Abstract: This invention relates to suspension polymers having high swellability have low contents of soluble fractions prepared using aliphatic peroxyesters as polymerization initiators.

Abstract: A method of producing a composite stratiform material uses at least one extruder having a pair of co-rotating screws to co-extrude at least three layers, each layer having polypropylene and at least one filler. In a carrier layer the filler is particulate organic filler, and in first and second outer layers the filler is an inorganic filler. The co-extrusion provides for interfusion of the carrier layer with the outer layers at mutually opposite layer interfaces. The particulate organic filler of the carrier layer is either vegetabilic or wood which is extruded by a co-rotational extruder. The inorganic filler is introduced into at least one second extruder for extruding at least one of the outer layers.

Abstract: A method and composition for combining ceramic powder and binder to form green elements suitable for shaping and firing uses dry blending techniques. The binder includes a particulate wax component that is not melted in order to combine it with the ceramic powder, but rather, the wax component is combined in particulate form with the ceramic powder. The particulate wax is mixed in conventional blender apparatus in a relatively short time period. The binder composition may also include a lubricity enhancer or slip agent and a dispersion or colloidal binder.

Abstract: A tonneau cover assembly for the open box of a pick-up truck includes a cover which is manufactured using an injection molding process. The cover is molded from a rigid polyurethane foam reaction injection molding (RIM) system. The cover is reinforced by a reinforcement frame and is attached to a mounting bracket using a hinge assembly. A slam action bracket secures the cover in its closed position and a pair of gas struts supports the cover in its open position. The mounting bracket is adapted to be secured to the pick-up box.

Abstract: A method of forming a preform, for use in manufacturing a part having a predetermined part outline, includes positioning waste plastic material within an unconsolidated blank. The unconsolidated blank has an outline corresponding to a desired outline of the preform and the part outline. The method further includes selectively positioning reinforcing material within the unconsolidated blank for added strength. The unconsolidated blank is then heated and compressed to form the preform.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for molding clusters of fibers, including at least some thermoplastic fibers, into products at a cost, quality, and performance level acceptable for commercial production. The clusters are dedensified 10 and then placed 12 into an empty mold 20. The mold 20 has apertures 28 to facilitate the transfer of thermal energy through the mold 20. A linear conveyor 32 is used to transport the mold through a plurality of process locations on a continuous or semi-continuous basis. Included is a heating location 48 wherein the mold 20 is heated 14, providing an influx of thermal energy sufficient to fuse the thermoplastic fibers to form a heated product. A cooling location 50 follows the heating location 48, wherein the mold 20 and the heated product contained therein are cooled 16 to produce a cooled product. The cooled product is then ejected 18 from the mold 520.

Abstract: A method for producing a compound from a plastics material with fixed fiber inlay uses a heated screw-type extruder (1) in which filaments (2) are drawn by means of automatic drawing-in, are cut up and mixed there and are subsequently removed as a finished fiber compound. To achieve a high content of long fibers in the finished fiber compound, before entering the extruder (1) the filaments (2) are impregnated with the plastics material in an impregnation tool (3).

Abstract: Cyanuric chloride moldings, especially tablets and flakes, have advantages over powders in ease of handling. The moldings are produced by droplet or strip application of molten cyanuric chloride on to a surface and dissipation of the latent heat of fusion by cooling the surface or contacting the melt applied as droplets or strips with a cooling gas.

Abstract: A rebar forming apparatus includes a malleable material supply station for continuously supplying a malleable planar material and a malleable material forming station for forming the malleable material into first and second corresponding shell portions and related rebar products. The apparatus also includes a core pultrusion station and a cladding forming station for respectively forming core and cladding layers. A shell forming station is positioned downstream of the core and cladding forming stations which unites the first and second shell portions to form an outer shell with the core and cladding layers contained therein. The rebar product includes shell portions which are matably configured to form a disposable outer shell over the core and cladding layers. Related reinforcing composite product forming methods also include the use of a removable outer shell.

