Abstract: The invention relates to an abrasive grain containing electro-fused alumina, formed of crystals of hexagonal structure less than 100 &mgr;m in size, preferably less than 30 &mgr;m, and further preferably less than 5 &mgr;m, having a density that is greater than 97%, preferably 98%, of the theoretical density of alumina and a Knoop hardness of more than 2000.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided herein for making a plurality of spherical products, e.g., meat balls. The apparatus includes a base. A tray support platform is mounted on the base for tethered buffetted motion with respect to the base. A tray having an upper non-stick surface is mounting on, and is held to, the tray support platform. A grid consisting of an array of compartments constituted by a plurality of intersecting walls and having an open bottom is supported on the tray.

Abstract: A method for producing submicron polytetrafluoroethylene (“PTFE”) powder in a free-flowing, readily dispersible form. The irradiated PTFE starting material is placed in a desired solvent and undergoes grinding until the PTFE particles reach submicron size. The submicron particles are subsequently recovered from the solvent and dried to form a powder that may have particles less than 1.00 &mgr;m in size. The dry PTFE powder may then be readily dispersed to submicron size into a desired application system. The submicron PTFE powder of this method is free-flowing, readily dispersible in various application systems, tends not to “dust” or self-agglomerate. Improved aqueous and organic dispersions of submicron PTFE particles may also be formed that display increased stability and require much less agitation than other processes of forming such dispersions.

Abstract: A production process for a long fiber-filled thermoplastic resin composition using an apparatus having an extruder with at least two raw material feeding ports and a resin impregnating bath at the tip of the extruder, comprising the steps of feeding a resin mixture to a first feeding port provided at an upstream position of the extruder, feeding alkaline earth metals to a second feeding port provided at a downstream position of the extruder, melt-kneading to a mixture, allowing the obtained molten resin mixture to flow into the resin impregnating bath, passing a continuous fiber bundle through the molten resin mixture in the resin impregnating bath to impregnate the continuous fiber bundle with the resin mixture.

Abstract: A method for making ferrite powder may include providing ferrite feed materials in a form of particles having different sizes and irregular shapes, and exposing the ferrite feed materials to a plasma to provide a more spherical shape to irregularly shaped particles to thereby make the ferrite powder. An apparatus for making ferrite powder may include a feeder for ferrite feed materials and a plasma generator for exposing the ferrite feed materials to a plasma.

Abstract: A process for the production of tablet-shaped granular material from a melt, in which (i) a melt is prepared, (ii) the prepared melt is shaped to droplets, (iii) the droplets are deposited on a cooling surface, and (iv) the deposited droplets solidify to give the granular material, wherein the melt comprises an alcohol, and the melt has a melting point of 30° C. or above.

Abstract: A plastic particle is formed of a plastic material having at least one integral protruding ring disposed on its outer surface. The ring may be continuous or intermittent around a perimeter of the plastic particle. Preferably, the particles have an outer diameter in the range of 0.007 inches to 0.040 inches.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a new method of preparing granules comprising 5-aminosalicylic acid and a new method of preparing a pharmaceutical composition for the treatment of ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease by oral administration comprising as active ingredient 5-aminosalicylic acid.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of producing an agglomerate of drug and solid binder. The process involves producing individual agglomerate particles and then converting the convertible amorphous content of same, following agglomeration, by the application of, for example, moisture. Agglomerates capable of conversion as well as the finished agglomerates and oral and nasal dosing systems including same are also contemplated. The process produces agglomerates which are rugged but which will produce an acceptable fine particle fraction during dosing.

