Abstract: A method of manufacturing a multi-strength honeycomb core and a multi-strength honeycomb stricture produced form the multi-strength honeycomb core. The method includes the steps of (a) stacking first layers of a first thickness with adhesive at a first adhesive spacing to produce a first honeycomb core having a first density and (b) stacking second layers of a second thickness with adhesive at a second adhesive spacing onto the first honeycomb core to produce a second honeycomb core having a second density stacked on top of the first honeycomb core. The method may also include the step of (c) stacking third layers of a third thickness with adhesive at a third adhesive spacing onto one of the first and second honeycomb cores to produce a third honeycomb core having a third density stacked on top of one of the first and second honeycomb cores.

Abstract: A process for bending a thermoplastic skinned honeycomb core panel includes clamping a planar portion of the panel between upper and lower platens to hold the panel against movement parallel to the plane of the planar portion. A linear band of a face sheet on one side of the panel is heated with a heater bar to soften resin in the face sheet and disbond adhesive holding the face sheet to the honeycomb core. The heater bar is lifted away from the face sheet, forming the linear band into a bubble separated away from the honeycomb core. A distal leg of the panel, outboard of the clamped portion, is bent around a heated anvil along an axis parallel to the linear band to form a bend having an inside radius, with the bubble coinciding with the inside radius. The bubble collapses around the inside radius and forms an overlapping flap of face sheet material.

Abstract: A composite window shade is constructed of short lengths of cellular fabric that may be from the same dye lot or that may be of different colors or textures to achieve desired decorative or functional results by trimming the lengths to have attachment strip surfaces and bonding of the surfaces using a glue applicator machine through which each length of cellular fabric to be attached is passed to place beads of hot melt glue and then pressing the attachment strip surface of the length of fabric to be attached to the attachment strip surface of the length of fabric to which attachment is to be made and maintaining pressure thereon until bonding occurs.

Abstract: A method for forming a durable spliced sheet by splicing a plurality of components. Each component has a splicing edge and a core. The method comprises the steps of applying an adhesive, including graphite or fiberglass fibers, to the splicing edge of each of the components, aligning the splicing edge of each of the components with a respective contiguous counterpart, such that nodes of the core of each of the components match nodes on the contiguous counterpart, fastening the nodes of each of the components to the nodes of the aligned contiguous counterpart component, applying a uniform compressive pressure along the splicing edge, and heating the plurality of components to cure the adhesive and form the durable spliced sheet.

Abstract: A process for the manufacture of honeycomb core structure is disclosed, which substantially comprises the step (a) of of feeding a starting continuous web or sheet of material; the step (b) of applying an adhesive to the sheet material along a plurality of spaced parallel bands; the step (c) of drying the sheet; the step (d) of forming a plurality of slits extending longitudinally of the sheet and interconnected by a transversely extending slit-devoid web portion; the step (e) of cutting the slitted sheet to a predetermined dimension across the slit-devoid web portion; the step (f) of piling a plurality of layers of the thus cut sheets upon one another in a stack with the adhesive bands on one of the adjacent sheets positioned out of registry with those on the other by half of a pitch between the consecutive bands on each sheet; the step (g) of compressively curing the stacked sheets; the step (h) of slicing the cured stack into individual elongated strips; and the step (i) of expanding the strips in a direct

Abstract: In a process and apparatus for the production of panels, plates or sheets are cemented on opposite sides of an intermediate layer of honeycomb with transverse openings constituted by a network of strips of constant width defining the openings. The edges of the strips defining the network are cemented on opposite sides of the layer and the plates or sheets are applied on the cemented edges. Two lateral parallel grooves are formed intermediate the thickness of the longitudinal edges of the intermediate layer with the layer contracted, such that the strips are flat against each other. Then these grooves are used to guide the layer when the layer is pulled out to form the openings. The necessary reduction of the width of the layer is effected by inserting two lateral convergent guides in the grooves on opposite edges of the layer, and forcing the layer to move in the direction of convergence of these guides.

