Abstract: Tubular workpieces of oriented polymers such as polyethylene polyester and PVC are formed by drawing a workpiece over an expanding former in the absence of any force perpendicular to the axis of the workpiece. The processes do not require the use of any liquid lubricant. They enable greater degrees of expansion and hence orientation in the direction perpendicular to the axis to be achieved and result in products of improved appearance and strength.

Abstract: Tubular workpieces of oriented polymers such as polyethylene polyester and PVC are formed by drawing a workpiece over an expanding former in the absence of any force perpendicular to the axis of the workpiece. The processes do not require the use of any liquid lubricant. They enable greater degrees of expansion and hence orientation in the direction perpendicular to the axis to be achieved and result in products of improved appearance and strength.

Abstract: A bulk ionically conductive polymer gel is prepared by dissolving a salt such as lithium trifluoromethanesulphonate (which would provide lithium ion conductors) in an organic compound such as N-formylpiperidine. The organic compound dissolves the salt at 20.degree. C. but is not a solvent at 20.degree. C. (though it is at 215.degree. C.) for polyethylene terephthalate. The last-named is a crystallizable polymer which is added in a minor amount at a high temperature to the other components and provides the required mechanical rigidity for the product at lower temperatures.

Abstract: A communication system for implementing remote operations between a PABX and a host computer, conforming to Open Systems Interconnect (OSI) communication protocol. Circuitry is provided in each of the PABX and host computer for generating and encoding invoke, return result, error and reject operation protocol data unit signals, for transmission between application layer entities of the PABX and host computer. In order to support invoking of asynchronous telephony operations, invoke address and server address fields are incorporated within the argument sequence and the result sequence of the invoke and return result operation protocol data unit signals, respectively.

Abstract: An oriented high density polyethylene polymer material having a weight average molecular weight of less than 200,000, a number average molecular weight of less than 20,000, a ratio of weight average molecular weight M.sub.w to number average molecular weight M.sub.n such that for M.sub.n > 10.sup.4, M.sub.w /M.sub.n < 8 and for M.sub.n < 10.sup.4, M.sub.w /M.sub.n < 20, and a Young's modulus greater than 3 .times. 10.sup.10 N/m.sup.2.