Abstract: Described herein is a reduced allergenicity natural latex rubber for use in such products as latex gloves and similar medical and consumer goods, and to methods of production and use thereof. In one aspect, a rubber composition may include a natural latex and a functionalized mineral filler. In another aspect, the mineral filler may include, for example, a diatomite.

Abstract: Particulate mineral materials comprising at least one coating comprising at least one metal compound are disclosed. In one embodiment, the at least one metal compound is a metal silicate compound. In another embodiment, the at least one metal compound is a metal oxide compound. In one embodiment, the particulate mineral material is perlite. In another embodiment, the particulate mineral material is perlite microspheres. In a further embodiment, the particulate mineral material is diatomite. Methods of making particulate mineral materials coated with at least one metal compound are also disclosed. In one embodiment, the at least one metal compound may be injected into a perlite expander to form a metal compound coated perlite material. In another embodiment, the at least one metal compound may be applied through a low temperature coating process to the at least one particulate mineral material. Uses for metal compound coated particulate mineral materials are also disclosed.

Abstract: A storage tote includes a base and a selectively movable lid. A support assembly is secured to the base. The support assembly is movable between a folded position and a deployed position. In the folded position, the support assembly extends generally parallel to the surface upon which it is supported. In the deployed position the support assembly extends generally downwardly to support the base at a height substantially above the support surface. In this manner, the storage tote may be configured in at least two orientations as desired for access by the user thereof. The support assembly may include a pair of opposing legs. The storage tote may be insulated.

Abstract: A robotic vehicle is provided with improved traction and mobility via a specially designed wheel apparatus including a relatively rigid wheel structure formed from two circular, coaxial sprocketed wheel plates separated by a central hub. The sprockets on the wheel plates are circumferentially aligned with one another, with axially facing sprocket pairs being received in areas defined between circumferentially adjacent pairs of tread links in a series of tread links, equal in number to the number of sprocket pairs, arranged in a circular array around the periphery of the wheel structure. The sprocket pairs are sized and configured in a manner such that substantial relative axial and circumferential movement between the wheel structure and the tread link array are blocked, with the axially facing sprockets in each sprocket pair being axially and resiliently deflected toward one another by surface portions of their associated tread link area.

Abstract: A mandrel extraction tool includes an actuator assembly and a first mandrel interface arm operably associated with the actuator assembly and adapted to engage a first mandrel. The mandrel extraction tool further includes a second mandrel interface arm operably associated with the actuator assembly and adapted to engage a second mandrel, the second mandrel interface arm being slidingly coupled with the first mandrel interface arm, such that the first mandrel interface arm moves generally linearly with respect to second interface arm when the actuator assembly is actuated. A method for extracting a mandrel includes providing a mandrel extraction tool, engaging the mandrel extraction tool with a mandrel, and applying a force to the mandrel to linearly extract the mandrel from a first portion of a structure.

Abstract: A beverage container assembly for use with a blender is provided comprising a beverage container having an open top portion and a closed bottom portion. A first removable cover is for selectively covering the top portion of the beverage container. The first cover is adapted to be removably mountable on and off a blender and comprises an adapter portion for mounting the beverage container on a blender. A second removable cover is for selectively covering the open top portion of the beverage container. The second cover includes a drinking hole. The first and second covers are interchangeable on the beverage container and the second cover is mountable on the closed bottom portion for storage.

Abstract: The present invention describes polymer compositions comprising fluoroelastomer and expanded perlite and uses thereof.

Abstract: A storage tote includes a base and a selectively movable lid. A support assembly is secured to the base. The support assembly is movable between a folded position and a deployed position. In the folded position, the support assembly extends generally parallel to the surface upon which it is supported. In the deployed position the support assembly extends generally downwardly to support the base at a height substantially above the support surface. In this manner, the storage tote may be configured in at least two orientations as desired for access by the user thereof. The support assembly may include a pair of opposing legs. The support assembly may additionally include a one or more pairs of wheels for selective movement of the storage tote from one location to another. A leg retention assembly may be provided for securing the legs in the folded position to prevent accidental or otherwise unwanted movement of the legs from the folded position.

Abstract: Natural amorphous silica filler products featuring high brightness, low oil absorption, fine particle size, and low crystalline silica content are described. Methods for making, using, and measuring the properties of the natural amorphous silica filler products are also described. The natural amorphous silica filler products described herein may be useful in a variety of products including, but not limited to, polymers, sealants, paints, caulks, latex, architectural coatings, industrial coatings, pozzolan, glass catalysts, ceramic glazes, and anti-blocking applications.

