Abstract: A method, apparatus, and article of manufacture for performing a point-in-time backup using a snapshot function. Work space on a work virtual volume is obtained to hold the snapshot copy of the source data being copied from a source virtual volume. Updates to the source virtual volume are suspended during the snapshot function, so as to provide a logically consistent view of the source virtual volume at a common point in time. Pointers are copied from a virtual track table of the source virtual volume to a virtual track table of the work virtual volume without actually moving any data on data storage devices referenced by those pointers. As a result, the snapshot function provides a method for copying the source virtual volume to the work virtual volume very quickly. Upon completion of the snapshot function, updates to the source virtual volume may be resumed.

Abstract: A device which can be retrofitted onto existing passenger vehicle rim holding tire changers or provided as a feature of such equipment by the original equipment manufacturer. An operator rolls a tire into contact with the device and the device lifts the tire, causing it to spin and come to rest adjacent a bead loosener shoe with a different section of the tire facing the shoe. The device includes a pair of parallel rollers arranged at different heights and spaced slightly from each other. The roller that is relatively lower is closer to the operator while the higher roller is to the rear of the tire changer. The rollers extend perpendicularly from the side of the tire changer. When a tire is rolled into contact with the device, it engages the lower roller first and bounces up to become slightly airborne. The bounce causes the tire to spin relative to its rolling path. The tire then engages both rollers and cradles on them in a resting position.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining synchronization and loss of synchronization in a high speed multiplexed data system. The system also includes a plurality of justification control bits and a backwards compatibility flag that allows the system to operate with older systems that have fewer justification control bits.

Abstract: Low molecular weight siloxane fluids are thickened by silicone elastomers. The silicone elastomers are made by crosslinking reactions of .tbd.Si--H containing siloxanes and an unsaturated hydrocarbon such as an alpha, omega-diene, in the presence of a low molecular weight siloxane fluid. The .tbd.SiH siloxane is first partially reacted with either a monoacrylate functionalized polyether or a monomethacrylate functionalized polyether. It is then crosslinked by the alpha, omega-diene in the presence of the low molecular weight siloxane fluid. An elastomer, i.e. gel, with polyether groups is produced. The elastomer gel can be swollen with the low molecular weight siloxane fluid under shear force to provide a uniform silicone paste. The silicone paste has excellent spreadability upon rubbing, and possesses unique Theological properties in being thixotropic and shear thinning.

Abstract: A metallized uniaxially heat-shrinkable, biaxially oriented, multilayer film having a polypropylene-containing core layer comprising at least 70 wt. % of said multilayer film and at least one polyolefin-containing skin layer adjacent said core layer is prepared by biaxially orienting a coextrudate and thereafter orienting said coextrudate by stretching 10 to 40% in the machine direction. The core layer contains isotactic polypropylene and a modifier which reduces the crystallinity of the polypropylene by increasing chain imperfections or reducing isotacticity of the polypropylene-containing core. Such modifiers can be selected from the group consisting of atactic polypropylene, syndiotactic polypropylene, ethylene-propylene copolymer, propylene-butene-1 copolymer, ethylene-propylene-butene-1 terpolymer, and linear low density polyethylene. The skin layer can be high density polyethylene or ethylene-propylene-butene-1 terpolymer.

Abstract: Preparation of polyisocyanate-based aerogels in the presence of polyfunctional isocyanatge-reactive compounds having an average nominal hydroxyl functionality 2 to 4 and number average molecular weight 50 to 5000, especially linear glycols containing from 2 to 30 carbon atoms.

Abstract: Probes for sensing and manipulating microscopic environments and structures, their method of preparation and methods of use are disclosed.

Abstract: A cementitious material in powder form comprising cement, also comprises sufficient of a granulated hydrophobing additive, which comprises from 5 to 15 parts by weight of an organopolysiloxane component, from 10 to 40 parts by weight of a water-soluble or water-dispersible binder and from 50 to 80 parts by weight of a carrier particle, to give from 0.01 to 5% by weight of the organosiloxane component based on the weight of the cement. The cementitious material displays good hydrophobicity, which may improve upon subsequent wettings of the applied cementitious material to a substrate.

Abstract: A dye-receiving element for thermal dye transfer comprising a support having on the front side thereof, in order, a biaxially-oriented composite film laminated thereto and a dye image-receiving layer, the composite film comprising a microvoided thermoplastic core layer and at least one substantially void-free thermoplastic surface layer, the support having on the back side thereof, in order, a biaxially-oriented film laminated thereto, a subbing layer and an antistatic layer, the subbing layer comprising an acrylic monomer, an acrylic homopolymer, an acrylic copolymer, a mixture of polyethylenes and a copolymer or terpolymer of polypropylene, or polypropylene having at least 0.1 g/m.sup.2 of titanium dioxide, the ratio of thickness of the back side film to the composite film being from about 0.45 to about 1.0.

