Abstract: A pressure medium composed of plural kinds of fluids each of which have a different density is charged in a pressure chamber forming, for example, fluid layers. A material is suspended by way of buoyancy brought by this pressure medium. By properly controlling the density of the pressure medium of plural kinds of fluids, various kinds of materials having different densities can be supported in a suspending state at an almost constant pressure. The apparatus and the method processes the material under a state of compensated-gravitation, and is capable of forming an easy-handling weightless state for a long period of time at low cost in a simple manner for ease of handling of the material being processed and can contribute to developing useful materials and novel materials and to the supplying of them in bulk.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for making novel catalysts, catalyst supports, and adsorbers comprising synthetic hydrotalcite-like binders, having a sheet-like morphology and a sheet broadness to thickness ratio of at least 50 and a formula Mg.sub.1-x Al.sub.x (OH).sub.2.xA.sup.-. mH.sub.2 O where A.sup.- is a mono carboxylic anion of the form RCOO.sup.- where R is C.sub.n H.sub.2n+1 and n=0-5, and x and m are numbers satisfying the following conditions:0.2<=x<=0.40.0<=m<=4This hydrotalcite-like material is combined with an inorganic material to form shapes which have good mechanical strength. The process includes starting with a synthesis mixture having magnesium (divalent cation) to aluminum (trivalent cation) molar ratio between 1:1 and 10:1, mono carboxylic anion to aluminum (trivalent cation) molar ratio between 0.1:1 to 1.2:1 and optionally added other anions.

Abstract: Hollow microspheres produced by the present method each have a hollow interior evacuated of gases to a predetermined pressure. A reflective material layer coats the exterior of each microsphere and, optionally, an outer layer of a protective material is applied over the reflective material layer. Permeant gases are dissolved into glass or plastic frit particles prior to heating of the frit particles to form hollow microspheres having the permeant gases contained therein. The permeant gases are subsequently out-permeated in a non-permeant gas atmosphere to substantially evacuate the interior of each microsphere. The exterior layers of reflective material and protective material are then coated about each evacuated microsphere.

Abstract: A method of preparing a powder coating composition comprises: (a) forming a mixture comprising solid particles which include a curable resin and a cross-linking agent that is reactive with the curable resin suspended in an aqueous liquid phase comprising water, a surfactant, a stabilizer, and a promoter; (b) warming the mixture to a temperature sufficient to effect reshaping and rounding of the particles; (c) separating the particles from the liquid phase; and (d) drying the particles to form a powder.

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: Disclosed are gastric acid-resistant polymer-coated buffered-bile acid compositions, process for their preparations and methods of treating digestive disorders, impaired liver function, autoimmune diseases of the liver and biliary tract, preventing colon cancer, cholestasis associated with cystic fibrosis, dissolving gallstones and regulating dietary cholesterol absorption by administering said compositions to a mammal in need of such treatment.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the treatment of fiber pieces, with which the fiber pieces (24) in a gas/solid mix are fed through a transport line (11) into a heating device (14). Inside the heating device (14) the exposed ends of the fiber pieces (24) are rounded off and/or thickened. Subsequent to the treatment in the heating device the treated fibers (25) flow into a feed line and from there into a separating device (18), in which the gas/solid mix is separated. The fiber bits produced according to the invented method improve the mechanical quality and characteristics of fiber composite materials considerably. By utilizing the described device the invented method can be carried out most economically. (FIG.

Abstract: A porous and spherical silica is recovered in high yields from a neutralized product of an alkali silicate obtained by using an acrylamide type polymer as a coagulation growing agent, and the above silica is reacted as a precursor with a metal compound of the Group II of periodic table in an aqueous medium to obtain amorphous or fine, laminar and crystalline porous and spherical silica or silicate granules having a high degree of true sphericality, a symmetrical grain size distribution and a refractive index over a range of from 1.4 to 1.7. The porous and spherical granules have a primary grain diameter of 0.3 to 30 .mu.m as observed through an electron microscope, have an apparent specific gravity of from 0.05 to 0.5 g/ml, and are cheaply obtained in high yields, and can hence be used as a filler for various paints and resins.

