Abstract: The present invention is a coating containing approximately 10% glass beads used to protect wood products. Applicant has discovered that the best performance occurs when the concentration of glass beads in the coating ranges from 5 wt % to 10 wt %. A shelf-stable paste is first prepared by combining a solution of modified styrene maleic acid copolymer and a synthetic layered silicate. That paste is then mixed with a binder to form the coating. Preferably, the concentration of glass beads in the paste ranges from 60 wt % to 80 wt %, the concentration of solution of modified styrene maleic acid copolymer ranges from 20 wt % to 25 wt % and the concentration of synthetic layered silicate ranges from 1 wt % to 3 wt %.

Abstract: Disclosed are apparatuses and methods including incorporation of additives into a bulk materials container by coating, impregnating, or otherwise applying the additives to at least a portion of the container and/or the material comprising the container. The container may be intended for containing bulk material used in a batch or continuous process, where the container can be consumed by the process along with the bulk material. The additives incorporated into the container can be substances that may be used by the process. The additives can modify the process. The additives can modify and/or condition the product being formed by the process.

Abstract: A coating for pelletized thermoplastic road marking material is provided in which at least one of waxes, silica compounds, and inorganic compounds is provided on the surface of the thermoplastic pellet. The pellet is formed by mixing a binder mixture with a filler mixture, heating the mixed ingredients while mixing into a homogenous molten mixture and then extruding the molten mixture. The extruded material is cooled, cut into individual pellets and then coated. The coating prevents clumping of the pellets and also imparts improved flowability and lower melting point properties. Preferred coatings include micronized polyethylene wax, silicates, silanes, silicones, siliconates, fluoropoymers, calcium carbonate and zeolite.

Abstract: A method or applying a fast curing epoxy traffic marking composition is provided in which curing agents are coated on a carrier such as glass beads or porous silica. These carriers are dropped onto the epoxy coating and promote rapid curing of the top layer of the epoxy coating while the bottom layer is given additional time to adhere to the roadway surface.

Abstract: A system for dispensing a fast curing epoxy traffic marking composition to a transportation corridor includes a plurality of bins positioned on a transportation corridor marking dispensing apparatus. A first bin contains an epoxy coating which is applied by the dispensing apparatus on a transportation corridor. A second bin contains at least one curing agent which is coated on a carrier such as glass beads or porous silica. These carriers are dropped onto the epoxy coating by the dispensing apparatus and promote rapid curing of the top layer of the epoxy coating while the bottom layer is given additional time to adhere to the roadway surface. This enables the application contractor to open a marked roadway in a quicker manner with less motorist disruption. An optional third bin contains retroreflective beads which are applied to the epoxy coating by the dispenser apparatus to improve visibility of the line marking.

Abstract: A method for applying a fast curing epoxy traffic marking composition is provided in which curing agents are coated on a carrier such as glass beads or porous silica. These carriers are dropped onto the epoxy coating and promote rapid curing of the top layer of the epoxy coating while the bottom layer is given additional time to adhere to the roadway surface. This enables the application contractor to open a marked roadway in a quicker manner with less motorist disruption.

Abstract: A highway marking paint formed from a waterborne latex paint and porous silica having a pore volume in the range of 0.3 cc/g to 3.0 cc/g. The silica enables the paint to achieve sufficient viscosity to permit the application of a highway marking of at least 40 mil and preferably at least 120 mil. The highway marking paint can also include retroreflective glass beads. Optionally, the highway marking paint further includes an acrylic polymer emulsion. The porous silica can be mixed with an ion exchange resin to control the drying properties of the paint.

Abstract: A highway marking paint is provided formed from a waterborne latex paint and porous silica. The silica enables the paint to achieve sufficient viscosity to permit the application of a highway marking of at least 40 mil and preferably at least 120 mil. The highway marking paint can also include retroreflective glass beads. Optionally, the highway marking paint further includes an acrylic polymer emulsion.

Abstract: A quantity of retroreflective granules includes glass members each having a refractive index of at least about 1.5. The quantity of retroreflective granules can be partially embedded into a binder material applied on the surface of a structure to provide a visual aid. A structure includes a retroreflective surface having an inclined face defined on at least a portion of the structure. The retroreflective surface also includes a binder material applied to at least a portion of the inclined face of the structure. The binder material has a thickness dimension of at least about 10 mil. The retroreflective surface further includes a plurality of retroreflective granules partially embedded in the binder material. The plurality of retroreflective granules have a density of at least about 0.06 pounds/square foot as embedded in the binder material. Each retroreflective granule includes a glass member having a refractive index of at least about 1.5.

Abstract: A highway marking paint is provided formed from a waterborne latex paint and porous silica having a pore volume in the range of 0.3 cc/g to 3.0 cc/g. The silica enables the paint to achieve sufficient viscosity to permit the application of a highway marking of at least 40 mil and preferably at least 120 mil. The highway marking paint can also include retroreflective glass beads. Optionally, the highway marking paint further includes an acrylic polymer emulsion. The porous silica can be mixed with an ion exchange resin to control the drying properties of the paint.

Abstract: A method for applying a fast curing epoxy traffic marking composition is provided in which curing agents are coated on a carrier such as glass beads or porous silica. These carriers are dropped onto the epoxy coating and promote rapid curing of the top layer of the epoxy coating while the bottom layer is given additional time to adhere to the roadway surface. This enables the application contractor to open a marked roadway in a quicker manner with less motorist disruption.

Abstract: The present invention provides a marking system adapted for coating a surface of a substrate in which a drying agent is used. According to a first aspect of the invention, a binder layer, such as paint, is applied to the surface. A drying agent is dispensed into the spray of a binder and becomes incorporated with the binder on the substrate surface. The incorporation of the drying agent into the binder prior to application on the surface provides improved mixing of the drying agent and binder and improved performance. According to a second aspect of the invention, a combination of optical elements and a drying agent are stored in a common hopper and are dispensed into the spray of the binder and become incorporated with the binder on the substrate surface. The mixture of optical elements and drying agent prevents coagulation of the drying agent and the resulting clogging of the dispenser.