Abstract: A composite panel comprising a core (12) and at least one outer sheet (14) which is adhesively bonded to the core is such that the composite panel (10) is shape-formed creating at least one radius of bending (24b) in the outer layer (14). The core (12) has a cellular structure and is bonded to the outer layer (14) at least by one visco-elastic adhesive layer (16) applied over the entire inner surface of the outer layer (14). The combination of the honeycomb structure of the core and the adhesive layer with the mentioned properties attaching the core to the outer sheet leads to a composite panel that may be shaped quickly and at favorable cost, without the outer layers being damaged or the stength being significantly reduced. As a result of the large area visco-elastic bonding a higher resistance to delamination, debonding due to vibration, corrosion and moisture is achieved.

Abstract: An improved roll-form vent for buildings comprises a sequentially thermoformed polymeric vent which provides multiple venting air flow paths between the interior of a building and ambient atmosphere. The vent includes projections extending from a web and a plurality of vent openings that cooperate with screening to bar entry into the building of water, insects and foreign matter. A method of making the vent includes steps of providing a web of material of indeterminate running length, heating the web, sequentially thermoforming the web, cooling the web and rolling the formed vent for storage, shipment and use.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing an expandable material from a strip material by longitudinally reciprocating a carriage on a frame between first and second rolls containing supplies of the strip material. The carriage is alternately engageable with the strip material of a first supply roll and the strip material of a second supply roll. The carriage includes an adhesive application device that applies an adhesive to a top surface of a stack of sheets of strip material positioned between the first and second supply rolls using the adhesive application device by moving the carriage. The strip material is then pressed and stacked by a press and stacking device that are driven by cams.

Abstract: A three dimensional cellular shade 20 attached to a roller. The cells 28 of the shade expand outward as the shade is unrolled. The shade is made from two sheets of fabric. One of the fabrics is decorative 24, the other fabric 22 is more functional. The decorative fabric 24 is longer in length than the functional fabric 22. The two fabrics are joined together along a plurality of joints 26 extending down the length of the shade. These joints are uniformly displaced from one another. The ratio of decorative fabric to functional fabric between any two joints is greater than one. This ratio is important for ensuring that the cells will expand outward as the shade is unrolled.

Abstract: A method of making a honeycomb structure includes the step of intermittently slitting a sheet of material such that longitudinal slits are aligned in alternating staggered rows. Each staggered row has a lateral centerline spaced substantially uniformly from adjacent row centerlines. The longitudinal slits in each staggered row have substantially uniform lateral spaces between each slit. Another step is applying continuous stripes of adhesive laterally across a top side and a bottom side of the sheet such that each stripe is spaced apart longitudinally and centered on a row of slits. The stripes alternate between the top side and the bottom side. Still another step includes pleating the sheet such that pleats run longitudinally. Each pleat has a top fold and a bottom fold aligned with a longitudinal slit. Yet another step involves gathering the pleats together in a closed stack and compressing the stack to cause the stripes of adhesive to bond the pleats together at adhesive contact points.

Abstract: A container is provided with: a main body formed in the shape of a pipe of flexible film, at least back end of which is closed; a reinforcing member disposed at the tip section of the main body for holding the form of the tip section and having a discharge aperture for discharging content contained in the main body; and a lid for closing the discharge aperture of the reinforcing member.

Abstract: Ceramic honeycomb (32) is made by applying adhesive (10) to parts of node regions (6) of a stack (12) of ceramic fabrics (2) to bond adjacent fabrics to one another at nodes (20) defined by the adhesive. The ceramic fabric stack is expanded and then impregnated in a ceramic matrix. The impregnated stack (18), dried to be self-supporting but still flexible, can be kiln-fired at this point or it can be encapsulated in an encapsulant (26) such as polyvinyl alcohol. The encapsulated stack (24) is then autoclaved at 100 psi and 185.degree. F. causing the matrix binder to set, thus rigidifying the encapsulated fabric stack. Autoclaving also causes the fabric at the nodes to squeeze together to create intimate contact, and thus high strength bonds during subsequent firing, between the fabrics at the nodes. The encapsulated stack is fired to drive off non-ceramic material to create the ceramic honeycomb. The minimum bending radius of the ceramic fibers at the nodes can be increased using one or more methods.

