Abstract: An exercise putty kit for providing manipulative physical therapy of increasing difficulty comprises a container (12) of a large mass (14) of borosiloxane putty and a package (16) of borosiloxane or siloxane putty. At least one small mass (18-32) is provided to the patient along with the large mass (14), the small mass and large mass being manipulated by the patient until a uniform color and stiffness are achieved in the combined mass (38). Preferably, a plurality of small masses (18-32) having a variety of colors are available for successive manipulation with the combined mass (38). The kit provides a means by which the difficulty of manipulative physical therapy may be monitored and increased. As more small masses (18-32) are added to the combined mass (38), the stiffness increases, requiring more manipulation to fully blend the masses.

Abstract: A silicone rubber golf club grip comprises one hundred parts by weight of a high molecular weight polyorganosiloxane polymer, and approximately 20 to 40 parts by weight of a fumed silica filler having a surface area per gram of at least about 300 m.sub.2.

Abstract: A microwaveable exercise putty includes a borosiloxane or stannosiloxane reaction product. The resulting reaction product is mixed with a second polysiloxane, an internal lubricant such a monounsaturated fatty acid, and a particulate material which creates heating upon subjection to microwave energy. Precipitated silica is a particularly preferred particulate material. The exercise putty may be manipulated by patients, and at the same time is capable of delivering heat to the body part undergoing the manipulation.

Abstract: A painted elastomeric component capable of withstanding temperatures within at least the range of 32.degree. F. and 500.degree. F. and having good flexibility and reflectivity of heat and capable of deformation without damage to the paint. The elastomeric component has a painted surface. The coating of paint covering the painted surface includes about 100 parts by weight of a room temperature vulcanizing sealant, about 300 to 1,000 parts by weight of an aromatic or aliphatic solvent and about 20 to 200 parts by weight of metallic particulate material.

Abstract: Apparatus (10) for providing manipulative physical therapy includes a first mass (14) of a putty including a reaction product of siloxane with a boron- or tin-containing compound and a normal polysiloxane. At least one additional mass (18-32) of the putty is provided to the patient, the additional mass adaptable to be manually combined by the patient with the first mass (14) until a uniform color is achieved in the combined mass (38). Preferably, a plurality of additional masses (18-32) having a variety of colors are provided for successive combination with the combined mass. The apparatus provides a means by which the progress of manipulative physical therapy may be monitored, as a uniform color in the combined mass will be achieved only after extensive manipulation.

Abstract: A painted elastomeric component capable of withstanding temperatures within the range of at most 32.degree. F. and at least 500.degree. F. and having good flexibility and reflectivity of heat and capable of deformation without damage to the paint. The elastomeric component has a painted surface. The coating of paint covering the painted surface includes about 100 parts by weight of a room temperature vulcanizing sealant, about 300 to 1,000 parts by weight of an aromatic or aliphatic solvent and about 20 to 200 parts by weight of metallic particulate material.

Abstract: Apparatus (10, 50) for removing frozen water from vehicle glass includes a cured, microwave-heatable layer (14, 64). The microwave-heatable layer (14, 64) may be formed from at least one elastomeric gum, a curing catalyst adaptable to cure the gum, and microwave-heatable particulate matter dispersed in the gum. In one embodiment, the apparatus (10) is a mitt including an insulative layer (42) which is positioned to be interposed between an inner surface (27) of the elastomeric pad (14) and the hand, such that the hand does not undergo temperature stress. The mitt (10) also preferably includes a visual marker (30) to indicate the temperature of the elastomeric pad (14).

Abstract: An improved wiper blade of the type used on a vehicle windshield having an indicator means painted on the wiper blade which indicates that the wiper blade should be replaced. The exposure to UV light of the indicator painted on the wiper blade causes it to change in color and thus communicate to the user that it is time to change. The indicator paint is a silicone resin paint and would be applied to a wiper blade made of a resilient elastomeric material which is degraded with exposure to UV light in the atmosphere.

Abstract: A windshield wiper blade capable of inexpensive manufacture and having good wipe quality comprises approximately 100 parts by weight of a vulcanizable elastomer including at least one silicone polymer, and about 75 to 220 parts by weight of a siliceous filler dispersed in the elastomer. The siliceous filler preferably includes a substantial portion of particles having a relatively large diameter in the range of 5 to 100 microns in order to lower the coefficient of friction of the wiper blade with respect to automotive windshield glass.