Abstract: A beverage container assembly for use with a blender is provided comprising a beverage container having an open top portion and a closed bottom portion. A first removable cover is for selectively covering the top portion of the beverage container. The first cover is adapted to be removably mountable on and off a blender and comprises an adapter portion for mounting the beverage container on a blender. A second removable cover is for selectively covering the open top portion of the beverage container. The second cover includes a drinking hole. The first and second covers are interchangeable on the beverage container and the second cover is mountable on the closed bottom portion for storage.

Abstract: This application discusses organo-neutralized diatomaceous earth, comprising at least one diatomaceous earth subjected to at least one treatment with at least one basic organic compound. Also disclosed herein is a composition, such as a silicone rubber composition or a paper composition, comprising organo-neutralized diatomaceous earth. Also disclosed herein are methods of making organo-neutralized diatomaceous earth and methods of making silicone rubber formulations comprising a organo-neutralized diatomaceous earth filler.

Abstract: The present invention describes polymer compositions comprising fluoroelastomer and expanded perlite and uses thereof.

Abstract: A combination apparatus for weighing an aircraft has a plurality of weight scales, each scale being adapted to be supported by a support surface in a position for receiving landing gear of an aircraft thereon. At least one riser supports at least one scale above the support surface, and the height of each riser is selected to position an aircraft on the scales in a level attitude while a weight of the aircraft is being supported by the landing gear on the scales. At least one scale may be recessed in the support surface, and the height of each riser may be adjustable.

Abstract: Functional particulate carrier materials with enhanced retention capabilities are described. The materials comprise at least one functional particulate carrier material subjected to at least one surface treatment, and at least one active ingredient. The at least one surface treatment may be at least one physical surface treatment and/or at least one chemical surface treatment with at least one surface treating agent. The at least one active ingredient may be a biocide, a fungicide, a mildewcide, an antibiotic, an insecticide, a preservative, or an antimicrobial agent. Methods for enhancing the performance of plastics and liquid-based media, for example, coatings and paints, are also described by increasing the retention factors of active ingredients in those plastics and media through surface treatment of functional particulate carrier materials.

Abstract: Particulate mineral materials comprising at least one coating comprising at least one metal compound are disclosed. In one embodiment, the at least one metal compound is a metal silicate compound. In another embodiment, the at least one metal compound is a metal oxide compound. In one embodiment, the particulate mineral material is perlite. In another embodiment, the particulate mineral material is perlite microspheres. In a further embodiment, the particulate mineral material is diatomite. Methods of making particulate mineral materials coated with at least one metal compound are also disclosed. In one embodiment, the at least one metal compound may be injected into a perlite expander to form a metal compound coated perlite material. In another embodiment, the at least one metal compound may be applied through a low temperature coating process to the at least one particulate mineral material. Uses for metal compound coated particulate mineral materials are also disclosed.

Abstract: A polymer composition comprising greater than about 30% by weight of a perlite based on the total weight of the polymer composition, wherein said perlite has an oil absorption less than about 100%

Abstract: A manufacturing method and apparatus is disclosed, whereby a specific production process is used in conjunction with a specific tooling methodology to provide a tooling process package that is capable of controlling tolerance stack-ups and process variations by accounting for them at each step in the process. One application particularly suited for the present invention is in the manufacturing of panels that are assembled to form the skins of a tiltrotor aircraft (11).

Abstract: A mandrel extraction tool (301) includes an actuator assembly and a first mandrel interface arm (309) operably associated with the actuator assembly and adapted to engage a first mandrel (351). The extraction tool further includes a second interface arm (313) which engages a second mandrel (355), the second arm (313) being slidingly coupled the first mandrel interface arm (309). A method for extracting a mandrel includes providing a mandrel extraction tool (301) which is used for extraction.

Abstract: A computer system includes a server configured to host a website for displaying images having at least one of a plurality of image categories associated therewith, and at least one digital camera operable to capture and communicate the images to the server. The digital camera includes an image sensor, and a processor cooperating with said image sensor and said server for capturing the images based upon a selected image category from among the plurality thereof and communicating the images to said server. The processor sets at least one attribute of the images based upon the selected image category.