Abstract: A stamper for forming a data recording region on a recording medium substrate by means of a transfer surface thereof. The transfer surface transfers a predetermined set of data to the recording medium substrate. The stamper is fitted on at least one of metal molds that are arranged opposite one another for forming the recording medium substrate. The stamper includes a stepped portion formed as bends in the material of the stamper. The stepped portion is configured to project from the transfer surface toward the recording medium substrate.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a method for making a polymeric article mold, a method for making a polymeric article with that mold, and improved surface topography features for a polymeric article. A prototype article is formed and then coated with a thin conductive layer. The coated prototype article is then electroformed until nickel plated to a sufficient depth to define a nickel plating tool. After the prototype article has been removed from the mold face of the nickel tool, the tool can be used as a mold for forming finished polymeric articles which replicate the original prototype article. The use of fine topography features such as a dense upstanding stem array on the surface of the prototype article facilitates accurate and complete electroforming by increased surface area presentation. The disclosure also presents improvements to microreplicated surface structures such as stem arrays.

Abstract: An oriented polyimide film of high strength and a production process therefor. The process basically comprises stretching a gelled film and then imidating the film. The gelled film is formed by introducing a polyamic acid solution into a condensation agent solution. The gelled film is swollen with a solvent at the time of stretching.

Abstract: Disclosed is a fiber-reinforced polyolefin resin composite containing a polyolefin resin (components (A)), fibers (component (B)) and a heavy metal deactivator (component (C)), the ratio of the weight of component (A) to the weight of component (B), (component (A)/component (B)), being from 20/80 to 95/5, the ratio of the weight of component (C) to the combined weight of component (A) and component (B), (component (C)/[component (A)+component (B)]), being from 0.001/100 to 5/100, wherein in the composite substantially all the component (B) have lengths of 2 mm or more. The composite has an improved durability under circumstances of contact with metal. A molded article obtained from the composite is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method employing a casting head having a variably displaceable cavity surface. The casting head comprises a cavity, at least partially formed by plurality of surfaces, including a carrier surface adjacent the cavity, and a variably displaceable drive surface for controlling a pressure of a viscous casting material in a region proximate the carrier surface. In one embodiment of the invention, the casting head further comprises a doctor blade, disposed proximate the carrier surface, forming a gap therebetween for egress of the casting material. In another embodiment of the casting head, the variably displaceable drive surface is comprised of a piston. The piston is actuated by a driver-controlled motor according to a pre-determined displacement program, or according to the level of the casting material in the cavity.

Abstract: The invention relates to ophthalmic molding formulations and to tinted, high Dk ophthalmic moldings. This invention also relates to a method for making a tinted ophthalmic molding. The method comprises: (a) providing a polymer precursor having cross-linkable or polymerizable groups; (b) providing a pigment dispersion comprising an inorganic or organic pigment and a dispersing agent; (c) mixing the pigment dispersion with the polymer precursor to form a tinted prepolymer mixture; (d) dispensing the tinted prepolymer mixture into a mold; and (e) forming a tinted ophthalmic molding from the tinted prepolymer mixture, the molding comprising a polymer matrix having the pigment entrapped therein. With this method, tinted ophthalmic moldings, particularly edge-to-edge soft, tinted contact lenses having improved properties, are prepared with an improved efficiency.

Abstract: In order to provide a light heat insulating member having both an extremely low thermal conductivity and a high heat resistance in an atmosphere, in which pressure is reduced, a core member consisting of accumulated heat resisting inorganic fiber is put between a high temperature side skin member and a low temperature side skin member made of heat resisting fiber textile and these three members are tied all together in one body by sewing, using heat resisting inorganic fiber thread. It is possible to reduce the thermal conductivity to an extremely small value by adding a material having a high emissivity (SiC powder, SiC whisker) to the core member and to prevent scattering of material constructing the core member by covering side wall parts of the core member by the high temperature skin member.

