Abstract: Processes for modifying the surface chemistry of a clay are disclosed. In one embodiment, there is provided a process for modifying the surface chemistry of a clay, wherein the process comprises: providing a clay dispersion comprising at least one unmodified clay wherein said clay has a first exchangeable cation; adding a second cation to the clay dispersion, wherein at least a portion of the second cation exchanges with at least a portion of the first cation to form a modified clay dispersion; and combining at least one polar containing agent with the modified clay dispersion to provide a modified clay.

Abstract: Provided are improved coatings, polymeric dispersions, and polymeric composites, which include PNPs. Also provided are methods for forming improved coatings, polymeric dispersions, and polymeric composites, which include PNPs. The PNPs have polymerized units of at least one multi-ethylenically-unsaturated monomer have a mean diameter of from 1 to 50 nanometers. PNPs having polymerized units of at least one multi-ethylenically-unsaturated monomer and at least one surface-active monomer are also provided.

Abstract: Colorant, dispersants, dispersions, and inks are provided which include PNPs having a mean diameter in the range of from 1 to 50 nanometers, the PNPs including as polymerized units at least one multi-ethylenically-unsaturated monomer. Also provided are methods for preparing colorants, dispersants, dispersions, and inks which include PNPs.

Abstract: Methods of providing a paint line containing a latex polymeric binder are described. A range of paints can be formulated using sets of prepaints, at least one of which contains a latex polymeric binder. The paints may be applied as architectural coatings, industrial coatings, graphic arts coating, elastomeric coatings, and non-cementitious, aggregate finish coatings suitable for application on a wall directly or as a topcoat in exterior insulation finishing systems.

Abstract: A method of controlling Take-all disease of plants, by applying, preferably to the seeds prior to planting, a fungicide of the formula wherein Z1, and Z2 are C and are part of an aromatic ring which is benzene.

Abstract: An aqueous composition suitable for use, when dry, as an improved coating is provided including an aqueous emulsion polymer, the polymer having a glass transition temperature (Tg) from greater than 20° C. to 80° C., formed by the free radical polymerization of at least one ethylenically unsaturated nonionic acrylic monomer and 0-7.5%, by weight based on the total weight of the polymer, ethylenically unsaturated acid monomer in the presence of 0.01-1.0%, by weight based on the total weight of the polymer, t-alkyl hydroperoxide, t-alkyl peroxide, or t-alkyl perester wherein the t-alkyl group includes at least 5 Carbon atoms and, optionally, at least one other oxidant. A method of preparing the emulsion polymer, a method for providing a coated substrate wherein the coating contains the emulsion polymer having a Tg from −20° C. to 80° C., and a method for improving the scrub resistance of a coating by including the emulsion polymer having a Tg from −20° C. to 80° C.

Abstract: An improved, simplified mounting block for a self-aligning electrical connector permits the electrical connector to move within a limited range to align with the mating connector.

Abstract: An aqueous composition suitable for use, when dry, as an improved elastomeric coating, caulk, sealant, fabric treatment, or pressure sensitive adhesive is provided including a predominantly acrylic aqueous emulsion polymer, the polymer having a glass transition temperature (Tg) from −90° C. to 20° C., formed by the free radical polymerization of at least one ethylenically unsaturated nonionic acrylic monomer and 0-7.5%, by weight based on the total weight of said polymer, ethylenically unsaturated acid monomer until 90-99.7% of said monomers by weight, based on the total weight of said polymer, has been converted to polymer and subsequently at least half of the remaining monomer is converted to polymer in the presence of 0.01-0.099%, by weight based on the total weight of said polymer, t-alkyl hydroperoxide, t-alkyl peroxide, or t-alkyl perester wherein the t-alkyl group includes at least 5 Carbon atoms or, alternatively, the polymer is formed in the presence of 0.01-1.

