Abstract: The invention describes an article of manufacture that comprises an optimized phosphorescent laminate structure that produces much brighter light than previously disclosed phosphorescent laminates or coatings by enabling and capturing multiple emissions and reflections of light emitted by phosphorescent particles that are distributed through the thickness of a transparent layer. These multiple emissions are enabled by providing a transparent carrier layer that is many times as thick as the phosphorescent powder particle size. That layer is loaded with an amount of phosphorescent powder that is low enough to allow light emitted by the deeper layers of powder to escape, but high enough to provide a very large amount of emitting powder. This structure may be protected by surface films and backed by a reflective layer for efficient unidirectional light absorption and emission.

Abstract: This article is a self-wound, water dissolvable tape. The tape is substantially removable with water, and may be wound onto a spool without an interleaving layer of release coated material. The tape comprises a water dissolvable, continuous phase substrate having a first surface and a second surface, a water dissovable, continuous phase adhesive layer on the first surface of the substrate, and a water dissolvable, continuous phase abherent layer on the second surface of the substrate.

Abstract: This article is a self-wound, water dissolvable tape. The tape is substantially removable with water, and may be wound onto a spool without an interleaving layer of release coated material.

Abstract: A replaceable spike for sport shoes, molded from a durable plastic-type material, comprising a main body, concavo-convex disc having a top portion and a bottom portion. The top portion has a threaded post extending outwardly for removably attaching the spike to the sole of the shoe. The bottom portion, which is connected to the top portion, contains a plurality of nubs extending outwardly from the bottom portion for providing traction between the shoe and a supporting ground surface, while alleviating damage to the ground surface. Preferably, the nubs are at least three different sizes (small, medium, and large), based upon a fractal-like design, to provide surface roughness on multiple scales for increased traction.

Abstract: An environmentally controlled heating system for heating metal alloy billets wherein a trolley system carries the billets through the chambers of the induction heating system in crucibles that are pushed or pulled by actuators. The billets enter the system through a load-chamber and travel through a main chamber to a heating area where the loaded crucibles pass through a series of induction heating coils. The heated billets leave the heating area through a dump-chamber where they are delivered to a forming system. The empty crucibles reenter the main chamber and travel back to the loading area to receive another billet. The heating system is controlled through a computing device for monitoring and controlling the system, preferably a programmable logic controller. A vacuum system evacuates air from the chambers, and an inert gas system back-fills the chambers with an inert gas. A gettering system continually cleans the inert gas.

Abstract: A security tag and method for forming the tag in a substantially continuous in-line operation. The tag includes a substrate with first and second conductive elements separated by a dielectric layer and means establishing electrical contact between the first and second conductive elements. The means for establishing electrical contact includes utilizing an electrically conductive ink or providing an interruption in the dielectric layer. Under one embodiment a layer of foil having a series of interruptions is further provided.