Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for the improvement of an image of a device under test, such as a belt. The image of device under test is made more optimal by determining if the object is rotated away from a preferred axis of the image frame. If so, the image is rotated an opposing angle such that the object is parallel to the preferred axis of the image frame. The rotated image is then made available for analysis of the object. Rib width analysis is performed along the entire length of the detected rib by either de-rotating the image or not.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for the improvement of an image of a device under test, such as a belt. The image of device under test is made more optimal by determining if the object is rotated away from a preferred axis of the image frame. If so, the image is rotated an opposing angle such that the object is parallel to the preferred axis of the image frame. The rotated image is then made available for analysis of the object. Rib width analysis is performed along the entire length of the detected rib by either de-rotating the image or not.

Abstract: A rubber composition having a reinforcing filler of activated carbon having a pore volume of 0.15 cc/g or more, a weight average particle size of less than 140 microns, and a differential characteristic curve of pore volume versus adsorption potential by the GAED or equivalent method having a peak value at less than 5 cal/cc. The rubber composition may have activated carbon as the primary reinforcing filler at a loading of from 25 to 250 phr. Also described is a method including the steps of selecting a charcoal material, grinding the charcoal material, activating the charcoal material, and mixing the activated carbon into a rubber composition as the primary reinforcing filler.

Abstract: Tools for determining belt wear are provided. Specifically, non-contact based systems and processes are described which enable a quick and accurate measurement of belt wear. Based on the measurements of belt wear, a wear condition for the belt can be determined. Information regarding the wear condition can then be used to determine an appropriate remedial measure for responding to the determined wear condition.

Abstract: Tools for determining belt wear are provided. Specifically, non-contact based systems and processes are described which enable a quick and accurate measurement of belt wear. Based on the measurements of belt wear, a wear condition for the belt can be determined. Information regarding the wear condition can then be used to determine an appropriate remedial measure for responding to the determined wear condition.

Abstract: A rubber composition having a reinforcing filler of activated carbon having a pore volume of 0.15 cc/g or more, a weight average particle size of less than 140 microns, and a differential characteristic curve of pore volume versus adsorption potential by the GAED or equivalent method having a peak value at less than 5 cal/cc. The rubber composition may have activated carbon as the primary reinforcing filler at a loading of from 25 to 250 phr. Also described is a method including the steps of selecting a charcoal material, grinding the charcoal material, activating the charcoal material, and mixing the activated carbon into a rubber composition as the primary reinforcing filler.

Abstract: A strip conveyor and stacker receives cut elongated flexible strips from a strip former and by conveying and stacking the strips produces a stack of strips such as a cellular panel for a window covering. The conveyor receives the strips from the strip former and includes a foraminous conveyor belt which holds the strips on the surface thereof by suction. At the stacker, the strips are discharged from the conveyor belt by applying a burst of pressurized air, thereby ejecting the strips into a stacker magazine. As the strips are stacked, the magazine is indexed to increase its depth, or a cellular structure formed by the stacked strips is withdrawn from the body of the magazine. An auxiliary magazine may be used to form a preliminary stack of soft, flexible strips prior to stacking in the magazine. A strip defect sensor scans each strip and causes the ejection of defective strips from the apparatus.

Abstract: A window covering consisting of spaced sheets of translucent or transparent material interconnected by vanes wherein the vanes may be configured in non-rectangular patterns. Elongated vanes having scalloped edges may be utilized or a plurality of smaller individual vanes connected between the sheets of material randomly or in rows may also be utilized. In a closed condition of the window covering, the vanes extend substantially parallel to the sheets of material and usually overlap to block the passage of light therethrough whereas, in an open condition the vanes predominantly extend substantially perpendicularly to the sheets of material to permit the passage of light therethrough.