Abstract: A method of forming composite sine wave spars from composite material. In accordance with the method, the sine wave spar is formed of web plies, filler plies, separator plies and cap plies. The edges of the web plies are cut to form a plurality of teeth having different geometric configurations. The web plies are first formed to the sine wave contours of a tool having the desired final part geometry. The teeth of the web plies are then folded over the edges of the tool to form a portion of the flanges of upper and lower U-shaped channels. The portions of the flanges of the U-shaped channels not covered by the teeth are formed using filler plies that intermesh with the teeth to form a layer of the flanges of the respective upper or lower U-shaped channel. The flanges are reinforced through the use of separator plies that are placed between the filler plies. The formed upper and lower U-shaped channels are joined together so that their respective flanges are located in line with each other.

Abstract: An improved method of making a single-cell honeycomb fabric structure includes forming a double-cell honeycomb fabric structure from a single continuous length of foldable material, and removing parts of the cells defining a face of the double-cell honeycomb structure to obtain the desired single-cell honeycomb structure having folded outwardly-extending pleats on one face and tabbed outwardly-extending pleats on the other face.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for forming honeycomb structure from a plurality of substrate layers. The layers are bonded together by spaced, parallel, solid node strips of thermoplastic material pressed and heated above the softening temperature to bond to the substrate surfaces and form a block. After cooling, the block is expanded into a honeycomb structure. Alternatively, the solid node strips can be placed on the spaced raised crests of corrugated layers of substrate, and successive layers bonded together by pressure and sufficient heat between the crests of one layer and the corresponding depression of the successive layer, to elevate the node strips above the softening temperature. Several alternative methods and apparatuses for achieving the result are disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for producing a honeycomb core having excellent thermal stability, mechanical properties and a rapid setting speed, which comprises applying adhesives onto ribbon type of carbon fiber fabrics at regular intervals so as to form the specific size of a cell, attaching the ribbons in a layered form and heat setting and expanding the attached portion to form a basic honeycomb core and then impregnating and setting the basic honeycomb core in phenol resin containing 0.5 to 4% by weight of graphite powder having 0.3 to 2 .mu.m of average diameter. This method is characterized by the fact that fiber breakage due to thermal decomposition gas occurring in the setting treatment is prevented and the dispersing effect of surface of graphite is maximized, and thereby the thermal and mechanical properties of the honeycomb core can be optimized.

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: An acoustic tile for masking the acoustic signature of a surface or submarine vessel and including an inner skin for securing the tile to the hull of the vessel, an outer water-impervious skin, and a core sandwiched between the inner and outer skins, the core being made of an expanded honeycomb structure being affixed to said inner and outer skins by thermocompression bonding.

Abstract: An improved expandable and contractible window covering comprising a series of elongated cells is disclosed. Each cell is formed by joining a pleated sheet of material with an unpleated sheet in an area of creases on the pleated sheet. The rear wall of the cell is of less height than the front wall of the cell and the material of the cell is chosen to be relatively soft and flexible so that the front wall of each cell droops downwardly and outwardly away from the rear wall. The covering is mountable on a roll bar so as to be retracted by rolling about the roll bar and extended by unrolling from the roll bar.

