Abstract: A polyolefin composition includes a polyolefin substrate having incorporated therein a nucleating agent and a filler, wherein the composition exhibits an impact strength of >35 in-lb measured according to ASTM D4226, and a coefficient of linear thermal expansion of <4.5×10E-05 in/in/ft measured according to ASTM D696. The polyolefin composition may further include one or more of an ultraviolet light absorber, a hindered amine light stabilizer, an antioxidant, a colorant, a flame retardant, and an antimicrobial compound. The polyolefin compositions may be useful for construction articles for outdoor use, for instance house siding, cladding, soffit or roofing.

Abstract: Polyolefin compositions useful for construction articles for outdoor use, for instance house siding, cladding, soffit or roofing. The compositions comprise a polyolefin substrate which has incorporated therein one or more additives selected from the group consisting of a) one or more ultraviolet light absorbers, b) one or more hindered amine light stabilizers and c) one or more antioxidants. Advantageously, the polyolefin substrate also has incorporated therein d) one or more colorants, e) one or more fillers, f) one or more flame retardants and optionally g) one or more antimicrobial compounds. The compositions exhibit certain performance levels according to standard tests, for example impact strength of >35 in-lb per ASTM D4226, coefficient of linear thermal expansion of <4.

Abstract: A polyolefin composition includes a polyolefin substrate having incorporated therein a nucleating agent and a filler, wherein the composition exhibits an impact strength of >35 in-lb measured according to ASTM D4226, and a coefficient of linear thermal expansion of <4.5×10E-05 in/in/ft measured according to ASTM D696. The polyolefin composition may further include one or more of an ultraviolet light absorber, a hindered amine light stabilizer, an antioxidant, a colorant, a flame retardant, and an antimicrobial compound. The polyolefin compositions may be useful for construction articles for outdoor use, for instance house siding, cladding, soffit or roofing.

Abstract: An edge-fed waveguide luminaire includes a light waveguide having a planar body, a waveguide edge support structure, and an anchor opening in the planar body of the light waveguide, which is displaced from said waveguide edge support structure. A sensor is fixed in the anchor opening of said light waveguide so as to be responsive to conditions in the space below the luminaire. The sensor, which will have minimal impact on the aesthetic qualities of the luminaire, is in communication with light switching means for adjusting the light output from the luminaire in response to changes in conditions in the space below the luminaire.

Abstract: A power cord integrated hanger system for suspending a lighting fixture has a flexible load bearing inner suspension part and a flexible non-load bearing outer conductor part that acts as the “power cord” for the suspended lighting fixture. The flexible outer conductor part has an internal passageway for the inner suspension part. An outer cover of the outer conductor part holds electrical conductors in place in the outer conductor part and preferably conceals the conductors from view. The outer cover of the conductor part can be provided with different aesthetic qualities to enhance the visual appearance of the hanger system.

Abstract: Process for producing a thermoplastic polymer foam article includes preparing an expandable polymeric formulation comprising a thermoplastic polymer and a blowing agent blend, forming the formulation into an expandable bead, and expanding the expandable bead to form a thermoplastic polymer foam article. The blowing agent blend includes methyl formate, hydrocarbon, and either carbon dioxide or 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane (HFC-134a). The blowing agent blend has a higher effective volatility than that of methyl formate alone. A thermoplastic polymer foam article prepared by a process is also provided.

Abstract: Polyolefin compositions useful for construction articles for outdoor use, for instance house siding, cladding, soffit or roofing. The compositions comprise a polyolefin substrate which has incorporated therein one or more additives selected from the group consisting of a) one or more ultraviolet light absorbers, b) one or more hindered amine light stabilizers and c) one or more antioxidants. Advantageously, the polyolefin substrate also has incorporated therein d) one or more colorants, e) one or more fillers, f) one or more flame retardants and optionally g) one or more antimicrobial compounds. The compositions exhibit certain performance levels according to standard tests, for example impact strength of >35 in-lb per ASTM D4226, coefficient of linear thermal expansion of <4.

Abstract: An edge-fed waveguide luminaire includes a light waveguide having a planar body, a waveguide edge support structure, and an anchor opening in the planar body of the light waveguide, which is displaced from said waveguide edge support structure. A sensor is fixed in the anchor opening of said light waveguide so as to be responsive to conditions in the space below the luminaire. The sensor, which will have minimal impact on the aesthetic qualities of the luminaire, is in communication with light switching means for adjusting the light output from the luminaire in response to changes in conditions in the space below the luminaire.

