Abstract: A foam keyboard and wrist-support and keyboard dust-cover apparatus which comprises a foldable, flat-sheet, generally rectangular, flexible foam sheet material comprised of a plurality of separate foam sections singly die cut from a foam sheet material, to form a plurality of foam sections having short, uncut foam hinges connecting each of the foam sections and adapted to be moved between a wrist-support position in front of a keyboard, with a plurality of the foam sections stackably folded on top of each other, to form a wrist-support pad, and with at least one foam section beneath the front portion of the keyboard, to retain the wrist-support keyboard pad in position, and a keyboard dust-cover protecting position, wherein the stacked, folded, foam support pad is then extended, to form a protective dust cover over the face of the keyboard, and a method of preparing a foam keyboard wrist-support and keyboard dust-cover apparatus which comprises die cutting, in a single die-cutting operation, a generally recta

Abstract: A connector for securing a leash to a sports board includes a plate having a substantially planar upper surface for receiving graphics. The plate is hinged to a flange, molded integrally with the plate, which receives the leash. The connector is inserted through the board so that the plate is substantially coplanar with an upper surface of the board and the flange extends upwardly therefrom.

Abstract: A foam material, particularly suitable for use as a midsole material for an athletic shoe, comprises polyethylene modified by an elastomer modifier and cross-linked, preferably using a peroxide cross-linking agent, to form a closed cell foam material which has superior strength properties, improved energy return and reduced sensitivity to temperature change.

Abstract: A batch process for making a resin includes adding at least one portion of colored resin material to a resin base material of another color and mixing the combination including the colored material only sufficiently to incomplete blend the colored material into the base mix so that the colored material is only partially dispersed in the resin base. The multicolored product may be foamed or unfoamed material.

Abstract: A game bird decoy has a body portion and a wing portion cut from flexible sheet plastic foamed material and assembled to represent a flying game bird such as a duck or goose. The decoy is mounted on a pole to simulate the silhouette of a bird approaching landing on water or land.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the preparation of multicolor, multidensity and/or multithermoplastic foam and products composed thereof. Heat-plastified foamable gels of a thermoplastic resin or resins containing blowing agents are combined and extruded simultaneously through the same orifice of a die and expanded into a foam.The color, density and/or thermoplastic resin of the secondary foamed gel or gels can form a multitude of patterns or shapes that include waves, diagonals, stripes and/or continuous coverage over the entire surface of the primary foamed gel. These patterns or shapes can be on the surface and/or within the cross-section of the primary foamed gel.

Abstract: A foam material, particularly suitable for use as a midsole material for an athletic shoe, comprises polyethylene modified by an elastomer modifier and cross-linked, preferably using a peroxide cross-linking agent, to form a closed cell foam material which has superior strength properties, improved energy return and reduced sensitivity to temperature change.

Abstract: A method for cleaning oil-contaminated water in a bathing or swimming area comprising circulating absorbers of open-cell cross-linked polyolefin foam on the surface of said oil-contaminated water, the contaminating oil being removed by said absorbers.

Abstract: A hinge for joining surfaces of sheet material comprises a strip of film/foam laminate positioned with a foam layer across the surfaces to be joined. The foam layer is tackified by heating and pressure is applied to the strip, thus heat sealing the strip to the surfaces. The hinge strip is preferably polyethylene film laminated to polyethylene foam and the surfaces to be joined may be polyethylene foam or a film/foam laminate.The joined surfaces are not damaged or destroyed by the heat lamination. The foam layer of the hinge sealing strip is partially or substantially melted and the film upper layer of the heat sealing strip forms a permanent waterproof bond with the surfaces which it joins.

Abstract: A cushioned bag has two adjacent multilayered sections comprising an outer layer of flexible thermoplastic material, a middle layer (or partial middle layer) of polyolefin film, and an inner layer of cushioning material. The sections are fused together along at least one edge of the bag to form a seamed edge comprising a fused bead. Apparatus for making a bag having a beaded edge includes cooperating heated jaws between which the bead is formed. A method of using the apparatus to make the bag includes rotating take-up rolls faster than feed rolls to pull the bag cleanly away from the jaws along the bead forming the seamed edge.

Abstract: A sports board for surfing, snow sledding, and other sports, has a shaped polyethylene foam core to which a polyethylene film/polyethylene foam sheet laminate is heat laminated over substantially all the surfaces of the core. Frictional resistance between the board and surfaces on which the board is used is reduced, and the slick film outer skin provides an impervious outer surface to the board which resists puncturing and water absorption by the board.

Abstract: A multicolored foam product and a method for the preparation thereof. Heat-plastified foamable gel of a thermoplastic resin or resins containing blowing agents are combined with different coloring materials added sequentially and extruded through an orifice of a die which is extended in length to facilitate laminar flow in the resin. This resin is expanded to form a multicolored layered foam product, such as multicolored foam planking, in a single extrusion. Multicolored foam planking produced is suitable for use as the body material for surfboards, body boards, and other recreational products.

Abstract: A tubing plank is fabricated from foamed tubular members positioned parallel to and adjacent each other, the members having substantially coplanar longitudinal axes, and each member secured to each adjacent member along adjacent sidewalls to form a planar member. A sheet member may be applied to at least one face of the tubing plank, each sheet member forming a contact area. In another embodiment, tubular members are positioned parallel to and spaced apart from each other, adhered to at least one sheet member. A second sheet member may be adhered to the opposite face of the tubes from first sheet.

Abstract: A package for a fluorescent tube includes a substantially rigid blister surrounding and spaced from conducting pins extending from an end of the tube. The blister is spaced from the pins and has a surrounding shoulder which rests on the end of the tube so that impact on the blister is transferred to the end surface of the tube and does not damage the pins. The tube ends may pass through apertures in a tube-separating card attached to the blisters, and the card may be adapted for receiving identifying graphics.Blisters may also be formed into trays for use in bulk packaging of fluorescent tubes.

Abstract: A novelty pop-up hat includes a brim portion, an open crown portion and a plurality of slits in the edge of the brim portion, for conforming the hat to the shape of the head. Decorative shapes extend from the inner perimeter of the brim so that the decorations stand substantially vertically when the hat is worn. In a preferred embodiment, a hat is cut in an oval shape from a flat sheet of foamed plastic material, and a substantially circular opening is cut toward one end forming a headband at the back of the head and a visor to shade the face. The hat is made by a diecutting method from a single piece of foamed plastic or other material.

Abstract: A swim float constructed of a plurality of hinged sections. Core blocks are hingedly interconnected by upper and lower flexible layers. Sidewalls of adjacent flexible layers are bevelled so that the skin of a user will not be pinched therebetween. The hinges alternatingly are formed by the upper and lower flexible layers so that the swim float flexes and follows the contour of waves.

Abstract: A safety device is described for use with a known safety chain. The safety device is a strip of foam-like plastic configured to fit in an elongate slot of the safety chain to prevent movement of the sliding member along the slot to thus prevent surreptitious entry. A display card includes a drawing of an actual safety chain and includes an actual slot which receives a safety device to thereby illustrate the use of the safety device in the actual safety chain.

Abstract: A method for the preparation of polysulfone foam using methylene chloride as a blowing agent. A pressurized combination of heat-plastified foamable gel of polysulfone containing methylene chloride as a blowing agent is extruded into a zone of lower pressure through an orifice of a die. As the gel expands into a foam, it forms a product of decreased density, increased resiliency and flexibility, and improved insulation properties over conventional polysulfone foam.