Abstract: In an embodiment of the present invention, a valve seal for a ball valve includes a ball configured to mate with a tail piece, an annular seat ring to facilitate the mating of the ball with the tail piece, the seat ring having an angled wall having a first groove for accommodating a first seal and a second groove for accommodating a second seal, the first seal having a different Young's modulus from the second seal.

Abstract: Disclosed is a tape that includes a substrate having an adhesive layer applied thereto, and an edge coating applied to a masking edge of the tape. The substrate and the adhesive, together, define a first and a second masking edge of the tape. The edge coating includes a flocculating agent that is a polyvalent metal salt or an ionic polymer. The edge coating improves the ability of the tape to provide a sharp mask line after a paint, a varnish, a paint stripper, or other coating composition is applied to a surface where the tape is adhered.

Abstract: One or more interactions between a first user and a second user of a social networking system are identified. Each respective interaction of the one or more interactions is scored based on a group score and a time penalty. The group score is based on the number of users in the respective interaction and the time penalty is based on a time between a current time and a time of a last interaction between the first user and the second user. A relationship ranking that measures the first user's affinity towards the second user is determined, where the relationship ranking comprises one or more interaction scores. An indicator representing the relationship ranking is sent to a client for display.

Abstract: A process for producing polymer and more particularly adhesive using a recirculating loop reactor. In one embodiment the reactor includes one or more mixers to mix feed stock with the polymerized material recirculating in the reactor. In another embodiment a planetary roller extruder (PRE) may be used for this purpose. In still another embodiment, a combination of one or more static mixers and one or more PREs may be used.

Abstract: Disclosed is a tape including a substrate having an adhesive layer applied thereto and an edge coating. The substrate and the adhesive together provide at least one masking edge where the edge coating is applied. The edge coating includes a lipophilic agent, a flocculating agent, or combinations thereof. The edge coating provides the tape with enhanced masking ability by preventing paints, varnishes, paint strippers, and other coating compositions from infiltrating the tape substrate or the interface between the tape and an adherend.

Abstract: Disclosed is a tape including a substrate having an adhesive layer applied thereto and an edge coating. The substrate and the adhesive together provide at least one masking edge where the edge coating is applied. The edge coating includes a lipophilic agent, a flocculating agent, or combinations thereof. The edge coating provides the tape with enhanced masking ability by preventing paints, varnishes, paint strippers, and other coating compositions from infiltrating the tape substrate or the interface between the tape and an adherend.

Abstract: A process for producing polymer and more particularly adhesive using a recirculating loop reactor. In one embodiment the reactor includes one or more mixers to mix feed stock with the polymerized material recirculating in the reactor. In another embodiment a planetary roller extruder (PRE) may be used for this purpose. In still another embodiment, a combination of one or more static mixers and one or more PREs may be used.

Abstract: A process for continuous bulk polymerization is disclosed that includes providing a plug flow reactor comprising a primary loop reactor including a loop for recirculating a portion of a polymer-in-progress at a polymer flow rate back to a reactor in the primary loop reactor, introducing at least one monomer into the primary recirculation loop reactor at a monomer flow rate, polymerizing the monomer in the primary recirculation loop reactor in the presence of an initiator by way of a free-radical polymerization to form a polymer-in-progress, and recirculating a first portion of the polymer-in-progress through the loop into a reactor in the primary loop reactor to combine with the monomer at a ratio of polymer flow rate to monomer flow rate that is greater than 5.

Abstract: Disclosed is a tape including a substrate having an adhesive layer applied thereto and an edge coating. The substrate and the adhesive together provide at least one masking edge where the edge coating is applied. The edge coating includes a lipophilic agent, a flocculating agent, or combinations thereof. The edge coating provides the tape with enhanced masking ability by preventing paints, varnishes, paint strippers, and other coating compositions from infiltrating the tape substrate or the interface between the tape and an adherend.

Abstract: A process for producing polymer and more particularly adhesive using a recirculating loop reactor. In one embodiment the reactor includes one or more mixers to mix feed stock with the polymerized material recirculating in the reactor. In another embodiment a planetary roller extruder (PRE) may be used for this purpose. In still another embodiment, a combination of one or more static mixers and one or more PREs may be used.

