Abstract:
An umbrella anchoring device is developed which uses the weight of sand to anchor the umbrella during wind. The umbrella pole is fixed in position by a clamp or screw mechanism.
Abstract:
A centrally tracked artificial currency is provided within the context of an enterprise. This currency serves as a unit of account, medium of exchange, and store of value in a corporate “attention economy.” Users (typically coworkers) in the enterprise are allotted a base number of currency units, which they can earn, exchange, and spend in a variety of ways to signal importance and “purchase” attention of others, or priority for other organization resources. In one aspect, senders of messages can specify an amount of currency to be associated with the message, so that recipients can see the specified amount before deciding whether to read the message. Once such a system is in use, it facilitates exchange of value based on user-created transactions regarding behavior, communication, resources, incentives, and priorities.
Abstract:
Clays and organoclays which are treated with resorcinol diphosphate and/or bisphenol diphosphate as general nanoparticle particle dispersants and replacements for quaternary amines. The two compounds are used as self activating and self dispersing nanoparticles by localizing themselves on the particle surface in a polymer matrix and acting as a nanoparticle dispersants in general, as well as resulting in exfoliation of clays. The exfoliate clays may be used in polymers in lieu of other organic treatments.
Abstract:
Clays and organoclays which are treated with resorcinol diphosphate and/or bisphenol diphosphate as general nanoparticle particle dispersants and replacements for quaternary amines. The two compounds are used as self-activating and self-dispersing nanoparticles by localizing themselves on the particle surface in a polymer matrix and acting as a nanoparticle dispersants in general, as well as resulting in exfoliation of clays. The exfoliate clays may be used in polymers in lieu of other organic treatments. When these clays exfoliate poorly in a given thermoplastic, they can be added in high loading rates to polymethylmethacrylate and the PMMA-clay masterbatch added to the plastic where the organoclay performed poorly. The resulting material is a desirable nanocomposite material, with good exfoliation of the organoclay obtained in the final receiving thermoplastic.
Abstract:
Biodegradable compositions of clay, diphosphates and biodegradable polymers are described. The diphosphates may be resorcinol diphosphate or bisphenol diphosphate. The biodegradable polymer may be a cellulose.
Abstract:
Alcohol and ester resistant thermoplastic blends are described. The blends include a clay and a triphenyl phosphate or a diphosphate nanocomposite blended with the thermoplastic.
Abstract:
The invention is direct to a method of forming a polyolefin blend. First a diphosphate and clay are blended to form an organoclay. The organoclay is blended with a vectoring polymeric material to form a masterbatch. The masterbatch is blended with a polyolefin such as a polyethylene or a polypropylene.
Abstract:
The invention is directed towards additives for thermoplastic polymers and blends thereof to which an organoclays has been added to form microtactoids in the thermoplastic. The Organoclays are blends of one or more clays which have been treated with one or more of, resorcinol diphosphate, bis-phenol diphosphate or bis(3-T-Butyl-4 hydroxyphenyl-2,4 Di-T-butylphenyl) resorcinol diphosphate or hydroxyl-derived ethers, esters, and amides where aliphatic fatty acids are added to the molecule at the hydroxyl site.
Abstract:
Thermoplastic homogeneous blends are disclosed. The blends are made up of one or more thermoplastic polymers, one or more clays, one or more diphosphates and a filler and wherein the diphosphate and the clay become intercalated and exfoliated with said thermoplastic and filler to form a nanocomposite.
Abstract:
In one embodiment, the invention provides an air movement device having a matrix polymer and nanoparticles. In another embodiment, the invention provides a method of manufacturing an air movement device having dry-mixing about 30% to about 80% by weight matrix polymer and about 2% to about 15% by weight layered clay to form a dry mixture, extruding the mixture to form a polymer nanocomposite, and molding the polymer nanocomposite into an air movement device. In yet another embodiment, the invention provides an air movement device having about 30% to about 80% by weight polypropylene, about 3% to about 10% by weight layered clay, and about 1% to about 10% by weight maleic anhydride grafted polystyrene, wherein the air movement device has a UL 94 5VA flame retardant rating.