Abstract: The invention concerns an installation wherein is performed a crosslinking operation for a coating such as an ink or a varnish through ultraviolet radiation or electronic beam, in the presence of a gas mixture with controlled oxygen residual content. The installation comprises a chamber including one or more UV lamps or a source of accelerated electrons, required for performing the crosslinking operation, and is characterized in that it comprises an input device adjacent the chamber comprising at least the following three components, viewed successively by the product moving to be treated: a labyrinth system, means for injecting an inert gas forming a gas knife and a channel.

Abstract: The invention relates to equipment for area-based surface treatment of an article by electric dielectric barrier discharge in the presence of a non-atmospheric controlled gaseous mixture, comprising a hollow metal electrode enabling the gaseous mixture to circulate therewithin and the mixture to be transported to a discharge area, whereby said electrode is divided into individual elements which can each be pivoted about a central axis to ensure sufficient distance between the element which is considered as being pivoted and the area of the article opposite the element in question so that the discharge cannot develop; the central pivoting axis is used as a channel for the circulation of the gaseous mixture inside the electrode and is provided with openings enabling the gaseous mixture to be evacuated to the discharge area; pivoting one of the elements of the electrodes blocks up the evacuating opening associated therewith and the gaseous mixture can only be evacuated via the evacuating openings of non-pivoted

Abstract: A fibrous structure testable in a series of run-off tests, wherein each run-off test includes exposing the fibrous structure to a volume of a test solution and the fibrous structure initially is hydrophobic and has been treated to be hydrophilic, wherein the fibrous structure exhibits a run-off level that is less than 5 percent by weight throughout a series of run-off tests, and wherein the series starts with a first run-off test and ends with a fifth run-off test.

Abstract: The invention relates to equipment for area-based surface treatment of an article by electric dielectric barrier discharge in the presence of a non-atmospheric controlled gaseous mixture, comprising a hollow metal electrode enabling the gaseous mixture to circulate therewithin and the mixture to be transported to a discharge area, whereby said electrode is divided into individual elements which can each be pivoted about a central axis to ensure sufficient distance between the element which is considered as being pivoted and the area of the article opposite the element in question so that the discharge cannot develop; the central pivoting axis is used as a channel for the circulation of the gaseous mixture inside the electrode and is provided with openings enabling the gaseous mixture to be evacuated to the discharge area; pivoting one of the elements of the electrodes blocks up the evacuating opening associated therewith and the gaseous mixture can only be evacuated via the evacuating openings of non-pivoted

Abstract: The invention concerns an installation wherein is performed a crosslinking operation for a coating such as an ink or a varnish through ultraviolet radiation or electronic beam, in the presence of a gas mixture with controlled oxygen residual content. The installation comprises a chamber including one or more UV lamps or a source of accelerated electrons, required for performing the crosslinking operation, and is characterized in that it comprises an input device adjacent the chamber comprising at least the following three components, viewed successively by the product moving to be treated: a labyrinth system, means for injecting an inert gas forming a gas knife and a channel.

Abstract: Methods for treating polymeric substrates by placing the substrate in a gaseous mixture and subjecting it to a dielectric barrier electrical discharge. The gaseous mixture, which has a pressure around atmospheric, contains a carrier gas, a reducing gas and an oxidizing gas. The amount of the oxidizing gas in the gas mixture is between about 50 ppm and about 2000 ppm by volume, while the amount of the reducing gas in the gas mixture is between about 50 ppm and 30000 ppm by volume.

