Abstract: Compositions, methods, and systems for manufacturing articles, particularly containers and packaging materials, having a particle packed, highly inorganically filled, cellular matrix are disclosed. Suitable inorganically filled mixtures are prepared by mixing together a starch-based binder, a solvent, inorganic aggregates, and optimal admixtures, e.g., fibers, mold-releasing agents, rheology-modifying agents, plasticizers, coating materials, and dispersants, in the correct proportions to form an article which has the desired performance criteria. The inorganically filled mixtures have a predetermined viscosity and are heated between molds at an elevated temperature and pressure to produce form-stable articles having a desired shape and a selectively controlled cellular, structure matrix. The molded articles may be placed in a high humidity chamber to obtain the necessary flexibility for their intended use.

Abstract: A method for making a fresnel lens on a substrate by forming a plurality of annular rings. Each ring has a plurality of steps, with each step having an inner wall and an outer wall, and an upper surface. The first step is formed on the substrate, and successive steps are formed at least partially on the upper surface of the previous step such that the outer wall of each successive annular step is offset from the outer wall of the previous annular step in an outward radial direction.

Abstract: Methods and systems for forming hinged starch-bound matrices. Starch-based compositions are molded between heated molds in order to form a cellular matrix and also to remove the water from the starch-based compositions in order to form a binding matrix of solidified starch. The molding apparatus is configured to form one or more creases within the hinge area in order to define one or more lines upon which the hinge will bend. The molding apparatus is also configured such that the region of the mold corresponding to the inner surface of the hinge area will transfer heat more slowly to the inner hinge surface, resulting in reduced thickness of the skin of the inner hinge. This increases the collapsibility, or ability of the inner surface of the hinge to fold or buckle, during the bending action. This in turn reduces the bending radius of hinge such that the hinging action exerts less strain on the outer surface of the hinge.

Abstract: Solvent-spun cellulose fibers having a reduced tendency to fibrillate are produced by treating the fibers with one or more compounds from the group of the(A) N-methylol ethers of carboxamides, urethanes, ureas and aminotriazines,(B) N-alkyl-mono- or polysubstituted cyclic hydroxy- or alkoxy-ethyleneureas,(C) hydrophilic modified polyisocyanates, and(D) mixtures of polyurethanes with isocyanates.

Abstract: An optical resin, of which the refractive index continuously changes in a specific direction, is produced by filling a polymerization container with a mixed solution containing at least one type of polymerizable monomer or polymerizable monomer sol and at least one type of substance whose solubility parameter differs by 7 (cal/cm.sup.3).sup.1/2 or less and refractive index by 0.001 or more from those of a polymer produced by polymerization of the monomer, and by subjecting the mixture to polymerization reaction by applying heat or energy rays to the container from outside so that the polymerization reaction starts and progresses preferentially from a particular region of the mixture, thus forming a concentration gradient of the substance having different refractive index.The polymerization container may be made of a polymer which swells and dissolves into the mixed solution from an inner wall thereof.

Abstract: Methods and systems for readily and economically manufacturing hydraulically settable articles, particularly containers, from microstructurally engineered hydraulically settable mixtures wherein the mixture is extruded into a sheet that is feed through a plurality of sets of rollers so as to form the sheet into the desired thickness. The sheet is then pressed between a male die of a desired shape and a female die having a substantially complimentary configuration of the male die shape to immediately fashion a portion of the sheet into a form stable shape for the desired article. To assist in imparting form stability, the dies can be heated or cooled. Once the article has obtained form stability, the article is removed from the dies and dried under heated air to gain strength. The article can then be cut from the sheet and receive printing or a coating, if desired, prior to packaging, shipping, and use.

Abstract: A urethane-resin based coating for reducing friction includes a urethane paint and a first powder. The coating is to be applied to a shaped article which is to be subjected to a heat treatment at a certain temperature after the application of the coating to the shaped article. The first powder has a melting point lower than the certain temperature and a solubility parameter which is smaller than or larger than that of the urethane paint by at least 0.5. The coating optionally further includes a second powder which has a melting point higher than the certain temperature. The coating provides the shaped article with low friction, irrespective of the coating film's thickness.