Abstract: A pressure vessel is provided for housing electronic components in an underwater environment and permitting connection of the components to signal transmission elements of a signal cable. The pressure vessel comprises a hollow steel shell defining an interior chamber adapted to house the electronic components. A layer of thermal-sprayed aluminum covers the shell. The shell has an opening adapted to pass the signal transmission elements into the interior chamber. A seal adapted to sealingly surround the transmission elements is disposed in the opening in the shell so that an outer peripheral surface of the seal contacts an inner peripheral surface of the opening in the shell for preventing moisture penetration into the interior chamber. The seal may be formed of epoxy and the outer peripheral surface have a plurality of compressible o-rings disposed in axially-spaced circumferential grooves for contacting the inner peripheral surface of the opening in the shell.

Abstract: Reduced saturated fat lipid-based fillings. The fillings comprise: (a) at least about 20% lipid; and (b) from about 0.5% to about 35% crystallizing lipid. The fillings can additionally comprise other suitable optional ingredients. In one embodiment, a cheese filling comprises: (a) from about 20% to about 60% lipid; (b) from about 0.5% to about 35% crystallizing lipid; (c) from about 20% to about 75% dehydrated cheese powder; and (d) from about 0% to about 55% bulking agent.

Abstract: Reduced-fat, low-moisture lipid-based fillings. The lipid-based fillings can be used in a variety of food products. The low moisture, reduced fat, lipid-based filling comprises at least about 20% non-digestible lipid and other suitable optional ingredients. The filling has a water activity of less than about 0.6 and has at least about 20% less digestible fat than a comparable full-fat lipid-based filling. In one embodiment, the filling is a cheese filling. The low moisture, reduced fat, lipid-based cheese filling comprises: (a) from about 20% to about 60% non-digestible lipid; (b) from about 20% to about 75% dehydrated cheese powder; and (c) from about 0% to about 55% bulking agent. The fillings can be used with any suitable substrate to form a food product.

Abstract: Filled snacks, particularly filled snacks having creamy lipid-based fillings and crispy-crunchy shells. The creaminess of the filling is maintained even though it is subjected to heat during co-baking with the shell. In one embodiment, the filled snack comprises: (a) an outer shell of from about 0.07 to about 0.3 inches after baking; and (b) a lipid-based filling having a viscosity of less than about 10,000 cP before baking. In a preferred embodiment, a lipid-based nut filling is prepared from a process comprising the steps of: (1) providing a nut paste; (2) defatting a first nut paste portion to form a defatted nut flour; (3) milling the defatted nut flour to form a mono-modal nut solids flour; and (4) refatting the mono-modal nut solids flour to form the nut filling by combining the mono-modal nut solids flour with a re-fatting ingredient selected from the group consisting of added oil, a second nut paste portion, or mixtures thereof.

Abstract: A switch includes a backplane and multiple packet processors. One or more packet processors include multi-level policing logic. The packet processor receives a packet and classifies the packet into multiple policeable groups. The packet is compared against bandwidth contracts defined for the policeable groups. Nested lookups are performed for the packet in a policing database to identify the multiple groups and to retrieve policing data for the multiple policeable groups. The policing results, which may be combined into a single policing result by taking the worst case policing result, are applied to disposition logic as recommendations, and are combined with other disposition recommendations to make a disposition decision for the packet.

Abstract: Processes for utilizing various emulsion polymerization procedures for preparing aqueous nanocomposite dispersions are disclosed. The disclosed processes include both in-situ polymerizations in the presence of at least partially exfoliated unmodified clays as well as admixtures of polymer dispersions with at least partially exfoliated unmodified clay dispersions. The disclosed nanocomposite dispersions are useful for preparing a variety of materials, such as coatings, adhesives, caulks, sealants, plastics additives, and thermoplastic resins. Processes for preparing polymer clay nanocomposite powders and use of these powders as plastic resin and plastics additives are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of controlling Take-all disease of plants by applying, preferably to the seed prior to planting, a fungicide of the formula wherein Z1 and Z2 are C or N and are part of an aromatic ring selected from benzene, pyridine, thiophene, furan, pyrrole, pyrazole, thiazole, and isothiazole; A is selected from —C(X)-amine, —C(O)—SR3, —NH—C(X)R4, and —C(═NR3)—XR7; B is —Wm—Q(R2)3 or selected from o-tolyl, 1-naphthyl, 2-naphthyl, and 9-phenanthryl, each optionally substituted with halogen or R4; Q is C, Si, Ge, or Sn; W is —C(R3)pH(2−p)—; or when Q is C, W is selected from —C(R3)pH(2−p)—, —N(R3)mH(1−m)—, —S(O)p—, and —O—; X is O or S; n is 0, 1, 2, or 3; m is 0 or 1; p is 0, 1, or 2; each R is independently selected from a) halo, formyl, cyano, amino, nitro, thiocyanato, isothiocyanato, trimethylsilyl, and hydroxy; b) C1-C4 alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl,

