Abstract: Methods of controlling the bulk density, permeability, moisture retention and thermal properties of bulk materials are provided by selectively sizing the bulk material. Preferably, the bulk material is sized into a bi-modal size distribution to control these properties. Methods of decreasing the density of bulk materials are also provided.

Abstract: This invention is an indicia transfer and method for its use to impart indicia to polyolefin objects during rotational molding. The transfer is a laminate of at least two, and preferably, three coats on a carrier sheet, which is preferably a flexible, transparent polymer sheet. The coats, as successive layers on the carrier sheet are: an optional backing coat of a backing-coat pressure sensitive adhesive, an indicia coat of a colorants in a graphic or alphanumerical array, and a top coat of a pressure sensitive adhesive. The pressure sensitive adhesive used for the backing coat has a transition melting temperature less than the surface temperature of the mold to which the transfer is to be applied while the top-coat pressure sensitive adhesive has a temperature sensitive adhesive which becomes tacky at the demolding temperature to enable transfer of the coats to the interior surface of a rotational mold.

Abstract: Emulsions containing a hydrocarbon liquid in a continuous phase and alcohol and/or water in a dispersed phase. The emulsions are stabilized by an emulsifier and a coupling agent. The emulsifier is a copolymer containing at least one relatively hydrophobic polymeric block of styrene or ring substituted styrene monomer, and at least one relatively hydrophilic polymeric block of at least one monomer, such as ethylene oxide, selected from the group having the formula H(O—R)nOH where R is an aliphatic radical containing from 1 to 4 carbon atoms and n is a number between 20 and 300. The coupling agent is a copolymer containing at least one polymeric block of styrene or ring substituted styrene monomer, and at least one block being of a saturated or unsaturated aliphatic hydrocarbon moiety, such as butadiene. In order to stabilize the emulsion against stratification or breakage under heat soak conditions the coupling agent contains the styrene monomer and the hydrocarbon moiety in a weight ratio of from 1:0.

Abstract: Methods of controlling the bulk density, permeability, moisture retention and thermal properties of bulk materials are provided by selectively sizing the bulk material. Preferably, the bulk material is sized into a bi-modal size distribution to control these properties. Methods of decreasing the density of bulk materials are also provided. In one embodiment the bulk material is separated into a first fraction and a second fraction, the second fraction being smaller than the first. Subsequently, the second fraction is separated into a third fraction and a fourth fraction, the fourth fraction being smaller than the third. The third fraction is then comminuted to be the same size as the fourth fraction, at which point the first, third, and fourth fractions are finally mixed to produce a densified bulk material.

Abstract: Emulsions containing a hydrocarbon liquid in a continuous phase and alcohol and/or water in a dispersed phase are provided. The emulsions are stabilized by an emulsifier and a coupling agent. The emulsifier is a copolymer containing at least one relatively hydrophobic polymeric block of styrene or a ring substituted styrene monomer, and at least one relatively hydrophilic polymeric block of at least one monomer, such as ethylene oxide, selected from the group having the formula H(O—R)nOH, where R is an aliphatic radical containing from 1 to 4 carbon atoms and n is a number between 20 and 300. The coupling agent is a copolymer containing at least one polymeric block of styrene or ring substituted styrene monomer, and at least one block being of a saturated or unsaturated aliphatic hydrocarbon moiety, such as butadiene.

Abstract: There is disclosed an aqueous-base coating composition containing, as essential components, finely-divided, water-dispersable: colorant, polyethylene, binder and water with sufficient of a surface active agent to form a stable suspension. The coating composition is applied as a film coating onto a polyethylene surface and the binder temporarily binds the coating to the surface until the coating can be thermally treated to incorporate the coating into the polyethylene, permanently coloring the surface. The invention also comprises a method for the preparation of the aqueous-base coating composition in which the essential components are prepared as aqueous dispersions or emulsions which are blended together to form the final coating composition.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method for permanently and decoratively enhancing a polyethylene surface of a preformed article. In this method, a decorative enhancement composition is created by blending particulate thermoplastic powder, a binder solid, and a colorant into a liquid carrier. The particulate thermoplastic powder bonds to the colorant, the binder solid promotes adhesion of the colored thermoplastic to the polyethylene surface until it can be bonded, and the liquid carrier facilitates the transfer of the colored thermoplastic to the polyethylene surface of the preformed article. The decorative enhancement composition is applied to the polyethylene surface. The deposited decorative enhancement composition and the interfacing polyethylene surface are heated sufficiently to incorporate the decorative enhancement composition into the polyethylene surface. The enhanced polyethylene surface is allowed to cure by removal of the application of heat.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method and composition for cosmetically repairing a surface void in polyolefin objects. The method involves inserting a repair composition into the void and then applying heat thereto to fuse the repair composition with a surrounding portion of the polyolefin object. The repair composition is a physical mixture of a thermoplastic powder, a resin binder, and a solvent, having a paste-like consistency. The repair composition may be neutral in color, or may contain a colorant to closely match the underlying object. The heating step can be performed with an open flame or with a heat gun.

