Abstract: A faux vehicle grill component includes an elongated body panel having a pair of receivers or connectors at spaced apart locations therealong adapted to lockingly receive a pair of spikes or prongs from a tow bar connecting system protruding outwardly from the grill area of an associated vehicle to be towed. The receivers or connectors are laterally adjustable relative to each other along the body panel as well as laterally of the body panel itself in order to accommodate different or varied spacings of the spikes or prongs. Releasable fasteners are used for selectively securing the associated spikes or prongs to the receivers or connectors. Installation of the faux grill component eliminates a potentially hazardous condition that exists when the spikes or prongs are exposed during a non towed condition of the vehicle.

Abstract: A faux vehicle bumper component includes an elongated body panel having a pair of receivers or connectors at spaced apart locations therealong adapted to engage a pair of spikes or prongs from a tow bar connecting system protruding generally from the grill area of an associated vehicle to be towed. The receivers or connectors are adjustably secured to the body panel in order to accommodate different or varied spacings of the spikes or prongs and/or different types and styles of vehicles. Releasable fasteners are used for selectively securing the associated spikes or prongs to the receivers or connectors. Installation of the faux bumper component eliminates a potentially hazardous condition that exists when the spikes or prongs are exposed during a non towed condition of the vehicle.

Abstract: A sound-absorbing shield device for use in a vehicle door comprises a sheet of sound-absorbing material and a thin sheet of polymer film. A first face of the polymer film is attached to the sound absorbing material and a plurality of apertures extending through the polymer film from the first face thereof to a second face thereof opposite the first face. Each aperture is bounded by a hollow protrusion extending from the second film face, whereby the apertures and protrusions cooperate to form a barrier against moisture or other environmental contamination while admitting acoustic energy therethrough into the sound absorbing material.

Abstract: This invention relates to an attendance monitoring system. More particularly, the invention is directed to a system that provides to an employer an instant visual representation of an employee's daily attendance (including that for the present day), attendance history (which is an indicator of reliability), available paid time off, current vacation schedule, assignment status, training status, and the like.

Abstract: A sound-absorbing shield device for use in a vehicle door comprises a sheet of sound-absorbing material and a thin sheet of polymer film. A first face of the polymer film is attached to the sound absorbing material and a plurality of apertures extending through the polymer film from the first face thereof to a second face thereof opposite the first face. Each aperture is bounded by a hollow protrusion extending from the second film face, whereby the apertures and protrusions cooperate to form a barrier against moisture or other environmental contamination while admitting acoustic energy therethrough into the sound absorbing material.

Abstract: A method of applying a flowable printing fluid in a predetermined pattern of predetermined thickness to a flexible air impervious sheet comprises providing a vacuum table and overlying the table with a template having a thickness at least substantially as great as the thickness of printing fluid desired to be applied. The template has openings defining the predetermined pattern formed therethrough so that the table is exposed through the template throughout the predetermined pattern. The flexible sheet to which the predetermined pattern of printing fluid is to be applied is placed over the table and template so that the pattern formed in the template is aligned with the sheet in the desired location. A vacuum is pulled on the vacuum table to cause the flexible sheet to be drawn down into the template through the openings defining the predetermined pattern.

Abstract: A transfer adhesive sandwich includes a flexible carrier sheet having an adhesive layer releasably bonded to one surface and having an opposite surface to which the adhesive layer if releasably bondable with substantially less tenacity than the tenacity of the bond between the adhesive layer and the one surface. A plurality of the sandwiches are stacked on top of one another to form a pad from which individual sandwiches are strippable. When the adhesive layer is pressed against a substrate, it adheres to the substrate with a tenacity substantially greater than the tenacity of the bond betweeen the adhesive layer and the one surface of the carrier sheet so that the carrier sheet can be stripped away to leave the adhesive layer on the substrate.

Abstract: There is disclosed a fuel treatment device for internal combustion engines comprising a housing having an inlet and an exit, a first metallic core in the housing, a second metallic housing in the housing and adapted to form a non-linear flow path in cooperation with the first metallic core, wherein the first metallic core comprises aluminum, and wherein the second metallic housing comprises an alloy of aluminum, copper, tin, zinc, iron, nickel, lead, sulfur and phosphorus.

Abstract: A protector article and method of forming the same for use as a paint mask or water shield. The article comprises a generally flat and relatively thin sheet of flexible plastic material having its peripheral edge shaped to conform to the shape of the surface to be protected. Adhesive is carried by the peripheral edge of the sheet to allow it to be permanently or temporarily connected to the surface to be protected. At least one predetermined area in the sheet is enclosed by a series of relatively small and closely spaced corrugations to allow the enclosed area(s) to be selectively deflected laterally of the plane of the sheet to form pockets or bulges to allow the sheet to generally conform to discontinuities in the surface being protected. The corrugations are preferably formed by conventional thermoforming techniques.

Abstract: A transfer adhesive sandwich includes a flexible carrier sheet having an adhesive layer releasably bonded to one surface and having an opposite surface to which the adhesive layer is releasably bondable with substantially less tenacity than the tenacity of the bond between the adhesive layer and the one surface. A plurality of the sandwiches are stacked on top of one another to form a pad from which individual sandwiches are strippable. When the adhesive layer is pressed against a substrate, it adheres to the substrate with a tenacity substantially greater than the tenacity of the bond between the adhesive layer and the one surface of the carrier sheet so that the carrier sheet can be stripped away to leave the adhesive layer on the substrate.

