Abstract: A method for forming a porous carbonaceous preform includes forming a mixture comprised of up to about 50 volume percent of furfuryl alcohol or tetrahydrofurfuryl alcohol, about 1 to 10 volume percent of a nonionic polyethylene oxide polymer ranging in molecular weight from about 100,000 to 5,000,000, about 30 to 80 volume percent of a carbonaceous material, and the balance water. The mixture is cast to form a body, and heated to decompose the polymer and form the porous preform. A molding composition for carbonaceous material includes, up to about 50 volume percent of furfuryl alcohol or tetrahydrofurfuryl alcohol, about 1 to 10 volume percent of a nonionic polyethylene oxide polymer ranging in molecular weight from about 100,000 to 5,000,000, about 30 to 80 volume percent of the carbonaceous material, and the balance water.

Abstract: An asymmetric polymer membrane is disclosed characterized by being formed by irradiating a monomer and/or an oligomer polymerizable with an energy ray and having a pore diameter distribution in the thickness direction of the membrane, a ratio of a permeability flux of oxygen to nitrogen of 0.9-1.1, and communicating pores.

Abstract: A method of making a seat component including the steps of sewing marginal edges of a plurality of cover material pieces with a plastic strip disposed between exterior surfaces of the marginal edges in a configuration coincident with a elongated sharply concave styling character line to form a seam in which a line of stitches extends through the marginal edges of the cover material pieces and a reduced thickness central portion of the strip along a severance line thereon or slightly outwardly thereof, applying a tape of imperforate material along the interior surface of the seam, positioning a sewn and taped panel of the cover pieces so that the exterior surface thereof is in facing relation to mold face of mold member, inserting an exterior edge portion of the strip into an elongated slot in the mold surface so as to accurately locate the seam of the panel along the elongated sharply convex styling character line, foaming a foamable material so as to adhere a body of foamed material to the interior surface o

Abstract: A multi-dimensional image is obtained in a substantially flat surface covering by aligning the platelets of a platey material in the optical surface of the surface covering parallel to the exposed surface of the surface covering and realigning predetermined platelets to a predetermined angle with respect to the original alignment. The platelets can be realigned by pressing a gelled transparent or translucent element into the platey material containing layer or by mechanically embossing the platey material containing layer.

Abstract: Microporous nylon materials which retain near constant time to hydrosaturation during and after heating to temperatures necessary for sealing together a plurality of surfaces, and the synthesis thereof. Nylon 46 dissolved into a mixture of liquid nylon 46 solvents and nonsolvents is dispersed on a fabric substrate, then precipitated to form a laminate, from which a wash removes the nonsolvents and forms the microporous material.

Abstract: Asymmetric hollow fibers having a microporous hollow fiber core comprising a polyolefin, e.g. polypropylene, and an asymmetric coating comprising a fluoropolymer, e.g. SIXEF.TM.-Durene. Optionally, the coating may also comprise glycerine which is applied prior to the fluoropolymer. The fibers are coated by wet-spinning, or alternately by dry jet-wet spinning, through a spinning jet in which a fluoropolymer-containing fluid is applied to the outer surface of the fibers as they pass through the jet. The fibers exit the jet into a water bath. If greater selectivity is needed, the fiber later may be coated with an additional layer of a highly selective material, e.g. polyvinyl alcohol, PVP, and the like.

Abstract: Normally hydrophobic fluoropolymer porous membranes having continuous pores are rendered hydrophilic by coating the pore interior with a mixture of at least one fluoroaliphatic surfactant and at least one hydrophilic but substantially water-insoluble polyurethane.

Abstract: A composite membrane which is substantially insoluble (and preferably swells no more than 10%) in acetonitrile, ethanol, hexane, toluene, N-methylpyrrolidone, dimethylsulfoxide, dimethylformamide, dimethylacetamide, and their mixtures with each other and/or with water, comprises a substrate made from copolymers or homopolymers of ethylenically unsaturated nitriles, the substrate having been subjected to the steps of: (1) insolubilizing the polymer by crosslinking; (2) coating with a silicone layer; and (3) crosslinking the silicone layer. Prior to step (2), the substrate is preferably treated with a pore protector in absence of curing agents and catalysts. The pore protector is e.g. a hydroxy-terminated polysiloxane, particularly a silanol-terminated polysiloxane; it prevents the pores from collapsing, when the support is dried during step (3), and prevents passage of the coating material deeply into the pores, thus also preventing an undue reduction of the flux of the finished membrane.

