Abstract: Disclosed is a compatibilized carbon black useful in melt processing of plastic material. The carbon black is coated with a compatibilizing agent which enhances the dispersibility of the carbon black in a melt of the plastic material. Further disclosed are processes for making plastic foam structures with the compatibilized carbon black.

Abstract: Disclosed is a compatibilized carbon black useful in melt processing of plastic material. The carbon black is coated with a compatibilizing agent which enhances the dispersibility of the carbon black in a melt of the plastic material. Further disclosed are processes for making plastic foam structures with the compatibilized carbon black.

Abstract: Disclosed is a compatibilized carbon black useful in melt processing of plastic material. The carbon black is coated with a compatibilizing agent which enhances the dispersibility of the carbon black in a melt of the plastic material. Further disclosed are processes for making plastic foam structures with the compatibilized carbon black.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of insulating a surface or enclosure by applying to the surface or enclosure a polymeric foam structure of a polymer material and carbon black. The carbon black is generally uniformly dispersed in the polymer matrix in the form of discrete particles substantially free of agglomeration. A preferred carbon black is thermal black. The carbon black provides a number of advantages over those previously employed commercially. Further disclosed is a process for making the foam structure. Further disclosed is an extruded, insulative foam structure of the type described above.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for measuring the tactility of a zipper of a reclosable thermoplastic zippered bag of the type described in commonly-assigned U.S. Pat. No. 5,070,584, including an opposed pair of mechanical fingers defining a gap therebetween through which the zipper is made to pass, means associated with the opposed pair of mechanical fingers for continuously measuring the resistance of the male and female profiles to being interlocked by such fingers as the zipper passes through the gap defined between such fingers, and means for recording, graphing, displaying and/or analyzing these measurements.

Abstract: The surface of a cellular body which is flat except for a number of cavities is examined by placing a transparent light refracting medium against the surface and transmitting light through the medium toward its interface with the body surface at such an angle of incidence to the interface that light incident on the interface at the body surface is refracted into the body and light incident on the interface at the cavities is totally reflected internally of the medium and then outwardly thereof. The reflected light produces an image having readily distinguishable zones of lightness and darkness indicative of the cavities and body material, respectively. The image is displayed in such manner as to enable either of the relatively dark and light zones to be counted. An optical coupling liquid is interposed between the body surface and the refracting medium to compensate for small gaps or irregularities in the body surface.