Abstract: A biodegradable filament nonwoven fabric comprising a nonwoven web made up of filaments, each filament comprising a high melting point component composed of a first aliphatic polyester having biodegradability and a low melting point component composed of a second aliphatic polyester having biodegradability with a melting point lower than that of the high melting point component, the nonwoven web processed to a predetermined nonwoven fabric configuration. At least one of the high melting point component and the low melting point component is arranged in a plurality of divisions within the cross section of the filament. Both the high melting point component and the low melting point component extend continuously in the axial direction of the filament and are exposed on the surface of the filament. A method for manufacturing the biodegradable filament nonwoven fabric is also disclosed herein.

Abstract: A multi-piece solid golf ball comprises a core having a structure consisting of at least two layers and a cover on the core consisting of outer and inner cover layers. The outer cover layer has a Shore D hardness of 40-60 degrees. The inner cover layer has a Shore D hardness of up to 53 degrees and lower than that of the outer cover layer. The ball's carry is comparable to conventional solid golf balls and spin receptivity is approximate to wound golf balls while the ball is durable and offers pleasant feel.

Abstract: A pad for cleaning up liquid spills is described which contains a porous surface covering, and an absorbent interior containing chemically reactive reagents for neutralizing noxious chemicals within the spilled liquid. The porous surface and the absorbent component would normally consist of chemically resistant materials allowing tentative spill to pass. The absorbent interior which contains the neutralizing reagents can but is not required to be chemically resilient and conducts the liquid chemical spill towards the absorbent interior containing the chemically reactive reagents where the dangerous and undesirable chemicals within the chemical spill are then neutralized as well as removed from the premises.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for the production of a strand of reinforced graphite-foil yarn which is the basis of the braided graphite-foil yarns. To produce the reinforced graphite-foil strands what is needed is apparatus for a tapered, cone shaped circular die having a specific geometry suitable for curling the fiber and adhesive coated surface inward upon itself, so that the curled ribbon will adhere to itself when compressed into the final protrusion die forming a finished fiber reinforced composite strand of expanded graphite flake having suitable tensile strength, flexibility, and toughness to permit braiding, weaving and other processing making it commercially useful wherever a dry, lubricous, strong, flexible material is desirable.

Abstract: Fiber for artificial hair having an excellent bulkiness and also a soft feeling like the human hair, as compared with conventional fibers, are provided. The fiber comprise synthetic fibers, wherein an apparent bulk specific gravity of the fiber before crimping is within a range of from 0.1 to 0.2, an apparent bulk specific gravity of the fiber after crimping is within a range of from 0.02 to 0.05, a cross-section of the fiber is a modified cross-sectional shape comprising one central connecting portion, and projections extended in at least three directions from the central connecting portion, part of a surface or the entire surface of the fiber is open in the longitudinal direction of the fiber, and the fiber has a single yarn fineness of from 25 to 75 denier.

Abstract: A nozzle assembly for forming hollow fibers, particularly a "Z-fiber" having longitudinally oriented trabeculae with the fiber wall, is disclosed. The nozzle assembly contains a replaceable nozzle cap, a replaceable seal-guide, and a retractable central bore used to supply core material for the hollow fibers. The Z-fibers are particularly useful in enabling cells, solutes, or the like, to enter the fiber wall and move longitudinally into the center of the fiber wall.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a particulate carbon complex made from a porous, particulate carbon substrate and a plurality of carbon filaments each having a first end attached to the porous, particulate carbon substrate and a second end distal from substrate. The complex is capable of transferring electrical current at a density of 350 to 10,000 mA/cm.sup.2 for a Fe.sup.+2 /Fe.sup.+3 oxidation/reduction electrochemical reaction couple carried out in an aqueous electrolyte solution containing 6 mM potassium ferrocyanide and 1M potassium nitrate. The complex is prepared by providing a porous, particulate carbon substrate with impregnated metal catalyst and contacting the substrate with a gaseous carbonaceous material under conditions effective to form a plurality of carbon filaments on the substrate. Generally, the complex includes particles of metal catalyst material at the end of the filaments distal from the substrate.

Abstract: A synthetic resin needle of reinforced with combustible fibers whose longitudinal directions are arrayed straight or curvilinearly along the axial length of the needle. The reinforcing fibers may be dispersed uniformly in the synthetic resin of the needle, or in such a non-uniform manner that the concentration of the fibers in some portion around the peripheral wall of the needle is so scarce that the inner passage of the needle can be observed from outside.

