Abstract: A method for forming shaped hydrogel articles such as soft contact lenses wherein hydrophilic monomers are mixed with an inert diluent prior to polymerization, and the diluent is replaced with water following the polymerization. Diluents yielding optically clear hydrogels with good mechanical properties are selected on the basis of their viscosity and their Hanson cohesion parameters relative to the cohesion parameters of the polymeric component of the hydrogel.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method of making a segmented mirror, the mirror comprising, in combination(a) a myriad of surfaces carried by a support, certain of said surfaces dimensionally offset from one another in a common direction generally parallel to the general direction of incident radiation to reflected, said surfaces being radiation reflecting surfaces each oriented in such a way that as a group they collectively reflect radiation essentially as they were a continuous reflecting surface,(b) each of said surfaces having a periphery comprising an irregular or repeating series of line segments which are connected, curved or linear, the peripheries of said surfaces, when projected in said common offset direction onto a plane perpendicular thereto, contiguously conforming to one another,said method including providing a die, used for casting the mirror segmented surface and constructing the die from a casting of a continuous surface of the desired shaped by cutting said casting, or a casting thereof, into sm

Abstract: A contact lens for correction of astigmatism is formed from a single polymeric or copolymeric material. The lens has a central optical zone of greater rigidity than a surrounding non-optical zone. The rigidity of the central optical zone is sufficient for it to retain an astigmatism-correcting shape when worn on an eye, while the surrounding non-optical zone conforms to the shape of the eye.

Abstract: Cellulose acetate is formed into porous, spherical particles, having an acetylation degree of 49 to 60%, a particle diameter of 0.05 to 10 mm, a sphericity of 0.7 or larger, a pore volume of 0.4 cc/g or larger and a collapsing strength of 9 kg or higher.

Abstract: A simplified internal gelation process for the preparation of gel spheres of nuclear fuels. The process utilizes perchloroethylene as a gelation medium. Gelation is accomplished by directing droplets of a nuclear fuel broth into a moving volume of hot perchloroethylene (about 85.degree. C.) in a trough. Gelation takes place as the droplets float on the surface of the perchloroethylene and the resultant gel spheres are carried directly into an ager column which is attached to the trough. The aged spheres are disengaged from the perchloroethylene on a moving screen and are deposited in an aqueous wash column.

Abstract: A press molding apparatus and its method of operation for making an information carrier disc which comprises the steps of maintaining a mass of granular transparent synthetic material in a vacuum, radiating heat from an infrared heating unit to plasticize the synthetic material, and press-molding the plasticized synthetic material.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for edge contouring and severing a lens such as a contact lens of an elastomeric material such as a silicone elastomer from a workpiece containing the lens. The method most preferably employs two beam focussing means such as laser optics systems situated opposite each other which project a ring-shaped beam of, e.g., 10.6 micron wavelength radiation from a carbon dioxide laser at a workpiece centered between the two beam focussing means. Such a laser beam is preferably directed at both surfaces of a workpiece to fully edge contour and sever a contact lens from the workpiece in a fast and efficient manner.

Abstract: In the production of an optical fibre cable a core (3) of thermoplastics material is extruded with a plurality of longitudinally-extending grooves (15) in its outer surface around an electrical conductor (1) and is initially cooled: then following the introduction of one or more fibres (11) in at least one of the grooves the core assembly is passed through an induction heating unit (17) in which the conductor is heated to an extent sufficient to soften at least the adjoining region of the core, and the core is twisted to cause the grooves to take up a helical or periodically reversing helical path, and is again cooled to leave the grooves in that condition.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method and apparatus for edge contouring and severing a lens such as a contact lens of an elastomeric material such as a silicone elastomer from a workpiece containing the lens. The method most preferably employs two beam focussing means such as laser optics systems situated opposite each other which project a ring-shaped beam of, e.g., 10.6 micron wavelength radiation from a carbon dioxide laser at a workpiece centered between the two beam focussing means. Such a laser beam is preferably directed at both surfaces of a workpiece to fully edge contour and sever a contact lens from the workpiece in a fast and efficient manner.

