Abstract: An electronic control module (46) for coupling a pedal mechanically powered electric generator (28) and a battery (44) to a motor controller (48) of a watercraft propulsion motor (32), comprising: an electrical input operatively connected to the generator (28); a processor with a memory having an output operatively connected to the motor controller (46), said processor being operationally selectable by a user to one of multiple modes so that the processor being is configured to: in a first mode, combine power from the generator (28) with power from the battery (44) to power the motor (32); in a second mode, combine power from the generator (28) with partial power from the battery (44) to power the motor (32); and in a third mode, transfer power from the generator (28) to charge the battery (44).

Abstract: An electronic control module (46) for coupling a pedal mechanically powered electric generator (28) and a battery (44) to a motor controller (48) of a watercraft propulsion motor (32), comprising: an electrical input operatively connected to the generator (28); a processor with a memory having an output operatively connected to the motor controller (46), said processor being operationally selectable by a user to one of multiple modes so that the processor being is configured to: in a first mode, combine power from the generator (28) with power from the battery (44) to power the motor (32); in a second mode, combine power from the generator (28) with partial power from the battery (44) to power the motor (32); and in a third mode, transfer power from the generator (28) to charge the battery (44).

Abstract: A heat transfer label and method for preparing same, the heat transfer label including (a) a support portion and (b) a transfer portion over the support portion, for transfer of the transfer portion from the support portion to an article upon application of heat to the support portion while the transfer portion is placed into contact with the article. The transfer portion includes at least a protective lacquer layer, an ink layer, and an adhesive layer, wherein at least one of the protective lacquer layer, the ink layer, and the adhesive layer is UV-curable. Further, the heat transfer label may additionally include a tie-coat layer, which may be a UV-curable tie-coat layer. Further, each of the plurality of layers of the transfer portion of the heat transfer label may be UV-curable.

Abstract: An electric propulsion system, an electric bicycle, and a method for converting a non-electric bicycle into an electric bicycle are disclosed. The electric propulsion system has an electric motor with a motor output shaft rotatable about a motor shaft axis. An output end of the motor output shaft is disposed on a first side. A transmission interconnects the electric motor and a drive chain of the bicycle to transmit a drive of the electric motor to the rear wheel. The transmission has a rotatable driven member on the first side engaged with the output end and is rotated thereby. A drive sprocket on the second side and rotatable about a drive sprocket axis is connected to the driven member by a transmission shaft. The drive sprocket engages the drive chain to transmit the drive of the electric motor thereto.

Abstract: A heat transfer label comprising a support portion and a transfer portion for transfer of the transfer portion from the support portion to an article. Heat is applied to the support portion while the transfer portion is placed into contact with the article. The support portion comprises a release layer including a synthetic wax.

Abstract: An electric propulsion system, an electric bicycle, and a method for converting a non-electric bicycle into an electric bicycle are disclosed. The electric propulsion system has an electric motor with a motor output shaft rotatable about a motor shaft axis. An output end of the motor output shaft is disposed on a first side. A transmission interconnects the electric motor and a drive chain of the bicycle to transmit a drive of the electric motor to the rear wheel. The transmission has a rotatable driven member on the first side engaged with the output end and is rotated thereby. A drive sprocket on the second side and rotatable about a drive sprocket axis is connected to the driven member by a transmission shaft. The drive sprocket engages the drive chain to transmit the drive of the electric motor thereto.

Abstract: A heat-transfer label assembly and method of using the same. In one embodiment, the assembly is well-suited for decorating refillable glass articles and includes a support portion, a wax skim coat, and a transfer portion. The support portion may include a carrier web overcoated with a polyethylene layer. The wax skim coat may overcoat the polyethylene layer. The transfer portion may include a protective lacquer, an ink design, and a heat-activatable adhesive. The protective lacquer may be printed directly on the skim coat and may include a cross-linked phenoxy resin. The ink design may be printed onto the protective lacquer and may include a binder, a colorant, and a cross-linking system. The adhesive, which may differ from the ink design only by lacking colorant, may be printed onto the ink design, any exposed portions of the protective lacquer, and the surrounding skim coat.

Abstract: A laminate including a plurality of layers, wherein one of the layers is a heat-activatable expandable layer including a thermally expandable composition. The heat-activatable expandable layer includes a plurality of microcapsules containing the thermally expandable composition. This thermally expandable composition includes an easily volatilizable hydrocarbon, and a binder resin. When subjected to high temperatures during the process of applying a label, the microcapsules rupture and the thermally expandable composition “foams,” which can be used to provide a texture to the label, and can raise or surround the graphics of the label.

Abstract: A wax printing process, apparatus, formulation, and label. The process includes contacting a wax formulation with a surface having at least one etched region thereon, and confronting a carrier with the surface such that at least a portion of the wax transfers from the etched surface to the carrier. The apparatus includes a tray and a manifold positioned in the tray. In another aspect, the apparatus includes a gravure sleeve and a heatable mandrel disposed inside the gravure sleeve. The wax formulation includes a paraffin wax, an ester wax, a hydrocarbon resin, a microcrystalline wax, and an ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer resin. The label includes a carrier and a wax release layer confronting a surface of the carrier. The wax release layer confronts less that the entire surface of the carrier.

Abstract: A heat-transfer label assembly and method of using the same. In one embodiment, the assembly is well-suited for decorating refillable glass articles and includes a support portion, a wax skim coat, and a transfer portion. The support portion may include a carrier web overcoated with a polyethylene layer. The wax skim coat may overcoat the polyethylene layer. The transfer portion may include a protective lacquer, an ink design, and a heat-activatable adhesive. The protective lacquer may be printed directly on the skim coat and may include a cross-linked phenoxy resin. The ink design may be printed onto the protective lacquer and may include a binder, a colorant, and a cross-linking system. The adhesive, which may differ from the ink design only by lacking colorant, may be printed onto the ink design, any exposed portions of the protective lacquer, and the surrounding skim coat.