Abstract: Composite films and film laminates comprising at least one elastomeric core and a surrounding nonelastomeric matrix preferably prepared by coextrusion. The film when stretched and allowed to recover will create an elastomeric composite.

Abstract: A polypropylene or polyethylene film or fiber coated with a maleic-acid grafted polypropylene or polyethylene copolymer layer over which is coated a layer of selective polymer. The copolymer securely bonds the selective polymer to the film or fiber. These fibers and films can be used in fluid separation membranes.

Abstract: A melt spinning process and the nylon hollow filaments and yarns made by such process which includes extruding molten nylon polymer having a relative viscosity (RV) of at least about 50 and a melting point (T.sub.M) of about 210.degree. C. to about 310.degree. C. from a spinneret capillary orifice with multiple orifice segments providing a total extrusion area (EA) and an extrusion void area (EVA) such that the fractional extrusion void content, defined by the ratio [EVA/EA] is about 0.6 to about 0.95, and the extent of melt attenuation, defined by the ratio [EVA/(dpf).sub.S ], is about 0.05 to about 1.5, in which (dpf).sub.S is the spun denier per filament, the (dpf).sub.S being selected such that the denier per filament at 25% elongation (dpf).sub.25 is about 0.

Abstract: A process for producing industrial denier filaments of a thermoplastic polymer at higher rates of production than those using liquid quenching media is disclosed. Liquid polymer is extruded in the form of hollow filaments at a throughput and rate of take up that produces individual filaments of greater than about 30 denier. A flow of gas is then directed at the liquid filaments at a flow rate and temperature that are sufficient to quench and solidify the individual filaments in the absence of any other quenching fluid. The filaments formed by the disclosed process have larger diameters than solid filaments of the same denier.

Abstract: A post-coalescence melt-spinning process for preparing fine undrawn hollow polyester filaments having excellent mechanical quality and uniformity at high speeds (2-5 km/min) involving selection of polymer viscosity and spinning conditions, whereby the void content of the resulting new undrawn filaments is essentially maintained or increased on cold-drawing or hot-drawing with or without post heat treatment, and the new fine hollow polyester filaments obtained thereby.

Abstract: A pad for cleaning up liquid spills is described which contains a porous surface covering, and an absorbent interior containing chemically reactive reagents for neutralizing noxious chemicals within the spilled liquid. The porous surface and the absorbent component would normally consist of chemically resistant materials allowing tentative spill to pass. The absorbent interior which contains the neutralizing reagents can but is not required to be chemically resilient and conducts the liquid chemical spill towards the absorbent interior containing the chemically reactive reagents where the dangerous and undesirable chemicals within the chemical spill are then neutralized as well as removed from the premises.

Abstract: Fiberfill and/or multi-void fibers are identified and/or differentiated by one or more voids being partially filled with a differentiating characteristic that is a protuberance of characterizing polymer material. This material may be the same or different from that of the rest of the fiber. The protuberance is provided by appropriate adjustment of the spinning capillary, i.e., during extrusion to form the fiber.

Abstract: Fiberfill and/or multi-void fibers are identified and/or differentiated by one or more voids being partially filled with a differentiating characteristic that is a protuberance of characterizing polymer material. This material may be the same or different from that of the rest of the fiber. The protuberance is provided by appropriate adjustment of the spinning capillary, i.e., during extrusion to form the fiber.

Abstract: Hollow polyester undrawn filaments having excellent mechanical quality and uniformity are prepared by a simplified post-coalescence melt spinning process at speeds of e.g. 2-5 km/min by selection of polymer and spinning conditions whereby the void content of the undrawn filaments can be essentially maintained or even increased when drawn cold or hot, with or without post heat-treatment.

Abstract: Hollow fibers are differentiated by their void being partially filled with a differentiating characteristic that is a protuberance of characterizing polymer material. This material may be the same or different from that of the rest of the fiber. The protuberance is provided by appropriate adjustment of the spinning capillary, i.e., during extrusion to form the fiber.

Abstract: Triangular thermoplastic polymer filaments having 3 or 3 pair axially extending voids located along the convex sides of the filament and spinneret plates for producing such filaments.

