Abstract: A system and method for operation of an autonomous vehicle (AV) yard truck is provided. A processor facilitates autonomous movement of the AV yard truck, and connection to and disconnection from trailers. A plurality of sensors are interconnected with the processor that sense terrain/objects and assist in automatically connecting/disconnecting trailers. A server, interconnected, wirelessly with the processor, that tracks movement of the truck around and determines locations for trailer connection and disconnection. A door station unlatches/opens rear doors of the trailer when adjacent thereto, securing them in an opened position via clamps, etc. The system computes a height of the trailer, and/or if landing gear of the trailer is on the ground and interoperates with the fifth wheel to change height, and whether docking is safe, allowing a user to take manual control, and optimum charge time(s). Reversing sensors/safety, automated chocking, and intermodal container organization are also provided.

Abstract: A system and method for operation of an autonomous vehicle (AV) yard truck is provided. A processor facilitates autonomous movement of the AV yard truck, and connection to and disconnection from trailers. A plurality of sensors are interconnected with the processor that sense terrain/objects and assist in automatically connecting/disconnecting trailers. A server, interconnected, wirelessly with the processor, that tracks movement of the truck around and determines locations for trailer connection and disconnection. A door station unlatches/opens rear doors of the trailer when adjacent thereto, securing them in an opened position via clamps, etc. The system computes a height of the trailer, and/or if landing gear of the trailer is on the ground and interoperates with the fifth wheel to change height, and whether docking is safe, allowing a user to take manual control, and optimum charge time(s). Reversing sensors/safety, automated chocking, and intermodal container organization are also provided.

Abstract: A textured metallocene polyethylene foam sheet suitable for use in a floor covering is made using a highly co-activated azodicarbonamide package which blows the metallocene polyethylene effectively. The preferred co-activators are zinc oxide and urea. The textured surface of metallocene polyethylene foam is formed by a chemical embossing process which utilizes a liquid triazole having an alkyl moiety as a foam-expansion inhibitor. The triazole is dissolved in a non-polar solvent to form the foam inhibitor. The preferred inhibitor is a hydrocarbon which may be halogenated.

Abstract: A textured metallocene polyethylene foam sheet suitable for use in a floor covering is made using a highly co-activated azodicarbonamide package which blows the metallocene polyethylene effectively. The preferred co-activators are zinc oxide and urea. The textured surface of metallocene polyethylene foam is formed by a chemical embossing process which utilizes a liquid triazole having an alkyl moiety as a foam-expansion inhibitor. The triazole is dissolved in a non-polar solvent to form the foam inhibitor. The preferred inhibitor is a hydrocarbon which may be halogenated.

Abstract: A glass-fiber product having a textured surface thereon (and its process of manufacture) is disclosed wherein the textured surface is obtained by relieving the stress in pre-stressed polymeric chips that have been distributed throughout a polymeric layer superimposed on a glass-fiber sheet.

Abstract: A wear resistant laminate having a polymer-impregnated glass fiber substrate and a textured surface, the texture resulting from relieving stress in pre-stressed chips and the wear resistance resulting from the substantially uniform covering over the chips and the recesses of the textured surface.

Abstract: A surface covering product is disclosed which includes a layer of fused embossed PVC material on a substrate and a layer of transparent or translucent plastic material substantially covering the fused PVC layer and filling the embossed area of depression in the PVC layer. The surface covering product is made by applying the plastic material to the embossed surface of the PVC material and wiping off at least a portion of the plastic material. In one embodiment, a film of plastic material of substantial or minimal thickness remains on the fused PVC material. In another embodiment, the plastic material is completely wiped off the undepressed area of the fused granular material. The PVC material is preferably a granular material such as a stencil vinyl fine material. In one embodiment, the plastic material is a layer of minimal thickness substantially covering the stencil vinyl fine material.

Abstract: Decoration polyvinyl chloride surface covering structures are described which have antistatic or static dissipative capabilities. Several features are described herein which can be taken advantage of to lower the normal conductivity of the polyvinyl chloride sheet and yet still maintain an attractive or decorative appearance.

