Abstract: A process for making a polymer foam sheet, which comprises (i) extruding through an annular extrusion die a foamable composition comprising at least one polypropylene polymer and at least one blowing agent, at a pressure, temperature, and extrusion rate sufficient to prevent foaming of the composition prior to exiting the die, under conditions sufficient to form a foam tube having a density of at least 16 kg/m3 and no greater than 200 kg/m3, an open cell content of less than 70 percent, a circumference of at least 1 meter, and a foam thickness of at least 2 mm and no greater than 25 mm, wherein the blowing agent is used in an amount of from 0.2 to 4.

Abstract: In a process for producing a cover skin of thermoplastic polyurethane for the instrument panel of a motor vehicle, a preform is produced from thermoplastic polyurethane by extrusion and is thereafter expanded by increased internal pressure in a blow molding mold.

Abstract: A homogeneous floor covering composed of elastomer, varicolored granular particles contains 3 to 20 per cent by weight of a copolymer of ethylene, including at least one comonomer of vinyl esters of saturated carboxylic acids having up to 4 C-atoms in the acid group, or including at least one unsaturated mono- or dicarboxylic acid, or including at least one ester of unsaturated mono- or dicarboxylic acids having up to 8 C-atoms in the alcohol portion. In this context, the ethylene content of the copolymer is 40 to 95% per cent by weight, the rest is comonomer, and the melt-flow index of the copolymer must lie between 0.1 and 50. A corresponding manufacturing process is specified.

Abstract: The invention provides synthetic polymeric fibers which have utility as temporary acquisition/distribution absorbent structures and permanent storage/distribution absorbent structures in a wide range of absorbent products such as diapers, feminine napkins, and adult incontinent pads. These fibers are short, highly distorted, and bulky characterized by lengths between 2 and 37 mm, short-range distortion factors between 5 and 70, long-range distortion factors between 0.05 and 0.9, and single fiber bulk factors between 0.5 and 10.0. They may or may not have capillary channels on the surface. The advantages of these materials are their increased absorbency, reduced wet collapse at low densities, reduced rewet, reduced loss of liquid under pressure, and their ability to be desorbed by distribution materials such as capillary channeled fibers or by conventional storage materials such as fluff pulp or superabsorbent polymer fiber or powder.

Abstract: The invention utilizes the adhesive properties which plastic material exhibits while still hot combined with a multi stage molding operation wherein one side of an insert or core located in one side of a mold is coated with molten plastic on a first closing of the mold, the mold is then opened with the plastic still hot to remove the insert or core from the one mold side by virtue of its adherence by the hot plastic to the other mold side, a second charge of plastic is then introduced into the said one mold side and the mold is closed again with the plastic in a molten state to complete the encapsulation of the insert or core.

Abstract: An applicator for applying streams of a sealant onto a glass block and a method for applying streams of a sealant onto a glass block. The applicator is guided manually along the edges of the vertical surfaces of the glass block, while the sealant is being dispensed onto it, thereby accurately positioning the correct amount of the sealant at the intended location along the edges onto the vertical surfaces. The applicator can be easily used on-site and is appropriate for sealing glass blocks to obtain oddly shaped or oddly sized glass walls.

Abstract: A method of injection molding a plastics material opening device in a hole provided in a packaging sheet material including mutually arranging a first mold tool and a second mold tool so as to form a mold cavity in which the hole edge is arranged in so as to biased a sheet portion of the packaging sheet material arranged adjacent the hole edge away from the second mold tool, and injecting heated thermoplastics material into the mold cavity so as to form the plastics material opening device. The biasing of the sheet portion away from the second mold tool aids in the formation of plastics material on the side of the sheet portion disposed towards the second mold tool, for providing a controlled placement of the opening device at the sheet hole.

Abstract: An article having complex geometrical shape is obtained by consecutively coinjection molding a first and a second material substantially without stopping time between the two injections. Pressure, temperature and mass flow rate are controlled to obtain a homogeneous distribution of the several flows of injected material and to have them meet in a fluid condition and melt together at the meeting point.

Abstract: Hydrosilylation reaction curable organosiloxane compositions containing a scavenger for radicals that participate in the free radical polymerization of styrene monomers, which yield upon cure a silicone elastomers having extended moldlife.

