Abstract: An apparatus for enrobing a product portion can include at least one polymer spray head adapted to create at least one flow of polymeric fibers to produce at least one polymer enrobing zone and a conveyor system adapted to move at least one product portion from at least one position below at least one polymer enrobing zone and to at least one position above at least one polymer enrobing zone to drop each product portion through one or more polymer enrobing zones a plurality times at different orientations to enrobe each product portion with polymeric fibers.

Abstract: A method of enrobing a product portion in polymer strands includes mounting at least one product portion on a holding device and passing the at least one product portion through a polymer enrobing zone. The polymer enrobing zone can include a flow of polymeric fibers produced by a polymer spray head. The polymer fibers can wraparound the at least one product portion to produce an enrobed product portion. The holding device can hold the at least one product portion by passing at least partially through the body of the product portion. At least a portion of the holding device is removed from the enrobed product portion. In some cases, the at least one product portion includes smokeless tobacco.

Abstract: A melt-blown fabric for pouching smokeless tobacco or a smokeless tobacco substitute can include melt-blown polymer fibers. The fabric can have a basis weight of less than 30 gsm and a tensile strength of at least 4 mJ in at least one predetermined direction. Method of making the fabric can include melt-blowing a polymeric material against a support surface and bonding the fibers or arranging them in a predetermined orientation. Pouched smokeless tobacco or tobacco substitute products including the fabrics provided herein can provide desirable flavor and tactile experience.

Abstract: A selective call module (102), installed in a land vehicle having an engine with an ignition system (118), has a selective call receiver (104), a microprocessor (106) and a non-volatile memory (108). The selective call module is connected to an engine control module (116) of the land vehicle. The microprocessor decodes received selective call signals and causes the selective call module to enter into a shutdown state upon decoding of a shutdown page. In the shutdown state, the selective call module measures the engine speed and immediately shuts down the engine by completely turning off the ignition system if the engine speed is less than a pre-set value. The selective call module gradually shuts down the engine by interrupting the ignition system for gradually increasing durations if the engine speed is greater than the pre-set value.

Abstract: A loft connector joint employed in the construction of lofts includes a hub having a first end, a second end, an outer periphery, and an axial core oriented along a longitudinal axis extending from first end to the second end. The axial core is hollow and configured for slidable engagement with a post of a loft. A plurality of sockets are positioned about the outer periphery of the hub and facing outward from the center of the hub. Each of the sockets are configured for slidably receiving and retaining an edge of a panel of a loft. The second end of the hub has a plurality of ramps. A removable cap may be secured to the hub. The cap is bowl-shaped and has a domed top and an outer wall. A plurality of tabs extend from the underside of the cap, and the tabs are deflectable radially inward from the center of the cap. When the cap and hub are coupled together, corresponding tabs and ramps contact each other during rotation of the cap in relation to the hub.

Abstract: An interpenetrating network copolymer, method of producing same, and method of producing optical lens blanks and finished lenses therefrom. The method broadly involves the preparation of first and second mixtures of polymerizable vinyl monomers and interrupting the polymerization of the first mixture at a relative viscosity of from about 1.05 to about 10 by admixing the partially polymerized first mixture with the second mixture to create a casting solution and thereafter, when desired, polymerizing molded casting solution in heat to create a solid lens material.

Abstract: An interpenetrating network copolymer, method of producing same, and method of producing optical lens blanks and finished lenses therefrom. The method broadly involves the preparation of first and second mixtures of polymerizable vinyl monomers and interrupting the polymerization of the first mixture at a relative viscosity of from about 1.05 to about 10 by admixing the partially polymerized first mixture with the second mixture to create a casting solution and thereafter, when desired, polymerizing molded casting solution in heat to create a solid lens material.

Abstract: A method and apparatus in a communication receiver (110) for controlling an alert in response to a received call-back number (233) include receiving (402) the call-back number (233). A processor (208) in the communication receiver (110) compares (406) the received call-back number (233) with a list of pre-programmed call-back numbers (226, 228, 230) stored in a memory (210). If the received call-back number (233) matches (408) one of the pre-programmed call-back numbers (226, 228, 230), the processor (208) selects (410) a pre-programmed alert (236, 238, 240) corresponding to the matched pre-programmed call-back number (233), and instructs (414) an alert generator (212) to generate the selected pre-programmed alert (236, 238, 240).