Abstract: Process for forming a polymeric layer on a substrate comprises placing a substrate to be coated in a mold having a removable lid, injecting a liquid monomer into the mold and into contact with the surface of the substrate to be coated, holding the substrate in place in said mold prior to curing said monomer, radiation curing the liquid monomer, releasing the hold on said substrate prior to significant shrinkage of the curing liquid monomer, and venting said mold to atmospheric pressure at the portion of the mold remote from the surface of the substrate being coated and prior to significant shrinkage of said liquid monomer whereby the substrate moves toward the removable lid. Thereafter, the substrate, which now has a polymeric layer affixed thereto, is removed from the mold.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for producing spherical metallic particles which are especially suited for use as an abrasive wherein a particulate metal starting material is liquified by counter-current flow with a hot gas stream which places the solid and liquid particles in a fluidized state and the liquified particles are droplets upon reaching a sufficiently small size are carried upwardly out of the fluidized zone and then cooled to form the spherical particles. An apparatus for carrying out the process is also disclosed.

Abstract: In order to recoat bared end portions (32--32) of optical fibers (34--34) which have been spliced together, the spliced portions of the fibers and portions adjacent thereto are positioned in a groove (51) of a base plate (43) of a mold and enclosed with a cover (60). The cover is slidably moveable relative to the groove to allow an injection nozzle (81) which extends through the cover to become aligned with the fiber. Coating material (92) is introduced through the nozzle into engagement with the spliced end portions after which the cover is moved relative to the base plate to shear across the coating material along the interface between the cover and the base plate. Movement is discontinued when a channel (86) in the cover becomes aligned with the recoated splice.

Abstract: A two-step process for producing microspherical pitch or green coke particles having an average diameter of 30-200 .mu.m from finely divided petroleum or coal pitch having a softening point of 60.degree.-220.degree. C. and a fixed carbon content of 40-75 wt %. In the first step the material pitch is fluidized in the stream of a gas substantially inert to the pitch at a temperature of 100.degree.-800.degree. C., the mixed stream is rapidly cooled to 30.degree.-400.degree. C., and microspherical pitch particles are recovered with or without separate recovery of an oily product. In the second step the pitch spheres are further subjected to thermal cracking and polycondensation by use of a fluidized bed at a temperature of 350.degree.-520.degree. C. for a retention time of 1 min. to 3 hours, and microspherical green coke particles and a light cracked oil are recovered. In both steps a pressure between the ordinary level and 10 kg/cm.sup.2 is used.

Abstract: In the particular embodiment described in the specification, a contact lens hydrogel is prepared by copolymerizing 75 parts of N-vinyl pyrrolidone and 23 parts of phenyl ethyl methacrylate together with allyl methacrylate as a crosslinker, t-butyl peroctoate as a thermal initiator and 2,2-dimethoxy-2-phenylacetophenone or benzoin methyl ether as a photoinitiator. The mixture is maintained at a temperature of 5.degree. C. and protected from light prior to photopolymerization which is carried out under ultraviolet radiation. The copolymer is then post-cured thermally. Cloudy or hazy hydrogels are avoided by preventing prepolymerization of the mixture.

Abstract: A lens is produced having one aspherical surface which is accurately axially aligned with a spherical or flat surface on the opposite side of the lens. The aspherical surface is produced with a mold. The mold has a molding surface having an accurate negative profile and the desired finish of the required aspherical surface.The mold is on a rotatable jig. By means of adjustment screws the mold is adjusted to correct misalignment of the axis of the molding surface and the axis of rotation of the jig. Misalignment is detected by directing a collimated light beam onto the molding surface so that it is reflected onto a screen. When the mold is rotated, the light beam moves on the screen until the molding surface is properly aligned with the axis of rotation.A preformed glass substrate has one aspherical surface of approximately the desired profile and finish and on its opposite side a spherical or flat surface.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an amalgam for sealing in a fluorescent lamp consisting of tin, lead, bismuth, indium and mercury is disclosed. In this method, the amalgam is first melted and then discharged through a nozzle to be contacted with a coolant. A fluorescent lamp containing the amalgam manufactured by the above method is also disclosed.

