Abstract: A collector composition comprising (a) refined tall oil wherein the refined tall oil is any tall oil that has been subjected to one or more refining or processing steps that results in an increase in acid value; and (b) a fatty acid wherein the refined tall oil has an acid value of at least 90 mg KOH/g and a weight average molecular weight of at least 750 g/mol. A mineral slurry comprising (a) an ore comprising a mineral of interest; (b) a collector composition comprising (i) a refined tall oil; and (ii) a fatty acid; and (c) a liquid. A method for the beneficiation of an ore, the method comprising (a) preparing a slurry comprising the ore dispersed in a liquid; (b) contacting the slurry with a collector composition comprising a refined tall oil; and (c) recovering a beneficiated ore.

Abstract: A method of producing a low sulfur tall oil fatty acid by first esterifying the tall oil fatty acid, followed by distillation of the tall oil fatty acid ester, followed by saponification and acidulation to provide a low sulfur tall oil fatty acid. A fuel additive comprising tall oil fatty acid and a sulfur compound, wherein the sulfur compound comprises from about 0.1 to about 20 ppm of the additive. A fuel comprises a hydrocarbon fuel component and the fuel additive.

Abstract: Rosin esters are provided. The rosin esters can exhibit improved color (e.g., the rosin ester can have a neat Gardner color of 4 or less), improved oxidative stability (e.g., when 1000 ppm or less of an antioxidant is present in combination with the rosin ester, the rosin ester can exhibit an oxidative-induction time at 130° C. of at least 30 minutes), improved color stability (e.g., the rosin ester can retain a neat Gardner color of 5 or less when heated to a temperature of 160° C. for a period of three hours), or combinations thereof. Also provided polymeric compositions comprising the rosin esters, as well as methods of making the rosin esters.

Abstract: Rosin esters are provided. The rosin esters can exhibit improved color (e.g., the rosin ester can have a neat Gardner color of 8.5 or less), improved oxidative stability (e.g., when 1000 ppm or less of an antioxidant is present in combination with the rosin ester, the rosin ester can exhibit an oxidative-induction time at 130° C. of at least 75 minutes), improved color stability (e.g., the rosin ester can exhibit less than a 10% change in neat Gardner color when heated to a temperature of 160° C. for a period of three hours), or combinations thereof. Also provided polymeric compositions comprising the rosin esters, as well as methods of making the rosin esters.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods of making rosin esters. The methods can involve contacting a rosin ester with a microporous adsorbent. Treatment with a microporous adsorbent, such as an activated carbon, can improve the color of the rosin ester (e.g., reduce the neat Gardner color of the rosin ester by at least 1 Gardner color unit), reduce the concentration of sulfur in the rosin ester (e.g., reduce the concentration of sulfur in the rosin ester by at least 50 ppm), or combinations thereof. Rosin esters prepared by the methods described herein, as well as methods of using thereof, are also described.

Abstract: A tool facilitates removal of a caliper pin from a brake caliper. The pin removal tool includes a tool head, an opening, and a shaft. The opening is defined in the tool head by a first and a second portion of the tool head, and the opening extending inwardly from a side of the tool head and between a proximal surface and a distal surface. The opening is sized to receive a shaft portion of a caliper pin therein while allowing the distal surface to abut a head of the caliper pin. The shaft has a longitudinal axis which is not parallel to the distal surface, and the shaft includes a first end portion rigidly connected to the tool head and a second end portion having a striking interface. The striking is interface configured to receive an impact force and transmit the impact force along the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: The present invention relates to arborescent polymers and to a process for making same. In one embodiment, the present invention relates to arborescent polymers formed from at least one inimer and at least one isoolefin that have been end-functionalized with a polymer or copolymer having a low glass transition temperature (Tg), and to a process for making such arborescent polymers. In another embodiment, the present invention relates to arborescent polymers formed from at least one inimer and at least one isoolefin that have been end-functionalized with less than about 5 weight percent end blocks derived from a polymer or copolymer having a high glass transition temperature (Tg), and to a process for making such arborescent polymers.

Abstract: A composition comprising a blend of first and second esters: the first ester comprising a reaction product of first reactants comprising trimer acid, first polyhydric alcohol and first monohydric alcohol; the first monohydric alcohol selected from the group of C8-18 monohydric alcohols; the second ester comprising a reaction product of second reactants comprising trimer acid, second polyhydric alcohol and second monohydric alcohol; the second monohydric alcohol selected from the group of C6-10 monohydric alcohols; the first and second monohydric alcohols being non-identical. This blend of esters, in combination with silica, is useful as a sealant composition, e.g., as a cable-protectant composition.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a rosin acid ester and compositions containing the same, as well as methods of making and using the same.

