Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for producing fibers made from one or more polymers or polymer composites, and to structures that can be produced from such fibers. In one embodiment, the fibers of the present invention are nanofibers. The present invention also relates to apparatus for producing fibers made from one or more polymers or polymer composites, and methods by which such fibers are made.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a rheometric device which provides a direct visualization of the subject material. The device also determines the velocity and/or the strain field across the thickness and the morphology to be determined across the same gap. The invention relates both to a device and/or method that can be used in connection with current shearing rheometers, and similar apparatus. The present invention also relates to a process for making a shear rate measurement. The invention provides versatility by allowing multiple angles of visualization which properly characterizes the flow characteristics and shear rates involved.

Abstract: A decorative laminate (10) includes a polymer or engineered film with fluorine (100), a decorative pattern (20) visible through the polymer film (100), and a substrate (200) supporting the polymer film (100) and decorative pattern (20). An embossing layer (70) may be included between the polymer film (100) and substrate (200). The embossing layer (70) or substrate (200) or both may contain one or more fire retardant materials such as halogens. The decorative laminate (10) has a resistance to sustained ignition rated as at least M1 according to French Epiradiateur Test NFP 92-501, and a smoke index value of 80 or less, a classification of F3 or better according to French standard NF F-16-101 based on French Tests NF X 70-100 and NF X 10-702, and a resistance to graffiti in a range of G0-G1 as measured by French Graffiti test NF F 31-112.

Abstract: A process for transferring patterned non-densely packed interfacial particle films onto substrates by providing a substrate, modifying the substrate so that it is non-water wetting, providing an interfacial film of charged particles, applying a surface modifying procedure to said particles, and applying the interfacial particle film to the modified substrate to thereby form a patterned non-densely packed film on the substrate.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to a package which allows a product to be displayed. In one embodiment, the package of the present invention can stand alone independently on an integrated cardboard base or can be hung from a bracket or shelf as a point of sale display. In another embodiment, the package of the present invention is able to be separated into its component parts so that such parts can be, if so required, independently recycled. In still another embodiment, due to its ability to be separated the package of the present invention can comprise various components formed from dissimilar materials (e.g., paper and plastic).

Abstract: A mattress innerspring having coil-in-coil springs arranged in an array. Each coil-in-coil spring an outside helical coil and an inside helical coil, wherein the outside helical coil has a greater height and diameter than the inside helical coil, each coil having a dual spring rate between that of the outside helical coil and the combined spring rates of the outside and inside helical coils. The coil-in-coil springs may be pocketed or unpocketed in a mattress innerspring.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an improved rheometer which provides direct visualization, and to a rheometer that can be used in conjunction with shearing devices, such as rotational, torsional, sliding plate, and other type rheometers.

Abstract: Product displays which are easily and extensively configurable with respect to the number and arrangement of product supporting display units with shelves, the display units having a display frame with multiple levels for supporting a plurality of display units. Each display unit includes one or more product supporting shelves. The display units may be one-sided, with right triangle frames having shelves which face one side of the display, or two-sided with A-shaped frames and shelves on opposing sides of the A-shaped frames to face opposite sides of the display. The shelves of the display units on opposing sides of the display may be symmetrical in number and size or asymmetrical. The display units are easily installed and removed from the various levels of the display frame in order that the display may be easily configured and re-configured according to a desired retail and product presentation. Vertical panels are disposed between opposing shelves of the display units.

Abstract: An electronic messaging contextual storefront system and application provides electronic and instant messaging with contextual graphical and textual content which corresponds with or is related to the subject matter of an electronic or instant message string or chat stream. Graphical and textual content for the contextual storefronts is retrieved based upon detected keywords, and presented in contextual storefronts which are associated with conversation and text entry boxes or other parts of an electronic message system display. Selected graphical and textual content can be placed directly in the text stream or elsewhere in the display either by user commands or automatically by the system. The graphical and textual content is stored by subject matter or theme or by association with keywords in a relational database. Access to contextual storefront content can be tracked, accounted for and controlled by a payments processing system.

Abstract: A shift lever assembly designed to isolate vibrations including an outer can having a bore and an outer wall, an inner can disposed within the bore, a vibration absorbing material positioned within the bore and around the inner can; and a sleeve extending from the outer wall of the outer can. The method of making the shift lever assembly includes positioning an outer can having a bore and an attached sleeve in a mold, positioning an inner can in the mold, within the bore of the outer can, injecting a vibration absorbing material into the mold, thereby filling the space within the bore of the outer can around the inner can, and allowing the vibration absorbing material to cure, thereby securing the inner can within the outer can.

Abstract: A gift wrap package and packaging assembly is configured to receive and enclose a gift in a decorative enclosure and which has the appearance of a conventionally wrapped box gift package. The gift package is made of a folded sheet material that is decorated on one side, and which has sufficient material strength to serve as both a box and a decorative package which has a comparable appearance to a box wrapped with decorative paper. The gift package is preformed and packaged in a folded box configuration with a protective retail display header for hanging display. One end of the gift package is configured to be opened to receive gift contents and additional packaging such as tissue, and then securely closed to complete the gift package.

Abstract: An energy generating device for lighter-than-air vehicles having a gas impervious outer flexible fabric including a flexible photovoltaic array located on the outer layer of the gas impervious fabric; a thermocouple array located between the photovoltaic cells and the gas impervious fabric; a thermally conductive layer or heat spreader between the thermocouple array and the photovoltaic array and between the thermocouple array and the gas impervious flexible fabric; an electrically conductive means connected to said thermocouple array for drawing electrical power away from said thermocouple array; and an electrical load, such as an electrical storage device or a device that consumes electricity, for drawing electricity from the thermocouple array.

Abstract: A pressure dispersion system includes a pressure dispersion pad and a pressure dispersing mattress system for body support and sleep. The pressure dispersion pad and pressure dispersing mattress systems reduce pressure points from a supported body to less than approximately 32 mm Hg to reduce or eliminate capillary closing and a resultant reduction in pressure concentration and resultant discomfort and repositioning during sleep. Empirical design from human body pressure mapping is used to identify support zones for which components are selected and assembled in the pressure dispersion support systems for pressure dispersion and relief. In a pressure dispersion support system in the form of a mattress, multiple zones are defined by arrangement of different kinds of support materials, including foam tops such as memory foam or moderate to low density polyurethane, and secondary foam layers or foam base of relatively higher density polyurethane and latex.

Abstract: Nested rolled sheet material packages have multiple rolls of sheet material each with unique internal and external diameters and nested and held in a telescoping arrangement by a package fixture which fits within a portion of each roll and which is contacted by an end of each roll so that a portion of each roll is visible. The package fixture may be generally planar, cylindrical or conical, and may further include steps for contact with ends of each of the rolls.