Abstract: The present invention relates to mat-shaped composites having porosities above 60% and densities below 0.6 g/cm.sup.3, comprising an aerogel and fibers dispersed therein, the aerogel having cracks and the aerogel fragments enclosed by the cracks, whose average volume is 0.001 mm.sup.3 to 1 cm.sup.3, being held together by the fibers. The present invention further relates to processes for producing the composites of the invention and to their use.

Abstract: This invention provides a reinforcing woven fabric using as weaving threads flat and substantially nontwisted multifilaments of reinforcing fiber having less than 0.5 wt. % of sizing agent provided thereto and a binding property of 400-800 mm in hook drop value, and a method and an apparatus for manufacturing a reinforcing woven fabric by weaving the multifilaments of reinforcing fiber as warps and wefts. A reinforcing woven fabric having a small thickness and an extremely high covering factor and capable of indicating a high strength can be obtained at a low cost as a substrate for reinforcing composite materials.

Abstract: A paper-film laminate sealing tape for sealing a corrugated board carton or other article fabricated of recyclable material. The tape is composed of a base ply formed of high-strength, oriented synthetic plastic film whose opposing surfaces are corona-discharge treated to render them wettable and receptive to adhesives, and a paper face ply adhesively laminated to the base ply. The exposed surface of the base plastic-film ply is coated with a water-remoistenable adhesive, so that when this adhesive is moistened in a tape dispenser, the sealing tape can then be adhered to the carton. Since the remoistenable adhesive is coated on the plastic film ply which is water-impermeable, when this adhesive is moistened with water it remains in a moistened state in a condition to be applied to the carton for a relatively long "open-time" period.

Abstract: A slide member has a sliding surface made of ceramic and a has surface roughness of not more than 1.0 .mu.m in center line average roughness Ra. The ceramics includes a silicon nitride sintered body which contains crystal grains having a linear density of at least 35 per 30 .mu.m in length with a boundary phase volume ratio of not more than 15 volume %, and which contains pores of not more than 20 .mu.m in maximum diameter in a content of not more than 3%. In a method of manufacturing the slide member, it is possible to ensure smoothness of the sliding surface by grinding the sliding surface and thereafter heating the ceramic in an either an inert gas or atmospheric air. A slide member that can be used under severe sliding conditions of high-speed sliding or the like and that has excellent wear resistance is obtained.

Abstract: An improved panel structure wherein at least one face of the panel is perforated with small holes and where it is desirable to minimize the number of holes that get filled in with adhesive. For example, an improved noise reducing acoustic panel (30) (FIG. 3) constructed of a nonperforated inner skin (14), a perforated outer skin (16) having small holes (18), two sections (12, 12a) of honeycomb core material which are bonded or spliced together by a partially or fully encapsulated foaming adhesive (32e) which has been foamed and expanded, thereby forcing a supported film adhesive (34c) against the walls (24, 24a) of the honeycomb cells in the area of the gap (22) whereby the supported film adhesive (34c) bonds to the walls (24, 24a) of the honeycomb cells in the area of the gap (22). The nonperforated inner skin (14) has been adhesively bonded by a film adhesive to the honeycomb core sections (12, 12a).

Abstract: A syntactic structural foam product in flat sheet form or curved three-dimensional form adaptable to such uses as a light weight structural core for composite laminates, is made of a mixture of hollow ceramic microspheres and dry resin powder, of either thermosetting or a high-temperature thermoplastic resin, distributed in the interstices of the mass of microspheres for integration of the mixture into desired form upon heating and cooling. The dry resin powder in another embodiment of the invention includes unexpanded expandable powder which will expand into microballoons in the confined spaces in which they reside and effect a bonding relation with surrounding particles upon supply of heat to the mixture. The foam product is produced by thoroughly intermixing and depositing the mixture as a layer over a surface having a release agent thereover within a dimension defined region.

Abstract: A composite material comprised of a support (1) and a heat foamable material (8), with the heat foamable material (8) being contained into a room (7) defined by the support (1) so that when heat is applied, form expands out of the room (7). Additionally provided is an expanded seal (9) obtained by using a composite material as defined here before and to a process for the manufacture of such composite material. Other applications of the composite material such as structure reinforcement and vibration dampening, are further discussed.

