Abstract: A paint manufacturing method includes receiving each of a group of fluid prepaints at different inputs of a fluid component mixing system, determining at a computer system a first fluid prepaint ratio, and mixing the fluid prepaints in accordance with the first ratio to form a base paint at an output of the mixing system. A paint manufacturing system includes a computer-controlled prepaint mixing system. The prepaint mixing system includes multiple fluid inputs providing for computer-controllable flow of prepaints into the mixing system. The computer system includes a memory storing software instructions that configured the computer system to receive user input selecting a base paint to be produced, determine a ratio of fluid prepaints needed to produce the base paint, and regulate each fluid flow control to establish, in the determined ratio, a flow of fluid prepaints entering the fluid mixing system.

Abstract: Methods of providing a paint line containing a latex polymeric binder are described. A range of paints can be formulated using sets of prepaints, at least one of which contains a latex polymeric binder. The paints may be applied as architectural coatings, industrial coatings, graphic arts coating, elastomeric coatings, and non-cementitious, aggregate finish coatings suitable for application on a wall directly or as a topcoat in exterior insulation finishing systems.

Abstract: A number of stable mixtures are disclosed containing specific combinations and levels of extender pigments and thickeners. These stable mixtures may be employed, inter alia, as a mixture in a method of making paints using prepaints or as a conventional component in a coating, such as a paint, or other end-use where opacifying pigments are employed.

Abstract: The present invention covers pourable liquid vehicles that can be combined with compositions, materials and substances. Among the benefits of such pourable liquid vehicles is the compositions are retained on the moistened surface for a period of time sufficient to allow compositions, materials and substances to act on said surface, resisting erosion or run-off from additional moisture being applied. Such pourable liquid vehicles have a number of utilities including but not limited to cleaning and treating surfaces of objects as well as biological or living organisms, including living creatures.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for decoding serial data uses a bit-wise synchronization technique in which a single bi-directional counter integrates the value of each successive bit to decode the bit state. The counter is sized relative to the receiver module oscillator frequency and the minimum data transmission speed to prevent overflow under worst case conditions, and the count is reset to one-half the maximum count at the beginning of each bit. During the bit period, oscillator clock pulses respectively increase or decrease the count when the bit value is above or below a threshold, and the bit value is determined in accordance with the most significant bit of the counter at the end of the respective bit period. Only a single counter is used to decode the data, and the data is substantially insensitive to noise because filtering can be used to reliably establish the state boundaries of the data bits.

Abstract: An alternative emergency power supply for LED traffic signal lights. The power supply includes an alternative power source, a power state detector, a circuit transfer switch, and a blink cycle timer and can be mounted on or in a traffic signal head. The power state detector can differentiate between a power failure in a traffic head and a main power supply failure. Upon a power failure, the LED traffic signal light and the alternative power source are disconnected from the main power supply lines. The LED traffic signal light may be 8 or 12 inches in diameter having an S-base, screw-in or Type II design and is placed into a flash mode for between about 12 hours and about 24 hours, or until normal power is restored. A coded signal is communicated to provide indication of a true main power supply failure.

Abstract: The preparation of a paint line using sets of prepaints containing a latex polymer binder. At least one of which contains a latex polymeric binder, is also is described. The paints may be applied to architectural coatings, and non-cementitious, aggregate finish coating suitable for application on a wall directly or as a topcoat.

Abstract: Methods of providing a paint line containing a latex polymeric binder are described. A range of paints can be formulated using sets of prepaints, at least one of which contains a latex polymeric binder. The paints may be applied as architectural coatings, industrial coatings, graphic arts coating, elastomeric coatings, and non-cementitious, aggregate finish coatings suitable for application on a wall directly or as a topcoat in exterior insulation finishing systems.

Abstract: Sets of fluid premixes useful for adhesives and caulks are provided. Also provided are methods of providing adhesive lines and a caulk lines using the sets of premixes. Further provided are ranges of adhesives and caulks based on the adhesive and caulk lines. Utilizing these methods the manufacturer, seller, or user can to adjust the adhesive or caulk at the point of manufacture, sale, or use to suit the processing and end-use conditions, in addition to the other benefits offered by delayed product differentiation.

Abstract: A number of stable opacifying mixtures are disclosed which contain specific combinations and levels of titanium dioxide, thickeners, and dispersants. These stable mixtures may be employed in a method of making paints using prepaints or as a conventional component in a coating such as a paint, or in other end-uses where opacifying pigments are employed.

Abstract: Sets of prepaints useful for forming a road-marking paint line are provided. Also provided are methods which permit the person applying the road-marking paint to vary the properties of the road-marking paint at the application point to suit the ambient conditions, including temperature, humidity, traffic flow and the like.

