Abstract: The process relates to the preparation of a shaped body having at least one dimension less than 100 microns and comprising alumina or an alumina hydrate. An aqueous composition comprising a water-soluble aluminum compound, for example aluminum chloride, sulphate, acetate, formate, propionate, oxalate, phosphate or nitrate and a water-soluble organic polymer is formed into the desired shape. The body so formed is dried, and is subjected to hydrothermal treatment at a temperature of at least 200.degree. C. to decompose the aluminum compound to alumina or an alumina hydrate. The body is optionally further heated subsequent to the hydrothermal treatment.

Abstract: A method of bonding a sheet of hard to bond thermoformable material to a core made of expanded thermoformable material is disclosed. The sheet of thermoformable material is heated to its glass transition temperature and then pressed into voids in the core forming a mechanical bond in addition to the chemical bond.

Abstract: A process for producing a clear surface on expanded thermoformable material is disclosed. A film layer of non bondable plastic material is disposed adjacent the clear plastic material to be expanded. After the expansion process the film layer is removed leaving a clear smooth surface.

Abstract: Alumina fibers are prepared by a method comprising(a) forming aluminum methoxide from aluminum alkoxides using methanol;(b) recovering aluminum methoxide as a solid precipitate phase, washing to remove higher alcohols and drying to recover a powder;(c) reacting the recovered powdered aluminum methoxide with dilute hydrochloric acid to form aluminum chlorohydrate; then(d) concentrating the aluminum chlorohydrate solution under vacuum to desired viscosity.

Abstract: A method for producing "dogbone" filament fibers having nodules at each end comprising rotating a heat extracting disk having an edge tapering to a narrow peripheral surface and having the peripheral surface notched at intervals with each notch comprising a leading edge, connected to a trailing flat surface, the trailing flat surface supporting an expanded land on the peripheral edge; introducing the rotating disk into the surface of a pool of molten material to form a film of the material on the edge; and removing heat from the film and at least partially solidifying the film on the edge. By the method, the segmented filament fiber products which are produced have a nodule formed on the leading end, a nodule formed on the trailing end, and continuous fiber inbetween, with the general appearance of a dogbone.

Abstract: Process and apparatus for centrifugally spinning a fibre-forming material, e.g. a urea-formaldehyde resin, in which the fibre-forming material is supplied in liquid form to the interior of a spinning cup wherein it is divided into separate streams which are led to the outlets of passages through the wall of the spinning cup.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for molding articles of manufacture of resinous materials whereby, the surface of the molded article contains a pile-like texture or structure. The pile-like structure is composed of material of the surface stratum of the article and is formed by the adherence of such material to the surface of the mold cavity wall in which the article is molded and by pulling the article away from the mold cavity wall while at least the surface stratum thereof is in a deformable condition such as a semimolten or plastic state resulting from the elevated temperature thereof caused either by the manner in which it is cooled or by applying heat thereto through the mold cavity wall.

Abstract: Process is disclosed wherein plastic material is passed into a mold cavity; pressurizing fluid is injected into the plastic material under controlled pressure and at a controlled rate to cause the plastic material to flow out and assume the contour of the cavity, the gas pressure being maintained until the plastic material is self-supporting. The resulting article has an outer skin and a generally hollow center containing skin-connecting structural "webs".

Abstract: Centrifugal processing apparatus in which a processing chamber is rotatably mounted with respect to a stationary base. An umbilical cable segment is fixed at one end substantially along the axis of the processing chamber at one side thereof, with the other end of the cable segment being attached substantially on the axis in rotationally locked engagement to the processing chamber. The cable segment comprises flexible tubing which defines a plurality of parallel longitudinal channels, with the cable segment having been stretched in the central portion thereof so that the central portion is narrower in cross-sectional dimensional area than the ends of the cable segment. In this manner, the channels remain large enough for effective connection of tubing to the walls defining the channels and the load of the umbilical tubing becomes substantially reduced.