Abstract: Recyclable paper stock comprising a substrate coated on at least one surface with a water based emulsion coating. The water based emulsion coating comprises 20-90 dry wt. % of an acrylic-styrene copolymer and 5-70 dry wt. % of a wax. In another embodiment a second water based emulsion coating comprised of an acrylic-styrene copolymer is coated on the substrate surface opposite the initial water based emulsion coating. The substrate may also be coated with a primer coat prior to the application of the water based emulsion coatings to seal the substrate surface. The invention also includes processes for making and using the invented acrylic coated paper stocks.

Abstract: The present invention advances the art of vibration damping material constructions known to date. In one aspect of the present invention, a vibration damping article comprises at least one layer of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). The vibration damping article of the present invention may also comprise at least one adhesive layer for mounting to an object of interest. The vibration damping article of the present invention may also comprise at least one constrained layer, such as a metal or polymer film layer, for example. The constrained layer may be adhered to the PTFE layer, with a layer of adhesive, or the constrained layer may be adhered with heat, pressure, ultrasonics or other laminating means, depending upon the constrained layer construction.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a high-strength porous film or sheet consisting essentially of a high-molecular-weight polyethylene resin having a viscosity-average molecular weight of not less than 300,000, wherein the said film has a thickness of 5 to 50 .mu.m, an air permeability of 200 to 1,000 sec/100 cc, a porosity of 10 to 50% and a pin puncture strength of not less than 600 gf/25 .mu.m, and a process for producing the said film.

Abstract: A moisture absorbent material comprises a porous matrix of absorbent alumina, the volume of the pores of the matrix being between 60 and 90%, preferably 80 to 85% of the volume of the material. The average diameter of the pores is between 5.times.10.sup.-9 and 1.times.10.sup.-6 m. The pores contain a crystalline deliquescent compound, preferably calcium chloride, in an amount of between 4 and 20%, preferably between 8 and 12%, by weight, excluding any water of crystallization, with respect to the total weight of the material. The absorbent may be incorporated in a shoe insole and absorbs up to 1.5 ml moisture per gram of dry material whilst generating heat, thereby maintaining the feet of the user both warm and dry.

Abstract: An integrally molded composite article comprised of (I) a nonfoam layer formed from a thermoplastic elastomer powder composition (A) and (II) a foam layer formed from a foamable composition comprised of (i)(B) a thermoplastic synthetic resin powder, and (C) a heat decomposable foaming agent or (ii)(B) a thermoplastic synthetic resin powder, (C) a heat decomposable foaming agent and (D) a liquid coating agent, wherein the thermoplastic elastomer powder (A) is comprised of a composition of an ethylene-.alpha.-olefin copolymer rubber and a polyolefin resin or a thermoplastic elastomer powder comprised of a partially cross-linked composition of an ethylene-.alpha.-olefin copolymer rubber and a polyolefin resin, the thermoplastic elastomer powder having a complex dynamic viscosity .eta.*(1) at 250.degree. C. and a frequency of 1 radian/sec of not more than 1.5.times.10.sup.5 poise and having a Newtonian viscosity index n, calculated by the following formula using the above-mentioned complex dynamic viscosity .eta.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for manufacturing sheets having a starch-bound matrix reinforced with fibers and optionally including an inorganic mineral filler. Suitable mixtures for forming the sheets are prepared by mixing together water, unmodified and ungelatinized starch granules, a cellulosic ether, fibers, and optionally an inorganic mineral filler in the correct proportions to form a sheet having desired properties. The mixtures are formed into sheets by passing them between one or more sets of heated rollers to form green sheets. The heated rollers cause the cellulosic ether to form a skin on the outer surfaces of the sheet that prevents the starch granules from causing the sheet to adhere to the rollers upon gelation of the starch. The green sheets are passed between heated rollers to gelatinize the starch granules, and then to dry the sheet by removing a substantial portion of the water by evaporation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel composite product which is composed of a fibrocrystalline heterogeneous structure consisting of:on the one hand a plurality of fibers of expanded specific surface area and of hydrophilic character, having a substantial quantity of microfibrils on their surface, andon the other hand crystals of precipitated calcium carbonate (PCC), organized essentially in clusters of granules, the majority of which trap the microfibrils and are joined directly thereto by mechanical bonding.

