Abstract: A pontoon system comprising a series of hollow plastic modular units held together in a string under a watercraft is disclosed. The string may be compressed so as to form a unitary pontoon. If the compression force holding the individual pontoon member is released, any individual pontoon member which has been damaged may be removed and replaced without having to remove the watercraft from the water.

Abstract: A product packaging system for receiving a series of products from one or more product transport lines. The products are loaded into a series of carriers and transported through a downstream inserter unit. Inserter assemblies moving in timed relation with the movement of the carriers through the inserter unit engage and urge the products out carriers and into a carton for packaging.

Abstract: A carton loader for automatically loading stacks of cartons onto a mass feeder for supplying cartons to a packaging machine includes a loader in which stacks of cartons are received and held, and a carriage on which the loader is pivotally mounted. After the stacks of cartons are received, the loader is pivoted from a loading position to a stacking position. The carriage is then moved along the mass feeder for the packaging machine toward a magazine or supply of previously stacked cartons, whereupon the stack of cartons within the loader is moved in engagement and stacked against the previously loaded cartons.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions comprising (a) a thermally stable polymer comprising resorcinol arylate polyester chain members substantially free of anhydride linkages linking at least two mers of the polymer chain, and (b) at least one auxiliary stabilizer additive selected from the group consisting of 2,2′-(1,4-phenylene)bis(4H-3,1-benzoxazin-4-one) and 1,3-bis[(2-cyano-3,3-diphenylacryloyl)oxy]-2,2-bis[[(2-cyano-3,3-diphenylacryloyl)oxy]methyl]propane. Both multilayer and unitary articles comprising the composition are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions comprising (a) a thermally stable polymer comprising resorcinol arylate polyester chain members substantially free of anhydride linkages linking at least two mers of the polymer chain, and (b) at least one auxiliary stabilizer additive selected from the group consisting of 2,2′-(1,4-phenylene)bis(4H-3,1-benzoxazin-4-one) and 1,3-bis[(2-cyano-3,3-diphenylacryloyl)oxy]-2,2-bis[[(2-cyano-3,3-diphenylacryloyl)oxy]methyl]propane. Both multilayer and unitary articles comprising the composition are also provided.

Abstract: Multilayer articles are disclosed which comprise: a substrate layer comprising at least one thermoplastic polymer, thermoset polymer, cellulosic material, glass, or metal, and at least one coating layer thereon, said coating layer comprising at least one stabilizer additive and a thermally stable polymer comprising resorcinol arylate polyester chain members substantially free of anhydride linkages linking at least two mers of the polymer chain, prepared by an interfacial method comprising the steps of: (a) combining at least one resorcinol moiety and at least one catalyst in a mixture of water and at least one organic solvent substantially immiscible with water; and (b) adding to the mixture from (a) at least one dicarboxylic acid dichloride while maintaining the pH between 3 and 8.5 through the presence of an acid acceptor, wherein the total molar amount of acid chloride groups is stoichiometrically deficient relative to the total molar amount of phenolic groups.

Abstract: Substantially solvent-free multilayer articles characterized by excellent color retention and gloss retention, solvent resistance and recyclability comprise a substrate layer comprising a first material selected from the group consisting of a metal, ceramic, glass, a cellulosic material, a thermoset resin, and a thermoplastic resin, and a resinous coating layer which comprises at least one auxiliary color stabilizer additive and an arylate polymer comprising ester structural units derived from a resorcinol or alkylresorcinol isophthalate-terephthalate. An intermediate layer may also be present.

Abstract: A pontoon composed of a series of hollow pontoon elements which when mounted on a pair of guide rails becomes an integral assembly forming a pontoon. The elements, with the exception of the bow and the stern elements, are identical, with the stern and bow elements having a curved water engaging surface to decrease the resistance to passage through the water.

Abstract: Multilayer articles are disclosed which comprise: a substrate layer comprising at least one thermoplastic polymer, thermoset polymer, cellulosic material, glass, or metal, and at least one coating layer thereon, said coating layer comprising at least one stabilizer additive and a thermally stable polymer comprising resorcinol arylate polyester chain members substantially free of anhydride linkages linking at least two mers of the polymer chain, prepared by an interfacial method comprising the steps of: (a) combining at least one resorcinol moiety and at least one catalyst in a mixture of water and at least one organic solvent substantially immiscible with water; and (b) adding to the mixture from (a) at least one dicarboxylic acid dichloride while maintaining the pH between 3 and 8.5 through the presence of an acid acceptor, wherein the total molar amount of acid chloride groups is stoichiometrically deficient relative to the total molar amount of phenolic groups.

Abstract: The current invention involves a method and device of combining vehicle scales platforms to eliminate potential checking interferences. Disclosed is a novel method of combining independent scale platforms enabling independent weighing on each platform and at the same time a singular checking system for the combined scale. It involves utilizing three tie rod type links, which have been used in the past to combine scales longitudinally, and in the new invention, are used in the lateral direction. This reduces the complexity and associated cost of the combined scale checking system and increases the accuracy of said scale system by eliminating potential checking interferences. This is extremely significant in situations where side checking is inconvenient near where two scales connect, or in pit less and above ground scale designs.