Abstract: Polyolefin fibers, which are suited for at least partially substituting the cellulose fibers in the manufacture of paper, are produced by a process which consists in preparing in a pressure vessel a solution of a polyolefin at a temperature higher than the boiling temperature of the solvent under normal conditions, and under autogenous pressure or a pressure greater than the autogenous pressure, in ejecting said solution under the above stated conditions into a zone of lower pressure, in allowing the ejected solution to expand at least partially in said zone, and in then hitting the at least partially expanded solution with a jet of a high-speed fluid, which is at a temperature lower than that of the solution, and has an angled direction with respect to the direction of ejection of the solution.

Abstract: Providing plastic insulation on an electrical conductor in which the conductor, enclosed in an oversize tube, is passed through a fluid and through an annular crystal of a piezoelectric material immersed in the fluid. During passage of tube and conductor, the crystal is subjected to electric current to cause alternating expansion and contraction of the crystal. Pressure shockwaves are produced by this expansion and contraction and the shockwaves are focussed upon the pass line of the tube and conductor to cause localized inward deformations of the tube into engagement with the conductor to form spaced annular depressions in the tube. In preferred arrangements, apparatus has an extruder immediately upstream of the crystal so that the plastic tube is in a heated and softened condition during its deformation. A focussing means is required in the apparatus for focussing shockwaves on the pass line.

Abstract: Cylindrical fibrous structures comprising a fibrous mass of nonwoven, synthetic, polymeric microfibers wherein the microfibers are substantially free of fiber-to-fiber bonding and secured to each other by mechanical entanglement of intertwining, the fiber structure having a substantially constant voids volume over at least a substantial portion of the structure and, preferably, a graded fiber diameter structure, both as measured in the radial direction. The structures are particularly useful as depth filters.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for producing magnetic media are disclosed. Magnetic particles in a magnetic layer are oriented under the influence of a magnetic field positioned on one side of the layer and having its lines of flux extending in a direction which is generally perpendicular to the magnetic layer, while the latter is cured by being subjected to electron beams incident on an opposite side of the layer, whereby the particles are fixed in the desired orientation.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for manufacturing transparent plastic articles, primarily plano or opthalmic photoreactive lenses, which comprises incorporating fulgides or fulgimides containing an adamantylidene group in plastics casting or moulding compositions or preformed plastics articles and converting the fulgide or fulgimide in situ into a form in which it confers on the article the property of darkening in the presence of sunlight and fading in its absence.

Abstract: A process for producing an optical fiber is disclosed. The process comprises forming a primary coating layer on a glass fiber, forming a secondary coating layer comprising a polyamide resin or polyester elastomer composition containing a polyfunctional monomer as a crosslinking agent, and crosslinking the secondary coating layer by irradiation with electron rays having a maximum transmittance thickness smaller than the total thickness of the primary and secondary coating layers. The resulting optical fiber has excellent heat resistance without causing optical transmission loss.

Abstract: Optical fibres of methyl methacrylate-styrene copolymer are produced by forming a sheath in the form of a solid cylinder having at least one cylindrical recess and at least one cylindrical rod constituting the core of the fibres, the rod having a smaller diameter than the recess, introduction of the cylindrical rod into the recess, placing the gap defined between the rod and the cylinder under a vacuum, raising the temperature in order to soften the cylinder and engage it with the rod under the effect of the vacuum and drawing the thus obtained preform.

Abstract: A method of forming a multilayer coated film comprising applying two or more nonaqueous layers to a continuously traveling flexible web, wherein at least one of the two or more coated layers comprises a coating composition containing an electron beam hardenable resin, and at least one of the two or more coated layers has a viscosity of about 100 cps or more, and irradiating the two or more coated layers with electron beams to harden the coated layers or increase the viscosity thereof, and thereafter drying the coated layers is disclosed.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method and an apparatus for manufacturing a contact lens, through molding within water-tight molds. The polymerization of lenses is insured by arranging a number of molds within one or several sealed metallic chambers (9) constituting a resonant cavity of a unique mode for an ultra high frequency wave; these molds are positioned in an area of the cavity where the electromagnetic field approximately of ultra high frequency waves is homogeneous, and are distributed so that the amounts of basic composition to be polymerized act as a load fitted to the inside of said cavity.

