Abstract: An illustrative example method of monitoring value added activity includes positioning a detector near a selected portion of a machine using a clip for situating the detector in a position where the detector can detect at least one electrical characteristic associated with operation of a machine; communicating an indication of the detected electrical characteristic between the detector and a user interface; and displaying a visual representation of value added activity information based the indication. The value added activity corresponds to human operator performance that is distinct from machine performance during a manufacturing or assembly process.

Abstract: An illustrative example method of monitoring value added activity includes positioning a detector near a selected portion of a machine using a clip for situating the detector in a position where the detector can detect at least one electrical characteristic associated with operation of a machine; communicating an indication of the detected electrical characteristic between the detector and a user interface; and displaying a visual representation of value added activity information based the indication. The value added activity corresponds to human operator performance that is distinct from machine performance during a manufacturing or assembly process.

Abstract: An illustrative example method of monitoring value added activity includes positioning a detector near a selected portion of a machine using a clip for situating the detector in a position where the detector can detect at least one electrical characteristic associated with operation of a machine; communicating an indication of the detected electrical characteristic between the detector and a user interface; and displaying a visual representation of value added activity information based the indication.

Abstract: A method of reducing hydrogen sulfide content in a medium is disclosed. The method may include the steps of contacting a medium containing hydrogen sulfide with an effective amount of hydrogen peroxide, contacting the medium with an oxidizing agent, converting the hydrogen sulfide to sulfate, and reducing the hydrogen sulfide content in the medium. The medium may be a gas or a liquid.

Abstract: An illustrative example method of monitoring value added activity includes positioning a detector near a selected portion of a machine using a clip for situating the detector in a position where the detector can detect at least one electrical characteristic associated with operation of a machine; communicating an indication of the detected electrical characteristic between the detector and a user interface; and displaying a visual representation of value added activity information based the indication.

Abstract: A method of reducing hydrogen sulfide content in a medium is disclosed. The method may include the steps of contacting a medium containing hydrogen sulfide with an effective amount of hydrogen peroxide, contacting the medium with an oxidizing agent, converting the hydrogen sulfide to sulfate, and reducing the hydrogen sulfide content in the medium. The medium may be a gas or a liquid.

Abstract: A roll roofing material is provided in the form of a cylindrical roll that may or may not have an exterior covering thereon, and with transverse members being provided, carried by the cylindrical roll, and which protrude generally outwardly of an exterior cylindrical surface of the roll. The transverse members inhibit rolling of the roll roofing either off a pitched roof. One or more inserts may be provided in a hollow core of the roll, and connectors may attach a strap to these inserts for transporting the same from ground to a rooftop, or otherwise. Protective covers may be provided at opposite ends of the roll roofing, and the protective covers may comprise the transverse members, as may be desired.

Abstract: A method comprises: providing a fiber cement substrate, and joining a porous, closed cell foam to a substantial portion of a major surface of the fiber cement substrate.

Abstract: A shingle having butt and tab portions is provided, wherein the tab portions are exposed when applied to a roof, and wherein active photovoltaic element(s) appear on portions only of the tab portions of the shingles, wherein adjacent zones of the tab portions of the shingles to which the photovoltaic element(s) are applied are free of active photovoltaic elements. The shingles are applied to a roof or a major portion of a roof, laid up in courses so that exposed tab portions of next-overlying courses cover unexposed butt portions of next-underlying courses, leaving photovoltaic elements exposed. In an array of shingles on a roof, the photovoltaic elements are distributed substantially uniformally. The surface ornamentation of the exposed surfaces of the photovoltaic elements may be either complementary to the exposed surfaces of the shingles not having photovoltaic elements thereon, or may blend with such zones not having photovoltaic elements thereon.

Abstract: Algae-resistant roofing granules include inert base particles with an exterior coating including high-surface area silver as a biocide.

