Abstract: The subject invention discloses a process for preparing a coupled styrene-isoprene-butadiene rubber which is particularly valuable for use in making automobile tire tread rubber compounds which comprises the steps of (1) solution terpolymerizing in an organic solvent from about 5 weight percent to about 40 weight percent styrene, from about 1 weight percent to about 10 weight percent isoprene, and from about 50 weight percent to about 94 weight percent 1,3-butadiene, based on total monomers, to a conversion of at least about 90% to produce a living styrene-isoprene-butadiene polymer, wherein the terpolymerization is initiated with an organolithium compound, and wherein the terpolymerization is conducted in the presence of a polar modifier at a molar ratio of the polar modifier to the organolithium compound, which is within the range of about 0.5:1 to about 5:1, and wherein the terpolymerization is conducted at a temperature which is within the range of about 20.degree. C. to about 150.degree. C.

Abstract: The subject invention discloses a process for preparing a coupled styrene-isoprene-butadiene rubber which is particularly valuable for use in making automobile tire tread rubber compounds which comprises the steps of (1) solution terpolymerizing in an organic solvent from about 5 weight percent to about 40 weight percent styrene, from about 1 weight percent to about 10 weight percent isoprene, and from about 50 weight percent to about 94 weight percent 1,3-butadiene, based on total monomers, to a conversion of at least about 90% to produce a living styrene-isoprene-butadiene polymer, wherein the terpolymerization is initiated with an organolithium compound, and wherein the terpolymerization is conducted in the presence of a polar modifier at a molar ratio of the polar modifier to the organolithium compound, which is within the range of about 0.5:1 to about 5:1, and wherein the terpolymerization is conducted at a temperature which is within the range of about 20.degree. C. to about 150.degree. C.

Abstract: The subject invention relates to a technique for synthesizing rubbery copolymers of styrene and isoprene. These rubbery copolymers exhibit an excellent combination of properties for utilization in tire tread rubber compounds. By utilizing these styrene-isoprene rubbers in tire treads, tires having improved wet skid resistance can be built without sacrificing rolling resistance or tread wear characteristics.

Abstract: Chiral liquid crystal compounds for use as dopants to be mixed with a liquid crystal host material, which may or may not be composed of chiral molecules, to form ferroelectric liquid crystal compositions. The chiral liquid crystal compounds are represented by the following formula: ##STR1## wherein: R.sub.1 is a C.sub.2 to C.sub.10 alkyl group, R.sub.2 is a C.sub.2 to C.sub.8 alkyl group;A is either ##STR2## m is an integer of 1 or 2; n is an integer of 1 or 2;p and q are integers of 0 or 1, provided that when p=0, q=0, and p=1, q=1; and* and ** indicate, independently of each other, S- or R-stereoisomeric structure.

Abstract: A massaging chair includes a base frame supported on a wheeled support, a back support pivoted about a pivot on a mounting frame the at bottom of the base frame, a crank lever controlled lock device controlled to lock the back support in any of a series of sloping positions, elastic members connected between the back support and the mounting frame. The elastic members are stretched when the back support is released from the lock device and turned backward. A retractable supporting bar is fastened to the back support by a lock screw, and a back rest on the back support is vertically pivoted to the retractable supporting bar. A plurality of brackets are horizontally pivoted to the back rest at different elevations to hold rotating massaging wheels.

Abstract: It has been unexpectedly discovered that various compounds, such as alkyl tetrahydrofurfuryl ethers, can be used to modify anionic polymerizations of conjugated diene monomers. These modifiers can be used to polymerize isoprene monomer into high 3,4-polyisoprene at excellent polymerization rates. This is in contrast to the modifiers such as tetramethylethylene diamine which are typically used to modify such polymerizations. This invention more specifically discloses a process for the synthesis of 3,4-polyisoprene which comprises polymerizing isoprene monomer in an organic solvent in the presence of a catalyst system which is comprised of (a) a lithium initiator and (b) an alkyltetrahydrofurfuryl ether modifier, wherein the alkyl group in the alkyltetrahydrofurfuryl ether modifier contains from 6 to about 10 carbon atoms.

Abstract: The subject invention discloses a process for preparing a coupled styrene-isoprene-butadiene rubber which is particularly valuable for use in making automobile tire tread rubber compounds which comprises the steps of (1) solution terpolymerizing in an organic solvent from about 5 weight percent to about 40 weight percent styrene, from about 1 weight percent to about 10 weight percent isoprene, and from about 50 weight percent to about 94 weight percent 1,3-butadiene, based on total monomers, to a conversion of at least about 90% to produce a living styrene-isoprene-butadiene polymer, wherein the terpolymerization is initiated with an organolithium compound, and wherein the terpolymerization is conducted in the presence of a polar modifier at a molar ratio of the polar modifier to the organolithium compound, which is within the range of about 0.5:1 to about 5:1, and wherein the terpolymerization is conducted at a temperature which is within the range of about 20.degree. C. to about 150.degree. C.