Abstract: A multiplicity of laser diodes aim laser light directly onto the surface of a workpiece and are disposed over and according to the to-be-shaped contour of a workpiece, so that a detector unit for determining the spatial shaping of the workpiece and an evaluation and control unit can determine process parameters for further illumination in dependence on a comparison of an actual state of shaping and a desired state of shaping of the workpiece.

Abstract: A method of making rotating element sheet material utilizing magnetic latching is disclosed. First a plurality of rotating elements having a magnetized segment are mixed with magnetic particles to attract the magnetic particles to the magnetized segments. Then the rotating elements with the attached magnetic particles are mixed with a liquid elastomer. A magnetic field is applied to orient the rotating elements in a common direction. When the rotating elements and the attached magnetic particles have all been oriented the elastomer is cured to form an elastomer substrate with trapped rotating elements and magnetic particles. The elastomer substrate is then immersed into a bath of dielectric plasticizer which is absorbed more readily by elastomer than by the rotating elements. The elastomer substrate swells to create plasticizer-filled voids around the rotating elements. The magnetic particles remain incorporated within the elastomer to form magnetic material pads which are associated with an element.

Abstract: Method and device for manufacturing plastic-based materials in web form, such as floor and wall covering materials, and also such a material manufactured by the method. During the production, spherical particles (12) in substantially one size are used. The particles are deposited as a layer (18) on a substrate (1) by doctoring by means of allowing the particle mass to flow down into a gap between a depositing member (16) and the passing substrate (1). Thereafter, the particles are sintered together by heating, whereafter the solidified layer (25) is caused to fuse into a homogenous form by means of heating during simultaneous compression in order to shape the web material (26).

Abstract: A process and an apparatus for making a papermaking belt are provided, the belt comprising a reinforcing structure and a resinous framework joined together. The preferred continuous process comprises the steps of depositing a flowable resinous material onto a patterned molding surface; continuously moving the molding surface and the reinforcing structure at a transport velocity such that at least a portion of the reinforcing structure is in a face-to-face relationship with a portion of the molding surface; applying a fluid pressure differential to transfer the flowable resinous material from the molding surface onto the reinforcing structure and causing the flowable resinous material and the reinforcing structure to join together; and solidifying the resinous material thereby forming the resinous framework joined to the reinforcing structure.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a multilayered plastic pipe particularly suitable for use as an intake manifold of an internal combustion engine is provided. The method includes the steps of forming a hollow plastic core, providing at least one spacer member on the hollow plastic core, supplying a molten plastic material into a mold cavity and applying a compression force to the material inside the cavity to form an outer layer integrally on the outer peripheral surface of the hollow plastic core. The spacer member prevents the hollow plastic core in the mold cavity from being deformed when a molten plastic material is supplied into the mold cavity under pressure.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a film-covered article by the following steps. A thermoplastic film is heated to become pliable. The film has a decorative surface and a backing surface. The heated film is positioned between an open mold. The open mold has a first mold surface, a sealing surface and a sealing member. The sealing surface contacts the sealing member and forms a chamber between the mold and the film. A fluid pressure is applied between the mold and the film to cause the film to conform to the first mold surface. A molten resin is injected adjacent to the film-backing surface to form the film-covered article. The invention may be practiced by either applying a positive pressure to push the film to conform to the first mold surface or a negative pressure to drawing the film against a vacuum between the film and the first mold surface.

Abstract: The effects of interfacial transition between organic and inorganic layers of a multilayer construction are ameliorated by incorporating an inorganic component within the matrix of the organic layer. In a first aspect, a construction having adjacent organic and inorganic layers is fabricated by depositing a curable polymer, softening the polymer, and integrating an inorganic material therewith. The polymer is then cured to immobilize the integrated deposition material, and the desired inorganic layer is applied over the deposited inorganic material (and any exposed portions of the polymer). In a second aspect, a graded structure is built up on a substrate in successive deposition steps. Both polymer precursors and an inorganic filler material are deposited in stages, with each stage containing a desired ratio of polymer to filler.