Abstract: A distinctive technique for making porous fiber includes a stretching of a substantially continuous fiber while the fiber is in an operative association with an effective quantity of surface-active material. The fiber can be produced from a source material which includes a thermoplastic, orientable material and at least about 0.35 weight percent (wt %) of a supplemental material. In particular configurations of the invention, the fiber may be contacted with a first quantity of surface-active fluid and at least a separate, second quantity of surface-active fluid. In other configurations, the fiber may be subjected to an additional incremental stretching.

Abstract: A process for resurfacing carpet, as well as the resurfaced carpet made by this process, is provided. The process generally includes coating the pile fiber carpet surface with a polymer compound. In one embodiment, the pile fiber carpet surface of the carpet is coated with a thermoplastic material. The coated carpet is then heated to fuse the thermoplastic material to the pile fiber carpet surface. Finally, the coated carpet is cooled to harden the thermoplastic material and form a hardened surface on top of the pile fiber carpet surface. In another embodiment, the pile fiber carpet surface of the carpet is coated with a thermoset material. For this embodiment, after the thermoset material has cured, a hardened surface is formed on top of the pile fiber carpet surface.

Abstract: A glass body for optical fiber containing GeO.sub.2 --SiO.sub.2 glass in a core portion thereof, in which the GeO.sub.2 --SiO.sub.2 glass has an absorbance at 5.16 eV of at least 1/mm but not higher than 2.5/mm or in which concentration of Ge.sup.2+ contained in the GeO.sub.2 --SiO.sub.2 glass substantially lies within the range of 1.1.times.10.sup.-9 to 2.8.times.10.sup.-9 mol/mm.sup.3 as calculated by the following general equation:A=.epsilon..sub.5.16ev .multidot.C.sub.(Ge2+) .multidot.1wherein A is absorbance which is expressed by A=-log T (T being transmittance) and normalized per 1 mm of optical path length, C.sub.(Ge2+) is Ge.sup.2+ concentration, .epsilon..sub.5.16ev is absorption coefficient (1/mol/cm), and 1 is optical path length.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a container from husk includes the steps of comminuting the husk into powder form, mixing the powder with an edible adhesive, with the introduction of steam, to form a paste, forming a blank from the paste, shaping the blank into a primary semi-product, re-shaping the primary semi-product to force the paste to flow and fill into cracks formed on the primary semi-product during the shaping step to form a secondary semi-product, drying the secondary semi-product and applying a surface coating to the dried product and then drying the surface coating.

Abstract: Containers use in the storing, dispensing, packaging, and/or portioning of food and beverage products. The disposable and nondisposable food and beverage containers are manufactured from aggregates held together by organic binders in order to be lightweight, insulative, inexpensive, and more environmentally compatible than those currently used for storing, dispensing, packaging, or portioning such products. The food and beverage containers of the present invention are particularly useful for dispensing hot and cold food and beverages in the fast food restaurant environment. The structural matrices of the food and beverage containers include a hydrated organic binder paste (formed by mixing the binder with water) in combination with appropriate aggregate materials, such as fibers to add flexibility and strength, glass spheres to make the product more lightweight and insulative, or clay to make the product extremely inexpensive yet strong.

Abstract: A fire retardant mat is disclosed comprising rubber particles bonded together with a binder containing an elastomeric polysulfide and a polyolefin, with the mat also containing a fire retardant. A composite is also disclosed in which the mat is coated with a fire retardant coating in which an elastomeric polysulfide is part of the coating. Further, there is disclosed a method of making the mat by extrusion and also of placing a fire retardant coating on the mat after extrusion.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved method for rapidly making an electrode for electrical discharge machining. According to the invention, a stereolithography process is used to make a cured resin model of the electrode and having a network of interconnected supporting members defining the shape of the electrode and leaving channels between the supporting members to drain away uncured resin from the model. After the model is fully cured and the uncured resin drained away, a slurry mixture of graphite and resin is infiltrated into the voids of the model. The resin is then heat cured so that the resin is burned away leaving the electrode of pure carbon. Alternatively, the graphite and resin mixture can be cured sufficiently to harden and then an electrically conductive metalized coating is applied on the outer surface.