Abstract: A process for the continuous preparation of non-expanded honeycomb core from non-precorrugated web involves the progressive corrugation and consolidation of web by a corrugating/consolidating unit containing corrugating and consolidating elongate teeth which traverses a bed unit containing sets of former bars, forming a half cell height of honeycomb at each pass. A plurality of node-antinode demes of the topmost half cell layer being formed are consolidated while new corrugations and associated node-antinode demes are being formed. The process allows for more lengthy consolidation time, a smaller temperature differential between consolidating teeth and the node-antinode demes being consolidated, and further allows the corrugating and consolidation temperatures to be substantially independent of each other. The process may be implemented through use of a corrugating/consolidation unit having a travelling belt containing corrugating and/or consolidating teeth which may be individually and selectively heated.

Abstract: An apparatus for making expandable honeycomb structures suitable for use as window coverings. In one embodiment, folded tubular strips with adhesive lines are fed continuously through a cutter which cuts them into predetermined lengths. The cut strips are then accelerated to a stacker for further processing before the next cut strip arrives. In another embodiment, webs of material are fed continuously in a downstream direction, adhesive lines are applied, a middle web is slitted into strips, and the strips bonded along opposite edges to the outer webs. By choosing for the outer webs transparent or porous material, and for the middle web opaque material, a light or air controlling honeycomb structure results.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming expandable-collapsible articles comprises a horizontally oriented frame which receives one or more webs of sheet material from a feeding mechanism, a pusher bar having upper and lower gripper members engageable with the sheet material and a stripper bar having upper and lower stripper members movable between folding position and discharge position with respect to the frame. One or more linear actuators are provided to move the pusher bar toward and away from the stripper bar, and the extent of linear movement of such actuators is adjustable so that different lengths of sheet material can be advanced by the pusher bar into contact with the stripper bar thus forming fold lines in the sheet material with varying spaces therebetween.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming a pleated cellular shade product from a single web of material to provide different physical characteristics on opposite sides of the shade product. A web is provided having alternate first and second stripe areas extending crosswise of the web at a preset repeat spacing and the striped web is folded crosswise of the web alternately in a first direction along a first fold line intermediate side edges of the first stripe area and in a second direction along a second fold line intermediate side edges of each second stripe area to form a plurality of sidewise adjacent panels serially united in alternate succession along respective first and second fold lines.

Abstract: A cellular pleated shade material is provided for cellular pleated shades. Each pleat thereof is formed from a single strip of shade material which is folded longitudinally in half, and the edges thereof are glued together to form a fin. The side of one cell is affixed to the side of the next adjacent cell adjacent the centerline of the sides. The ratio of cell height to cell width may be varied, without affecting the overall aesthetic presentation of the shade, by varying the size of the fin.

Abstract: A cellular pleated shade material is provided for cellular pleated shades. Each pleat thereof is formed from a single strip of shade material which is folded longitudinally in half, and the edges thereof are glued together to form a fin. The side of one cell is affixed to the side of the next adjacent cell adjacent the centerline of the sides. The ratio of cell height to cell width may be varied, without affecting the overall aesthetic presentation of the shade, by varying the size of the fin.

Abstract: A method of making a treated fabric, treated expandable and retractable window coverings, partitions and the like made from treated fabric having at least one area thereof treated with a fabric treatment composition and at least one area thereof left untreated, and a method of making treated expandable and retractable window coverings, partitions and the like.

Abstract: An EMR-absorbing anechoic chamber absorber (22, 42) uses a block of honeycomb material with a lossy material, such as carbon, applied to the sheets (4) of material from which the honeycomb is made to create wedges (36) or pyramids (44) of lossy material. Preferably, the lossy material is applied to the sheets of material in a repeating wedge-shaped pattern (16) to create the wedges of lossy material within the solid rectangular block of honeycomb material. Parallel, wedge-shaped grooves (43) are formed in the block of honeycomb material to create the pyramids of lossy material. If the lossy material is applied to the entire sheet, a set of parallel, wedge-shaped grooves are formed in the block of honeycomb material to create wedges of lossy material; two sets of parallel, wedge-shaped grooves are formed at 90.degree. angles to one another to create pyramids of lossy material.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for preparing a carbon honeycomb structure that includes the steps of: alternately stacking a plurality of corrugated sheets each of which is produced by corrugating a supporting base of carbon fibers impregnated with an epoxy resin prepolymer and then curing the prepolymer, and a plurality of flat sheets, each of which is prepared by curing a supporting base of carbon fibers impregnated with an epoxy resin prepolymer, through a node bond adhesive; curing the adhesive to form a honeycomb structure; dipping the resulting honeycomb structure in a phenolic resin prepolymer solution; evaporating the solvent; then curing the phenolic resin prepolymer; repeating these dip, evaporation and curing processes to coat the honeycomb structure with a predetermined amount of the phenolic resin; and cutting the coated honeycomb structure to a predetermined thickness.