Abstract: A vehicle wheel accessory includes a hub, a plurality of blades having ornamental designs on opposite surfaces thereof, a plurality of radially extending spokes, coupled to said hub by a hinged spoke coupler; a biasing device contained within each blade for biasing the blade toward said hub and yet permitting said blade to be pulled outwardly away from said hub, enabling each blade to be rotated about an associated spoke for causing a first design on a first side of a blade to be displaced by a second design on a second opposite side of said blade; and wherein a plurality of anti-rotation locking devices are coupled to said hub for preventing blade rotation when lower portions of associated blades remain seated therein.

Abstract: The present invention relates to arborescent polymers and to a process for making same. In one embodiment, the present invention relates to arborescent polymers formed from at least one inimer and at least one isoolefin that have been end-functionalized with a polymer or copolymer having a low glass transition temperature (Tg), and to a process for making such arborescent polymers. In another embodiment, the present invention relates to arborescent polymers formed from at least one inimer and at least one isoolefin that have been end-functionalized with less than about 5 weight percent end blocks derived from a polymer or copolymer having a high glass transition temperature (Tg), and to a process for making such arborescent polymers.

Abstract: A protective bib for safeguarding clothing of a user from spills, stains, or burns, while eating, drinking, or smoking while traveling in a vehicle, train, plane, bus, boat, or other mode of transportation having or not having a diagonally extending seat belt. The protective bib has a protective covering generally trapezoidal in shape, including a top edge, a top liner, and a non-permeable bottom liner. An adhesive secures the top and bottom liners together. The top edge extends diagonally across the chest of the user and has a self-contained textile adhesive envelope-like flap which secures the bib in place.

Abstract: A protective bib for safeguarding clothing of a user from spills, stains, or burns, while eating, drinking, or smoking while traveling in a vehicle, train, plane, bus, boat, or other mode of transportation having or not having a diagonally extending seat belt. The protective bib has a protective covering generally trapezoidal in shape, including a top edge, a top liner, and a non-permeable bottom liner. An adhesive secures the top and bottom liners together. The top edge extends diagonally across the chest of the user and has a self-contained textile adhesive envelope-like flap which secures the bib in place.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a rosin acid ester and compositions containing the same, as well as methods of making and using the same.

Abstract: A composition comprising a blend of first and second esters: the first ester comprising a reaction product of first reactants comprising trimer acid, first polyhydric alcohol and first monohydric alcohol; the first monohydric alcohol selected from the group of C8-18 monohydric alcohols; the second ester comprising a reaction product of second reactants comprising trimer acid, second polyhydric alcohol and second monohydric alcohol; the second monohydric alcohol selected from the group of C6-10 monohydric alcohols; the first and second monohydric alcohols being non-identical. This blend of esters, in combination with silica, is useful as a sealant composition, e.g., as a cable-protectant composition.

Abstract: Esters formed from polyol, C12-C28 branched chain fatty acid, and/or C12-C28 cyclic fatty acid are useful as a friction modifier for lubricants. Monomer is a preferred source for these fatty acids.

Abstract: Esters formed from polyol, C12-C28 branched chain fatty acid, and/or C12-C28 cyclic fatty acid are useful as a friction modifier for lubricants. Monomer is a preferred source for these fatty acids.

Abstract: An electrical access system and method for providing access to an electrical receptacle at a panel is described. The electrical access system can be mounted in an aperture of an access floor panel comprising a housing for holding electrical receptacles attached to cables running underneath the access floor system and a support integral with or supportable on an access floor panel. The housing may be removably attached to the support in a position whereby equipment above the access floor panel may be connected to the receptacles through the aperture. The housing may be attached to or removed from the support without disconnecting the cables, and moved below the access floor panel away from the access floor panel to another location.

Abstract: Secondary alcohol esters of hydroxyacids, e.g., ricinoleate esters of secondary alcohols, are prepared by reacting an ester of a hydroxyacid with a secondary alcohol, in the presence of an organometallic transesterification catalyst. Under these reaction conditions, a high proportion of the starting ester of a hydroxyacid is converted into a secondary alcohol ester of the hydroxyacid, while minimizing the formation of by-products including estolide. The product esters and composition containing same may be used as a lubricity agent or as a friction modifier in a lubricant composition.

Abstract: A method is described which utilizes lipases to transesterify triglyceride-containing substances and to esterify free fatty acids to alkyl esters using short chain alcohols. The alkyl esters are useful as alternatives or additives to automotive fuels and lubricants. The method is particularly advantageous because it utilizes inexpensive feedstocks such as animal fats, vegetable oils, rendered fats and restaurant grease as substrates.