Abstract: An electrically-driven bicycle comprises a bicycle frame. A bottom bracket shell is provided at a junction between a down tube and stays of the frame. An electric motor is connected to the bottom bracket shell, the electric motor having a hollow drive shaft with an output end projecting to a first side of the bottom bracket shell. A transmission connects the drive shaft to one of the a wheel and a drive train of the bicycle, to transmit a drive of the electric motor to the rear wheel. A crank set has an axle rotatably mounted within the hollow drive shaft for rotating independently from the drive shaft. Means are provided for transmitting pedaling actuation on the crank set to the rear wheel, the means being on the second side of the bottom bracket shell. An electrical drive system for bicycle is also provided.

Abstract: A wax printing process, apparatus, formulation, and label. The process includes contacting a wax formulation with a surface having at least one etched region thereon, and confronting a carrier with the surface such that at least a portion of the wax transfers from the etched surface to the carrier. The apparatus includes a tray and a manifold positioned in the tray. In another aspect, the apparatus includes a gravure sleeve and a heatable mandrel disposed inside the gravure sleeve. The wax formulation includes a paraffin wax, an ester wax, a hydrocarbon resin, a microcrystalline wax, and an ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer resin. The label includes a carrier and a wax release layer confronting a surface of the carrier. The wax release layer confronts less that the entire surface of the carrier.

Abstract: A wax printing process, apparatus, formulation, and label. The process includes contacting a wax formulation with a surface having at least one etched region thereon, and confronting a carrier with the surface such that at least a portion of the wax transfers from the etched surface to the carrier. The apparatus includes a tray and a manifold positioned in the tray. In another aspect, the apparatus includes a gravure sleeve and a heatable mandrel disposed inside the gravure sleeve. The wax formulation includes a paraffin wax, an ester wax, a hydrocarbon resin, a microcrystalline wax, and an ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer resin. The label includes a carrier and a wax release layer confronting a surface of the carrier. The wax release layer confronts less that the entire surface of the carrier.

Abstract: A heat-transfer label assembly and method of using the same. In one embodiment, the assembly is adapted for decorating glass articles and comprises a carrier, the carrier comprising a paper substrate overcoated with a layer of polyethylene. The polyethylene layer is overcoated with a skim coat of wax. One or more heat-transfer labels are printed onto the skim coat and are spaced apart from one another. Each label consists of one or more ink design layers, each ink design layer comprising a binder resin, a pigment, a cross-linking resin and a catalyst. The catalyst is capable of causing the cross-linking resin to cross-link the binder resin within 1-2 minutes after the label has been transferred to a glass article that has been preheated to a temperature of about 250° F.-325° F.

Abstract: A heat transfer label comprising a support portion and a transfer portion for transfer of the transfer portion from the support portion to an article. Heat is applied to the support portion while the transfer portion is placed into contact with the article. The support portion comprises a release layer including a synthetic wax.

Abstract: A heat transfer label and method for preparing same, the heat transfer label including (a) a support portion and (b) a transfer portion over the support portion, for transfer of the transfer portion from the support portion to an article upon application of heat to the support portion while the transfer portion is placed into contact with the article. The transfer portion includes at least a protective lacquer layer, an ink layer, and an adhesive layer, wherein at least one of the protective lacquer layer, the ink layer, and the adhesive layer is UV-curable. Further, the heat transfer label may additionally include a tie-coat layer, which may be a UV-curable tie-coat layer. Further, each of the plurality of layers of the transfer portion of the heat transfer label may be UV-curable.

Abstract: The present invention provides a shrink sleeve for use on a closure of an article. The present invention does so by providing a decorated closure for an article, such as a container, used to package an item or items. The decorated closure includes a shrink sleeve and a closure for an article. The closure has a top end, a bottom end, and a side surface. The closure may further include a centerpoint of the top end and a centerpoint of the bottom end with a longitudinal axis passing therethrough. The shrink sleeve is shrunk around at least the side surface of the article, and the shrink sleeve is a laminate that includes a heat-activatable expandable layer.

Abstract: A heat transfer label comprising a support portion and a transfer portion for transfer of the transfer portion from the support portion to an article. The article may be untreated polyethylene, polypropylene, PET, or acrylonitrile. Heat is applied to the support portion while the transfer portion is placed into contact with the untreated polyethylene, polypropylene, or acrylonitrile article. The transfer portion comprises an adhesive layer comprising a vinyl acetate resin, a tackifying petroleum hydrocarbon resin, and a microcrystalline wax.

Abstract: A wax printing process, apparatus, formulation, and label. The process includes contacting a wax formulation with a surface having at least one etched region thereon, and confronting a carrier with the surface such that at least a portion of the wax transfers from the etched surface to the carrier. The apparatus includes a tray and a manifold positioned in the tray. In another aspect, the apparatus includes a gravure sleeve and a heatable mandrel disposed inside the gravure sleeve. The wax formulation includes a paraffin wax, an ester wax, a hydrocarbon resin, a microcrystalline wax, and an ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer resin. The label includes a carrier and a wax release layer confronting a surface of the carrier. The wax release layer confronts less that the entire surface of the carrier.

Abstract: A heat transfer label comprising a support portion and a transfer portion for transfer of the transfer portion from the support portion to an article. The article may be untreated polyethylene, polypropylene, PET, or acrylonitrile. Heat is applied to the support portion while the transfer portion is placed into contact with the untreated polyethylene, polypropylene, or acrylonitrile article. The transfer portion comprises an adhesive layer comprising a vinyl acetate resin, a tackifying petroleum hydrocarbon resin, and a microcrystalline wax.