Abstract: A multi-ply, re-sealable label intended for retail use to provide extended text and graphics for consumer information. The label construction includes multiple plies of flexible printed materials using bonding agents and release coatings which allow for numerous openings and re-closures. The label incorporates a consumer-friendly peel-tab for easy opening and re-closure, and materials with a natural "memory" to facilitate re-closure and re-sealability without the use of a tacky adhesive.

Abstract: A panel is provided including multiple rows of parallel cells extending transversely of the rows and with the cells of adjacent rows of cells staggered longitudinally of the rows relative to each other, two, three, four and five cell row panels being disclosed. The panels are formed by folded material strips stacked one upon the other with each material strip having portions thereof glued together and adjacent material strips in each stack of strips glued together such that each material strip forms at least one complete cell of one row of cells and at least three-quarters of an adjacent cell in an adjacent row of cells.Also, a support system is provided for supporting the upper margin of a vertically disposed multi cell row panel wherein an upper cell or cells has one or two horizontal stiffening strips disposed therein and spaced beneath a stationery support strip.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for forming honeycomb structure from a plurality of substrate layers. The layers are bonded together by spaced, parallel, solid node strips of thermoplastic material pressed and heated above the softening temperature to bond to the substrate surfaces and form a block. After cooling, the block is expanded into a honeycomb structure.Alternatively, the solid node strips can be placed on the spaced raised crests of corrugated layers of substrate, and successive layers bonded together by pressure and sufficient heat between the crests of one layer and the corresponding depression of the successive layer, to elevate the node strips above the softening temperature.Several alternative methods and apparatuses for achieving the result are disclosed.

Abstract: A method for fabricating structural sandwich materials having a core pattern which utilizes star and non-star shaped cells. The sheets of material are bonded together or a single folded sheet is used, and bonded or welded at specific locations, into a flat configuration, and are then mechanically pulled or expanded normal to the plane of the sheets which expand to form the cells. This method can be utilized to fabricate other geometric cell arrangements than the star/non-star shaped cells. Four sheets of material (either a pair of bonded sheets or a single folded sheet) are bonded so as to define an area therebetween, which forms the star shaped cell when expanded.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming a honeycomb structure in which a plurality of thermoplastic layers are fused together at selected locations. The thermoplastic layers at each of the selected locations are melted together to form a welded portion which includes first and second exterior surfaces. The welding of the thermoplastic layers is controlled so that no more than one of the exterior surfaces is melted. This partial melting of one layer prevents undesirable welding to adjacent layers. An apparatus for carrying out the method for welding thermoplastic honeycomb structures is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for manufacturing blind material having an expandable dual cell honeycomb structure formed of a continuous length of foldable material. The material is fed onto the stack supporting means and transferred into the stack receiving means, and adhered successively by means of an appropriate pressure in the stack receiving means.

Abstract: A tabbed honeycomb structure or pleated panel is made from a stack of collapsed multi-cellular material. The stack is split at bond lines thereby forming the panels of pleated or honeycomb material having a joint tab on one face.