Abstract: A laminated article particularly useful for forming shoe upper and a method of forming the same. The method generally comprises applying a thin and relatively uniform thickness layer of pressure sensitive adhesive to a release coated surface of a first thin and flexible sheet of material. The adhesive is applied in a regular discontinuous pattern having a multiplicity of small areas separated by pressure sensitive adhesive coated areas. The adhesive is allowed to cure or dry on the first sheet and, thereafter, the adhesive coated face of the first sheet is aligned with a second sheet of foam material and brought into contact therewith under sufficient pressure to bond the adhesive to the foam sheet. The release coated first sheet is left in place on the cured adhesive until it is desired to bond the sheet of foam material to a third sheet of flexible material, such as a sheet of shoe upper material.

Abstract: A transfer adhesive sandwich includes a flexible carrier sheet having an adhesive layer releasably bonded to one surface and having an opposite surface to which the adhesive layer is releasably bondable with substantially less tenacity than the tenacity of the bond between the adhesive layer and the one surface. A plurality of the sandwiches are stacked on top of one another to form a pad from which individual sandwiches are strippable. When the adhesive layer is pressed against a substrate, it adheres to the substrate with a tenacity substantially greater than the tenacity of the bond between the adhesive layer and the one surface of the carrier sheet so that the carrier sheet can be stripped away to leave the adhesive layer on the substrate.

Abstract: A protector article and method of forming the same for use as a paint mask or water shield. The article comprises a generally flat and relatively thin sheet of flexible plastic material having its peripheral edge shaped to conform to the shape of the surface to be protected. Adhesive is carried by the peripheral edge of the sheet to allow it to be permanently or temporarily connected to the surface to be protected. At least one predetermined area in the sheet is enclosed by a series of relatively small and closely spaced corrugations to allow the enclosed area(s) to be selectively deflected laterally of the plane of the sheet to form pockets or bulges to allow the sheet to generally conform to discontinuities in the surface being protected. The corrugations are preferably formed by conventional thermoforming techniques.

Abstract: A water deflector for securement to the inner panel of a vehicle door to prevent water from entering the vehicle body or wetting the inner door trim panel. The deflector comprises a sheet of polyethylene peripherally shaped for covering the inner door panel, and having permanently plastic and permanently tacky pressure-sensitive adhesive on selective areas thereof for attaching the sheet to the inner door panel.

Abstract: A deflector for securement to body components of a vehicle to prevent water, dust, and the like from entering the body or wetting inner trim panels. The deflector comprises a sheet of plastic peripherally shaped for covering at least a predetermined portion of a body component, and having permanently plastic and permanently tacky pressure-sensitive adhesive on selective areas thereof for attaching the sheet to the component.

Abstract: An adhesive coated sheet construction adapted to be secured to a work surface for placing a predetermined design configuration thereon includes a first layer having a contact-type adhesive on a first surface thereof and a second layer which is removably affixed to the first surface of the first layer. A third layer is removably affixed to a second surface of the first layer for defining a laminated-type sheet construction. Score lines penetrating both the first and second layers define the predetermined design configuration which remains accurately positioned through retention on the third layer. Removal of selected sections of the second layer from the sheet construction enables the corresponding sections of the first layer to be adhesively secured to the work surface.

Abstract: A water deflector for securement to the inner panel of a vehicle door to prevent water from entering the vehicle body or wetting the inner door trim panel. The deflector comprises a sheet of polyethylene peripherally shaped for covering the inner door panel, and having permanently plastic and permanently tacky pressure-sensitive adhesive on selective areas thereof for attaching the sheet to the inner door panel.

Abstract: A paint mask and method for masking a work surface wherein the mask structure is comprised of a first mask layer and a second liner layer. One face of the first layer includes an adhesive coating with the second layer being adhesively secured thereto. A predetermined design configuration is defined in the mask structure by discontinuous cuts extending through both the first and second layers. Score cuts extending through the second layer in spaced apart generally coextensive relationships with the discontinuous cuts define band-like areas. Removal of these band-like areas exposes band areas of adhesive on the first layer which are used to adhesively secure the mask in a desired orientation on a work surface. The discontinuous cuts facilitate removal of that portion of the mask structure disposed on the other side thereof from the score cuts to be removed from covering association wtih the work surface.

Abstract: Layered blending tape comprised of a mask layer having an adhesive layer on one surface thereof, an elongated mask section adhered to a portion of the adhesive layer longitudinally thereof, and a release strip section releasably adhered to the remaining portion of the adhesive layer is spirally wrapped around a core to form a roll. This roll is mounted on a tape dispenser. The dispenser includes a tape roll mounting assembly and a guide roller-engaging surface assembly for separating the release strip section from the adhesive layer during a tape dispensing operation. The tape roll mounting assembly includes a hub rotatably mounted to a frame by an axle and retained by a retaining nut. A coil spring received over the axle is interposed between the retaining nut and the outer side face of the hub. A brake pad is operatively interposed between the other hub side face and the frame.

Abstract: A mask for and method of masking a workpiece which has some predetermined continuous demarcation zone whereby precise painting of a first area disposed on one side of the zone is accommodated. The mask includes opposed faces and a peripheral edge or contour having substantially the same conformation as the demarcation zone. One face includes a narrow band of adhesive extending therearound adjacent the peripheral edge. The mask is accurately positioned on the workpiece to precisely mask a second area thereof along and on the other side of the demarcation zone from the workpiece first area. The first area may then be painted and the mask thereafter removed. To accommodate application in production environments, the other or outer face of the mask may be release coated so that a stack or pad comprised of a plurality of identical masks may be provided at a workstation for individual application to consecutive workpieces.