Abstract: Removable coatings for protecting glass sheets and, in particular, for protecting LCD glass sheets during cutting, grinding, shipping, and/or storage are provided. The coatings comprise one or more polysaccharides, with the preferred polysaccharides being starches composed of a mixture of amylose and amylopectin molecules. The coatings can be removed from the glass sheets using water solutions, e.g., a mild detergent solution, in combination with, for example, ultrasonic cleaning and/or brush cleaning. After removal, the glass sheets have substantially the same surface characteristics and chemistry as untreated sheets and also have particle/contamination levels equivalent to those of control sheets held in a clean environment.

Abstract: An apparatus for and method of rinsing one side of a two-sided substrate and removing unwanted material from the substrate's edge and/or backside. One embodiment of the method is directed toward rinsing and cleaning a substrate having a front side upon which integrated circuits are to be formed and a backside. This embodiment includes dropping the substrate front side down onto a pool of rinsing liquid in a manner such that the front side of the substrate is in contact with the solution while the substrate is held in suspension by the surface tension of the solution liquid thereby preventing the backside of the substrate from sinking under an upper surface of the pool. Next, while the substrate is in suspension in said rinsing liquid, the substrate is secured by its edge with a first set of fingers and in some embodiments the substrate is subsequently spun. In another embodiment, a method of forming a copper layer on a front side of a substrate is disclosed.

Abstract: A method is used to expose a fingerprint on the surface of a metallic object which is covered with a layer of a metallic oxide such as rust. The metallic oxide is dissolved with a reagent which reacts with the metallic oxide. The dissolved metallic oxide is removed from the surface of the metallic object by washing with water to expose the fingerprint and a permanent copy is made of the fingerprint. More specifically, rust from a ferrous object is dissolved with an aqueous acid, the acid and dissolved rust is washed away with water, and a photograph is taken of the exposed fingerprint. The rust can also be dissolved by spraying the rust with a Precision Brand Step #3 Aerosol Rust Inhibitor and Lubricant. The rust can be removed by contacting the rust with a reagent containing a complexing agent for Fe(III) ions.

Abstract: An anti-stick coating that inhibits the adhesion of contaminants that form deposits on the internal cooling passages of gas turbine engine components. The anti-stick coating is formed as an outer coating of the internal cooling passages, and preferably overlies an environmental coating such as a diffusion aluminide coating formed on the passage surfaces. The outer coating has a thickness of not greater than three micrometers, and is resistant to adhesion by dirt contaminants as a result of comprising at least one layer of tantala, titania, hafnia, niobium oxide, yttria, silica and/or alumina. The outer coating is preferably deposited directly on the environmental coating by chemical vapor deposition.

Abstract: A method for applying diffusion aluminide coating on a selective area of a turbine engine component and the coating produced by that method is disclosed. A quartz infrared lamp heats only substantially the localized area of the component to be coated, rather than the complete part. Either halide activated or non-activated tape is applied on the area to be coated and is held in place during coating using a high temperature dimensionally stable tape holder manufactured from graphite or ceramic. The quartz infrared lamp is used to heat only the desired area to a coating temperature of about 1800° F. to about 2000° F. under an inert atmosphere for about 3 to about 8 hours to achieve the desired aluminide coating thickness. No powder masking of the machined surface area is required. Due to the localized heating, aluminum vapor generated from the tape will only deposit aluminide coating on the taped area.

Abstract: A surface modification method for an aluminum substrate, which comprises treating a Ni—P plated aluminum substrate with a functional water having a plus or minus oxidation-reduction potential for a predetermined period of time in a washing step after a polishing step of the Ni—P plated aluminum substrate.

Abstract: The invention provides methods of forming a monomolecular chemisorption film having an excellent uniformity and liquid crystal alignment performance with a high production efficiency. The monomolecular chemisorption film of the invention can be suitably used for liquid crystal alignment layers.

