Abstract: A battery-powered pilotless aerial vehicle has a center unit, a plurality of rotor units coupled to the center unit, a plurality of battery assemblies, and a plurality of electrical circuitry components including a central control circuitry and at least a flight control subsystem, a detecting and avoiding subsystem, and an emergency communication subsystem controlled by the central control circuitry. The center unit receives one or more of the electrical circuitry components and has a compartment for accommodating one or more passengers or cargo goods. Each rotor unit comprises a propelling module functionally coupled to the central control circuitry. The one or more battery assemblies are configured for being controlled by the flight control subsystem for at least powering the propelling modules, and are at a distance away from the center unit for reducing electromagnetic interference to the electrical circuitry components therein.

Abstract: A battery-powered aerial vehicle has a central controller, one or more propelling modules, and one or more battery assemblies for powering at least the one or more propelling modules. The battery assemblies are at a distance away from the central controller for reducing electromagnetic interference to the central controller. In some embodiments, the aerial vehicle is a fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) having a central controller, a plurality of rotor units, and one or more battery assemblies. The central controller is in a center unit and the propelling modules are in respective rotor units. Each battery assembly is in a rotor unit in proximity with the propelling module thereof. In some embodiments, the central controller also has a battery-power balancing circuit for balancing the power consumption rates of the one or more battery assemblies.

Abstract: A battery-powered pilotless aerial vehicle has a center unit, a plurality of rotor units coupled to the center unit, a plurality of battery assemblies, and a plurality of electrical circuitry components including a central control circuitry and at least a flight control subsystem, a detecting and avoiding subsystem, and an emergency communication subsystem controlled by the central control circuitry. The center unit receives one or more of the electrical circuitry components and has a compartment for accommodating one or more passengers or cargo goods. Each rotor unit comprises a propelling module functionally coupled to the central control circuitry. The one or more battery assemblies are configured for being controlled by the flight control subsystem for at least powering the propelling modules, and are at a distance away from the center unit for reducing electromagnetic interference to the electrical circuitry components therein.

Abstract: This invention relates to a washable floor mat comprising a reinforcement layer. The floor mat includes a textile component and a base component. The textile component contains a reinforcement layer which dramatically reduces and/or eliminates edge deformation that often occurs as a result of the washing process. The textile component and the base component may be joined together to form a single piece floor mat. Alternatively, the textile component and the base component may be releasably attachable to one another by at least one surface attraction means to form a multi-component floor mat. The floor mat is designed to be soiled, washed, and re-used, thereby providing ideal end-use applications in areas such as building entryways.

Abstract: A battery-powered pilotless aerial vehicle has a center unit, a plurality of rotor units coupled to the center unit, a plurality of battery assemblies, and a plurality of electrical circuitry components including a central control circuitry and at least a flight control subsystem, a detecting and avoiding subsystem, and an emergency communication subsystem controlled by the central control circuitry. The center unit receives one or more of the electrical circuitry components and has a compartment for accommodating one or more passengers or cargo goods. Each rotor unit comprises a propelling module functionally coupled to the central control circuitry. The one or more battery assemblies are configured for being controlled by the flight control subsystem for at least powering the propelling modules, and are at a distance away from the center unit for reducing electromagnetic interference to the electrical circuitry components therein.

Abstract: This invention relates to a washable floor mat comprising a reinforcement layer. The floor mat includes a textile component and a base component. The textile component contains a reinforcement layer which dramatically reduces and/or eliminates edge deformation that often occurs as a result of the washing process. The textile component and the base component may be joined together to form a single piece floor mat. Alternatively, the textile component and the base component may be releasably attachable to one another by at least one surface attraction means to form a multi-component floor mat. The floor mat is designed to be soiled, washed, and re-used, thereby providing ideal end-use applications in areas such as building entryways.