Abstract: A hydroxylapatite base porous beads filler for use in cure of an injured or diseased part of bone of an organism. The porous filler is comprised of fired hydroxylapatite base beads each of which is formed with many pores. Each pore of the bead has a diameter of 1 to 100 .mu.m and a length larger than the diameter. Each bead has a porosity of 10 to 50% and a diameter of 0.02 to 20 mm. The pores of the bead may be filled with a solution containing a pharmaceutical in order to promote the cure of the injured or diseased part.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for manufacturing sheets having a hydraulically settable matrix are disclosed. Suitable compositions are prepared by mixing together a hydraulic binder, water, and appropriate additives (such as aggregates, fibers, and rheology-modifying agents) which impart predetermined properties so that a sheet formed therefrom has the desired performance criteria. The compositions are formed into sheets by first extruding them into a sheet and then calendering the sheet using a set of rollers. The calendered sheets are dried in an accelerated manner to form a substantially hardened sheet. The drying is performed by heated rollers and/or a drying chamber. The hydraulically settable sheets so formed may have properties substantially similar to sheets made from presently used materials like paper, cardboard, polystyrene, or plastic. Such sheets can be rolled, pressed, scored, perforated, folded, and glued.

Abstract: A process and device are disclosed for producing glass fiber mat reinforced thermoplastic boards, as well as their advantageous use. Glass fiber mats are impregnated with molten thermoplastics and the composite glass fiber mat is then pressed. At least one of the glass fiber mats runs through the aperture of an impregnation nozzle controllably supplied with molten thermoplastics by extruders, forming two streams of molten mass that are applied at the outlet of the nozzle aperture on the top and on the bottom of the glass mats, pre-impregnating the glass fiber mat. These glass fiber mats thus pre-impregnated with thermoplastics runs through a gap between feeding rollers of a double belt press, are pre-calibrated then pressed by cooling plates into glass fiber mat reinforced thermoplastic board.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of manufacturing a porous preform for an optical fiber, including the steps of removing impure particles from silica powder while being stirred in an alkaline liquid phase, and obtaining the porous preform for an optical fiber by applying the powder forming method to the silica powder used as a main raw material. The present invention further has a method of manufacturing a porous preform for an optical fiber, including the step of preparing a forming material by adding fine particles having a particle diameter satisfying the following formula (I) to the silica powder, and obtaining the porous preform by applying the powder forming method to the forming material: ##EQU1## wherein d: diameter of fine particles, and D: diameter of silica powder.

Abstract: A hollow composite rod manufactured in a pultrusion manufacturing process includes a hollow interior space that may be filled with a liquid, such as water or oil, and subsequently sealed to greatly increase the strength of a resultant rod assembly. The composite rod includes a high strength, pultruded fiber-resin jacket that, at each end, is molded about a reinforced insert to create a fluid-tight seal therebetween. Threaded access apertures are provided through either the reinforced inserts or the jacket itself, to permit the filling or draining of fluid relative to the hollow interior space. Reinforcing sleeves or caps may be molded over a portion of the jacket's exterior to improve the composite rod's resistance to cutting and chipping-type damage.

Abstract: Compositions, methods, and systems for manufacturing articles, particularly containers and packaging materials, having a starch-bound cellular matrix reinforced with substantially uniformly dispersed fibers. High strength articles that have adequate flexibility and toughness immediately or very shortly after being demolded without the need for subsequent conditioning are molded from compositions having a starch-based binder and fibers that are uniformly dispersed by means of a high yield stress fluid fraction within the starch-based composition. In a two-step mixing process, a preblended mixture is formed by gelating a portion of the starch-based binder or other thickening agent in water to form a liquid phase having high yield stress into which the fibers are substantially uniformly dispersed. The fibers preferably have an average length of at least about 2 mm and an aspect ratio of at least about 25:1.

Abstract: A hollow fiber membrane module and its method of manufacture are disclosed wherein the module is fabricated utilizing superior hollow fiber materials, namely high molecular weight (i.e. molecular weight>500,000 Daltons) polymers. In a preferred embodiment, the hollow fibers are fabricated from ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UPE). An array of UPE hollow fiber membranes is contacted with an extrusion of molten thermoplastic polymer at a contact temperature which is higher than the UPE membrane polymer. This high temperature application of sealing polymer does not collapse or otherwise deform the lumen of the hollow fiber, while assuring that the polymer can thus be applied with sufficiently low viscosity to provide adequate penetration around the individual fibers of the array to form an integral seal thereabout.