Abstract: A process for producing a substrate 1 having a base-metal plating layer, which includes an immersion step for immersing the substrate 1 in a plating solution contained in a plating tank 33, to thereby form a base-metal plating layer; a washing step for removing the substrate 1 from the plating tank 33, transferring the substrate 1 to a washing tank, and washing the substrate 1; and a cooling step for applying a cooling liquid to the substrate 1 during at least a portion of the period during which the substrate is transferred to a position where the washing step is carried out after completing the immersion step, to thereby cool the substrate 1. An apparatus for carrying out the above process is also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed are a conversion coating composition for use in the surface treatment of a PCB and a conversion coating method using the same. The composition comprises 0.1-30 vol % of sulfuric acid; 0.1-15 vol % of hydrogen peroxide; 0.01-10 wt % of an organic acid; 0.1-30 wt % of a nitrogen compound; 0.01-10 wt % of an organic silicate and/or organic titanate; and 0.1-20 wt % of a film forming auxiliary, 0.1-30 wt % of an etching rate controller, 0.1-20 wt % of a reaction promoter and/or 0.1-20 g/l of a stabilizer. This composition is applied to a PCB at 10-60° C. for 1-10 min. The conversion coating film is superb in adhesive strength, acid resistance, and adhesion and can be formed with ease.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for selectively applying a print material onto a substrate for the synthesis of an array of oligonucleotides at selected regions of a substrate. The print material includes a barrier material, a monomer sequence, a nucleoside, a deprotection agent, a carrier material, among other materials. The method and apparatus also relies upon standard DMT based chemistry, and a vapor phase deprotection agent such as solid TCA and the like.

Abstract: At least one monomolecule film is formed on a transparent substrate surface directly or via a protective film.

Abstract: An optical material, particularly a plastic lens for spectacles, which absorbs almost all UV rays of up to around 400 nm or so and is not too yellow, is obtained by dipping a poly(thio)urethane material or a diethylene glycol bisallylcarbonate polymer material in a solution containing: (1) a dibenzoylmethane compound of a general formula (1): wherein R and R′ each represent a linear or branched alkyl or alkoxyl group having from 1 to 8 carbon atoms; and n and n′ are the same or different integers, each falling between 0 and 3, or (2) a benzotriazole compound of a general formula (2): wherein R″ represents a hydrogen atom, a chlorine atom or a bromine atom; and m and m′ each indicate 1 or 2.

Abstract: A process for preparing a mold used for producing, for example, high resilience polyurethane foamed articles, comprises the step of spraying an aqueous release compound on the inner, article-contacting surface of the mold, the release compound including: an aqueous carrier; and a release agent which forms a release film on the article-contacting surface, wherein the release film is formed by evaporating a majority of the aqueous carrier. An aqueous rinse solution is gently sprayed on the inner mold surface after formation of the release film. The rinse solution, now carrying residual water, emulsifier(s) and/or contaminants, is mechanically removed via an air entrainment device before significant evaporation of the rinse solution has taken place.

Abstract: Process for the alkaline passivation of galvanized and alloy-galvanized steel surfaces and of aluminum in strip lines, wherein the metal surfaces are brought into contact with an alkaline aqueous solution that contains complexing agents and iron, which has a free alkalinity in the range of 5 to 20 points and a total alkalinity in the range of 7 to 30 points and contains: 0.1 to 1 g/l magnesium ions, 0.1 to 1 g/l iron (III) ions and 0.5 to 5 g/l amino or hydroxy carboxylate ions. This may be followed by a chrome-containing or chrome-free secondary passivation.

Abstract: A method of attaching a substantially uniform distribution of particulates to individual exposed surfaces of a matrix of fibrous material. The method includes the following steps: 1) electrically charging a matrix of fibrous material having individual exposed surfaces to create a substantially uniform distribution of charged sites at the exposed surfaces; 2) applying particulates to the charged matrix of fibrous material so that at least some particulates adhere at the charged sites; and 3) attaching particulates adhering to the fibrous material at charged sites by substantially non-transient bonding.

Abstract: A method for producing cylinder linings in an aluminum or magnesium engine block for an internal combustion engine utilizes plasma spraying of a mixture of powdered molybdenum and powdered steel containing from about 10 to about 70 wt. % molybdenum and from about 90 to about 30 wt. % steel. The resulting slide layer has good adhesion to the engine block and has high wear resistance.

Abstract: A method for removing contaminants from a semiconductor wafer having a spin on coating of material. Contaminants are removed by applying a cleaning solution to the periphery, and preferably, the exposed backside of the wafer after the edge bead has been dissolved and removed. The cleaning solution is formulated to react chemically with unwanted coating material residue to form a compound that may be ejected from the periphery of the spinning wafer. Any residual solution or precipitate that is not ejected from the wafer may be rinsed away with water, preferably deoinized water. One exemplary use of this method is the removal of metallic contaminants that may be left on the periphery and backside of a wafer after the formation of ferroelectric film coatings. A cleaning solution comprising a mixture of hydrochloric acid HCl and water H2O or ammonium hydroxide NH4OH and water H2O is applied to the periphery of the spinning wafer.