Abstract: A battery-powered aerial vehicle has a central controller, one or more propelling modules, and one or more battery assemblies for powering at least the one or more propelling modules. The battery assemblies are at a distance away from the central controller for reducing electromagnetic interference to the central controller. In some embodiments, the aerial vehicle is a fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) having a central controller, a plurality of rotor units, and one or more battery assemblies. The central controller is in a center unit and the propelling modules are in respective rotor units. Each battery assembly is in a rotor unit in proximity with the propelling module thereof. In some embodiments, the central controller also has a battery-power balancing circuit for balancing the power consumption rates of the one or more battery assemblies.

Abstract: A battery-powered aerial vehicle has a central controller, one or more propelling modules, and one or more battery assemblies for powering at least the one or more propelling modules. The battery assemblies are at a distance away from the central controller for reducing electromagnetic interference to the central controller. In some embodiments, the aerial vehicle is an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) having a center unit, a plurality of rotor units circumferentially uniformly distributed about and coupled to the center unit, and one or more battery assemblies. The central controller is in the center unit and the propelling modules are in respective rotor units. Each battery assembly is in a rotor unit in proximity with the propelling module thereof. In some embodiments, the central controller also has a battery-power balancing circuit for balancing the power consumption rates of the one or more battery assemblies.

Abstract: This invention relates to a washable floor mat comprising a reinforcement layer. The floor mat includes a textile component and a base component. The textile component contains a reinforcement layer which dramatically reduces and/or eliminates edge deformation that often occurs as a result of the washing process. The textile component and the base component may be joined together to form a single piece floor mat. Alternatively, the textile component and the base component may be releasably attachable to one another by at least one surface attraction means to form a multi-component floor mat. The floor mat is designed to be soiled, washed, and re-used, thereby providing ideal end-use applications in areas such as building entryways.

Abstract: This invention relates to a washable floor mat comprising a reinforcement layer. The floor mat includes a textile component and a base component. The textile component contains a reinforcement layer which dramatically reduces and/or eliminates edge deformation that often occurs as a result of the washing process. The textile component and the base component may be joined together to form a single piece floor mat. Alternatively, the textile component and the base component may be releasably attachable to one another by at least one surface attraction means to form a multi-component floor mat. The floor mat is designed to be soiled, washed, and re-used, thereby providing ideal end-use applications in areas such as building entryways.

Abstract: A battery-powered aerial vehicle has a central controller, one or more propelling modules, and one or more battery assemblies for powering at least the one or more propelling modules. The battery assemblies are at a distance away from the central controller for reducing electromagnetic interference to the central controller. In some embodiments, the aerial vehicle is an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) having a center unit, a plurality of rotor units circumferentially uniformly distributed about and coupled to the center unit, and one or more battery assemblies. The central controller is in the center unit and the propelling modules are in respective rotor units. Each battery assembly is in a rotor unit in proximity with the propelling module thereof. In some embodiments, the central controller also has a battery-power balancing circuit for balancing the power consumption rates of the one or more battery assemblies.

Abstract: A process for preparing an encapsulated pigment dispersion suitable for use in an ink jet printing ink comprising the following steps in the order I) followed by II): I) providing a dispersion comprising a pigment, a liquid medium and a dispersant comprising the repeat units from copolymerizing the ethylenically unsaturated monomers in components a) to c): a) from 75 to 97 parts of one or more hydrophobic ethylenically unsaturated monomers comprising at least 50 parts benzyl (meth) acrylate; b) from 3 to 25 parts one or more hydrophilic ethylenically unsaturated monomers having one or more ionic group(s); c) from 0 to 2 parts of one or more hydrophilic ethylenically unsaturated monomers having a hydrophilic non-ionic group; and ?wherein the parts are by weight and the sum of the parts a) to c) add up to 100; II) cross-linking the dispersant in the presence of the pigment and the liquid medium.

Abstract: A polymeric dispersant obtained or obtainable by copolymerizing a monomer composition comprising at least the components: i) benzyl (meth)acrylate; ii) propylene glycol (meth)acrylate; wherein the weight ratio of component i) to component ii) is greater than 10:1.