Abstract: A method is disclosed of producing self-texturing filaments that exhibit a desirable tendency to coil rather than to bend sharply or zig zag. The method comprises directing a quenching fluid at extruded hollow filaments of a liquid polymer predominantly from one side of the hollow filaments to thereby produce hollow filaments with different orientations on each side. Thereafter the temperature of the hollow filaments is raised to a temperature sufficient for the filaments to relax, but less than the temperature at which the filaments would shrink.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the efficient removal of low density lipoprotein cholesterol complex (LDL-C) from whole blood. More specifically, it relates to a process for making a microporous plasmapheresis membrane having an immobilized affinity agent. The immobilized affinity agent is polyacrylic acid bound directly and/or through an interaction with silica and/or calcium chloride to a microporous hollow fiber membrane.

Abstract: A yarn/tow composed of continuous thermoplastic filaments and discontinuous structural filaments wherein the discontinuous structural filaments are intermingled with the continuous thermoplastic filaments. Groups of discontinuous structural filaments have cut ends which are staggered with those of neighboring groups to allow a continuous structural path along the yarn or tow when the thermoplastic is melted to form the matrix of a composite structure. This hybrid continuous/discontinuous (CD) yarn or tow can be "stretched" as the thermoplastic filaments are melted, allowing the structural filaments to slip relative to one another. Woven forms of this CD precursor can then be molded into complex shapes starting from simple preform shapes.

Abstract: By mixing a high-melting polyvinyl alcohol type polymer (A) and a low-melting water-soluble polymer (B) in a solvent for the polymer (A) to prepare a spinning solution and then subjecting the solution to low-temperature spinning so that the resulting filaments are solidified uniformly in the cross-sectional direction, there is formed a fiber of sea-islands structure comprising said high-melting polyvinyl alcohol type polymer (A) as the sea component and said low-melting water-soluble polymer (B) as the islands component. In this fiber, at least part of the islands component is present in a fiber zone ranging from the fiber surface to 2 .mu.m inside and the fiber surface contains substantially no islands component. This fiber ordinarily shows the performance of the matrix phase, i.e.

Abstract: Hollow fibers are differentiated by their void being partially filled with a differentiating characteristic that is a protuberance of characterizing polymer material. This material may be the same or different from that of the rest of the fiber. The protuberance is provided by appropriate adjustment of the spinning capillary, i.e., during extrusion to form the fiber.

Abstract: A bundle of hollow fibers of uniform diameter, particularly for use in dialysis is formed of a plurality of parallel hollow fibres at least a part of which, prior to the formation of the bundle, is permanently undulated by means of interleaved undulating elements moving opposite the feeding direction of freshly extruded fibres. The undulating elements are in the form of cylindrical rods having a substantially larger diameter than the outer diameter of the fibres so that the wavelength and amplitude of the resulting undulations are substantially larger than the outer diameter of the fibres.

Abstract: An elastic fixing roll having an elastic, compliant body material and release surface material is disclosed. The body material comprises porous silicone rubber, fluorosilicone rubber, or fluorocarbon rubber foam, or a porous synthetic polymer foam reinforced with silicone rubber, fluorosilicone rubber, or fluorocarbon rubber. The release surface material is formed of porous polytetrafluoroethylene film containing silicone rubber, fluorosilicone rubber, or fluorocarbon rubber and is bonded to the body material by a non-continuous layer of adhesive.

Abstract: A polyamide hollow and/or non-circular fiber containing a metal salt of a saturated fatty acid having at least 10 carbon atoms, wherein the amount (X) of a terminal carboxyl group is not larger than 60 gram equivalent per 1,000 kg of the polyamide and the amount (Y) (in parts by weight per 100 parts by weight of the polyamide) of the metal salt of a saturated fatty acid satisfies the following formula:Y.gtoreq.0.00871X-0.13wherein X is the amount of the terminal carboxyl group in gram equivalent/1,000 kg of the polyamide.

Abstract: An implantable porous expanded polytetrafluoroethylene material having a microstructure of nodes interconnected by fibrils wherein a surface of the material has been modified by the removal of fibrils from the surface so that under magnification the surface has the appearance of freestanding node portions not interconnected by fibrils but rather having open valleys disposed between the freestanding node portions. Unmodified material beneath the surface maintains the original microstructure of nodes interconnected by fibrils. The modification is preferably done by exposing the surface to radio frequency gas plasma discharge with a reactive etching gas for a lengthy amount of time such as about ten minutes. The depth of fibril removal from the surface is substantially a function of the duration and amount of energy applied to the surface.

Abstract: A composite abrasive filament, including at least one preformed core at least partially coated with a hardened, abrasive-filled thermoplastic elastomer, exhibits increased abrading life over previously known abrasive filaments. Also disclosed are methods of making such filaments and using such filaments in article form to abrade a variety of workpieces.