Abstract: The method of making a pre-adherized polyester filament yarn with adhesion properties for rubber includes applying a pre-adherizing agent to a polyester filament yarn having a boiling water shrinkage value of <20% while spinning it at not less than 3200 m/min, heat treating the pre-adherized polyester filament yarn with hot air on a bobbin for several days at from 50.degree. to 90.degree. C., and then subjecting the conditioned POY to a single drawing step in which the take-off speed is 1.7 to 2.2 times faster than the inlet speed. Impregnated tire cord made from the polyester filament yarn so treated has a tensile strength of 60 to 70 cN/tex and a tempered shrinkage test value at 190.degree. C. of less than 3.5%, an adhesive power of 18 to 25 daN to rubber, an appearance grade of 2.5-4.0 and a dimensional stability value of greater than 24,000 cN/tex.sup.2.

Abstract: A method of forming a flame retardant cellulose fiber is disclosed which comprises the steps of producing lyocell fiber and incorporating a flame retardant chemical into the fiber while the fiber is in the never-dried condition prior to first drying.

Abstract: Polyimide resin dope having at least three fluorine atoms in a repeating molecular unit and an organic solvent (A) are extruded in a tube form or coating the dope on a supporting body. The polyimide resin dope is then immersed in a solvent (B), which the organic solvent (A) is miscible with the solvent (B). Thus, a polyimide-type gas separation membrane including fluorine is virtually defect free in the skin layer, and manufactured cost-effectively by a simple manufacturing method.

Abstract: A floating board fabrication method including the steps of: (a) preparing a PE plate from foamed polyethylene by cutting, (b) grinding the PE plate to smooth the periphery, (c) instantly heating the PE plate thus obtained at about 180.degree. C. for about 4 minutes, (d) quickly cooling down the PE plate through a hydraulic cooling press at 4.degree. C., and (e) trimming the periphery of the PE plate thus obtained, polishing its surface, and coating its surface with a paint, so as to obtain a finished product.

Abstract: The invention relates to an optical waveguide tube comprising a tubular cladding filled with a solid core having a higher refractive index than the cladding. In one form, a resin material having a Tg of up to 50.degree. C. and a modulus of elasticity of up to 10.sup.9 dyne/cm.sup.2 is used as the core. In another form, a copolymer of acrylic acid, methacrylic acid or a lower alcohol ester thereof with a higher alkyl (meth)acrylate is used as the core, preferably in combination with a phosphate, aromatic carboxylate, aliphatic carboxylic acid, aliphatic carboxylate or glycol. In a third form, such an optical waveguide tube is prepared by filling a hollow tubular transparent cladding having opposite open ends with a liquid monomeric charge and causing the monomeric charge to polymerize while pressurizing the exposed surfaces of the monomeric charge inwardly from the opposite open ends along an axial direction of the cladding, thereby forming a core within the cladding.

Abstract: An optical fiber cable, including optical fibers and a tube housing the fibers, is made by a process wherein optical fibers are fed from one or more pay-out device to the interior of an extrusion head which also receives a sheathing material in viscous form. The extrusion head extrudes the viscous material to form a sheath surrounding, but out of contact with the fibers. With the fibers still out of contact with the sheath, the fibers and sheath pass through a jig which calibrates the sheath to the final form of the tube, and cools the viscous material in a first stage of solidification. Thereafter, the cable comprising the tube and optical fibers is would up around a first draw-in device and heat treated. From the first draw-in device the cable passes to a second draw-in device with the tension of the cable between the two draw-in devices being regulated.

Abstract: A method for providing luminescence to fibrous material is provided. The method includes combining a metal aluminate oxide pigment with a thermoplastic polymer, and then heating, mixing, and extruding the combination into a fiber. A luminescent fiber comprising a thermoplastic polymer and metal aluminate oxide pigment, and articles of manufacture comprising such fibers are also provided.

Abstract: Process for the preparation of a flexible, thermoplastic, composite filament, containing continuous fibers basically consisting of a flexible sheath made of polyolefinic resin which covers a bundle of fibers impregnated with a polyolefmic resin, wherein the inorganic fibers are treated with a solution containing additives which improve the compatibility between reinforcement and polymeric matrix after transformation into end products.