Abstract: A surface covering product is disclosed which includes a layer of fused embossed PVC material on a substrate and a layer of transparent or translucent thixotropic material substantially covering the fused PVC layer and filling the embossed area of depression in the PVC layer. The surface covering product is made by applying the thixotropic material to the embossed surface of the PVC material and wiping off at least a portion of the thixotropic material. In one embodiment, a film of thixotropic material of substantial or minimal thickness remains on the fused PVC material. In another embodiment, the thixotropic material is completely wiped off the undepressed area of the fused granular material. The PVC material is preferably a granular material such as a stencil vinyl fine material. In one embodiment, the thixotropic material is a layer of minimal thickness substantially covering the stencil vinyl fine material.

Abstract: A method of manufacture for producing a decorative laminate which exhibits through-color printing is provided in which a layer of absorptive PVC resin particles of substantially only one particle thickness is printed with, for example, three differently colored vinyl plastisol printing inks. The decorative article is useful as a floor covering.

Abstract: A surface covering product is disclosed which comprises a substrate material, an impervious coating upon said material with a decorative design as part of the impervious coating, and, raised transparent or slightly translucent elements printed upon said coating. The raised elements are formed as convex-shaped lens elements and comprise a thixotropic plastic containing particles of solid material.

Abstract: A surface covering product is disclosed which comprises a substrate material, an impervious coating upon said material, and raised elements selectively printed upon said coating, which raised elements comprise a thixotropic plastic containing particles of solid material. A method for the preparation of the product is also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a method of printing a pattern on a substrate, the liquid retained within the printing screen is in a first position directly above the point of tangency between the screen and substrate so that a lesser quantity of liquid is deposited to provide raised beads of liquid comparable in size to the size of the apertures of the screen.The reservoir of liquid is shifted away from the point of tangency and therefore a larger quantity of liquid passes through the apertures because the apertures are now spaced from the substrate. The larger quantities of liquid flow together and therefore, a pattern is provided larger than the aperture size of the screen.

Abstract: A decorative laminate is provided which includes a printed layer of absorptive PVC resin particles of substantially only one particle thickness which can be printed with, for example, three differently colored vinyl plastisol printing ink compositions, and which exhibits through-color printing. The decorative article is useful as a floor covering.

Abstract: The process for making a cellular surface covering having a multi-level embossed decorative wear surface by applying to a porous substrate a plurality of thermoplastic resinous inks developed from thermoplastic binders having different molecular weights and therefore different melt viscosities, the inks and substrate comprising a composite structure which also includes a blowing agent. The blowing agent may be either in the substrate or in the inks applied thereto. Upon final heating to fuse and foam all the resinous material of this structure, the metal viscosity differences of the resins in the inks provide varying degrees of physical resistance to expansion of the total system in the inked areas, thus producing multi-level design areas on the final product.

Abstract: A system for drilling and simultaneously installing a relatively large production casing along an invert underground arcuate path beneath an obstacle is disclosed. A plurality of production casing segments, each having preformed curvature corresponding to the radius of the curvature of the arcuate path, are joined end to end and advanced along the desired path. A drill head is located in front of the leading end of the casing. The drill head is mounted to the casing so that the angular orientation of the drill head relative to the axis of the leading end of the casing is at least partially adjustable. A drill bit is located in front of the drill head and a motor is located within the drill head to drive the drill bit. The drill bit excavates a passageway along the arcuate path in advance of the casing.

Abstract: A system and method for emplacing a relatively large casing under and spanning an obstacle such as a river is disclosed. The casing is emplaced along the arcuate path of a previously bored and placed existing pilot string running beneath the obstacle between positions near ground level on opposite sides of the obstacle. A seal is provided between the outer surface of the leading portion of the casing and the reamed pilot hole so that the drilling mud containing the entrained cuttings flows into the leading end of the advancing casing. In one preferred embodiment a washover pipe circumscribing the pilot string serves the dual function of rotating a case-leading reamer and driving a positive displacement pump-typically of the moineau variety-to evacuate drilling fluid and entrained cuttings. This evacuation can occur through the drill string.

Abstract: A non-woven fabric floor having the desirable attributes of a non-woven carpet construction combined with the desirable attributes of a decorative thermoplastic surface covering and a method for its production are described.

Abstract: A non-woven fabric floor having the desirable attributes of a non-woven carpet construction combined with the desirable attributes of a decorative thermoplastic surface covering and a method for its production are described.