Abstract: A colored rotating granular body 21 has a surface color-coded in two different colors and electrification characteristics for each color and rotates by an effect of an electric field to display an associated color face. For producing the colored rotating granular bodies 21, a suspension 11 of granular bodies 1 each already in a colored state and functioning as a base and an emulsion 12 of a monomer 2 sill in an uncolored state are mixed, the monomer 2 is unevenly attached to a part of a surface of each of the granular bodies 1, the monomer attached to the granular bodies 1 are polymerized to obtain granular bodies 3 composed of the polymerized monomer, thereafter only the granular bodies 3 are selectively colored, and snowman-shaped complexed resin granular bodies 4 composed of the granular bodies 1 and the granular bodies 3 are integrally spheroidized.

Abstract: A method of making spherical bodies from powder, which comprises (1) preparing an adjusted powder so as to have at least one powder characteristic selected from the group consisting of an average particle size, a powder particle size distribution and a BET specific surface area, (2) preparing nuclei having a particle size larger than that of the adjusted powder, (3) rotating the nuclei, and (4) adding the adjusted powder and a solvent to the rotating nuclei so that particles of the adjusted powder accumulate on the nuclei to form granular bodies. Also disclosed is a spherical body having a core or nucleus formed in the spherical body, an adjusted powder composition for forming a spherical body, and a method for manufacturing spherical sintered bodies of silicon nitride.

Abstract: To provide a method of shaping a granular polytetrafluoroethylene powder, in which a powder flowability can be enhanced and an apparent density can be increased without substantially changing an average particle size and particle size distribution of the powder. The granular polytetrafluoroethylene powder having an average particle size of 100 to 800 &mgr;m is subjected to shaping by using a rotating-type stirring vessel with two cross axes.

Abstract: Spherical particles having a diameter between 0.007″ and 0.040″ are formed from melt extruded thermo-plastic material suitable for casting on a heated mold surface and melting thereon to form a thin layer of material having a nominal thickness of 0.040″ that is cooled and removed from the mold surface as a part having a porosity less than a visually observable threshold. The process includes the steps of providing microspheres formed of blended and melt extruded thermo-plastic, plasticizers and pigment additives that constitute less than 5% by weight of the blend and shaped as a smooth round spherical particle; providing a heated casting surface and distributing a predetermined charge of such microspheres against the heated casting surface; melting the microspheres as a layer of thermoplastic material having a porosity less than 0.003 inches and thereafter cooling and removing the non-porous layer from the casting surface.

Abstract: Spherical silica powder is produced by feeding silica powder having an average particle size of 0.3-40 &mgr;m to a burner flame formed with a flammable gas so as to continuously melt and spheroidize the particles within the flame. The use of a non-halogenated siloxane and/or alkoxysilane as an auxiliary flame-generating source raises the flame temperature and increases the length of the composite flame formed by combustion of the fuel gas with the siloxane or alkoxysilane. Moreover, the fine particles of silica that form as a result of siloxane or alkoxysilane combustion unite and coalesce with the particles of starting silica. These effects accelerate melting and spheroidization of the starting silica powder, resulting in thermally efficient and cost-effective spherical silica powder production.

Abstract: Spherical, non-crystalline silica particles made by burning a non-halogenated siloxane starting material are substantially halogen-free, and have a content of metallic impurities other than silicon of not more than 1 ppm, a particle size of 10 nm to 10 &mgr;m and a specific surface area of 3-300 m2/g. Production of the particles is carried out by oxidative combustion of the non-halogenated siloxane in a flame at a high adiabatic flame temperature to effect the formation of a large number of core particles and promote their coalescence and growth.

Abstract: A display media with an encapsulant medium, and bichromal beads having a crystalline material, wherein the bichromal beads are dispersed or contained in the encapsulant medium is set forth.

Abstract: Spherical silica powder is produced by feeding silica powder having an average particle size of 0.3-40 &mgr;m to a burner flame formed with a flammable gas so as to continuously melt and spheroidize the particles within the flame. The use of a non-halogenated siloxane and/or alkoxysilane as an auxiliary flame-generating source raises the flame temperature and increases the length of the composite flame formed by combustion of the fuel gas with the siloxane or alkoxysilane. Moreover, the fine particles of silica that form as a result of siloxane or alkoxysilane combustion unite and coalesce with the particles of starting silica. These effects accelerate melting and spheroidization of the starting silica powder, resulting in thermally efficient and cost-effective spherical silica powder production.

