Abstract: A hard coat film comprising a polymer film substrate, an organic adhesion layer formed on a surface of the film substrate by depositing a first organic material on a surface of the film substrate in vacuum, and an organic hard coat layer formed on a surface of the adhesion layer by depositing a second organic material on the adhesion layer in vacuum is disclosed. Preferably, the layers are separately cured following the deposition processes. The adhesion layer has a thickness in a range of about 0.025 ?m to about 20 ?m and the hard coat layer has a thickness in a range of about 0.025 ?m to about 20 ?m. Optionally, the hard coat film includes an inorganic layer formed between the adhesion layer and the hard coat layer. Also disclosed is a process for forming a hard coat film by depositing multiple layers of organic and/or inorganic materials on a substrate in vacuum.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for uniform coating of a substrate at high deposition rates by evaporating a coating material in a vacuum chamber. The system includes an evaporator having a heating crucible for containing a coating material to be evaporated and a generally planar heat source disposed so as to heat a surface of a coating material contained in the heating crucible. Preferably, the heat source is manufactured from a ceramic or intermetallic material and includes a first layer defining a first set of openings and a second layer defining a second set of openings wherein the second layer overlies the first layer and is spaced apart therefrom. The first and second sets of openings allow the evaporated coating material to pass therethrough for dispersion of the coating material in a deposition zone defined by a containment shield disposed above the heat source.

Abstract: A system for transporting cargo between a storage area and a cargo carrier. The system includes a bridge (13) and boom (15) spanning between the storage area and the cargo carrier. A first elevator (14) is located at one end of the bridge (13) proximate to the storage area. A second elevator (16) is located at the distal end of the boom (15) positionable relative to the cargo carrier. Trackways (20, 21, 22 and 23) along the bridge (13) and boom (15) interconnect the first and second elevators (14 and 16). Independent cars (24) are provided to carry the cargo. Each car (24) is movable on the first and second elevators (14 and 15) and further along the trackways (20, 21, 22 and 23).

Abstract: A conveyor system for warehouses and the like incorporates a movable gantry (13) which carries a first conveyor boom (22). Similarly, a second conveyor boom assembly (20, 57) is carried by the gantry (13) for rotation relative to the gantry (13) and the first conveyor boom (22). A gantry turntable (33) is interposed between the first conveyor boom (22) and the second conveyor boom assembly (20, 57), and is rotatably positionable relative thereto.

Abstract: A system to determine the instantaneous position of a vehicle (11) which is attached to a track (12) by a mast arm (13) includes sensors (17, 19) to determine the location of the point (A) at which the arm (13) is attached to the track (12). An additional sensor (32) provides a signal to a circuit (47) which also receives signals from sensors (17, 19) and then locates the lateral and longitudinal position of the vehicle (11) with respect to point (A). Once the instantaneous position of the vehicle (11) has been established, a signal representative thereof is compared with a reference signal and the vehicle is controlled accordingly.