Abstract: A process for producing poromeric synthetic leather comprises I. producing an essentially nonporous impregnate by impregnating a textile sheet material with an aqueous polyurethane dispersion and drying, and II. producing a poromeric synthetic leather from the impregnate by subjecting the impregnate to the action of an aqueous solution of a Brønsted base.

Abstract: The process consists in dissolving a photochromic agent in a solvent, in impregnating the polymeric material with the solution of photochromic agent and in rinsing the polymeric material with an aqueous solution in order to replace the solvent with the aqueous solution. Application: to contact lenses.

Abstract: A neodymium/iron/boron permanent magnet is provided with high corrosion resistance by forming a coating layer of a vitrified sodium silicate on the surface. The vitreous coating layer of sodium silicate is formed by coating the surface of the permanent magnet with an aqueous coating solution of water glass followed by drying of the coating layer and vitrification of the dried coating layer by a heat treatment under specified conditions. Characteristically, the thus formed vitreous coating layer of sodium silicate is subjected to a leaching treatment with water at a specified temperature for a specified length of time in order to remove away residual sodium content leachable in water so that the troubles due to absorption of moisture by the alkali constituent in the sodium silicate coating layer can be largely dissolved.

Abstract: A process for treating a fibrous material which includes the steps of: 1) providing a liquid suspension composed of fibrous material; 2) intermixing the liquid suspension of fibrous material with a treatment over a time period T1—wherein the treatment requires a period of time TR sufficient to treat the fibrous material; 3) depositing the liquid suspension of fibrous material and intermixed treatment onto a forming surface to form a layer and removing a substantial portion of the liquid, over a perod of time T2; and 4) applying pressurized jets of a liquid to the layer of fibrous material to wash unused treatment from the fibrous material within a period of time T3. Periods of time T1, T2 and T3 are immediately consecutive and amount to a total period of time at least as great as TR.

Abstract: In a process of phosphatizing metal surfaces, which at least partly consist of iron or steel, in accordance with the low-zinc technology, the metal surfaces are brought in contact with aqueous acid phosphatizing solutions at a temperature of 30 to 65° C. for a period of 1 to 8 min, which solutions contain 0.4 to 2.0 g/l Zn 7 to 25 g/l P2O5 0.005 to 0.5 g/l peroxide (calc. as H2O2) 0.01 to 10 g/l formate (calc. as formate ion), are free from chlorate and added nitrite, and in which the weight ratio of free P2O5 to total P2O5 has been adjusted to a value in the range from 0.03 to 0.20, and the content of free acid has been adjusted to a value in the range from 0.5 to 2.5. After contact with the phosphatizing solution, the workpiece is rerinsed with water, which has been adjusted with mineral acid to a pH of from 3.6 to 5.0.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for immobilizing molecules, particularly biomolecules such as DNA, RNA, proteins, lipids, carbohydrates, or hormones onto a substrate such as glass or silica; patterns of immobilization can be made resulting in addressable, discrete arrays of molecules on a substrate, having applications in bioelectronics, DNA hybridization assays, drug assays, etc.

Abstract: An ink-jet recording head employed in an ink-jet recording apparatus is disclosed. A part of the channel is composed of resin material which comprises a base resin and a highly cationic resin attached on the surface of the base resin through reaction, the resulting surface being reacted with a hydrophilic organic material. A production method of the head, an ink-jet recording apparatus and production method of the ink-jet recording apparatus are also disclosed.

Abstract: A fabric made of fibers of a carbon-precursor cellulose material is impregnated with a composition containing at least one inorganic ingredient having a function of promoting dehydration of cellulose, and the fabric is subjected to heat treatment. This treatment consists in raising temperature at a speed lying in the range 1.degree. C./min to 15.degree. C./min followed by keeping the temperature constant in the range 350.degree. C. to 500.degree. C., and it is followed by a step of washing the fabric. This produces directly an activated fabric of carbon fibers having a specific surface area of not less than 600 m.sup.2 /g, without subsequent activation treatment at a higher temperature.

Abstract: A vehicle masking material and method of use. The masking material in one embodiment includes a dextrin, a plasticizer, and water. The masking material may additionally include a surfactant. The masking material is applied to a surface which is to be protected from paint overspray or other coating processes, allowed to dry, and the surface is coated (e.g. with paint). After drying of the paint, or other coating, the masking material is removed by water washing.

