Abstract: The present invention relates to a one-step fastening device, a process for creating a fastener utilizing such a device, and the end fastener produced thereby. In this regard, the invention uses an outer, hollow fastener material that can be partially compressed under tension at designated areas (i.e., a compression member) and an inner activation or tensioning member. The compression of the outer fastener material occurs at one or more flexible areas or compression features specifically located on the longitudinal axis of the material. As a result, the outer compression member is capable of being distorted or bent under tension to produce a predetermined configuration. The device described herein has the ability to form specific and controllable fasteners of designated shapes and configurations. Methods for fastening, snaring, gripping, cutting, and manipulating material using the device in a confined space are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a one-step fastening device, a process for creating a fastener utilizing such a device, and the end fastener produced thereby. In this regard, the invention uses an outer, hollow fastener material that can be partially compressed under tension at designated areas (i.e., a compression member) and an inner activation or tensioning member. The compression of the outer fastener material occurs at one or more flexible areas or compression features specifically located on the longitudinal axis of the material. As a result, the outer compression member is capable of being distorted or bent under tension to produce a predetermined configuration. The device described herein has the ability to form specific and controllable fasteners of designated shapes and configurations. Methods for fastening, snaring, gripping, cutting, and manipulating material using the device in a confined space are also provided.

Abstract: A thermal treatment system for supplying thermally conditioned or purified water for human or animal consumption, industrial processes, environmental containment, or removal of foreign species. The water purifier includes a heat exchanger for exchanging heat between outgoing thermally conditioned or purified water and incoming makeup water; a water heater is connected to the heat exchanger so as to receive pre-heated incoming makeup water, where the water heater subsequently heats the incoming preheated makeup water to a set-point temperature in the case of thermally conditioned water and for purified water also holds the water for a period of time sufficient to inactivate selected organisms to a predetermined level. The heat exchanger has one or more treated water outlets for supplying thermally conditioned or purified water at selected temperatures.

Abstract: An adsorbent fabric includes a color masking layer including fluid impermeable areas disposed on a fluid permeable support fabric in spaced relationship.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to products for absorbing bodily fluids, such as feminine sanitary pads, tampons, wound dressings, bandages, and the like. The absorbent personal article of the invention includes a color masking layer with fluid impermeable areas disposed on a fluid permeable support fabric in spaced relationship. The article may include an absorbent core, a topsheet, a backsheet, and a spreading layer in addition to or in combination with the color masking layer. The L values of the color masking layer and support fabric are preferably in the relationship of: 1 Lsystem - Lcloth Lsystem > 0.

Abstract: Several approaches are provided for designing algorithms that allow for fast retrieval, classification, analysis or other processing of data, with minimal expert knowledge of the data being analyzed, and further, with minimal expert knowledge of the math and science involved in building classifications and performing other statistical data analysis. Further, methods of analyzing data are provided where the information being analyzed is not easily susceptible to quantitative description.

Abstract: A thermal treatment system for supplying thermally conditioned or purified water for human or animal consumption, industrial processes, environmental containment, or removal of foreign species. The water purifier includes a heat exchanger for exchanging heat between outgoing thermally conditioned or purified water and incoming makeup water; a water heater is connected to the heat exchanger so as to receive pre-heated incoming makeup water, where the water heater subsequently heats the incoming preheated makeup water to a set-point temperature in the case of thermally conditioned water and for purified water also holds the water for a period of time sufficient to inactivate selected organisms to a predetermined level. The heat exchanger has one or more treated water outlets for supplying thermally conditioned or purified water at selected temperatures.

Abstract: A method of molding roofing shingles includes the steps of providing a compression mold having two mold bodies, and installing a mold insert in each of the two mold bodies. The surfaces of the inserts are shaped to correspond with the desired shape of a roofing shingle. A multiplicity of roofing shingles are molded using the compression mold. Each molding step includes charging the mold with a moldable material containing resin in an amount within the range of from about 10 to about 40 percent, and filler material in an amount within the range of from about 60 to about 90 percent, wherein the filler material subjects the inserts to wear by abrasion. The inserts in the mold are replaced when they are worn out, but this is done without replacing the mold bodies.

Abstract: This development is a method for accelerating thermoset resin cure and enhancing adhesions of coatings to thermoset articles comprising the steps of providing a thermoset article having at least one surface and corona treating the thermoset article to increase the surface energy thereof. The corona treating allows for painting in line with the pultrusion process for producing thermoset articles.

