Abstract: A dry cast article and method for making the same, wherein the dry cast article includes an oligomeric dispersant that is a reaction product of two or three moieties is provided. To make a dry cast article, hydraulic cement, water, coarse aggregate, fine aggregate, optionally a surface active agent/air entraining agent, and an oligomeric dispersant are mixed and used to form a dry cast article from the mixture.

Abstract: A strength improvement admixture composition is provided that increases the compressive strength of cementitious compositions without negatively increasing the setting time. The admixture comprises the components of a polycarboxylate dispersant, a set retarder, and a strength improvement additive.

Abstract: Water soluble air controlling agents can be admixed with dispersant for cementitious compositions to provide an admixture for cementitious compositions that is stable over time. The water soluble air controlling agents are compatible with water based dispersants. Suitable water soluble air controlling agents include alkoxylated polymers. A cementitious composition is provided that includes cement, water, a dispersant for cementitious compositions, and a water soluble air controlling agent. A method is provided for making a cementitious composition that includes mixing cement, water, a dispersant for cementitious compositions, and a water soluble air controlling agent.

Abstract: Amine solubilizing agents are mixed with water insoluble defoamers and optionally a dispersant for cementitious compositions to provide an admixture for cementitious compositions that is stable over time. A cementitious composition is provided that includes cementitious material, water, a water insoluble defoamer, optionally a dispersant for cementitious compositions, and an amine solubilizing agent that solubilizes the water insoluble defoamer. A method is provided for making a cementitious composition that includes mixing cementitious material, water, a water insoluble defoamer, an amine solubilizing agent that solubilizes the water insoluble defoamer, and optionally a dispersant for cementitious compositions.

Abstract: A composition that is a reaction product of two or three moieties. The first moiety (A) is a nonpolymeric, multi-functional moiety or combination of mono- or multifunctional moieties that adsorbs onto a cementitious particle. The second required moiety (C) is a linear or branched water soluble, nonionic polymer that is capable of providing dispersing capability. A third moiety (B), if present, is a nonpolymeric moiety disposed between the first and second moiety, to connect the first and second moieties.

Abstract: A dry cast article and method for making the same, wherein the dry cast article includes an oligomeric dispersant that is a reaction product of two or three moieties is provided. To make a dry cast article, hydraulic cement, water, coarse aggregate, fine aggregate, optionally a surface active agent/air entraining agent, and an oligomeric dispersant are mixed and used to form a dry cast article from the mixture.

Abstract: An overhead media display system for installation of signs and display elements on a suspended ceiling and other ceiling fixtures is disclosed. The present system includes a plurality of interchangeable display structures of different geometric shapes and sizes, which are constructed from both transparent and translucent materials that function with backlighting being installed directly underneath ceiling light fixtures and, alternatively, from opaque plastic materials being attached at ceiling locations without direct illumination. Each sign or display element includes integral retaining flanges with compressive elements that are formed by the use of die-cutting, scoring, folding, and other assembly techniques during construction thereby eliminating the need for fastening hardware and adhesive materials for installation.

Abstract: Water soluble air controlling agents can be admixed with dispersant for cementitious compositions to provide an admixture for cementitious compositions that is stable over time. The water soluble air controlling agents are compatible with water based polycarboxylate polymer dispersants. Suitable water soluble air controlling agents include alkoxylated polymers. A cementitious composition is provided that includes cement, water, a dispersant for cementitious compositions, and a water soluble air controlling agent. A method is provided for making a cementitious composition that includes mixing cement, water, a dispersant for cementitious compositions, and a water soluble air controlling agent.

Abstract: Solubilizing agents are mixed with water insoluble defoamers and a dispersant for cementitious compositions to provide an admixture for cementitious compositions that is stable over time. Suitable solubilizing agents include alkoxylated moieties or particles. A cementitious composition is provided that includes cement, water, a water insoluble defoamer, a dispersant for cementitious compositions, and a solubilizing agent that solubilizes the water insoluble defoamer. A method is provided for making a cementitious composition that includes mixing cement, water, a water insoluble defoamer, a dispersant for cementitious compositions, and a solubilizing agent that solubilizes the water insoluble defoamer.