Abstract: A fibrous structure is described for use in hygienic articles such as diapers, sanitary napkins, incontinence guards, wipes and the like, having one or more polar, silicon containing compounds bound to at least one portion of the surface of the fibrous structure by interaction between the surface and the silicon containing compounds. The fibrous structure exhibits a predetermined degree of hydrophilicity and adhesion properties which are substantially unaffected by wetting of the fibrous structure. Absorbent, hygienic and textile articles comprising such a fibrous structure are also described.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a fibrous structure, being testable in a series of run-off tests, wherein each run-off test comprises exposing said fibrous structure to a volume of a test solution and said fibrous structure initially is hydrophobic and has been treated to be hydrophilic. wherein said fibrous structure exhibits a run-off level that is less than 5 percent by weight throughout a series of run-off tests, wherein the series starts with a first run-off test and ends with a fifth run-off test, use of said fibrous structure, tissue product and nonwoven material made of said fibrous structure. Further, it relates to an absorbent article comprising at least one of said fibrous structure and to use of said absorbent article.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for the surface treatment of polymeric substrates whereby the substrate is subjected to a dielectric barrier electrical discharge, in a gaseous mixture comprising a carrier gas, and a reducing and/or oxidising gas, at a pressure substantially equal to atmospheric pressure. The invention is characterised in that it comprises the following implementing conditions: when the mixture comprises an oxidising gas, the oxidising gas content in the mixture ranges between 50 to 2000 ppm by volume; when the mixture comprises a reducing gas, the reducing gas content in the mixture ranges between 50 to 30000 ppm by volume.

Abstract: Optimization of an installation in which an operation is performed that requires control over the atmosphere inside a chamber (3), the operation being performed in the presence of a gaseous mixture capable of giving off emissions, the optimization being obtained by the presence of inlet (5) and outlet (8) devices external to the chamber to oppose the ingress of air into the chamber and the exit of gaseous emissions; and of an extraction device (4) comprising means (42) for regulating the flow rate to maintain an approximately zero pressure differential between the inside and the outside of the chamber.

Abstract: Optimization of an installation in which an operation is performed that requires control over the atmosphere inside a chamber (3), the operation being performed in the presence of a gaseous mixture capable of giving off emissions, the optimization being obtained by the presence of inlet (5) and outlet (8) devices external to the chamber to oppose the ingress of air into the chamber and the exit of gaseous emissions; and of an extraction device (4) comprising means (42) for regulating the flow rate to maintain an approximately zero pressure differential between the inside and the outside of the chamber.

Abstract: A process for the surface treatment of a running substrate by an electrical discharge created between two roller electrodes, comprising a first roller electrode and a second roller electrode, in a gas mixture comprising the steps of passing the substrate in between the two roller electrodes by applying it against the first roller electrode; injecting the gas mixture between the rollers to apply a first surface treatment to the substrate; passing the substrate in between the two roller electrodes by applying it against a second roller electrode; and injecting the gas mixture between the rollers to apply a second surface treatment to the substrate.

Abstract: An apparatus for the treatment of perfluorinated and/or hydrofluorocarbon gases, for the purpose of destroying them, is provided. The apparatus includes at least one high-frequency surface-wave exciter which produces surface waves, a waveguide designed to guide the surface waves produced by the at least one wave exciter to at least one hollow dielectric tube for (i) creating, when supplied with a carrier gas an atmospheric-pressure plasma and (ii) for dissociating the molecules of the perfluorinated and/or hydrofluorocarbon gases within the plasma in order to form reactive compounds, and at least one treatment unit for the reactive fluorinated compounds which is arranged on an exit side of a corresponding hollow dielectric tube.

Abstract: Device for the surface treatment of a substrate (3) by an electrical discharge between two electrodes in a gas mixture liable to generate by-products (powders, for example) which may be deposited on the electrodes, in which device one (9) of the electrodes is a roller against which the substrate may be applied, means being provided for rotating the roller and the substrate and for injecting the gas mixture between the electrodes, the device being noteworthy in that the second electrode is a roller electrode (11) against which the running substrate may also be applied, this roller (11) being placed parallel to the other roller (9) with a suitable gap. By virtue of this arrangement, the substrate (3) protects each electrode (11) and prevents it from being covered with powder during the treatment, as well as preventing the corresponding contamination, thereby allowing the device to operate continuously.