Abstract: This invention is concerned with the tack spinning of materials and has particular reference to the formation of tack spun materials by applying a thermoplastic polymer to a backing or carrier sheet to form a pattern or layer thereon and then heating the layer and contacting the layer with a second surface whereby separation of the carrier from the second surface results in separation of the thermoplastic polymer within its plane to draw fibres therefrom on progressive separation. The preferred embodiment of the invention involves two backing sheets prepared between a pair of nip rollers to form a sandwich structure with a layer of thermoplastic tack spinnable material and separating the same on the downstream side of the nip to provide the fibres disposed substantially transverse to the plane of the carrier sheet. The invention also describes novel apparatus for performing this operation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for making filaments and a fibrous product of randomly overlying filaments in a mat configuration bonded to each other at areas of intersection. The filaments are formed by subjecting a travelling layer of a settable, dielectric, molten polymer material to an electrostatic field of lines of flux of sufficient density and intensity to flow from the layer of molten polymer a multiplicity of filaments which are partially set as they form. The filaments are subjected to the field along enough to separate them from the surface of the layer and are then collected randomly overlying each other in a tacky condition so that they bond to each other in areas of intersection. The method may include insertion of an object in the path of the separated filaments for collecting them on a surface of the object. The object can be rotated so that a package of the matter material is formed about it to protect it.

Abstract: A fixture for assisting in positioning the end cap of a connecting rod relative to the remainder of the rod, which fixture comprises a frame including a gauge portion having spaced ends, a first pair of angularly related wedge surfaces at one end of the gauge portion, and a handle portion extending from the other end of the gauge portion, a subframe carried by the frame for movement toward and away from the first pair of wedge surfaces and including a second pair of angularly related wedge surfaces located in spaced facing relation to the first pair of wedge surfaces, and means on the subframe and on the frame for moving the subframe relative to the first pair of wedge surfaces.

Abstract: A method for producing solid ribbons is disclosed. A thin, flat "seed" is lowered into contact with and wetted by a liquid. When the seed is subsequently withdrawn from the liquid, the resulting liquid column that forms the "ribbon" is shaped by a plurality of gas jet streams directed at the base of the ribbon. The freezing interface is located above the average level of the liquid surface. The temperature and/or pressure and the number of jets can be varied to produce different ribbon configurations.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for forming a non-woven web in which a bundle of untwisted filaments are charged upstream of a pair of elastomer-covered counter rotating squeeze rolls and propelled through the nip of the rolls to a moving laydown belt with the assistance of an electrostatic field developed between the rolls and the belt.

Abstract: A process with minor variations for producing a configuration of glass and/or any similar material such as plastic or epoxy is disclosed. The configuration is basically a honeycomb of pipes of transparent material attached to a transparent plate, such as window glass. The pipes are closed at one end by the plate. The pipes prevent convection movement of a fluid parallel to the plate near its surface, except for very short distances. The unique inventive feature of the process lies in the fact that the honeycomb of pipes are produced simultaneously by a drawing process, during which either a part of a plate, which part is in the form of a grid, is softened, or a grid of new soft material is added to a plate, and the pipes are always attached to the plate both during formation and upon completion of formation.Also disclosed is a special configuration to render the pipes resistant to breakage under thermal stress.

Abstract: A method for increasing the depth of a tack-spun thermoplastic pile on a backing layer comprises space heating the pile side of the product for a time and temperature less than that at which the pile collapses, said temperature being between the glass rubber transition temperature but above ambient and the temperature at which the pile collapses, using a heat source not in contact with the pile, and subsequently cooling the pile to ambient temperature.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the production of thermoplastic substrate with fibrous surfaces. The fibers of these surfaces are formed by drawing away from a heated surface a molten polymer component backed by an unmelted polymer residue layer or substate. Simultaneous with the drawing, the nascent fibers are stabilized by cooling. For this purpose, cooling media are introduced in the fiber-forming zone. The thermoplastic polymer compounds should be applied in a thickness of at least 50 microns, and preferably 150 microns (when only 1 polymer forms the molten component), on a heated drawing surface of a drum or a conveyor belt apparatus.This invention relates to the production of fibrous surfaces on polymer substrates. Typically the substrates are in the form of webs. The use of webs makes the cooling process more efficient.