Abstract: A method of making a magnetically encodable card which comprises forming a dispersion of ferromagnetic particles in an organic fluid medium, forming a composite by intimately combining the dispersion with a thermoplastic resin plasticized by the organic fluid medium and forming the composite into an encodable card.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing transformer windings embedded in casting resin is disclosed which utilizes an integrated winding mandrel for producing a non-standard oval shaped epoxy encapsulated low voltage coil for dry type distribution transformers. The method includes a process of winding a low voltage oval coil over a disposable mold which acts as both a winding mandrel and as an inner mold shell for epoxy encapsulation. Both the inner and outer molds are made of low cost sheet metal utilizing a “wrap and band” process The complete winding and molding processes can all be conducted on a standard winding machine.

Abstract: The present invention provides apparatuses and methods for producing molded products such as floor mats, including automotive floor mats. In one embodiment, a molding process is provided for producing a molded product using a mold having a lower plate and an upper plate. The molding process includes steps of filling a first cavity of the lower plate with a liquid molding material of a first color, placing the upper plate on top of the lower plate such that a convex portion of the upper plate extends into the first cavity of the lower plate and contacts the molding material in the lower plate, and curing the liquid molding material.

Abstract: The present invention provides a profiling process which allows for the material sheet to be profiled so that the surface is minimally affected and only slight plastic deformation of the material occurs, and yet uniform three-dimensional structuring takes place. Additionally, the present invention allows for an improved inherent stability in the plane of the profiled material sheet to be achieved while only minimally affecting the cross-section.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing artificial stone having a curved surface or a deformed shape including the steps of heating a plate-like artificial stone forming body, whose surface has previously been polished or roughened, to a temperature ranging from 120° C. to 200° C. under a pressurized atmosphere equal to or higher than 3 atms so as to soften and deform it to a predetermined curved surface or deformed shape and cooling it to a temperature not higher than 90° C.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for producing thermoplastic resin film which allows a biaxially oriented polyester film to be formed at a high speed of 400 m/min or more. In the method, a molten thermoplastic resin film is brought into contact with a cooling medium, to be cooled and solidified, for producing a cast film. The method is characterized by keeping the surface temperature of the cooling medium in the region immediately before the melt reaching position at not lower than the glass transition temperature and not higher than the melting point of the thermoplastic resin. The apparatus is characterized by a cooling medium having a heater and a cooler to ensure that the surface temperature of the cooling medium in the region immediately before the melt reaching position is kept at the requisite temperature, and by a surface temperature of the cooling drum in the region immediately before the film leaving position being maintained lower than the glass transition temperature of the thermoplastic resin.

Abstract: A method of making a sample in a form of an outline drawing sheet, comprises the steps of preparing a plastic sheet 1 used for a base member, a screen for screen-printing, having a screen mesh 5 corresponding to a border line 2a for an outline drawing sheet, and a squeegee; placing printing ink 6 on the screen with the screen closely contacted to the plastic sheet; squeezing out the printing ink 6 through the screen mesh 5 by using the squeegee 7 to print a frame 2 constituting the border line for the outline drawing sheet 1, on the plastic sheet; applying paint 14 having a desired color on the plastic sheet 1 at an inside of the frame 2 after the frame 2 has been cured, to thereby form a colored portion 15; and stripping the frame 2 and the colored portion 15 integrated with the frame 2, from the plastic sheet 1.

Abstract: The invention relates to ophthalmic mouldings, especially contact lenses, obtainable by cross-linking a prepolymer that corresponds essentially to formula (1) wherein the variables are as defined in the claims, in the absence or presence of an additional vinyl comonomer.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for manufacturing a film coated article by placing a pre-molded film into a loading station. The film has a decorative surface and a backing surface. The decorative surface is positioned juxtaposed the loading station. The film is transferred to a loader. The loader is positioned juxtaposed the backing surface. The loader and film are positioned in an open mold press between a cavity and a core. The film is transferred from the loader to the cavity. The decorative surface of the film is positioned juxtaposed the cavity. The cavity mates with the film and retains the film in position during the molding operation. The press is closed and a polymeric material is injected against the backing surface of the film. The polymeric material produces a molded article having a rigid substrate fused to the backing of the film and displaying the decorative surface. The press is opened and the molded article is transferred from the cavity to an unloader.