Abstract: The present invention provides spheroidal particles of coal slag, and methods of making the spheroidal particles. One method of the invention includes delivering a feedstock of irregularly shaped particles of coal fly ash or coal slag to a drop tube, dropping the irregularly shaped particles into the drop tube in a manner such that the irregularly shaped particles flow in a substantially vertical downward path as individualized particles, and heating the irregularly shaped particles to cause at least the outer surface of the irregularly shaped particles to melt and form spheroidal particles due to surface tension at the outer surface. The spheroidal particles typically have a diameter in the range of about 0.001 to 5 mm, and comprise SiO2, Al2O3, Fe2O3, FeO, Na2O, and K2O.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved process for making extruded granules containing an agriculturally active ingredient.

Abstract: A method for rounding thermoplastic particles whereby the thermoplastic particles are stirred at a temperature around their plastification temperature, Tplast, together with particles that are larger than the thermoplastic particles and that have a higher specific gravity.

Abstract: A method of addressing a sheet of a rotating element sheet material that has a reduced applied electric field requirement when a gyricon sheet using magnetic trapping is disclosed. A magnetic trapping gyricon sheet comprises a substrate with a plurality of rotatable elements disposed in the substrate. The elements comprise at least two portions, each portion having an associated optical modulation characteristic and the optical modulation characteristics of at least one portion are different from the optical modulation characteristic of at least one other portion. Importantly, one portion is magnetized, and the element also has an anisotropy for providing an electrical dipole moment. The electrical dipole moment renders the element electrically responsive such that when the rotating element is rotatably disposed in an electric field while the electrical dipole moment of the element is provided, the element tends to rotate to an orientation in which the electrical dipole moment aligns with the field.

Abstract: A method of forming magnetized rotating elements for a rotating element display where all the elements are magnetized in the same orientation is provided. First, at least two planar streams of hardenable liquids flowing in substantially the same direction are provided. Each stream has an associated optical modulation characteristic and at least one stream has an associated optical modulation characteristic different from at least one other stream. At least one stream includes a magnetic pigment. The streams are then merged to form a reservoir containing side-by-side amounts of each liquid from each stream. A free jet is then formed containing side-by-side amounts of each liquid from the reservoir. Then a portion of the free jet is passed through a magnetic field which is oriented transverse to the direction of the free jet to magnetize the magnetic pigment. The rotating elements formed can be either spherical in shape or cylindrical in shape.

Abstract: A microparticle comprising an active substance which is a central core made of liquid, gaseous or solid particle of regular or irregular shape, and the method for entrapping said active substance in a coating material which is conformationally distributed on said active substance and has a thickness ranging from the thickness of a monomolecular layer to about 100 .mu.m. These compositions are useful for applications that require protection, prolonged release, taste masking, improved stability, altered handling behavior, altered surface properties including particle wettability, and other desirably altered properties.

Abstract: A method for making a solid agglomerate, having a preset size and shape, including a plurality of inert material particles, comprises the steps of: rotating the inert material particles, applying to the surface of the rotating particle an at least one component reactive resin, supplying the particles into a vessel holding each of the particles in contact with the adjoining particles at least for a time necessary to carry out the chemical reaction of the reactive resin, to provide a solid agglomerate.The invention also relates to a system for carrying out the method and the product obtained thereby.

Abstract: A process for preparing fine particle pharmaceutical formulations having improved throughput and producing greater uniformity of particle size. The process relates to adding to the dry components of the formulation prior to the steps of wetting, extrusion and spheronization, an extrusion aid material selected from pharmaceutically acceptable oils and waxes having a drop point between about 15.degree. C. and 115.degree. C.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing inorganic spherical particles by supplying raw material through a burner so as to pass through a flame and injecting it into a cooling tower, characterized in that the inner surface of the cooling tower is made of a metal.