Abstract: The process incorporating the invention enables fabrication of dense, highly textured (fraction of oriented grains >20 vol. %) alumina. The method uses a mixture of aluminum metal powder, alumina powder, tabular alumina grains and a liquid phase former. A dry powder mixtures of these components is compacted by dry forming techniques such as roll compaction, uniaxial pressing, forging and/or double action pressing. The formed part is then heated at 0.5-10° C./min. to a temperature between 450 and 500° C. and is held for 2-15 h, and is then heated at 1-10° C/min. to 900-1070° C. and is held for 2-10 hours to convert the aluminum particles into alumina. The part is then heated to a higher temperature (>1400° C.) to form a liquid phase which assists densification and promotes the growth of the tabular alumina grains. The aspect ratio range of the textured alumina grains is from 2-14.

Abstract: Installation for working, in particular for cutting or welding, at least one metal piece. The installation includes a fixed support frame provided with a movable working torch and a sensing device. The sensing device includes a capacitative probe and drive means. The installation also includes a first elongated and electrically conductive connection connected at an upstream end of the first connection to the drive means and at a downstream end of the first connection to the capacitative probe. A second elongated and electrically conductive connection is connected at an upstream end of the second connection to the drive means and a downstream end of the second connection is free.

Abstract: An apparatus and process for treating particulate material within a rotating retort in which gas is injected within the retort to fluidize the particulate material within the rotating retort. An auger is mounted within an axle supporting the retort for rotation and particulate material is injected by the auger within the retort. Gas may be exhausted from the retort through an annular chamber about the auger or from a hollow shaft of the auger. Gas may also be exhausted through a permeable wall of the retort.

Abstract: A pivot device for supporting a working device is disclosed. The pivot device has a load-bearing structure, an arm and a control rod. A first end of the arm is pivotably mounted in the load-bearing structure. The working device is pivotably connected to the second end of the arm. A first end of the control rod is hinged to the pivotable working device. A hinged quadrangle acts as a pivot point for the second end of the control rod. The quadrangle encompasses the load-bearing structure as a chassis, the arm acting as a driven element, as well as two coupling elements which close the quadrangle. The control rod is hinged, by its second end, to one of the two coupling elements. When the arm pivots, the pivot point of the second end of the control rod remains on the same side of the arm, so that the control rod does not cross the arm during pivoting.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a method of forming parts having complex geometries made by coating ferrous based powders with a metallurgical coating, pressing the powder to make the parts, and using a low temperature heating step to diffuse the coating into the ferrous based powders.

Abstract: An improved system for forming a three-dimensional object by filament deposition of forming materials includes a crucible for holding a reservoir of the filament forming material, an orifice disposed in the bottom of the crucible through which the forming material passes to form a flow of material filaments, and a flow control apparatus for controlling and selectively depositing the flow of material filaments on the substrate exclusively where required to form the three-dimensional object. In a preferred embodiment, the forming material is ejected from the crucible as a variable-diameter circular liquid jet, which cools to form variable-diameter filaments of semi-molten forming materials.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for the heat treatment of a fluent food product with steam includes a pressure vessel having a steam inlet at one end and an a product outlet at the opposite end; an inner partition wall having an open end defines the product introduction and treatment chamber and includes a fluid distribution device adapted to provide a plurality of discrete turbulent sprays that impact in a turbulent manner on the interior surface of the partition wall to then flow downwardly to the open end in a turbulent manner while steam flow upwardly toward a vent located at the top of the treatment chamber; balanced flow of steam is effected by apertured baffles extending between the interior wall of the vessel and the partition wall.

Abstract: The invention is a fluorescent sensor element for detecting concentration changes of oxygen in an atmosphere suitable for high temperature applications such as automotive exhaust gases. It comprises an optical fiber, preferably silica, coated on at least a portion of its surface with a sol-gel processed porous uniform mixture of (1) matrix material of alumina, zirconia, titania, or silica or a mixture of any of them with (2) ceramic fluorescent indicator like Cu-ZSM-5 zeolite incorporated therein. In use of the sensor element in a system, a light source excites fluorescence in the indicator which is responsive to varying oxygen concentration in the contacted exhaust gas.