Abstract: An item layer assembly apparatus for continuously receiving items from an infeed conveyor, forming an item layer from a plurality of items, and loading the item layer onto a pallet is provided. The item a layer assembly apparatus comprises an item receiving area surface for continuously receiving the items from the infeed conveyor. At least one side plate area surface is adjacent and substantially horizontally planar to the item receiving area surface for receiving the items from the item receiving area surface. A item layer forming plate receives the items from each of the side plate area surfaces with the item layer forming plate positioned substantially under the item receiving area surface. A mechanism associated with the item layer forming plate forms a substantially rectilinear package layer wherein the item layer forming plate deposits the item layer onto the pallet.

Abstract: An extended PCI bus (100) accepts both standard 33 MHz (101-102) and extended 66 MHz (103-104) PCI I/O devices, and permits the intermixing and interoperability of both types of devices on the same bus. Each extended 66 MHz initiator device (103) includes a target memory (205) that is programmed at boot up to include a list of address ranges of all extended 66 MHz devices. Each extended 66 MHz device includes a clock multiplier (202) that generates an internal 66 MHz clock signal by doubling the 33 MHz bus clock frequency. This clock multiplier may be in the form of a simple edge detecting frequency doubler (FIG. 4), or a phase locked loop (FIG. 5) that can also provide for phase adjustments to alter the skew between the bus and internal clocks. To transfer data between two extended 66 MHz devices, an extended initiator device sends, during the address/control phase of the bus cycle, a fast read or write command to the extended target device over the C/BE lines of the bus.

Abstract: A lubricating oil composition includes from 0.01 weight per cent to 2 weight per cent of a polymer that includes repeating units derived from a (C.sub.8 -C.sub.15)alkyl (meth)acrylate monomer and 98 weight per cent to 99.99 weight per cent of a vegetable oil or a polyol ester.

Abstract: An integrated pulse-width modulation circuit with conditional temperature protection circuitry includes logic circuitry, a power output device, thermal shutdown circuitry to disable the power output device when the die temperature exceeds a predetermined limit, and a masking circuit that disables the thermal shutdown circuit during short term thermal increases such as those that occur when an inductive load turn off event takes place.

Abstract: A protective helmet for use by children is provided, with a top portion formed as a hollow dome, containing a plurality of ventilation openings. The top portion includes a stretch panel which extends from the top of the dome to a rim of the top portion. The protective helmet also includes a padded brim which is formed as a band mounted to and encircling an outer circumference of the top portion at the rim, and includes a stretch panel adjacent to the stretch panel of the top portion. The protective helmet further includes a first strap and a second strap mounted to the padded brim that are attachable to and detachable from each other. Each strap has an ear protection portion at the point of attachment to the padded brim that is configured to provide protection to the ears of the child, with a plurality of ventilation openings therein for the passage of air and sound.

Abstract: An infrared communication device for simultaneously controlling video display systems at a plurality of locations from a single master site. The system is useful with, for example, a teleconferencing system that includes a conventional infrared remote control unit at each conference site and a video display system under the control of an infrared signal transmitted by the remote control unit. the infrared communication device includes an infrared receiver for receiving an infrared control signal, a microprocessor for digitizing the received signal, and a modem. The device also includes an infrared transmitter for retransmitting an infrared control signal identical to the original infrared control signal to the video display system at the master site. A corresponding digitized signal is provided to the modem which communicates with the off-site location over commercial phone lines.

Abstract: The molded shell of an article, while still warm from being molded, and while remaining within the mold or fixture in which it has been created, for instance by blow-molding of a parison of polyolefin plastic material into contact with the mold walls, is filled with a fluid, settable foaming plastic material, for instance polyurethane. This may be done by injecting the foaming mixture directly into the cavity of the shell. In this manner time, labor and materials are saved, and the resulting product is characterized by better adhesion of the foamed core to the internal wall surface of the shell.

Abstract: The molded shell of an article, while still warm from being molded, and while remaining within the mold or fixture in which it has been created, for instance by blow-molding of a parison of polyolefin plastic material into contact with the mold walls, is filled with a fluid, settable foaming plastic material, for instance polyurethane. This may be done by injecting the foaming mixture directly into the cavity of the shell. In this manner time, labor and materials are saved, and the resulting product is characterized by better adhesion of the foamed core to the internal wall surface of the shell.

Abstract: The salesperson sets a predetermining counter on the amount required. The minnows are then placed in the separating tank where they are moved through two funnels at each end of the tank via water force on and through a sensing area where their presence is registered and thus counted.Movement of the minnows from the separating tank is effected by a combination of whirlpool current and natural habitat effect draw the minnows through clear flexible plastic tubing. The fluid current now confined to one solid stream moves the minnows through the sensor area on and to the holding tank. The minnows are caught in a wire mesh strainer basket in the holding tank, which allows the water to continue to circulate through the drain pipe from the holding tank to pump and reservoir tank. The water is then recycled through the pump back to the separator tank.When the counter reaches zero, normally open contacts close, causing the solenoid valve to shut off the flow of water and minnows, also de-energizing the pump.