Abstract: This invention produces three-dimensional shapes such as window lineals by first lining a foam die with a continuously moving reinforcing veil. Once the veil is in the foam die, a foam is blown into the die. The foam expands in the die forcing the veil against the die wall. The veil is selected so that the foam never fully penetrates the veil, but adheres to it. The material exiting the foam die is now properly shaped to enter the curing die. Resin is then injected onto the foam core where it penetrates the veil, is cured in the heated curing die and exits as a finished product of a plastic skin adhered to a foam core with a veil sandwiched therebetween.

Abstract: A method for preventing the emission of fluorescence from polyalkylenenaphthalene-2,6-dicarboxylate, including mixing polyalkylenenaphthalene-2,6-dicarboxylate and at least one compound selected from cyclic imino esters and quinoxalines. The above cyclic imino esters and quinoxalines have an absorption intensity E, defined by the following expression: ##EQU1## wherein A is an absorbance measured in 1,1,2,2-tetrachloroethane at a concentration c (g/100 ml) and an optical path d (cm),of more than 200 at an ultraviolet wavelength range of 340 to 400 nm. And when a coating layer containing at least one ultraviolet absorber is formed on the surface of a molded article made of the above fluorescence-emission preventive mixture, a synergistic suppression of the emission of fluorescence can be obtained.

Abstract: A process for making a portion of a temporary mold capable of producing several prototype plastic parts, including using computer-aided design to produce a geometric computer model of a prototype part suitable for being molded in plastic, and using this computer model in a rapid prototyping system, such as a stereolithography system, to produce a mold portion from plastic material. The mold portion has an inner surface substantially complementary to an outer surface of the intended plastic part. Solid support is provided for the mold portion to prevent any flexing thereof in later operation. The mold portion inner surface is coated with a layer of metal such as nickel having a thickness of between 75 and 150 .mu.m, which layer has an inner surface adhered to the mold inner surface and an outer surface of the precise shape and dimensions for forming the plastic parts.

Abstract: There are described an improved vacuum suction pad and a method for manufacturing such suction pads, in which, in addition to reductions of contaminant components, the material of vacuum suction pads is subjected to an improved surface treatment which prevents deposition of pad marks on work surfaces and reduces frictional resistance of suction pads on work surfaces to lessen their fatigue. Suction pads of synthetic rubber, to be connected to a vacuum source, are each formed with a thin halogenation-hardened layer at least on a sucking surfaces to be held in contact with a work surface.

Abstract: Flexible composites, such as those useful as light pipes, may be effectively cured by reactions upon copolymerized alkoxysilane functionality. Improvements in the optical properties of the uncured and cured systems are found when the alkoxysilane monomer is stabilized during preparation, storage, and copolymerization with low levels of non-aromatic stable free radicals or stable free-radical precursors, such as nitroxides.

Abstract: Method to produce bowls of a plastic material, whereby polypropylene is mixed with an additive and/or dye after suitable dosing and is introduced into a moulding press, wherein it is heated to 180.degree.-210.degree. C., and is then injected into a mould, where it is kept under a further pressure for 20-60 seconds, the product then being extracted and cooled in water before removal of flash so as to produce the bowl. Bowl consisting of polypropylene and produced according to the above method.

Abstract: A quasi monofilament having a high strength polyethylene fiber core with an adherent, abrasion resistant polymer sheath is prepared by feeding the core yarn through a crosshead die, while simultaneously supplying a polymer melt at a temperature greater than the melting point of the core yarn to the die, for sheathing the core yarn within the die with the melt under a sufficient pressure to cause the melt to adhere to the core yarn. The abrasion resistant polymer sheath includes an effective amount of a first polymer having ethylene crystallinity, a density of at least about 0.94 g/cm.sup.3, and a melt index of less than about 0.1 g/10 min. The composition used to sheathe the core yarn is characterized by a weight average tensile strength at yield of greater than about 13.8 MPa. The quasi monofilament has utility in applications subjected to high abrasion, such as sports fishing lines, kite lines, dental floss, "weedeater" lines and tennis racket strings.