Abstract: A hip, ridge or rake shingle comprised of a plurality of panels sandwiched on each panel portion side of a layer of shingle material, such that each panel portion can be folded along a fold line, and wherein tabs are provided for each panel portion, adapted to be bent backwardly upon themselves, sandwiching thickening panels therebetween. The shingles can be laid up on a hip, ridge or rake of a roof, to yield desirable thickened features.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for producing a continuous filament reinforced thermoplastic profile having consistent cross section. A continuous reinforcing filament is pre-wetted with a first thermoplastic resin and introduced into a die, where it is contacted with a second thermoplastic resin extruded from an extruder at melt state. The temperature of the die is carefully controlled so that the pre-wetted filament and first resin do not cure or solidify until after they have contacted and mixed with the second thermoplastic resin. The mixture temperature is then controlled to make a substantially solidified profile pre-shape. A capping layer comprising a third thermoplastic resin is then coextruded onto the outer surface of the pre-shape. A multistage die for bringing together the filament and thermoplastic resins and for maintaining appropriate temperatures at each stage of the profile-forming process is also disclosed.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for producing a continuous filament reinforced thermoplastic profile having consistent cross section. A continuous reinforcing filament is pre-wetted with a first thermoplastic resin and introduced into a die, where it is contacted with a second thermoplastic resin extruded from an extruder at melt state. The temperature of the die is carefully controlled so that the pre-wetted filament and first resin do not cure or solidify until after they have contacted and mixed with the second thermoplastic resin. The mixture temperature is then controlled to make a substantially solidified profile pre-shape. A capping layer comprising a third thermoplastic resin is then co-extruded onto the outer surface of the pre-shape. A multistage die for bringing together the filament and thermoplastic resins and for maintaining appropriate temperatures at each stage of the profile-forming process is also disclosed.

Abstract: A roofing membrane with high solar heat reflectance includes a bituminous base sheet, a tie-layer with a reinforcement material, and a solar heat-reflective upper layer.

Abstract: A roofing membrane with high solar heat reflectance includes a bituminous base sheet, a tie-layer with a reinforcement material, and a solar heat-reflective upper layer formed from a powder coating filled with a solar heat-reflective pigment.

Abstract: A simultaneously molded plurality of composite shingles or double walled shingles or other substantially planar exterior building products are provided, each being comprised of two or more layers of thermoplastic shingle material, such that a weatherable capstock material is provided outside a core material, in the form of a composite parison that is then blow molded in a hollow mold, to produce novel shingles. Ventilation and/or insulation can be provided to a hollow interior between spaced apart walls of a double walled shingle.

Abstract: The invention includes a composition for an optical fiber coating. An inventive composition includes a non-thiol functional adhesion promoter and less than about 0.5 pph of a strength additive containing a thiol functional group. The invention further includes an optical fiber coated with the inventive composition. A second inventive composition includes a photo-polymerizable composition which contains an adhesion promoter and a non-silicon containing strength additive containing at least about one thiol functional group. A third inventive composition includes a photo-polymerizable composition which has a silane containing adhesion promoter and a strength additive containing at least about one halide functional group. The invention also includes an optical fiber coated with the inventive coating and methods of making an optical fiber including the inventive coating.

Abstract: A siding panel product is provided comprising a first polymeric siding panel having a butt end and a top end, a front surface comprising a plurality of front faces defined between the top and butt ends and separated by at least one shoulder surface to define a stepped contour, and a rear surface. An insulation backing is coupled to the rear surface of the siding panel. The insulation backing comprises at least first and second insulation members coupled to the rear surface of said siding panel. The first insulation member has a bottom edge thereof coupled proximate to the stepped contour and the second insulation member has a top edge thereof coupled proximate to the stepped contour.

Abstract: A product comprises a fiber cement substrate, and a porous, closed cell foam joined to a substantial portion of a major surface of the fiber cement substrate.

Abstract: A post cladding assembly, a cladded building assembly and method of cladding a building structure using the cladding assembly are provided. The post cladding assembly includes at least one cladding panel and at least one connection element, wherein the connection element includes an androgynous means for engaging the at least one cladding panel to secure the at least one cladding panel to a building structure.