Abstract: Formaldehyde resin fibres, in particular urea formaldehyde resin fibres, are produced by introducing a liquid formaldehyde resin and a catalyst into a spinning cup in the presence of cold humid air which inhibits drying and reaction, centrifugally spinning fibres from the cup into the path of hot air currents, at between 50.degree. C. and 100.degree. C., which dry the fibres without curing them, and curing and chemically stabilizing the dry fibres by heating at above 100.degree. C. until they are insoluble in cold water.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of converting a flat composite strip to a round rod by changing the configuration of the strip composite to the round rod solely by the application of heat.

Abstract: Pharmaceutical composition unit dosage forms adapted for enteral or topical administration are described, comprising a safe and effective amount of a pharmaceutically active medicament compound dissolved or uniformly dispersed in a flexible, water-soluble film carrier therefor. Admixtures of medicament and carrier are drawn into a film, which can be cut to desired unit dosage content.

Abstract: A process with minor variations for producing a configuration of glass and/or any similar material such as plastic or epoxy is disclosed. The configuration is basically a honeycomb of pipes of transparent material attached to a transparent plate, such as window glass. The pipes are closed at one end by the plate. Then pipes prevent convection movement of a fluid parallel to the plate near its surface, except for very short distances. The unique inventive feature of the process lies in the fact that the honeycomb of pipes are produced simultaneously by a drawing process, during which either a part of a plate, which part is in the form of a grid, is softened, or a grid of new soft material is added to a plate, and the pipes are always attached to the plate both during formation and upon completion of formation.Also disclosed is a special configuration to render the pipes resistant to breakage under thermal stress.

Abstract: The invention comprises methods and apparatus for forming filamentary material directly from a pendant drop of molten material, and provides for a significant improvement in the quench rate. A typical method of making filamentary material according to the invention, comprises the steps of: (a) heating a solid material, typically, a metal or metal alloy, so as to form a pendant molten drop of the material which is at a temperature within 25 percent of its equilibrium melting point in .degree.K, said molten material having a surface tension of 10 to 2500 dynes/cm. and a viscosity of 0.001 to 1.

Abstract: In order to make large panels of expanded thermoformable material in a process in which a blank of the material is placed between two heated mold plates, the blank adhered to the plates by hot tack adhesion; the plates separated and the expanded material cooled, while maintaining commercial tolerances, the mold plates are supported on elongated mounting studs.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus for forming hollow and cylindrical ingots of amorphous or fused silica and other ingot materials. The ingot is formed from a melt on a deposition surface which is lowered as the ingot is formed at a rate which maintains a constant distance between the deposition surface and a heat source vertically positioned above same. The melt is shaped into a vertical cylinder by at least one forming tool which is a roller member rotatable about a vertical axis. In a preferred embodiment the fixed distance from the heat source is maintained with the aid of the laser beam.

Abstract: Uniformity in weight per unit length of continuously extruded tire tread stock is improved by measuring a dimension thereof such as thickness in the tread stock between the extruder die face and the conveyor and controlling the speed of the conveyor in response to deviations from an arbitrary norm of the dimension. A laser beam measuring device for measuring thickness variations in the tread stock before it reaches the conveyor and while the tread stock remains dimensionally unstable following its extrusion.

Abstract: A bristled article is integrally formed in an essentially one step low pressure process from a sheet of thermoformable material between a top and bottom mold surface. The bottom mold surface is smooth and the top mold surface is channeled, and the sheet, in a fused state, is pulled between the mold plates and while bonded thereto by hot tack adhesion, and bristles form at the points of contact with the top mold surface.The bristled articles are useful as brush devices, artificial turf, packaging material and the like.

