Abstract: A method of making a bird repellant structure includes the steps of punching into a continuous base strip a plurality of diagonal slots, cutting into the continuous base strip at least one finger extending from each of the diagonal slots such that a leading end of each finger is formed by a portion of the diagonal edge of each respective slot, and thereafter, punching a plurality of repellant arms into the continuous base strip. The repellant arms extend longitudinally from each diagonal slot such that a leading end of each repellant arm is formed by the diagonal edge of each diagonal slot and includes the fingers cut therein.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a vibration damped laminate articles having improved force (torque and/or pressure and/or stress) retention, a method of making one article type and novel tools used to make the one article type. The first laminate comprises at least one layer of damping material between at least two substrate layers. At least one deformation area is present in the laminate wherein the substrate(s) are plastically deformed such that they are closer than non-deformed areas of the substrate and wherein the damping material has less mass than in a non-deformed area of the article; the deformation areas providing the areas of good force retention, for an attachment device attached thereto. The second laminate, which is not deformed, contains an additive of sufficient modulus, diameter and loading, in a vibration damping layer to provide improved force retention.

Abstract: The invention relates to a composite cushioning system for protecting articles, packaged within a box, from damage while being transported in the box. The composite structure includes an expansion sheet of expanded slit sheet, in combination with a separator sheet. The expanded sheet has a slit pattern which produces open cells, preferably of a hexagonal configuration. The separator sheet precludes the nesting of legs and lands of the slit sheet with other slit sheet of the same slit pattern. A variety of combinations of separator sheets and expansion sheets can be used, such as a pair of expansion sheets with a separator sheet between the pair of expansion sheets, or two such pairs of expansion sheets, with or without a separator sheet between the pairs. The separator sheet can be unslit, or tear-perforated or slit to accommodate expansion. Where the separator sheet is slit, the slits preferably produce the same amount of expansion as produced in the expansion sheets.

Abstract: In the waterproof lightweight grain-tone decorative panel of the present invention, a waterproof grain-tone paint layer is formed on the surface of a lightweight board such as a plastic foaming board and the like. In the layer, a micro-hollow fine ceramic particle of a waterproof pressure strength of 600 kgf/cm.sup.2 or more and a crushed natural stone particle are bound with a synthetic resin waterproof binder.

Abstract: A process of decorating fabric includes the step of imparting wrinkles to the fabric oblique to the warp and weft directions and heat setting the wrinkles into the fabric. The wrinkle imparting step may include moving the fabric longitudinally and simultaneously moving portions of the fabric from side to side by frictionally engaging the fabric to an oscillating means such as an elastomeric pad or interleaved fingers and oscillating the pad or fingers from side to side. Heat setting of the fabric includes exposing the wrinkled fabric to heat at a sufficient temperature and for a sufficient duration to set the wrinkles in the fabric. Desirably, the wrinkled fabric is in contact with a transfer print paper while the fabric passes through the heat setting step to set the wrinkles and fix color on the fabric. The longitudinal movement is desirably coordinated with the side to side movement to obtain aesthetically pleasing results. The invention also includes apparatus and the product.

Abstract: A retro-reflective vision control panel which includes an opaque sheet material coated with retro-reflective light reflecting particles and a dark opaque color on the reverse side thereof, and an image formed over top the retro-reflective particles using colored light permeable translucent inks or films to form an image thereon. The opaque sheet and image have a plurality of perforations spaced thereover such that when the light level on the image side of said panel is slightly less than, equal to, or greater than that on the other side, an observer on the image side clearly sees the image while an observer on the other side sees through the panel without seeing any trace whatsoever of the image or design.

Abstract: A peelable roadway marking tape has a multi-layer structure which provides durability and ease of removal. The marking tape includes a top layer of pigmented vinyl paint with reflective glass beads incorporated therein applied to an intermediate backing layer of either aluminum or vinyl. The backing layer is then laminated to a polyester mesh reinforcement layer, and a pressure-sensitive adhesive hot melt is applied to the under side surface of the mesh for attachment to the roadway surface. In an alternate embodiment of the invention, a layer of high density polyethylene is laminated between the mesh layer and an aluminum backing layer.

Abstract: A method for forming sub-micron sized bumps on the bottom surface of a suspended microstructure or the top surface of the underlying layer in order to reduce contact area and sticking between the two layers without the need for sub-micron standard photolithography capabilities and the thus-formed microstructure. The process involves the deposition of latex spheres on the sacrificial layer which will later temporarily support the microstructure, shrinking the spheres, depositing aluminum over the spheres, dissolving the spheres to leave openings in the metal layer, etching the sacrificial layer through the openings, removing the remaining metal and depositing the microstructure material over the now textured top surface of the sacrificial layer.

Abstract: A porous polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) structure particularly for use as a liquid filter comprises particles of granular-type PTFE fused together to form a porous integral network. The structure is formed by spraying an aqueous suspension of granular PTFE particles and baking at a temperature of 335.degree.-350.degree. C. Typically the specific gravity is 0.8 to 1.54. The crystallinity is less than 95%. The structure may be supported on a perforate substrate such as stainless steel mesh.

