Abstract: A gypsum board which comprises a set gypsum core sandwiched between and faced with fibrous mats, wherein a free surface of one of said mats is pre-coated with a combination of a mineral pigment, optionally an inorganic adhesive binder and an organic binder, preferably a hydrophobic, UV resistant polymer latex adhesive binder applied to said surface as an aqueous coating composition, said aqueous coating composition upon drying and setting providing a pre-coated mat satisfying certain morphology requirements.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to compounds from which nanofibers can be produced, the resulting nanofibers produced from the compounds, and nanofiber reinforced polymers prepared using the nanofibers and a polymer. The compounds used in forming the nanofibers include chemical linkage moieties that are capable of forming non-covalent bonds with portions of the polymer so as to form the nanofiber reinforced polymers. The nanofiber reinforced polymers are useful as biomaterials in medical devices.

Abstract: A heatproof cloth forms multiple layers of laminated fabrics for resisting the high-temperature, comprising a high-temperature shielding fiber fabric which shields external heat, a first carbon felt fabric which distributes the heat transmitted through the high-temperature shielding fiber fabric, an aluminum vapor-deposited fabric which shields the heat distributed by the first carbon felt fabric, a second carbon felt fabric which distributes the heat transmitted through the aluminum vapor-deposited fabric, an aluminum vapor-deposited heat-resistant fabric which shields and distributes the heat distributed by the second carbon felt fabric, an aramid felt fabric which distributes the heat transmitted through the aluminum vapor-deposited heat-resistant fabric, and aramid fabric which shields the heat distributed by aramid felt fabric. Since heat is shielded and distributed repeatedly through three steps, the transmission of external heat is effectively prevented.

Abstract: The present invention includes a contact medium for use in an evaporative cooler, comprising a corrugated fibrous sheet material comprising at least a top layer and a bottom layer in contact at one or more regions to form at least two channels between the top layer and the bottom layer for air and fluid flow; and a water insoluble thermoplastic compound that impregnates the corrugated fibrous sheet material. The water insoluble thermoplastic compound may have between 1-35 weight percent PVC; 1-20 weight percent PAN; 1-60 weight percent PMA; 1-20 weight percent PAI; and 2-25 weight percent PBA. For example, the composition may have about 2 weight percent PVC; 18 weight percent PAN; 45 weight percent PMA; 15 weight percent PAI; and 20 weight percent PBA.

Abstract: A system and method for monitoring a physiological parameter includes a garment that includes a fabric that exhibits both a light transmission property and a light reflection property. The amount of light transmitted through the fabric relative to the amount of light reflected by the fabric changes when the fabric stretches in response to motion, such as the motion induced by physiological activity (e.g., heart rate). The system includes at least one source of radiation having wavelength(s) in the range of 400 to 2200 nanometers and at least one detector responsive to such incident radiation. The source and detector are associated with the fabric such that the reception of incident radiation by the detector is directly affected by a change in the amount of light transmitted through the fabric relative to the amount of light reflected by the fabric when the fabric stretches.

Abstract: Porous fibrous sheets are provided that are useful in end uses requiring microbial barrier properties such as medical packaging and medical gowns and drapes. The porous fibrous sheets may contain nanofibers and wood pulp.

Abstract: A hydroengorged spunmelt nonwoven formed of thermoplastic continuous fibers and a pattern of fusion bonds. The nonwoven has either a percentage bond area of less than 10 percent, or a percentage bond area of at least 10% wherein the pattern of fusion bonds is anisotropic.

Abstract: Per TITLE OF INVENTION, there is disclosed methods, apparatus and kits for attaching artificial flowers (particularly flowers formed with means such a passage to frictionally receive an artificial stem in assembly of an artificial flower plant) to a non-blooming live vegetation stem or branch that is not frictionally receivable in the flower passage, whereby a substitute stem that is frictionally receivable in the flower passage may be custom-formed from various commercially-available wire-like elements to provide (a) single or double free-end twist tie means for attachment of such single flowers to such live stems or branches or (b) means for attaching a plurality of such flowers to a non-blooming live bush in the manner of a string of Christmas tree lights.

Abstract: Herein is disclosed a bonded mat comprising a coil web that is bonded to a backing. The coil web comprises continuous coiled fibers, at least some of which contain expanded polymeric microspheres. The backing comprises a porous material. Methods of making the coil web and the backing, and methods of bonding the coil web and the backing, are disclosed.

Abstract: A liquid containing a hydrophilic polymer is applied by spreading or impregnation to a porous sheet comprising paper or a nonwoven fabric containing not less than 30% by weight and not more than 100% by weight of hydrophilic fiber to provide a hydrophilic polymer-processed sheet of which the surface and/or the interior of the porous sheet is filled with the hydrophilic polymer, which is made insoluble to water. This sheet is used as a sheet for a total heat exchanger which has higher conductivity of sensible heat and latent heat than conventional sheet for a total heat exchanger that uses a moisture permeable membrane.

Abstract: The Shelf Life Extending Container for fruits and vegetables extends the shelf life of various fresh fruits and vegetables and vase life of fresh cut flowers by changing the atmosphere in which these living products are stored and respires. The Shelf Life Extending Container does this by utilizing a Gas Permeable Non-Woven Fabric Based Film. The high oxygen and carbon dioxide permeability of the Gas Permeable Non-Woven Fabric Based Film establishes an ideal atmosphere for the multiple perishable items stored within the Shelf life Extending Container, and therefore extends their shelf life. The establishment of lower oxygen and carbon dioxide atmospheres within the Shelf Life Extending Container using the Gas Permeable Non-Woven Fabric Based Film, also leads to a reduction in the respiration rate of the perishable items stored.

