Abstract: A spray nozzle includes a first conduit that provides a first flow path for a first type of fluid, a second conduit that provides a second flow path for a second fluid that is different from the first fluid, a first dispensing aperture that ejects therefrom a spray that includes the first type of fluid and/or the second type of fluid, and at least one balancing outlet in fluid communication with the second conduit. The at least one balancing outlet permit the second type of fluid to exit therefrom to balance a force of ejection of the spray from the first dispensing aperture.

Abstract: The application discloses cellulose ester compositions comprising two or more miscible blends of cellulose ester each comprising a plurality of propionyl substituents having tunable rheology and physical properties not achievable by any one of the cellulose esters alone. These cellulose ester compositions can be further processed, with or without other materials such as plasticizers, flame retardants, and blowing agents, and converted into articles. These cellulose ester compositions have higher modulus and have low to no butyryl/butyric acid content relative to cellulose acetate butyrate (“CAB”) cellulose ester compositions made from CABs having a butyryl content of greater than 30 wt %.

Abstract: The application discloses cellulose ester compositions comprising two or more miscible blends of cellulose ester each comprising a plurality of propionyl substituents having tunable rheology and physical properties not achievable by any one of the cellulose esters alone. These cellulose ester compositions can be further processed, with or without other materials such as plasticizers, flame retardants, and blowing agents, and converted into articles. These cellulose ester compositions have higher modulus and have low to no butyryl/butyric acid content relative to cellulose acetate butyrate (“CAB”) cellulose ester compositions made from CABs having a butyryl content of greater than 30 wt %.

Abstract: This patent application discloses membranes comprised of cellulose esters that are crosslinked. The membrane can be in the form of a flat film, tube or hollow fiber membrane. The membranes are plasticization resistant and can be used to separate gases.

Abstract: A method of preparing a photochromic optical article is provided, which includes: (i) applying a first organic solvent to a surface of an optical substrate, thereby forming an organic solvent wetted surface on the optical substrate; and (ii) applying a curable photochromic coating composition over the organic solvent wetted surface of said optical substrate, thereby forming a curable photochromic coating layer over the surface of the optical substrate. The curable photochromic coating composition includes a second organic solvent, and the first and second organic solvents are miscible with each other. With some embodiments, the first and second organic solvents are the same.

Abstract: A photovoltaic mounting structure includes a frame for holding a photovoltaic array including a plurality of widthwise channels so as to permit photovoltaic modules to be easily slid between pairs of the channels, the photovoltaic modules resting upon flanges of the channels. In various embodiments, domed protrusions are disposed on lateral sides of the channel to prevent kinking of the modules and reduce friction, retention teeth are formed on upper surfaces of the flanges to position the modules; locator teeth are formed on lower surfaces of the flanges to guide the channels to predetermined spacing; and pre-installed mounting clips are attached to a top surface of the channel. The mounting clips each include an anti-rotation tab oriented downwardly and partially disposed in a corresponding hole in a top surface of the channel so as to prevent rotation of the mounting clip when a bolt of the mounting clip is rotated.

Abstract: A threaded fastener is provided that is structured to permit tightening at either the top end (the head) or the bottom end (tip) of the fastener. The fastener comprises a threaded shaft, a head disposed on a first distal end of the threaded shaft, and a tip disposed on a second distal end of the threaded shaft. The tip and the head are structured to fit standard wrenches.

Abstract: A resealable label flap is positionable to cover an opening in a package containing removable articles. The label flap includes a base layer extending between a first and a second end. The base layer includes a first adhesive on a bottom face surface and permits repeated application and separation of the base layer relative to the package. The base layer has a starting tab to permit removal of the base layer from the package. A top layer includes a second adhesive on a bottom face surface that fixes the top layer to a top face surface of the base layer. The top layer is formed with a removed cutout that defines a hinge for enhancing separation of the base layer and the top layer from the package upon manipulation of the starting tab.

Abstract: A closure seal or tamper evident pressure sensitive label of a sandwich construction for use at the opening seam of packaging to be sealed to indicate whether the package has been opened or otherwise tampered with. The label includes a facer material, a liner material and a pressure sensitive adhesive therebetween. The facer material has cut out a lower label section joined to an upper pull tab section with adjacent tab wings. The upper pull tab section has a liner material portion cut out to adhere to a back or under side of the upper tab section upon pulling the label off the liner material for use. The lower label section and wings has exposed adhesive upon the label being pulled off the liner material for use. Once the label is placed on the packaging, the lower label section and the upper pull tab with adjacent tab wings are aligned to straddle the opening seam of the packaging.

Abstract: A bracket for clamping a photovoltaic module to a torque tube includes a planar base having a pair of aligned holes, a pair of bolts each extending through one of the pair of holes, and a plurality of securing tabs. Each of the securing tabs can be formed by bending a corner portion of the planar base downwardly to a desired angle. The pair of bolts extend to a sufficient length so as to permit a threaded portion of each bolt to be threaded into a complementary threaded hole of the photovoltaic module assembly (e.g., a rail supporting the photovoltaic module). The supporting tabs are structured and arranged to grip lateral sides of the torque tube. Advantageously, the dimensions allow the clamp to stay on the torque tube through a friction fit for ease of installation prior to threading the hardware into the photovoltaic module assembly.

