Abstract: Disclosed herein is an aqueous latex composition comprising latex particles dispersed in an aqueous solution, wherein the latex particles are polymerized from at least one acrylic monomer in a substantially solvent-free, waterborne environment, and a 2-oxazoline compound is incorporated onto the latex particles. The 2-oxazoline compound has the following structure: The 2-oxazoline compound is present from about 1 wt. % to about 5 wt. %. The 2-oxazoline may be grafted onto the latex particles. R1 moiety may be free of an acyclic organic radical having addition polymerizable unsaturation moiety. The aqueous latex composition may also comprises an acid monomer.

Abstract: An anchor for connecting a concrete layer of a floor to a cellulosic layer of the floor, the cellulosic layer comprising a plurality of cellulosic members joined together in a side-by-side arrangement, the anchor including a first portion to extend between two adjacent cellulosic members of the cellulosic layer into the concrete layer of the floor. The first portion includes attachment structure to attach the first portion to one of the two adjacent cellulosic members of the cellulosic layer to attach the anchor to the cellulosic layer. An upper edge margin of the first portion is disposed within the concrete layer when the first portion is attached to the cellulosic layer. A second portion extends from the upper edge margin in a first direction that is transverse to the first portion. The second portion is spaced apart from the cellulosic layer and embedded within the concrete layer of the floor to attach the anchor to the concrete layer.

Abstract: Described is a composite made from a woven fabric, a non-woven fabric, or a knitted face fabric and a non-woven fabric. The woven fabric, the non-woven fabric, or the knitted face fabric is needle punched such that fibers protrude into the non-woven fabric. The woven fabric, the non-woven fabric, or the knitted face fabric has a first polymer having a first melting point and a second polymer having a second melting point being higher than the first melting point. The nonwoven backing material comprises a third polymer having a third melting point and a fourth polymer having a fourth melting point being higher than the third melting point. The woven fabric, the non-woven fabric, or the knitted face fabric is further bonded to the nonwoven backing material applying heat to at least partially melt or soften the first polymer and the third polymer such that they bond together.

Abstract: A modular appliance apparatus is disclosed for use in the preparation of food products. The modular appliance apparatus may have a housing to contain internal components. The housing may contain a motor, a controller, and electronic circuitry. On a bottom portion of the housing, at least one base contact may be present. An attachment may secure to the bottom portion of the housing and contain at least one attachment contact. An electronic connection between the at least one base contact and at least one attachment contact may be interpreted by the controller to determine a speed of operation by the motor. Depending on the type of attachment secured to the housing, various different combinations of electronic connections may be made to operate the motor at different speeds to meet the requirements for food preparation by the specific attachment.

Abstract: A system can comprise a plurality of containers that are coupled together as a movable unit. A plurality of container-feeding assemblies can be configured to simultaneously deliver respective yarns into respective containers of the plurality of containers. A header can be selectively attachable to a tufting machine, the header having a longitudinal axis. A retainer can be configured to extend across the header along the longitudinal axis to secure the respective yarns in respective positions relative to each other along the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: The present invention is related to a water-resistant shoe and a method of making the water-resistant shoe. In most embodiments the shoe comprises an outsole, an insole, an upper, and a bootie product comprised of a bootie, a bootie liner, a strobel and a gasket. In many embodiments water-resistant materials such as tape or glue are used to cover all seams and joints. In some embodiments the different pieces are tested for water-resistance before combining and in others the final shoe is tested for water-resistance. The present shoe and method provide a comfortable yet water-resistant shoe.

Abstract: A concealed connector for connecting a first structural component to a second structural component includes a connection portion and a connection plate. The connection portion attaches to the second structural component. The connection plate attaches to the first structural component. The connection plate is coupled to the connection portion and extends into a slot in the first structural component. The connection plate has a perforated region that is penetrated by at least one fastener to attach the connection plate to the first structural component. The perforated region is deformed by the at least one fastener to permit the at least one fastener to penetrate the perforated region of the connection plate.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are a more efficient method for manufacturing paints and a universal extender pigment grind that can be used for the paints in the same paint line as well as in different paint lines, while producing paints with similar properties as paints manufactured under traditional manufacturing techniques. The universal extender pigment grind comprises a minimum amount of diatomaceous earth.