Abstract: A method for removing contaminants from a semiconductor wafer having a spin on coating of material. Contaminants are removed by applying a cleaning solution to the periphery, and preferably, the exposed backside of the wafer after the edge bead has been dissolved and removed. The cleaning solution is formulated to react chemically with unwanted coating material residue to form a compound that may be ejected from the periphery of the spinning wafer. Any residual solution or precipitate that is not ejected from the wafer may be rinsed away with water, preferably deionized water. One exemplary use of this method is the removal of metallic contaminants that may be left on the periphery and backside of a wafer after the formation of ferroelectric film coatings. A cleaning solution comprising a mixture of hydrochloric acid HCl and water H.sub.2 O or ammonium hydroxide NH.sub.4 OH and water H.sub.2 O is applied to the periphery of the spinning wafer.

Abstract: A method of forming a mark on a substrate made of plastics material comprises the step of applying a basic solution to a surface portion having a prefixed pattern of the substrate. In a preferred embodiment, the basic solution is used in combination with at least one alkali-stable water-soluble polymer, to produce a viscous liquid composition, which is advantageously applicable to the substrate by means of pad-printing and silk-screen printing process.

Abstract: A method of producing metal particles, including the steps of forming a membrane of a polymer or oligomer which has, at the terminals of its molecule and/or in the side chains thereof, at least one functional group selected from cyano, amino and thiol groups, and depositing a metal on the membrane through vapor deposition so that the membrane has particles of the metal and/or its oxide dispersed therein.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of semipermeable membranes with improved acid and base stability including: (a) coating a base and acid stable ultrafiltration (UF) membrane support polymer, with a high molecular weight amphoteric polyelectrolyte coating polymer optionally in solution, the amphoteric polyelectrolyte containing both cationic and anionic groups and in addition primary and secondary amine groups, the solution optionally containing a latent internal crosslinker compound that is a polyfunctional compound that crosslinks the coating polymer only during a curing step at elevated temperatures and basic pH; (b) draining or washing the coated support; and (c) reacting the coating with a solution of an external crosslinking compound that is a polyfuntional compound, not overly reactive so as not to be hydrolyzed prematurely in solution, the time of exposure to the external crosslinking compound being sufficient to ensure its diffusion into the bulk of the coating, so that the crosslinking is effected not o

Abstract: A porous, tubular synthetic prosthesis, prosthesis precursor, and methods of producing the same are provided. Specifically the method involves co-spraying both a water soluble and water insoluble fibrous component onto a mold to form the prosthesis precursor. The water soluble fibrous component may then be at least partially removed so as to provide a porous, tubular synthetic prosthesis.

Abstract: Weathered reef-building coral is immersed in an aqueous alkali solution under reduced pressure to carry out alkali washing to make the aqueous alkali solution penetrate into the weathered reef-building coral throughout its fine structure inside the porous tissue, which is subsequently washed with water until a washing from the inside of the porous tissue is neutralized.As a result of this washing, various marine algae, various microorganisms including Vibrio bacteria inhabiting the ocean and other various organic substances held in the inner fine structure of weathered reef-building coral can be removed. Thus, a weathered reef-building coral material can be obtained whose safety has been ensured. This weathered reef-building coral material is suitable for food materials, filter mediums for water purifiers and so forth.

Abstract: A wiping strip for a motor vehicle screen wiper is in the form of a profiled element of vulcanised material consisting of rubber or an elastomeric material, having a surface layer for reducing the coefficient of friction between the wiping strip and a glass surface to be wiped. The surface layer is formed by immersion of the profiled element in a solution, or by exposing the profiled element to the solution in atomised form. The solution consists of a solvent with a powder, such as graphite, dispersed in it. The step of forming the surface layer is carried out during the step of vulcanising the material of the profiled element.

Abstract: In a process for the manufacture of a strip material (1) a plastics layer (5, 6) is formed at least on one side of a support (2) from a mixture of plastics materials and particulate soluble corpuscles wherein the soluble corpuscles are leachable by a solvent of a type against which the plastics material is stable. Thereafter the soluble corpuscles are leached out from the plastics layer (5, 6) with the formation of throughflow passages. According to the invention, a plastics powder is prepared as the plastics material, which is mixed with the soluble corpuscles and applied onto the support (2). By heat and pressure treatment a plastics layer (5, 6) including therein the soluble particles, is produced from the mixture of plastics powder and soluble corpuscles, prior to the soluble corpuscles being leached at least in part out of the plastics layer (5, 6).