Abstract: Heating an intimate mixture of: (a) a polyamide which contains pendant carboxylic acid groups; and (b) a compound which contains an amino group efficiently affords graft polymers with a high graft density. Such graft polymers are particularly useful as additives for cementitious compositions.

Abstract: A cementitious mixture comprises a hydraulic cement; greater than about 10% by weight of a pozzolanic cement replacement selected from fly ash, slag, natural pozzolans, and mixtures thereof, based on the weight of said hydraulic cement and cement replacement; and a compatabilizing admixture, wherein the compatabilizing admixture comprises a compatabilizing derivatized polycarboxylate polymer dispersant capable of acting as a water reducer, in combination with an accelerator. The derivatized polycarboxylate dispersant, alone or in combination with other derivatized polycarboxylate dispersants, is a polymer comprising units derived from at least one of a substituted carboxylic acid monomer and a substituted ethylenically unsaturated monomer, at least one of an N-polyoxyalkylene maleimide and a condensation product of an unsubstituted carboxylic acid monomer and an alkoxypolyoxyalkylene primary amine substituted carboxylic acid monomer, and optionally including an unsaturated hydrocarbon.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to cementitious dry cast mixtures for forming cementitious articles, particularly a cementitious dry cast mixture containing a dispersant, wherein said dispersant is a derivatized polycarboxylate dispersant which is a polymer comprising units derived from at least a substituted carboxylic acid monomer or substituted ethylenically unsaturated monomer, and optionally including at least one of an unsaturated hydrocarbon, an N-polyoxyalkylene maleimide, and a condensation product of an unsubstituted carboxylic acid monomer and an alkoxypolyoxyalkylene primary amine substituted carboxylic acid monomer.

Abstract: A multi-media librarial storage system including a plurality of individual book-like storage containers is described. Each individual book-like storage container within the system is adapted to receive a plurality of interchangeable receiver inserts configured and dimensioned to retain a variety of multi-media cassette packages such as the common Philips audio cassette, video tape packages of the familiar VHS, VHS-C/8mm video cassettes, digital audio tape (DAT) cassettes, CD-ROMs, computer software diskettes, and other related multi-media items. The receiver inserts disposed within the storage containers are fabricated from sheets of foldable materials such as paperboard using cut and fold techniques common to the packaging industry. Interchangeability among a plurality of differently configured and dimensioned receiver inserts is achieved by the use of integral locking tabs formed on the receiver inserts which are installed within mating slots formed within the individual storage containers.

Abstract: A liquid alkali metal silicate composition comprises water, an alkali metal, e.g., sodium silicate, glyoxal, optionally a Group I-III metal salt, e.g., calcium chloride, and hydrogen peroxide, and from 0.5 to 2.0 moles of a polyhydroxy compound per mole of glyoxal used. The specific polyols are mannitol, glycerol and sucrose. This composition is easily pumpable and injectable at a temperature of 100.degree. F. or higher.

Abstract: An easily pumpable, liquid alkali metal, e.g., sodium silicate composition of controlled gelling characteristics contains water, an alkali metal silicate, glyoxal, optionally a Group I-III metal salt, e.g., calcium chloride, and from 0.005 to 0.10 weight/volume percent of sodium bisulfite/sodium metabisulfite, per liter of composition. This composition is easily applied at elevated temperatures, e.g., 100.degree. F. and higher.

Abstract: A liquid alkali metal silicate composition comprises water, an alkali metal, e.g., sodium silicate, and as curing agent for said alkali metal silicate, a derivative of glyoxal which is 2,3-dihydroxy-1,4-dioxane or glyoxal trimer. The composition optionally contains a Group I-III metal salt, e.g., calcium chloride and hydrogen peroxide. It is easily pumpable and injectable at a temperature of 100.degree. F. or higher.