Abstract: A polymeric component, for use as a separator in an electrochemical device in which the anode comprises metallic lithium, comprises a thermoplastic polymer, a tertiary plasticizer and a filler that comprises a lithium compound which is substantially insoluble in both the polymer and the plasticizer. The component is rendered porous by deformation which increases its surface area. The porosity can be enhanced by extracting one or both of the plasticizer and the filler.

Abstract: A stairtread facing consists essentially of a strip of friction material and a location member therefor. The strip of friction material is a co-extrusion with at least a part of the location member which rests on a stair, and both friction material and location member are made of rubber or plastics material.

Abstract: Improved methods of preparing molded thermoplastic articles are provided. The methods are basically comprised of the steps of admixing a radio frequency energy sensitizing agent comprised of N-ethyl toluenesulfonamide with a thermoplastic polymer, applying radio frequency energy to the mixture formed for a time sufficient to produce a moldable consistency in the mixture, and then compression molding the mixture to produce a molded article therefrom.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a highly electrically conductive plastic material from thermoplastic resin and carbon fill through a two-screw mixer having a screw length of more than twenty times the screw diameter involves continuously inserting a thermoplastic resin into a first zone of the two-screw mixer and compacting and preheating the thermoplastic resin. The resin is then passed into a second zone where it is kneaded and plastified. A particulate carbon fill is continuously inserted into a third zone with the fill constituting 30 to 50% by weight of the mixture and being dispersed in said resin within the third zone. The speed of rotation of the two screw mixer lies in the range between 150 to 250 RPM and the temperatures of the zones lie within the range of 165.degree. C. to 300.degree. C. After passage through the various zones, the mixture is removed via an outlet of an extrusion head.

Abstract: There is disclosed a one-piece short distance golf ball which is formed by foam molding a thermoplastic polymer and a filler. The resulting golf ball has a dense outer skin and a cellular core structure. The golf ball is approximately half the weight of and plays approximately half as far as a conventional golf ball, but its performance characteristics are otherwise comparable to a conventional golf ball. In addition a bramble surface pattern is provided on the ball to reduce the effects of wind on the ball's flight.

Abstract: A pour mold includes two parts one of which forms a mold cavity and the other of which forms the lid for the mold cavity; the lid includes a retractable pilot pin and vacuum cups for positioning a mold insert within the mold cavity automatically upon lid closure. The pilot pin loosely pilots the insert in the mold as it closes and as the vacuum cups pull the insert toward the lid during such closure. The vacuum cups hold the insert against the lid continuously during foam injection, foam reaction and cure and as the lid is separated from the mold cavity part so as to automatically remove the finished part from the mold when the lid is separated therefrom.

Abstract: An improved rotational molding method for making a laminated plastic structure of the type in which successive charges of particulate plastics are released in a mold cavity rotating in an oven to coalesce successively along the mold cavity wall after which the mold is removed from the oven for cooling. By removing the rotating mold from the oven prior to completion of the formation of the inside layer, cooling of the outside of the mold will be concurrent with coalescence of the inside layer. This shortens the time of the molding cycle and reduces warping problems.

Abstract: Seat material having a covering member integrally provided on a foamed material and a patterned portion of the covering member formed by recessing the covering member in a stripe pattern and a method for producing such seat material comprising the steps of preparing a foaming mould having a patterning protrusion for recessing the covering member in a stripe pattern and clamping the covering member onto the patterning protrusion by a clipping member which is buried by the foamed material.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for controlling foam sheet blow-up in a thermoformer oven. Control of the oven operation is achieved through monitoring the measured blow-up of a material which being heated in the thermoformer oven in a forming station or thermoformer, such as by a linear variable differential transformer, in order to adjust the thickness of the plastic material by regulating the temperature of the oven prior to the conveyance of the material into the molding or forming station.

Abstract: According to a method of manufacturing a foamed polypropylene resin sheet of this invention, a composition comprising as a resin component a mixture of 80 to 20 wt % of a crystalline propylene-ethylene block copolymer containing 20 wt % or less of ethylene and having a melt index (MI) of 2 or less and 20 to 80 wt % of a crystalline propylene-ethylene block or random copolymer containing 5 wt % or less of ethylene and having an MI of 6 to 20 or a polypropylene homopolymer having an MI of 6 to 20 is used. A pair of molding roll dies is horizontally arranged at a point separated from the center of an apex of an extrusion foaming die when a foamed sheet is to be extrusion-molded. A distance between the center of the roll and the apex of a base lip is set to fall within a range of (R.sup.2 +25).sup.1/2 to (R.sup.2 +144).sup.1/2 where R is a radius of the molding roll die.

Abstract: The present invention relates to breathable, waterproof sheet materials comprising a microporous polymeric film and a hydrophilic filler material infiltrated into the pores of the film, and to methods for making such sheet materials. In the methods of the present invention, the liquid hydrophilic material or precursor thereof is infiltrated into the pores of the microporous film after the film has been stretched in the lengthwise direction, but before the film is stretched in the transverse direction. By coating the microporous film prior to the transverse stretching step, superior waterproof sheet materials are obtained.

