Abstract: A method of calibrating a vision based robotic system. The method includes engaging a calibration pin with a robotic tool and moving the calibration pin to a calibration block that includes at least one set of optical sensors having an optical transmitter to transmit an optical beam and an optical receiver to receive the optical beam. Further, the transmitted optical beam includes a center point. The method further includes: moving the calibration pin to the center point of the transmitted optical beam; determining a calibration pin center position relative to the robotic tool; and commanding a machine vision assembly having a camera to capture an image of a plurality of camera reading points of the calibration block and to determine a camera center position.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to distillation systems and methods. The still may have an impermeable nonporous membrane that may be extruded, molded, vacuum formed or sprayed-on. The membrane may be installed in a lightweight basin as a liner. The distillation system may also include a unique sealing system that may include a gasket with a cross-section shaped like the lowercase letter “e” and may include a trim piece that hold a basin casing and casing cover together. The distillation system may be designed in such a manner so as to make shipping and assembly easy and cost effective. For example, the distillation system may be constructed as a kit that all needed components and all the components are placed inside of a standard dimension box for shipping. In various embodiments, the distillation system may be a solar distillation system.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a solar powered distillation system and method. The solar powered still may have an impermeable nonporous membrane that may be extruded, molded, vacuum formed or sprayed-on. The membrane may be installed in a lightweight basin as a liner. Further, the membrane may have a plurality of fluid reservoirs and an overflow trough. In a preferred embodiment, the membrane material may be an opaque water grade non-toxic odorless, tasteless silicone, TPE, TPR, TPO, or EPDM. In one variation, the solar still basin casing may be molded or vacuum formed and made of ABS, polycarbonates, fiberglass and/or polybutylene. The solar still may further include legs made of PVC or similar pipe materials that are coupled to the still basin with a coupling. The still may include a gasket or seal compressed by a metal and rubber seal stripping to couple a sheet of glass to the still basin.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an improved solar powered distillation system and method. The solar powered still may have a membrane that is extruded, molded, or sprayed-on. The membrane may be installed in a lightweight basin as a liner resulting in improved ease of still manufacturing and assembly as well as improved sealing. Further, the membrane may have a plurality of fluid reservoirs. In a preferred embodiment, the membrane material may be an opaque water grade non-toxic odorless, tasteless silicon, Uniprene, or Sarlink. In one variation, the solar still basin casing may be molded and made of ABS, polycarbonates, or polybutylene. The solar still may further include legs made of PVC or similar pipe materials and may include a strengthening member formed integrally in the bottom surface of the basin casing. The still may include a metal and rubber seal stripping to couple a sheet of glass to the still basing.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an improved solar powered distillation system and method. The solar powered still may have a waterproof membrane that is extruded, molded, or sprayed-on. The membrane may be installed in a lightweight basin as a liner resulting in improved ease of still manufacturing and assembly as well as improved sealing. Further, the membrane may include silicone. In a preferred embodiment, the membrane material may be an opaque food grade non-toxic odorless, tasteless silicon, for example, Dow Corning 40. In one variation, the solar still basin may be formed from an aluminum sided insulation material. In another variation the solar still may include a carbon filter attached to either the input or output of the solar still for filtering out VOCs. The solar still may further include adjustable legs that facilitate leveling the still to ensure the most efficient operation possible. The still may be provided to users in a kit and assembled on site to improve shipping.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a solar powered distillation system and method. The solar powered still may have an impermeable nonporous membrane that may be extruded, molded, vacuum formed or sprayed-on. The membrane may be installed in a lightweight basin as a liner. Further, the membrane may have a plurality of fluid reservoirs and an overflow trough. In a preferred embodiment, the membrane material may be an opaque water grade non-toxic odorless, tasteless silicone, TPE, TPR, TPO, or EPDM. In one variation, the solar still basin casing may be molded or vacuum formed and made of ABS, polycarbonates, fiberglass and/or polybutylene. The solar still may further include legs made of PVC or similar pipe materials that are coupled to the still basin with a coupling. The still may include a gasket or seal compressed by a metal and rubber seal stripping to couple a sheet of glass to the still basin.