Abstract: A carton loader for automatically loading stacks of cartons onto a mass feeder for supplying cartons to a packaging machine includes a loader in which stacks of cartons are received and held, and a carriage on which the loader is pivotally mounted. After the stacks of cartons are received, the loader is pivoted from a loading position to a stacking position. The carriage is then moved along the mass feeder for the packaging machine toward a magazine or supply of previously stacked cartons, whereupon the stack of cartons within the loader is moved in engagement and stacked against the previously loaded cartons.

Abstract: Substantially solvent-free multilayer articles characterized by excellent color retention and gloss retention, solvent resistance and recyclability comprise a substrate layer comprising a first material selected from the group consisting of a metal, ceramic, glass, a celluosic material, a thermoset resin, and a thermoplastic resin, and a resinous coating layer which comprises at least one auxiliary color stabilizer additive and an arylate polymer comprising ester structural units derived from a resorcinol or alkylresorcinol isophthalate-terephthalate. An intermediate layer may also be present.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a unique poly(arylene ether)/polyetherimide composition having improved impact strength, as well as other improved mechanical and physical properties. This composition comprises: about 40 to about 90 pbw of a polyetherimide resin; about 8 to about 60 pbw of a functionalized poly(arylene ether) resin having a base titratable functionality level of at least 30 .mu.eq/g; and about 0.2 to about 35 pbw of a copolymer of an olefin and an epoxy-functionalized monomer; and may further include catalysts, gloss improvers, stabilizers, and other additives.

Abstract: Compositions are provided for compatibilized blends comprising compatibilizing poly(phenylene ether) resins and epoxy-functional polyolefins that exhibit improved resistance to delamination while providing high impact strength and other improved physical properties. Articles made from the compositions are useful for automotive lighting and under hood components.

Abstract: Compositions are provided which comprise a poly(phenylene ether) resin, a poly(arylene sulfide) resin and an ortho ester compound. The compositions can further comprise compatibilizing agents and reinforcing fillers to provide compositions that exhibit low flash molding characteristics. Articles molded from these compositions are useful in the electrical connector industry.

Abstract: Compatibilized blends of poly(phenylene ether) resins and polyester resins are provided from nucleophile containing poly(phenylene ether) resins and polyester resins and compatibilizer compounds to afford articles having good impact, ductility and tensile properties. The compositions may further comprise impact modifiers, metal salts, reinforcing agents, flame retardants and flow promoters. Articles made from the compositions are useful for automotive components. Polymers chain extended with multifunctional orthoesters are claimed.

Abstract: Compatibilized blends of poly(phenylene ether) resins and polyester resins are provided from nucleophile containing poly(phenylene ether) resins and polyester resins and compatibilizer compounds to afford articles having good impact, ductility and tensile properties. The compositions may further comprise impact modifiers, metal salts, reinforcing agents, flame retardants and flow promoters. Articles made from the compositions are useful for automotive components.

Abstract: Compatibilized blends of poly(phenylene ether) resins and polyester resins are provided from nucleophile containing poly(phenylene ether) resins and polyester resins and compatibilizer compounds to afford articles having good impact, ductility and tensile properties. The compositions may further comprise impact modifiers, metal salts, reinforcing agents, flame retardants and flow promoters. Articles made from the compositions are useful for automotive components.

Abstract: A mobile vapor recovery apparatus (10) efficiently removes materials from the vadose layer of earth soil. The apparatus (10) has a plurality of intake ports (14a-14d) each configured to releasably connect to a well pipe communicating gas having vaporized materials from a well in the soil. The intake ports (14a-14d) communicate the gas to a common manifold (24). A fluid collection tank (26) receives the gas from the manifold (24) and collects fluid entrained in the gas. A blower (32) draws the gas into the intake ports (14a-14d) by forcing the gas from the tank (26) and out of an exhaust port (34). A transportable support frame (12) is configured to support the plurality of intake ports (14a-14d), the fluid collection tank (26), and the blower (32) in a self-contained transportable unit. In addition, the mobile vapor recovery apparatus (10) may be mounted within a trailer unit (82) having a locking mechanism (102).

Abstract: A method for simulating an analog display in a digital display spectrum analyzer (or other digital display test instrument) comprises the steps of defining a plurality, N, of traces of the signal to be displayed, assigning coordinate values to points along each trace, and plotting and simultaneously displaying each of the N traces by illuminating corresponding pixel locations on the CRT as indicated by the assigned coordinate values. The method permits effective simulation of trace persistence as commonly found in analog display test instruments. According to one embodiment of the invention, a color graphics controller/color CRT may be provided, in which case gray scales may be generated and displayed to simulate variations in intensity levels as commonly found in traces plotted on analog display test instruments. An apparatus for practicing the method is also disclosed.