Abstract: The invention relates to a storage box for an object that is to be protected from physicochemical contamination. The storage box is intended to have low weight, good mechanical strength, a good electrical condition, with a low degassing rate in time with prevention of diffusion of gasses from the external atmosphere into the interior of the box. The inner and/or outer surface of the box's walls are coated with at least one protective layer. The box may be used to store silicon wafers.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the production of a final gaseous mixture containing a carrier gas, an oxidizing gas and a silane, with a predetermined content of each of the three gaseous components, comprising the preparation of a primary gaseous mixture containing a neutral gas and the said silane, the silane content of the primary gaseous mixture being below the self-ignition limit of that particular silane in air, and the preparation of a mixture between the primary gaseous mixture and a stream of the said carrier gas and, if appropriate, of [sic] a stream of the said oxidizing gas, in proportions which make it possible to obtain the required final mixture, the mixing being carried out under dynamic conditions.

Abstract: Process for the production of a final gaseous mixture comprising a carrier gas, an oxidizing gas and a silane, with a predetermined content of each of the three gaseous components, comprising the steps of: a) preparing a primary gaseous mixture comprising a neutral gas and the silane, wherein the silane is present in the primary gaseous mixture at a content below a self-ignition limit of that particular silane in air; b) providing a first gas stream, comprising the carrier gas and a controlled residual content of the oxidizing gas; c) preparing the final mixture according to one or other of the following two procedures, as a function of the residual content of oxidizing gas in the gas stream comprising the carrier gas: P1: mixing the first gas stream with a second stream of the primary gaseous mixture and with a third stream of the oxidizing gas in proportions which make it possible to obtain the final mixture, the addition of the oxidizing gas stream being carried out under dynamic conditions; P2: mixin

Abstract: The invention concerns the preparation of an optical structure. On a polymeric substrate there is first provided a surface activation, and the deposit of a layer of SiO.sub.2, 2000 .ANG. thick after which there is a deposit of a plurality of functional layers and finally a deposit of SiO.sub.2, 3 microns thick followed by a deposit of Si.sub.3 N.sub.4 /SiO.sub.x N.sub.y 3 microns thick, the latter being produced under radio-frequency polarization. The thus obtained optical structure has properties of adhesiveness, resistance to abrasion and to thermal impacts.

Abstract: Multilayer coating for polycarbonate substrate used as glass substitute essentially consisting of silicon, carbon, nitrogen, oxygen and hydrogen, characterized by a first anti-ultra-violet layer consisting of silicon, oxygen and/or nitrogen, carbon and hydrogen, according to formula:SiCx.sub.1 Oz.sub.1 Ht.sub.1,where x.sub.1 +z.sub.1 +t.sub.1 is between 1,2 and 1,5SiCx.sub.1 Ny.sub.1 Ht.sub.1,where x.sub.1 +y.sub.1 +t.sub.1 is between 1,2 and 1,5SiCx.sub.1 Ny.sub.1 Oz.sub.1 Ht.sub.1,where x.sub.1 +y.sub.1 +z.sub.1 +t.sub.1 is between 1,2 and 1,4and t.sub.1 is always between 0,1 and 0,7; x.sub.1 before y.sub.1 and/or z.sub.1 is small, so that the limit of optical absorption is concentrated at about 350 nm; the second transparent hard layer consists of silicon, oxygen, nitrogen, carbon and hydrogen, of formula SiCx.sub.2 Ny.sub.2 Oz.sub.2 Ht.sub.2, where, in particular:either y.sub.2 =0, z.sub.2 is between 1,7 and 2,0, t.sub.2 is between 0,1 and 0,7, x.sub.2 before z.sub.2 is small;or y.sub.

Abstract: Multilayer coating for polycarbonate substrate used as a glass substitute, consisting essentially of silica, oxygen and nitrogen, and hydrogen according to the formulaSiO.sub.2 :HSiN.sub.y :Hcharacterized by a composite structure of the coating combining an interferential system with a reflectance window extending over a narrow band of wavelengths from the lower edge of the visible region toward wavelengths shorter than ultraviolet on the one hand, and an absorptive system of which the band of wavelengths of transmission from the absorptive region to the transparent region is located in the reflectance window of the interferential system. There is thus provided a coating with an abrupt variation of coefficient of transmission. The multilayer coating is particularly useful as a glass substitute for automobile headlight lenses.