Abstract: The present invention provides microfluidic devices that comprise a body structure comprising at least a first microscale channel network disposed therein. The body structure has a plurality of ports disposed in the body structure, where each port is in fluid communication with one or more channels in the first channel network. The devices also include a cover layer comprising a plurality of apertures disposed through the cover layer. The cover layer is mated with the body structure whereby each of the apertures is aligned with a separate one of the plurality of ports.

Abstract: The present invention provides a means and a device to control relative humidity and airborne contaminants within a defined environment. The devices and methods of the present invention enable a user to regulate the relative humidity of a defined environment and insure that extreme conditions, e.g. less than 15% or greater than 90% relative humidity, do not exist. The air quality control system can also be used to control the relative humidity in and about a narrow range. Control over relative humidity and airborne contaminants is achieved by combining an appropriate salt and water solution, such as a saturated salt solution with a solid phase of that salt, with an isolation membrane and a getter system. The present invention is particularly useful for housing sensors, such as SIR sensors, which are sensitive to relative humidity extremes.

Abstract: A device for sterilization of instruments, particularly dental instruments, in an autoclave provided with an instrument holder. The autoclave has an inlet and an outlet for different fluids, such as cleaning and rinsing liquids, and sterilization and maintenance media. The autoclave incorporates several gas-tight closable chambers each of which is equipped with at least one instrument holder. Each chamber and instrument holder is provided with an individually adjustable and controllable inlet and outlet for the fluids and media. Each chamber, as a result of the autoclaving process, defines a sterile package in the form of a closed storage vessel for at least one treatment instrument. The chambers are connected to a central unit for choosing a sterilization program, depending upon the exposure of the instrument outside the autoclave, as well as preparing and controlling the fluids and media.

Abstract: A solution mining process for recovering sodium values from an underground deposit of a sodium bicarbonate containing ore is disclosed. The process involves contacting the ore with an aqueous sodium carbonate-containing solution to produce a dilute brine which is stripped with steam to reduce the bicarbonate content and increase the carbonate content. The dilute carbonate/bicarbonate solution from the stripper is fed to a sodium carbonate decahydrate crystallizer to produce pure sodium carbonate decahydrate crystals and a mother liquor containing less than about 4% sodium bicarbonate.

Abstract: A method for adsorbing and oxidizing VOC's in the same bed, thus reducing the size of or even eliminating the need for a catalytic or thermal oxidation unit at the end of the system. In this system, a catalyst is intimately interspersed with the adsorbent material. The catalyst oxidizes VOC's released during desorption when it reaches the ‘light off temperature,’ that is, the catalyst temperature necessary for oxidation to begin. As VOC's are desorbed, they are combusted by the catalyst in the same bed and also by their combustion, heat the bed to aid in the desorption of VOC's elsewhere in the bed.

Abstract: A process is provided for removing sulfur compounds, such as hydrogen sulfide, sulfur oxides and thiols, out of fluids, such as natural gas or natural gas liquids, by contacting the fluid with a physical mixture of iron oxide, zinc oxide or mixtures thereof and an activator, such as platinum oxide, gold oxide, silver oxide, copper oxide, copper metal, copper carbonate, copper alloy, cadmium oxide, nickel oxide, palladium oxide, lead oxide, mercury oxide, tin oxide and cobalt oxide, preferably copper oxide wherein the activator is present in an amount equal to 0.125% by wt. to 5% by wt. of the total physical mixture. The contacting is conducted at a temperature of 300° C. or less.

Abstract: Novel hydrides are produced by mechanically alloying at least two different hydrides, preferably at least one simple alkali metal hydride and at least one complex alkali metal hydride such as an alkali metal aluminum hydride; the method of production is simple and can be carried out at room temperature; the novel hydrides are useful as a source of hydrogen and have the particular advantage that after liberation of the hydrogen, the hydride is readily regenerated from the dehydrogenated hydride.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved process for the preparation of thiophosphoryl chloride which is useful as an intermediate for the synthesis of insecticidally active compounds. The improvement comprises the presence in the reaction mixture of a catalytic amount of a nitroxide free radical of the following general formula: wherein R1, R2, R3 and R4 represent an alkyl group.