Abstract: The neck finish for a wide range of plastic water dispenser bottles is formed so that it has a smooth, straight inner diameter and is fully calibrated, not requiring any post trimming. The parison is extruded over a fixed blow pin, which also serves as an inner mandrel. The wall thickness of the parison is controlled to provide the desired amount of material to fill the neck area and compression mold the neck body. When the mold is closed on the parison, the area between the cutting ring and striker plate comes into contact to form a calibrated neck finish. The blow pin tip is completely water cooled to the upper end and includes a specially positioned orifices adjacent the end to distribute the blow air so that it spreads out material, thereby reducing material push out and also cools the lower neck area. The assembly is designed to be very rigid, to assist in part de-molding.

Abstract: A readily replaceable pin-in-sleeve device (A, B) for gas-assisted injection molding is used with a two-part mold to form an injection molded product from a plastic material. A sleeve (10) has a threaded exterior surface that is shaped to be received in a socket (130) of a mold member (210) opening into a mold cavity. A longitudinally extending bore (20) extends through the sleeve. The bore has a first portion (22) adjacent the cavity, and a second, larger diameter portion (24), spaced from the cavity. A pin (40) extends through the sleeve and has a forward section and an enlarged base, which are received in the bore first and second portions, respectively. A tortuous path for an injection fluid is defined between the pin and the bore to inhibit transport of plastic material into the device when the injection fluid is vented from the mold cavity. A filter 60 positioned in the bore, behind the pin, filters traces of plastic material from the vented injection fluid.

Abstract: The present invention is a collection container assembly comprising a container having a wall space between the inner and outer wall of said tube whereby the external dimensions of the container are substantially the same as a standard-sized blood collection tube but with a reduced internal volume.

Abstract: A fired body and method for producing the body that involves compounding the components of powder materials, binder, aqueous solvent for the binder, and non-solvent with respect to at least the solvent, binder, and powder materials. The non-solvent is made up of a high molecular weight organic portion having a molecular weight of greater than 200, and a low molecular weight organic portion having a molecular weight of up to 200. The components are mixed and plasticized to form a plasticized mixture which is then shaped to form a green body. The green body is then dried and fired.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a fishing weight prevents environmental pollution. The method includes the steps of molding the fishing weight of a ceramic material and heating the molding material up to a predetermined temperature to convert the heated material into a pure earth material.

Abstract: A reactor system that includes a reactor nozzle for use with a reactor vessel and process for its use for producing sodium metal, by a reaction of an alkali hydroxide, preferably sodium hydroxide, as a reactant, with methane gas as a reductant, at high heat.

Abstract: A method for disposing synthetic resinous material comprises: dechlorinating a synthetic resinous material by heating the synthetic resinous material and decomposing the same; and supplying the synthetic resinous material into the furnace as a fuel or a reducing agent. An apparatus comprises: a chlorine removing means for dechlorinating the synthetic resinous material by heating the synthetic resinous material; and a pulverizer for pulverizing the dechlorinated synthetic resinous material, a supply means for supplying the processed synthetic resinous material into a furnace.

Abstract: Refractory wall structure, suitable in particular for use in a metallurgical vessel for a continuous production of crude iron in a smelting reduction process under conditions of an extremely high thermal load in a highly abrasive environment of molten slag with a high FeO content, comprising, going from the outside to the inside, (1) a steel jacket; (2) a water-cooled copper wall; (3) water-cooled copper ledges extending towards the inside; (4) a lining of refractory material resting on the ledges.