Abstract: A develop processing apparatus is provided for processing an object with a developing solution, comprising a retaining member for rotatably retaining the object, a developing solution supply nozzle for supplying the developing solution to the object, a developing solution sucking nozzle for sucking the developing solution supplied to the object, a developing solution supply nozzle moving mechanism for moving the developing solution supply nozzle above the object, a developing solution sucking nozzle moving mechanism for moving the developing solution sucking nozzle above the object. After the developing solution is supplied to the object subsequent to moving the developing solution supply nozzle, the developing solution sucking nozzle is moved and the developing solution on the object is sucked.

Abstract: Copper-containing surfaces of substrates such as laminated electronic circuit boards are protected by organometallic coatings comprising organic compounds selected from the group consisting of benzimidazoles, alkylimidazoles, benzotriazozles and alkyltriazoles, substituted or unsubstituted, and metal particles of solder-wettable metals or metal solders. The metal particles can be thermally formed in situ from metallic compounds such as noble metal acetates, acetylacetonates and carbonates.

Abstract: Processes for producing improved environmental protection, corrosion resistance and improved paint adhesion for metals; e.g., ferrous, aluminum, or magnesium alloys; and other surfaces upon contact is disclosed. The processes comprise use of one or more Group IV-A metals such as zirconium in an acidic solution with one or more oxyanions or other non-fluoanions to stabilize and solubilize the metal while fluorides are specifically excluded from the processes and compositions. The processes optionally contain pretreatment stages that serve to activate a surface and/or promote formation of a Group IV-A metal oxide matrices through use of an oxygen donor. The compositions are at a pH below about 5.0 and is preferably in a range between about 1.0 and about 4.0. The coatings may contain surfactants, sequestering agents, or organic additives for improved corrosion protection and paint adhesion. The substrate may be treated by immersion, spray, fogging or rollcoat.

Abstract: Particulate material for use in waste water treatment. The material comprises granules of a plastic material (e.g. poly-ethylene), each of which contains a plurality of grains of a substantially inert mineral (e.g. sand) coated thereon to provide a habitat for microorganisms effective in waste water treatment. The granules will have a predetermined particle size which is governed by the particle size range of the granules, e.g 3-10 mm and the grains will have a predetermined particle size range, e.g. 0.1-3.5 mm.

Abstract: In the present invention method, the surface of articles made of acrylic polymers and methacrylic polymers are converted into thin biomimetic layers by using the process involving at least the following two steps:(a) The polymer surface is contacted, in the presence of water and for a predetermined reaction time necessary to form a continuous surface layer thinner than about 500 microns, with a solution containing one or more tetraalkylammonium hydroxides of the general formula:R.sub.1 R.sub.2 R.sub.3 R.sub.4 N.sup.+ OH.sup.-where R.sub.1, R.sub.2, R.sub.3, R.sub.4 are the alkyl substituents, in which the sum of the number of carbon atoms is equal to or larger than 8 but smaller than 45; and,(b) The article is removed from the aqueous reaction solution and excess of tetraalkylammonium hydroxide is removed from the polymer surface by washing the polymer with a liquid miscible with the tetraalkylammonium hydroxide.

Abstract: A process for producing a molecular sieve silica membrane comprising depositing a hybrid organic-inorganic polymer comprising at least one organic constituent and at least one inorganic constituent on a porous substrate material and removing at least a portion of the at least one organic constituent of the hybrid organic-inorganic polymer, forming a porous film.

Abstract: A faster and more efficient method for applying ultra thin films to substrate surfaces is disclosed. The method comprises heating a film forming composition comprising amphiphilic molecules to a liquid state, immersing the substrate surface in the heated liquid composition to heat the surface, and washing away the excess composition. For surfaces that ordinarily have insufficient or no chemical moieties reactive with the amphiphilic molecules, the immersion in the heated composition causes the substrate to become porous and expose previously unavailable chemically reactive moieties in the surface matrix. The amphiphilic molecules then self-assemble, chemically bond to the surface matrix and self-polymerize with each other and with other surface matrix-bound and/or surface-bound molecules to form the ultra thin surface film. The method is also faster and more efficient for coating non porous and metal surfaces.

Abstract: A fog-resistant microporous transparent film and the method of manufacturing the same are described. The fog-resistant film is made of SiOH which can absorb water molecules by both of a polar --Si--OH functional group and microporosity, and is hence provided with excellent and stable wettability. The SiOH film is coated on a PMMA or PC substrate by ion-assisted plasma-enhanced e-beam or thermal evaporation.