Abstract: Disclosed are spherical corundum particles consisting essentially of single particles having an average particle size of 5 to 35 .mu.m and a shape not including cutting edges. The particles are prepared by adding one or more members selected from halogen compounds, boron compounds, and alumina hydrates to pulverized alumina having a specific particle size, heat-treating the mixture at a temperature of at least 1000.degree. C., and disintegrating the heat-treated product. A rubber or plastic composition having a high thermal conductivity is formed by incorporating such particles into a rubber or plastic, and this composition is valuable as a sealing material for a semiconductor, etc..

Abstract: Fiberballs are prepared from mechanically-crimped fibers having both a primary crimp and a secondary crimp with specific configurations, especially amplitudes and frequencies. The fiberballs may contain a proportion of other fibers, particularly binder fibers.

Abstract: A process for forming a plastic casing having reinforcing elements to resist tensile forces by simultaneously extruding the plastic casing and the reinforcing elements which are in a molten form and then twisting the extruded casing and elements to impart a helical configuration to the elements.

Abstract: An aligning jig for loose wires, which is equipped with the first and second retaining sections for retaining and temporarily fixing a plurality of loose wires, an arraying section which arrays the plurality of loose wires in an optional loading order in a plurality of arraying grooves arrayed widthwise and holds the loose wires in a predetermined order, at least one arranging section which arranges the plurality of loose wires, arrayed in the arraying section, to a preset specified width, and a fixing section which glues the plurality of loose wires, which have been temporarily fixed by the first and second retaining sections and arranged to the specified width, while maintaining the arranging order, thus fixing the wires to the specified width.

Abstract: A process for the production of compacted granules for use in a detergent composition by providing a homogeneous, solid, free-flowing premix to which a plasticizer or lubricant is added, and extruding the mixture through a perforated die under a pressure of from about 25 bar to about 200 bar to form strands of the mixture. The perforated die has an opening width corresponding to a predetermined size of the granules. After emerging from the perforated die, the strands are cut to the predetermined size of the granules by means of a cutting unit. The process enables the preparation of detergent compositions containing increased contents of surfactant components.

Abstract: A waveguide structure is directly extruded onto a surface from a nozzle placed a predetermined distance above the surface and which is moved relative to the surface, preferably by means of a translation table. The predetermined distance is preferably maintained constant and the speed of relative motion regulated to achieve a uniform degree of molecular orientation within the extruded material, thus maintaining a sufficiently uniform refractive index along the axis of the waveguide. Partitions within the nozzle allow the formation of a layered waveguide or the simultaneous formation of concentric cladding or protective layers. The waveguides are advantageously formed as a curtain which is later patterned, by direct writing on the surface or between chips mounted on an electronic module.

Abstract: A method of continuously forming an integrally molded structure in a multiaxis rotational molding operation including the steps of rotating a multimold section mold assembly about at least three axes. A first freshly formed polymerizable mixture is flowed over surfaces of an enclosed mold cavity within the multisection assembly. Flowing of the first mixture over the cavity surfaces and formation of a first resin therefrom is monitored through optical fibers extending through the mold sections. Second and third freshly formed polymerizable mixtures are flowed over resin formed within the mold cavity. Flowing of the second and third mixtures and formation of resins therefrom are monitored through optical fibers extending through the mold sections. The rotation of the multisection mold assembly is continued throughout the modling operation. Each axis rotation of the multisection mold assembly is monitored individually.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a preform having steps of obtaining a plastic material by kneading silica powder, a binder, water, and a surfactant, and obtaining a porous preform by extrusion-molding the plastic material.