Abstract: A process for preparing an encapsulated pigment dispersion suitable for use in an ink jet printing ink comprising the following steps in the order I) followed by II): I) providing a dispersion comprising a pigment, a liquid medium and a dispersant comprising the repeat units from copolymerising the ethylenically unsaturated monomers in components a) to c): a) from 75 to 97 parts of one or more hydrophobic ethylenically unsaturated monomers comprising at least 50 parts benzyl (meth) acrylate; b) from 3 to 25 parts one or more hydrophilic ethylenically unsaturated monomers having one or more ionic group(s); c) from 0 to 2 parts of one or more hydrophilic ethylenically unsaturated monomers having a hydrophilic non-ionic group; and ?wherein the parts are by weight and the sum of the parts a) to c) add up to 100; II) cross-linking the dispersant in the presence of the pigment and the liquid medium.

Abstract: A process for preparing an encapsulated pigment dispersion suitable for use in an ink jet printing ink comprising the following steps in the order I) followed by II): I) providing a dispersion comprising a pigment, a liquid medium and a dispersant comprising the repeat units from copolymerizing the ethylenically unsaturated monomers in components a) to c): a) from 75 to 97 parts of one or more hydrophobic ethylenically unsaturated monomers comprising at least 50 parts benzyl (meth)acrylate; b) from 3 to 25 parts one or more hydrophilic ethylenically unsaturated monomers having one or more ionic group(s); c) from 0 to 2 parts of one or more hydrophilic ethylenically unsaturated monomers having a hydrophilic non-ionic group; and wherein the parts are by weight and the sum of the parts a) to c) add up to 100; II) cross-linking the dispersant in the presence of the pigment and the liquid medium.

Abstract: A polymeric dispersant obtained or obtainable by copolymerising a monomer composition comprising at least the components: i) benzyl (meth)acrylate; ii) propylene glycol (meth)acrylate; wherein the weight ratio of component i) to component ii) is greater than 10:1.

Abstract: A dispersion of an encapsulated particulate solid is described, which is obtained by a process comprising the steps of providing a dispersion comprising a particulate solid, a liquid medium and a dispersant which is obtained or obtainable by copolymerising a monomer composition; and cross-linking the dispersant in the presence of the particulate solid and the liquid medium, thereby encapsulating each particulate solid particle within a cross-linked dispersant shell.

Abstract: A process for preparing an encapsulated carbon black pigment comprising cross-linking a dispersant with a cross-linking agent in the presence of a carbon black pigment and a liquid medium, thereby encapsulating the carbon black pigment within the cross-linked dispersant, wherein: d) the dispersant has one or more cross-linkable groups selected from amine, hydroxy and carboxylic acid groups or salts thereof; e) the cross-linking agent is polyglycerol polyglycidyl ether; f) the carbon black pigment has an average primary particle size of from 16 to 22 nm and a surface area of from 140 to 220 m2/g.

Abstract: A process for preparing an encapsulated pigment dispersion suitable for use in an ink jet printing ink comprising the following steps in the order I) followed by II): I) providing a dispersion comprising a pigment, a liquid medium and a dispersant comprising the repeat units from copolymerising the ethylenically unsaturated monomers in components a) to c): a) from 75 to 97 parts of one or more hydrophobic ethylenically unsaturated monomers comprising at least 50 parts benzyl (meth) acrylate; b) from 3 to 25 parts one or more hydrophilic ethylenically unsaturated monomers having one or more ionic group(s); c) from 0 to 2 parts of one or more hydrophilic ethylenically unsaturated monomers having a hydrophilic non-ionic group; and wherein the parts are by weight and the sum of the parts a) to c) add up to 100; II) cross-linking the dispersant in the presence of the pigment and the liquid medium.

Abstract: An ink composition comprising: a) 5 to 30 parts ethylene glycol mono butyl ether; b) 0 to 40 parts diethylene glycol mono butyl ether and/or triethylene glycol mono butyl ether; c) 0.1 to 20 parts pigment; and d) 20 to 84.9 parts water; wherein the ink has a viscosity of less than 50 mPa·s at a temperature of 25° C., the sum of the parts of components a)+b) is no less than 15, the sum of the parts of components a) to d) equals 100 and all parts are by weight. The inks are particularly suitable for use as ink jet printing inks and have good print quality, latency and dry time characteristics.