Abstract: An insulated vessel (10, 100, 130) is provided which is adapted to receive a low or high temperature material to be insulated from the environment. The vessel comprises inner and outer membranes (20, 110, 140) and (30, 120, 150) and an outer casing (40, 170). The inner membrane defines an inner cavity for receiving the low or high temperature material and has a first portion which defines an entrance into the inner membrane. The outer membrane encases the inner membrane such that a space is defined between the inner and outer membranes. The outer membrane includes a second portion which is positioned adjacent to the first portion. An insulating material (60, 160) is located in the space between the inner and outer membranes. The inner and outer membranes are joined together so as to seal off the space from the environment. The space is evacuated to less than atmospheric pressure. The outer casing surrounds the outer membrane and has sufficient strength to provide structural and abuse integrity to the vessel.

Abstract: A package (10, 100) of building-panel products consists essentially of panels (20), panel accessories (30, 32a-d, 110a-d, 120), and at least one binding means (80, 70a, 70b), which may include strapping and/or clamping elements. The panels, which are to be mounted to a structure such as a house, are arranged in a stack (20a). The accessories, which are to be mounted to the structure in association with the building panels, are positioned to frame one or more sides of the panel stack so as to help maintain the panels in stacked relationship. The binding elements releasably secure the accessories to the stack of building panels to form a cartonless package.

Abstract: An insulated vessel (10, 100, 130) is provided which is adapted to receive a low or high temperature material to be insulated from the environment. The vessel comprises inner and outer membranes (20, 110, 140) and (30, 120, 150) and an outer casing (40, 170). The inner membrane defines an inner cavity for receiving the low or high temperature material and has a first portion which defines an entrance into the inner membrane. The outer membrane encases the inner membrane such that a space is defined between the inner and outer membranes. The outer membrane includes a second portion which is positioned adjacent to the first portion. An insulating material (60, 160) is located in the space between the inner and outer membranes. The inner and outer membranes are joined together so as to seal off the space from the environment. The space is evacuated to less than atmospheric pressure. The outer casing surrounds the outer membrane and has sufficient strength to provide structural and abuse integrity to the vessel.

Abstract: A molded composite product includes a resinous core layer containing reinforcement fibers, and a resinous surface layer which is substantially free of reinforcement fibers, where the resinous surface layer includes a nonresinous additive at a concentration, measured as a weight percentage of the resinous material in the surface layer, which is higher than the concentration of the additive in the resinous core layer, measured as a weight percentage of the resinous material in the core layer.

Abstract: An improved fibrous glass insulation assembly (10) having a fibrous glass body (12), a moisture barrier (14) that substantially encloses the fibrous glass body (12), and a desiccant (18) positioned adjacent the fibrous glass body (12) and within the moisture barrier (14). The fibrous glass body (12) is sufficiently encapsulated or enclosed by the moisture barrier (14), the moisture barrier (14) sufficiently retards the passage of moisture therethrough, and the desiccant (18) is disposed in a sufficient quantity so that enough moisture is removed to improve the recovery performance of the fibrous glass body (12), from a recoverable compressed state, and/or to improve the stiffness performance of the fibrous glass body (12), once the glass body (12) has recovered.

Abstract: An improved fibrous glass insulation assembly is disclosed. The insulation assembly includes at least one fibrous glass body enclosed by a vapor barrier plastic outer layer or by a bag or package. A desiccant is provided adjacent the fibrous glass body to remove moisture.

Abstract: A mineral fiber insulation assembly is disclosed. The insulation assembly includes a longitudinally extending mineral fiber core having opposed major surfaces, opposed side surfaces and opposed end surfaces. A low friction polymer film is positioned adjacent the major surfaces and the side surfaces. At least one of the side surfaces is attached to the polymer film. A plurality of openings are provided in the polymer film adjacent at least one of the side surfaces. The insulation assembly is readily compressible and expandable at the job site. The low friction film provides easy installation.

Abstract: An insulation assembly for insulating buildings is disclosed. The insulation assembly includes a low density, binderless, mineral fiber mat, such as a binderless fibrous glass batt which is covered by a layer to form a package. The batt is joined to the package by an adhesive and air passageway is defined by the package for directing atmospheric air to the batt. The insulation assembly is lightweight and has a compression ratio in excess of 6:1.