Abstract: A pressure-sensitive tape comprising a backing, a layer of corrosion-resistant filaments on one surface of the backing, and pressure-sensitive adhesive layer that coats the filaments and binds them to the backing. A method for constructing a member for undersea deployment is provided, which comprises providing at least one tubular member, winding a wire reinforcement about the tubular member(s); and winding a corrosion-resistant filament-reinforced material over the wire reinforcement; and coating the filament reinforced member(s) with a layer of extruded polymer.

Abstract: A process for producing polymer and more particularly adhesive using a recirculating loop reactor. In one embodiment the reactor includes one or more mixers to mix feed stock with the polymerized material recirculating in the reactor. In another embodiment a planetary roller extruder (PRE) may be used for this purpose. In still another embodiment, a combination of one or more static mixers and one or more PREs may be used.

Abstract: A process including the steps of: providing a planetary roller extruder having a plurality of compounding sections including a main spindle surrounded by and intermeshed with a plurality of planetary spindles; introducing monomers and initiator into a first compounding section; producing a homogeneous composition; heating the composition to initiate free-radical polymerization; introducing monomers and initiator into one or more of the remaining compounding sections and continuing the polymerization; discharging the polymerized composition; and optionally, taking a portion of the composition discharged from the planetary roller extruder and returning it to the first compounding section.

Abstract: A method for screen or rotary screen printing EL lamps comprising front and rear electrodes, a phosphor layer and a dielectric layer. The layers are arranged in a pyramidal shape such that the front electrode has the largest dimensions and the rear electrode has the smallest dimensions. The phosphor layer and dielectric layer have smaller dimensions than the front electrode and the same or different dimensions as each other. The rear electrode has smaller dimensions than the dielectric layer. Preferably, the phosphor layer is screen printed on the front electrode before the front electrode is cured. Preferably, the dielectric comprises an ultraviolet curable solvent-based hybrid ink.

Abstract: An apparatus for guiding a seat belt webbing includes a first mounting portion and a guiding portion. The first mounting portion preferably includes an aperture adapted to receive a vertical post for conventionally mounting a head rest to a vehicle seat back. The guide portion defines an opening for receiving the seat belt webbing. In certain applications, the apparatus further includes a second mounting portion for releasably engaging the headrest. A bezel is disclosed for releasably attaching to the vertical post.

Abstract: A new UV curable pressure sensitive adhesive composition, which comprises in weight percent: about 0.1% to about 15% of a photoinitiator agent, about 10% to about 80% of a polyurethane resin with a pendent acrylate functionality, zero to about 70% by of an acrylate monomer, about 0.1% to about 25% by weight of a 1,2-vinyl polybutadiene component, and zero to about 50% by weight of a tackifier agent.

Abstract: Apparatus for supporting a steering column of an automotive vehicle includes support structure have laterally spaced support flanges. A bracket on the steering column has bracket flanges. Insolator pads secured to the support flanges have a connection with the bracket flanges which releases in response to collapse of the steering column in a frontal impact. The support flanges have forward extensions providing ramps which engage the bracket flanges to prevent the steering column from rising during its collapse or during column stroke.

Abstract: A new UV curable pressure sensitive adhesive composition, which comprises in weight percent: about 0.1% to about 15% of a photoinitiator agent, about 10% to about 80% of a polyurethane resin with a pendent acrylate functionality, zero to about 70% by of an acrylate monomer, about 0.1% to about 25% by weight of a an acrylated polybutadiene component, and zero to about 50% by weight of a tackifier agent.

Abstract: Currently, metallic loops are tested for shorts, opens and grounds by applying a test signal (DC or 20 Hz) directly to the metallic looop. A test signal cannot be applied to any part of the network other than the metallic loop because it will be blocked by the A-to-D converters and the hybrid of the system before it can reach the metallic loop.In this invention, digital signal processing is used to test a metallic loop for shorts, opens, grounds and the presence of loading coils from a remote location. Direct metallic connection to the metallic loop is no longer necessary.Briefly, a test signal, in digital form, is fed into the network at some convenient location remote from the metallic loop that is to be tested. As the signal passes through the A-to-D converter from the digital section of the network to the analog metallic loop, it is converted by the A-to-D converter into an analog signal having a specific frequency and a predetermined amplitude.