Abstract: A non-aqueous fabric dyeing method using a non-aqueous dyeing composition is described. The dyeing composition is a fluid at room temperature; contains no more than 5% water, no more than 5% VOCs and no more than 2.5% by weight vinyl monomers. The dye composition includes an organic dye that is solid at temperatures up to 130° C. and which sublimes or boils at 130 to 220° C., and further includes a carrier that is a liquid in the temperature range of 130 to 220° C.

Abstract: Antimicrobial/antiviral coatings are applied to substrates such as fabrics by applying and then curing a coating composition. The coating composition includes at least one free radical-curable monomer, at least one free radical initiator, and either or both of certain phenolic and/or menthol compounds and certain non-free radical-curable ammonium compounds.

Abstract: A cleaning composition for removing oil stains from fabrics is an oil-in-water emulsion containing a silicone oil having at least 5 silicon atoms and a vapor pressure of at most 0.05 kPa at 25° C., at least one poly(dimethyl siloxane) having up to 2 to 4 silicon atoms and a vapor pressure of at least 0.25 kPa at 25° C., and an emulsifier. The cleaning composition is useful for removing oil stains from fabrics that have an applied hydrophobic coating. The cleaning composition effectively removes the oil stains with little adverse affect, and sometimes even a beneficial effect, on the water-repellency of the fabric.

Abstract: A non-aqueous fabric dyeing method used a non-aqueous dyeing composition. The dyeing composition is a fluid at room temperature; contains no more than 5% water, no more than 5% VOCs and no more than 2.5% by weight vinyl monomers. The dye composition includes an organic dye that is solid at temperatures up to 130° C. and which sublimes or boils at 130 to 220° C., and further includes a carrier that is a liquid in the temperature range of 130 to 220° C.

Abstract: Fabrics are treated with a hydrophobic treatment that includes at least one hydrophobic monomer and a crosslinker. The treatment is low in volatile organic compounds and water. It is a liquid at 22° C. or a suspension having a phase that is liquid at 22° C. The monomer and crosslinker are cured in a free radical polymerization to form a hydrophobic coating on a fibrous substrate. The curing is performed by removing interstitial air from the fabric and then curing the fabric in a low oxygen environment without allowing it contact with oxygen or air from the time the interstitial air is removed until conversion of monomers reaches at least 50%.

Abstract: Fabrics are treated with a hydrophobic treatment that includes at least one hydrophobic monomer and a crosslinker. The treatment is low in volatile organic compounds and water. It is a liquid at 22° C. or a suspension having a phase that is liquid at 22° C. The monomer and crosslinker are cured in a free radical polymerization to form a hydrophobic coating on a fibrous substrate.

Abstract: Textured fabrics have raised projections separated by depressed areas. The raised projections have heights of 0.3 to 8 mm above the level of the surrounding depressed areas. The raised projections have a pitch of 0.25 to 10 mm. The raised projections are locked into the fabric by the presence of a flexible, crosslinked polymer. The fabrics are water-resistant and breathable. The raised projections and the depressed areas create channels through which water can flow, maintaining the air permeability of the textured fabric during rainstorms. The textured fabric may be part of an outerwear rain jacket.

Abstract: Fabrics are treated with a hydrophobic treatment that includes at least one hydrophobic monomer and a crosslinker. The treatment is low in volatile organic compounds and water. It is a liquid at 22° C. or a suspension having a phase that is liquid at 22° C. The monomer and crosslinker are cured in a free radical polymerization to form a hydrophobic coating on a fibrous substrate.

Abstract: Substrates are coated with a curable composition that includes at least one free radical polymerizable monomer and a heat-activated polymerization initiator. The coating is applied to the substrate and cured thereon to produce the coating. Curing is performed by purging molecular air from the vessel containing the substrate, pressuring with an oxygen-deficient gas and then curing the fabric in the oxygen-deficient gas at elevated pressure and temperature.

Abstract: Fabrics are treated with a hydrophobic treatment that includes at least one hydrophobic monomer and a crosslinker. The treatment is low in volatile organic compounds and water. It is a liquid at 22° C. or a suspension having a phase that is liquid at 22° C. The monomer and crosslinker are cured in a free radical polymerization to form a hydrophobic coating on a fibrous substrate.

Abstract: A vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) storage and launch system includes a UAV pod (108) having a UAV pod processor (114) and a UAV (102) selectively enclosed in the UAV pod (108), the UAV (102) having only two rotors (202).