Abstract: The subject invention discloses an isoprenebutadiene rubber which is particularly valuable for use in making truck tire treads, said rubber being comprised of repeat units which are derived from about 20 weight percent to about 50 weight percent isoprene and from about 50 weight percent to about 80 weight percent 1,3-butadiene, wherein the repeat units derived from isoprene and 1,3-butadiene are in essentially random order, wherein from about 3% to about 10% of the repeat units in said rubber are 1,2-polybutadiene units, wherein from about 50% to about 70% of the repeat units in said rubber are 1,4-polybutadiene units, wherein from about 1% to about 4% of the repeat units in said rubber are 3,4-polyisoprene units, wherein from about 25% to about 40% of the repeat units in the polymer are 1,4-polyisoprene units, wherein the rubber has a glass transition temperature which is within the range of about -90.degree. C. to about -75.degree. C.

Abstract: A ceramic mold made up of Al.sub.2 O.sub.3, a silicon oxide mixture, C.M.C., CaCO.sub.3, Fe.sub.2 O.sub.3 or CoO, and water through a forging process under temperature within 500.degree. C. to 1600.degree. C., having a net of permeation holes on the inside and a guide tube disposed on the outside for drawing water from said net of permeation holes out of the ceramic mold or driving air into said net of permeation holes.

Abstract: An exercising machine including a base frame having a seat at the top, a scissor grip unit bilaterally pivotally connected to the base frame for exercising the hands through a scissor's action, a leg exercising unit coupled to the base frame at the front for exercising the legs, a back rest pivotally connected to the base frame at the back, a first pair of springy members bilaterally connected between the scissor grip unit and the base frame to produce a resisting force against the scissor's action of the scissor grip unit, and a second springy members bilaterally connected between the base frame and the back rest to give a resisting force against the backward movement of the back rest.

Abstract: Optically active compounds of general formulae ##STR1## wherein A is O or S, R.sub.1 is a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group having 1-22 carbon atoms, a hydroxy containing alkyl group, para-alkyl substituted phenyl, para-alkyl substituted biphenyl, hydroxyphenyl, hydroxybiphenyl or tosyl; R.sub.2 is an alkyl group having 2-8 carbon atoms; m is an integer of 0-5, n is 0 or 1, where when m=0, n is not 1; p is 0 or 1; q is 0 or 1; D and E are independently H or a halogen atom; R.sub.3 is a linear alkyl group having 1 to 22 carbon atoms; and * and ** are asymmetric centers.

Abstract: A liquid crystal composition containing an optically active or a ferroelectric liquid crystal compound represented by the following formula: ##STR1## wherein A can be either --CH.sub.2 -- or --CO--; R can be either an alkyl or alkoxyl group having 1 to 22 carbons: R' is an alkyl group having 2 to 8 carbons; x and y are integers of either 0 or 1, provided that when x=0, y.noteq.1; D can be a hydrogen or a halogen atom; and * represents a chiral center. The ferroelectric liquid crystals of the present invention exhibit optical and chemical stabilities, high-speed responsive, and high spontaneous polarization, and thus are excellent materials for use in making liquid crystal devices and liquid crystal light switching elements.

Abstract: An optically active lactic acid derivative having the formula (1a): ##STR1## wherein A is O or S; B is --(CH.sub.2).sub.m -- or --(CH.sub.2).sub.n --O; R1 is an alkoxy group having 1-22 carbon atoms, a phenolate, a substituted phenolate, a hydroxy group, or a halogen atom; R2 is an alkyl group having 2-8 carbon atoms; m is 0, 1, 2, 3 or 4; n is 2, 3, 4 or 5; C* is an asymmetric carbon atom. Liquid crystal compositions and liquid crystal devices containing the above mentioned derivatives are also disclosed.

Abstract: The subject invention relates to a technique for synthesizing rubbery copolymers of styrene and isoprene. These rubbery copolymers exhibit an excellent combination of properties for utilization in tire tread rubber compounds. By utilizing these styrene-isoprene rubbers in tire treads, tires having improved wet skid resistance can be built without sacrificing rolling resistance or tread wear characteristics. This invention more specifically discloses a process for the synthesis of styrene-isoprene rubbers which comprises copolymerizing isoprene monomer and styrene monomer in an organic solvent in the presence of a catalyst system which is comprised of (a) a lithium initiator and (b) an alkyl tetrahydrofurfuryl ether modifier, wherein the molar ratio of the modifier to the lithitium initiator is within the range of 2:1 to 40:1.