Abstract: The invention relates to a composite foam comprising from 10 to 90% by volume of SiO.sub.2 aerogel particles and from 90 to 10% by volume of a foam, preferably a polyurethane and/or polyolefin foam, a process for its preparation and its use.

Abstract: Production process for spherical ceramic granules which includes pulverizing a dried product of a ceramic material; calcinating the pulverized product at a temperature of about 300 to 900.degree. C.; rotating the calcinated granules to make spherical granules; and firing the spherical granules. The spherical ceramic granules have no corner or sharp edge and projection, and thus show a high fluidity property and excellent operability.

Abstract: In the method proposed, microparticles suspended in a liquid or droplets suspended in a liquid with which they are immiscible are shaped by high-frequency electric fields in a three-dimensional electrode array of a size in the micrometer or submicrometer range and subsequently consolidated by prior art chemical bonding procedures or by physical methods. The disposition, geometry and control of the electrodes determine the shape of the particles. The particles themselves must have a conductivity and/or relative dielectric constant lower than the solution surrounding them. For some, this can be achieved only at certain frequencies in the kHz and MHz band which are determined by the passive electrical properties of the particles and the surrounding solution. The particles or droplets are repelled by the electrodes so that they are shaped in the free solution without making contact with any surface and can then be consolidated.

Abstract: A method of making a ceramic retroreflective element having enhanced strength and increased retained reflectivity. The method of the present invention comprises forming retroreflective elements by the following steps:a) providing glass flakes;b) coating said glass flakes with a first barrier layer yielding coated glass flakes;c) providing optical elements;d) optionally coating said optical elements with a second barrier layer;e) blending said optical elements and said coated glass flakes;f) heating said optical elements and said coated glass flakes to spheroidize said flakes while agitating said optical elements and said coated glass flakes;g) further heating said optical elements and said spheroidized glass flakes to partially embed said optical elements in said spheroidized flakes while agitating said optical elements and said spheriodized flakes; andh) cooling said spheroidized flakes having partially embedded optical elements.

Abstract: Spherical particles of a copolymer composition comprising a crosslinker and/or coating additive(s) the particles being especially useful for coating various substrates; and an improved process for making such particles comprising forming the copolymer and unreacted crosslinker and/or other additives in a coating matrix.

Abstract: A process and an apparatus for producing a preform for plastic optical fiber having a refractive index distribution in which the refractive index is gradually decreased from the center of the preform toward the outer periphery thereof, by depositing a deposition layer comprising a polymer A (refractive index: N.sub.a) and a refractive index modifier having a refractive index different from that of the polymer A onto a surface of a rod member rotating about an axis thereof, by use of vapor-phase deposition based on a CVD (Chemical Vapor Deposition) process, or a coating process. A plastic optical fiber preform including deposition layers having a gradually decreasing refractive index distribution is formed by changing the mixing ratio between the polymer A and the refractive index modifier constituting the deposition layer.

Abstract: The present invention is a method of making discrete particles by subjecting an organic feedstock to liquiflash conditions whereby the feedstock is transformed instantaneously from solid to liquiform to solid. Liquiform is a transient condition wherein the feedstock has substantially unimpeded internal flow. Shear force is imparted to the liquiform feedstock in an amount sufficient to separate tiny masses of feedstock. The tiny masses solidify as discretized particles. The present invention also includes unique products resulting from the process, e.g., a monodispersed microsphere product and coated particles prepared therefrom.

Abstract: A process for producing inorganic microspheres (solid spheres or hollow spheres), which comprises pulverizing a material by wet pulverization to an average particle size of at most 5 .mu.m to obtain a slurry of a pulverized powder material, spraying the slurry to form liquid droplets, and heating the liquid droplets to fuse or sinter the powder material to obtain inorganic microspheres.