Abstract: A prestressed concrete casting apparatus includes a prestressing element (e.g., wire cable or rod) pretensioning fixture of simple easy to use construction, and great strength/rigidity for withstanding considerable pretensioning forces. Advantageously, a clamshell-type mold form may be used together with the pretensioning fixture, in such a manner that the mold form is easily properly locatable on the pretensioning fixture. The form can be removed for reuse without moving the pretensioning fixture or otherwise disturbing the casting, which is permitted to continue to cure in the stationary pretensioning fixture. Maintaining the pretensioning fixture stationary during the process lends greater structural integrity and stability to the pretensioning fixture under the considerable forces set-up by the pretensioning of the prestressing elements.

Abstract: A molding obtained by heating a hydrosilylated polymer at a temperature higher than the softening point or melting point thereof. The hydrosilylated polymer is obtained by reacting at least one hydridosilsesquioxane compound of the following formula (1): (HSiO3/2)n  (1) wherein n is an integer of 4-1000, with at least one divinylsiloxane compound of the following formula (2): CH2═CH—SiR2—O—(SiR2.O)q—(SiR′2.O)q′—SiR2—CH═CH2  (2) wherein R and R′ are independently selected from alkyl groups, substituted alkyl groups, aryl groups and substituted aryl groups, and q and q′ are each an integer of 0 or more.

Abstract: A film-formable polyimide copolymer, which comprises two kinds of tetracarboxylic acid dianhydride consisting of (A) pyromellitic acid dianhydride and (B) 3,3′,4,4′-benzophenonetetracarboxylic acid dianhydride, and (C) 6-amino-2-(p-aminophenyl)benzimidazole has a heat-resistant dimensional stability without any deterioration of mechanical properties inherent in the polyimide resin when used as a film.

Abstract: The invention relates to laminated parts comprising outer layers and polyurethane sandwich materials, and to a method of producing these laminated parts and to their use in the automotive industry.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the preparation of a novel chemically modified fibrin-fibrillar protein (FFP) composite sheet for medical application and the FFP composite prepared thereby. The FFP sheet finds potential use as a dressing aid in the treatment of various external wounds of different nature, which include cut wounds, burn wounds and even ulcers in animals and human beings.

Abstract: Chemically or biochemically active agents or other species are patterned on a substrate surface by providing a micromold having a contoured surface and forming, on a substrate surface, a chemically or biochemically active agent or fluid precursor of a structure. A chemically or biochemically active agent or fluid precursor also can be transferred from indentations in an applicator to a substrate surface. The substrate surface can be planar or non-planar. Fluid precursors of polymeric structures, inorganic ceramics and salts, and the like can be used to form patterned polymeric articles, inorganic salts and ceramics, reactive ion etch masks, etc. at the surface. The articles can be formed in a pattern including a portion having a lateral dimension of less than about 1 millimeter or smaller. The indentation pattern of the applicator can be used to transfer separate, distinct chemically or biochemically active agents or fluid precursors to separate, isolated regions of a substrate surface.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a process for the rapid in-situ curing of polymerizable materials to provide macromolecular networks and articles of manufacture that are “morphology-trapped”; that is, they exhibit a fixed phase morphology and/or molecular orientation that is locked in by the curing step. The process includes the steps of mixing together a dead polymer, a reactive plasticizer and an initiator to give a polymerizable composition; further processing the mixture in order to achieve a desired phase morphology and/or molecular orientation of the polymeric constituents; shaping the polymerizable composition into a desired geometry; and exposing the polymerizable composition to a source of polymerizing energy, without mixing, to give a final product with the desired phase morphology and/or molecular orientation locked in place.

Abstract: An article having a predetermined surface configuration, such as an optical element having fine irregularities in the surface which has high heat resistance, small heat shrinkage at the time of molding a film and high dimensional stability, and a production process therefor. The article having a predetermined surface configuration is produced by setting a composition comprising a compound which contains a dimethylsiloxane skeleton having at least three recurring units and at least one polymerizable organic group in the molecule between and in contact with the surface of a substrate and the molding surface of a mold in the form of a film, applying at least one of heat and ultraviolet radiation to the composition, removing the mold, and heating as required to form a film having a surface configuration which is the inversion of the surface configuration of the mold on the surface of the substrate.

