Abstract: An asphalt composition comprising aggregate, bitumen, sulphur and resin-based binder, wherein the resin-based binder comprises a thermoplastic hydrocarbon resin and a diluent. Methods of preparing asphalt compositions and asphalt pavements are also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention provides a bituminous composition comprising a bitumen in an amount ranging from 20 to 80% wt, a copolymer comprising one or more vinyl aromatic compounds and one or more conjugated dienes, in an amount of 0.1 to 7 % wt, and sulphur in an amount of 20 to 60% wt, all percentages based on the weight of bitumen, copolymer and sulphur. It further provides a process for making this composition and asphalt compositions comprising such bituminous composition.

Abstract: The invention provides a bituminous composition comprising a bitumen in an amount ranging from 20 to 90% wt, a carboxylic additive in an amount of from 0.25 to 5% wt, and sulphur in an amount of 5 to 75% wt, all percentages based on the weight of bitumen, carboxylic additive and sulphur, wherein the carboxylic additive is selected from carboxylic acids, carboxylic esters and carboxylic anhydrides. It further provides a process for making this composition and asphalt compositions comprising such bituminous composition.

Abstract: An asphalt composition comprising aggregate, bitumen, sulphur and surfactant, wherein the surfactant is selected from cationic surfactants, amphoteric surfactants and mixtures thereof. Methods of preparing asphalt compositions and asphalt pavements are also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention provides a bituminous composition comprising 20 to 80 wt % bitumen, 0.1 to 7 wt % of a copolymer formed from monomers including ethylene and glycidyl methacrylate or glycidyl acrylate, and 20 to 60 wt % sulphur, all weight percentages based on the weight of the bituminous composition. It further provides a process for making this composition and asphalt compositions comprising such bituminous composition.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing asphalt is disclosed. The process comprises the steps of: (i) heating bitumen; (ii) heating aggregate; and (iii) mixing the hot bitumen with the hot aggregate in a mixing unit to form asphalt. From 10 to 200 wt % of sulphur, based upon the weight of the bitumen, is added in at least one of the steps (i), (ii) or (iii) and from 0.1 to 20 wt % of a compound of formula A, based upon the weight of the bitumen, is added in at least one of the steps (i), (ii) or (iii). R1 and R2 are independently chosen from C6-C30 alkyl or alkenyl.

Abstract: The invention provides a bituminous composition comprising a bitumen in an amount ranging from 20 to 80% wt, a copolymer comprising one or more vinyl aromatic compounds and one or more conjugated dienes, in an amount of 0.1 to 7 % wt, and sulphur in an amount of 20 to 60% wt, all percentages based on the weight of bitumen, copolymer and sulphur. It further provides a process for making this composition and asphalt compositions comprising such bituminous composition.

Abstract: A method of making a sulfur-extended asphalt mixture with a minimum of hydrogen sulfide gas release into the atmosphere by using sulfur granules with specific physical properties and which are made by successively coating a starting sulfur seed particle with liquid sulfur that is solidified between coatings to thereby build up the a sulfur particle of a desired size. The sulfur granules are used to in the preparation of a sulfur, bitumen and aggregate mixture to provide the sulfur-extended asphalt.

Abstract: The invention provides a bituminous composition comprising a bitumen in an amount ranging from 20 to 90% wt, a carboxylic additive in an amount of from 0.25 to 5% wt, and sulphur in an amount of 5 to 75% wt, all percentages based on the weight of bitumen, carboxylic additive and sulphur, wherein the carboxylic additive is selected from carboxylic acids, carboxylic esters and carboxylic anhydrides. It further provides a process for making this composition and asphalt compositions comprising such bituminous composition.

Abstract: An apparatus for molding at least one side of an ophthalmic diffractive lens. The apparatus includes a first mold, wherein the first mold includes at least a first portion made of plastic, and wherein the first portion includes a first pattern on a surface thereof, the first pattern configured to impart a diffractive optical pattern on a surface on the at lest one side of the ophthalmic diffractive lens molded using the first mold.