Abstract: A knockout device for removing a taphole sleeve from a furnace wall. The device is comprised of a pneumatic hammer having an elongated body and a weight reciprocally movable by air pressure along the body. The body has a first end with an air inlet for receiving air under pressure from an external source and a second end. A metal block is attached to the second end of the body. The block has a planar surface dimensioned to rest upon an upper end of a taphole sleeve. A locating pin extends from the block. The pin is dimensioned to be received within an axial bore defined by the taphole sleeve. A housing surrounds the hammer and defines a cavity therearound. The housing has openings therethrough to allow air from the hammer to vent from the cavity.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for ultraviolet irradiation of air for the purpose of removing contaminants from that air is disclosed. A U-shaped ultraviolet bulb enshrouded within a quartz tube provides enhanced contaminant destruction characteristics. By combining a plurality of those bulbs in a chamber that is of polished aluminum, and further combining aluminum filters therewith, added irradiation enhancement is achieved.

Abstract: Apparatus for separating a biological component from a biological fluid are disclosed. The apparatus includes a chamber for receiving a biological fluid including a biological component, and a rotor for creating a centrifugal field within the chamber. A source of particles may be included wherein the particles have a binding site for selectively binding to the biological component. The particles may be aseptically introduced into the chamber. The apparatus may withdraw whole blood from a donor, separate the whole blood to obtain a target cell population and return a selected one of either the target cell population or at least a portion of the whole blood remainder to the donor or patient. A disposable separation inset for use in conjunction with a rotatable separation device such as the apparatus described above may also be provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to the use of blends of biodegradable polymers made from renewable resources for the production of carrier systems for analytical tests. Blends of biodegradable polymers such as PHB (polyhydroxy butyrate) or PLA (polylactide) were found suitable for systems. They are available commercially. The formulations have affinities to organic molecules similar to that of the currently used polystyrene, and can be transformed as the latter on plastic injection moulding and processing machines into the same type of carriers for chemical, physical, enzymatic or immunological test systems. Application of PHB and PLA formulations according to the invention provides important advantages over using polystyrene as matrix substance: after use, the carriers can be composted or enzymatically degraded without the need of expensive disposal in landfill sites. In addition they are made from renewable resources and do not increase the carbon dioxide content of the atmosphere, even when burned.

Abstract: A pipette tip box assembly having a universal format capable of accommodating a wide variety of different pipette tip arrays. The footprint of the pipette tip box portion of the assembly is fixed to a standard (SBS) specification for microplates making the tip box compatible with the wide variety of hardware that is currently being used in automated microplate processes. The tip box portion of the pipette tip box incorporates an asymmetrical distribution of deck plate locking pins on the upper surface to retain pipette receiving deck plates having various arrays of openings thereon. The pipette tip box cover of the assembly utilizes an interlocking feature for mating pipette tip boxes within a stack of such boxes. This feature provides enhanced stability of large stacks of pipette tip boxes that are frequently required for automated processes.

Abstract: Process for radial distribution of fluid into a fluid mass wherein fluid is radially conveyed within and isolated from the fluid mass and discharged via a plurality of distribution points located radially in the fluid mass.

Abstract: Plasma discharge reactors of various designs are disclosed; the reactors are capable of synthesizing large numbers of bioactive compounds of great chemical diversity.

Abstract: A device for holding catalyst in a radial flow reactor includes a plurality of catalyst containers each of which is a segment of a cylinder divided in the axial plane thereof. Each catalyst container has a cross section of a size which enables the container to be carried in and out of the radial fow reactor through an opening formed in an upper or lower portion of the radial flow reactor, and includes a screen provided on a liquid inlet side and a screen provided on a liquid outlet side. The catalyst containers are assembled together to form a cylindrical catalyst bed in the radial flow reactor. The catalyst containers attains a uniform thickness of a catalyst bed in a radial direction between its inlet side and outlet side over the entire height of the cylindrical catalyst bed. One or more catalyst containers requiring checking or repair only can be taken out of the reactor.

Abstract: A chemical feeder for use in a water circulation system includes a body, a head attached to the top of the body, and a flow passage extending through the head. A portion of the water flowing through the flow passage is diverted into the body, where the water mixes with chemical tablets contained therein. A strainer is positioned inside the body and a stand pipe connects the strainer to the flow passage. Venturi forces within the flow passage draw the chemical solution from the body and into the flow passage, where the chemical solution mixes with the water flowing therethrough. It is possible to control the concentration of the chemical solution by controlling the flow of fluid from the flow passage into the body.

