Abstract: Provided herein is a pneumatic carrier having a leak resistant cargo area where first and second mating shells form the carrier. To provide a leak resistant cargo area, the one embodiment of the carrier employs a cantilevered sealing element on a first sealing periphery of the first shell. A free end of the cantilevered sealing element is configured to engage a sloped surface on a second shell. As the shells close, the sealing element slides down the sloped surface to form a seal between the shells. The use of the cantilevered sealing element in conjunction with the sloped surface reduces the compressive force required to form a seal between the shells.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are metal laminates, and methods related thereto. The metal laminates have a cold rolled steel substrate having at least a first side and a second side; a backer coating disposed upon at least a portion of the first side of the cold rolled steel substrate; an adhesive disposed upon at least a portion of the second side of the cold rolled steel substrate; and an aluminum metal layer having at least a first side and a second side, at least a portion of the first side of the aluminum metal layer contacts at least a portion of the adhesive.

Abstract: Self-cleaning aluminum alloy substrates and methods of making the same are disclosed. In one embodiment, a substrate is provided, the substrate including an aluminum alloy body, an anodic oxide zone having micropores within a surface of the aluminum alloy body, the anodic oxide zone being substantially impermeable to contaminants, and a photocatalytic film located on at least a portion of the anodic oxide zone, wherein the photocatalytic film comprises photocatalytically active semiconductor. In one embodiment, a method is provided, the method including the steps of forming an anodic oxide zone in at least a portion of an aluminum alloy base, forming a photocatalytic film, the photocatalytic film being located on the anodic oxide zone, and sealing the anodic oxide zone with a sealant, wherein, as sealed, the anodic oxide zone is substantially impermeable to contaminants.

Abstract: Self-cleaning aluminum alloy substrates and methods of making the same are disclosed. In one embodiment, a substrate is provided, the substrate including an aluminum alloy body, an anodic oxide zone having micropores within a surface of the aluminum alloy body, the anodic oxide zone being substantially impermeable to contaminants, and a photocatalytic film located on at least a portion of the anodic oxide zone, wherein the photocatalytic film comprises photocatalytically active semiconductor. In one embodiment, a method is provided, the method including the steps of forming an anodic oxide zone in at least a portion of an aluminum alloy base, forming a photocatalytic film, the photocatalytic film being located on the anodic oxide zone, and sealing the anodic oxide zone with a sealant, wherein, as sealed, the anodic oxide zone is substantially impermeable to contaminants.

Abstract: Self-cleaning aluminum alloy substrates and methods of making the same are disclosed. In one embodiment, a substrate is provided, the substrate including an aluminum alloy body, an anodic oxide zone having micropores within a surface of the aluminum alloy body, the anodic oxide zone being substantially impermeable to contaminants, and a photocatalytic film located on at least a portion of the anodic oxide zone, wherein the photocatalytic film comprises photocatalytically active semiconductor. In one embodiment, a method is provided, the method including the steps of forming an anodic oxide zone in at least a portion of an aluminum alloy base, forming a photocatalytic film, the photocatalytic film being located on the anodic oxide zone, and sealing the anodic oxide zone with a sealant, wherein, as sealed, the anodic oxide zone is substantially impermeable to contaminants.

Abstract: This invention describes a metallic article coated with a radiation curable coating that exhibits resistance to weathering and UV exposure. The radiation curable coating is comprised of greater than about 95% solids by weight and is either clear or pigmented.

Abstract: Wireless communications relative to a vehicle using a wireless communications device, a pocket for holding the wireless communication device and a docking station in communication with the pocket are provided. The pocket can include a processor for translating communications between the wireless communications device and the docking station. A subsystem for detecting selected audible signals and muting other audible signals may be provided as part of the pocket. The docking station has processing capability and can communicate with different pockets and thereby different wireless communications devices. In at least one embodiment, the docking station manages voice recognition and text-to-speech commands to facilitate hands-free communications in the vehicle. The docking station can function as a communications hub involving a number of vehicle subsystems. In a preferred embodiment, the vehicle subsystems are separately addressable using the docking station and/or other processing hardware/software.

Abstract: Wireless communications relative to a vehicle using a wireless communications device, a pocket for holding the wireless communication device and a docking station in communication with the pocket are provided. The pocket can include a processor for translating communications between the wireless communications device and the docking station. The docking station has processing capability and can communicate with different pockets and thereby different wireless communications devices. An external subsystem running an application can be interconnected to the wireless communications device via the adaptor and the docking station. In particular, the docking station provides a standardized interface that can be used to conduct communications between the external device and the docking station. In addition, the docking station provides a voice recognition function to allow a user to control the operation of an external device and/or a wireless communications device using voice commands.

Abstract: A non-corrosive metal on aluminum or aluminum alloy lamination is disclosed including a non-corrosive metal top sheet, an aluminum or aluminum alloy substrate, and an adhesive bonding the non-corrosive metal top sheet to the aluminum or aluminum alloy substrate to provide a non-corrosive metal on aluminum or aluminum alloy lamination product having lighter weight and less cost than a sheet product of the non-corrosive metal of identical thickness, wherein the lamination product withstands galvanic corrosion between the non-corrosive metal top sheet and the aluminum or aluminum alloy substrate. In one aspect, the non-corrosive metal top sheet is stainless steel. In one aspect, the non-corrosive metal top sheet is nickel or nickel alloy.