Abstract: A novel asphalt-aggregate composition in which the aggregate particles and the asphalt are separated by a very thin film of a water insoluble organic polymer. The continuous thin film is formed by treating the aggregate with dilute aqueous emulsion of the polymer. A major amount of hot treated aggregate is thoroughly mixed with a minor amount of hot, free-flowing asphalt to produce a composition useful in road construction and repair, roof maintenance, landfill lining and like application where the integrity of the asphalt must be maintained.

Abstract: An oxygen permeable bifocal contact lens with a Dk of at least 10.times.10.sup.-11 in which a distance vision portion having a refractive index of not more than 1.49 is formed as a preform in which there is provided a recess, and a near distance vision portion having a refractive index of at least 1.540 is formed by filling the recess with a monomer mixture and polymerizing. It is preferred that the distance vision portion be formed as an interpenetrating network copolymer by partially polymerizing one monomer mixture to a predetermined relative viscosity and then adding a second monomer mixture and copolymerizing the resulting mixture. The near distance vision portion may also be formed as an interpenetrating network in the same manner.

Abstract: An interpenetrating network copolymer, method of producing same, and method of producing optical lens blanks and finished lenses therefrom. The method broadly involves the preparation of first and second mixtures of polymerizable vinyl monomers and interrupting the polymerization of the first mixture at a relative viscosity of from about 1.05 to about 10 by admixing the partially polymerized first mixture with the second mixture to create a casting solution and thereafter, when desired, polymerizing molded casting solution in heat to create a solid lens material.

Abstract: New copolymer composition, methods for processing the copolymers into optical devices and articles resulting therefrom, especially intraocular and contact lenses having outstanding extended wear and daily wear properties. The composition comprises, in weight percent: from 3% to 35% polyfluoroalkyl acrylate; from 45% to 65% acryloxyalkylpolysiloxane; 1% to 15% acryloxyalkylsilanol; 2% to 20% polyacryloxyalkylpolysiloxane; 2% to 15% polyol polyacrylate and 2% to 15% polymerizable ethylenically unsaturated monomeric wetting agent such as acrylic acid. The composition may also contain 0 to 15% acrylic acid ester of a monohydric alcohol having no more than 20 carbon atoms and from 0.05% to about 2.0% of a free radical initiator.

Abstract: An ablative optical recording medium comprises a substrate coated with a light reflecting coating of passivated aluminum which in turn is coated with a light absorbing ablative layer. During recording, portions of the light absorbing layer are ablated, or vaporized, by a modulated focussed light beam, thereby exposing portions of the reflective layer. Information is recorded in the form of a reflective-antireflective pattern.

Abstract: An optical recording medium comprises a light reflecting material which is coated with a light absorbing layer and overcoated with a thin, amorphous, coherent layer of an optically transparent and chemically and thermally stable material such as silicon dioxide. During recording, portions of the light absorbing layer are ablated by a modulated focussed light beam, thereby exposing portions of the reflecting layer while leaving the overcoat layer intact. Information is recorded in the form of a reflective-antireflective pattern. Dust particles and other surface contaminants can be wiped or washed off the recording medium without damage to the light absorbing layer.

Abstract: In an optical memory device, such as an optical video disk, an injection laser is used as the source of the light, as the detector of the light reflected from the memory element and as the detector for controlling the proper focus of the light on the memory element. The light reflected from the memory element is fed back into the injection laser and variations in certain characteristics of the injection laser, such as the optical output at constant current, the electrical current through the laser at constant voltage and the voltage drop across the laser at constant current, are used to read the memory device and to maintain the focus.

Abstract: An ablative recording medium comprises a substrate coated with a light reflecting coating which in turn is coated with a light absorptive layer selected from the group consisting of lead phthalocyanine, chloroaluminum phthalocyanine, vanadyl phthalocyanine, stannic phthalocyanine and chloroaluminum chlorophthalocyanine. During recording, portions of the dye layer are ablated or vaporized by an intensity modulated focussed light beam, thereby exposing portions of the reflective layer and recording video information as a reflective-antireflective pattern.

Abstract: A recording medium comprises a substrate coated with a light reflecting layer which in turn is coated with a light absorbing layer selected from the group consisting of Pt complexes of bis-(dithio-.alpha.-diketones) which have the formula: ##STR1## wherein R is a phenyl or substituted phenyl group. During recording, portions of the absorbing layer are ablated, vaporized or melted by an intensity-modulated, focussed light beam, thereby exposing portions of the reflective layer and recording video information as a reflective-antireflective pattern.