Abstract: A composite plastic article is provided which includes an improved boss for fastening the article to a supporting structure. The composite article includes a decorative outer skin co-molded to a reinforced foam layer. The foam layer is formed from a foaming resin such as polyurethane in an exothermic reaction. The boss is formed as a part of the foam layer and protrudes through the insert. A metallic fibrous material such as steel wool is molded into the boss to give the boss added structural integrity and to remove heat generated during formation of the boss and foam layer to thereby reduce cracking of the boss and localized blistering and delamination of the outer skin. A method for making such a boss is also provided.

Abstract: A novel process for fabricating a multi-colored foamed speckled thermoplastic sheet is disclosed, wherein differently colored preformed thermoplastic sheets are separately comminuted into particles by grinding the sheets at the temperature about equal to the glass-transition temperatures of the sheets. The ground fine particles of different colors are mixed in an appropriate ratio and are then calendered to form sheets. This process is economical and convenient for mass production.

Abstract: A process for preparing a permeable sheet of glass fibre reinforced thermoplastic material for moulding into a shaped product which includes binding thereto a surface layer of particulate material which is compatible with or inert to the thermoplastic content of said sheet and which acts to improve the surface finish thereof when the sheet is subsequently heated and chill moulded under pressure.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel, porous, composite membrane comprising a metallic support having large pores and a microporous ceramic membrane deposited on the support and integral therewith. Preferably, the support is steel having pores in the range of from about 0.25 .mu.m to about 50 .mu.m and the ceramic membrane is alumina having pores ranging from about 5 .ANG.to about 2500 .ANG..

Abstract: A module is disclosed for use as a membrane device, comprising, a shell with fluid couplings removably affixed to each of its ends containing at least one cartridge having an axial conduit. The cartridge is formed with plural frameless arrays of hollow fibers of selectively permeable material. Each array is free of any means to support the fibers intermediate split-clip headers in which the fibers are held near their opposite ends, except for tension cords which may be substituted for fibers. The split-clip headers are mirror-images of each other. Each has a peripheral potting channel and longitudinal, laterally spaced apart grooves in the split-clip headers. The upper and lower sections, placed one upon the other, together form through-passages ("grooves") in which terminal portions of the fibers are snugly embraced. The fibers lie in parallel spaced-apart relationship in a plane substantially orthogonal to the axial conduit, and their ends are cut before a stack of arrays is potted.

Abstract: A thermoformable, rigid or semi-rigid polypropylene foam sheet having a smooth surface and a uniform cell structure and a density of at least 2.5 lbs/ft.sup.3 is prepared by extruding a mixture of a nucleating agent, a physical blowing agent and a polypropylene resin having a high melt strength and high melt elasticity.

Abstract: A method of making an upholstered element wherein a cover is introduced into a mold to which it tightly adheres. The mold is closed by means of a first lid, following which a soft-foam reaction mixture is introduced into a first hollow chamber of the mold closed off by the first lid. At the end of the reaction, the soft-foam reaction mixture fills the first hollow chamber and forms a soft-foam body. Subsequently, the first lid is removed from the mold and replaced by a second lid, the soft-foam body remaining in the mold. Between the soft-foam body in the mold and the second lid, a second hollow space is formed. Subsequently, a rigid-foam reaction mixture is introduced into the second hollow chamber, which at the end of the reaction fills the second hollow chamber and forms a rigid-foam body.

Abstract: The process of making a multilayer membrane composed of a carrier layer, a porous supporting layer and a separating layer includes making a modified polyvinyl alcohol by decomposing a polyvinyl ester or ether until the proportion of the vinyl alcohol monomer units in the modified polyvinyl alcohol corresponds to that in a material consisting of 80 to 95% of the polyvinyl ester or ether and 20 to 5% of a polyvinyl alcohol obtained by completely decomposing the polyvinyl ester or ether; preparing a composite material consisting of the carrier layer and the porous supporting layer, preparing a dilute aqueous solution containing 1 to 10% by weight of the modified polyvinyl alcohol; preferably storing the dilute solution at temperatures from -10.degree. to +10.degree. C., preferably from 0.degree. to 5.degree. C.

