Abstract: The umbrella structure contains a tubular member, a central shaft whose bottom section is sleeved in the tubular member, an upper next fixedly configured at a top end of the central shaft, a lower nest slidably configured along the central shaft in the other section without the tubular member, a number of collapsible ribs radially arranged around and pinned joined to the upper nest, and a number of stretchers connecting the ribs to the lower nest.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a continuous process and the associated system for upstaging liquid epoxy resins to produce resins with higher molecular weight. The process comprises passing continuously (i) a liquid epoxy resin having a first molecular weight, (ii) a catalyst and (iii) a compound having at least one active hydrogen or reactive functional group capable of reacting with the liquid epoxy resin in the presence of the catalyst, flow through one or more reaction chambers and under conditions effective to produce a stream comprising an upstaged epoxy resin product having a second molecular weight. The second molecular weight is higher than the first molecular weight.

Abstract: A (powder) coating composition comprises an epoxy-functional polyester storage-stable at temperatures of up to 40° C. and having a Tg of more than 40° C. and a crosslinking resin, wherein the epoxy-functional polyester is prepared by the reaction of (III) an intermediate epoxy-functional polyester produced by glycidating a carboxyl-functional polyester derived from (a) secondary carboxyl groups-containing aromatic or cycloaliphatic dicarboxylic acid (anhydride)(s), (b) aliphatic hydroxyl groups-containing diol(s), (c) optionally, a compound containing one primary or secondary hydroxyl group, or a compound comprising one primary or secondary hydroxyl group and one tertiary aliphatic carboxyl group, (d) optionally, a compound comprising a tertiary aliphatic carboxyl group and two aliphatic hydroxyl groups and (e) optionally, a trihydroxyalkane or tetrahydroxyalkane; with (IV) a carboxyl-functional polyester obtained from (a) and (b) above, or (a) alone.

Abstract: An epoxy-functional polyester storage-stable at temperatures of up to 40.degree. C. and having a Tg of more than 40.degree. C. is prepared by the reaction of an epoxy-functional polyester intermediate (III) produced by glycidating a carboxyl-functional polyester derived from (a) at least one secondary carboxyl groups-containing aromatic or cycloaliphatic dicarboxylic acid (anhydride), (b) at least one aliphatic hydroxyl groups-containing diol, (c) optionally, a compound containing one primary or secondary hydroxyl group, or a compound comprising one primary or secondary hydroxyl group and one tertiary aliphatic carboxyl group, (d) optionally, a compound comprising a tertiary aliphatic carboxyl group and two aliphatic hydroxyl groups and (e) optionally, a trihydroxyalkane or tetrahydroxyalkane; with (IV) a carboxyl-functional polyester obtained from (a) and (b) above, or (a) alone.