Abstract: A diffusing plate having a smooth rough surface is obtained by recording on a photosensitive material the image of a mask having a regular fine pattern thereon, treating the photosensitive material to thereby obtain a photosensitive material having smooth roughness, transferring the smooth roughness of the treated photosensitive material to a metal mold, and embossing plastics on the metal mold.

Abstract: A radiation-sensitive carrier body directly utilized as a stamper has a glass substrate, a first highly adhesive layer securely adhered to the substrate, a radiation-sensitive layer which discharges a gas component upon being irradiated with a laser beam and which locally forms a protuberance due to the absorbed energy, a second highly adhesive layer securely adhered to the specific material of the radiation-sensitive layer and which deforms in accordance with deformation of the layer, and a metal layer which has a high releasability to allow easy separation from a optical disk substrate material such as an acrylic material when the carrier body is used as a stamper substrate for manufacturing optical disks. A protuberance formed on the carrier body such as a continuous spiral protuberance allows formation of a corresponding spiral groove in the acrylic material, serving as a pre-track into which desired information will be digitally written by a user.

Abstract: A process for producing a plastic optical fiber which consists of a core made of a homo- or co-polymer of alkyl methacrylate and a cladding made of a fluorine-containing polymer, which process comprising forming the cladding around the core and irradiating the optical fiber with an electron beam, the optical fiber produced by the process being used at a temperature higher than 80.degree. C. without significant loss of light transmission.

Abstract: A free flowing stream of molten metal is motioned to encounter a higher diameter and faster moving free flowing stream of a cooling liquid, such encounter resulting in the splitting of the molten metal into droplets. The droplets in contact with the cooling liquid and entrained therewith are allowed to solidify by cooling; optionally they may undergo further splitting before complete solidification by impingement upon a target arranged to intercept the course of the cooling stream.

Abstract: A digital storage device comprises a crystalline substrate such as silicon in which pockets of amorphous substrate material represent one of the binary logic states; the absence of amorphous material represents the other logic state. The amorphous material is formed by irradiation with a laser beam. Typically the radiation for silicon is at 347 nanometers, 2.5 nanosecond pulse length. The power density varies with crystalline orientation; for (001) silicon it is typically 0.3 J/cm.sup.2 and for (111) silicon it is 0.3 to 0.6 J/cm.sup.2. Erasure of the information is achieved by laser annealing the amorphous material back to its crystalline form.

Abstract: A method of spin casting toric meniscus concave surfaces by displacing the axis of rotation away from the perpendicular in synchronized movement with the molds rotation. The speed of mold rotation and the movement from the perpendicular are synchronized to displace the liquid lens monomer in two opposite directions during polymerization. A toric concave meniscus is thus formed and the liquid monomer is allowed to thicken and polymerize to form a solid lens having a toric concave surface.

Abstract: A device for producing metallic particles utilizing the Coanda Effect to draw one stream of gas toward another stream of gas flowing over a foil. Molten metal is introduced between the two gas streams, and the resulting interaction breaks up the molten metal flow into particles of appropriate size, shape, composition and the like. Various embodiments can be used for the process of producing cast articles, while other versions can be used for the process of coating and deposition of the particles in liquid, solid or partially solidified form onto a substrate.

Abstract: Encapsulation of electronic components.Method of encapsulating bare electronic components (11) present in the form of a continuous strip (12) and intended to be provided with envelopes (13, 14) of a defined form made of at least one plastic material (15), characterized in that by extrusion by means of an extrusion head (16) the plastic material (15) is given the profile desired for the said envelopes (13, 14), while the bare electronic components are continuously inserted and immobilized in the said profile, and in that in a final operation common sections of extruded plastic material (15) and of a strip (12) of components are cut so that the bare electronic components (11) thus provided with their envelopes (13, 14) are mutually separated.Application in the manufacture of display elements.