Abstract: A laminated material comprises a plurality of straight portions of vegetable stalks, each having an epidermis mainly of lignocellulose and a porous core. These vegetable stalks straight portions are impregnated with a thermal hardener solution of high-molecularizable liquid compound, resinified liquid, or mixtures thereof, arranged in parallel to form a layer of a sheet-like material, piling these sheet-like materials and pressing them to make these layers come to contact closely in flat condition. It is possible to make the directions of vegetable stalks in the sheet-like material different from the neighboring layers in order to strengthen a bending strength and other physical strength of the piled multi-layer laminated material, such as a pillar-like laminated material. Such pillar-like material is made by using a pair of pressing female mold and male mold, vegetable stalks being placed in the female mold and hot-pressed.

Abstract: A multi-lobal composite filament with reduced stainability having a polyamide core being substantially free of amine end-groups and being surrounded by a sheath of a hydrophobic polymer of aromatic polyesters, aliphatic polyesters, polyethylene, polymethylpentent, polybutene, polymethyl butene and copolymers thereof, wherein the weight ratio between core and sheath is from about 2:1 to about 10:1. These filaments are particularly useful to the manufacture of carpets.

Abstract: Porous expanded polytetrafluoroethylene material having a microstructure of nodes interconnected by fibrils wherein a surface of the material has been modified to have increased hydrophobicity as indicated by having a water droplet roll-off angle of less than about 10 degrees in comparison to a typical roll-off angle of greater than about 12 degrees for the unmodified material. Under magnification, the surface morphology may be indistinguishable from that of the unmodified precursor material. The modification is preferably done by exposing the surface to radio frequency gas plasma discharge with a reactive etching gas for a lengthy amount of time such as about ten minutes. If surface etching is continued beyond a time adequate to produce the highly hydrophobic behavior, then the surface morphology includes the appearance of broken fibrils.

Abstract: The present invention provides improved compositions of expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) and similar polymers and methods for forming and using such compositions. In its preferred embodiment, the present invention employs a mixture of PTFE and expandable thermoplastic microspheres. Through application of an energy source to the mixture, a coherent three dimensional expansion of PTFE can be achieved. The expanded mixture has many of the same beneficial properties of mechanically expanded PTFE and numerous properties previously unavailable with expanded PTFE products.

Abstract: Inelastic films comprising at least one elastomeric core and a surrounding inelastic matrix preferably prepared by coextrusion. The film when stretched and allowed to recover will create an elastomeric composite.

Abstract: Asymmetric hollow fibers of SIXEF.TM.-Durene, a polyimide made from 2,2-bis[3,4-dicarboxyphenyl] hexafluoropropane dianhydride and 2,3,5,6-tetramethylphenylene diamine monomers, and a process for making such fibers. These uncoated fibers have a separation factor that exceeds 4 for oxygen and nitrogen and a permeance of at least about 50 ppm cc(STP)/(sec cm.sup.2 cm-Hg). A polymer dope comprising SIXEF.TM.-Durene in a solvent system containing N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone ("NMP") and an organic acid such as propionic acid ("PA") is prepared by polymerizing the polyimide monomers in NMP to form a polyamic acid polymer and imidizing this polymer using the acid anhydride. Water released from the polymer in the imidization reaction converts the anhydride to the organic acid. The dope is wet-spun into hollow fibers using a core solvent such as PA or glycerine; the fibers are coagulated in water.

Abstract: Antiabrasion curved section made of reinforced curved plastic material and comprising in at least one of a lower portion and an upper portion in antiabrasion material. A plurality of antiabrasion sections are produced inside a profiled mold having a plurality of grooves in which is arranged the antiabrasion material of the lower faces. Reinforced filaments impregnated with a stabilizable resin are supplied to the mold and, finally, the antiabrasion material of the upper faces is applied. The mold is wound on a mandrel and the plastic material is stabilized before removing the mold sections which form a unitary assembly dividable particulary during the stranding of arm rings.

Abstract: There is provided a non-flammable expanded fiber comprising carbonaceous polymeric substantially irreversibly heat set fiber having an LOI value of greater than 40, and the fibrous structures thereof. Also, provided are stabilized expanded polymeric fibers.

Abstract: This invention provides improved synthetic filaments having a trilobal or tetralobal cross-sectional shape with convex curves along the contour of each lobe, and wherein a continuous void extends axially through each lobe. The filaments are especially suitable for making carpets which exhibit low glitter and have high bulk and excellent soil hiding performance.

