Abstract: A vehicle barrier system, comprising, a support member having a first side disposed toward an area used by vehicles, a splice plate including a support aperture and a stress concentrator associated with to the support aperture, and a rail assembly including, in one embodiment, a wood rail and a first side, wherein the first side of the rail assembly is coupled to the splice plate and the splice plate is coupled to the support member at the support aperture. In another embodiment the rail assembly includes one or more weakened areas serving as stress concentrators in the rail assembly.

Abstract: Provided is a microporous material, e.g., a microporous sheet material, having a matrix of polyolefin, finely-divided, substantially water insoluble particulate filler, a network of interconnecting pores communicating throughout the microporous material, and at least one retrospectively identifiable taggant material embedded within the matrix, optionally the at least one taggant being unique to an end user for the microporous material, wherein the polyolefin is present in the microporous material in an amount of 20 to 35 weight percent, based on the weight of the microporous material. The taggant material provides a marker, signature or code that is capable of retrospective identification by machine, instrument or by the naked eye. Articles including the microporous material and processes for preparing the microporous material also are provided.

Abstract: Provided is a microporous material, e.g., a microporous sheet material, having a matrix of polyolefin, finely-divided, substantially water insoluble particulate filler, a network of interconnecting pores communicating throughout the microporous material, and at least one retrospectively identifiable taggant material embedded within the matrix, optionally the at least one taggant being unique to an end user for the microporous material, wherein the polyolefin is present in the microporous material in an amount of 20 to 35 weight percent, based on the weight of the microporous material. The taggant material provides a marker, signature or code that is capable of retrospective identification by machine, instrument or by the naked eye. Articles including the microporous material and processes for preparing the microporous material also are provided.

Abstract: A vehicle barrier system, comprising, a support member having a first side disposed toward an area used by vehicles, a splice plate including a support aperture and a stress concentrator associated with to the support aperture, and a rail assembly including, in one embodiment, a wood rail and a first side, wherein the first side of the rail assembly is coupled to the splice plate and the splice plate is coupled to the support member at the support aperture. In another embodiment the rail assembly includes one or more weakened areas serving as stress concentrators in the rail assembly.

Abstract: A microporous material is provided in the form of a singly extruded microporous sheet having opposing first and second surfaces, comprising: (a) a polymeric matrix component comprising: (i) 25 to 75 weight percent of low melt flow index polypropylene having a melt flow index ranging from 0.1 to 30 grams/10 minutes; (ii) 12.5 to 25 weight percent of ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene; and (iii) 0 to 62.5 weight percent of high density polyethylene; (b) a finely divided, inorganic filler component dispersed throughout the polymeric matrix; and (c) a network of interconnecting pores communicating substantially throughout the microporous material, the pores constituting 10 to 80 percent by volume of the microporous material. The sheet typically has a thickness ranging from 3 to 8 mils and a stiffness of greater than 1 g/micron. In certain embodiments, the sheet has a density of greater than 0.75 g/cc. Also provided are multi-layer articles.

Abstract: The present invention is related to treated filler and processes for producing said treated filler. Untreated filler slurry can be treated with a treating material and, optionally, a coupling material and then subjected to conventional drying method(s), to produce the treated filler of the invention. Treated filler has a wide variety of applications including but not limited to battery separators and rubber compositions such as tires.

Abstract: Provided is a multi-layer article including (1) a sheet of microporous material having opposing surfaces, and (2) an adhesive composition applied over at least a portion of at least one of the surfaces of the sheet. The microporous material contains (A) a polymeric matrix component of 5 to 100 weight percent of low melt flow index polypropylene; 0 to 90 weight percent of ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene; and 0 to 90 weight percent of high density polyethylene; (B) a finely divided, particulate filler component dispersed throughout the polymeric matrix (A) including siliceous and non-siliceous materials; and (C) a network of interconnecting pores communicating substantially throughout the microporous material, the pores constituting 10 to 80 percent by volume of the microporous material, wherein the weight ratio of filler component (B) to polymeric matrix component (A) ranges from 0.1 to 10.0.

Abstract: Provided is a microporous material, e.g., a microporous sheet material, having a matrix of polyolefin, finely-divided, substantially water insoluble particulate filler, a network of interconnecting pores communicating throughout the microporous material, and at least one retrospectively identifiable taggant material embedded within the matrix, wherein the polyolefin is present in the microporous material in an amount of 20 to 60 weight percent, based on the weight of the microporous material. The taggant material provides a marker, signature or code that is capable of retrospective identification by machine, instrument or by the naked eye. Articles including the microporous material and processes for preparing the microporous material also are provided.

