Abstract: A method of preparing TPU blend is disclosed. In particular, a method of preparing an TPU blend comprising extruding a mixture of a thermoplastic polyurethane, a polyolefin copolymer blend and an amine-modified polypropylene compatibilizer is disclosed. The resulting TPU blend provides an elastomeric material with significantly less TPU but which retains the elastomeric and mechanical properties of a TPU.

Abstract: A method of applying a film to an endless moving handrail comprises the steps of adhering a first film layer, having sufficient resilience to accommodate strains occurring on the surfaces of the endless moving handrail and including a barrier coating on at least one of top and bottom surfaces of the first layer, to a top surface of an endless moving handrail, and adhering a substantially transparent film layer over the first film layer.

Abstract: An elastic and resilient film for application to an endless moving handrail includes a first film layer having a top surface and a bottom surface and further including one or more materials selected from Thermoplastic Olefin (TPO), Thermoplastic Elastormer (TPE), Thermoplastic Ionomer Resins, metallized Thermoplastic Polyurethane, Thermoplastic Vulcanizate (TPV), Polyvinylidene Fluoride (PVDF), and Thermoplastic Polyurethane/Polyolefin blends, wherein a first adhesive is on a bottom surface of the first film layer, an optional second film layer has a top surface and a bottom surface, with print applied to the top surface of the first film layer and an adhesive is on the bottom surface of the second film layer, and a substantially transparent film layer overlying the top surface of the second layer.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an elastic and resilient film, to be applied to an endless moving handrail, includes steps of providing a first layer having sufficient resilience to accommodate strains occurring on the surfaces of the endless moving handrail, an adhesive on a bottom surface of the first layer, and a barrier coating on a top surface of the first layer, optionally providing a second layer having sufficient resilience to accommodate strains occurring on the surfaces of the endless moving handrail and an adhesive on a bottom surface of the second layer, providing a substantially transparent layer having an adhesive on a bottom surface thereof, and laminating the first layer, second layer (when present), and substantially transparent layer together.

Abstract: An elastic and resilient film for application to an endless moving handrail includes a first layer having a top surface and a bottom surface and having sufficient resilience to accommodate strains occurring on the surface of the endless moving handrail, the first layer having an adhesive on the bottom surface and a first barrier coating on the top surface, the first barrier coating having sufficient resilience to accommodate strains occurring on the surface of the endless moving handrail and substantially retarding the transmission of materials blooming from the endless moving handrail, optionally a second layer having a top surface and a bottom surface overlying the first layer, the second layer having sufficient resilience to accommodate strains occurring on the surface of the endless moving handrail, and further having second adhesive on the bottom surface of the second layer, and a substantially transparent layer overlying the top surface of the second layer, or the first layer if no second layer present.

Abstract: An improved handrail construction is provided. Normal handrail for use on escalators moving walkways and the like have a C-shaped cross-section with a stretch inhibitor extending longitudinally of the handrail to maintain dimensional stability of the handrail during use. Multiple plies of reinforcing fabric are also located in the handrail where both the stretch inhibitor and multiple plies are molded in a rubber composition to provide the completed handrail. The improvement which provides increased lateral stiffness, dimensional stability and greater lip strength, comprises two spaced apart plies of reinforcing woven fabric orientated to have stiff principal yarns extending perpendicular to the stretch inhibitor. The two spaced apart plies are interconnected by a rubber composition which has a higher strength in terms of stiffness, hardness and viscosity than the normal rubber composition used to encase the fabric plies and stretch inhibitors.