Abstract: An improved expandable and contractible window covering comprising a series of elongated cells is disclosed. Each cell is formed by joining a pleated sheet of material with an unpleated sheet in an area of creases on the pleated sheet. The rear wall of the cell is of less height than the front wall of the cell and the material of the cell is chosen to be relatively soft and flexible so that the front wall of each cell droops downwardly and outwardly away from the rear wall. The covering is mountable on a roll bar so as to be retracted by rolling about the roll bar and extended by unrolling from the roll bar.

Abstract: A panel is provided including multiple rows of parallel cells extending transversely of the rows and with the cells of adjacent rows of cells staggered longitudinally of the rows relative to each other, two, three, four and five cell row panels being disclosed. The panels are formed by folded material strips stacked one upon the other with each material strip having portions thereof glued together and adjacent material strips in each stack of strips glued together such that each material strip forms at least one complete cell of one row of cells and at least three-quarters of an adjacent cell in an adjacent row of cells.Also, a support system is provided for supporting the upper margin of a vertically disposed multi cell row panel wherein an upper cell or cells has one or two horizontal stiffening strips disposed therein and spaced beneath a stationery support strip.

Abstract: The source materials are supplied in continuous strips of cardboard situated initially in separated planes laterally offset from each other. Longitudinal grooves are made along the strips, dividing them into longitudinal bands. The strips are overlapped and glued under pressure to join them together. Once glued they are cut into pieces. The pieces constitute the folded dividers, made up of sections and folded and glued sections which form the union between the sections of each strip. Optionally, narrower sections are glued directly onto the sides of a box, or to sheets glued in their turn to the sides of the box. The upper edges of the divider can be straight or present recesses. The divider formed by strips glued by the sections which make up sections at right angles to the strips is folded and unfolded at the same time as the box into which it is fitted.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming a honeycomb structure in which a plurality of thermoplastic layers are fused together at selected locations. The thermoplastic layers at each of the selected locations are melted together to form a welded portion which includes first and second exterior surfaces. The welding of the thermoplastic layers is controlled so that no more than one of the exterior surfaces is melted. This partial melting of one layer prevents undesirable welding to adjacent layers. An apparatus for carrying out the method for welding thermoplastic honeycomb structures is also disclosed.

Abstract: A display device including a dot matrix type LCD display, and a digitizing tablet for interpreting movement of a stylus across the display device. Aligned with the display in a viewing direction is disposed a light transmissive panel including a structure having a plurality of light transmissive regions containing a gaseous substance, e.g. air. The regions are in register with the dot matrix generation of the LCD display. The walls of the regions may be coated with reflective material to increase their reflective properties. The structure is sealed at its open ends with sheets of transparent material to form the panel, which provides a writing surface for the stylus. Two methods of manufacturing the panel are disclosed. The display device is light in weight, low in cost and parallax errors are minimized.

Abstract: An inflatable apparatus for organ retraction includes a main envelope which forms a main chamber. An additional chamber is formed by attaching the periphery of an additional envelope to the outside or the inside of the main envelope. The part of the surface of the main envelope that is not covered by the additional envelope provides a plurality of windows, which, after the additional chamber is inflated, may be at least partially removed to provide apertures through which treatment or observation can be carried out.

Abstract: The present invention provides plastic-based fiber-reinforced honeycomb, and a process for its preparation. The fiber-reinforced honeycomb has high temperature durability yet can be fabricated and handled by simple techniques. Honeycomb structures in accordance with this invention have the strength, impact resistance and processing characteristics of thermoplastic materials and yet offer high temperature resistance and solvent resistance characteristics which permit such processing steps as the application of multiple coatings for purposes of density adjustment and enhancement of mechanical properties.