Abstract: A method of controlling the polymerization of spin cast hydrogel contact lenses by controlling the shape of the ultraviolet light beam across the rotating surface of the spin cast lens. To provide polymerization which progresses smoothly from the center to edge of the rotating lens.

Abstract: Manufacture of silicon granules from molten silicon by pouring molten silicon into a liquid body to solidify and granulate the silicon. The liquid body is substantially free of impurities which will contaminate the silicon.

Abstract: A process for producing a light-transmitting element of a synthetic resin, which comprises(1) preparing a mixture composed of at least three monomers, said monomers having a difference in the ease of polymerization under given polymerization conditions, and that monomer in the monomeric mixture which is easiest to polymerize being capable of giving a polymer having a lower refractive index than a polymer from any of the other monomers in the monomeric mixture,(2) maintaining the monomeric mixture in a predetermined shape, and(3) thereafter applying to the monomeric mixture maintained in the predetermined shape such polymerization conditions that polymerization begins at the outside portion of the predetermined shape of the monomeric mixture and proceeds gradually toward its inside portion, thereby to form a polymeric article in which the proportion of polymer units derived from the monomer which is easiest to polymerize is largest at said outside portion and gradually decreases toward its inside portion and t

Abstract: The end face of an optical fiber is urged against the highly polished surface of a disk as a laser beam is directed toward the disk to heat the end face above its softening temperature and cause it to conform to the contour and finish of the highly polished surface. A termination ferrule may be simultaneously mounted on the fiber optic cable with a heat bonding agent, using as a heat source either the laser beam or an auxiliary heat source. A hand-held, gun-type unit with a built-in disk and triggered laser can be used to polish and terminate optical fibers in the field.

Abstract: Polymerizable compositions comprising monoethylenically unsaturated monomer, polyethylenically unsaturated monomer, a polymer soluble in the combination of monomers, and latent free-radical initiator provides good adhesion to substrates and durability. The composition is particularly useful in manufacturing video discs.

Abstract: A transparent native, non-fibrilized collagen material is described having an absorbence at a wavelength of 900 nm of less than 5% in a sample 5 mm thick. This collagen material is useful for a prosthetic replacement of the cornea because of the high transparency and because it is a native material, and thus less susceptible to immunogenic responses. A method for forming the native, non-fibrilized, highly transparent collagen material comprises ultracentrifuging a purified solution of native collagen to form a pellet of transparent collagen material, and fixing the pellet of collagen material to form a rigid, leather-like material. The collagen material can also be used for prosthetic replacement of other bodily tissues, such as nucleus pulposus, cartilage, and vitreous body.

Abstract: An aromatic polyamide paper-like sheet having excellent heat- and chemical- resistances and electric insulating properties, comprises an artificial pulp ingredient comprising a number of amorphous pulp particles consisting of an aromatic polyamide material, and a fiber ingredient consisting of a number of short fibers bonded to each other with the amorphous pulp particles, the ratio in weight of the artificial pulp ingredient to the fiber ingredient being in a range of from 1:9 to 9:1 and the aromatic polyamide molecules contained at least in the amorphous pulp particles being cross-linked with a cross-linking agent.

Abstract: Plastic lenses are cast from thermohardening resins using two mating mold halves positioned in a tubular sleeve which is provided with a fluid compensating reservoir that retains excess resin. As the mold is heated to polymerize the resin the monomer first expands in volume and flows into the reservoir, then as the polymerizing resin contracts additional resin flows out of the reservoir into the mold until the gel stage is reached. Polymerization is completed by moving the mold halves towards each other.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for manufacturing a contact lens, through molding within water-tight molds. The polymerization of lenses is insured by arranging a number of molds within one or several sealed metallic chambers (9) constituting a resonant cavity of a unique mode for an ultra high frequency wave; these molds are positioned in an area of the cavity where the electromagnetic field approximately of ultra high frequency waves is homogeneous, and are distributed so that the amounts of basic composition to be polymerized act as a load fitted to the inside of said cavity.