Abstract: The present invention provides that, in a process for production of foamed articles of a polyproplene resin which comprises compressing pre-expanded beads of propylene resins under a gaseous pressure, filling a mold capable of closing but incapable of sealing with the compressed beads, then venting from the mold and heating and fusing with steam thereby to produce the molded article in the shape of the mold, the improvement wherein the pre-expanded beads of the polypropylene resins having two melting points when measured by differential scanning calorimetry and having a quantity of the peak fusion heat QH based on a melting point at a high temperature peak of the two melting points being 0.3 to 3.5 cal/g are introduced compressively into the mold so that a compressive rate is 10 to 60%.

Abstract: The invention is directed to the method, products and apparatus for the manufacture of a high optical quality sheet of plastic comprising a polyurethane layer having energy-absorbing properties obtained by reactive pouring or reactive pulverization of the reaction components.In accordance with the invention, the polyurethane layer is treated, while it is in a state of ongoing polymerization corresponding to an NCO/CH ratio of less than 0.7, with water in a liquid or vapor form and then subsequently, after rolling with an interpolated film, stocking and unrolling, the layer is subjected to heat treatment.

Abstract: A hollow fibre of polyester-amide, useful in the process of dialysis and in ultra-filtration processes in general, is formed by a polyester-amide with repetitive units (TATE).sub.n (wherein T is the terephthalic acid radical; A is the ethylenediamine radical; and E is the hexanediol radical).Such a fibre is obtained by a process which comprises the following steps, carried out sequentially:preparation of a solution of polyesteramide (TATE).sub.n in a solvent constituted by formic acid at a concentration higher than about 99%, or constituted by a solution of lithium chloride in dimethylformamide or dimethylacetamide;extrusion of said solution through a spinnerette having a cross section of annular shape and coagulation of the fibre in an aqueous coagulation bath, with the possible introduction of an aqueous coagulating liquid to the interior of the annular opening of the spinnerette;washing with water and recovery of the so-obtained hollow fibre.

Abstract: A process for the manufacture of molded parts from fibrous material, particularly cellulose-containing fibers. A particulate binder is incorporated into a fiber filling after which the mixture is precompacted into a fiber mat which is subjected to a hot steam treatment and is finally molded into the finished part under pressure and heat. The binder consists of thermoplastic particles into which a blowing agent is incorporated by forming an alloy-like state which is activated prior to final molding of the part, preferably by means of hot steam treatment, and a binder which cross-links when exposed to heat applied to the surface of the particles.

Abstract: A method of producing a porous material having open pores comprises the steps of preparing an emulsion slurry by vigorously agitating a mixture comprising (i) a glycidyl type epoxy resin, (ii) a first hardener selected from the group consisting of modified polyamine hardeners each being prepared by modifying a polyamine hardener with a modifier, amine hardeners and mixtures thereof, (iii) a second hardener selected from the group consisting of polyamide hardeners, (iv) a filler and (v) water, casting said slurry in a water-impermeable mold, and hardening said slurry while it contains water. A large size molded product having a complicated contour and having open pores whose average pore diameter ranges from 0.2 to 10 microns can be produced with high dimensional accuracy.

Abstract: An orthotic support system is embodied as cooperating seat and back cushion elements for assembly into a wheelchair frame. These cushion elements are custom-fitted to the individual patient by injecting an incipiently reacting and foaming, fluorocarbon-blown polyurethane chemical system into the space between a rigid mold box and an elastic membrane which is fitted over the open face of the mold box and which is deformably engaged by the appropriate portions of the patient's torso. The foaming mixture is injected in predetermined excess volume and expands against the physical resistance of the patient's body where contact is made with the corresponding regions of the elastic membrane; and this forcible engagement produces selective densification of the foam where a high degree of body support is required. Elsewhere, the foam expands more freely and stretchably inflates the membrane to generate graduatedly less dense regions matably contoured to fit or partially embrace the patient.

Abstract: High-quality machine parts, e.g. machine supports, are manufactured of concrete polymer on the basis of methacrylate monomer polymerizing at room temperature and of aggregates. The monomer used has a dynamic viscosity of less than 10 mPas (10 cP) preferably of 1-10 mPas (1-10 cP). The admixed starter system comprises an organic peroxide and an aromatic tertiary amine, the latter being dissolved in methacrylate monomer.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a plastic foam, wherein a plastic compound with chemical foaming agent is charged in molding cavity which is defined by a pair of upper and lower die cavities and wherein the plastic compound is subject to a dielectric heating, so that the chemical foaming agent decomposes. One of the cavity surfaces is movable to vary the volume of the molding cavity in accordance with the expansion of the plastic compound, so that the movable cavity surface is kept in contact with the plastic compound which expands during heating.

Abstract: The invention provides a process and apparatus for producing an injection moulding of plastics material.