Abstract: A multilayer polymer film has an optical stack including a plurality of alternating polymer layers with skin layers having mechanical, optical, or chemical properties differing from those of the layers in the optical stack. In one embodiment, the multilayer polymeric film has one or more holograms that provide attractive and useful optical effects.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a process for the rapid in-situ curing of polymerizable materials to provide macro-molecular networks and articles of manufacture that are “morphology-trapped”; that is, they exhibit a fixed phase morphology and/or molecular orientation that is locked in by the curing step. The process includes the steps of mixing together a dead polymer or a prepolymer, a reactive plasticizer or a diulent, and an initiator to give a polymerizable composition; further processing the mixture in order to achieve a desired phase morphology and/or moelcular orientation of the polymeric constitutents; shaping the polymerizable composition into a desired geometry; and exposing the polymerizable composition to a source of polymerizing energy, without mixing to give a final product with the desired phase morphology and/or moelcular orientation locked in place.

Abstract: A concrete retarder comprises a polymer (A) having the concrete set retarding ability. The polymer (A) has, as a structural unit, a low glass transition temperature (Tg) component with a Tg of not higher than −5° C., and a surface tension of 45 mN/m or lower. The proportion of the low Tg component having a glass transition temperature (Tg) of not higher than −5° C. is 10% by weight or more relative to the whole polymer (A). The polymer (A) has a functional group which can form a salt with a metal ion (particularly, a free acid group or a group capable of forming an acid group by hydrolysis). The polymer (A) is a vinyl-series polymer, a polyester (saturated or unsaturated polyester), or a crosslinked or graft polymerized unsaturated polyester. A sheet and a decorative pack may be formed with the concrete retarder.

Abstract: Design improvements in constructing electrolytic cell receptacles for electrowinning and electrorefining of nonferrous metals are disclosed, along with a novel mold and molding method. Also disclosed arc formulations for three-layered polymer composite materials and surface scaling coatings, which are used in monolithic formation of receptacles or containers of electrolytic cells.

Abstract: Derived timber products are produced by hot pressing lignocellulose-containing materials bonded with a polyisocyanate binder. In this process, a mixture of organosilicon compounds satisfying specified compositional requirements is applied to the surfaces of the pressing tool facing the lignocellulose-containing material to be pressed.

Abstract: A laminate of aramid nonwoven sheet and polyester resin having an overall thickness of 5 to 20 mils and having an elongation at break of at least 40% in both the cross and machine direction and an average tear load in excess of 1.5 pounds force per inch in both the cross and machine directions.

Abstract: A heat-resistant resin film having a metallic thin film accumulated thereon or an endless belt having a metallic thin film accumulated thereon having good mechanical characteristics is produced in a simple process. A metallic thin film is formed on an inner surface of a cylindrical substrate, and a layer of a heat-resistant resin is formed thereon. An accumulated body of the heat-resistant resin and the metallic thin film is peeled off from the substrate. The metallic thin film may be formed by electroplating, electroless plating or vapor deposition, or may also be formed by attaching a metallic foil having been prepared on an inner surface of the substrate. The heat-resistant resin layer is formed by injecting a polyamide acid solution in a rotational drum, and then formed by centrifugal forming by rotating the rotational drum on rollers under heating. After forming, imidization is conducted by heating and baking to form a film member of a thermosetting polyimide.

Abstract: A low-cost, efficient method of preparing hierarchically ordered structures by filling a mold with a self-assembling mixture of hydrolyzed inorganic species and amphiphilic block copolymers and applying pressure to the mixture. Polymerization of the inorganic species within the mixture results in a mesoscopically structured material having molded features. A mesoporous material can be produced by subsequent thermal removal of the copolymers.

Abstract: The invention relates to novel crosslinkable copolymers of formula wherein the variables are as defined in the claims. The copolymers of the invention are especially useful for the manufacture of biomedical moldings, for example ophthalmic moldings such as in particular contact lenses.

Abstract: The formation of self-assembled patterns in a substrate through deformation induce by a mask placed above the substrate are disclosed. Methods of the present invention may be used to form arrays of nanometer sized pillars as well as mesas from a thin deformable layer of the substrate or a thin film of material deposited on the substrate.