Abstract: A manufacturing method of water-covering type transparent keyboard comprises the steps of preparing the main body of silicone rubber keyboard, surface printing and coating, polyurethane layer coating, polyvinylalcohol thin film dipping, water rinsing, laser engraving text and graph forming, and polyurethane protective layer coating to form a water-covering keyboard. The water-covering type transparent keyboard according to the present invention can realize the effect of softness and good coherence.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for applying a mildewcide compound laden film to surfaces by applying an aqueous, film-depositing composition onto said surfaces, allowing to stand momentarily, and rinsing with water. After rinsing, a residual, durable, virtually invisible film remains. This film is mildew resistant, paintable and its sheen closely mimics that of the surfaces prior to application of the aqueous composition. The aqueous composition comprises a mildewcide compound, a non-ionic surfactant, water, and at least one film-former.

Abstract: An ultra thin, water and oil repelling and durable overcoat is easily formed on a substrate surface via covalent bonding by applying a finishing agent of the invention, comprising a chemically adsorptive compound with a chlorosilyl group and a nonaqueous viscous liquid or solid medium, on the substrate surface. A finishing agent, comprising a chemically adsorptive compound with a chlorosilyl group and a nonaqueous viscous liquid or solid medium, is applied on a substrate surface comprising hydrophilic groups. The substrate surface is then reacted with the chemically adsorptive compound at room temperature, and the agent containing unreacted chemically adsorptive compound is removed. The generation of hydrochloric acid gas can be prevented by adding tertiary amine or amide in the molar amount of one to three times more than the chemically adsorptive compound contained in the finishing agent.

Abstract: An antistatic film comprising a chemically adsorbed film of straight chain molecules each containing a conductive group and provided on a chargeable substrate via covalent bonds each containing a Si group, said chemically adsorbed film having a conductivity of 10.sup.-10 S/cm or above. With the antistatic chemically adsorbed film according to the invention, conductive functional groups are secured via chemically adsorbed molecules and by siloxane bonds to the surface of a substrate material such as ceramics, glass, synthetic resins or synthetic fibers, a film, a plate, an display screen surface, a light-emitting tube. Thus, the film provides an antistatic effect and does not separate. In addition, this chemically adsorbed film has a thickness at the nanometer level and is thus excellently transparent, as well as capable of preventing contamination of the substrate surface due to charging thereof. The film is also excellently durable.

Abstract: A chemically adsorbed multilayer film is formed through the process of replacing a halogen atom on the surface of a chemically adsorbed film with an alkaline metal or changing the halogen atom to a Grignard group by Grignard reaction. This manufacturing method does not disrupt the molecules of the chemically adsorbed film, is easy to perform, low in cost and is safe. After replacing the halogen (for example, Br) on the surface of the film with an alkaline metal such as Li, a condensation reaction including a dealkalihalide reaction is promoted by contacting the chemically adsorbed film with an adsorbent, such as a chemical adsorbent--containing a halosilane group at one end of a molecule--dissolved in a nonaqueous solvent. A chemically adsorbed multilayer film is then formed by reacting the chemically adsorbed film with chemical absorption composition and with water after removing unreacted adsorbents using a nonaqueous solution.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for applying a protective layer to vessels or utensils used in the food industry, such as the milk and meat industries, wherein the vessels or utensils are contacted with an aqueous (natural) soap solution and then rinsed with water. The soap solution used is 2-10 ml, preferable 2-5 ml liquid soap per 100 l water, e.g. mains water. Furthermore, the relevant method is advantageously carried out at a temperature of the range of 10.degree.-40 .degree. C. By using a soap layer as protective layer, the use of disinfectants has become superfluous in the food industry so that the attendant problem of discharging or rendering harmless harmful disinfectants foreign to nature has also been solved.

Abstract: A composite porous membrane is provided which comprises a porous membrane substrate having an average pore size between 0.01 and 10 microns formed of a first polymer which is coated over its entire surface with a crosslinked second polymer. The second polymer is dissolved in a solvent with a free radical polymerization initiator in the absence of a crosslinking agent. The second polymer is crosslinked in situ and rendered insoluble by mild heating and/or exposure to ultraviolet light.

Abstract: Dispersions in water of “poly{vinyl alcohol}” (“PVA”), preferably those types resulting from about 90 mole % hydrolysis and/or ester interchange of polymers of vinyl carboxylates and having a molecular weight of about 155,000, are particularly effective for modifying the surfaces of plastic materials to cause water and/or other specified liquids to spread more readily over the treated surfaces than over the untreated surfaces. A biocide to repress the growth of micro-organisms in the dispersions is preferred.