Abstract: A support surface is formed into a trough, a liquid polymer which expands on reaction is dispensed onto the support surface, and the support surface is inclined to cause flow of the polymer to a region in which the polymer expands. The polymer is introduced onto a supporting liquid which supports the polymer in a zone which is substantially coextensive with at least a major portion of the expansion region. The supporting liquid has a specific gravity higher than that of the polymer, whereby the polymer floats on and advances across the supporting liquid in the form of an expanding mass having left and right sides, a flat bottom and a top which slopes upwardly in the direction of the advance. Conveyors support the expanding mass at the respective left and right sides thereof. The conveyors are submerged in the liquid at their upstream ends, and the direction of advance of their polymer-supporting active surfaces is substantially parallel to the sloping top of the polymeric bun as it expands.

Abstract: A process for producing dense membranes comprises allowing a solution comprising a polar polymer and/or a polar prepolymer in a polar solvent which is substantially soluble in a polar liquid to spread out over the surface of the polar liquid and allowing the spread out solution to desolvate. The dense membranes can be applied in supported membranes for use in gas separation processes.

Abstract: A method of forming a concrete member is provided which includes the following steps: in a mold structure having a plurality of lateral walls defining a cavity, introducing a liquid into the cavity to a predetermined level above a drainage conduit which leads to a weir having an upper edge which is higher than the liquid level; forming a layer of fusible material on the surface of the liquid, the fusible material being of lesser density than the liquid and having a melting point which is above the temperature of the liquid, by introducing molten fusible material into the cavity until the liquid begins to flow over the weir; after the fusible material has solidified, introducing a concrete mix into the cavity onto the fusible material; when the concrete mix is at least partially cured, establishing a flow of warm liquid into the cavity below the fusible material and over the weir, the warm liquid having a temperature above the melting point of the fusible material so that the fusible material is melted; draini

Abstract: The formation of an artificial island in a body of water is effected by injecting a gellable, cross-linkable fluid, such as a blend of a water-soluble polymer and a cross-linking agent therefore, from a vessel below the surface of the water and moving the vessel to form a strip of a gelled mass. The gellable fluid is injected such that it extends from the floor of the body of water to the surface thereof. A dense solid material may be incorporated in the gellable fluid. An exposed section may be formed on the strip by either injecting a gas along with the gellable fluid in the upper region thereof, or pouring additional gellable fluid over the formed strip prior to complete setting of the surface of the gellable mass. The strip may be formed to enclose a section of water and the water in said enclosed section may be displaced with solid load-bearing material, or ice may be built up within the enclosed section to serve as a load supportive structure.

Abstract: A very thin, dense membrane is produced by preparing a solution of a polymer and/or prepolymer and a substantially water insoluble surface active agent in an organic liquid, allowing the solution to spread spontaneously on the surface of a liquid support substantially consisting of a polar fluid and allowing the solution to desolvate and to react, if a prepolymer is present. The membrane so produced may be supported by a substrate comprising at least one porous layer.

Abstract: A substantially non-overlapping tightly packed layer of plastic chips is formed and attached to the surface of a substrate by a method in which the chips are dispersed onto the surface of a liquid, flowing from a first location to a second location. The rate of flow of the surface of the liquid is reduced at the second location to cause the chips to pack together in a single-chip-thickness layer. The layer of chips is then removed from the liquid by passing a porous web upward at an angle from below the liquid surface through the chip layer-liquid interface. The chip layer is then transferred to a heat-sensitive transparent adhesive coating on a suitable prepared substrate and secured thereon by means of heat and pressure. A resinous wear layer which is transparent after fusion is then applied.

Abstract: Feeding of molten plastic strands into a discharge trough. At its upper end the discharge trough includes a slidably movable segment that can be extended behind the fall line of the strands as they emerge from nozzles. In its operating position, the extended segment catches the strands, and can be moved into a fore-running or non-operating position permitting free passage of the strands at the side of the discharge trough. A separational element is associated with the movable segment. As the segment is moved through the fall line of the strands, the separational element acts upon the strands and effects the desired separation. The strands which enter the discharge trough are cooled and ultimately fed to a granulator.