Abstract: A composite reverse osmosis membrane composed of a microporous support layer and a thin layer supported thereon, characterized in that the thin layer is made of a crosslinked polyamide which comprises a polyamine component having two or more amino groups in the molecule and an acid component containing a linear aliphatic polyacid halide having two or more halogenated carbonyl groups in the molecule.

Abstract: A hollow fiber module with at least one bundle of hollow fibers made in a U shape, in which each hollow fiber bundle comprises at least two part bundles of different average lengths, the hollow fibers arranged essentially in the form of layers at least in the region of the bend of the U shape, the layers extending substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the module, the longitudinal axes of the layers and the longitudinal axis of the module approximately coinciding and the layers forming an angle between them when viewed longitudinally. An apparatus and process for making the hollow fiber module are also disclosed.

Abstract: Composite solvent stable membranes for treating organic liquids comprise a crosslinked layer of less than 5 microns in thickness supported on a solvent stable porous membrane substrate, which layer includes at least one polymer selected from polyphenylene oxide type polymers and polysulfone type polymers, provided that the crosslinked layer includes at least one polymer derived from haloalkylated polyphenylene oxide type monomers. Such composite membranes include solvent stable membranes which swell to an extent of no more than about 10% when immersed in various organic solvents, and their mixtures with each other and/or water.

Abstract: A method of making a shoe sole which includes a midsole layer of soft material and an outsole layer having wear resistance. The midsole layer and the outsole layer are fused together in a mold which has a mold cavity smaller in size than the shoe sole and in proportion to the shoe sole. When the shoe sole is removed from the mold, the shoe sole is distorted due to a foaming of the midsole layer. The outsole layer is softened and is straightened by the midsole layer so that the shoe sole is directly formed without any cutting processes.

Abstract: A composite structure, particularly a filter structure, is provided comprising a support having a surface and a porous membrane formed integrally to the surface of the support. The support preferably includes means for directing a fluid away from the surface of the support. The support surface is at least slightly soluble in a solvent. The porous membrane comprises a resin soluble in the solvent and precipitated while the casting solution is in contact with a porous substrate and the surface of the support. The membrane is formed and integrally secured to the surface of the support contemporaneously.

Abstract: Charge compositions containing aqueous mixtures of organic oxygenates may be separated by pervaporation through a membrane assembly containing a porous ceramic support bearing as separating layer, a membrane of cured polyvinyl alcohol which has been cross-linked as with glutaraldehyde.

Abstract: An EVA insole manufacturing process includes a step of mixing an EVA resin with a foaming agent for producing a molding through an injection molding process, and a step of heating the molding thus obtained in a mold so that it foams into a predetermined shape. Two or more moldings which respectively contain a different concentration of foaming agent or a different pigment color may be put together in a common mold and subjected to integral foaming and form setting process, so as to produce an insole which has different hardness and color at different parts thereof.

Abstract: A process for injection molding a hollow plastic article in which a low pressure heat-activated gas is injected in combination with a plastic material into a mold cavity of a plastic injection mold unit. When the plastic material and heat-activated gas enter the mold cavity, the gas expands to outwardly exert pressure on the plastic material thereby urging the plastic material towards the walls of the mold cavity to, in turn, form the hollow portions of the hollow plastic article. The gas remains within the hollow plastic article and continues to exert outward pressure until the plastic article has substantially cooled and hardened at which time the gas becomes dormant. Accordingly, no venting of the gas from the plastic article is necessary.

Abstract: A method of making antistatic vinylaromatic polymer-containing articles, and articles produced thereby, which includes immersing expandable vinylaromatic polymer-containing articles, having a blowing agent dispersed therein, in a bath containing an ethoxylated amine compound for a length of time sufficient to allow the ethoxylated amine compound to penetrate into the expandable articles to an extent such that the expandable articles, when expanded to a density of at most about 1.5 pcf, dissipate an induced 5000 volt charge to substantially 0 volts in less than 2 seconds.