Abstract: A system and method for preparing an abraded fiber optic ribbon are provided. This system uses a flat abrasion panel containing a design, such as a company logo, and contacting it directly with a fiber optic ribbon, pressing devices to feed and press the panel and the fiber optic ribbon against each other as the design is being processed onto the fiber optic ribbon, and adjustable speed and differential pressure devices are used to drive the pressing devices. In addition, at least one of the pressing devices may be heated to enhance the processing of the pattern onto the fiber optic ribbon. Particularly, the pressing includes a first roller and a second roller defining a nip through which the panel and the fiber optic ribbon are being fed and pressed against each other. Alternatively, the pressing includes a first plate and a second plate defining a pressing zone in which the panel and the fiber optic ribbon are being fed and pressed against each other.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing passive integrated optical devices from polymeric materials, the method comprising providing a step structure at each transition between a fiber alignment structure and the preform for the light waveguide structure, wherein both of these structures are produced simultaneously. Passive integrated optical devices having ridges or trenches with rectangular cross sections and manufactured to this method are also described.

Abstract: An optical cable has segment-like chamber elements with openings receiving a stack of waveguide bands characterized by the bands of each stack having a different length to compensate for stresses created by stranding the elements in an optical cable. To obtain the different lengths for each of the waveguide bands in a stack, the cable element is guided over a curved path, such as on a periphery of an insertion disc and the waveguide bands are then introduced into the chamber of the chamber element while in this curved position.

Abstract: Molding optical components from a mold that is produced using the same type of optical fibers that will be interconnected by the optical components. The outer diameter of a silica optical fiber varies only by approximately .+-.1 micron and the outer surface of a silica optical fiber has an optical finish. Thus by using optical fiber to fabricate molds, molds can be produced which have the required accuracy and finish for the production of optical components. The outer coating of the optical fibers used to fabricate the mold is only removed within and in close proximity to a combination region in a splitter/combiner resulting in the capability to pigtail optical fibers attached to a splitter/combiner molded from the resulting mold.

Abstract: A device for connecting optical fibers, the device being of the type comprising a ferrule possessing a capillary channel of section that is substantially complementary to the optical fibers to be connected and that is suitable for receiving the respective ends of two optical fibers, wherein the device further includes a body overmolded on the ferrule and defining two entry cones centered on the capillary channel and opening out respectively into the two axial ends of the capillary channel.

Abstract: A plastic light conduit of cross-linked polymer material having good light transmitting characteristics, without voids or noticeable bubbles, is disclosed. Also disclosed is a method of manufacture and an apparatus, involving progressive heating of reactive monomer mixture in a tube which is submerged in a progressive reactor utilizing cold oil to maintain a cold, non-reacting zone, and hot water to create a hot zone that causes reaction, while simultaneously carrying away the excess exothermic heat of reaction.

Abstract: The presence of (typically unintended) birefringence in single mode optical fiber can severely limit the usefulness of the fiber for, e.g., high bit rate or analog optical fiber communication systems, due to the resulting polarization mode dispersion (PMD). It has now been discovered that PMD can be substantially reduced if, during drawing of the fiber, a torque is applied to the fiber such that a "spin" is impressed on the fiber. Desirably the torque is applied such that the spin impressed on the fiber does not have constant spatial frequency, e.g., has alternately clockwise and counterclockwise helicity. At least a portion of optical fiber according to the invention has a spin whose spatial frequency exceeds 4 spins/meter.

Abstract: This invention is a process for the production of a continuous running length of a thermosetting polymer by a continuously extruding a continuous running length of a sheath of a film forming fiber from a die to form a hollow object; b) continuously injecting the monomer of the thermosetting polymer into the hollow of the sheath at or immediately below the plane of the die opening; c) stretching the sheath containing the monomer; and d) polymerizing the monomer to make the continuous running length of fiber of thermosetting polymer.