Abstract: Process for producing encapsulable globules by means of a film polymerized in situ, applicable particularly to the production of breeding substrates for entomophagous insects in the form of artificial lepidoptera eggs, in which process drops are frozen for their encapsulation and comprising the stages of: forming a jet of the substance to the frozen and spraying said jet in the form of drops by disintergration of said jet; collecting said drops on a cellular grid which is held at the surface of a bath of cryogenic liquid having a density less than that of said substance; sifting the frozen globules derived from the drops on at least one sieve immersed in the bath beneath said cellular grid.

Abstract: An ultrathin solid membrane is composed substantially of a silicon-containing copolymer consisting substantially of recurring units derived from a silicon-containing allyl monomer and an ethylenically unsaturated monomer and/or a diene monomer. The ultrathin solid membrane is useful for obtaining a specified gas, such as oxygen, in a concentrated state, from a mixture of two or more gases, such as air.

Abstract: An improved method is described for the solvent casting of ultrathin non-porous membranes having surface areas of greater than one square foot. Film thicknesses of less than 200 Angstroms are routinely obtained, because the solidified film remains substantially free of tensile stress during the formation and removal thereof from the liquid casting substrate. The casting solution used comprises polymer dissolved in a solvent system and is characterized by being able to spontaneously spread over the surface of the liquid casting substrate. The casting solution is deposited in a narrow, longitudinally-extending defined region at the surface of the casting substrate; the surface area and perimeter of the defined region are enlarged over the surface of the casting substrate in a manner whereby only casting solution is moved relative to the casting substrate and, once desolvated, the polymer film formed remains stationary relative to the casting substrate and substantially free of tensile stress.

Abstract: A method for molding a container or similar article to produce a texturized outer surface defining random decorative swirls is disclosed. The method includes injecting liquid material to be molded, such as hot wax, into a rotating cylindrical mold. The molding surface is provided by a liquid, such as water, which has a greater specific gravity than the material to be molded. The rotating mold causes the liquid molding surface to be formed by centrifugal force. The material to be molded, in molten form, is poured into the mold and is maintained in intimate contact with the molding surface by centrifugal force until solidification. The molded article then takes the external texture of the liquid surface, reflecting the viscosity of the liquid, and the centrifugal forces exerted thereon. The method also includes smaller articles within larger articles and molding articles stacked on each other within the rotating mold.

Abstract: Conoid surfaces can be generated by rotation of a material at different angles and under differing constraints. An axis of 45.degree. can produce hyperboloids; with perpendicular axes, concentric spheres can be produced; magnetic fields can be used to shape the lenses; and multielement lenses can be produced with special chambers.

Abstract: An improved method is described for solvent casting ultrathin non-porous methylpentene polymer films. The casting solution comprises methylpentene polymer or a mixture thereof with organopolysiloxane-polycarbonate copolymer dissolved in a solvent system and is characterized by being able to spontaneously spread over the surface of the liquid casting substrate. In a preferred embodiment, large-area films less than 200 Angstroms in thickness may be repeatedly formed. The solidified films remain relatively free of tensile stress during formation. The casting solution is deposited in a narrow, longitudinally-extending defined region at the surface of the casting substrate. The surface area and perimeter of the defined region are enlarged over the surface of the casting substrate in a manner whereby the casting solution is moved relative to the casting substrate and, after desolvation, the polymer film formed remains stationary relative to the casting substrate and relatively free of tensile stress.

Abstract: A composite laminar membrane including a flexible microporous support layer and at least one ultrathin permeable nonporous polymeric membrane of 500 angstroms or less in thickness is prepared by a continuous process. A liquid substrate having a well in its upper surface is provided and polymer-containing casting solution is continuously supplied to the well to effect continuous solution spreading across the liquid surface. Solvent is removed and a web of the support material is continuously contacted with the resulting ultrathin membrane to continuously remove it upwardly from a region of the liquid surface. In a preferred embodiment, an additional well spaced from the removal region is employed for producing an additional membrane, which is continuously removed from its liquid surface in contiguous contact with the liquid-contact surface of the first membrane.

Abstract: Molten aluminous oxide abrasive, particularly molten mixtures of alumina and zirconia, are rapidly cooled and solidified by pouring into an agitated molten metal bath, having a boiling point above the temperature of said molten abrasive, such as molten tin, while being protected from oxidation. The solidified abrasive particles float to the top of the metal bath, are removed and separated from adhering metal, as by centrifuging, and crushed to abrasive grit-sized particles.