Abstract: Sealable liquid-tight containers and methods for economically manufacturing such containers for storing and dispensing substances and any other purposes for which conventional sealable liquid-tight containers are utilized. The containers are readily and economically formed from mixtures of hydraulically settable binders such as hydraulic cement, gypsum and clay with water. Appropriate additives can also be added to the mixture which impart desired characteristics and properties to both the mixture and the hardened containers. The mixtures can be utilized to form containers by various methods. One method involves forming the containers without substantial mixing of the mixture, compacting the mixture and hydrating the mixture. Other methods involve molding the mixture, extruding the mixture and forming sheets from the mixture to be converted into containers. The components may also be dried, coated, lined, laminated and/or receive printing.

Abstract: Compositions, methods, and apparatus for manufacturing sheets having a highly inorganically filled matrix. Suitable inorganically filled mixtures are prepared by mixing together an organic polymer binder, water, one or more aggregate materials, fibers, and optional admixtures in the correct proportions in order to form a sheet which has the desired performance criteria. The inorganically filled mixtures are formed into sheets by first extruding the mixtures and then passing the extruded materials between a set of rollers. The rolled sheets are dried in an accelerated manner to form a substantially hardened sheet, such as by heated rollers and/or a drying chamber. The inorganically filled sheets may have properties substantially similar to sheets presently made from traditional materials like paper, paperboard, polystyrene, plastic, or metal. Such sheets can be cut, rolled, pressed, scored, perforated, folded, and glued to fashion articles from the sheet.

Abstract: A porous-plastic bearing comprises a porous-plastic sliding bearing member which is formed by gathering a cluster of plastic particles each having a volume in the range of from about 0.004 mm.sup.3 to about 4 mm.sup.3 and sintering the cluster of plastic particles while setting its porosity at a selected value in the range of from about 10% to about 30%. Furthermore, the sliding bearing member comprises a plurality of plastic particles in any longitudinal or cross section. Pores formed within the sliding bearing member are impregnated with or filled with a lubricating agent.

Abstract: Compositions, methods, and systems for manufacturing articles, particularly containers and packaging materials, having a highly inorganically filled matrix. Suitable inorganically filled mixtures are prepared by mixing together an organic polymer binder, water, one or more aggregate materials, fibers, and optional admixtures in the correct proportions in order to form an article which has the desired performance criteria. The inorganically filled mixtures are molded to fashion a portion of the mixture into a form stable shape for the desired article. Once the article has obtained form stability, the article is removed from the mold and allowed to harden to gain strength. The articles may have properties substantially similar to articles presently made from traditional materials like paper, paperboard, polystyrene, plastic, or metal. They have especial utility in the mass production of containers, particularly food and beverage containers.

Abstract: Containers incorporating a hydraulically settable structural matrix including a hydraulically settable binder such as cement for use in the storing, dispensing, and/or packaging of food and beverage products are disclosed. The disposable and nondisposable food and beverage articles of manufacture have high tensile, compressive, and flexural strengths, and are lightweight, insulative (if desired), inexpensive, and more environmentally compatible than those currently used. These disposable containers and cups are particularly useful for dispensing hot and cold food and beverages in the fast food restaurant environment. The structural matrix of the food and beverage containers includes a hydraulic cement paste (formed from the reaction of water with, e.g., a portland-type cement) preferably in combination with a rheology-modifying plasticizer, such as methylhydroxyethylcellulose, various aggregate materials, and fibrous materials, which provide desired properties at a cost which is economical.

Abstract: Containers use in the storing, dispensing, packaging, and/or portioning of food and beverage products are disclosed. The disposable and nondisposable food and beverage containers are manufactured from aggregates held together by organic binders in order to be lightweight, insulative, inexpensive, and more environmentally compatible than those currently used for storing, dispensing, packaging, or portioning such products. The food and beverage containers of the present invention are particularly useful for dispensing hot and cold food and beverages in the fast food restaurant environment.