Abstract: Strain crystallizable 3,4-polyisoprene having a 3,4-microstructure content which is within the range of about 65% to about 85%, a cis-1,4-microstructure content which is within the range of about 15% to about 35%, and essentially no trans-1,4-microstructure or 1,2-microstructure can be synthesized in organic solvents to quantitative yields after short polymerization times by utilizing the catalyst systems of this invention. This invention specifically discloses a process for the synthesis of 3,4-polyisoprene which comprises polymerizing isoprene monomer in an organic solvent at a temperatIre which is within the range of about -10.degree. C. to about 100.degree. C.

Abstract: A liquid crystal composition containing an optically active or a ferroelectric liquid crystal compound represented by the following formula: ##STR1## wherein: A is selected from the group consisting of oxygen and sulfur; B is selected from the group consisting of --(CH.sub.2).sub.m -- and --(CH.sub.2).sub.n --O--; R is an alkyl or alkoxyl group having 1 to 22 carbons; R' is an alkyl group having 2 to 8 carbons or an ether group having 2 to 8 carbons; m is an integer from 0 to 4; n is an integer from 2 to 5; k is an integer of 0 or 1; l is an integer of 0 or 1; C and D are selected form the group consisting of hydrogen atom and halogen atoms, and * represents a chiral center. The ferroelectric liquid crystals of the present invention exhibit optical and chemical stabilities, high-speed switching characteristic and high spontaneous polarization, and thus are excellent materials for use in liquid crystal devices and liquid crystal light switching elements.

Abstract: It has been unexpectedly discovered that various compounds, such as alkyl tetrahydrofurfuryl ethers, can be used to modify anionic polymerizations of conjugated diene monomers. These modifiers can be used to polymerize isoprene monomer into high 3,4-polyisoprene at excellent polymerization rates. This is in contrast to the modifiers such as tetramethylethylene diamine which are typically used to modify such polymerizations. This invention more specifically discloses a process for the synthesis of 3,4-polyisoprene which comprises polymerizing isoprene monomer in an organic solvent in the presence of a catalyst system which is comprised of (a) a lithium initiator and (b) a modifier which is an alkyltetrahydrofurfuryl ether selected from the group consisting of ethyltetrahydrofurfuryl ether, propyltetrahydrofurfuryl ether, and butyltetrahydrofurfuryl ether.

Abstract: It is desirable to increase the modulus of rubbers utilized in a wide variety of applications. This invention discloses a technique for preparing high modulus rubber compositions. By utilizing this technique, high modulus can be attained without sacrificing other properties, such as hysteresis. The subject invention more specifically relates to a process for preparing a high modulus rubber composition which comprises: (1) polymerizing at least one diisocyanate with at least one member selected from the group consisting of diols and diamines in a polymer cement of a rubbery elastomer under conditions which result in the formation of a rubber cement having the crystalline polymer dispersed therein; and (2) recovering the high modulus rubber composition from the rubber cement.

Abstract: The subject invention discloses a styrene-isoprene-butadiene rubber which is particularly valuable for use in making truck tire treads, said rubber being comprised of repeat units which are derived from about 5 weight percent to about 20 weight percent styrene, from about 7 weight percent to about 35 weight percent isoprene, and from about 55 weight percent to about 88 weight percent 1,3-butadiene, wherein the repeat units derived from styrene, isoprene and 1,3-butadiene are in essentially random order, wherein from about 25% to about 40% of the repeat units derived from the 1,3-butadiene are of the cis-microstructure, wherein from about 40% to about 60% of the repeat units derived from the 1,3-butadiene are of the trans-microstructure, wherein from about 5% to about 25% of the repeat units derived from the 1,3-butadiene are of the vinyl-microstructure, wherein from about 75% to about 90% of the repeat units derived from the isoprene are of the 1,4-microstructure, wherein from about 10% to about 25% of the re

Abstract: The subject invention discloses a pneumatic rubber tire comprised of a toroidal shaped fabric-reinforced rubber carcass and an outer circumferential rubber tread, two spaced substantially inextensible beads and two sidewalls extending radially from and connecting said tread to said beads, said tire characterized by having a circumferential fabric reinforced rubber belt positioned between said tread and supporting carcass where the rubber of said belt is comprised of (A) from about 25 to about 75 weight percent of a highly dispersed blend of syndiotactic 1,2-polybutadiene in synthetic polyisoprene, (B) from about 25 to about 75 weight percent natural rubber, and (C) from 0 to about 40 weight percent polydiene rubbers other than natural rubber. The present invention also reveals the utilization of syndiotactic 1,2-polybutadiene containing rubber compounds in and around the edges of the belt plies as a gum layer and in undertread gum layers.