Abstract: Continuous synthetic filaments having a four sided cross-sectional contour and four substantially equispaced continuous voids are disclosed. The voids have a substantially round or nonround shape, and each void is substantially centered on a side of the filament's contour.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved coextruded medical grade port tubing. The medical grade port tubing provides characteristics that are desirable in the medical industry and therefore can be used as a medical port tubing in, for example, renal therapy or blood donor tubes. To this end, the present invention provides a non-PVC coextruded medical grade port tubing including: an outer layer comprising a blend of polypropylene copolymer and styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene copolymer; a tie layer; and a core layer including a blend of polyamide and ethylene vinyl acetate.

Abstract: A fiber-reinforced rubber article has a rubber body portion with a fiber reinforcement embedded therein. The fiber reinforcement includes a plurality of tubular braided cords braided by yarns. Each of the tubular braided cords is braided by more than three yarns at a braid angle in a range between 10.degree. and 35.degree., wherein said braid angle is an angle between a yarn of the tubular braided cord and the axial line of the tubular braided cord. Each tubular braided cord also has a fistulous center hole defined by the tubular braided cord.

Abstract: A magnetic tape cassette in which critical parts subject to wear are coated with a hard coating such as an ultraviolet-cured resin. Among other effects, the generation of rubbed-off powder is reduced, thereby reducing the amount of data drop-out. Also, the case of the cassette is protected from damage.

Abstract: An acrylic synthetic fiber having in the transverse section thereof many openings having an indeterminate shape and a size of 0.1 to 1.6 .mu.m, wherein in the interior of the fiber, each opening forms a vein-like or straw-like void extending substantially in parallel to the longitudinal axis of the fiber and having a length of at least 60 .mu.m. This acrylic fiber is prepared by a) dissolving in a suitable solvent an acrylic polymer comprising at least 60 weight % of an acrylonitrile unit and 5 to 20 weight %, based on the weight of the acrylic polymer, of a polyalkylene glycol having a number average molecular weight of 5,000 to 50,000, b) aging the formed spinning solution for at least 4 hours, and c) extruding the spinning solution into a coagulating medium. The acrylic fiber is useful, e.g., as a frictional material comprising (a) a pulpy material made from the acrylic fiber, (b) a resin and (c) a filler.

Abstract: Fibers coated with thin polymeric films are disclosed and claimed. In a preferred embodiment, microporous fibers are coated with a pre-cast polymeric film having a thickness of about 200 to about 2000 Angstroms.

Abstract: Composite laminated tubing with low coefficient of thermal expansion and preferably a Poisson's ratio near 0.5 is used for production tubing which is subject to substantial expansion and contraction.

Abstract: Novel microporous fibers and filaments are prepared from normally solid, thermoplastic, orientable, organic polymers which have reactive or reactable groups pendent from the polymer chain, employing a process which involves reactions of said pendent groups while the polymer is in an oriented condition. One of the preferred polymers is a copolymer of ethylene/acrylic acid.

Abstract: A plastic light conduit of cross-linked polymer material having good light transmitting characteristics, without voids or noticeable bubbles, is disclosed. Also disclosed is a method of manufacture and an apparatus, involving progressive heating of reactive monomer mixture in a tube which is submerged in a progressive reactor utilizing cold oil to maintain a cold, non-reacting zone, and hot water to create a hot zone that causes reaction, while simultaneously carrying away the excess exothermic heat of reaction.

Abstract: A carpet yarn containing continuous synthetic filaments having a four sided cross-sectional contour and four substantially equispaced continuous voids are disclosed. The voids have a substantially round or nonround shape, and each void is substantially centered on a side of the filament's contour.

Abstract: The present invention provides a liquid sorbent article comprising at least two contiguous layers formed from a single sheet, said layers being joined at a fold in said sheet and being intermittently releasably bonded together.

Abstract: Disclosed is a shaped article comprising a continuous oriented polymer matrix having dispersed therein microbeads of a polymer which are at least partially boredered by void space, the microbeads being present in an amount of about 5-50% by weight based on the weight of said oriented polymer, said void space occupying about 2-60% by volume of said shaped article. Preferably, the microbeads are cross-linked to an extent they will be resilient and elastic at the orientation temperature, and are coated with a slip agent. The shaped article is preferably in the form of a sheet, fibers, or other molded article, preferably has a relatively low specific gravity and whiteness.