Abstract: A method of molding a foamed product is carried out by using a front and a rear mold for molding a front and a rear portion of the foamed product and a core interposed between the front and rear molds. The method includes steps of pouring or spraying one of foaming stock solutions onto a molding surface of the one mold, arranging the core in the one mold and pouring or spraying the other foaming stock solution onto the core or a molding surface of the other mold. The front and rear molds are closed at a moment when a lapse of time arrives at 30-100% of a rise time of the foaming stock solution later applied. Thereafter the closed molds are maintained in a position where an angle of the closed molds relative to a horizontal plane is within a range between 90.degree. and an angle more than 0.degree.. The front and rear molds are pivotally connected to each other with their one ends by means of a pivot shaft. The core is pivotally supported with its one end by a shaft arranged in parallel to the pivot shaft.

Abstract: In a method for manufacturing hollow fiber piles, at least one hollow fiber strand is wound spirally onto a rotating drum having a polygonal cross section to form superimposed hollow fiber layers thereon, forming a hollow fiber roll on the drum. Once the desired number of hollow fiber layers has been formed on the rotating drum, segments of a desired shape are separated from substantially planar regions of the hollow fiber roll. Simultaneously, or immediately following this separation, adjacent end regions of the hollow fibers are connected with one another at least spotwise.

Abstract: It has been discovered that a particular polyurethane formulation may be used to prepare "pour-in-place" (PIP) polyurethane foam articles where the formulation is injected into a mold bearing an exterior covering such as a fabric without the foaming liquid striking through the layer. The formulation employs a hydrophilic polyhydric compound to help the reactivity balance that minimizes penetration of the exterior covering while also stabilizing the rising foam against shear collapse without excessively tightening the foam. Contrary to the conventional expectation that the hydrophilic polyhydric compound would cause strike through problems since it delays the initial reaction time, it has been found to have the noted stabilizing effect. A preferred hydrophilic polyhydric compound is glycerine. A preferred isocyanate for the formulation is tolylene diisocyanate (TDI), in contrast to diphenylmethane diisocyanate (MDI) heretofore used in PIP foams.

Abstract: Novel thin film composite membranes are disclosed. They are prepared from vinyl and related monomers by phase transfer catalysis at the interface between one phase containing a polymerizable vinyl or related monomer and a second phase containing an entity necessary to initiate polymerization of the monomer. The two phases are substantially insoluble in each other. At least one of the phases is a fluid. One of the phases is integral with a porous support or substrate or a precursor of such support or substrate such as a porous organic or inorganic diaphragm made by thermal phase inversion from which the soluble phase has not been extracted.

Abstract: A thermoformable, rigid or semi-rigid polypropylene foam sheet having a smooth surface and a uniform cell structure and a density of at least 2.5 lbs/ft.sup.3 is prepared by extruding a mixture of a nucleating agent, a physical blowing agent and a polypropylene resin having a high melt strength and high melt elasticity.

Abstract: Semi-permeable membrane and membrane/support assemblies and systems for microfiltration, ultrafiltration, nanofiltration, reverse osmosis, electrodialysis, electrodeionization and piezodialysis filter systems are formed of polymer membranes (14), including fine particle moieties (24) or threads (16) of substantially water insoluble, oligodynamic bioactive (biostatic and/or biocidal) dispersed material. When these membranes systems are used in aqueous liquids the dispersed material dissolves slowly and provides a continuous biostatic and/or biocidal action over a long duration to counteract membrane fouling propensities of the system environment.

Abstract: A method is provided for the preparation of a synthetic, non-composited microporous membrane comprising a continuous array of crystalline molecular sieve material. A non-porous forming surface is contacted, under crystallization conditions, with a chemical mixture capable of forming the molecular sieve material. After a layer of the molecular sieve material is crystallized on the forming surface, the layer and the forming surface are recovered from the chemical mixture and the layer is separated from the forming surface.

Abstract: A surface-modified support membrane is disclosed wherein the membrane coating is resistant to cleaning agents such as surfactants and solvents. Also disclosed is a process for preparing such membranes. The subject membranes have a modifying polymer irreversibly adsorbed onto essentially all of the surface area thereof, which modifying polymer is uniformly cross-linked.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing a ceramic filter having a given pore size required as a filter membrane and also having superior alkali resistance and acid resistance. The filter of the present invention is produced by preparing an aggregate comprising alumina coarse particles and a sintering aid comprising alumina-zirconia mixed particles containing not more than 90 wt. % of alumina, blending said alumina coarse particles and alumina-zirconia mixed particles so as for alumina to be in an amount of from 80 to 99 wt. % based on the total weight of the starting materials, forming the blended starting materials to have a desired shape, and firing the formed product.

