Abstract: A hydro-enlarged apertured non-woven web includes a plurality of fibers with a plurality of bond points, a first surface defining a planar top, and a second surface defining a planar bottom. The second surface is separated from the first surface by a first distance defining a loft. A plurality of apertures extending through the non-woven web. The plurality of apertures is formed by spraying a fluid against an unapertured precursor web, causing a plurality of pins disposed on a pinned roller to punch through the unapertured precursor web. The unapertured precursor web has a third surface defining a planar top and a fourth surface defining a planar bottom, where the third surface is separated from the fourth surface by a second distance defining a precursor loft. The loft is greater than the precursor loft by a loft increase within a range of 50-110%.

Abstract: A hydroformed expanded spun bonded nonwoven has a first substantially planar surface on one side thereof and a second surface on an opposite side thereof. The second surface includes a plurality of protuberances in a pattern. The hydroformed expanded spun bonded nonwoven web has an average loft of at least about 1.3 times greater than an original average loft of an original unexpanded spun bonded nonwoven web from which the hydroformed expanded spun bonded nonwoven web was created and an air permeability of at least about 1.2 times greater than an original air permeability of the original unexpanded spun bonded nonwoven web. The hydroformed expanded spun bonded nonwoven web includes bicomponent fibers combining a polymer with PLA in a ratio of polymer/PLA within a range of about 20/80 to 80/20.

Abstract: A polymeric film is provided, the film comprising one or more land portions that are substantially coplanar in a base plane and a plurality of distended portions separated from one another by the one or more land portions. The distended portions bow distally outward from the base plane. The polymeric film further comprises a plurality of annular micro-protrusions extending outward from the distal film surface, each protrusion having an apex. A portion of the plurality of annular micro-protrusions extends from each of the one or more land portions of the polymeric film and from each of the distended portions of the polymeric film.

Abstract: Search and rescue (SAR) systems utilizing Earth-orbiting satellites are provided. In one implementation, a SAR system comprises a plurality of reference beacons, each having a known geographical location, and a ground-based station. The ground-based station includes one or more antennas for communicating with the reference beacons via a plurality of Earth orbiting satellites. The ground-based station is configured to receive reference signals from each of the reference beacons and calculate estimates of the locations of the reference beacons from the received reference signals. Also, the ground-based station is configured to calculate system calibration factors based on the location estimates and known geographical locations of the reference beacons. The ground-based station is further configured to receive distress signals from at least one distress beacon via the Earth-orbiting satellites and calibrate the distress signals based on the system calibration factors.

Abstract: An apparatus for manufacturing a formed film includes a first forming station configured to receive a polymer web and a second forming station configured to receive the polymer web from the first forming station after the polymer web has been apertured. The first forming station has a first forming structure with a plurality of first openings configured to form a plurality of apertures in the polymer web. The second forming station includes a second forming structure with a plurality of second openings and an overlying pattern configured to form raised areas in the polymer web to create a three-dimensional formed film.

Abstract: A formed film includes a first surface generally located in a first plane, a second surface generally located in a second plane parallel to and spaced from the first plane, and a third surface generally located in a third plane parallel to and spaced from the first plane and the second plane, in between the first plane and the second plane. A porous structure extends between the second surface and the third surface. A plurality of raised areas have sidewalls that extend between the first surface and the third surface, and top portions that define the first surface. The plurality of sidewalls, the porous structure, and the first plane define a plurality of gathering volumes.

Abstract: A method for hydroforming a spun bonded nonwoven web includes applying a plurality of pressurized liquid jets onto an original unexpanded spun bonded nonwoven web having an original loft while the web passes over a forming structure. A plurality of spun bonded fibers in the original unexpanded spun bonded nonwoven web are reoriented from a closely packed substantially horizontal orientation to a more loosely packed orientation with greater vertical spacing between the fibers to produce a hydroformed expanded spun bonded nonwoven web having a loft of at least about 1.3 times greater than the original loft of the original unexpanded spun bonded nonwoven web, and an air permeability of at least about 1.2 times greater than an original air permeability of the original unexpanded spun bonded nonwoven web. The hydroformed expanded spun bonded nonwoven web has a surface with a plurality of protuberances in a pattern corresponding to the pattern of apertures in the forming structure.

Abstract: A method for hydroforming a composite precursor material includes forming a composite precursor material comprising an original spun bonded nonwoven web and a polymer film layer. The method also includes applying a plurality of pressurized liquid jets onto an outer surface of the original spun bonded nonwoven web while the composite precursor material passes over a forming structure to push and reorient a plurality of spun bonded fibers from a closely packed substantially horizontal orientation to a more loosely packed orientation with greater vertical spacing between the fibers to produce a hydroformed composite material comprising an expanded spun bonded nonwoven layer having a loft of at least about 1.3 times greater than the original loft of the original spun bonded nonwoven web, and an air permeability of at least about 1.2 times greater than an original air permeability of the original unexpanded spun bonded nonwoven web.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a composite material includes forming a composite precursor material comprising a nonwoven layer comprising a plurality of fibers and a polymer film layer laminated to the nonwoven layer; forming a plurality of apertured extended cells in the polymer film layer, each of the apertured extended cells having a continuous sidewall extending away from the nonwoven layer that terminates in an aperture at a distal end; and, while forming the plurality of apertured extended cells, pushing, with a fluid, at least one of the fibers into at least one of the apertured extended cells so that a portion of the at least one of the fibers extends into the at least one of the apertured extended cells and through the aperture at the distal end.