Abstract: A topographical support member and a method of forming a topographical support member for use in producing nonwoven fabrics with raised portions, especially intaglio and slub type portions. The topographical support member comprises a body having a top surface including a first micro-sized topographical pattern and a pattern of apertures extending through the body. At least one macro-sized region recessed below the top surface is provided. The micro-sized pattern produces a background portion of the fabric and the macro-sized recessed regions produce the raised portions of the fabric. Multiple levels may be provided in the macro-sized region to produce multiple level raised portions.

Abstract: A welding sleeve includes a sleeve body having a recess for receiving a plug contact. The recess has sidewalls and a bottom wall. The bottom wall is provided with a projection which defines with the side walls of the recess a pair of slots. The plug contact includes an insertion part adapted to be received within the recess. The insertion part includes leg portions to be received in the slots of the recess and a slit between the legs adjacent the top surface of the projection. The slit receives a portion of the heating element which rests on the top surface of the projection. The width (b) of the slit is less than the diameter (d) of the heating element so as to insure good electrical contact.

Abstract: A bilayer laminated material has a gas permeability increasing greatly with temperature, achieved by cutting a star-shaped hole in it when it is relaxed and flat. On warming, the leaves between the radial cuts curl and disproportionately increase the hole size. Such a material, if flat at 5.degree. C. and wide open at 20.degree. C., is useful for packaging vegetable produce.

Abstract: A self-supporting layer of flexible etchable metal having a thickness of about 1 micron has a plurality of apertures formed therethrough and has a layer of etchant resistant material on each face of the metal layer in a pattern completely overlying the metal layer and the periphery of the plurality of apertures.

Abstract: A metal-reinforced, molded-plastic composite structure having an end use such as an automobile bumper, the reinforcement being constituted by a sheet of ductile metal having an array of holes punched therein, each bordered by a metal projection. In forming the composite structure, the metal sheet is supported within the cavity of a mold whose shape is appropriate to the end use. Molten plastic injected into the mold is caused to flow through the holes and to envelop the projections therefrom whereby when the plastic solidifies, the metal sheet is then fully integrated with the resultant plastic body and serves to enhance the resistance of the body to impact and other forces which in the absence of the reinforcing sheet would fracture the body.

Abstract: A reflector used in a surface light source comprising a white polyester film in which fine voids are formed and whose apparent specific gravity is in the range of 0.5 to 1.2. The reflectance of the polyester film can be increased by the fine voids. When the reflector having a high reflectance is used in a surface light source having a side light system, a bright scope of, for example, a liquid crystal display easy to see can be obtained.

Abstract: A nonwoven fabric of entangled fibers defining a predetermined pattern of openings with the fabric having excellent draping characteristics.

Abstract: An insulating batt having two sheets of heat reflective insulating material and connecting means between and connecting sheets together in an overlapping substantially parallel relationship. The connecting means includes a plurality of bracing strips extending between and connected to each of sheets. The bracing strips enable the batt to be adjusted between a collapsed position in which the sheets are closely adjacent, and an operative position in which sheets are mutually spaced. Each bracing strip has two substantially parallel longitudinal fold lines that a bracing web is defined between lines and a respective side margin extends from the web beyond each line. The respective margin of each bracing strip is secured to each of sheets such that the bracing strip web is substantially normal to and defines the spacing between the sheets when batt is in its operative position and such that, moving the batt to its collapsed position, the webs are substantially parallel to sheets.

Abstract: A article with interior interrupted threads and a mold apparatus for manufacturing the same is provided. The molded article includes an aperture positioned completely therethrough as defined by an inner wall. The inner aperture wall carries a series of thread segments positioned about the periphery of the inner wall to form an interrupted helical thread line. The thread segments create a female threaded aperture through the molded article for receipt of a male threaded member therein. The mold apparatus includes an upper half and a lower half. The upper half carries a cylindrical wall which is notched with its upper edge being beveled outwardly. The bottom half also carries a cylindrical wall which is notched as well as beveled outwardly.

Abstract: A filling material for use in filling hollow spaces in packaging or the like comprising one or more pieces of flexible paper material. The paper material has a plurality of individual slits formed in parallel spaced rows extending transversely from one end of the paper material to the opposing end of the paper material. The slits in adjacent alternate rows are positioned adjacent the interval space between adjacent slits in the adjacent parallel row of slits. The flexible paper material is expandable by extending the opposing ends of the paper material which are parallel to the rows of slits whereby the slits form an array of openings, each opening being generally hexagonal in shape and of the same size. The length and width of the flexible filling paper material can be varied. The construction of the flexible paper filling material provides it to be easily stored in the non-expandable position and easily expanded for use in filling hollow spaces in packaging.

Abstract: A predrawn net particularly for geotechnical use including an initial component that forms a first and a second layers that are respectively constituted by a first set of mutually substantially parallel filaments and by a second set of mutually substantially parallel filaments that lie transversely with respect to the filaments of the first set, so as to form a plurality of mutual joints. The filaments of the two sets mutually interpenetrate in the joints over a thickness that is less than 50% of one of the layers. The initial component is more than 8 mm thick. The filaments of at least one of the sets are drawn in the direction defined by the respective set of filaments so that the stretching action passes through the joints without substantially affecting the filaments of the other one of the sets.