Abstract: Process for producing a thermoplastic polymer foam article includes preparing an expandable polymeric formulation comprising a thermoplastic polymer and a blowing agent blend, forming the formulation into an expandable bead, and expanding the expandable bead to form a thermoplastic polymer foam article. The blowing agent blend includes methyl formate, hydrocarbon, and either carbon dioxide or 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane (HFC-134a). The blowing agent blend has a higher effective volatility than that of methyl formate alone. A thermoplastic polymer foam article prepared by a process is also provided.

Abstract: A blowing agent blend for making thermoplastic polymer foams includes methyl formate. The blowing agent blend can further comprise at least one co-blowing agent. The co-blowing agent is either a physical co-blowing agent (e.g. an inorganic agent, a hydrocarbon, a halogenated hydrocarbon, a hydrocarbon with polar, functional group(s), water or any combination thereof), or a chemical co-blowing agent, or combinations thereof. The thermoplastic polymer foam can be an alkenyl aromatic polymer foam, e.g. a polystyrene foam. The blowing agent blend includes methyl formate and one or more co-blowing agents. The methyl formate-based blowing agent blends produce dimensionally stable foams that have improved resistance to flame spread. A process for the preparation of such foams is also provided.

Abstract: A blowing agent blend for making thermoplastic polymer foams includes methyl formate. The blowing agent blend can further comprise at least one co-blowing agent. The co-blowing agent is either a physical co-blowing agent (e.g. an inorganic agent, a hydrocarbon, a halogenated hydrocarbon, a hydrocarbon with polar, functional group(s), water or any combination thereof), or a chemical co-blowing agent, or combinations thereof. The thermoplastic polymer foam can be an alkenyl aromatic polymer foam, e.g. a polystyrene foam. The blowing agent blend includes methyl formate and one or more co-blowing agents. The methyl formate-based blowing agent blends produce dimensionally stable foams that have improved resistance to flame spread. A process for the preparation of such foams is also provided.

Abstract: A blowing agent blend for making thermoplastic polymer foams includes methyl formate. The blowing agent blend can further comprise at least one co-blowing agent. The co-blowing agent is either a physical co-blowing agent (e.g. an inorganic agent, a hydrocarbon, a halogenated hydrocarbon, a hydrocarbon with polar, functional group(s), water or any combination thereof), or a chemical co-blowing agent, or combinations thereof. The thermoplastic polymer foam can be an alkenyl aromatic polymer foam, e.g. a polystyrene foam. The blowing agent blend includes methyl formate and one or more co-blowing agents. The methyl formate-based blowing agent blends produce dimensionally stable foams that have improved resistance to flame spread. A process for the preparation of such foams is also provided.

Abstract: A blowing agent blend for making thermoplastic polymer foams includes methyl formate. The blowing agent blend can further comprise at least one co-blowing agent. The co-blowing agent is either a physical co-blowing agent (e.g. an inorganic agent, a hydrocarbon, a halogenated hydrocarbon, a hydrocarbon with polar, functional group(s), water or any combination thereof), or a chemical co-blowing agent, or combinations thereof. The thermoplastic polymer foam can be an alkenyl aromatic polymer foam, e.g. a polystyrene foam. The blowing agent blend includes methyl formate and one or more co-blowing agents. The methyl formate-based blowing agent blends produce dimensionally stable foams that have improved resistance to flame spread. A process for the preparation of such foams is also provided.

Abstract: A blowing agent blend for making thermoplastic polymer foams includes methyl formate. The blowing agent blend can further comprise at least one co-blowing agent. The co-blowing agent is either a physical co-blowing agent (e.g. an inorganic agent, a hydrocarbon, a halogenated hydrocarbon, a hydrocarbon with polar, functional group(s), water or any combination thereof), or a chemical co-blowing agent, or combinations thereof. The thermoplastic polymer foam can be an alkenyl aromatic polymer foam, e.g. a polystyrene foam. The blowing agent blend includes methyl formate and one or more co-blowing agents. The methyl formate-based blowing agent blends produce dimensionally stable foams that have improved resistance to flame spread. A process for the preparation of such foams is also provided.