Abstract: Low-cost, high-purity strontium nitrate that is low in Ba, Na, Ca, Cr, and other impurities and that is suitable for use in airbags or the like is provided. High-purity strontium nitrate having a Ba content of 0.01 wt % or lower, an Na content of 0.005 wt % or lower, a Ca content of 0.01 wt % or lower, a Cr content of less than 0.001 wt %, and a purity of 99.5 wt % or higher is produced by a manufacturing method comprising a first step for performing crystallization by adding nitric acid to an aqueous solution obtained by dissolving a strontium compound as a starting material, a second step for separating the resulting crystals, a third step for crystallizing the resulting separated solution, and a fourth step for separating the resulting crystals.

Abstract: Super clean air having therein chemical components—such as hydrocarbons, organic halogens, acidic gases, basic gases, aldehydes, nitrogen oxides, and H2O (that is, all components other than oxygen, nitrogen, and noble gases—the types of chemical components differ depending on the source of the air)—in concentrations no more than 1 ppb and a dew point lower than −40° C., is obtained from the atmosphere by low-temperature adsorption treatment in stages at temperatures ranging from −40° C. to −180° C. Material air collected from the atmosphere is pretreated in a room-temperature adsorption step to remove moisture and carbon dioxide. The pretreated air is then low-temperature adsorption treated by absorbents in a plurality of steps to adsorb the gaseous chemical components, the treatment temperature being lower in each succeeding step. Treatment at −40° C. may remove, for example, HF, SO2, and/or NH3. Treatment at −100° C.

Abstract: Zeolites partially exchanged with copper, in particular faujasites, in which the copper does not largely occupy the small cages (for example the sodalite cages of the faujasites), are used as non-nitrogen-protoxide-generating SCR catalysts. Particular attention is drawn to certain mixed rare-earth/copper zeolites. The selectivity of the reduction of NOx to N2 is correlated with the TPR diagram of the catalysts.

Abstract: A wet flue gas desulfurization process for removing sulfur dioxide from flue gases. The process utilizes an ammonium sulfate scrubbing solution containing free dissolved ammonia as the reagent for the desulfurization process to produce ammonium sulfate as a valuable byproduct. The scrubbing solution contacts the flue gases and absorbs sulfur dioxide within an absorber of a flue gas scrubbing apparatus, and is then accumulated in a tank where the absorbed sulfur dioxide is reacted with oxygen and ammonia to produce ammonium sulfate. The scrubbing solution has a concentration of greater than 46% ammonium sulfate so as to have suspended solids of ammonium sulfate precipitate, preferably 1% to 20% suspended solids.

Abstract: A method for preparing hollow particles comprising a dense silica shell, by precipitating active silica from an aqueous alkaline metal silicate on a core constituted in a material other than silica and by eliminating the material without destroying the silica shell. The particles are used as insulating materials; as hollow fillers for polymers, building materials, rubber, paper, paint; as absorbing agents; as toothpaste abrasives or additives; as support for the absorption and/or graining out active matter, the liberation of the active matter being effected by the destruction of the silica core by mechanical rupture or by dissolving the silica shell in a basic medium or by diffusion; as sun screening agents or sun screening agent supports or for the formulation of liquid matter in solid form.

Abstract: This invention relates to an improved catalyst system utilizing flow through radiation shielding of the reaction zone and to processes for using the catalyst system for the production of hydrogen cyanide. The process has decreased methane usage while maintaining yield of cyanide.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for preparing a hydroxylammonium salt through catalytic reduction of nitrate ions in an acid medium in the presence of a palladium and/or platinum catalyst on a carrier in which at least 0.00025 mmol halogen ions are present per m2 of palladium and/or platinum area.