Abstract: A process for purification by multistage countercurrent extraction of wet-process phosphoric acid includes the steps of (a) preparing an aqueous phosphoric acid by decomposition of crude phosphates with sulfuric acid and prepurification thereof; (b) providing an organic solvent mixture consisting of one of (A) a water immiscible solvent and a fully water-miscible solvent or (B) a partially water-miscible solvent and a fully water-miscible solvent; (c) extracting water from the acid by contacting with the solvent mixture in a volumetric ratio of acid to solvent mixture of 1:1 to 1:10 at a temperature of 5 to 90° C.; (d) recovering the fully water-miscible solvent by distillation and washing; (e) recycling the fully water-miscible solvent to step (b) to provide a recycled solvent mixture; and (f) repeating steps (c), (d) and (e) with the recycled solvent mixture to provide a phosphoric acid having a preselected degree of purity.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of recovering elemental phosphorus from a sludge that contains water, dirt, and elemental phosphorus. In the first step, the sludge is melted. A mixture is formed of the melted sludge and about 0.5 to about 3 wt % of an oxidizing agent, based on the weight of said elemental phosphorus in the sludge, and about 75 to about 400 wt % water, based on the weight of the sludge. The mixture is stirred until a continuous elemental phosphorus phase forms. The purified phosphorus phase is separated from the mixture.

Abstract: The present invention is to provide a production method of silicon carbide particles of high quality without generating a sulfur compound in the carbonizing and baking processes. More concretely, a production method of silicon carbide particles comprising a step of mixing at least one kind of a silicon compound, which is liquid at ordinary temperatures, an organic compound having a functional group, which generates carbon by heating and is liquid at ordinary temperatures, and a polymerization or crosslinking catalyst, which can homogeneously dissolve with the organic compound to obtain a mixture, a step of homogeneously solidifying the mixture to obtain solid matter, and a step of heating and baking the solid matter in a non-oxidizing atmosphere, wherein the catalyst is a compound consisting of carbon atoms, hydrogen atoms and oxygen atoms, and has a carboxyl group.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for recovering a metal nitrite, e.g., sodium nitrite, from a reaction mixture formed from an aromatic displacement reaction such as the synthesis of an aromatic bis(ether phthalimide) in an organic non-polar solvent. The process comprises forming a reaction mixture from the synthesis of an aromatic bis(ether phthalimide) comprising a recoverable amount of metal nitrite; treating the reaction mixture with an amount of water effective to produce an aqueous solution phase of metal nitrite and an organic non-polar phase; and separating the aqueous solution phase of metal nitrite from the organic non-polar phase.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel fine cisplatin powder utilized as an anticancer agent. The fine cisplatin powder obtained in the present invention does not cause secondary agglomeration, is excellent in fluidity and easily handleable in the pharmaceutical preparation step. Furthermore, the fine cisplatin powder is reduced in the content of N,N-dimethylformamide as the residual solvent, and can be dissolved rapidly in physiological saline, thus being suitable for cancer therapy particularly by intra-arterial injection. This fine powder can be produced by contriving specified means for crystallizing cisplatin from a solution thereof in N,N-dimethylformamide.

Abstract: A process for the production of precipitated calcium carbonate. A slurry of calcium hydroxide is agitated in a pressurized reactor, and carbon dioxide is provided under pressure to the reactor to produce precipitated calcium carbonate at a high reaction rate. Carbon dioxide is utilized at a high efficiency. Solubilized calcium ions and carbonate ions react to produce a calcium carbonate precipitate. Control of process conditions such as temperature, slurry concentration, and pressure, enables production of a desired crystal habit (including sclenohedral, rhombohedral, stacked rombohedral, or aragonite crystal structures), crystal size, or crystal aspect ratio. The precipitated calcium carbonate produced by the process under pressure is useful as either a paper filler or as an ingredient in paper coatings, and provides a paper product with improved preselected properties, which properties include opacity, density, and/or brightness.

Abstract: Alkali metal chlorite, particularly sodium chlorite, is produced with a low carbonate level by combining a chlorine dioxide generating system operating at subatmospheric pressure with a chlorite formation reactor in which the chlorine dioxide reacts with hydrogen peroxide in the presence of aqueous alkali metal hydroxide, particularly sodium hydroxide.

