Abstract: A method performed by a computer of arranging a privately placed variable annuity, including negotiating with at least one life insurance company for a standardized annuity contract; evaluating the standardized annuity contract and a plurality of investments by a plurality of specialists; performing at least one of legal analysis, regulatory analysis, due diligence, and compliance analysis with respect to the plurality of investments; using the computer to provide efficient scalability of the product, and made concrete by embodiment as a privately placed, tax deferred fund (TDF), and the selling by at least one broker of an interest in the TDF to a qualified prospect (Investor Annuitant) who thereby gains exposure to the privately placed variable annuity based on the standardized annuity contract and the plurality of investments.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for cooling porous materials whereby first gases are passed through a porous material, such as polyurethane foam, in a first zone at a predetermined flow rate to cool the porous material and to remove volatiles therefrom in a first gas mixture which exits the porous material at a predetermined temperature. The first gas mixture is combined with second gases having a temperature which is lower than that of the first gas mixture to form a second gas mixture having a temperature which is sufficiently low to condense or sublime one or more of the volatiles. Thereafter, the second gas mixture is passed through the porous material to filter the condensed or sublimed volatiles thereon and to further cool the porous material. The flow rate of the heated gases is controlled to provide a controlled uniform cooling of the porous material, and additional filters may be utilized to remove particulate matter from either of the heated gases or the cold gases, or both.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for cooling porous materials whereby first gases are passed through a porous material, such as polyurethane foam, in a first zone at a predetermined flow rate to cool the porous material and to remove volatiles therefrom in a first gas mixture which exits the porous material at a predetermined temperature. The first gas mixture is combined with second gases having a temperature which is lower than that of the first gas mixture to form a second gas mixture having a temperature which is sufficiently low to condense or sublime one or more of the volatiles. Thereafter, the second gas mixture is passed through the porous material to filter the condensed or sublimed volatiles thereon and to further cool the porous material. The flow rate of the heated gases is controlled to provide a controlled uniform cooling of the porous material, and additional filters may be utilized to remove particulate matter from either of the heated gases or the cold gases, or both.

Abstract: A process for rapidly cooling porous foam material to prevent oxidation or autoignition of said foam. The process includes a first cooling step wherein cooled ambient air is drawn through the foam block thereby cooling, dehumidifying and removing fumes from said block before being vented, a second cooling step wherein cooled ambient air is drawn through the block for further cooling thereof, with sublimates in the block being condensed and redeposited within the block, and a third cooling step wherein ambient air is drawn through the material so as to remove remaining fumes, heat and moisture therefrom. The process of the present invention advantageously utilizes a foam formulation which includes an increased percentage of water for providing adequate foaming of the material while minimizing or obviating the need for including toxic auxiliary blowing agents in the formulation.

Abstract: Flexible polyurethane foam prepared from foam forming compositions of a polyether polyol, an organic isocyanate compound, a blowing agent, and a curing agent of a melamine derivative in an amount effective to rapidly cure the resultant foam and improve the compression set properties of the foam, the amount of curing agent generally ranging from about 0.01 up to about 2 parts by weight based on 100 parts polyether polyol. Also, flame retardant polyether polyurethane foam prepared from foam forming components of a polyether polyol, an organic isocyanate compound, water, a liquid phosphorus ester in an amount of about 4 to 10 parts by weight and the curing agent in an amount of 0.4 to 2 parts by weight, each based on 100 parts by weight of the polyether polyol in the composition. The most preferred curing agent has the formulaC.sub.3 N.sub.6 (R.sub.2).sub.x (R.sub.1).sub.6-xwherein R.sub.1 is hydrogen or an alkyl, alkenyl, cycloaliphatic or aryl moeity having between one and twelve carbon atoms; R.sub.

Abstract: Methods for rapidly curing flexible polyether-derived foam in situ by adding to the foam forming composition an ammonia containing material having a decomposition temperature below the temperature of the highest reaction exotherm of the foam-forming composition and decomposing the ammonia containing material by exposure to the heat of the exotherm produced by reaction of the foam-forming components to release ammonia to cure the foam by contact therewith.

Abstract: Flexible polyurethane foam forming compositions comprising a polyether polyol, an organic isocyanate compound, a blowing agent, and a curing agent, preferably melamine, in an amount effective to rapidly cure the resultant foam and improve the compression set properties of the foam, the amount of curing agent generally ranging from about 0.25 up to about 4 parts by weight based on 100 parts polyether polyol. Also, the composition of polyurethane foams and methods of forming same from such foam-forming compositions.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for providing a flexible flame retardant polyether polyurethane foam prepared from foam forming components of a polyether polyol, an organic isocyanate compound, water, a liquid phosphorus ester in an amount of about 4 to 10 parts by weight and melamine in an amount of 1 to 5 parts by weight, each based on 100 parts by weight of the polyether polyol in the composition. Between 15 and 500 percent by weight melamine is used to replace a minor portion of the amount of ester (i.e., less than half) which would normally be used to achieve substantially the same degree of flame retardance in the foam.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a molded polyurethane article from a polyurethane foam forming composition, wherein the composition includes a polyol, an organic isocyanate compound and water, with the polyol being a polymer dispersion formed by free radical initiated polymerization of an ethylenically unsaturated monomer mixture having between 51 and 99 weight percent of an acrylic monomer with a polyoxyalkylene polyether polyol, wherein the monomer mixture represents between about 25 to 75 weight percent of the dispersion. After the foam is formed from the foam forming composition, it is molded under heat and pressure to form a molded polyurethane article.