Abstract: A power cord integrated hanger system for suspending a lighting fixture has a flexible load bearing inner suspension part and a flexible non-load bearing outer conductor part that acts as the “power cord” for the suspended lighting fixture. The flexible outer conductor part has an internal passageway for the inner suspension part. An outer cover of the outer conductor part holds electrical conductors in place in the outer conductor part and preferably conceals the conductors from view. The outer cover of the conductor part can be provided with different aesthetic qualities to enhance the visual appearance of the hanger system.

Abstract: A blowing agent blend for making thermoplastic polymer foams comprises methyl formate. The blowing agent blend can further comprise at least one co-blowing agent. The co-blowing agent is either a physical co-blowing agent (e.g. an inorganic agent, a hydrocarbon, a halogenated hydrocarbon, a hydrocarbon with polar, functional group(s), water or any combination thereof), or a chemical co-blowing agent, or combinations thereof. The thermoplastic polymer foam can be an alkenyl aromatic polymer foam, e.g. a polystyrene foam. The blowing agent blend can comprise any combination of methyl formate and one or more co-blowing agents. The methyl formate-based blowing agent blends produce stable foams for various applications, including containers, packaging systems, as well as insulation boards and building materials. A process for the preparation of such foams is also provided.

Abstract: A blowing agent blend for making thermoplastic polymer foams includes methyl formate. The blowing agent blend can further comprise at least one co-blowing agent. The co-blowing agent is either a physical co-blowing agent (e.g. an inorganic agent, a hydrocarbon, a halogenated hydrocarbon, a hydrocarbon with polar, functional group(s), water or any combination thereof), or a chemical co-blowing agent, or combinations thereof The thermoplastic polymer foam can be an alkenyl aromatic polymer foam, e.g. a polystyrene foam. The blowing agent blend includes methyl formate and one or more co-blowing agents. The methyl formate-based blowing agent blends produce dimensionally stable foams that have improved resistance to flame spread. A process for the preparation of such foams is also provided.

Abstract: A blowing agent blend for making thermoplastic polymer foams comprises methyl formate. The blowing agent blend can further comprise at least one co-blowing agent, preferably an environmentally friendly chemical species (e.g., non-VOC and/or non-HAP). The co-blowing agent is either a physical co-blowing agent (e.g. an inorganic agent, a hydrocarbon, a halogenated hydrocarbon, a hydrocarbon with polar, functional group(s), water or any combination thereof), or a chemical co-blowing agent, or combinations thereof. The blowing agent blend can comprise any combination of methyl formate and one or more co-blowing agents, wherein the preferred co-blowing agent is 1-chloro-1, 1-difluroethane (HCFC-142b). The thermoplastic polymer foam can be an alkenyl aromatic polymer foam, e.g. a polystyrene foam. The methyl formate-based blowing agent blends produce stable foams for various applications, including containers, packaging systems, as well as insulation boards and building materials.

Abstract: A blowing agent blend for making thermoplastic polymer foams comprises methyl formate. The blowing agent blend can further comprise at least one co-blowing agent. The co-blowing agent is either a physical co-blowing agent (e.g. an inorganic agent, a hydrocarbon, a halogenated hydrocarbon, a hydrocarbon with polar, functional group(s), water or any combination thereof), or a chemical co-blowing agent, or combinations thereof. The thermoplastic polymer foam can be an alkenyl aromatic polymer foam, e.g. a polystyrene foam. The blowing agent blend can comprise any combination of methyl formate and one or more co-blowing agents. The methyl formate-based blowing agent blends produce stable foams for various applications, including containers, packaging systems, as well as insulation boards and building materials. A process for the preparation of such foams is also provided.

Abstract: Complexes of a semi-synthetic penicillin and an anion exchange resin cross-linked less than 4% and wherein the penicillin, with or without a non-complexed additional penicillin, is absorbed onto and in the ducts or channels in the resin particles substantially all of which have diameters between 20 .mu. and 250 .mu.. The semi-synthetic penicillin constitutes 35-65% of the complex. The complexes are formulated as pharmaceutical compositions which can be in tablet or syrup form. The penicillin is released rapidly and completely and is free of unpleasant taste.