Abstract: An autonomous App for selecting color is disclosed. The App includes (i) receiving an oral query concerning a color from a user, (ii) converting the oral query into a digital signal, (iii) associating the queried color with indicia of said queried color in a color database, and (iv) communicating an oral response to the user based on the queried color. The App resides in a general computing machine, such as a smart phone, a smart speaker or a computer tablet. The App can also guide the user to color merchandises on a color display by the general computing machine capable of augmenting an image of the color display with color information.

Abstract: A doffing apparatus can be configured to couple to an automatically guided vehicle (AGV). The doffing apparatus can comprise at least one elongate arm, each elongate arm having a proximal end, a distal end, and a length, and at least one driver, each driver being configured to move along a respective elongate arm to move a bobbin toward the distal end of the elongate arm. The doffing apparatus can further comprise at least one alignment device. The doffing apparatus can further comprise a processor, wherein the processor is configured to: receive feedback from the at least one alignment device, provide a control signal to cause the AGV to align the elongate arm with a receptacle at a loader, and move the driver a select distance along the length of the elongate arm.

Abstract: In an aspect, provided are methods, systems, and apparatuses comprising receiving a query specifying one or more materials of a floor/ceiling assembly and/or a classification or result, determining one or more media files responsive to the query, and providing the one or more media files for playback.

Abstract: Disclosed are moisture resistant engineered hardwood veneer flooring panels. Also disclosed are methods for making same.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an aqueous latex composition comprising a substantially acrylic core-shell latex, wherein a water-retaining monomer is copolymerized to the shell. The Tg of the core ranges from about 0° C. to about 12° C., and the Tg of the shell ranges from about 13° C. to about 40° C. The mean volume average particle size of the latex ranges from about 125 nm to about 200 nm. The core-shell latex comprises at least one acrylic monomer having a solubility that ranges about 10 g/L to about 30 g/L at 30° C., and this at least one acrylic monomer is present in the shell polymer in an amount greater than about 50 wt. % of all monomers in the shell. Preferably, the at least one acrylic monomer is methyl methacrylate.

Abstract: Described herein are resilient floor coverings produced by using digitally printed UV-cured inks and exhibiting high adhesion properties between an ink layer and a wear layer. Also described herein are methods for manufacturing same. This abstract is intended as a scanning tool for purposes of searching in the particular art and is not intended to be limiting of the present invention.

Abstract: A removable cookware handle is disclosed for connection to a piece of cookware. The removable cookware handle can attach to an attachment member that is secured to the cookware piece. To facilitate locking and unlocking of the attachment member to the removable cookware handle, a plurality of button mechanism are present on the housing of the removable cookware handle. A first button mechanism of the plurality of button mechanisms is slidable in a longitudinal direction while the second button mechanism is depressible in a lateral direction. When unlocking the removable cookware handle from the attachment member, a user may depress the second button and manipulate the first button backward to allow the attachment member to be released from a locking cavity within the housing.

Abstract: In one implementation, a footfall detection assembly comprising a sensor underlayment unit and a data analysis device is provided. The sensor underlayment unit comprises a sensor having a unique sensor identifier and a plurality of zones, wherein the sensor is configured to measure zone capacitance in the plurality of zones, and a processing unit operably connected to the sensor. The processing unit is configured to receive the measured zone capacitance values from the sensor upon the occurrence of a change in measured zone capacitance of the sensor and generate and transmit a data packet comprising at least the unique sensor identifier and measured zone capacitance values upon occurrence of a change in capacitance of at least one of the plurality of zones of the sensor.

Abstract: A hand-held or table-mounted tool for adhering a flooring edge finish to a flooring edge. The hand-held tool includes a main body, which can include a handle, a base, and a bi-level soleplate, which is heated during application to adhere a flooring edge finish to a flooring edge. The soleplate of the tool can be made of polymer, carbon, metal, ceramic, glass, or a mixture thereof.