Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method for propagating a crop using meristem excision, micropropagation, plantlet formation, plantlet singulation, plantlet transfer to artificial seeds, and planting artificial seeds. Methods are provided for producing and handling the plantlets and materials used to form artificial seeds. The artificial seeds may be used to store plantlets or may be planted to form a crop.

Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus for preparing a relief printing form from a photosensitive element. More specifically, this invention describes an apparatus for preparing a relief form in an environment having controlled oxygen concentration during exposure to actinic radiation. The apparatus includes means for exposing a photosensitive element having an in-situ mask to actinic radiation through the in-situ mask in an environment having an inert gas and a concentration of oxygen between 190,000 and 100 ppm, and treating the exposed element to form the relief printing form having a pattern of raised surface areas.

Abstract: This invention pertains to a process for making flexographic printing forms, particularly relief printing forms, from two or more photosensitive elements welded to one another at their edges, wherein the welding is accomplished by microwave energy. This invention also relates to sealing edges of a cylindrically-shaped photosensitive element. Using microwave energy provides a smooth surface upon welding with a near disappearance of the weld-lines.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and an apparatus for preparing a relief printing form from a photosensitive element. More specifically, this invention describes a method and an apparatus for preparing a relief form in an environment having controlled oxygen concentration during exposure to actinic radiation. The method includes forming an in-situ mask on a photosensitive element, exposing the element to actinic radiation through the in-situ mask in an environment having an inert gas and a concentration of oxygen between 190,000 and 100 ppm, and treating the exposed element to form the relief printing form having a pattern of raised surface areas.

Abstract: This invention pertains to a process for making flexographic printing forms, particularly relief printing forms, from two or more photosensitive elements welded to one another at their edges, wherein the welding is accomplished by microwave energy. This invention also relates to sealing edges of a cylindrically-shaped photosensitive element. Using microwave energy provides a smooth surface upon welding with a near disappearance of the weld-lines.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and an apparatus for preparing a relief printing form from a photosensitive element. More specifically, this invention describes a method and an apparatus for preparing a relief form in an environment having controlled oxygen concentration during exposure to actinic radiation. The method includes forming an in-situ mask on a photosensitive element, exposing the element to actinic radiation through the in-situ mask in an environment having an inert gas and a concentration of oxygen between 190,000 and 100 ppm, and treating the exposed element to form the relief printing form having a pattern of raised surface areas.

Abstract: A relief printing form is prepared from a photosensitive element in an environment having controlled oxygen concentration during exposure to actinic radiation. An in situ mask is formed on a photosensitive element, the element is exposed to actinic radiation through the in-situ mask in an environment having an inert gas and a concentration of oxygen between 190,000 and 100 ppm, and the exposed element is treated to form the relief printing form having a pattern of raised surface areas.

Abstract: There is provided a portable substrate carrier enclosure. The carrier enclosure has a carrier support; a displaceable cover; spacers between the support and cover; a gas inlet; and a removable lid. There is also provided an assembly and a process for depositing an air-sensitive material onto a substrate using the portable substrate carrier enclosure.

Abstract: Processes for making fiber-on-end materials from multicomponent fibers and hollow fibers are provided. The fibers are arranged parallel to each other and continuously thermally fused into a ribbon or fabric, which in turn is thermally fused into a fully consolidated block of material that is skived to produce membranes or capillary arrays having narrow, well-defined pore size distributions. The skived materials are particularly useful in filtration and protective clothing applications.

Abstract: Processes for making fiber-on-end materials are provided. The materials can be used to make a variety of finished articles.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and an apparatus for preparing a relief printing form from a photosensitive element. More specifically, this invention describes a method and an apparatus for preparing a relief form in an environment having controlled oxygen concentration during exposure to actinic radiation. The method includes forming an in-situ mask on a lo photosensitive element, exposing the element to actinic radiation through the in-situ mask in an environment having an inert gas and a concentration of oxygen between 190,000 and 100 ppm, and treating the exposed element to form the relief printing form having a pattern of raised surface areas.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and an apparatus for preparing a relief printing form from a photosensitive element. More specifically, this invention describes a method and an apparatus for preparing a relief form in an environment having controlled oxygen concentration during exposure to actinic radiation. The method includes forming an in-situ mask on a photosensitive element, exposing the element to actinic radiation through the in-situ mask in an environment having an inert gas and a concentration of oxygen between 190,000 and 100 ppm, and treating the exposed element to form the relief printing form having a pattern of raised surface areas.

