Abstract: A process for devulcanizing crosslinked elastomer particles comprising applying an alternating electric field to a composition comprising crosslinked elastomer particles under compression. The alternating electric field preferably has a frequency between 1 and 100 MHz and a voltage between 1000 and 10,000 V, and may be applied between an apparatus that continuously conveys the particles through the field.

Abstract: A composite foam product comprising a foam core surrounded by a gas-impermeable film. The gas-impermeable film retains the gas formed from the blowing agent so that the pressure inside the foam core is above ambient pressures.

Abstract: A process for devulcanizing crosslinked elastomer particles comprising applying an alternating radio frequency dielectric field to a composition comprising crosslinked elastomer particles. The alternating radio frequency dielectric field preferably has a frequency between 1 and 100 MHz and a voltage between 1000 and 10,000 V.

Abstract: A method of forming a hardened skin on a surface of a molded article. In an exemplary method, a formable material is mixed with a blowing agent to form a foam material. The foam material is placed in a flow molding apparatus such that the top surface of the foam material is in contact with the top mold of the apparatus and the bottom surface of the foam material is in contact with the bottom mold of the apparatus. In operation, an alternating dielectric field is applied across the foam material to form the molded article. At the end of the molding cycle, the bottom surface of the foam material remains under the decomposition temperature of the blowing agent so as to form a hardened skin on the molded article.

Abstract: A method of forming a hardened skin on one or more surfaces of a molded article. In an exemplary method, a formable material is mixed with a blowing agent to form a foam material. The foam material is placed in a flow molding apparatus such that a first surface of the foam material is in contact with a first mold section and a second surface of the foam material is in contact with a second mold section. In operation, an alternating dielectric field is applied across the foam material to form the molded article. At the end of the molding cycle, the first and/or second surfaces of the foam material remain under the decomposition temperature of the blowing agent and are not blown so as to form one or more thicknesses of hardened skin on the molded article.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a windshield wiper blade element having improved anti-chatter and cleansing properties. The elongate rubbery blade element has a pair of opposed channels to impart angular flexibility adjacent the blade root and a bottom edge section defining a squeegee element having the cross sectional geometry of a mature inverted mushroom cap. In use, the squeegee element having this geometry provides a beneficial scraping action during the cleansing sweep of the blade element over the glass surface, thereby aiding in the removal of soft detritus.

Abstract: An apparatus and associated method of making a molded article including providing a mold that defines a mold cavity having a predetermined profile. A rubber base material is in the mold cavity. The rubber base material is constructed and arranged to have a profile that substantially matches the profile of the mold cavity. An adhesive film is disposed over the rubber base material. Energy is applied across the mold so as to heat and vulcanize the rubber base material while concurrently adhering the adhesive film to the rubber base material.

Abstract: A shoe sole construction adapted to absorb and store impact energy and including a shoe sole that has a heel portion and a forefoot portion. The forefoot portion includes the toe of the sole. The shoe sole includes a base member and at least one pressure plate for receiving a wearer's foot. A first pivot is disposed between the base member and the pressure plate. The first pivot is disposed at the toe of the sole. A bladder is provided to receive and store impact energy delivered thereto, and is disposed at the heel portion of the shoe sole and positioned to be compressed under the impact energy imposed thereupon by the pressure plate. A locking mechanism is disposed at the forefoot portion, between the base member and pressure plate. The locking mechanism is responsive to a compression of the bladder and released during the propulsive phase of the wearer's gait to return stored energy for release during the propulsive phase.

Abstract: A shoe sole construction adapted to absorb and store impact energy and including a shoe sole that has a heel portion and a forefoot portion. The forefoot portion includes the toe of the sole. The shoe sole includes a base member and at least one pressure plate for receiving a wearer's foot. A first pivot is disposed between the base member and the pressure plate. The first pivot is disposed at the toe of the sole. A bladder is provided to receive and store impact energy delivered thereto, and is disposed at the heel portion of the shoe sole and positioned to be compressed under the impact energy imposed thereupon by the pressure plate. A locking mechanism is disposed at the forefoot portion, between the base member and pressure plate. The locking mechanism is responsive to a compression of the bladder and released during the propulsive phase of the wearer's gait to return stored energy for release during the propulsive phase.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a cycle seat construction whereby rotational and tipping motion of the pelvic girdle relative to the spine of the rider is vastly reduced or eliminated. The construction includes a longitudinally split seat support whose left and right halves are each pivotally mounted to a seat post such that the seat support halves independently pivot forwardly and rearwardly. The pivot points of the seat support halves are located substantially co-extensively with respect to the hip joints of the seated rider.

