Abstract: The invention provides methods for producing semi-permanent casting tooling, as well as semi-permanent casting tooling apparatus. Casting tooling including a blend of high char resin and refractory powder; casting tooling prepared from a blend of sol-gel ceramic precursor and refractory powder; and a preform including a leachable core as well as methods for their production are provided. The casting tooling of the invention can be used in casting processes including die casting, permanent mold casting and pressure infiltration casting. Also provided is an investment mold casting technique compatible with a pressure infiltration process.

Abstract: A bonding tool for use in tape automated bonding and wedge bonding of gold and gold plated leads or wires to contact pads of electronic devices is fabricated of Aluminum Oxide ceramic without electrically conductive metallic binders. The bonding tool has a microscopically rough surface that is brought into compressive contact with the gold leads or wires and manipulated ultrasonically or thermosonically in order to form a molecular bond between the gold lead or wire and the contact pad of the electronic device. The Aluminum Oxide ceramic bonding tool is sufficiently hard that it does not readily deform under normal ultrasonic bonding conditions and is not readily abraded by the gold leads.

Abstract: Disclosed is a playing card (12) comprising a base layer (22) of a paper stock material. The base layer (22) is coated on opposite sides with opaque paper coatings (36, 38). The coatings (36, 38) are printed with graphics (18, 20). The base layer (22) is then laminated with top and bottom clear, plastic films (24, 26) on top of the printed coatings (36, 38). The films are high or medium gloss fills and provide a Tappi gloss in the range of about 85.degree. to 105.degree.. The films are mechanically embossed with embossments (48). The embossments (48) provide a static slip in the range of about 7.degree. to about 15.degree. and a Tappi gloss in the range of 50.degree. to 85.degree.. The embossments (48) reduce gloss without significant loss in ink density, color, or image distinctness.

Abstract: Polyethylene glycol is used as a binder material for fibers, such as wood pulp fibers, and for adhering superabsorbent particulate materials to the fibers.

Abstract: A decor sheet for use in a decorative laminate includes cellulosic fibers, a sulfur dye, and a water insoluble precipitate of a basic salt.

Abstract: A carrier device for releasably holding a strip of material adapted for utilization and manufacture of semiconductor devices including first and second frame members interconnected by hinge means which permits both pivotal and linear movement of the frame members relative to one another.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing a pair of seal members (10 and 12) such as a pair of disks which control the fluid flow of a faucet. The two seals are formed of a moderately hard material (pb 14), such as stealite, ceramic materials, metal materials or synthetic materials, which can be precisely ground to a particular finish. At least one of the seal members (10) is coated with a thin layer (16) of very hard material such as silicium carbides, metal carbides, metal nitrides, or cubic crystallographic lattice carbons. The coating layer is applied through either physical or chemical vapor deposition. This process provides seal disks with low friction coefficients thereby eliminating the need to provide a lubricant between the cooperating surfaces of the disks. In addition, adhesion between the seals is eliminated despite the smooth surface finish of the disks. Thus, the disks formed through this process improve operation of the faucet or valve utilizing cooperating seal disks.

Abstract: A heat-shrinkable sleeve which has a shrinkable component and comprises a cross-linked polymer in the form of an open grid, said shrinkable component being embedded into a non-shrinkable component. The individual elements forming the open grid create a plurality of grid cells and are undetachably connected to one another at the point of intersection of the elements.

Abstract: An information recording medium has such a structure that a disc-shaped substrate is provided with a hole at its central part, an inner-side non-recording zone is provided around the periphery of said hole, an outer-side non-recording zone is provided inside the outer periphery of the substrate, a recording zone is provided between both non-recording zones on the substrate, and a flexible disc-shaped resin film having a hole at its central part is joined to each of the non-recording zones on the substrate in such a state that the resin film is substantially not in contact with the recording zone on the substrate to form a gas layer over the recording zone. A process for producing the recording the medium is also disclosed.

Abstract: Hair-treating composition comprising an aqueous dispersion of a mixture of an amino- and hydroxy- or alkoxy-functional silicone with an amino-functional silicone and a cross-linking agent comprising a water-soluble compound containing at least two carboxyl groups.

Abstract: A thin film of hydrophilic hydrogel is applied to a person's skin, including hands, forearms, and face to prevent shedding of minute skin particulates, to prevent fingerprints, and to prevent transmission of toxic substances through the film.

Abstract: The invention provides an optical recording medium comprising a Langmuir-dgett film made from a mixture of a photochromic compound of the following formula, in which a carboxyl group and an alkyl group have been introduced to the 8-position and the 1'-position, respectively, at the same time, and a long-chain carboxylic acid: ##STR1## wherein R represents a hydrocarbon having 5 to 31 carbon atoms.

Abstract: Patches are provided for repairing damaged articles made of rubber or plastic. Each patch has a main element and a connecting layer applied to the underside of the main element and also extending over part of the top of the main element. For repairs, several patches can be placed over each other and next to each other partly overlapping without the necessity of prior cleaning and roughening of the sites where the connecting layers overlap.

Abstract: A printed circuit board is described in which an electrically insulating laminate material (40) has first and second sides. An electrically conducting first circuit pattern (15) is embedded in the first side of the laminate material (40), and an electrically conducting second circuit pattern (20) is embedded in the second side of the laminate material (40) electrically insulated from the first circuit pattern (15) by the laminate material (40). A solid interconnection member (20) extends through the laminate material (40) and electrically contacts both the first and second circuit patterns (15,20) at selected locations thereof.The method for fabricating the board includes as a first step the fabrication of a first board panel (10) having a raised electrically conducting first circuit pattern (15) extending from a base layer (14) of conductive material and a raised electrically conducting second circuit pattern (20) extending from the first circuit pattern (15).

Abstract: A sheet of mulch material and method of making the same are provided, the sheet of mulch material comprising a sheet of polymeric material having openings passing therethrough and opposed sides one of which is to face the ground on which the sheet of mulch material is to be disposed, and a sheet of fabric material being coextensive with and being secured to the one side of the sheet of polymeric material and overlapping the openings thereof to tend to prevent plant growth through the openings.

Abstract: Catalytically inert films comprising complexes of polymer with a compound of a Group 1B or Group 8 metal at unusually low proportions of metal can be selectively activated, e.g. to provide a catalytic surface. Such films can be advantageously activatable to electroless deposition, e.g. of oxidation resistant layers of copper.

Abstract: A self retaining shim for mounting between two surfaces is made of plastic and engages a projection from one of the surfaces on which the shim is to be mounted. The shim has inwardly directed deflectable tabs projecting into an aperture for engaging the projection to hold the shim in place while the two surfaces are joined.

Abstract: A separate plate for use in a valve body of an automatic transmission has a gasket bonded to each side of the separate plate. The gasket is provided with boxes which are different in configuration from bores provided in the separate plate. Bores are punched out in the separate plate and the gasket coated with an adhesive, separately from each other, and then the separate plate and the gasket are bonded together in one unit. Accordingly, it is possible to provide a separate plate having improved assembling efficiency and superior resistances to heat, oil and rupture.

Abstract: A reinforcement type porous sheet comprising(a) a laminated sheet comprising a hot melt type porous sheet and a plastic porous sheet, and(b) a porous substrate bonded to the hot melt type porous sheet.

Abstract: This invention relates to a partially plated molded article and to a process for the production of a molded article which is partially plated with metal such as circuit boards, connectors, decorative articles, etc., where a catalyst such as palladium, gold, etc. is added after the roughing of the surface of the primary molded article, and then, the molded article is inserted into the mold and molded so that the portions to be plated with metal are exposed, and after such molding, the exposed portions are plated with metal.