Abstract: Substrates are coated with a curable composition that includes at least one free radical polymerizable monomer and a heat-activated polymerization initiator. The coating is applied to the substrate and cured thereon to produce the coating. Curing is performed by purging molecular air from the vessel containing the substrate, pressuring with an oxygen-deficient gas and then curing the fabric in the oxygen-deficient gas at elevated pressure and temperature.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for plasma finishing of fibrous materials including paper and knitted, woven and non-woven fibrous substrates such that desired characteristics are imparted are described. The method includes depositing a monomer comprising at least one fluorocarbon monomer with chemical additives, as required, at atmospheric pressure onto the paper or knitted, woven or non-woven substrate; exposing the monomer on a single surface of the fibrous material to an inert gas, atmospheric-pressure plasma, thereby causing polymerization of the monomer species; and repeating this sequence using multiple sequential deposition and plasma discharge steps to create a layered surface having durability against abrasion for both water-based laundry methods and dry-cleaning methods, and normal wear, without affecting the feel, drape, appearance or breathability of the substrate material.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for plasma finishing of fibrous materials including paper and knitted, woven and non-woven fibrous substrates such that desired characteristics are imparted are described. The method includes depositing a monomer comprising at least one fluorocarbon monomer with chemical additives, as required, at atmospheric pressure onto the paper or knitted, woven or non-woven substrate; exposing the monomer on a single surface of the fibrous material to an inert gas, atmospheric-pressure plasma, thereby causing polymerization of the monomer species; and repeating this sequence using multiple sequential deposition and plasma discharge steps to create a layered surface having durability against abrasion for both water-based laundry methods and dry-cleaning methods, and normal wear, without affecting the feel, drape, appearance or breathability of the substrate material.

Abstract: A cooking vessel includes an upper element that defines a cook surface and a lower shell that defines a heat surface for contact with a heat source during heating. The upper element and the lower shell are joined together such that the cook surface and the heat surface are retained in a fixed spatial relationship with each other and a gas-filled cavity is defined between the heat surface of the lower shell and the cook surface of the upper element. An optional temperature sensor may be placed in contact with the gas for cooking temperature readout. Heat is transferred from the heat surface to the cook surface through the gas contained in the gas-filled cavity. Improved heat distribution is accomplished by static and dynamic means of enhancing gas convection. This promotes efficient and even heat distribution at low weight.

Abstract: Substrates such as fabrics are treated in an apparatus that includes a chemical transfer apparatus and a transport means which conducts the substrate past the chemical transfer apparatus. The chemical transfer apparatus applies a solid chemical treatment mixture to the substrate continuously as the substrate is transported past the chemical transfer apparatus. The chemical treatment mixture includes a monomer that is cured by free radical polymerization. The applied chemical treatment mixture is then cured on the substrate by free radical polymerization. This invention provides a dry alternative to conventional wet coating methods, and avoids many of the problems associated with wet coating methods.

Abstract: An arcless, atmospheric-pressure plasma generating apparatus capable of producing a large-area, temperature-controlled, stable discharge at power densities between about 0.1 W/cm3 and about 200 W/cm3, while having an operating gas temperature of less than 50° C., for processing materials outside of the discharge, is described. The apparatus produces active chemical species, including gaseous metastables and radicals which may be used for polymerization (either free radical-induced or through dehydrogenation-based polymerization), surface cleaning and modification, etching, adhesion promotion, and sterilization, as examples. The invention may include either a cooled rf-driven electrode or a cooled ground electrode, or two cooled electrodes, wherein active components of the plasma may be directed out of the plasma and onto an external workpiece without simultaneously exposing a material to the electrical influence or ionic components of the plasma.

Abstract: A substrate is treated with a plasma by passing a gas through a first strong electrical field to form a plasma having active species and ionized species, passing at least a portion of said active species and ionized species into a second, weaker electrical field to generate a second but weaker plasma generation zone. Active species formed in said first plasma or said second plasma impinge onto the substrate to perform the desired treatment. The process allows a greater concentration of active species to reach the substrate than can be formed by the second plasma alone, while reducing arcing, maintaining a low gas temperature and providing other benefits.

Abstract: A cooking vessel includes an upper element that defines a cook surface and a lower shell that defines a heat surface for contact with a heat source during heating. The upper element and the lower shell are joined together such that the cook surface and the heat surface are retained in a fixed spatial relationship with each other and a gas-filled cavity is defined between the heat surface of the lower shell and the cook surface of the upper element. An optional temperature sensor may be placed in contact with the gas for cooking temperature readout. Heat is transferred from the heat surface to the cook surface through the gas contained in the gas-filled cavity. Improved heat distribution is accomplished by static and dynamic means of enhancing gas convection. This promotes efficient and even heat distribution at low weight.

Abstract: An arcless, atmospheric-pressure plasma generating apparatus capable of producing a large-area, temperature-controlled, stable discharge at power densities between about 0.1 W/cm3 and about 200 W/cm3, while having an operating gas temperature of less than 50° C., for processing materials outside of the discharge, is described. The apparatus produces active chemical species, including gaseous metastables and radicals which may be used for polymerization (either free radical-induced or through dehydrogenation-based polymerization), surface cleaning and modification, etching, adhesion promotion, and sterilization, as examples. The invention may include either a cooled rf-driven electrode or a cooled ground electrode, or two cooled electrodes, wherein active components of the plasma may be directed out of the plasma and onto an external workpiece without simultaneously exposing a material to the electrical influence or ionic components of the plasma.