Abstract: A process is provided for manufacturing a product which has a fibrous surface and is formed by the conversion of a non-fibrous polymer, which process comprises placing a polymer between drawing surfaces which adjoin the polymer and adhere thereto and separating the surfaces. At least one of the surfaces is formed by a carrier for the polymer and for the fibers, through which carrier a fluid is blown such as to flow around the fibers in statu nascendi and orient and stabilize them as their viscosity increases. An apparatus for carrying out said process is also provided.

Abstract: Two warp sheds are formed from warp threads at least some of which are meltable. The warp threads are preheated to make them deformable and weft threads are inserted into the respective sheds and beaten-up in order to form two superimposed fabrics which are connected by the meltable warp threads. During the beating-up the weft threads and the meltable warp threads are simultaneously heated so as to make them adhere to one another. The resulting fabrics are cooled to reverse the deformability of the meltable warp threads, and thereupon the latter are severed intermediate the fabrics by application of heat while the severed ends of the meltable warp threads are simultaneously deformed.

Abstract: A process for producing pile-surfaced articles from crystal forming polymers with glass/rubber transition temperatures above ambient temperatures comprising drawing fibres from a sheet of amorphous polymer with a heated surface and crystallizing the polymer.

Abstract: A process is provided for manufacturing a product which has a fibrous surface and is formed by the conversion of a non-fibrous polymer, which process comprises placing a polymer between drawing surfaces which adjoin the polymer and adhere thereto and separating the surfaces. At least one of the surfaces is formed by a carrier for the polymer and for the fibers, through which carrier a fluid is blown such as to flow around the fibers in statu nascendi and orient and stabilize them as their viscosity increases. An apparatus for carrying out said process is also provided.

Abstract: A process of forming pile surfaced material comprising drawing fibrils from the surface of a cross-linkable thermoplastic material and cross-linking the thermoplastic while maintaining the fibrils in a self-supporting position.

Abstract: An improved process for the manufacture of fibers and yarns comprises drawing a sheet-like moss (web) of molecularly-orientable organic polymer at a temperature above its crystalline melting point, profiling said web followed by stretching and fibrillation of the web into filaments, the improvement comprising the intermediate step before stretching that the profiled polymer is chilled to a temperature below the crystalline melting point of the polymer and subjected to melt draw-down between the profiling element and movable chilling element.

Abstract: A process for improving the abrasion resistance of a pile surfaced material comprising fibrils or tufts of a thermoplastic material integrally formed with a sheet of the thermoplastic material said sheet having been bonded to a backing substrate by melting of the thermoplastic material, said process comprising subsequently heating the pile surfaced material from the substrate side to a temperature such that and for such a time that softening of the thermoplastic occurs but no substantial collapse of the pile occurs.

Abstract: A pile-surfaced product is made by feeding a synthetic polymeric material and a backing web to a surface with the synthetic polymeric material between the backing web and the surface under conditions where the polymeric material is filament forming and the polymeric material adheres to the surface and bonds to the backing web, then withdrawing the backing web from that surface so that as the backing web is so withdrawn the synthetic polymeric material adheres thereto and is drawn into fibrils due to its adhesion to the surface but the fibrils remain integral with the remainder of the polymeric material which is laminated to the backing web, rendering the polymeric material non-filament forming, separating the fibrils from the surface and subsequently separating the pilous synthetic polymeric layer from the backing web.

Abstract: A method of forming a double-walled unit from thermoplastic materials, preferably polymethyl methacrylate, in which two sheets, one of which is provided with an aperture to allow the passage of air between the sheets, are stretched apart under thermoforming conditions by imposed pressure differences, the desired spatial relationship between the sheets being obtained by adjustment of the pressure differences, and in which the sheets are simultaneously bonded about their perimeters.