Abstract: Organosiloxane compositions exhibiting excellent vibration damping properties comprise(A) from 70 to 99.9 weight percent of a liquid polyorganosiloxane,(B) from 0.1 to 10 weight percent of hollow particles of a thermoplastic organic resin, and(C) from 0 to 20 weight percent of a thickener.

Abstract: A method of producing a cathode mixture for batteries is disclosed. It comprises supplying a wet mixture containing a cathode active material, a binding agent and a conductive material onto a disc having a horizontal surface and rotating around its vertical axis, moving the mixture along the upper and side surfaces of the disc to obtain spherical granules. A liquid mixture can also be used.

Abstract: A polycrystalline diamond layer is bonded to a cemented metal carbide substrate by this process. A layer of dense high shear compaction material including diamond or cubic boron nitride particles is placed adjacent to a metal carbide substrate. The particles of diamond have become rounded instead of angular due to high shear compaction in a multiple roller process. The volatiles in the high shear compaction material are removed and binder decomposed at high temperature, for example, 950.degree. C., leaving residual amorphous carbon or graphite in a layer of ultra hard material particles on the carbide substrate. The substrate and layer assembly is then subjected to a high pressure, high temperature process, thereby sintering the ultra hard particles to each other to form a polycrystalline ultra hard layer bonded to the metal carbide substrate.

Abstract: A machine for rounding pieces of dough including a circular basin (10) on the inside of which is arranged a mobile component (21) having respective truncated conical circumferential surfaces (13, 24) which taper in opposite directions to form a concave annular cavity (V) for receiving a piece of dough (M). The respective conical surfaces are provided with grooves (131, 241). The mobile component (21) is rotatably driven while at the same time being cyclically shifted radially by activating device (15) so as to progressively round the dough pieces. A cover (C) is provided on the basin (10) and includes a feeding conduit (A), and a cylindrical band (32) which includes a projecting part (33) coinciding with a cutout (16) in annular wall (12) so as to form a discharge conduit (E) for processed pieces of dough (M).

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the production of spongiosa bone ceramic shaped articles with geometrically irregular shapes and rounded angles and edges, which have no mechanically unstable or inhomogeneous regions. The shaped articles are obtained by treating spongiosa bone ceramic pieces in a ball mill.

Abstract: A method for producing spherical silica grains using a cylinder having its axis inclined to the horizontal and having an inside wall made from a material that is significantly softer than silica. The cylinder has an entry chute for non-spherical silica grains and an exit chute for spherical cylinder grains. According to the method, a rotary member is rotated at high speed by a drive shaft having its axis coincident with the axis of the cylinder. The rotary member includes at least one paddle vertically aligned with the entry chute so that silica grains entering via the entry chute are thrown by the paddle against the inside wall of the cylinder and follow a path most of which is against the wall before leaving via the exit chute. As a result, the silica graining have a spherical shape.

Abstract: A fiber preform structure, preferably of an optical glass for use in making fibers and lenses, constructed with a central core of a first material, a surrounding tube of a second material, and a deeply placed bonded layer integrally formed between the core and tube preferably by a heat driven interdiffusion of the first and second materials. The deeply placed interface layer of the resulting preform structure exhibits material characteristics related to the interdiffused material characteristics of the rod and tube materials. The interdiffusion is preferably performed while supporting the combined rod and tube structure. The preform is rotated during heating to maintain the geometric symmetry of the preform and of the interface layer. An encapsulating carrier is used to support the preform in all dimensions during heating.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for densifying a thermoplastic polymer are disclosed. Particles of a thermoplastic polymer are introduced into a chamber, suspended with a fluid flow in the chamber, and while suspended, the particles are heated and softened to form pieces of densified thermoplastic polymer which are too dense to remain suspended in the fluid flow. The pieces of densified polymer are collected from the bottom of the chamber. A range of particle sizes can be efficiently and continuously densified without adjusting the apparatus.