Abstract: An apparatus for slush molding a thin shell having an outer layer and an inner layer. The apparatus includes two tubs alternately movable to a cast position for dispensing their respective material contents into a mold cavity. According to another embodiment of the invention, the apparatus includes a diverter valve configured to alternately open a passage from each of two tubs to the mold cavity to selectively dispense charge materials from the respective tubs into the mold cavity. In addition, a method is provided for forming a thin shell having an outer layer and an inner layer. A first polymer material is cast and allowed to melt on a heated mold surface to form an outer layer. A second polymer material is then cast and allowed to melt and form an inner layer on the inner surface of the outer layer. The shell is then removed from the mold.

Abstract: A process for forming foil. A carrier is provided in a solution comprising water with approximately 3% methyl ethyl cellulose. A pigment consisting of a dispersion of mica flakes is mixed with the carrier to provide a mixture. The mixture is applied to a surface to dry. The mixture may be poured or sprayed on the surface and allowed to dry. When dry, the mixture is removed from the surface as a sheet of foil that is malleable and consistent in color.

Abstract: This invention is a rapid low-cost technique for manufacturing thick high-performance carbon and ceramic composites in the form of uniformly densified near-net shaped structures. This is accomplished by impregnating composite preforms with low-viscosity wetting monomers which undergo polymerization followed by pyrolysis reactions in the preform ultimately creating ceramic and/or carbon matrices. Since the monomers possess low-molecular-weight they have low viscosities. Thus, if they wet the fiber and partially-densified preform they can easily impregnate even the smallest pores. Once inside the preforms, polymerization of the monomers is then initiated, resulting in a liquid matrix-precursor of the high molecular weight needed to produce a superior matrix (upon pyrolysis) with high efficiency.

Abstract: A method and apparatus comprising combining ballistic and fragment resistant fabrics in multiple layers with a central geometrically shaped composite core in a resin forming a composite armor panel, wherein the multiple layers present a fragment projectile with alternating tougher and softer resistances to penetration to enhance the stopping power of the composite armor while retaining a lightweight configuration is disclosed. The panel allows the fabric layers and geometric core to interact in such a manner as to function as a drumskin, flexing and elastically deforming to absorb and attenuate the energy of a forced entry attack.

Abstract: A catheter balloon or other expandable tubular medical device or component, having at least a first layer with a first section and a second section longitudinally compacted by more than the first section. In a presently preferred embodiment, the second section of the first layer extends at least in part along a central portion of the length of the first layer. The longitudinal compaction of the material of the first layer preferably results in a balloon or other expandable tubular medical device or component having improved performance characteristics such as compliance and dimensional stability. One aspect of the invention is directed to a method of longitudinally compacting a porous polymeric tube incrementally along the length of the tube, to compact sections of the tube.

Abstract: A process is provided for manufacturing an imbedded flooring product having a skeletal frame in the form of a mesh at least partially imbedded into a vinyl sheet substrate. The method provides for the mesh to create a pattern visible from above the sheet.

Abstract: Using phase separation technique perforated as well as non-perforated polymeric structures can be made with high aspect ratios (>5). By varying the phase separation process the properties (e.g. porous, non-porous, dense, open skin) of the moulded product can be tuned. Applications are described in the field of micro fluidics (e.g. micro arrays, electrophoretic boards), optics, polymeric solar cells, ball grid arrays, and tissue engineering.

Abstract: A high density polyethylene (HDPE) film is provided having high-biaxial orieniation. The film includes HDPE having a density of at least about 0.940, and a melt index of from about 0.5 to about 10. The film is stretched in the machine (longitudinal) direction to a degree of from about 5:1 to about 8:1, preferably from about 6:1 to about 7:1. The film is also stretched in the transverse (lateral) direction to a degree of from about 6:1 to about 15:1, preferably from about 9:1 to about 13:1. Preferably, the film has an orientation imbalance, with a higher degree of transverse orientation than machine orientation. Skin layers such as heat seal layers can be provided. Preferably, the film contains one or more layers of a casting promoter material employed to promote casting of a high gauge HDPE sheet subsequently high biaxially oriented to provide the film. The film can also be cavitated, or otherwise modified (e.g., corona-treated, coated, metallized, etc.) to provide films suitable for special applications.

Abstract: An antimicrobial tympanostomy tube used to alleviate bacteriostatic infections following myringotomy which is compatible with otologic tissue associated with the middle ear. The tube is formed from a microporous thermoplastic or thermoset resin having incorporated therein 0.5 to about 15% by weight of a silver compound capable of migrating to the surface of tube sidewalls to impart a therapeutically effective level of antibacterial activity throughout the sidewall surface so as to provide long-term prevention of infections which may otherwise result during or after surgery or implantation of the tube.

