Abstract: Epoxy resins have been found to be fortified (increased strength and modulus yet not brittle) by compounding(a) a resin-forming polyepoxide,(b) an amine curing agent for (a),(c) a fortifier for (a)+(b) comprising the reaction product of(i) an aromatic amine having an amine group attached to an aromatic ring; and(ii) non-symmetrical diepoxide;the reaction product optionally being further reacted with isocyanates or nitriles, in which case (ii) may be at least partly, a monoepoxide;and heat curing the mixture. Strengths as high as 130-150 MPa and modulus increases to as high as 5000 MPa have been attained along with a ductile mode of fracture.

Abstract: Epoxy resins have been found to be fortified (increased in strength and modulus yet not made brittle) by compounding:(a) a resin-forming polyepoxide(b) an amine curing agent for (a) and(c) a fortifier for (a)+(b) comprising the reaction product of(i) an aromatic polyhydroxy compound and(ii) a diepoxide with one epoxy group less reactive than the other:and heat curing the mixture. Strengths as high as 140 MPa and moduli as high as 4500 MPa have been attained with a ductile mode of failure.

Abstract: The reaction product of (i) an aromatic amide having the amine group of the amide attached to an aromatic ring, and (ii) a mono- or di-epoxide, has been found to be a good fortifier of epoxy resins. Epoxy resins have been found to attain increased strength and modulus (yet not brittle) by compounding:(a) a resin-forming polyepoxide,(b) an amine curing agent for (a), and(c) the above fortifier; and heat curing the mixture. Strengths as high as 130-150 MPa and modulus values to as high as 5000 MPa have been achieved yet with a ductile mode of fracture.

Abstract: An apparatus for retrieving and storing an elongated flexible element such as an electrical cord, garden hose, air hose, vacuum hose, rope, or the like. The elongated flexible element has a first end for attachment to a service and a second end for attachment to an article to be coupled through the elongated member to the service. The apparatus includes first and second wheels and a framework for supporting the wheels. The supporting framework supports the wheels for rotation about their respective axes, the axes extending generally parallel to one another. The space between the wheel peripheries is selectively adjustable such that, when the wheels are in the use orientation, the wheel peripheries bear frictionally upon the surfaces of the flexible element to move the flexible element therebetween as the wheels are turned. One of the wheels is turned to retrieve the flexible element. A storage hopper is attached to the support framework for storing the retrieved flexible element.

Abstract: An apparatus for retrieving and storing an elongated flexible element such as an electrical cord, garden hose, air hose, vacuum hose, rope, or the like. The elongated flexible element has a first end for attachment to a service and a second end for attachment to an article to be coupled through the elongated member to the service. The apparatus includes first and second wheels, a framework for supporting the wheels in a use orientation, with peripheral surfaces of the wheels in closely spaced-apart relation. The supporting framework supports the wheels for rotation about their respective axes, the axes extending generally parallel to one another. The space between the wheel peripheries is sufficiently small when the wheels are in the use orientation that the wheel peripheries bear frictionally upon the surfaces of the flexible element to move the flexible element therebetween as the wheels are turned. One of the wheels is turned to retrieve the flexible element.