Abstract: The generally pie-shaped capacity decreasing insert plates are designed and shaped for easy insertion into and removable through the access door to the rotating cylinder. When positioned in the rotating cylinder, the capacity decreasing insert plates reduce the normal volume of the rotating cylinder so that a reduced quantity of textile articles may be dyed with a corresponding reduced amount of dye liquid in the dye machine. The capacity decreasing insert plates thus permit the selective variation of the volume of the rotating cylinder between a full capacity and a reduced capacity.

Abstract: A high-strength ligament prosthesis having biological acceptability, flexibility, porosity and resistance to prolonged stress in excess of 100 Kg with little change in modulus, and less than 20% ultimate elongation is provided. These characteristics make the high-strength prosthesis favorable for critical applications, such as knee and ankle repair. The high-strength prosthesis is constructed of a biological compatible yarn having an outer shell with an "H-beam" cross-section and a velour surface to encourage rapid invasion by host tissue and a reinforcing core of the same yarn. The ends of the reinforcing core and outer wall are fitted with end tips to limit displacement of the core within the outer shell and to facilitate positioning of the prosthesis during surgery with minimal effort. An enlarged elongated end tip is particularly well adapted for special surgical procedures, such as arthoscopic procedures.

Abstract: An energy saving fluorescent lamp includes an elongated envelope having an interior coating with phosphor and an ionizable fill material, hermetically sealed end walls, an operating electrode affixed inwardly of each end wall and a starting electrode spaced at a lesser distance from each end wall with an electron shielding means adjacent a portion of the starting electrode and intermediate thereto and the operating electrode whereby a reduction in long wattage use is effected.

Abstract: A multi-layer polypropylene structure of low COF over a wide temperature range and a method for forming the same.

Abstract: Elevated temperature distortion characteristics of freshly prepared olefin polymer foams are substantially improved by employing in the preparation thereof a small amount (e.g., from about 0.15 to about 10 weight percent based on the olefin polymer) of certain selected N-substituted fatty acid amide compounds of the formula: ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 represents an alkyl group of from 11 to 17 carbon atoms and R.sub.2 represents an alkyl group of from 12 to 18 carbon atoms.

Abstract: Elevated temperature distortion characteristics of freshly prepared olefin polymer foams are substantially improved by employing in the preparation thereof a small amount (e.g., from about 0.15 to about 10 weight percent based on the olefin polymer) of certain selected N-substituted fatty acid amide compounds of the formula: ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 represents an alkyl group of from 11 to 17 carbon atoms and R.sub.2 represents an alkyl group of from 12 to 18 carbon atoms.

Abstract: The use, in an otherwise conventional polyolefin extrusion foaming process, of a stability control agent (e.g., stearamide, EAA copolymer, etc.) in conjunction with certain mixed blowing agent systems (e.g., 5-50 weight percent trichloromonofluoromethane and 50-95 weight percent dichlorodifluoromethane) provides closed-cell olefin polymer foam articles having increased maximum achievable cross-sections and good dimensional stability.

Abstract: The dimensional stability of relatively unstable substantially closed-cell low density foams of non-ionic ethylenic polymers (e.g., polyethylene, ethylene/vinyl acetate copolymers, etc.) can be notably improved by the incorporation therein (during the preparation thereof) of from about 5 to about 95 weight percent (based on total polymer weight) of a copolymer of ethylene with from about 3 to about 45 weight percent of a monoethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid.

Abstract: A hair cutting device includes a housing defining a passage having an inlet and outlet with a cutter and an impeller between said inlet and outlet. A hair directing apparatus is positioned between the cutter means and the impeller to direct the hair to the periphery of the cutter and the inlet is adjustable with respect to the inlet. The cutter includes two blades one of which is rotated with an output motor shaft and the other is reciprocated on the output shaft. The drive motor is reversible and a heating element can be attached to the outlet to convert the device to a blower-dryer.