Abstract: The present invention provides a sectional crimped graft that allows graft flexibility where required and limits the overall longitudinal extension. The present invention overcomes the disadvantage of fully crimped grafts by controlling the number of crimps per unit length, crimp height, crimp geometry and their location along the graft wall, dependent on the particular end-use application. In so doing, flexibility and elongation can be controllably tailored only in areas where significant anatomical angulation is present. It may also be useful in applications other than stent grafts such as surgical grafts for aortic and peripheral areas. Limiting the overall graft longitudinal extension also facilitates the deployment of the stent-graft into the blood vessel.

Abstract: The invention relates to a seamless model free of bond lines and to a method of making same. The method includes the sequential steps of providing a substructure having an exposed outer surface, applying a modeling paste to the outer surface of the substructure in the form of a continuous layer, curing the continuous layer of applied modeling paste, and machining said cured layer of modeling paste to the desired contour. The modeling paste of the invention is a mechanically frothed syntactic foam prepared by injecting inert gas with mechanical stirring into either a formed froth-forming composition, which is preferably a polyurethane or epoxy froth-forming composition containing microballoons.

Abstract: A laser laminar structure is formed by coating each side of a thin substrate with a bonding resin layer, and then coating each bonding resin layer with a molding resin layer; attaching a transparent laser film provided with fine grooves of a laser image presenting figure, characters or logos to an outer surface of each molding resin layer, so that each molding resin layer is formed at superficial portion with fine lines corresponding to the fine grooves of the laser image on the laser film; baking the molding resin layers at high temperature to harden the fine lines formed thereon; and releasing the transparent laser films from the molding resin layers to provide a thermostable laser laminar structure.

Abstract: The present invention is a process for making a low color copolymer of ethylene glycol, isosorbide and terephthalic acid or dimethyl terephthalate. This copolymer, poly(ethylene-co-isosorbide) terephthalate, is useful for making bottles, hot-fill containers, films, sheet, fiber, strand and optical article applications. It can also be used to make polymer blends and alloys.

Abstract: Skid-resistant moisture barriers of the invention, such as house wrapping, waterproofing membranes, and roofing underlayrnents, have a carrier sheet with polymer nodules deposited thereon through a rotating screen roll or by transfer means such as a gravure roll. Precise coating levels and polymer distribution can be achieved more easily when compared with prior art coating and embossing methods.

Abstract: A mold apparatus and method for manufacturing panels having, as desired, one or more areas of reduced material comprising a facing sheet and integrally attached cell forming walls extending in roughly perpendicular fashion from the facing sheet. Additionally, a method for molding panels, including large scale panels, from thermoplastic resins and other moldable materials requiring significantly less energy than other known molding methods, and providing for panels having one or more areas exhibiting continuous outer surfaces on all dimensions. A lower negative mold member has a plurality of upwardly facing positive standoffs defining interstitial channels into which thermoplastic resin or other moldable material is filled. A generally planar upper mold member is placed on the lower mold, and the combined mold assembly is then subjected to elevated heat and pressure, allowing said thermoplastic resin or other moldable material to melt within the interstitial spaces of the lower mold member.

Abstract: A method of replicating a structured surface that includes providing a tool having a structured surface having a surface morphology of a crystallized vapor deposited material; and replicating the structured surface of the tool to form a replicated article. A replicated article includes at least one replicated surface, wherein the replicated surface includes a replica of a crystallized vapor deposited material. A replication tool includes: a tool body that includes a tooling surface; and a structured surface on the tooling surface, wherein the structured surface includes crystallized vapor deposited material or a replica of crystallized vapor deposited material.

Abstract: A polymer vapor deposition process is used to form a flexible thin-walled endoluminal graft membrane. The endoluminal graft membrane is easily radially compressed in an organized manner in combination with a stent. The endoluminal graft membrane is formed with a plurality of semi-collapsed legs and each semi-collapsed leg includes a plurality of preformed folds.