Abstract: Method is disclosed for preparing a honeycomb insulation structure having its cells partially filled with a low density foam and a high density integral skin completely covering one edge of the honeycomb. Method comprises placing one edge of a honeycomb in an inert material; introducing a foamable or foaming substance into the cells and allowing it to rise from the surface of the inert material until it overflows slightly. The overflowing foam comes into contact with a pressure platen just above the honeycomb thereby forming the high density integral skin. The level of the material in the cell determines the thickness of the void on one edge. Structure has utility in cryogenic storage.

Abstract: A plastic foam rigid swimming pool cover is fabricated by forming an amorphous plastic foam material into a shape conforming generally to the periphery of the pool and into a shape for covering the swimming pool. The cover is also shaped for lifting as an integral unit from a covering position to an uncovered position above the pool via the intermediary of a plurality of lifts such as electric or hydraulic jacks coupled to the pool cover at a plurality of points spaced around the periphery thereof. The amorphous plastic foam material is formed to the desired shape by either casting or spraying the material into or onto a form of proper shape. In some embodiments, the reinforcing members are embedded in the foam to provide added strength and rigidity. The foam cover may include soil and plant receptacles for landscaping. The cover may be formed in situ or at a remote location to a template and segmented for transport to the pool and reassembled in situ.

Abstract: Abrasive granules are produced from alumina or an alumina-zirconia mixture by melting the oxide material and rapidly cooling the melt. To control the solidification velocity, the melt is cast into a molten chloride of Na, Ca, Ba, Mg or mixtures thereof to cool the oxide material melt, the chloride is separated from the cooled and solidified oxide material, and thereafter abrasive granules are produced from the solidified oxide material.

Abstract: An end portion of a bundle of thread-like bodies to be set is dipped into a solidifiable liquid. At least a part of said bundle, adjacent to the predetermined level of the solidifiable liquid, is contacted with a specific liquid or gas which substantially prevents wicking of said solidifiable liquid along said thread-like bodies due to capillary action. The solidifiable liquid is not drawn up through the bundle beyond predetermined level of the solidifiable liquid, and solidified at the predetermined level.

Abstract: A method for producing films wherein the material of which the film is to be formed or the constituents of that material are emitted in the vapor state under a high vacuum, the vapor is condensed to the solid state on the surface of a liquid bath, and the condensed film is then separated from the liquid.

Abstract: Non-porous, thin, polycarbonate films and a process for their production. Solutions of polycarbonates in concentrations of less than 5 parts solids per 100 parts solvent are applied to the surface of liquids immiscible, or sparingly miscible with, the solvent for the polycarbonate. The solvent is then evaporated, and the resultant film removed. The films are useful for the separation of gas and liquid mixtures and for electrical insulating purposes.

Abstract: Non-porous, thin, polycarbonate films and a process for their production. Solutions of polycarbonates in concentrations of less than 5 parts solids per 100 parts solvent are applied to the surface of liquids immiscible, or sparingly miscible with, the solvent for the polycarbonate. The solvent is then evaporated, and the resultant film removed. The films are useful for the separation of gas and liquid mixtures and for electrical insulating purposes.

Abstract: The present invention is related to a method for manufacturing a substantially planar and horizontal rigid structure constituted by building elements which are jointed to each other, comprising the steps of successively moulding said building elements from a rapidly polymerizing foamed plastic material; transferring successively said building elements, immediately after polymerization of said plastic material to a predetermined location in the structure to be obtained, so as place each one of said elements into a juxtaposition with respect to the previously transferred element, said transferring step being carried out preferably after a modification of at least a portion of the surface of said elements; and jointing to said predetermined location to the element which has previously been transferred.

Abstract: Unsupported ultrathin polymer film is made in bulk form by floating the film on a bath, transferring the floating film to a release substrate, drying the resulting film/substrate composite, separating the film from the substrate, and retrieving the unsupported film, e.g. in the form of a convoluted roll provided with anti-blocking agent in between the convolutions. The bulk product can be made into thermal insulating material, flake-like weather modifying agents, etc.