plates. The gasket compositions preferably comprise a mixture of non-fibrillated organic fibers having an elongation at break of < 5% (up to 200.degree. C.) and fibrillated P polyaramide fibers as well as, powdered graphite and an elastomeric resin binder. A new and improved process for making non-woven, planar sealing materials free from asbestos or other inorganic fibrous substances, is also provided. The reinforcement-forming and sheet-forming organic fibers, binders and fillers are homogenized in a mixer and the mixture is subsequently treated with heat and pressure to form the non-woven webs.

Abstract: A polypropylene three-dimensional plexifilamentary fiber having a microwave birefringence of 0.07 or more and an Mw/Mn of 4.3 or less. Although a spreading agent is not included in this fiber, the fiber has a superior fiber spreadability and dimensional stability. The fiber in accordance with the present invention can be spun from a dope composed of an isotactic polypropylene having an Mw/Mn of 4.3 or less and an MFR of 20 or less, and a halogenated hydrocarbon, by a flash spinning technique. Further, the present invention provides a spinning dope and a method of manufacturing the fiber which effectively prevent ozone layer destruction by using a 2,2-dichloro-1,1,1-trifluoroethane, a 1,2-dichlorotrifluoroethane or a solvent blended a dichloromethane with either of the above two solvents as the halogenated hydrocarbon.

Abstract: Zinc-compatible silica particulates, useful for the formulation of a wide variety of improved dentifrice compositions, have an effective compatibilizing amount of zinc values chemically bonded to surface area sites of the particles.

Abstract: A novel chromosomal expression vector based on the bacteriophage Mu is disclosed.

Abstract: A vector comprising a filamentous phage sequence containing a first copy of filamentous phage gene X and other sequences necessary for the phage to propagate is disclosed. The vector also contains a second copy of filamentous phage gene X downstream from a promoter capable of promoting transcription in a bacterial host. In a preferred form of the present invention, the filamentous phage is M13 and the vector additionally includes a restriction endonuclease site located in such a manner as to substantially inactivate the second gene X when a DNA sequence is inserted into the restriction site.

Abstract: RNA enzymes or ribozymes can act as endoribonucleases, catalyzing the cleavage of RNA molecules with a sequence specificity of cleavage greater than that of known ribonucleases and approaching that of the DNA restriction endonucleases, thus serving as RNA sequence specific endoribonucleases. An example is a shortened form of the self-splicing ribosomal RNA intervening sequence of Tetrahymena (L-19 IVS RNA). Site-specific mutagenesis of the enzyme active site of the L-19 IVS RNA alters the substrate sequence specificity in a predictable manner, allowing a set of sequence-specific endoribonucleases to be synthesized. Varying conditions allow the ribozyme to act as a polymerase (nucleotidyltransferase), a dephosphorylase (acid phosphatase or phosphotransferase) or a sequence-specific endoribonuclease.