Abstract: A transparent pressure sensing film is provided having a matrix polymer; and, a plurality of hybrid particles; wherein the plurality of hybrid particles are disposed in the matrix polymer; wherein each hybrid particle in the plurality of hybrid particles, comprises a plurality of primary particles bonded together with an inorganic binder; wherein an electrical resistivity of the transparent pressure sensing film is variable in response to an applied pressure having a z-component directed along the thickness of the transparent pressure sensing film such that the electrical resistivity is reduced in response to the z-component of the applied pressure.

Abstract: A transparent pressure sensing film composition is provided having a matrix polymer; and, a plurality of conductive particles; wherein the matrix polymer comprises 25 to 100 wt % of an alkyl cellulose; and, wherein an electrical resistivity of the transparent pressure sensing film is variable in response to an applied pressure having a z-component directed along the thickness of the transparent pressure sensing film such that the electrical resistivity is reduced in response to the z-component of the applied pressure.

Abstract: A composite transparent pressure sensing film is provided having a matrix polymer wherein the matrix polymer is a combination of 25 to 75 wt % of an alkyl cellulose and 75 to 25 wt % of a polysiloxane; and, a plurality of hybrid particles, wherein each hybrid particle in the plurality of hybrid particles, comprises a plurality of primary particles bonded together with an inorganic binder; wherein the plurality of hybrid particles are disposed in the matrix polymer; wherein an electrical resistivity of the composite transparent pressure sensing film is variable in response to an applied pressure having a z-component directed along the thickness of the composite transparent pressure sensing film such that the electrical resistivity is reduced in response to the z-component of the applied pressure.

Abstract: The invention is directed at new process and systems for preparing composite materials that include a polymer phase and a fiber phase.

Abstract: The invention is directed at new process and systems for preparing composite materials that include a polymer phase and a fiber phase.

Abstract: The invention is directed at new process and systems for preparing composite materials that include a polymer phase and a fiber phase.

Abstract: The invention is directed at new process and systems for preparing composite materials that include a polymer phase and a fiber phase.

Abstract: The present invention is premised upon a photovoltaic assembly system for securing and/or aligning at least a plurality of vertically adjacent (overlapping) photovoltaic device assemblies to one another. The securing function being accomplished by a clip member that may be a separate component or integral to one or more of the photovoltaic device assemblies.

Abstract: The present invention is premised upon a photovoltaic assembly system for securing and/or aligning at least a plurality of vertically adjacent photovoltaic device assemblies to one another. The securing function being accomplished by a clip member that may be a separate component or integral to one or more of the photovoltaic device assemblies.

Abstract: The present invention thus provides a plastic part with a surface area of a semi-rigid sheet material such as metal, wood or wood-based paper product and a novel process where the sheet material edges are covered with a second plastic component that adheres both to the sheet material and to the first plastic material. A first plastic substrate component is prepared with an adhered sheet material surface area and then the edges of the sheet material are overlapped by a second molded-on, plastic edge-covering component. A preferred sheet material laminate structure is also provided with a backing layer that protects an interior adhesive layer. The second molded-on edge-covering component covers the sheet material edge to provide an aesthetically pleasing surface. This construction produces a more durable sheet material edge covering and eliminates the tendency of the sheet material to peel off the molded part during use.

Abstract: The present invention provides a laminate structure. The laminate structure includes a peripheral edge, an internal edge or both. Trim can be provided at the edges.

Abstract: The present invention provides a fabric-laminated plastic part comprising of a surface fabric laminated to a plastic substrate. The part typically includes one or more edges having a portion of the fabric being flush with a portion of the substrate at those edges. The invention also provides a novel process of forming a part with the one or more flush edges.

Abstract: The present invention thus provides a fabric-laminated plastic part and a novel process where the fabric edges are covered with a second plastic component that adheres both to the fabric and to the first plastic material. A first plastic substrate component is prepared with an adhered fabric surface area and then the edges of the fabric are overlapped by a second molded-on, plastic edge-covering component. The second material covers the fabric edge to provide an aesthetically pleasing surface. This construction produces a more durable fabric edge covering and eliminates the tendency of the fabric to peel off the molded part during use.

Abstract: Disclosed is an electrically conductive thermoplastic polymer composition comprising a thermoplastic polymer, an impact modifier and a combination of metal fibers and metal-coated fibers, structures made therefrom, and a process to make said compositions and structures.

Abstract: The present invention thus provides a plastic part with a surface area of a semi-rigid sheet material such as metal, wood or wood-based paper product and a novel process where the sheet material edges are covered with a second plastic component that adheres both to the sheet material and to the first plastic material. A first plastic substrate component is prepared with an adhered sheet material surface area and then the edges of the sheet material are overlapped by a second molded-on, plastic edge-covering component. A preferred sheet material laminate structure is also provided with a backing layer that protects an interior adhesive layer. The second molded-on edge-covering component covers the sheet material edge to provide an aesthetically pleasing surface. This construction produces a more durable sheet material edge covering and eliminates the tendency of the sheet material to peel off the molded part during use.

Abstract: A protective enclosure is disclosed that provides protection and energy management for a sensitive or fragile part or device that can be enclosed. The enclosure comprises one or more rigid structural components and one or more soft touch surface components from which one or more ribs originate and pass through the rigid structural component(s) to provide the energy management for the part or device when it is enclosed. The soft touch surface and rib material can be a low modulus, plastic material such as a thermoplastic elastomer and can optionally be foamed to provide further softness for the soft touch surface effect and/or for the energy management needs in the pass through ribs. Thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) is a particularly suitable thermoplastic. It has also been found that the protective enclosure can be designed to utilize the soft touch component to provide a substantially continuous liquid and dust resistant seal for any moveable or removable structural components.

Abstract: The present invention thus provides a fabric-laminated plastic part and a novel process where the fabric edges are covered with a second plastic component that adheres both to the fabric and to the first plastic material. A first plastic substrate component is prepared with an adhered fabric surface area and then the edges of the fabric are overlapped by a second molded-on, plastic edge-covering component. The second material covers the fabric edge to provide an aesthetically pleasing surface. This construction produces a more durable fabric edge covering and eliminates the tendency of the fabric to peel off the molded part during use.

Abstract: The present invention thus provides a fabric-laminated plastic part and a novel process where the fabric that provides the surface is pre-laminated with a support layer and supplied into a molding process where a plastic substrate component is molded. The fabric surface piece is precisely located and securely bonded by selection of a support layer plastic material having sufficient heat resistance and/or thickness to sufficiently resist melt softening and stretching during the molding process. This process and fabric laminated plastic article are especially suited for preparing thin-wall, articles that need to have precisely located, smooth fabric surface areas corresponding to discontinuities, voids or openings in the underlying molded plastic article.

Abstract: Disclosed is an electrically conductive thermoplastic polymer composition comprising a thermoplastic polymer, an impact modifier and a combination of metal fibers and metal-coated fibers, structures made therefrom, and a process to make said compositions and structures.

Abstract: Thermolaminate a thermally binding overlay onto an inherently non-porous substrate containing vacuum access means using a vacuum assisted process to prepare a thermolaminated inherently non-porous substrate.