Abstract: A collimator, in combination with a source of curing radiation, for use in a process for curing a photosensitive resin disposed on a working surface and having a machine direction and a cross-machine direction perpendicular to said machine direction, is disclosed. The preferred collimator comprises a plurality of mutually parallel collimating elements spaced from one another in the machine direction between the source of radiation and the resin. Each of the collimating elements is substantially perpendicular to the working surface, and every two of the mutually adjacent collimating elements have a machine-directional clearance and a cross-machine-directional clearance therebetween. The collimating elements and the machine direction form an acute angle therebetween such that the machine-directional clearance is greater than the cross-machine directional clearance. This allows to provide a greater collimation of the curing radiation in the cross-machine direction relative to the machine direction.

Abstract: A collimator, in combination with a source of curing radiation and a working surface, for use in a process for curing a photosensitive resin disposed on the working surface having a machine direction and a cross-machine direction perpendicular to said machine direction, is disclosed. The collimator comprises a plurality of mutually parallel collimating elements spaced from one another in the cross-machine direction and disposed between the source of radiation and the resin. Each of the collimating elements is substantially perpendicular to the working surface, and every two of the mutually adjacent collimating elements have a machine-directional clearance and a cross-machine-directional clearance therebetween. The collimating elements and the machine direction form an acute angle therebetween such that the machine-directional clearance is greater than the cross-machine directional clearance.

Abstract: A method for forging, or hot working bulk ceramics, including high temperature superconductors and other sensitive materials, under precisely controlled conditions of pressure, temperature, atmospheric composition, and strain rate. A capsule with massive end plates and with an independent gas supply is located in a modified hot isostatic press (HIP), designed to operate at pressures of up to 200 MPa and at temperatures of up to 1000 C. Essentially uniaxial deformation of a pre-compacted disc with forces of up to 500,000 Newtons (50 tons), and over time scales from seconds to hours can be achieved by separately controlling the pressure in the capsule from that of its surroundings. The separate gas supply to the capsule can also maintain a specified gaseous atmosphere around the disc, up to the operating pressure of the equipment. The apparatus can be designed to tolerate oxygen concentrations of up to 20%.

Abstract: Side-by-side conjugate filaments made from thermoplastic elastomers and spunbond-type polyolefins exhibit an extremely high propensity to self-crimp. At appropriate polymer ratios and processing conditions (with mechanical or aerodynamical drawing) the crimp develops spontaneously after relaxation of the attenuation force. The amount of crimp and the degree of elastic properties depend on the elastomer content and the processing conditions. The resulting crimp is typically in the range of 25-200 crimps per inch. This combination of exceptionally high crimp and an elastomer component imparts stretch and recovery properties. The filaments can be wrapped around a cylindrical supporting structure to create a continuous, seamless elastic band, useful for body-fit articles.

Abstract: Apparatus and procedures are presented for forging, or hot working bulk ceramics, including high temperature superconductors and other sensitive materials, under precisely controlled conditions of pressure, temperature, atmospheric composition, and strain rate. A capsule with massive end plates and an independent gas supply is located in a modified hot isostatic press (HIP). Essentially uniaxial deformation of a pre-compacted disc with forces of up to 500,000 Newtons (50 tons) and at temperatures of up to 1000 C. can be achieved. The separate gas supply to the capsule can maintain a specified gaseous atmosphere around the disc, up to the operating pressure of the HIP. The apparatus is designed to tolerate partial oxygen pressures of up to 20%.

Abstract: An absorbent article for use in cleaning oil spills comprises a first exposed outer layer of hydrophobic, liquid-permeable, fibrous polymeric nonwoven web and an absorbent body, adjacent the outer layer, comprising oil absorbent, cellulose-based material. Desirably, the article further comprises a second exposed outer layer of hydrophobic polymeric material with the absorbent body disposed between the first and second exposed outer layers. The absorbent article is placed on a layer of oil resting on the surface of a body of water for oil spill clean up. The absorbent article selectively absorbs oil over water because the outer hydrophobic layer repels water but attracts oil and transfers the oil to the oil absorbent body encased between the exposed outer layers. This invention results in considerable savings in cost and in non-renewable resources because the bulk of the product is a cellulose-based material, which is renewable, while only a small portion is polymeric nonwoven, which is non-renewable.

Abstract: A container has a back wall, a pair of opposing side walls extending from the back wall, and a front wall extending between the side walls to define a rectangular sleeve. Apertures are formed in the front wall to enable access within the sleeve. The apertures are separated from one another by a front wall portion. Also, a top and bottom band are formed at the ends of the container. At least one positioning member extends from the front wall. The positioning member extends toward the back wall to maintain an article in position within the container.

Abstract: The invention provides a perforated nonwoven web fabricated from a bonded thermoplastic polymer web. The perforated nonwoven web contains a multitude of self-sustaining sustaining perforations that are substantially free of melt-fused edges and can be characterized as stretch-opened perforations. The invention further provides a process for producing the perforated nonwoven web.

Abstract: An apparatus for making paper. The apparatus comprises a felt and a pattern layer joined to the felt. The felt has a relatively high UV absorbance. Such a high UV absorbance prevents the actinic radiation applied to cure the pattern layer from scattering when the radiation penetrates the surface of the pattern layer. By limiting the scattering of radiation beneath the surface of the pattern layer, extraneous cured pattern layer material is minimized in the regions of the felt where it is desired not to have pattern layer material.

Abstract: A shaped nonwoven fabric comprises continuous spunbond filaments made by directly forming the spunbond filaments into a web in a single process. The fabric has an array of discrete surface features such as apertures or projections, or both. The spunbond filaments are bonded together with an adhesive polymeric component so that the shape of the fabric is retained. The fabric can be engineered to have particular fluid handling properties, strength properties, abrasive properties and aesthetic properties. Articles such as personal care products, garments, medical products and cleaning products are also disclosed.

Abstract: An improved method for flame retarding a synthetic polyamide or blend fabric thereof comprises treatment with a solution of an ionizable tetrabromophthalate together with an electrolyte, such as magnesium sulfate, acidified to pH 2 such as with sulfuric or sulfamic acid. The treated fabric shows useful resistance to washing.

Abstract: An automatic page selector comprises a counter, a page selector device responsive to the output of the counter to select pages for decoding and display, and a clock for providing pulses to the counter. Means may be provided for writing data into a memory the locations of which are sequentially addressable by the counter, and for controlling the intervals between successive clock pulses applied to the counter in accordance with the written data.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for effecting digital signalling over a television signal channel is provided. The carrier wave of the television signal is phase shift keyed at the line scanning frequency rate in accordance with the digital information to be signalled. A receiver determines the phase of the said carrier wave during each line of a received television signal relative to a datum phase and a digital signal is generated in accordance therewith.