Abstract: Disclosed is a two-part composition for sealing natural stone or masonry, and methods of use. The two-part composition is comprised of (1) a first part comprising a polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) particulate; a low evaporation rate organic solvent; and water; and (2) a second part comprising a blend of a plurality of liquid resin formulations.

Abstract: Disclosed is a two-part composition for sealing natural stone or masonry, and methods of use. The two-part composition is comprised of (1) a first part comprising a polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) particulate; a low evaporation rate organic solvent; and water; and (2) a second part comprising a blend of a plurality of liquid resin formulations.

Abstract: This invention relates to polymeric compositions for application onto natural stone in order to provide for long-term chemical, stain, and water resistance, along with antimicrobial properties. Many natural, unsealed stones do not have stain, etch, or water resistance. The described compositions were developed using a technology of chemical grafting that involves the use of prepolymers, monomers, catalysts, graft initiators, wetting agents, antimicrobial agents, and other ingredients. The composition, when thus applied to the stone surface allows it to obtain a graft polymerization, thereby forming a polymer film that is chemically attached to the natural stone, rather than typical physical bonding of other sealer compositions. The natural stones react with a graft initiator in the composition, which creates the reaction sites on the natural stone surface via free radical mechanisms.

Abstract: This invention relates to polymeric compositions for application onto natural stone in order to provide for long-term chemical, stain, and water resistance, along with antimicrobial properties. Many natural, unsealed stones do not have stain, etch, or water resistance. The described compositions were developed using a technology of chemical grafting that involves the use of prepolymers, monomers, catalysts, graft initiators, wetting agents, antimicrobial agents, and other ingredients. The composition, when thus applied to the stone surface allows it to obtain a graft polymerization, thereby forming a polymer film that is chemically attached to the natural stone, rather than typical physical bonding of other sealer compositions. The natural stones react with a graft initiator in the composition, which creates the reaction sites on the natural stone surface via free radical mechanisms.

Abstract: The present invention is directed towards a spacer or spacing device designed to hold an electrical switch or outlet cover plate a desired distance from a mounting surface such as a wall.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for applying a liquid UV-curable primer sealant to natural stone tiles and related articles followed immediately by the exposure to a requisite amount of low intensity UVA-type UV radiation to partially cure the primer sealant. The partial curing, or pre-setting, of the primer sealant enables control of the ultimate depth of penetration of the primer sealer into the natural stone tiles and natural stone articles of which many examples are quite porous. Because the low level UV irradiation is instantaneous after the primer sealant application the level of primer sealant penetration into the natural stone surface is regulated. The pre-curing of the primer sealant is conducted to intentionally solidify or immobilize the sealant that has actually penetrated into the natural stone surface. The uppermost layers of the primer sealant are left in a semi-liquid or uncured state to allow for wetting and intermingling by the top sealant once it is applied.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for applying a liquid UV-curable primer sealant to natural stone tiles and related articles followed immediately by the exposure to a requisite amount of low intensity UVA-type UV radiation to partially cure the primer sealant. The partial curing, or pre-setting, of the primer sealant enables control of the ultimate depth of penetration of the primer sealer into the natural stone tiles and natural stone articles of which many examples are quite porous. Because the low level UV irradiation is instantaneous after the primer sealant application the level of primer sealant penetration into the natural stone surface is regulated. The pre-curing of the primer sealant is conducted to intentionally solidify or immobilize the sealant that has actually penetrated into the natural stone surface. The uppermost layers of the primer sealant are left in a semi-liquid or uncured state to allow for wetting and intermingling by the top sealant once it is applied.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for applying a liquid UV-curable primer sealant to natural stone tiles and related articles followed immediately by the exposure to a requisite amount of low intensity UVA-type UV radiation to partially cure the primer sealant. The partial curing, or pre-setting, of the primer sealant enables control of the ultimate depth of penetration of the primer sealer into the natural stone tiles and natural stone articles of which many examples are quite porous. Because the low level UV irradiation is instantaneous after the primer sealant application the level of primer sealant penetration into the natural stone surface is regulated. The pre-curing of the primer sealant is conducted to intentionally solidify or immobilize the sealant that has actually penetrated into the natural stone surface. The uppermost layers of the primer sealant are left in a semi-liquid or uncured state to allow for wetting and intermingling by the top sealant once it is applied.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of sealing natural stone tiles and stone articles by applying and curing by UV radiation a liquid, solventless sealant onto natural stone tiles and articles to provide permanent protection, abrasion resistance, chemical and stain resistance and resistance to mold and other biological growth stains. The UV-curable solventless sealing composition comprises an effective amount of carboxyl functional, UV-curable reagent to provide for adhesion of the cured coating to the stone article. Additionally, the method describes the application of an optional liquid primer sealant comprising a UV-curable aqueous dispersion of an acrylate-functional resin.

