Abstract: A method for the preparation of alkene phosphonic acids and salts thereof, such as VDPA (vinylidene diphosphonic acid) is disclosed. The products can be produced in a stable, substantially pure form and in high yield. The method includes the azeotropic removal of water from salts of &agr;-hydroxy-alkane diphosphonic acid dimer or corresponding acids thereof, and the pyrolysis of the dehydrated reactant at a temperature of from 170° C. to 300° C. There may be included a step to convert anhydrides which have been formed during the pyrolysis. The method may include the use of heat transfer agents and/or bases, and may be carried out at elevated or reduced pressure.

Abstract: The reaction of compounds of the formula:X.sub.2 O.sub.3 P CHY CZ.sub.2where Y and each Z are each H, PO.sub.3 X.sub.2, SO.sub.3 X or CO.sub.2 X (e.g. vinyl phosphonic acid or vinylidene diphosphonic acid) with hypophosphorous acid in the presence of free radicals provides novel compounds X.sub.2 O.sub.3 PCHYCZ.sub.2 PO.sub.2 XH which react with monomers such as vinyl sulphonate, vinyl phosphonate, vinylidene diphosphonate and acrylic acid to form telomers useful for scale inhibition, especially barium scale in oil wells. The polymers show better absorption to rock than PVSA and better thermal stability than random copolymers containing equivalent phosphorus.

Abstract: Halogen-free, oligomeric or polymeric, alkylene-bridged alkyl phosphonates having the general formula ##STR1## where n is a whole number of from 1 to 20;R.sup.1 and R.sup.5 are each C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 alkyl;R.sup.2 and R.sup.4 are each C.sub.2 -C.sub.10 alkyl andR.sup.3 is C.sub.2 -C.sub.10 alkyl.The use of such phosphonates as, or in connection with, a flame-retardant (e.g. for polyurethane foams, resins and composites, epoxy resins, phenolic resins, paints, varnishes or textiles).

Abstract: A method and system in a computer network for dynamically bundling and launching hypertext files within archive files, wherein the computer network includes at least one client connectable to one or more servers. Initially, an archive file is established within the computer network wherein particular subroutines are maintained. Thereafter, a particular hypertext file is associated with a selected subroutine maintained within the archive file. The particular hypertext file and the selected subroutine are subsequently bundled together within the archive file. Thereafter, the archive file is automatically transmitted to the client from a server maintained within the computer network, in response to a client request to download the hypertext file, such that the subroutine and the hypertext file are downloaded within a single selected archive file from the server, thereby reducing download time and increasing data packaging efficiency.

Abstract: A method for producing alkyl derivatives of phosphonic acids together with hexyl-bis?5-ethyl-2-hexyl-1,3,2-dioxaphosphorinan-5-yl)methyl!ester, P,P'dioxide as a novel product and the use of such a product as, or in connection with, a flame retardant.

Abstract: A method for the production of azacycloalkane-2,2-diphosphonic acids of general formula; ##STR1## where n is a whole number of from 2 to 16, Y is H, an alkyl or alkenyl, a substituted alkyl, or an aryl, such that the group "Y" remains unchanged during the reaction,by reaction of a lactam with a phosphorus trihalide in the presence of phosphorous acid and/or water, in which the reaction mixture also includes an organic amine and/or or an organic amine salt, said reaction being followed by hydrolysis of the reaction mixture and purification of the reaction product to obtain the diphosphonic acid.The method is exemplified by the preparation of azacycloheptane-2,2-diphosphonic acid, and azacyclononane-2,2-diphosphonic acid.

Abstract: Unsaturated compounds which can be dissolved in aqueous based solvents, such as ethylenic or acetylenic carboxylate or alcohols with less than 10 carbon atoms, especially maleic and/or acrylic acid or propargyl alcohol, are reacted with alkali metal phosphite in aqueous solution at neutral or alkaline pH in the presence of free radical initiators such as persulphate to form threshold scale and corrosion inhibitors.

Abstract: A coded hidden identification is provided for a selected printable item by providing a coded printing composition based on adding to and substantially uniformly mixing a selected number of populations of microparticles with a printing composition, said microparticles being normally invisible to the human eye and each such population having a group of microparticles of similar size, shape or color to form a combination of highly uniform and unique properties, the printing composition adapted for use in a printing machine, such as a photocopy or laser printing machine cartridge, and printing items with the coded printing composition so as to transfer the microparticles to the item. The microparticles may be characterized by a number of detectable properties, or a combination thereof, which are not detectable by the human eye to provide the coded hidden identification.

Abstract: Unsaturated compounds which can be dissolved in aqueous based solvents, such as ethylenic or acetylenic carboxylate or alcohols with less than 10 carbon atoms, especially maleic and/or acrylic acid or propargyl alcohol, are reacted with alkali metal phosphite in aqueous solution at neutral or alkaline pH in the presence of free radical initiators such as persulphate to form threshold scale and corrosion inhibitors.

Abstract: A dental fiberoptic handpiece hose assembly comprises a flexible aspetic outer tubing that contains internally a plurality of conduits and wires for the drive air, exhaust air, coolant water and "chip" air, as well as a fiberoptic bundle and a sensing cable. The outer surface of the tubing is quite smooth and regular without any crevices that would trap bacteria. The outer surface tubing is made from an oil resistant material to discourage cracking and to improve the useful life of the hose assembly. The fiberoptic bundle comprises an acrylic material that is lightweight and flexible. The connection between the handpiece and the hose assembly is a swivelable construction that is quite simple to fabricate. A specially designed adapter is mounted inside the swivel connection and is utilized to connect the conduits of the drive air, exhaust air, chip and and coolant water as well as the fiberoptic bundle and the sensing cable to the handpiece.

Abstract: A fiberoptic dental headpiece hose assembly has a smooth-walled, aseptic outer tubing that contains a plurality of internal components to provide drive air, an exhaust line, chip air and coolant water to the dental handpiece. The fiberoptic handpiece hose assembly is field-serviceable due to the rearend release connection of the outer tubing to the swivel assembly. This permits access to the internal components to allow repairs to be made in the dentist's office. The fiber-optic bundle is made from an acrylic material and the adapter is made generally from plastic to reduce the overall weight of the assembly and to improve the reliability and service life of the assembly.

Abstract: A fiberoptic dental handpiece hose assembly has a smooth-walled, aseptic outer tubing that contains a plurality of internal components to provide drive air, an exhaust line, chip air and coolant water to the dental handpiece. The fiberoptic handpiece hose assembly is field-serviceable due to the rearend release connection of the outer tubing to the swivel assembly. This permits access to the internal components to allow repairs to be made in the dentist's office. The fiberoptic bundle is made from an acrylic material and the adapter is made generally from plastic to reduce the overall weight of the assembly and to improve the reliability and service life of the assembly.

Abstract: An identification method and identification kit are based upon making up groups of microsized particles normally invisible to the naked eye with each particle in each group being of a selected uniform size, shape and color. Coded identification is established by transferring a population of particles from a selected number of the groups to the item to be identified and then confirming such identification by examining the marked item under high magnification with a light microscope.