Abstract: A method and composition are disclosed to reduce the oxidative deterioration of bulk materials. Preferred embodiments of bulk materials include solid fuel materials, such as coal, and bulk food products. The method includes sizing a bulk material so that it has a porosity of 40% or less. This relatively low porosity reduces the surface area of the bulk material available to the ambient environment for oxidation. The method of sizing the bulk material may be combined with the step of contacting the bulk material with an inert gas or a heat transfer medium.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method to reduce oxidative deterioration of bulk materials. Preferred embodiments of bulk materials include solid fuel materials, such as coal, and bulk food products. The method includes contacting a bulk material with a heat transfer medium to reduce the temperature of the bulk material below ambient temperature, and preferably below about 10.degree. C. In this manner, the rate of oxidation is sufficiently low so that significant losses, such as the loss of thermal values in of fuel material, are avoided. The heat transfer medium can be solid or fluid and in a preferred embodiment is liquid carbon dioxide or liquid nitrogen.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method for the permanent application of indicia to the surface of the polyolefin object by applying pigmented material to the surface in an indica pattern, preferably from a transfer sheet. Preferably the pigmented material is a mixture of finely divided pigment, hydrocarbon wax and finely divided polyolefin. The polyolefin surface bearing the indicia is coated with a coating mixture comprising a mixture of polyolefin and a binder such as a rosin or wax. Thereafter, the coated, indicia-bearing polyolefin surface is surface-heated to a temperature sufficient to fuse the coating and incorporate the coating and indicia permanently into the polyolefin object. The heating can be performed by passing a heat source across the surface.

Abstract: An enhancement composition and a method for its use in a molding process. The enhancement composition is applied to the interior surfaces of the mold cavity used in a molding process such as blow molding, injection molding, thermoforming or rotational molding. The enhancement composition is applied prior to closing of the mold and molding of the plastic article. The enhancement composition comprises a liquid carrier containing up to about 50 weight percent of enhancement solids which comprise a mixture of an enhancement solid such as particles of varied thermoplastic and thermosetting resins, metal flakes, glass beads, carbon, graphite, etc., and a binder solid which can be a hydrocarbon resin, wax, rosin or terpene base resin. The invention provides for almost unlimited modification of the surfaces of molded plastic products, offering the plastics fabricator the ability to mold products having very specialized surface properties with a low cost structural polymer, e.g.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method to reduce oxidative deterioration of bulk materials. Preferred embodiments of bulk materials include solid fuel materials, such as coal, and bulk food products. The method includes contacting a bulk material with a heat transfer medium to reduce the temperature of the bulk material below ambient temperature, and preferably below about 10.degree. C. In this manner, the rate of oxidation is sufficiently low so that significant losses, such as the loss of thermal values in of fuel material, are avoided. The heat transfer medium can be solid or fluid and in a preferred embodiment is liquid carbon dioxide or liquid nitrogen.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system for the acquisition of data inscribed on a support. It more particularly applies to the acquisition of graphic data, such as characters, curves or all types of lines present on a reflecting or transparent support, whereby said data are monochromatic or polychromatic. The system according to the invention makes it possible to digitize graphic data on a support. It can also permit the acquisition of data in photometry, densitometry, and so forth.

Abstract: An interface for managing information exchanges on a communications bus between at least one control unit and peripheral units, or between said peripheral units.The exchanged information includes data and a destination address of said data. The interface is characterized in that it comprises for each unit, data transmission circuitry connected to the unit and to the bus for managing the data transmission on the bus to the unit having the destination address, data reception circuitry connected to the units and to the bus, for managing the reception of data by the unit having the destination address, and management circuitry for managing the addressing of the units during exchanges and in particular for managing access priorities to the bus, without necessitating the intervention of the control unit.This interface can be used for information exchanges between processing or measuring units.

Abstract: A hub for use in the construction of the framework of geodesic domes is described. The hub is formed from a plurality of flat generally rectangular leg plates rigidly joined at one end of each plate so that the leg plates extend radially from the junction and are so arranged that the angle between adjacent leg plates is at least 50 degrees. Each leg plate has at least two openings through its side wall sized to receive clamping means such as bolts to permit attachment of the leg plate to one of the struts making up the framework of the dome.