Abstract: A method of making a sulfur-extended asphalt mixture with a minimum of hydrogen sulfide gas release into the atmosphere by using sulfur granules with specific physical properties and which are made by successively coating a starting sulfur seed particle with liquid sulfur that is solidified between coatings to thereby build up the a sulfur particle of a desired size. The sulfur granules are used to in the preparation of a sulfur, bitumen and aggregate mixture to provide the sulfur-extended asphalt.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing asphalt is disclosed. The process comprises the steps of : (i) heating bitumen; (ii) heating aggregate; and (iii) mixing the hot bitumen with the hot aggregate in a mixing unit to form asphalt. From 10 to 200 wt % of sulphur, based upon the weight of the bitumen, is added in at least one of the steps (i), (ii) or (iii) and from 0.1 to 20 wt % of paraffin wax is added in at least one of the steps (i), (ii) or (iii).

Abstract: A process for manufacturing asphalt is disclosed. The process comprises the steps of: (i) heating bitumen; (ii) heating aggregate; and (iii) mixing the hot bitumen with the hot aggregate in a mixing unit to form asphalt. From 10 to 200 wt % of sulphur, based upon the weight of the bitumen, is added in at least one of the steps (i), (ii) or (iii) and from 0.1 to 20 wt % of a compound of formula A, based upon the weight of the bitumen, is added in at least one of the steps (i), (ii) or (iii). R1 and R2 are independently chosen from C6-C30 alkyl or alkenyl.

Abstract: A floor display system, including a floor covering, an electronic display device associated with the floor covering, wherein the electronic display device is configurable to display electronically modifiable arbitrary content, a controller, and a sensing device coupled to the controller, wherein the brightness of an image displayed by the electronic display device is capable of being varied based on information received by the controller from the sensing device. The sensing device may include a proximity detector. The electronic display device may include a plurality of separate panels.

Abstract: An automatic bead seating assembly to automatically move a bead seating assembly or manifold into contact with a wheel or tire assembly and cause the bead to be seated. The assembly comprises an extendable and retractable seater arm attached at one end to a base, with a bead seater or manifold assembly attached or mounted at the other end. The bead seater or manifold assembly may comprises a reservoir filled with compressed air or other gas, and a hose or pipe for movement of the air or gas from the reservoir to a nozzle of an appropriate size and shape to fit a particular wheel or tire. The seater arm extends forward until the bead seater or manifold assembly comes into contact with the wheel or tire assembly, whereupon air or gas from the manifold reservoir is released, causing the tire bead to be seated. The seater arm then retracts.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for simply and inexpensively positioning mounted automobile and truck tires for effective setting of a bead, with subsequent inflation in an efficient manner. In one exemplary embodiment, the apparatus is a wheel-like structure with an outer rim in the shape of a polygon, such as a circle, octagon, hexagon, or square. The outer rim supports a plurality of mounting brackets adapted to hold tires for inflation. Tires that have been mounted on wheel rims are placed on the mounting brackets, a bead is set by a blast of air, and an air inflation hose is connected to the tire. The wheel rotates, so that additional tires can be placed on subsequent mounting brackets, resulting in a series of tires being inflated continuously and simultaneously. When a tire is completely inflated, the hose is disconnected and the tire removed from the device for storage, shipping or further handling.

Abstract: The present invention utilizes a coiled tubing unit at the ocean floor to perform operations previously not possible, or performed in a less efficient manner from the surface of the ocean. The operations of the present invention involve, sub sea drilling, salvage operations, and sub sea pipeline cleanout.

Abstract: A method and system for automatically adjusting charges to a pre-paid account in a telecommunications or distributed processing network following a failure in the network. After a service that is chargeable against the pre-paid account is initiated in the network, a failure in the network is detected. The failure prevents a charging node from receiving event data relating to the pre-paid account. After recovery from the failure, a message is sent to the charging node containing service status information. The charging node adjusts the account balance in accordance with the service status information.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed for playing an announcement to a calling party that is placing a call in an anonymous manner to prompt the calling party to respond in a manner which causes a switch to make the call identifiable by the called party. The apparatus is operable to play the announcement if the called party is a subscriber to anonymous call rejection and has activated the feature and if the calling party is calling in an anonymous mode. If the calling party does not respond within a specified time period the call is blocked. Specified responses include verbal responses as well as key entries on the calling party phone. A typical specified time period is five seconds.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for improving call connection to one of a plurality of destination numbers on a calling list is disclosed. The method involves monitoring the inband signals between an interrogating mobile switching center and a remote node during call setup procedures. An inband monitoring device looks for terminating signals indicating that call setup to the remote nodes will not be completed. Upon detection of such a termination signal, the call setup procedure is immediately discontinued without waiting for expiration of a call answer timeout period.