Abstract: A polymer is placed and heated within a cylinder 1. Then the polymer is subjected to a pressure and extruded in the form of fibers from a nozzle 3. When a diffusible material is injected from a nozzle 5 through a capillary cylinder 4 into the central portion of the polymer melt, the diffusible material gradually diffuses from the central portion toward the peripheral portion while flowing toward the injection port of the nozzle 3. The material extruded from the nozzle 3 is cooled by air and wound on a drum 7 through a roller 6. Fiber-like molded product has a distribution of refractive index which continuously varies from the central portion toward the periphery portion to result in a light-converging or light-diverging plastic optical transmission medium. Reversely, even though the polymer melt is extruded from the nozzle 5, there can be obtained an optical transmission medium also having a region where the refractive index continuously varies.

Abstract: A process is described for bonding a silicone elastomer seal to a molded plastic part such as a plastic electric connector. Prior to molding aromatic polyamide pellets are pretreated with an aminofunctional silicone fluid. The pretreated polymer pellets are then molded in the presence of moisture to form a molded plastic part. Molding is performed at a temperature sufficient to chemically graft the amino function of the silicone fluid to the aromatic carbonyl function of the aromatic polyamide and to form silanol groups within the aminofunctional silicone fluid. The molded plastic part is coated with an organofunctional alkoxysilane having at least one vinyl group. The coated molded plastic part is heated in the presence of moisture, converting the alkoxysilane into a siloxane polymer with vinyl and silanol groups. These silanol groups then react with the silanol groups of the aminofunctional silicone fluid. Thereafter, a liquid silicone elastomer is applied to the coated molded plastic part.

Abstract: A conduit assembly (10) is manufactured by extruding a casing (11) through a die while at the same time feeding a web member (15) into the casing (11) as it is being extruded to form a plurality of chambers (16, 17). If the conduit assembly (10) is manufactured with a line, such as a rope (18) or a cable (19), the rope (18) and/or cable (19) is likewise fed into the casing (11) adjacent to the web member (15) into one or both of the chambers (16, 17).

Abstract: Compositions and methods for manufacturing sheets having a highly inorganically filled matrix. Suitable inorganically filled mixtures are prepared by mixing together an organic polymer binder, water, one or more inorganic aggregate materials, fibers, and optional admixtures in the correct proportions in order to form a sheet which has the desired performance criteria. The inorganically filled mixtures are formed into sheets by first extruding the mixtures and the passing the extruded materials between a set of rollers. The rolled sheets are dried in an accelerated manner to form a substantially hardened sheet, such as by heated rollers and/or a drying chamber. The inorganically filled sheets may have properties substantially similar to sheets presently made from traditional materials like paper, cardboard, polystyrene, plastic, or metal. Such sheets can be rolled, pressed, scored, perforated, folded, and glued.

Abstract: A process for the co-extrusion of an inner layer around a conductive medium and an outer layer around the inner layer including:(i) introducing into an extruder adapted for profile coextrusion, a preformed conductive medium; an inner layer formulation including a homogeneous polyethylene having a polydispersity in the range of about 1.5 to about 3.5 and an essentially uniform comonomer distribution, and an organic peroxide; and an outer layer formulation including (A) one of (a) a copolymer of ethylene and an unsaturated ester; (b) or a polyethylene having a polydispersity greater than about 4.0 and a density of at least 0.916 gram per cubic centimeter, said polymer made by a high pressure process; or (c) a heterogeneous copolymer of ethylene and one or more alpha-olefins having a density of less than 0.916 gram per cubic centimeter, a melt index of at least about 4 grams per 10 minutes, and a polydispersity greater than about 4.

Abstract: The invention provides a process for producing a highly absorbent, high strength wiper, which includes the steps of providing a bonded nonwoven web selected from the group consisting of spunbond fiber webs and staple fiber webs, stretching the nonwoven web by applying a stretching tension in at least one direction, aperturing the nonwoven web while maintaining the stretching tension, and relaxing the apertured web, thereby returning the apertured nonwoven web substantially to its pre-stretched dimensions, wherein the process is conducted at a temperature below the softening point of the nonwoven web. The invention also provides a nonwoven wiper produced in accordance with the production process.