Abstract: A method the preparation of rigid foams by reacting an organic polyisocyanate with an isocyanate-reactive material in the presence of a blowing promoter characterised in that the isocyanate-reactive material comprises at least one isocyanate-reactive cyclic carbonate or isocyanate-reactive cyclic urea, the reaction being performed in the presence of an inert insoluble organic liquid which is present as the dispersed phase of an emulsion or a microemulsion, and in the presence of a metal salt catalyst.

Abstract: A method for the preparation of rigid foams by reacting an organic polyisocyanate with an isocyanate-reactive material in the presence of a blowing promoter characterized in that the isocyanate-reactive material comprises at least one isocyanate-reactive cyclic carbonate or isocyanate-reactive cyclic urea, the reaction being performed in the presence of an inert insoluble organic liquid which is present as the disperse phase of an emulsion or a microemulsion, and in the presence of a metal salt catalyst.

Abstract: The invention provides a process for the preparation of a cellular polymeric product which comprises reaction of a polyisocyanate composition with an isocyanate-reactive composition having a functionality of at least 2, in the presence of a blowing agent and in the presence of an inert, organic liquid which is substantially insoluble in the reaction mixture and which is present as the disperse phase of an emulsion or a microemulsion, characterized in that the polyisocyanate composition comprises polymethylene polyphenylene polyisocyanate having a functionality of at least 2.5 and a urethane-modified, isocyanate-ended prepolymer, wherein the isocyanate functionality of the polyisocyanate composition is at least 2.3 and wherein the concentration of urethane linkages in the polyisocyanate composition is in the range from 1 millimole to 150 millimoles per 100 grams thereof.

Abstract: The invention provides a process for the preparation of a cellular polymeric product which comprises reaction of a polyisocyanate composition with an isocyanate-reactive composition having a functionality of at least 2, in the presence of a blowing agent and in the presence of an inert, organic liquid which is substantially insoluble in the reaction mixture and which is present as the disperse phase of an emulsion or a microemulsion, characterized in that the polyisocyanate composition comprises polymethylene polyphenylene polyisocyanate having a functionality of at least 2.5 and a urethane-modified, isocyanate-ended prepolymer, wherein the isocyanate functionality of the polyisocyanate composition is at least 2.3 and wherein the concentration of urethane linkages in the polyisocyanate composition is in the range from 1 millimole to 150 millimoles per 100 grams thereof.

Abstract: An interchangeable laser cavity cartridge includes side, front and back ws which include v-way elements to provide optical alignment and releasable spring loaded locks to lock into a cartridge receptacle coupled to a weapon. Spring loaded electrical connections allow electrical connection to a laser cavity housed within the cartridge to activated a laser system within.

Abstract: A method for the preparation of a polymeric foam which comprises vaporising a fluorine-containing ether in the presence of a foamable polymer or the precursors of a foamable polymer.

Abstract: A method for the preparation of polymeric foams which comprises reacting an organic polyisocyanate with a cyclic carbonate having at least one isocyanate-reactive substitutent attached to the carbonate ring.

Abstract: Polyisocyanate composition comprising an organo clay and a cyclic alkylene carbonate. The composition is useful for wood-binding, preparing polyurethanes and rigid and flexible polyurethane foams.

Abstract: A method for the preparation of polymeric foams which comprises reacting an organic polyisocyanate with a cyclic carbonate having at least one isocyanate-reactive substituent attached to the carbonate ring.

Abstract: Polyisocyanate composition comprising:(A) 30-45% by weight of disphenylmethane diisocyanates;(B) 28-67% by weight of polymethylene polyphenylene polyisocyanates having more than two free isocyanate groups in the molecule; and(C) 3-27% by weight of a prepolymer from a diphenylmethane diisocyanate and a compound containing at least two isocyanate-reactive groups and having a molecular weight below 1000; the % by weight being calculated on the total amount of (A), (B) and (C) present in the composition; the number average isocyanate functionality of the composition being at least 2.3.The compositions show improved miscibility with rigid foam polyols resulting in processing benefits. Foams made from these compositions exhibit smaller cell size and lower thermal conductivity.

Abstract: This invention relates to polyether polyols having an average hydroxyl value in the range of 100 to 250 mgKOH/g, which are alkoxylated derivatives of a polyhydric alcohol being a mixture of compounds according to formula (I) or/and (II) ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 is H, CH.sub.3 or OCH.sub.3,R.sup.2 is H, CH.sub.2 OH or CH.sub.2 C(CH.sub.2 OH).sub.3, andR.sup.3 and R.sup.4 areH, CH.sub.2 OH or CH.sub.2 OCH.sub.3.