Abstract: A composite membrane and process utilizing the membrane which is capable of selectively removing particles such as viral particles from a solution such as a protein solution is provided. The membrane comprises a porous membrane substrate, a surface skin having ultrafiltration separation properties and an intermediate porous zone between the substrate and the skin which intermediate zone has an average pore size smaller than that of the substrate. The intermediate zone is free of voids which break the skin and which directly fluid communicate with the substrate. The composite is capable of a log reduction value of at least 3 (99.9% removal) of particles selectively from solution.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing multiple-layer molded articles with an outer skin of compact thermoplastic material and a core of foamed thermoplastic material includes initially introducing the material for the skin into a mold cavity in a quantity sufficient for the desired thickness of the skin and subsequently feeding into the mold cavity the material for the core to which the expanding agent has been added. During and/or after being introduced into the mold cavity, the core material containing expanding agent is temporarily subjected by means of an additional gas and/or a pressurized, low-boiling liquid to an active pressure which exceeds the gas pressure of the expanding agent. Subsequently, the additional gas or the low-boiling liquid is removed from the hollow space which is still free of skin material and core material.

Abstract: A method of making a reflector of a satallite broadcasting receiving parabolic antenna. The reflector includes a reflective plate which has a skin layer and a core layer disposed within the skin layer which are formed by sandwich injection molding. The skin layer includes a synthetic resin, and the core layer includes a synthetic resin which has pieces of an electric wave reflective material dispersed therein. The parabolic surface of the reflective plate is coated with a protective coating.

Abstract: A method for designing and making composite membranes having a microporous support membrane coated with a permselective layer. The method involves calculating the minimum thickness of the permselective layer such that the selectivity of the composite membrane is close to the intrinsic selectivity of the perselective layer. The invention also provides high performance membranes with optimized properties.

Abstract: In the method of making a filtration unit, envelope-shaped membrane units (62) are placed in a stack, a curable liquid binder (101) is introduced between the membrane units from at least one surface of the filtration unit to a predetermined depth (a), and upon curing of the binder a layer of the binder together with the marginal portions of the edges of the membrane units embedded therein is removed, such as by surface cutting or machining, up to a depth (b) smaller than the depth (a).

Abstract: This invention concerns the production of oriented polymeric films in which a layer of an ambient temperature curable silicone resin composition is formed on a layer of a polymeric film which is thereafter stretched at an elevated temperature to effect orientation of the film. The silicone resin composition includes a volatile inhibitor for inhibiting curing of the composition while stretching is effected. Suitable inhibitors include alkanols when the silicone resin has hydroxyl functionality. Films so produced can be used as release films.

Abstract: Structural elements of thermosetting plastics material, particularly component parts for motor vehicle bodies, are produced by injecting into a mould, in accordance with known "sandwich" injection moulding technology, a first flow of thermosetting plastics material which, after its polymerization in the mould, has aesthetic characteristics and characteristics of flexibility and impact strength, and subsequently a second flow of thermosetting plastics material which, after polymerization has characteristics of rigidy and structural strength, so as to obtain structural elements which have a rigid core of the second material and a shell of the first material adhering to the core.

Abstract: The fiter membrane comprises a porous structure made of a material selected from sintered ceramics, sintered metals, microporous carbon, and microporous glass, and is characterized by the fact that its entire external surface, including the inside surface of the pores in the structure, is covered with a thin and continuous film of carbon or of an oxide. In a sintered aluminum membrane, the surfaces of pores are coated with a dense and continuous thin layer of zirconia which prevents the surfaces from being degraded in service. In the figure, curve 3 shows how the throughput of a membrane without a zirconia layer falls off over time, while curve 4 shows little change in the same membrane having such a layer.

Abstract: A method of making a composite foamed and shaped article including in the first step in which a thermoplastic resin powder is filled in a slush molding die to form a first resin layer, a second step in which a mixed powder consisting of a heat decomposable foaming agent and the thermoplastic resin powder is filled in the die in which the first resin layer was already formed, to form a second resin layer on the surface of the first resin layer, and a third step in which the heat decomposable foaming agent is made to foam by heat treatment to form a final product of a composite foamed and shaped article wherein the slush molding die is pre-heated by an infrared heating method.