Abstract: A process for producing a low porosity, high temperature coating on a porous substrate based on ceramic fibers of refractory compounds. The coating comprises from 30.8 to 41.9 weight % of silica (SiO.sub.2) from a silica sol, from 30.2 to 49.4 weight % of alumina (Al.sub.2 O.sub.3), from 4.0 to 16.3 weight % of silicon carbide (SiC), and from 11.6 to 16.6 weight % of molybdenum disilicide (MoSi.sub.2). The coating has an emissivity of not less than 0.8 and an operating temperature of up to 1500.degree. C. The process is carried out without a firing step and includes the steps of preparing a slurry comprising from 65 to 75 weight % of a silica sol having a content of 20 to 50 weight % of SiO.sub.2 and from 25 to 35 weight % of a mixture of particles of the refractory compounds Al.sub.2 O.sub.3, SiC, and MoSi.sub.

Abstract: A foamed plastic manufactured by foaming a mixture of a resin and a volatile polymerizable foaming agent, wherein the pressure in the foams of the foamed plastic is less than atmospheric pressure, is disclosed. Further, a foamed plastic manufactured by hermetically sealing with an airtight film and foaming a mixture of a resin and a volatile polymerizable foaming agent, wherein the pressure in a gap region between the airtight film and the foamed plastic and the pressure in the foams of the foamed plastic are less than atmospheric pressure is disclosed. Further, a method of manufacturing foamed plastic comprising foaming a mixture of a volatile polymerizable foaming agent and a resin, and irradiating the foamed plastic with an energy beam.

Abstract: A continuous manufacturing method is provided by extruding a composite optical fiber from two polymeric solutions containing two different monomers having different refractive indices, and then allowing the monomers to diffuse in a diffusion region such that the two monomers are diffused into each other before the optical fiber is hardened.

Abstract: An optical system to be incorporated in endoscopic instrumentation is provided. The optical system includes objective lens, relay lens and eye lens assemblies. The relay lens assembly includes at least one relay lens module for transferring an image between successive image planes. The relay lens module consists of two identical optical components in symmetrical arrangement relative to a center plane of symmetry. Each optical component includes a single curved lens and a doublet lens. In a preferred embodiment, the single and doublet lenses are thin lenses and are fabricated from polymeric materials. An illumination system is also provided and preferably includes a plurality of small diameter polymeric fibers in cooperation with a heat absorbing filter means.

Abstract: An optical resin, of which the refractive index continuously changes in a specific direction, is produced by filling a polymerization container with a mixed solution containing at least one type of polymerizable monomer or polymerizable monomer sol and at least one type of substance whose solubility parameter differs by 7 (cal/cm.sup.3).sup. 1/2 or less and refractive index by 0.001 or more from those of a polymer produced by polymerization of the monomer, and by subjecting the mixture to polymerization reaction by applying heat or energy rays to the container from outside so that the polymerization reaction starts and progresses preferentially from a particular region of the mixture, thus forming a concentration gradient of the substance having different refractive index.The polymerization container may be made of a polymer which swells and dissolves into the mixed solution from an inner wall thereof.

Abstract: A door assembly having a core positioned within a frame. The door assembly further includes a pair of opposed molded skins. There are edges adjacent the skins. The skins are made of a polymer material, a low profile additive and reinforcement fibers. Each of the skins has an exterior surface and an interior surface. The interior surface is adjacent the core. The exterior surface includes a textured pattern consisting of level portions and depressions. The depressions have a range in depth from about 0.025 mm to about 1.0 mm from the level portions. The skins further include undercuts adjacent the depressions. The undercuts have a range in extent of undercutting from about 0.025 mm to about 0.10 mm from the depressions.

Abstract: This invention provides the method of centrifugal casting consisting of the steps of: adding a polymeric material to a centrifugal apparatus; centrifuging said polymeric material until said polymeric material is cast; removing said cast polymeric material from said centrifugal apparatus; and mounting said cast polymeric material to an outside surface of a support, whereby the air interface side of said cast polymeric material is furthest from the outside surface of the support.

Abstract: A method of effecting the coloration of a restoration to be mounted on a tooth including the steps of forming a mixture of powdered dental porcelain and a photonucleable silicate glass and shaping the mixture into a dental restoration. The dental restoration is heated in an oven to its fusing temperature and allowed to cool. Selected areas of the restoration are exposed to ultra-violet light. The dental restoration is reexposed to high energy while the color of the selected areas changes.