Abstract: A fuel pump module for a fuel tank in a vehicle includes a reservoir adapted to be disposed in the fuel tank and a partition disposed in the reservoir to divide the reservoir into a fuel sensing chamber and a fuel storage chamber. The fuel pump module also includes a conduit conducting return fuel from an engine of the vehicle to the fuel storage chamber of the reservoir. The fuel pump module includes a fuel pump disposed in the reservoir and having an inlet disposed in the fuel sensing chamber and an outlet disposed in the fuel storage chamber. The fuel pump module further includes a fuel usage priority valve to allow fuel from the fuel storage chamber to flow to the fuel sensing chamber to provide the inlet of the fuel pump with fuel from the fuel storage chamber.

Abstract: A fuel pump module for a fuel tank in a vehicle includes a reservoir adapted to be disposed in the fuel tank and a partition disposed in the reservoir to divide the reservoir into a fuel sensing chamber and a fuel storage chamber. The fuel pump module also includes a conduit conducting return fuel from an engine of the vehicle to the fuel storage chamber of the reservoir. The fuel pump module includes a fuel pump disposed in the reservoir and having an inlet disposed in the fuel sensing chamber and an outlet disposed in the fuel storage chamber. The fuel pump module further includes a fuel usage priority valve to allow fuel from the fuel storage chamber to flow to the fuel sensing chamber to provide the inlet of the fuel pump with fuel from the fuel storage chamber.

Abstract: Creamy, reduced fat, low-moisture lipid-based fillings. The fillings comprise: (a) at least about 20% non-digestible lipid; and (b) from about 0.5% to about 35% crystallizing lipid. The fillings can additionally comprise other suitable optional ingredients. The filling has a water activity of less than about 0.6 and has at least about 20% less digestible fat than a comparable full-fat lipid-based filling. In one embodiment, a cheese filling comprises: (a) from about 20% to about 60% non-digestible lipid; (b) from about 0.5% to about 35% crystallizing lipid; (c) from about 20% to about 75% dehydrated cheese powder; and (d) from about 0% to about 55% bulking agent. The fillings can be used with any suitable substrate, but are especially suitable for use in random packed food products, especially sandwich biscuits. Sandwich biscuits made with the fillings adhere well to the biscuits so that the sandwich biscuits are not misaligned, smeared, or subject to splitting or decapping in production or after storage.

Abstract: A process for preparing an aqueous emulsion polymer including providing at least one ethylenically unsaturated monomer and a free radical redox initiator system under emulsion polymerization conditions, the redox initiator system composed of t-alkyl hydroperoxide, t-alkyl peroxide, or t-alkyl perester wherein the t-alkyl group includes at least 5 Carbon atoms and a non-formaldehyde-forming reducing agent; and effecting the polymerization of at least some of the ethylenically unsaturated monomer is provided. Also provided is a process for reducing the residual ethylenically unsaturated monomer content of an aqueous emulsion polymer.

Abstract: The present invention is directed, in part, to improved nanocomposite compositions and processes for preparing same. Specifically, in one embodiment, there is provided a process for preparing an aqueous nanocomposite dispersion, wherein the process comprises: polymerizing via suspension polymerization a suspension comprising at least one ethylenically unsaturated monomer and a hydrophobically modified clay to form the nanocomposite dispersion after polymerization, wherein the hydrophobically modified clay is dispersed in the monomer. Other embodiments include processes for preparing aqueous nanocomposite particles, colloids, and dispersions using hydrophobically modified clays in aqueous systems and compositions comprising same.