Abstract: In at least one embodiment, the present invention relates to a method and system of painting an article having two or more base coats, and to articles prepared in accordance therewith. In at least one embodiment, the method comprises applying a primer composition to a first and second area of the article; applying a first base composition to the first area of the article; curing the primer composition and the first base composition to form a primer and a first base coat; masking at least a portion of the first base coat; applying a second base composition to the second area of the article; removing the masking; applying a clear coat composition to the first and second area of the article; and curing the second base and the clear coat compositions. In at least one embodiment, the article is a vehicle and the compositions are applied via automated spray equipment.

Abstract: The embodiments described herein include a system and method for measuring a surface appearance of a surface. An appearance sensor is positionable about a surface and is configured to measure the surface appearance. A surface relationship sensor senses the distance between the appearance sensor and the surface. The appearance sensor is then positioned about the surface based on the sensed distance.

Abstract: The embodiments described herein include a system and method for measuring a surface appearance of a surface. An appearance sensor is positionable about a surface and is configured to measure the surface appearance. A surface relationship sensor senses the distance between the appearance sensor and the surface. The appearance sensor is then positioned about the surface based on the sensed distance.

Abstract: In at least one embodiment, the present invention relates to a method and system of painting an article having two or more base coats, and to articles prepared in accordance therewith. In at least one embodiment, the method comprises applying a primer composition to a first and second area of the article; applying a first base composition to the first area of the article; curing the primer composition and the first base composition to form a primer and a first base coat; masking at least a portion of the first base coat; applying a second base composition to the second area of the article; removing the masking; applying a clear coat composition to the first and second area of the article; and curing the second base and the clear coat compositions. In at least one embodiment, the article is a vehicle and the compositions are applied via automated spray equipment.

Abstract: A paint spray system for directing paint to a part has a paint atomizer head having a bell housing and a bell-atomizer. An electrically conductive tape is applied to a surface of the paint atomizer. The tape may be applied to the bell housing or the front surface or side surfaces of the support housing. Tape is electrically connected to a power source to generate an electrical field and thereby an electrical force on charged paint particles produced at bell-atomizer. The electrical field repels the paint particles from the paint atomizer head to reduce the maintenance of the paint spray system.

Abstract: Apparatus for measuring the velocity of shaping air in a rotary bell atomizer for a paint sprayer, including a funnel that collects substantially all of the shaping air, a means for straightening the collected shaping air and a means for measuring the velocity of the straightened shaping air. These techniques enable the average velocity of the shaping air to be calibrated from a single velocity sample.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for improving the pyrolytic conversion of waste selected from rubber and plastic to low molecular weight olefinic materials by employing basis salt catalysts in the waste mixture. The salts comprise alkali or alkaline earth compounds, particularly sodium carbonate, in an amount of greater than about 1 weight percent based on the waste feed.

Abstract: An improvement in a process for the pyrolytic conversion of rubber and plastic waste to hydrocarbon products which results in reduced levels of nitrogen and sulfur impurities in these products. The improvement comprises pyrolyzing the waste in the presence of at least about 1 weight percent of salts, based on the weight of the waste, preferably chloride or carbonate salts, of zinc or copper (I).This invention was made under contract with or subcontract thereunder of the Department of Energy Contract #DE-AC02-78-ER10049.

Abstract: Polyol is recovered from polyurethane based polyurethane foam by a process which includes first dissolving the foam in a saturated alcohol, preferably diethylene glycol, having a boiling point between about 225.degree. C. and 280.degree. C. at a temperature between about 185.degree. C. and 220.degree. C. under a non-oxidizing atmosphere. The solution is reacted with water in the presence of an alkali hydroxide catalyst, preferably sodium hydroxide, under a non-oxidizing atmosphere, such as nitrogen. This may be done by refluxing the solution at a temperature between about 175.degree. C. and 220.degree. C. until all the carbamates produced during dissolution have been hydrolyzed to amines and alcohol. Water remaining in solution after hydrolysis is removed. A high boiling alkane is used to extract the polyol from the solution still under a non-oxidizing atmosphere and then the extracted polyol is subjected to vacuum purification at a temperature of less than about 230.degree. C.

Abstract: Polyol is recovered from polyurethane waste foam and thereafter used to produce high quality new foam. The foam is dissolved in a saturated alcohol, preferably diethylene glycol, having a boiling point between 220.degree. C. and 280.degree. C. at a temperature between 185.degree. C. and 220.degree. C. under a non-oxidizing atmosphere such as nitrogen. Water and an alkali metal hydroxide catalyst, preferably sodium hydroxide, are added to the solution which is then refluxed at a temperature of between about 175.degree. C. and 220.degree. C. still under a non-oxidizing atmosphere until all the carbamates produced during dissolution have been hydrolyzed to amines and alcohol. At least a portion of the solution is subjected to vacuum purification at a temperature below about 230.degree. C. Substantially pure polyol is recovered. Preferably, prior to vacuum distillation, water is removed from the solution.

Abstract: Polyol is recovered from polyether based polyurethane foam by a process which includes reacting the foam with an alcohol, preferably a glycol ether, whose boiling point is between 225.degree. C. and 280.degree. C. at a temperature between 185.degree. C. and 220.degree. C. under a non-oxidizing atmosphere. Thereafter, superheated steam is bubbled through the solution to hydrolyze substantially all the carbamate produced during dissolution to amines and alcohols, preferably in the presence of sodium hydroxide. During hydrolysis, the temperature of the solution is maintained at between 185.degree. C. and 220.degree. C. and the solution volume is maintained by adding alcohol to replace that removed by the steam. At least a portion of the solution is subjected to vacuum purification at a temperature below about 230.degree. C. The portion of the solution subjected to vacuum purification may be the polyol layer which forms after the hydrolyzed solution has been allowed to stand.

Abstract: A recycling process for flexible polyurethane foam which comprises dissolving the foam in low molecular weight diol, admixing therewith high molecular weight polyol that is suitable for preparation of flexible urethane foam, removing under vacuum low molecular weight diol solvent from the admixture obtained, and recovering the residue which comprises polyol product that may be used to provide new flexible foam with desirable properties including advantageous tear strength.