Abstract: An anchor strap for use in securing an object to another object having a frame defining an opening and a swingable member for swinging movement into opening and closing relation of the opening and which includes a keeper to engage the frame to hold the swingable member in closing relation, an anchor strap which is composed of a strip of flexible pliable material relatively non-elastic, such as of cloth or plastic or rubber, having a first end and a second end and a loop at each of the ends and in one of the ends a core of solid material within the loop and the free end being adapted to be used to tie to an object, the strip being of an overall length of 3 inches to 3 foot and preferably about 8 to 10 inches long.

Abstract: An improved process for the production of hydroxyalkylphenyl derivatives, especially esters and amides containing hydroxyalkylphenyl groups is disclosed, which process comprises gradually adding methyl acrylate, in the presence of an alkaline catalyst, to the alkyl substituted phenolic compound, and adding to the resultant reaction mixture a suitable alcohol or amine, optionally in the presence of a second catalyst which is different from the first catalyst. The improved process results in good yields and in a reduction of undesirable by-products while avoiding isolation of the intermediates.

Abstract: Low density foams from polyethylene blends having substantially closed cell structure and improved compressive strength are prepared using gel-forming extrusion technology. The polyethylene blend comprises from about 35 to about 60 weight percent of low density branched polyethylene in admixture with from about 40 to about 65 weight percent of intermediate density linear polyethylene. An exemplary blowing agent is 1,2-dichlorotetrafluoroethane, there being up to about 0.12 gram-mole of such blowing agent per 100 grams of resin blend in the flowable gel.

Abstract: Low density, closed cell, soft foam products having dimensional stability are made from ethylenic resin blends having low stiffness by extrusion foaming, wherein the heat plastified gel comprises the ethylene polymer blend and at least one volatile blowing agent. The blends especially comprise a copolymer of ethylene and monoethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid and a copolymer of ethylene and at least one monoethylenically unsaturated non-ionic comonomer. The starting ethylenic resin blends are preferably blends of ethylene acrylic acid copolymers and ethylene vinyl acetate copolymers, having stiffness less than about 20,000 psi. Exemplary volatile blowing agents are 1,2-dichlorotetrafluoroethane, 1-chloro-1,2,2,2-tetrafluoroethane and 2,2-difluoropropane.

Abstract: Low density, closed cell, soft foam products having dimensional stability are made from ethylenic resins having low stiffness, especially comprising copolymers consisting essentially of ethylene and monoethylenically unsaturated non-ionic comonomers, by release to lower pressure of a flowable, foamable gel under pressure, e.g., by extrusion foaming, wherein the gel comprises the ethylenic polymer and a volatile mixed blowing agent. The starting polymers are preferably copolymers of ethylene and vinyl acetate having stiffness less than about 20,000 psi. The mixed blowing agents are particularly characterized as mixtures of dichlorodifluoromethane and at least one fluorocarbon constituent A, as defined. Exemplary mixtures contain (I) dichlorodifluoromethane and (II) from 35 to 50 percent chloropentafluoroethane, octafluoropropane or octafluorocyclobutane based on the mixtures of I and II.

Abstract: An improved process for the production of hydroxyalkylphenyl derivatives, especially esters containing hydroxyalkylphenyl groups is disclosed, which process comprises gradually adding methyl acrylate, in the presence of an alkaline catalyst, to the alkyl substituted phenolic compound and a suitable alcohol. The improved process results in good yields and in a reduction of undesirable by-products while avoiding isolation of the intermediates.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for converting silent digital visual display characters into sequentially enunciated audible tones which are digitally coded in serial form. Blind or visually handicapped persons can recognize the audio tone codes to comprehend the visual characters in the optical display.

Abstract: A composition, useful for stabilizing soil, comprised of lignin sulfonate and a combination of dispersants, and a method of stabilizing soil utilizing the composition. The composition and method are particularly useful in preparing a road base.

Abstract: This invention comprehends a machine for producing a composite laminate structure wherein one layer is a base material, such as a non-woven fabric, a second layer, interspersed with the first layer, is substantially a two dimensionally randomly oriented fiber layer. The fibers are bonded to the first layer by resin which is applied from underneath the first layer so as not to disturb the orientation of the fibers. Also comprehended is a method of making such a composite laminate structure.