Abstract: Process for the preparation of sodium fluoride from sodium hydroxide solution and hydrogen fluoride or hydrofluoric acid, characterized in that <45% strength by weight, preferably 20 to 40% strength by weight, sodium hydroxide solution and hydrogen fluoride or hydrofluoric acid are introduced separately into a saturated NaF solution in which 4 to 50% by weight, preferably 5 to 30% by weight, of solid NaF are suspended and whose temperature is in the range from 20 to 80° C., preferably 30 to 60° C.

Abstract: A method for selectively oxidizing hydrogen sulfide to elemental sulfur is disclosed. The elemental sulfur can be effectively recovered from a gas mixture containing hydrogen sulfide in the presence of a multi-component catalyst. The multi-component catalyst includes an antimony-containing substance and a vanadium-and-magnesium-containing material. The antimony containing substance may be antimonous oxide (Sb2O3) or antimony tetraoxide (&agr;-Sb2O4), and the vanadium and magnesium containing material may be magnesium pyrovanadate (Mg3V2O8) or Mg2V2O7.

Abstract: A method of producing a bismuth layered compound that includes the steps of providing a substrate, dissolving Bi, Sr and Ta containing compounds in an organic solvent to form a solution having a Bi:Sr:Ta volume ratio of 2:1:2, evaporating the solution and depositing the evaporated solution onto the substrate, heating the substrate to form a thin film having a fluorite structure, and heating the thin film in an oxidizing atmosphere to convert the thin film having a fluorite structure to a thin film comprising Bi2SrTa2O9.

Abstract: The potassium titanate of the present invention comprises particles of a diameter of 3 &mgr;m or less and a length of 5 &mgr;m or more with a ratio of the length to the diameter of 3:1 or more, at a content in number of 3% or less, with no hazardous particles contained therein from the respect of health and hygiene. The potassium titanate can be produced by heating a Ti source and a K source as the raw materials to a final TiO2:K2O ratio of 5.5:1 to 6.5:1 at a temperature elevation rate of 20° C./min in the temperature region above 800° C.

Abstract: A method for determining the number of millicuries to be administered to a patient so as to deliver a given centigray (cGy) dose to either the patient's lean body or the patient's total body. The method includes the steps of injecting a radioactive tracer into a patient, determining radiation levels in the whole body, calculating a geometric mean based on the radiation levels, determining the percent-injected activity remaining in the body at each time point, plotting the percent-injected activity versus calculated time from infusion on a log-linear graph, determining the effective half live and the rate of clearance from the log-linear graph, cross-indexing the effective half-life value with the patient's body weight, and multiplying the determined amount of therapeutic millicuries per centigray by the amount of desired centigray to be administered.

Abstract: Diamine compounds useful for treating neurodegenerated diseases characterized by the lack of dopamine neurons activity or for imaging the dopamine neurons are provided.

Abstract: This invention relates to novel radiopharmaceuticals comprised of highly functionalized pyridine ligated technetium-99m labeled HYNIC-biomolecules that selectively localize at sites of disease and thus allow an image to be obtained of the loci using gamma scintigraphy. The invention also provides methods of use of the radiopharmaceuticals as imaging agents for the diagnosis of cardiovascular disorders such as thromboembolic disease or atherosclerosis, infectious disease and cancer.

Abstract: A magnetosome comprising a magnetite monocrystal having a maximum diameter of 45 nm surrounded by a phospholipid membrane.

Abstract: The invention relates to the use of dispersions of magneto-ionic particles consisting essentially of superparamagnetic solid particles and at least one polyelectrolyte as dispersing substance in water for the preparation of an MRI contrast medium.

Abstract: Paramagnetic 3-,8-substituted deuteroporphyrin derivatives with various substituents in positions 13 and 17 of the porphyrin skeleton, are suitable as diagnostic agents for MR imaging of necrosis and infarction.

Abstract: A pharmaceutical aerosol formulation which comprises particulate medicament selected from the group consisting of salmeterol, salbutamol, fluticasone propionate, beclomethasone dipropionate and physiologically acceptable salts and solvates thereof and a fluorocarbon or hydrogen-containing chlorofluorocarbon propellant, which formulation is substantially free of surfactant is disclosed. Also disclosed is a method of treating respiratory disorders which comprises administration by inhalation of an effective amount of the, pharmaceutical aerosol formulation which may be contained in a canister.