Abstract: The basic embodiment of the present invention comprises an optical fiber having cores and a claddings, and core-extensions, wherein the individual core-extensions are built onto the core end facets in a shape of the diverging horn-like structure, with the sectional area increasing gradually as the individual core-extensions extend farther away from the core end facets to merge together and form a common core-extension for light mixing and coupling. The core-extension may be made of a photo-reactive material to be shaped after the diverging radiation pattern of light emitted from the core end facets.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming an optical cable includes an extruder for extruding a sheath on each light waveguide to form an independent light waveguide lead, a cooling device immediately following the extruder for cooling the light waveguide lead, which is then stranded to form a lead bundle.

Abstract: Spliced end portions (30--30) of two optical fibers are recoated in a manner which results in the cross section of the spliced length of fiber transverse to a longitudinal axis thereof being substantially constant. This is accomplished without compromising the adhesion of a curable recoating material (51) to an adjacent original coating material (38). In order to provide such a recoated portion, original coating material which is removed to permit splicing is removed in such a manner as to leave a tapered portion (52) remaining on the end portion of each optical fiber. As a result, the interface between the recoating material and the original coating material is increased sufficiently to avoid having to overlap some of the recoating material with original coating material on adjacent portions of the fibers being spliced.

Abstract: A method of manufacture of an optical module using a mold die including cavity portions for holding an optical connector, electronic circuit parts, and lead pins which constitute component parts of the optical module, so as to form a package. The mold die has alignment portions in which rectangular channels for aligning the optical connector are formed. Partition plates are disposed vertically between the cavity portions and the alignment portions and adapted to prevent a resin from flowing out from the cavity portions during the resin molding. An optical connector, circuit parts, and lead pins are held in the die. Resin is injected into the cavity portion to form the optical module.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for manufacturing an optical fiber cable element having plurality of optical fibers which are arranged with excess length inside a pressure-tight metal tube. Means are provided inside the metal tube for protecting the optical fibers and for longitudinal sealing. The optical fibers are first embedded in a soft or compressible compound to form a cable element core. The outside, diameter of the cable element core generally corresponds to the inside diameter of the metal tube in the finished cable and the optical fibers being present with excess length in the cable element core. A metal band is subsequently continuously formed into a slotted tube surrounding the cable element core. A distance remains between the cable element core and the tube. The slotted tube is welded together and the tube is drawn down onto the cable element core.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a molded waveguide (50) is provided. A first cladding layer (20) is provided. Channels (21) are formed in the first cladding layer (20). A second cladding layer (40) is subsequently provided. The channels (21) in the first cladding layer (20) are then filled with an optically transparent polymer. The second cladding layer (40) is subsequently affixed over the channels (21) of the first cladding layer (20), thereby enclosing the channels (21).

Abstract: Disclosed are gastric acid-resistant polymer-coated buffered-bile acid compositions, process for their preparations and methods of treating digestive disorders, impaired liver function, autoimmune diseases of the liver and biliary tract, prevention of colon cancer following cholecystectomy, cystic fibrosis, dissolving gallstones and regulating dietary cholesterol absorption by administering said compositions to a mammal in need of such treatment.

Abstract: A unitary injection molded waveguiding optical element is disclosed and claimed. In a preferred embodiment, there is shown an NXN star coupler 310 with a plurality of fibers 314, 316 integrally formed with the mixing body. Preferably, the fibers are continuously transitioned to the signal mixing body such that the optical path is substantially constant and the surfaces are free from lateral discontinuities.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a spheroidal particulate inorganic material of an inorganic particulate material such as spheroidal cement or slag whose respective particles are of a substantially spheroidal shape and have smooth surfaces having improved flowability and filling properties. The spheroidal particulate material is produced by subjecting the respective particles of the particulate inorganic material to a high temperature flame treatment and rapid cooling in air, or by dispersing fine particles of the inorganic material and an organic or inorganic binder in a non-aqueous solvent to form a slurry and granulating the slurry. Compositions containing the spheroidal particulate inorganic material are used in civil engineering works and construction.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a multimode optical transmission medium from a synthetic resin having the distribution of refractive index varying continuously in a fixed direction. In the method, the polymerization is caused to proceed utilizing the effect of diffusion or exclusion of a monomer in the gel formed at the polymerization initiating terminal. Therefore, this method is free from the defects of methods using conventional polymerization reactions, and has an extremely high productivity.