Abstract: A method of imparting soil resistance to a substrate comprising applying to the substrate a composition comprising a) a polyfluoro organic compound having at least one urethane or urea, b) 1,3-propanediol, and c) a surfactant, the soil resist composition having freeze thaw stability.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of making a laminated nonwoven fabric wherein the nonwoven fabric is a laminated one formed by integrating, through compressive bonding, a stacked nonwoven fabric structure comprising an upper and a lower thermoplastic synthetic filamentary fiber layer that have a fiber diameter from 7 pm or more to 20 pm, and an intermediate layer composed of thermoplastic synthetic fine fibers that have a fiber diameter of 5 pm or less, the laminated nonwoven fabric having an intimately mixed structure in which a portion of the fine fibers is intruded into at least one face side of the filamentary fiber layers with an intrusion index of 0.36 or more to bond, surround or interlace the filamentary fibers, a basis of weight of from 10 g or more to 250 g/m2, and a bulk density of 0.20 g/cm3 or more.

Abstract: A pipe insulating section includes a generally cylindrical hollow phenolic foam body of substantially uniform cross section with an inner facing web and an outer facing web. The phenolic foam body is slit longitudinally to provide section halves which can be opened to facilitate wrapping around a pipe to insulate the pipe. The section halves are linked by the outer web at one side and facing ends of the section halves at the other end are faced with the inner facing web. The inner web may be of paper and the other web may be of an aluminum foil. An apparatus used in manufacturing the elongate shaped phenolic section includes an outer mold for forming the outer facing into a cylindrical shape and an inner mandrel for forming the inner facing into a cylindrical shape, which is of smaller diameter than that of the cylinder defined by the outer facing. The facings define a hollow core therebetween into which liquid foam reactants are injected through an injector.

Abstract: The present invention relates to membranes and to a process for making them. The membranes according to the invention comprise a sheetlike flexible substrate having a multiplicity of openings and having a coating on and in said substrate, the material of said substrate being selected from nonwovens of polymeric fibers, said nonwovens having a porosity of more than 50% and said coating being a porous ceramic coating, said substrate preferably being from 10 to 200 ?m in thickness. Such membranes provide a distinctly higher flux than conventional membranes. The membranes are useful as separators for batteries or as a microfiltration membrane.

Abstract: A protective drainage wrap includes a mesh and a coating applied to the mesh. The coating is applied to the mesh to form a plurality of interstices, the interstices being configured to facilitate transfer of water vapor therethrough. The mesh includes material extending in a first direction and in a second direction. The material in the first direction includes a polyolefin, polyester, nylon or combinations thereof and has a first thickness. The material in the second direction includes a polyolefin, polyester, nylon or combinations thereof and has a second thickness. The second thickness is at least about twice the first thickness so as to assist in providing drainage for moisture build-up. The material in the second direction can be yarn. The coating includes a polyolefin, polyester, nylon or combinations thereof. A process for the preparation of the protective drainage wrap is provided.

Abstract: The compositions, articles and methods described herein remain intact for sealing between and around structures that contact salt water. The compositions include: (i) a partially cross-linked polyacrylamide/partially neutralized polyacrylic acid copolymer; (ii) a smectite clay; (iii) an elastomer, e.g., butyl rubber; (iv) a polyolefin polymer or copolymer; and (v) a cationic flocculant, the compositions have exceptional and unexpected free swell and cohesiveness when in contact with high conductivity water or multivalent ion-containing-contaminated water. The articles of manufacture described herein all include a combination of (i) a partially cross-linked acrylamide/acrylate/acrylic acid copolymer; (ii) a smectite clay; (iii) an elastomer, e.g.

Abstract: A nonwoven web made from a polymeric fiber blend comprising at least one elastomeric polyolefin and at least one nonelastomeric polyolefin useful as the elastic base sheet for a nonwoven laminate is disclosed. Preferably, the polymeric blend will comprise a nonelastomeric resin in the range of from about 10 to about 90 percent by weight, and an elastomeric resin of from about 90 to about 10 percent by weight. The elastomeric polyolefin will have a density of less than about 0.885 g/cm3 and the nonelastomeric polyolefin will have a density of at least about 0.890 g/cm3. In one particular embodiment, the polymeric blend may comprise about 50 percent to about 90 percent by weight of a narrow molecular weight distribution polyethylene and about 50 percent to about 10 percent by weight of a nonelastomeric polyolefin such as a linear low density polyethylene.

Abstract: A reflective insulation system. The reflective insulation system includes a reflective layer such as aluminum, a layer of fiberglass, and a layer of vapor retarding material. A first side of the layer of fiberglass is bonded to the reflective layer by a deposit of hot melt glue. The second side of the layer of fiberglass is bonded to the layer of vapor retarding material by a second deposit of hot melt glue. The vapor retarding layer may be a plastic material, such as polypropylene or a reflective material, such as aluminum. In an alternate construction, the reflective layer has a transverse dimension that is narrower than the vapor retarding material such that edge portions of the reflective layer are spaced inwardly with respect to edges of said vapor retarder material. A strip of adhesive tape, preferably foil tape, overlies and secures edge portions of the reflective and vapor retarder layers.

Abstract: A non-asphaltic roofing underlayment that is breathable, water resistant and skid-resistant is disclosed. The non-asphaltic roofing underlayment includes a woven or non-woven substrate in which at least one surface thereof includes a breathable thermoplastic film disposed thereon. The breathable thermoplastic film imparts water-resistant to the substrate as well as maintains the breathability of the substrate.