Abstract: A photovoltaic mounting structure includes a frame for holding a photovoltaic array including a plurality of widthwise channels so as to permit photovoltaic modules to be easily slid between pairs of the channels, the photovoltaic modules resting upon flanges of the channels. In various embodiments, domed protrusions are disposed on lateral sides of the channel to prevent kinking of the modules and reduce friction, retention teeth are formed on upper surfaces of the flanges to position the modules; locator teeth are formed on lower surfaces of the flanges to guide the channels to predetermined spacing; and pre-installed mounting clips are attached to a top surface of the channel. The mounting clips each include an anti-rotation tab oriented downwardly and partially disposed in a corresponding hole in a top surface of the channel so as to prevent rotation of the mounting clip when a bolt of the mounting clip is rotated.

Abstract: A photochromic optical article is provided, which includes: an optical substrate; a photochromic layer over a surface of the optical substrate, wherein the photochromic layer includes a photochromic compound; and a protective layer over the photochromic layer, wherein the protective layer includes a matrix that includes residues of an ethylenically unsaturated radically polymerizable material that includes at least one allophanate group. A method of forming the photochromic optical article is also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a padfolio including a case and a zipper or a clasp that couples a first portion and a second portion of the case, the first portion and the second portion connected via a binding. The padfolio can be folded open to expose an interior. The interior contains a notepad and various sleeves, pockets and compartments useful for storing items such as writing instruments, business cards, paper clips, a calculator, etc. A battery is concealed within the interior, wherein access to the battery is from an access opening that includes a plurality of USB ports. Preferably, the battery will be a rechargeable lithium-ion battery. The battery can be used to charge a mobile device such that the user does not have to rely on there being an electrical outlet nearby for charging purposes.

Abstract: Aspects of the present invention relate to an improved process for exchanging sodium ions in zeolites comprising sodium ions and rare earth metal ions for ammonium ions. For this exchange, aqueous solutions of ammonium salts, for example ammonium sulfate, ammonium nitrate or ammonium chloride, are currently being used. The resulting “ammonium zeolites” are calcined to convert them, with release of ammonia, to the H form of the zeolites suitable as a catalyst. The use of ammonium carbonate also minimizes the amount of rare earth metal ions which are leached out of the zeolites comprising rare earth metal ions.

Abstract: A method of preparing a photochromic optical article is provided, which includes: (i) applying a first organic solvent to a surface of an optical substrate, thereby forming an organic solvent wetted surface on the optical substrate; and (ii) applying a curable photochromic coating composition over the organic solvent wetted surface of said optical substrate, thereby forming a curable photochromic coating layer over the surface of the optical substrate. The curable photochromic coating composition includes a second organic solvent, and the first and second organic solvents are miscible with each other. With some embodiments, the first and second organic solvents are the same.

Abstract: A photochromic optical article is provided, which includes: an optical substrate; a photochromic layer over a surface of the optical substrate, wherein the photochromic layer includes a photochromic compound; and a protective layer over the photochromic layer, wherein the protective layer includes a matrix that includes residues of an ethylenically unsaturated radically polymerizable material that includes at least one allophanate group. A method of forming the photochromic optical article is also provided.

Abstract: A closure seal or tamper evident pressure sensitive label of a sandwich construction for use at the opening seam of packaging to be sealed to indicate whether the package has been opened or otherwise tampered with. The label includes a facer material, a liner material and a pressure sensitive adhesive therebetween. The facer material has cut out a lower label section joined to an upper pull tab section with adjacent tab wings. The upper pull tab section has a liner material portion cut out to adhere to a back or under side of the upper tab section upon pulling the label off the liner material for use. The lower label section and wings has exposed adhesive upon the label being pulled off the liner material for use. Once the label is placed on the packaging, the lower label section and the upper pull tab with adjacent tab wings are aligned to straddle the opening seam of the packaging.

Abstract: A closure seal or tamper evident pressure sensitive label of a sandwich construction for use at the opening seam of packaging to be sealed to indicate whether the package has been opened or otherwise tampered with. The label includes a facer material, a liner material and a pressure sensitive adhesive therebetween. The facer material has cut out a lower label section joined to an upper pull tab section with adjacent tab wings. The upper pull tab section has a liner material portion cut out to adhere to a back or under side of the upper tab section upon pulling the label off the liner material for use. The lower label section and wings has exposed adhesive upon the label being pulled off the liner material for use. Once the label is placed on the packaging, the lower label section and the upper pull tab with adjacent tab wings are aligned to straddle the opening seam of the packaging.

Abstract: Self-corrugating laminates useful in the manufacture of thermoelectric devices are disclosed. The laminates include an upper and a lower shrinkable film layer and a non-shrinkable core with a thermoelectric pattern formed thereon bonded between said upper and lower shrinkable film along bond lines arranged parallel, substantially parallel, radially, or annularly. The bond lines that bond the upper shrinkable film layer to top surface of the nonshrinkable core are staggered relative to the bond lines that bond the lower shrinkable film layer to the bottom surface of the non-shrinkable core such that upon shrinkage of the shrinkable film layers, structural corrugations are formed in the non-shrinkable core. Thermoelectric modules or devices and methods for forming them from the self-corrugating laminates are also described.

Abstract: A closure seal or tamper evident pressure sensitive label of a sandwich construction for use at the opening seam of packaging to be sealed to indicate whether the package has been opened or otherwise tampered with. The label includes a facer material, a liner material and a pressure sensitive adhesive therebetween. The facer material has cut out a lower label section joined to an upper pull tab section with adjacent tab wings. The upper pull tab section has a liner material portion cut out to adhere to a back or under side of the upper tab section upon pulling the label off the liner material for use. The lower label section and wings has exposed adhesive upon the label being pulled off the liner material for use. Once the label is placed on the packaging, the lower label section and the upper pull tab with adjacent tab wings are aligned to straddle the opening seam of the packaging.