Abstract: A composite material includes a nonwoven layer having a plurality of fibers and a polymer film layer with a plurality of extended cells. Each of the extended cells are contemplated to include continuous sidewalls extending away from the nonwoven layer. At least one of the fibers extends into one or more of the extended cells.

Abstract: A method for hydroforming a spun bonded nonwoven web includes applying a plurality of pressurized liquid jets onto an original unexpanded spun bonded nonwoven web having an original loft while the web passes over a forming structure. A plurality of spun bonded fibers in the original unexpanded spun bonded nonwoven web are reoriented from a closely packed substantially horizontal orientation to a more loosely packed orientation with greater vertical spacing between the fibers to produce a hydroformed expanded spun bonded nonwoven web having a loft of at least about 1.3 times greater than the original loft of the original unexpanded spun bonded nonwoven web, and an air permeability of at least about 1.2 times greater than an original air permeability of the original unexpanded spun bonded nonwoven web. The hydroformed expanded spun bonded nonwoven web has a surface with a plurality of protuberances in a pattern corresponding to the pattern of apertures in the forming structure.

Abstract: A method for hydroforming a composite precursor material includes forming a composite precursor material comprising an original spun bonded nonwoven web and a polymer film layer. The method also includes applying a plurality of pressurized liquid jets onto an outer surface of the original spun bonded nonwoven web while the composite precursor material passes over a forming structure to push and reorient a plurality of spun bonded fibers from a closely packed substantially horizontal orientation to a more loosely packed orientation with greater vertical spacing between the fibers to produce a hydroformed composite material comprising an expanded spun bonded nonwoven layer having a loft of at least about 1.3 times greater than the original loft of the original spun bonded nonwoven web, and an air permeability of at least about 1.2 times greater than an original air permeability of the original unexpanded spun bonded nonwoven web.

Abstract: A hydroformed expanded spun bonded nonwoven web has a first substantially planar surface on one side thereof and a second surface on an opposite side thereof. The second surface includes a plurality of protuberances in a pattern. The hydroformed expanded spun bonded web has an average loft of at least about 1.3 times greater than an original average loft of an original unexpanded spun bonded nonwoven web from which the hydroformed expanded spun bonded nonwoven web was created, and an air permeability of at least about 1.2 times greater than an original air permeability of the original unexpanded spun bonded nonwoven web.

Abstract: A composite material includes a nonwoven layer having a plurality of fibers and a polymer film layer with a plurality of extended cells. Each of the extended cells are contemplated to include continuous sidewalls extending away from the nonwoven layer. At least one of the fibers extends into one or more of the extended cells.

Abstract: A hydroformed expanded spun bonded nonwoven web has a first substantially planar surface on one side thereof and a second surface on an opposite side thereof. The second surface includes a plurality of protuberances in a pattern. The hydroformed expanded spun bonded web has an average loft of at least about 1.3 times greater than an original average loft of an original unexpanded spun bonded nonwoven web from which the hydroformed expanded spun bonded nonwoven web was created, and an air permeability of at least about 1.2 times greater than an original air permeability of the original unexpanded spun bonded nonwoven web.

Abstract: A formed film includes a first surface generally located in a first plane, a second surface generally located in a second plane parallel to and spaced from the first plane, and a third surface generally located in a third plane parallel to and spaced from the first plane and the second plane, in between the first plane and the second plane. A porous structure extends between the second surface and the third surface. A plurality of raised areas have sidewalls that extend between the first surface and the third surface, and top portions that define the first surface. The plurality of sidewalls, the porous structure, and the first plane define a plurality of gathering volumes.

Abstract: A hydroformed composite material includes an expanded spun bonded nonwoven layer having a loft of at least about 1.3 times greater than an original loft of an original unexpanded spun bonded nonwoven web from which the expanded spun bonded nonwoven layer was created, and an air permeability of at least about 1.2 times greater than an original air permeability of the original unexpanded spun bonded nonwoven web. The hydroformed composite material includes a formed film layer that includes a plurality of extended cells containing continuous fibers and/or fibrils of the expanded spun bonded nonwoven layer.

Abstract: A polymeric film is provided, the film comprising one or more land portions that are substantially coplanar in a base plane and a plurality of distended portions separated from one another by the one or more land portions. The distended portions bow distally outward from the base plane. The polymeric film further comprises a plurality of annular micro-protrusions extending outward from the distal film surface, each protrusion having an apex. A portion of the plurality of annular micro-protrusions extends from each of the one or more land portions of the polymeric film and from each of the distended portions of the polymeric film.

Abstract: Search and rescue (SAR) systems utilizing Earth-orbiting satellites are provided. In one implementation, a SAR system comprises a plurality of reference beacons, each having a known geographical location, and a ground-based station. The ground-based station includes one or more antennas for communicating with the reference beacons via a plurality of Earth orbiting satellites. The ground-based station is configured to receive reference signals from each of the reference beacons and calculate estimates of the locations of the reference beacons from the received reference signals. Also, the ground-based station is configured to calculate system calibration factors based on the location estimates and known geographical locations of the reference beacons. The ground-based station is further configured to receive distress signals from at least one distress beacon via the Earth-orbiting satellites and calibrate the distress signals based on the system calibration factors.

Abstract: A removable backrest assembly for a motorcycle with a rear fender includes a bracket disposed on each side of the rear fender and a backrest connected to the bracket at a top end thereof. The backrest has a shape of a spoiler. The backrest has a front side formed with a back pad and a rear side optionally formed with a brake light or turn signals. The assembly may also optionally include a removable seat for passenger.