Abstract: The present invention provides a unique fiber optic sensor which is able to conduct multiple assays and analyses concurrently using a plurality of different dyes immobilized at individual spatial positions on the surface of the sensor. The present invention also provides apparatus for making precise optical determinations and measurements for multiple analytes of interest concurrently and provides methods of detection for multiple analytes of interest which can be correlated with specific parameters or other ligands for specific applications and purposes.

Abstract: A method for interconnecting a waveguide (102), an optoelectronic component 101, and an electronic component (103). A first surface (108) is formed from a portion of cladding region(107) and a second surface (109) is formed from a portion of core region and a portion of the cladding region. A substrate (104) having electrical tracings (212', 213') is attached to the waveguide (102) so that an electronic component receiving area (111') and an optoelectronic component area (112') are attached to the first and second surface (108, 109) of the waveguide (102) respectively. An electronic component (103) and an optoelectronic component (101) are mounted to the electronic component receiving area (111') and the optoelectronic receiving area (112') respectively.

Abstract: Fiberballs are prepared from mechanically-crimped fibers having both a primary crimp and a secondary crimp with specific configurations, especially amplitudes and frequencies. The fiberballs may contain a proportion of other fibers, particularly binder fibers.

Abstract: An integrally-molded ceramic cylindrical alignment sleeve is composed of a cylindrical sleeve body and at least three convex portions located on the inner surface of the sleeve body, each of the convex portions extending from one end to the other in the longitudinal direction of the sleeve body, with the upper surface of each of the convex portions being formed in the shape of a reverse arc and the section where each of the convex portions connects to the inner surface of the sleeve body being in the shape of a continuous R. A method of producing this integrally-molded ceramic cylindrical alignment sleeve is disclosed.

Abstract: A process for the manufacture of a multi-layer polymer optical fiber having a graded optical refractive index profile. This fiber is comprised of an inner core layer, one or more intermediate layers and an outer clad layer, each layer being extruded from a polymer material. All layers are arranged in a concentric configuration, with the outer clad layer enclosing all other layers.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing thermoplastic resin molded optical members comprising a thermoplastic resin material into a mold, defoaming thermoplastic resin material in vacuo at a specific temperature for causing the loaded thermoplastic resin material to melt and to flow, and producing a molded optical member by gradually cooling off the mold in the upward direction from the bottom side while pressurizing the interior of the mold with an inert gas. The inner surface of the mold is preferably preliminarily coated with a release material such as fluoroplastic containing either fluorinated alicyclic group or a fluorinated heterocyclic group in the main chain.

Abstract: A subminiature fiber optic submarine cable uses a single layer of stainless steel wires around the optical fiber buffer of a single optical fiber in order to protect the fiber. A polymer adhesive filler material is used to bond the wires to the outside of the optical fiber buffer, whereas an ultraviolet curable polymer portion is disposed around the wires. The filler material used to fill the gaps between the wires and the optical fiber buffer is the same material as used for the outer polymer portion. The method of making the cable includes the application of adhesive filler material to an optical fiber buffer with a catalyst and helically winding stainless steel wires around the buffer. The structure is then passed through a coating cup which coats the wires with an outer polymer portion of ultraviolet curable material. Ultraviolet lamps then are used to cure the outer polymer portion.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing an optical cable characterized by forming a band of optical waveguides by mechanically combining the waveguides together and then subjecting the band to a cabling process to produce the optical cable. To reduce or eliminate torsion in the optical waveguides of the optical cable, the light waveguides are subjected to a pre-torsion prior to formation into the band in a direction opposite to the direction of torsion created by subjecting the band to a cabling process. The pre-torsion to the light waveguides is formed by an overhead haul-off of the light waveguides from a supply reel, which may be rotated to vary the amount of pre-torsion being formed.