Abstract: The invention relates to polyoxymethylene fibrids with a reduced specific viscosity of 0.4 to 2.0 dl/g, a specific surface area of 50 to 200 m.sup.2 /g and a freeness of 30.degree. to 80.degree. SR. The fibrids are produced by flash-evaporation of a superheated solution of the polymer, a mixture of 50-95% by weight of a lower alcohol with 1-4 C atoms and 5-50% by weight of water being used as the solvent and are suitable for the production of paper.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are a method and apparatus for continuously embossing a repeating pattern of precise detail, in particular, cube-corner type reflector elements, on one surface of a sheet of transparent thermoplastic material to form retroreflective sheeting. A continuous embossing tool in the form of a flexible thin metal belt or cylinder has on its outer surface an embossing pattern which is the reverse of the pattern to be formed. The embossing tool is continuously moved at a predetermined speed along a closed course through a heating station where the temperature of a portion of the embossing tool is raised to be above the glass transition temperature of the sheeting and a cooling station where the heated portion of the embossing tool is cooled to be below that glass transition temperature.

Abstract: A specific laser-sensitive layer is formed on a substrate so as to manufacture an original disk. The laser-sensitive layer absorbs energy from a laser beam and locally expands and deforms. The laser beam which has a predetermined beam energy to indicate pretrack information for, for example, a self-write/read type optical disk, is used to irradiate the laser-sensitive layer. A spiral projected pattern is locally formed on the laser-sensitive layer, such that a gas is discharged from laser-incident portion which then expands and deforms. A structure so obtained is used as an original disk.

Abstract: The invention relates to an optically readable information disk, a method of manufacturing same, as well as a device for carrying out the method, in which the information disk which comprises an optically readable information track of information areas situated at a higher and a lower level, is manufactured entirely from a radiation-cured layer of a lacquer containing oligomeric acrylates or methacrylates which on an average per molecule comprise between one and four acrylate groups or methacrylate groups, has a viscosity of 1,000-15,000 cP and comprises a photoinitiator in a concentration of 0.1 to 0.5% by weight. Suitable lacquers comprise notably 1,1'-isopropylene-bis(p-phenoxyethylmethacrylate) or 1,1'-isopropylene-bis(p-phenoxyethylacrylate).

Abstract: The process comprises at least a first phase for separating a plurality of particles of molten steel from a bath of molten steel, a second phase for subjecting these particles, while still in the fluid state, to a first system of forces acting on the outer surface of each of the said particles and to a second system of forces acting on each element of the body of each particle, the said two systems of forces being chosen in such a way that these forces tend to impart a substantially spherical form to each of the said particles, and a third phase for removing heat from the said particles sufficient to bring them substantially to the solid state.

Abstract: Solid products of spheroidal shape and having a maximum diameter of 1 to 5,000 microns are prepared starting from a mixture of at least two immiscible, mutually chemically inert liquids, one of which is in the form of a molten solid, said liquids being prsent in the mixture in a ratio such that one forms the dispersed phase while the other is the continuous phase, at least the liquid forming the dispersed phase being one which solidifies on cooling.

Abstract: The high velocity gradients associated with the shear layer or boundary layer of a supersonic gas stream, especially the potential core thereof, are applied to form fibers of a melted material projected across such gradients. Optimization of the effects of such gradients is sought by sustaining the magnitude of the gradients as long as possible by minimizing shear layer growth rate and/or stabilizing the rate of vortex formation, and by synchronizing the rate of projection of melt with the rate of vortex production. Provisions such as vortex triggering or density loading are made for reducing the shear layer growth rate. Provisions are also made for intermittently feeding melt at a rate synchronized with the rate of vortex formation. Provisions for regulating the temperature in the shear layer are made such as appropriately controlling stagnation gas temperature, causing an exothermal reaction within the gas stream, or causing combustion of the gas stream within an oxygen containing fiberization chamber.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method and apparatus for making a population of dense, closely size-controlled microspheres by sol-gel procedures wherein said microspheres are characterized by a significant percentage of said population being within a predetermined, relatively narrow size range. Microsphere populations thus provided are useful in vibratory-packed processes for nuclear fuels to be irradiated in LWR- and FBR-type nuclear reactors.