Abstract: An injection molding method for forming molded products of foamed plastics, in which molten resin mixed with foaming agent which begins foaming after being kept at a required temperature for a required time is injected into a metal mold wherein the foaming agent mixed together with the molten resin is solidified in a body in the metal mold under such conditions that the portion of the foaming agent molten resin mixture which is in contact with the inner surface of the metal mold is accordingly cooled rapidly such as to substantially prevent foaming thereof, so that the appearance of the molded product is finished neatly, while the foaming agent/molten resin mixture in the inner part of the mold is cooled gradually so that the temperature thereof is not rapidly decreased, under conditions wherein the foaming agent begins foaming and the inner portion of the molten resin is therefore expanded from inside owing to the foaming pressure, which expansion substantially prevents the occurrence of depressions in the s

Abstract: A process for the production of foam cushions from different fluid reaction mixtures comprising introducing a first reaction mixture and at least one other reaction mixture into a mold cavity and leaving the mixtures to react to form a cushion having zones of differing elasticity or firmness, characterized in that one of the two reaction mixtures is not introduced into the mold cavity until it has creamed up and is already viscous, and in that the second reaction mixture, which has not creamed up, is introduced at the same time or later.

Abstract: A process for the production of foam cushions from different fluid reaction mixtures comprising introducing a first and at least one other reaction mixture into a mold cavity and leaving the mixtures to react to form a cushion having zones of differing elasticity or rigidity characterized in that the reaction mixtures are not introduced into the mold cavity until they have started to cream up and are already viscous.

Abstract: A process for preparing an asymmetrical macroporous membrane from a polymer solution comprised as the dissolved portion fraction a polymeric mixture comprised of about 5-70% by weight of polyvinylpyrrolidone having a molecular weight of .gtoreq.100,000 Dalton and about 95-30% by weight of a polymer selected from the group consisting of polysulfone, a polyether sulfone, and an aromatic or araliphatic polyamide, said weight being relative to the total weight of the dissolved polymeric fraction, by action of a coagulating liquid, wherein the coagulation is effected under conditions such that skin formation, asymmetrical port formation and retention of the polyvinylpyrrolidone are achieved, recovering the asymmetrical macroporous membrane comprising the polymeric mixture.

Abstract: Asymmatric, porous polyamide membranes permeable to fluid flow comprising:(A) a porous skin layer, and(B) adjacent to the skin layer, an integral, porous support layer having at least one region comprising a network of substantially parallel, hollow tube-like structures, each of the tube-like structures being oriented such that the longitudinal dimension of each tube-like structure is essentially perpendicular to the skin layer;whereinthe skin layer is relatively thin and dense compared to the support layer,the pore diameters in the skin layer are relatively small compared to the diameters of the tube-like structures in the support layer,in membrances having support layers with more than one region, the cross-sectional area of the tube-like structures is larger in regions located farther from the skin layer, andthe polyamide is an aliphatic polyamide having a glass transition temperature of less than 200.degree. C., and method of making the same.

Abstract: A vehicle seat assembly having a molded foam cushion body and a pair of molded foam bolster bodies covered by a cover member which is bonded to the cushion body and the bolsters during molding. The cushion body foam is poured in place onto a portion of the cover member and the foam for the bolster bodies is poured in place adjacent the cushion body preferably at the same time. The bolster bodies can thus have a density differing from the foam cushion body to provide differing deflection characteristics in the bolsters than in the cushion body.

Abstract: An anatomical multilayer seat for use on a bicycle or the like. The seat comprises a formed substantially rigid shell covered by a flexible cover sheet and having a layer of soft encapsulated gel material provided between the cover shell and the seat shell. The encapsulated gel layer is constrained against any appreciable lateral movement while permitting only limited deflection of the gel during use by a lower formed foam layer provided between the shell and the cover sheet to produce a controlled graduated support for the rider. If desired, a second upper layer of a resilient material can be advantageously provided between the gel layer and the cover sheet of the seat for encapsulating the gel layer. The invention also includes a method for making the anatomical multilayer seat.