Abstract: A process and system for the recovery of desirable constituent materials from vehicle tire pieces through pyrolysis. The system includes a pyrolysis section that is divided into a plurality of individual heating zones. Each of the heating zones is heated to a distinct operating temperature that is independent from the operating temperature of the remaining heating zones. Vehicle tire pieces are fed into the infeed end of the pyrolysis section by a rotatable feed cylinder that includes a screw-like flight extending from the inner wall of the feed cylinder. As the feed cylinder rotates, the flight directs the supply of vehicle tire pieces into the infeed end of the pyrolysis section. The pyrolysis section includes a rotary kiln that is divided into the plurality of heating zones.

Abstract: A process for producing hollow, single-walled carbon nanotubes by catalytic decomposition of one or more gaseous carbon compounds by first forming a gas phase mixture carbon feed stock gas comprising one or more gaseous carbon compounds, each having one to six carbon atoms and only H, O, N, S or Cl as hetero atoms, optionally admixed with hydrogen, and a gas phase metal containing compound which is unstable under reaction conditions for said decomposition, and which forms a metal containing catalyst which acts as a decomposition catalyst under reaction conditions; and then conducting said decomposition reaction under decomposition reaction conditions, thereby producing said nanotubes.

Abstract: A synthetic route for forming lithium trisubstituted borohydride compounds comprises the step of reacting a processed lithium hydride reactant with a trisubstituted borane wherein the reaction is maintained for a period of time in a temperature range of approximately 15° C. to approximately 42° C. A method of synthesizing LiH comprises the step of reacting an alkyl lithium (for example, n-butyl lithium) with hydrogen in the presence of tetrahydrofuran. The reaction temperature is preferably maintained in the range of approximately −78° C. to approximately 25° C.

Abstract: Enhanced macromixing, mesomixing, and micromixing of multiple discrete reactant streams, particularly for precipitation reactions of low density pumpable fluids, are obtained by controlled continuous high pressure multiple reactant streams flowing into a chemical mixer/reactor. Individual reactant streams are pressurized to about 8,000 to 50,000 psi and achieve velocities up to about 250 meters/second in the final stage of the chemical mixer/reactor. Reactant flows are controlled by a combination of a fixed restriction and a variable driving pump.

Abstract: A nonradioactive glass in particulate form adapted for radiation therapy in a mammal comprise a biodegradable rare earth-lithium borate glass material of a specified composition which, upon being subjected to an effective amount of neutron irradiation, will produce a beta or gamma emitting radioisotope, the radioisotope being distributed throughout the glass material, the glass upon being introduced into a body fluid for radiation therapy being adapted to react therewith causing the radioisotope to form an insoluble compound on the surface of the glass material which is retained in the glass material and thereby prevented from escaping from the treatment site. Radioactive glasses and methods for carrying out radiation therapy with such radioactive glasses are also disclosed.

Abstract: Diagnostic and therapeutic compositions in the form of complexes for enhancing transmembrane transport of a diagnostic or therapeutic agent and methods for their use. The complexes contain the &agr;, &ggr;, or bis isomers of folate receptor-binding analogs of folate, a metal chelated by a ligand, and in one embodiment, a chemotherapeutic agent.

Abstract: Therapeutic methods and compositions using deuterated enriched 2-[(2-aminoethoxy)methyl]-4-(2-chlorophenyl)-1,4-dihydro-6-methyl-3,5-pyridinedicarboxylic acid 3-ethyl 5-methyl ester and other deuterated dihydropyridine compounds are described. The deuterated compounds exhibit enhanced efficacy in blocking calcium channels over non-deuterated dihydropyridines.

Abstract: Microbubble dispersions stabilised by phospholipids predominantly comprising molecules which individually have an overall net charge exhibit advantageous stability, rendering them useful as efficacious contrast agents. An improved process for preparing microbubble-containing contrast agents is also disclosed, this comprising lyophilising an aqueous dispersion of gas microbubbles stabilised by one or more membrane-forming lipids to yield a dried product which may be reconstituted in an injectable carrier liquid to generate a microbubble-containing contrast agent.