Abstract: A method for stretch breaking fibers to produce a staple yarn and operating a staple fiber spinning machine that enables the production of a plurality of products of lot size smaller than a large denier tow product. The process includes at least two break zones and a consolidation zone downstream from a second break zone to form a staple yarn. The filaments are broken in a second break zone downstream from the first break zone by increasing the speed of the fiber fed into the process.

Abstract: A method for stretch breaking fibers to produce a staple yarn and operating a staple fiber spinning machine, and an apparatus for performing such method, that enables the production of a plurality of products of lot size smaller than a large denier tow product. The process includes at least two break zones and a consolidation zone downstream from a second break zone to form a staple yarn. The filaments are broken in a second break zone downstream from the first break zone by increasing the speed of the fiber fed into the process.

Abstract: There is provided a portable substrate carrier enclosure. The carrier enclosure has a carrier support; a displaceable cover; spacers between the support and cover; a gas inlet; and a removable lid. There is also provided an assembly and a process for depositing an air-sensitive material onto a substrate using the portable substrate carrier enclosure.

Abstract: A method for starting or stopping each of at least two separately controllable roll-sets (22, 26, 34, 56) used for processing a yarn (Y) in a stretch-break process, each roll-set comrpising at least two rolls, the method is characterized by the step of each roll-set, changing the speed of each roll from an initial condition to a steady state condition in accordance with a predetermined sequence and in coordination with a change in speed of at least one of the other rolls, such that simultaneous complete breakage of a yarn (Y) being processed in a stretch-break process is minimized.

Abstract: A method for stretch breaking fibers to produce a staple yarn and operating a staple fiber spinning machine that enables the production of a plurality of products of lot size smaller than a large denier tow product. The process includes at least two break zones and a consolidation zone downstream from a second break zone to form a staple yarn. The filaments are broken in a second break zone downstream from the first break zone by increasing the speed of the fiber fed into the process.

Abstract: A method for stretch breaking fibers to produce a staple yarn and operating a staple fiber spinning machine that enables the production of a plurality of products of lot size smaller than a large denier tow product. The process includes at least two break zones and a consolidation zone downstream from a second break zone to form a staple yarn. The filaments are broken in a second break zone downstream from the first break zone by increasing the speed of the fiber fed into the process.

Abstract: A method for producing a spliced yarn comprising alternating predetermined lengths of a first and a second yarn and to the yarn is disclosed. A predetermined length of a first yarn is drawn through an intermingling jet. A leading portion of a second yarn is forwarding into the intermingling jet and into overlapping relationship with a trailing portion of the first yarn. The yarns are held in the intermingling jet, as by a clamp disposed forwardly of the jet. Using a pressurized fluid the overlapped portions are intermingled. The first yarn is then severed, and the spliced portion and a predetermined length of the second yarn are drawn through the intermingling jet. The cycle is repeated with the second yarn being the currently drawn yarn and the first yarn being forwarded into overlapping relationship therewith.

Abstract: Apparatus for forming a spliced yarn includes a yarn conduction member with an intermingling jet disposed forwardly thereof. The yarn conduction member has respective yarn conduction channels through which the first and second yarns are conveyed to the intermingling jet. The yarn conduction member has a first and second knife blade disposed adjacent to one of the yarn conduction channels. The first and second knives are insertable into and retractable from the channel to which they are adjacent. In the inserted position the passage in the knife aligns with the channel into which it is inserted, while in the retracted position the solid portion of the blade interdicts the passage to prevent movement of a yarn therethrough.