Abstract: A method is shown for applying heat to a localized area such as a joint of the human body. A malleable heating pad is provided which can be applied to the localized area by molding the heating pad about the localized area. The heating pad includes a layer of uncured, microwaveable rubber formed from a rubber matrix having blended therein an electromagnetic absorptive material. The heating pad is heated to a temperature above ambient by exposing the heating pad to microwave energy and the pad is then applied to the affected area by molding the pad about the localized area.

Abstract: A method is shown for forming a microwaveable container which is heated in the presence of microwave energy to warm contents placed within the container. The container has at least one exposed wall which does not contact the contents of the container. The exposed wall of the container is coated with a microwaveable, room temperature vulcanizable composition and allowed to cure. Exposure of the coated cup to microwave energy serves to heat the contents within the container.

Abstract: A method is shown for reducing the degrading effect of heat upon an elastomeric component used in the engine compartment of a vehicle. The elastomeric component is first formed into the desired shape and then sprayed with a heat resistant, heat reflecting paint to create a reflective surface on the component which reduces the effect of radiant heat present in the surrounding environment and improves the life expectancy of the component.

Abstract: A microwaveable hair curler is shown which is also electrically heatable. The microwaveable hair curler is preferably blended from a polyorganosiloxane gum, a particulate electromagnetic absorptive material, a filler and a catalyst and extruded as in a cylindrical shape. The hair curler is heatable by exposure to microwave energy in a microwave oven or can be used in a variety of commercially available electric heating units.

Abstract: A method is shown for manufacturing an engine gasket having reduced oil permeability. The engine gasket is formed in the desired shape from a silicone rubber compound having an inner surface exposed to hot engine oil and an outer surface. A silicone varnish coating is applied to at least the inner surface of the engine gasket, whereby the inner surface is substantially coated by the silicone varnish coating.

Abstract: A method of making a microwaveable hair curler is shown in which a silicone rubber composition is extruded through a die and then cut to a desired length. The silicone rubber composition is blended from a polyorganosiloxane gum, a particulate electromagnetic absorptive material, a filler and a catalyst.

Abstract: A device and method are shown for treating a localized area of pain in the human body. A heating pad is applied to the localized area, the pad having a layer of matrix material which is actuable by exposure to microwave energy. The heating pad is heated by exposure to microwave energy to a temperature above ambient prior to application to the localized area. The microwaveable layer is sandwiched between upper and lower elastomeric layers formed from materials which are non-absorptive of microwave energy.

Abstract: A method is shown for forming a spark plug boot having at least one internal shoulder. An outer tube is first formed of an elastomeric material having an internal bore and a selected length. An inner tube, also formed of an elastomeric material, is inserted within the bore of the outer tube. The inner tube has an external diameter selected to allow it to be slideably received within the bore of the outer tube and has a length which is less than the length of the outer tube. The inner and outer tubes thus assembled are then exposed to electromagnetic radiation for a time sufficient to bond the external diameter of the inner tube to the internal bore of the outer tube.

Abstract: A method for bonding silicone rubber to a metal member is shown in which the metal member is first treated by heating the metal member to a temperature and for a time sufficient to form an oxide layer on the outer surface of the metal member. The treated metal member is then contacted with an uncured silicone rubber composition, and the silicone rubber composition is cured to bond the treated metal member to the silicone rubber composition.

Abstract: An expansion joint is shown for use in joining adjacent concrete sections separated by an expansion slot such as in a roadway having concrete sections and a slot therebetween. The joint includes a preformed longitudinal sealing element which is formed of a resilient material and installed within the slot. An initially flowable adhesive material is applied between the sealing element and opposing side surfaces of the concrete sections making up the joint. The moduli of elasticity of the adhesive material and sealing element are selected so that forces exerted upon the joint by expansion and contraction of the concrete sections result in movement of the central sealing element, rather than exerting strain upon the adhesive bond.

Abstract: An improved silicone rubber gasket having improved oil resistance, permeability characteristics and compressive set characteristics. The silicone rubber composition utilized is made from an organopolysiloxane gum, a silica filler, a quantity of hollow microspheres, and a curing catalyst. The polysiloxane, microspheres, and filler material are first blended to form the uncured rubber compositions. The rubber composition is then mixed with a suitable catalyst and cured in the desired shape. The microspheres are selected to have the requisite strength for being milled or mixed into the silicone rubber compound without fracturing.