Abstract: An additive for imparting caustic removability to a hot melt adhesive includes a hydrocarbon copolymer containing one or more dicarboxylic acid moieties in at least partial ester form and a C5 hydrocarbon polymer comprising a polymeric backbone and, pendent thereon, one or more dicarboxylic acid moieties in at least partial ester form. The hydrocarbon copolymer and a C5 hydrocarbon polymer may have a weight average molecular weight less than 50,000, a flashpoint greater than or equal to 150° C., and may be soluble in a caustic solution having a pH of 8 or greater. A caustic removable hot melt adhesive composition may include the additive composition, a block copolymer, a tackifler, and/or a processing oil. The caustic removable hot melt adhesive composition may be applied to a label to adhere the label to the surface of an article, such as a recyclable bottle.

Abstract: An additive composition for imparting caustic removability to a hot melt adhesive includes an ester functionalized polymer having a polymeric backbone and, pendent thereon, one or more dicarboxylic acid moieties in at least partial ester form. The polymeric backbone has a weight average molecular weight less than 50,000. The ester functionalized polymer may be, for example, an at least partial ester of a maleated hydrocarbon. The additive may further include a low molecular weight ?,? ethylenically unsaturated anhydride-containing or acid-containing polymer. A caustic removable hot melt adhesive composition comprises a hot melt adhesive additive and a conventional hot melt adhesive resin. A caustic removable adhesive label comprises a substrate and a caustic removable hot melt adhesive composition which includes an additive composition. The caustic removable hot melt adhesives can be used on labels for articles, such as glass bottles.

Abstract: An additive composition for imparting caustic removability to a hot melt adhesive comprises a low molecular weight ?,? ethylenically unsaturated anhydride-containing or acid-containing polymer. The polymer is selected from the group consisting of a low molecular weight carboxylic anhydride homo-polymer or the at least partial ester thereof, a low molecular weight carboxylic anhydride copolymer or the at least partial ester thereof, a low molecular weight carboxylic anhydride polyolefin, a low molecular weight carboxylic anhydride vinyl aromatic copolymer, and a low molecular weight carboxylic anhydride grafted copolymer, or the combination or mixtures thereof. A caustic removable hot melt adhesive composition comprises a hot melt adhesive additive and a conventional hot melt adhesive resin. A caustic removable adhesive label comprises a substrate and a caustic removable hot melt adhesive composition which includes an additive composition.

Abstract: A lightweight portable garden container consists of a space frame that supports a flexible waterproof liner such that the floor of the flexible liner is elevated above the ground. The flexible liner includes a plurality of drain holes formed in the bottom surface that are attached to a manifold for collecting water draining from the flexible liner. The manifold drains into a closed reservoir which is attached to a pump that recirculates water from the reservoir back into to the container for irrigating the plants growing therein. The raised floor facilitates gardening at a comfortable level, while the recirculation system minimizes the amount of wasted water.

Abstract: An additive composition for imparting caustic removability to a hot melt adhesive comprises a low molecular weight ?,? ethylenically unsaturated anhydride-containing or acid-containing polymer. The polymer is selected from the group consisting of a low molecular weight carboxylic anhydride homo-polymer or the at least partial ester thereof, a low molecular weight carboxylic anhydride copolymer or the at least partial ester thereof, a low molecular weight carboxylic anhydride polyolefin, a low molecular weight carboxylic anhydride vinyl aromatic copolymer, and a low molecular weight carboxylic anhydride grafted copolymer, or the combination or mixtures thereof. A caustic removable hot melt adhesive composition comprises a hot melt adhesive additive and a conventional hot melt adhesive resin. A caustic removable adhesive label comprises a substrate and a caustic removable hot melt adhesive composition which includes an additive composition.

Abstract: Compositions comprising acid salts of amine-functionalized styrene-maleic anhydride resins are disclosed. The salts can be dissolved in organic solvents, UV/EB polymerizable monomers and/or oligomers, and/or water and act as a polymeric surfactants to disperse pigments or fillers, emulsifying agents, or hard resin additives in a variety of formulations. The compositions react under UV/EB cure conditions, and provide enhanced properties such as cure speed, hardness and adhesion to polymer compositions.

Abstract: Compositions comprising acid salts of amine-functionalized styrene-maleic anhydride resins are disclosed. The salts can be dissolved in organic solvents, UV/EB polymerizable monomers and/or oligomers, and/or water and act as a polymeric surfactants to disperse pigments or fillers, emulsifying agents, or hard resin additives in a variety of formulations. The compositions react under UV/EB cure conditions, and provide enhanced properties such as cure speed, hardness and adhesion to polymer compositions.

Abstract: A liquid gaging system comprising a plurality of sensors, each sensor providing a liquid measurement signal relating to a liquid depth at a particular location in a tank. The invention also comprises apparatus for selectively monitoring individual sensors one at a time. The apparatus for selectively monitoring is connected to the sensors.

Abstract: The present invention is part of a liquid gaging system and comprises an apparatus for measuring and storing a value related to an unwetted capacitance of a capacitive sensor, the stored value being available for use in liquid measurements. Included is a capacitive sensor for mounting in a tank, the sensor having an unwetted capacitance variable in dependence on manufacturing tolerances. The sensor capacitance is also related to stray capacitance in the system. The invention further includes apparatus for measuring the sensor unwetted capacitance including the sensor capacitance contributed by the stray capacitance in the system. The apparatus for measuring is connected to the sensor. The invention also comprises apparatus for storing a value related to the sensor unwetted capacitance measured by the apparatus for measuring, the apparatus for storing being connected to the apparatus for measuring.

Abstract: A liquid gaging system comprising a sensor for providing a liquid measurement signal related to a liquid depth at a particular location in a tank. The system further comprises storage apparatus for storing data including characterization parameters, each parameter being based on tank shape and volume and on sensor location, each parameter defining a relationship between a liquid depth and a value related to a liquid quantity. The system also includes determining apparatus for determining a value related to a liquid quantity in the tank based on the liquid measurement signal and the data, the determining apparatus being connected to the sensor and to the storage apparatus.

Abstract: A characterized liquid gaging system sensor comprising sensor apparatus for determining a depth of liquid in a tank at a particular location in the tank. The sensor also includes storage apparatus for storing characterization parameters, each parameter being based on tank shape and volume and on the location of the sensor apparatus, each parameter defining a relationship between a liquid depth and a value related to a liquid quantity. The sensor apparatus and the storage apparatus are connected.

Abstract: The present invention is part of a liquid gaging system and comprises an apparatus for self testing the system. Included is an excitation signal generator apparatus for providing an excitation signal and a precision reference component for providing a precise electrical load. The invention also comprises apparatus for monitoring the precision reference component. Also included is apparatus for connecting the precision reference component to the excitation signal generator apparatus and to the apparatus for monitoring.

Abstract: A liquid gaging system including a probe for mounting in a tank. A probe for a particular tank produces a length signal dependent upon the length of the probe being immersed in liquid. The system also includes a storage apparatus for storing characterization parameters and a determining apparatus for determining liquid volume in the particular tank based on the length signal and the characterization parameters. In addition, the system includes an apparatus for connecting the storage apparatus to the determining apparatus and an apparatus for connecting the probe to the determining apparatus.