Abstract: Optical polishing pitch formulations include synthetic polymers or other synthetic resins. As alternatives to traditional optical pitches, these materials offer improved stability in use, storage, and processing. In addition, these pitch compositions may be masterbatched and manufactured with precision to ensure superior reproducibility and quality control in polishing performance.

Abstract: Optical polishing pitch formulations include synthetic polymers or other synthetic resins. As alternatives to traditional optical pitches, these materials offer improved stability in use, storage, and processing. In addition, these pitch compositions may be masterbatched and manufactured with precision to ensure superior reproducibility and quality control in polishing performance.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to gelatinous elastomer compositions that are useful for topical application of biologically active agents. In certain embodiments, the invention is directed to a gelatinous elastomer composition comprising about 1.0% to 50.0% block copolymer, about 0% to 98% mineral and/or synthetic oil, and about 0.0% to 98% triglyceride oil, about 0-15.0% free fatty acids, about 0-30% of a tack modification agent, about 0-20.0% of a biologically active agent and, optionally a phytosterol, ceramide and/or bisabolol. The gelatinous elastomer compositions are useful for applying a biologically active agent to a mammal. In certain embodiments, the gelatinous elastomer composition is formed into a molded article.

Abstract: Devices are presented which allow determination of unknown surface properties through the creation of a channel capillary, comprised in part of the subject surface or surfaces, and measurement of the capillary pressure created by a test fluid within the resultant channel. In various embodiments of the invention, a channel is created in a reference material which is bonded, through some mechanism, to the test surface in order to create a narrow capillary channel. In other embodiments of the invention, the capillary channel is created with test surfaces on either side of standoff strips which space the surfaces a precise distance from one another. Methods are presented for using these capillaries through immersion, along their length, in a bath of test fluid, such that the resultant fluid level provides a measure of capillary pressure.

Abstract: A bench-top molding process is disclosed in combination with an apparatus designed to heat a molding composition. In accordance with the present invention, the molding composition contains a thermoplastic elastomer and a plasticizer. The thermoplastic elastomer can be, for instance, a styrene-ethylene/butylene-styrene block copolymer. The plasticizer, on the other hand, can be mineral oil. The block copolymer can be chosen in conjunction with the plasticizer so as to have a bubble rise rate when heated equal to at least one half of the bubble rise rate of glycerin at room temperature. By having a bubble raise rate in the above range, it has been found that no significant amounts of air will be trapped in the molding composition when formed into a casting.

Abstract: Devices are presented which allow determination of unknown surface properties through the creation of a channel capillary, comprised in part of the subject surface or surfaces, and measurement of the capillary pressure created by a test fluid within the resultant channel. In various embodiments of the invention, a channel is created in a reference material which is bonded, through some mechanism, to the test surface in order to create a narrow capillary channel. In other embodiments of the invention, the capillary channel is created with test surfaces on either side of standoff strips which space the surfaces a precise distance from one another. Methods are presented for using these capillaries through immersion, along their length, in a bath of test fluid, such that the resultant fluid level provides a measure of capillary pressure.

Abstract: Devices are presented which allow determination of unknown surface properties through the creation of a channel capillary, comprised in part of the subject surface or surfaces, and measurement of the capillary pressure created by a test fluid within the resultant channel. In various embodiments of the invention, a channel is created in a reference material which is bonded, through some mechanism, to the test surface in order to create a narrow capillary channel. In other embodiments of the invention, the capillary channel is created with test surfaces on either side of standoff strips which space the surfaces a precise distance from one another. Methods are presented for using these capillaries through immersion, along their length, in a bath of test fluid, such that the resultant fluid level provides a measure of capillary pressure.

Abstract: A bench-top molding process is disclosed in combination with an apparatus designed to heat a molding composition. In accordance with the present invention, the molding composition contains a thermoplastic elastomer and a plasticizer. The thermoplastic elastomer can be, for instance, a styrene-ethylene/butylene-styrene block copolymer. The plasticizer, on the other hand, can be mineral oil. The block copolymer can be chosen in conjunction with the plasticizer so as to have a bubble rise rate when heated equal to at least one half of the bubble rise rate of glycerin at room temperature. By having a bubble rise rate in the above range, it has been found that no significant amounts of air will be trapped in the molding composition when formed into a casting.

Abstract: Soft thermoplastic elastomer articles in the form of spirally wound packages of tape, film, or sheet is disclosed. Packaging in this form enables use of extremely soft thermoplastic elastomers in a wide range of industrial, medical, and general consumer applications where conformable adherent materials are needed. Specifically, spirally wound packages of soft (under Shore A 28) thermoplastic elastomers are particularly valuable for application as grip wraps, anti-skid overlays, padding, elastic banding, and a wide variety of other uses requiring adherent or elastic materials. Beyond articles of manufacture, the invention provides manufacturing processes enabling production of extremely soft wound packages of thermoplastic elastomers in a practical framework.

Abstract: A new composite damping material is presented which exhibits an enhanced ability to dampen mechanical oscillations. The enhanced damping properties of this material are achieved through the entrapment of highly viscous damping fluids within the pores of a porous material (such as: an expanded polymer, felt, foam, fabric, metal, etc.). The entrapment of the fluid within the porous scaffold prevents flow, providing a stable composite which may be shaped into useful articles. Such a construct allows utilization of the high performance damping properties of fluids which, in pure form, are too fluid-like for most practical applications (which typically require a solid, stable, material). This composite, possessing damping performance approaching that of certain fluids, combined with stability in a solid form, can be used in many applications where materials are needed to damp the vibration of mechanical systems.