Abstract: In a manufacturing method for hollow panels wherein highly rigid, lighter and various shapes of hollow panels constructed by layering board material made from fibers, wood elements, or wood strands can be obtained economically, wood strands on which a binder is added are layered with a plurality of cores, a thermal compression molding is performed on this layered material uniformly, cores are extracted after the thermal compression molding, and thus ribs and holes are formed in the panel. Also in the core is a bar which may be of irregular shape, and the core can be a combination of bars having the same or different cross sections. The cores are joined by joining boards in a direction of the short dimension of the core.

Abstract: A continuous loop polishing pad that is reinforced by a reinforcing filler and a method for fabricating the polishing pad are described. The reinforced polishing pad is constructed by a sub-layer and a top layer, wherein the sub-layer defines an inner diameter of the polishing pad and contains a reinforcing filler with an aspect ratio of at least 10 oriented substantially in a circumferential direction of the continuous loop polishing pad. The top layer is laminated to the sub-layer with a top surface defining an outer diameter of the polishing pad, while both the sub-layer and the top layer are formed of a polymeric material. The invention further describes a method for fabricating the reinforced polishing pad in a continuous loop.

Abstract: Methods and devices for manufacturing a conduit for placing a target vessel in fluid communication with a source of blood, such as a heart chamber containing blood. The conduit includes first and second portion adapted to be placed in fluid communication with a heart chamber and a target vessel. The conduit lies on the exterior of the myocardium between the blood source and the target vessel and delivers blood in multiple directions within the lumen of the target vessel. The conduit, which may be formed of any suitable synthetic vascular graft material, is generally T-shaped with the leg having two free ends disposed in the target vessel, preferably being secured thereto via a suture-free attachment. The conduit comprises vascular graft material and may be manufactured various ways, such as molding a conduit from any suitable biocompatible material or fabricating a conduit from one or more pieces of vascular graft material.

Abstract: A silicon carbide powder which can increase the densities of a green body and a sintered silicon carbide, a method of producing a green body having a high density and excellent handling properties, and a method of producing a sintered silicon carbide having a high density, in which methods the silicon carbide powder is used. The silicon carbide powder includes at a particulate volume ratio of 20% to 80% a silicon carbide powder whose model ratio is 1.7 &mgr;m to 2.7 &mgr;m and a silicon carbide powder whose model ratio is 10.5 &mgr;m to 21.5 &mgr;m. The silicon carbide powder is used in the method of producing a green body and in the method of producing a sintered silicon carbide powder.

Abstract: A process for rotomolding using novel melt-extruded melt-fabricable TFE copolymer minicubes, wherein at least 80% of the minicubes are in the size range of 200 to 1200 &mgr;m.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and devices for producing a subassembly for devices designed to receive particulate matter in a compartment of predetermined shape.

Abstract: This invention relates to a stamper for optical disc and a method for manufacturing an optical disc by using this stamper. A photoresist is applied to a substrate (2) and this photoresist is exposed, developed and then transferred to form a disc master which has a recess/protrusion pattern formed on its one side. The one side of the disc master (20) is etched to narrow the width of a protruding part constituting the recess/protrusion pattern, and the recess/protrusion pattern of the disc master (20) with the reduced width of the protruding part is transferred to form a stamper (30). The recess/protrusion pattern provided on the stamper (30) is transferred to form a predetermined pattern on a substrate of an optical disc.

Abstract: Oxygen scavenging barrier polyamide compositions exhibiting high oxygen scavenging capability as well as good coinjection stretch blow moldability characteristics suitable for making multilayer PET bottles with good clarity and delamination resistance are claimed in this invention. The polyamide compositions of this invention comprise a slow crystallizing polyamide blend comprising (i) an amorphous, semiaromatic polyamide homopolymer, copolymer or mixture thereof and (ii) a semicrystalline, aliphatic polyamide homopolymer, copolymer or mixture thereof wherein in the weight ratio of (i):(ii) ranges from about 99:1 to about 30:70; at least one polyamide-compatible, oxidizable polydiene; and at least one oxidation promoting metal salt catalyst. The multilayer PET bottles, made with the polyamide compositions of this invention as the barrier layer, are suitable for extended shelf-life packaging of oxygen-sensitive food and beverage products such as beer and juices.