Abstract: A flow molding apparatus with multiple layers of molds and electrodes is disclosed. In an exemplary embodiment, the apparatus includes top and bottom electrodes with an intermediate electrode positioned therebetween. A first mold is disposed between the top electrode and the intermediate electrode, and a second mold is disposed between the bottom electrode and the intermediate electrode. Preferably, a plurality of metallic locking fixtures are attached to the top and bottom electrodes for securing the apparatus in a closed position. An electromagnetic energy source is operably connected to the electrodes such that the top and bottom electrodes are grounded and the intermediate electrode carries a high voltage. As such, an alternating electric field may be established across each of the first and second molds during a heating cycle.

Abstract: The invention concerns a refractory product comprising more than 85% of zirconia (ZrO2), characterized in that it comprises in wt. % with respect to oxides: ZrO2>92%, SiO2: 2 to 8%, Na2O: 0.12 to 1%, Al2O3: 0.2 to 2%, 0.5%?Y2O3+CaO?2.6%, with the proviso that Y2O3: 0.3 to 2% and that CaO: 0.5 to 1.93%.

Abstract: A flow molding apparatus with multiple layers of molds and electrodes is disclosed. In an exemplary embodiment, the apparatus includes top and bottom electrodes with an intermediate electrode positioned therebetween. A first mold is disposed between the top electrode and the intermediate electrode, and a second mold is disposed between the bottom electrode and the intermediate electrode. Preferably, a plurality of metallic locking fixtures are attached to the top and bottom electrodes for securing the apparatus in a closed position. An electromagnetic energy source is operably connected to the electrodes such that the top and bottom electrodes are grounded and the intermediate electrode carries a high voltage. As such, an alternating electric field may be established across each of the first and second molds during a heating cycle.

Abstract: A method of forming a hardened skin on a surface of a molded article. In an exemplary method, a formable material is mixed with a blowing agent to form a foam material. The foam material is placed in a flow molding apparatus such that the top surface of the foam material is in contact with the top mold of the apparatus and the bottom surface of the foam material is in contact with the bottom mold of the apparatus. In operation, an alternating dielectric field is applied across the foam material to form the molded article. At the end of the molding cycle, the bottom surface of the foam material remains under the decomposition temperature of the blowing agent so as to form a hardened skin on the molded article.

Abstract: A method of making a molded article from two or more different formable materials having different molding temperatures in a single heating or molding cycle. One of the formable materials is selected as a reference material, and the remaining formable materials are modified so that all of the formable materials reach their respective molding temperatures at substantially the same time. Preferably, each of the remaining formable materials is modified by mixing a suitable amount of an additive therewith so as to adjust the power factor of the formable material. All of the formable materials are then placed in a flow molding apparatus whereby an alternating dielectric field is applied across the formable materials to form the molded article.

Abstract: Oxidized alumina-zirconia-silica (AZS) refractories containing 40 wt % to 55 wt % Al2O3, 32 wt % to 45 wt % ZrO2, 10 wt % to less than 16 wt % SiO2 and 1 wt % to 3 wt % of an alkali metal oxide selected from Na2O, K2O and mixtures thereof have a microstructure essentially comprising alpha-alumina crystals, free zirconia crystals, eutectic crystals and an intercrystalline vitreous phase. At least in an active area, more than 20% by number of the free zirconia crystals have a dendritic shape and are interleaved with each other and with eutectic crystals and at least 40% by number of the dendritic free zirconia crystals have a dimension greater than 300 &mgr;m.

Abstract: Fused cast AZS products that contain: Al2O3: 45-65 wt. %, ZrO2: 10.0-29.0 wt. %, SiO2: 20.0-24.0 wt. %, SiO2/(Na2O+K2O) weight ratio: 4.5-8, and other species: 0.5-4.0 wt. % These products may be produced from manufacturing waste or recycled spent materials.

Abstract: Fused and cast AZS products, characterized in that they contain:

Abstract: Oxidized alumina-zirconia-silica (AZS) refractories containing 40 wt % to 55 wt % Al2O3, 32 wt % to 45 wt % ZrO2, 10 wt % to less than 16 wt % SiO2 and 1 wt % to 3 wt % of an alkali metal oxide selected from Na2O, K2O and mixtures thereof have a microstructure essentially comprising alpha-alumina crystals, free zirconia crystals, eutectic crystals and an intercrystalline vitreous phase. At least in an active area, more than 20% by number of the free zirconia crystals have a dendritic shape and are interleaved with each other and with eutectic crystals and at least 40% by number of the dendritic free zirconia crystals have a dimension greater than 300 &mgr;m.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an energy managing shoe sole construction wherein, during the stance phase of the wearer's gait cycle, the impact energy of the heel strike is absorbed, stored and, at least in part, returned to the underside of the forefoot during the propulsive phase of the gait, thereby aiding in the locomotion of the wearer. Following the propulsive phase of the gait cycle the sole construction is restored to a condition suitable for absorption and storage of the impact energy of the next heel strike event thereupon. Included within the sole construction is a control system which is responsive to the changing anatomy of the foot during the gait cycle and which control system manages the timing of the transfer of the absorbed and stored heel strike energy to the forefoot.