Abstract: Provided is a novel method for sealing natural stone. The method comprises applying a base coat comprising a synthetic polymer, drying the base coat, applying a UV-cure topcoat, volatizing organic solvents from the topcoat, and curing the UV-cure topcoat by exposure to UV light. The UV-cure topcoat used in the method comprises an acrylate oligomer, photoinitiators, and flow and wetting additives. Methods are also provided wherein the topcoat further comprises a fungal inhibitor. The described methods provide a coating with excellent adhesion, and a smoother, more uniform topcoat. Moreover, this coating system allows moisture to migrate from the back side of tile through the coatings to evaporate to the surface, a feature critical to preventing deterioration of the stone over time.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a paneling system including a first and a second span element each possessing a substantially non-rectangular lateral cross-section and at least one butt end having a surface substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the span element. The paneling system also includes a transition element having a first end defining a first coping profile, the first coping profile being mateable to the butt end of a first span element at substantially a right angle, and a second end defining a second coping profile, the second coping profile being mateable to the butt end of a second span element at substantially a right angle. Also disclosed is a method of installing a paneling system that includes arranging transition and span elements to mate and form miterless corners.

Abstract: A utilitarian and/or decorative object and a method for forming the object fabricated mainly of a plastic material, such as polyester, having a metallic outer face which thereby imparts to this object the appearance and/or hand of a like object made entirely of metal. In this technique, a mixture of a liquid monomer, a curing agent therefor, a dispersion of metal particles and floatable particles are poured into a mold for forming the object. The metal particles are permitted to settle in the mold or the mold is centrifuged to cause the metal particles to migrate toward the outer or lower region of the piece and concentrate in this region before the monomer polymerizes and hardens to bind the particles.

Abstract: A utilitarian and/or decorative object and a method for forming the object fabricated mainly of a plastic material, such as polyester, having a metallic outer face which thereby imparts to this object the appearance and/or hand of a like object made entirely of metal. In this technique, a mixture of a liquid monomer, a curing agent therefor, a dispersion of metal particles and floatable particles are poured into a mold for forming the object. The metal particles are permitted to settle in the mold or the mold is centrifuged to cause the metal particles to migrate toward the outer or lower region of the piece and concentrate in this region before the monomer polymerizes and hardens to bind the particles.

Abstract: A home organizer adapted to store in readily retrievable form monthly receipts such as telephone bill receipts. The organizer, which has a full year capacity for these receipts, is constituted by a panel formed by superposed front and rear plies, each having an end pocket. Die cut in each ply adjacent the pocket is a transverse array of six crescents which create parallel slots therein. Marked near the face of the front ply pocket in registration with the slots are the names of the first six months of a given year, and similarly marked on the face of the rear ply pocket are the names of the last six months. Receipts for the different months are stored in the slots assigned to these months, the lower edge of each receipt being inserted in the slot and the leading end of the receipt being received in the end pocket, thereby retaining the receipt at its assigned position.

Abstract: A wedding invitation or other image-bearing product inscribed or otherwise printed on the face of an edge-bevelled glass plate nested within a well formed in a rigid foam-plastic block, the well being so placed as to create a rectangular frame bordering the glass plate. The block is covered by a pad of like material having the same rectangular dimensions to form a sandwich assembly. This assembly is inserted in and snugly held in a cardboard box to provide a mailer that may be safely sent to the party to whom the invitation or product is addressed.