Abstract: Portland cement particles having the characteristics of slow hardening is oduced by a process of heat treating portland cement particles in the temperature range from 1500.degree. to 3000.degree. C. for from 0.5 to 10 seconds and cooling to obtain particles containing an amorphous, glassy shell as an outside layer.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the preparation of water-dispersible granules which comprises mixing the desired ingredients of the granules to form an extrudable composition, extruding the mixture, and rolling the extrusions to break them down into granules. The process of the invention is particularly suitable for the preparation of water-dispersible granules comprising agricultural chemicals (also known as dry flowables) as the process enables high production rates to be achieved and the products have high suspensibility and rapid dispersion.

Abstract: One forms spherical or spheroidal glass particles by entraining a powder of glass particles in a carrier gas and injecting the entrained particles into the center of the flame of an oxygen-fuel burner. Separate conduits carry fuel, such as natural gas, and substantially pure oxygen into the burner to support combustion. The temperature in the burner flame does not exceed about 5000.degree. F. Heat from the flame causes the particles to become spheroidal, due to surface tension, but the particles do not remain in the flame long enough to melt. By adjusting a valve in the line which conveys the carrier gas and glass particles, one varies the time during which the particles reside in the flame. If the pressure becomes too high, the residence time decreases, and the particles may not become entirely spheroidal. If the pressure becomes too low, the residence time increases, and the particles may melt and/or form undesirable filaments.

Abstract: A process for the manufacture of porous cellulose particles, which have regular shape, and a capacity of sorbing 1.5-9 times of their own weight of water, a tap bulk density of less than 0.85 g/ml is provided. The process for the manufacture of these porous cellulose matrices is performed by mechanically treating of hydrolyzed cellulose in a wet stage. The cellulose matrices have preferably a size of at least 0.1 mm and a tap bulk density of 0.1-0.7 g/ml. A bioactive substance or bioactive substances could be sorbed, precipitated or sublimized into the porous structure of the matrices. The matrices can be admixed with drugs or drug containing granules in order to improve the tabletting and tablet properties and thereafter compressed.Drug loaded matrices can be used for direct compression of tablets.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for densifying a thermoplastic polymer are disclosed. Particles of a thermoplastic polymer are introduced into a chamber, suspended with a fluid flow in the chamber, and while suspended, the particles are heated and softened to form pieces of densified thermoplastic polymer which are too dense to remain suspended in the fluid flow. The pieces of densified polymer are collected from the bottom of the chamber. A range of particle sizes can be efficiently and continuously densified without adjusting the apparatus.

Abstract: A method for spheroidizing particles which have a relatively high softening temperature and/or a relatively large average diameter, including ceramic material having a diameter in excess of 0.45 mm. The method includes preheating raw material in a preheater to a temperature below an agglomeration temperature of the material, passing the preheated material in a plurality of streams through a first flame envelope, and cooling the spheroidized particles.

Abstract: An orbital implant is provided with a passageway extending from the anterior surface inwardly to receive a peg prior to implantation in the patient. The peg is made of non microporous material so that surrounding tissue will encapsulate the peg without adhering to it. This provides for later coupling of the ocular prosthesis to the implant without the necessity of a second operative procedure, and also allows the peg to be easily removed surgically if deemed necessary by the surgeon. The implant itself can be of any suitable material, but the implant is preferably made of biodegradable material having a matrix with random voids throughout to enhance tissue ingrowth into the implant. The matrix can be created by foxing or molding a suitable material, or the matrix can be formed from microporous thread of an inert material that is knitted, crocheted or otherwise formed into the desired size and shape.

Abstract: To prepare a compacted, granular sodium silicate having an SiO.sub.2 /Na.sub.2 O molar ratio of 1.7:1 to 4.1:1, sodium silicate having a median particle diameter of <500 .mu.m is first mixed with a material increasing its hardness before being converted into pressed granules having particle sizes of 0.1 to 5 mm by compacting, comminution and screening.