Abstract: An acoustical panel has a fiberboard which includes a fibrous filler and a base binder, and a nodulated overlay disposed on the fiberboard, wherein the overlay includes nodulated wool and an overlay binder and has a substantially smooth surface. In one embodiment of the present invention, the fibrous filler is mineral wool and the base binder is granular starch. In an another embodiment of the present invention, the nodulated wool is nodulated mineral wool and the overlay binder is cooked pearl cornstarch. A method of making the durable acoustical panel in accordance with the present invention is disclosed. Initially, an aqueous slurry comprising a fibrous filler, a base binder, and water is formed. The aqueous slurry is deposited onto a moving foraminous support wire to form an aqueous felt, thereby creating a continuous process. Thereafter, the aqueous felt is de-watered to form a wet felt.

Abstract: An acoustical panel has a fiberboard which includes a fibrous filler and a base binder, and a nodulated overlay disposed on the fiberboard, wherein the overlay includes nodulated wool and an overlay binder and has a substantially smooth surface. In one embodiment of the present invention, the fibrous filler is mineral wool and the base binder is granular starch. In an another embodiment of the present invention, the nodulated wool is nodulated mineral wool and the overlay binder is cooked pearl cornstarch.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an improved solar powered distillation system and method. The solar powered still may have a membrane that is extruded, molded, or sprayed-on. The membrane may be installed in a lightweight basin as a liner resulting in improved ease of still manufacturing and assembly as well as improved sealing. Further, the membrane may have a plurality of fluid reservoirs. In a preferred embodiment, the membrane material may be an opaque water grade non-toxic odorless, tasteless silicon, Uniprene, or Sarlink. In one variation, the solar still basin casing may be molded and made of ABS, polycarbonates, or polybutylene. The solar still may further include legs made of PVC or similar pipe materials and may include a strengthening member formed integrally in the bottom surface of the basin casing. The still may include a metal and rubber seal stripping to couple a sheet of glass to the still basing.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an improved solar powered distillation system and method. The solar powered still may have a waterproof membrane that is extruded, molded, or sprayed-on. The membrane may be installed in a lightweight basin as a liner resulting in improved ease of still manufacturing and assembly as well as improved sealing. Further, the membrane may include silicone. In a preferred embodiment, the membrane material may be an opaque food grade non-toxic odorless, tasteless silicon, for example, Dow Corning 40. In one variation, the solar still basin may be formed from an aluminum sided insulation material. In another variation the solar still may include a carbon filter attached to either the input or output of the solar still for filtering out VOCs. The solar still may further include adjustable legs that facilitate leveling the still to ensure the most efficient operation possible. The still may be provided to users in a kit and assembled on site to improve shipping.

Abstract: The invention is a collapsing garbage can which further comprises a feeder for garbage bags. Several novel mechanisms for collapsing the can are shown. The mechanisms allow the at least certain sections of the can to be made of absorbent or recyclable materials (paper and cardboard) while the base is made of a water resistant material so it may be used on a variety of surfaces. The absorbent nature of the materials from which the upper parts may be made allow for the can to be used as a deodorizing device.

Abstract: An acoustical panel has a fiberboard which includes a fibrous filler and a base binder, and a nodulated overlay disposed on the fiberboard, wherein the overlay includes nodulated wool and an overlay binder and has a substantially smooth surface. In one embodiment of the present invention, the fibrous filler is mineral wool and the base binder is granular starch. In an another embodiment of the present invention, the nodulated wool is nodulated mineral wool and the overlay binder is cooked pearl cornstarch.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a chemical etching composition for etching metals or metallic alloys. The composition includes a solution of hydrochloric acid, phosphoric acid, ethylene glycol and an oxidizing agent. The etching composition is particularly useful for etching metal surfaces in preparation for subsequent fluorescent penetrant inspection.

Abstract: Knitted fabrics are fulled and shrinkproofed by a process wherein a loosely-knitted fabric is exposed to a diisocyanate. The so-treated material is then fulled and treated with a polyamine, whereby a polyurea is formed on the surface of the fibers and the fabric thus becomes shrinkproofed.

Abstract: Yarn is space-dyed by a process wherein the yarn is wound around a receptacle, e.g., a perforated package dyeing tube. A dyebath is allowed to flow through the yarn. The flow of dye is partially restricted or channeled in such a manner that the yarn becomes intermittently dyed.