Abstract: Described are microporous materials including (a) a polymeric matrix component; (b) a finely divided, particulate inorganic filler component dispersed throughout the polymeric matrix; and (c) a network of interconnecting pores communicating substantially throughout the microporous material, the pores constituting 10 to 80 percent by volume of the microporous material. The polymeric component is based on (i) 5 to 100 weight percent based on total weight of component (a) of low melt flow index polypropylene; (ii) 0 to 90 weight percent based on total weight of component (a) of ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene; and (iii) 0 to 90 weight percent based on total weight of component (a) of high density polyethylene. Also provided are multi-layer articles prepared from the microporous materials.

Abstract: An electrochemical impedance spectroscopy apparatus includes a conduit having a first conductive probe positioned therein. One end of the conduit is coupled in a fluid tight manner to a surface of an electrically conductive object or a coating thereon whereupon an electrolyte solution disposed in the conduit is in fluid communication with the first conductive probe and the surface or the coating. A second conductive probe outside the conduit is moved into electrical contact with the object, either directly or via the coating. An AC signal applied between the first and second conductive probes is swept between a first frequency and a second frequency. A characteristic or property of the surface and/or the coating is determined from the response thereof to the swept AC signal.

Abstract: A roller conveyor includes a frame having a plurality of roller rotatably supported thereon by respective pairs of roller bearings. A drive system is provided for selectively rotatably driving each of the plurality of rollers. The drive system includes a gear secured to each of the plurality of rollers and a plurality of belts extending between adjacent ones of the gears. As a result, rotation of one of the gears causes rotation of the adjacent one of the gears. The belts are toothed timing belts that are arranged in a two-column, staggered manner along the roller conveyor. The roller conveyor is well suited for relatively high speed operation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling a charge/discharge voltage applied to an EC device to ensure that an appropriate voltage drop across the EC device is maintained during charge and/or discharge modes of operation. The appropriate voltage drop is determined with respect to a temperature measurement proximate the EC device. The charge level of the device is monitored using a coulomb counter circuit having a topology designed to minimize interference in the operation of the EC device.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling a charge/discharge voltage applied to an EC device to ensure that an appropriate voltage drop across the EC device is maintained during charge and/or discharge modes of operation. The appropriate voltage drop is determined with respect to a temperature measurement proximate the EC device. The charge level of the device is monitored using a coulomb counter circuit having a topology designed to minimize interference in the operation of the EC device.

Abstract: Provided herein is a toolbox system especially well suited for use on pickup trucks. The system provides quick and easy access to a wide variety of tools which may be contained in the toolboxes. The assemblies may be modular and are readily loaded and unloaded from the bed portion of a pickup truck. An increased degree of safety and convenience is realized from use of the devices herein set forth.

Abstract: Provided herein is a toolbox system especially well suited for use on pickup trucks. The system provides quick and easy access to a wide variety of tools which may be contained in the toolboxes. The assemblies may be modular and are readily loaded and unloaded from the bed portion of a pickup truck. An increased degree of safety and convenience is realized from use of the devices herein set forth.

Abstract: A method for sealing the peripheral edge surface of a laminated electrooptic device, wherein an aromatic glycidyl amine-based epoxy is used as a seal. Sealed devices are also disclosed.

Abstract: A two-piece lens block allows for the rotation of an edged lens blank in order to align the cylinder of the lens blank correctly. The lens block includes a substantially cylindrical base having a first surface facing the lens blank and an opposed second surface with a plurality of driving recesses extending into the base from the second surface. A ring member surrounds the base and includes a mounting surface generally adjacent to the lens blank. The ring member is rotatable relative to the base prior to the attachment of the lens blank to the lens block. An edged lens-shaped cavity is provided in the ring member and provides for nearly full surface contact of an attachment alloy with a front surface of the lens blank to alleviate distortion. The two-piece lens block allows edged lens blanks to be surfaced to finished lenses.

Abstract: A method for simultaneously edging a complementary pair of ophthalmic lenses is disclosed. In this method, 1) the lenses to be edged are stacked or temporarily bonded; 2) the stacked or temporarily bonded lenses are simultaneously edged; and 3) the edged lenses are separated. Laminated devices prepared using lenses edge via this method are also disclosed.

Abstract: Provided herein is a toolbox system especially well suited for use on pickup trucks. The system provides quick and easy access to a wide variety of tools which may be contained in the toolboxes. The assemblies are modular and are readily loaded and unloaded from the bed portion of a pickup truck. An increased degree of safety and convenience is realized from use of the devices herein set forth.

Abstract: A method for sealing the circumferential edge region of a laminated electrochromic device is disclosed. The method involves cutting a circumferential groove into the edge region of the device at the ion-conducting interface of its substrates. Sealant is then applied to the groove. Sealed devices are also disclosed.