Abstract: An injection molded plastic fiber alignment ferrule is provided with a polishing pedestal. The ferrule has an opening therethrough for receiving the end of a fiber, which extends beyond the pedestal. The fiber is cleaved and the end is severed. The ferrule is polished to remove the pedestal, resulting in a smoothly polished end surface.

Abstract: A transmission type screen having a screen body constituted by at least one plastic sheet formed of a multiplicity of transparent plastic strands arranged in the shape of a sheet, each the strands being welded together at outer surfaces thereof. Each of the transparent strand may have a main portion and another portion different from the main portion in terms of optical effects. This transmission type screen is manufactured by spinning off the transparent strands from a spinning nozzle while aligning the strands; welding each adjacent over of the strands to form a sheet; and forming a screen body from at least one sheet obtained in this manner.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a process for manufacturing a cladded optical fiber. The cladding and core are halide materials. An interface for inhibiting radiation scatter is provided at the boundary between the halide cladding and the halide core. The process steps include extruding a first halide or halide core from a first chamber, and extruding a second halide or halide cladding from a second chamber into contact with the halide core. The halide cladding is joined to the halide core at the boundary.

Abstract: An infrared optical fiber is provided which includes silver halide polycrystals having a composition ratio of silver chloride and silver bromide in the range of 30 to 70 percent by weight of silver chloride, and having an average grain size of 5 .mu.m or less. There also is provided a method of manufacturing such an infrared optical fiber, in which a silver halide single crystal having a composition ratio of silver chloride and silver bromide in the range of 30 to 70 percent by weight of silver chloride is extruded into an infrared optical fiber, while applying an extruding pressure of 70 kg/mm.sup.2 or more and a tensile load which is greater than the yield strength and smaller than the tensile strength.

Abstract: The process of preparing granules of sodium perborate monohydrate having an increased density by dry-compacting a mixture of sodium perborate monohydrate and from about 0.2 to about 30% by weight of a compacting aid, based on the weight of the mixture. The compacting aid is selected from the group consisting of an alkali metal salt, alkaline earth metal salt, carbohydrate, anionic surfactant, and nonionic surfactant. After forming a compactate of the mixture, the compactate is size-reduced to obtain granules having the desired particle size.

Abstract: A method for forming a lens at an end portion of an optical apparatus, such as an optical fiber assembly, a fiber optical CRT or an LED array, which method comprises a dipping step wherein the end portion of the optical apparatus is dipped into an unsolidified photo-setting resin and a lighting step wherein the photo-setting resin is solidified according to an intensity distribution of the light outputted from the optical apparatus. Further, an optical information processing apparatus and an optical signal transmission apparatus have a lens array formed by the above method.

Abstract: A method for casting a housing around an endoscope frame is shown. The method includes the step of assembling an endoscope frame comprising a proximal end of an elongated shaft having a first working channel, a second working channel, a fiber optical image bundle channel, and fiber optic light carrying member. Each of the working channels and the fiber optic light carrying member extend in a predetermined direction from the elongated shaft to a preselected location wherein each of the working channels are terminated in an input opening member. The fiber optic image bundle terminates in a viewing member. The fiber optic light carrying member terminates in a light connecting member.

Abstract: Portable apparatus is provided for terminating a plastic fiber optic cable mounted in a terminal connector by melting the fiber ends to form a smooth, flat end surface on each. The apparatus comprises a housing having a pistol grip, a holder for positioning a connector with the fiber ends protruding therefrom, and a heater. A polished plate is mounted on a trigger-operated holder for movement between a biased position normally engaging the heater and a position engaging the fiber ends. A heater switch energizes the heater; a temperature detector senses when the heater has reached a predetermined high temperature and illuminates an L.E.D. The operator then actuates the trigger to move the plate into engagement with the fiber ends to melt them. When the plate has cooled to a predetermined low temperature, indicating that the fiber ends are solidified, the L.E.D. extinguishes and the trigger can be released. A spring then moves the plate back into contact with the heater and the connector can be removed.