Abstract: A moldable panel having a predetermined shape for cushioning and protecting protrusions and areas including a flexible elastomeric thermoplastic honeycomb panel and a rigid thermoplastic plate. The honeycomb panel has a honeycomb core formed of undulated strips of resilient thermoplastic material, thermal compression bonded together to form cell walls defining a plurality of contiguous regularly shaped cells. The core has a first face formed by a first extremity of the cell walls and a second face formed by a second extremity of the cell walls. The core is maintained in its expanded configuration so that it can be used to anisotropically flex to stabilize and spread the load experienced by a user of the moldable panel. The core is bonded to a first surface of the rigid thermoplastic plate.

Abstract: A decoration is formed by feeding a flat sheet of material between a pair of rotating rollers having intermeshed teeth which produce a series of pleats in the sheet. The pleats are gathered together by placing the pleated sheet between a pair of parallel, spaced apart plates and then moving a compressor plate between the spaced apart plates to compact the pleats. A tie can be fastened around the compacted, pleated sheet to hold the pleats in a gathered state. The tied sheet is removed from between the plates and ends of the gathered pleats are fanned out on at least on side of the tie. Apparatus for pleating the sheet and compressing the pleats is disclosed.

Abstract: A composite sandwich panel structure having first and second honeycomb core layers and fire barrier membranes separating the honeycomb core layers as well as forming facing skins provides protection from burn-through after 15 minutes of subjection to a 2000.degree. F. front side flame impingement at 10.5 btu/m.sup.2 heat flux density, with a 110.degree. F. average off-surface temperature 12" off of the backside of the panel. The facing skins on the outside of the honeycomb core layers are preferably formed by a layer of vermiculite film together with a layer phenolic prepreg. The center septum layer separating the first and second honeycomb core layers can be an inorganic fiber membrane, with a layer of phenolic prepreg on both sides thereof, and/or a layer of vermiculite film or other suitable materials providing a fire barrier.

Abstract: Decorative pleats have two cuts made in each of two or more pleats and the fold of the pleat is reversed between the cuts. When used as a decorative display for a photograph, picture, merchandise or other item, the cuts may be made angularly to hold the item in place. Cuts may be perpendicular to the fold of the pleat, angular to the fold, zigzag, curvilinear or of other shape. The pleats may be a blind, a lantern or of other shape.

Abstract: A composite sandwich structure which includes upper and lower skin structures, first and second honeycomb core structures, and an intermediate portion disposed between the first and second honeycomb core structures. The intermediate portion comprises a composite laminate, a barrier member and a foaming adhesive layer disposed between the composite laminate and the barrier member. The foaming adhesive layer is of a type designed to expand when exposed to an elevated temperature. The composite laminate and the barrier member operate to limit the expansion of the foaming adhesive layer into the open cells of the first and second honeycomb core structures. The foaming adhesive layer, upon expansion, applies pressure against the composite laminate. This pressure, acting concomitantly with the applied curing pressure and the elevated temperature, cures the laminate. Furthermore, the expansion of the foaming adhesive urges the composite laminate and the barrier member apart so as to fill any core discrepancies, i.e.

Abstract: A method for improving the corrosion and wear resistance properties of aluminum honeycomb core panel construction is disclosed. In a first embodiment, a surface of an aluminum honeycomb metal specimen is melted using a pulsed ion beam and then left to cool by thermal diffusion. A layer of metallic glass demonstrating enhanced hardness and corrosion resistance properties formed integrally with the specimen surface results. In a second embodiment, the surface of the aluminum honeycomb metal specimen is coated with a thin film of metal material. Ions in the pulsed beam drive the atoms in the metal film into the near-surface region of the aluminum honeycomb metal specimen to create an alloy which also has enhanced corrosion and wear properties.

Abstract: Film-based composite structures meet the requirements of highly weight-efficient SDI space-based systems. These structures are rigid, lightweight, dimensionally stable, and possess a high degree of structural damping. Thin-walled structures (wall thickness less than 50 .mu.) made from self-reinforced ordered-polymer films overcome drawbacks of fiber-reinforced composites, and provide resistance to microcracking, ply delamination and impact. They have high temperature capability (over 300.degree. C.), low temperature (cryogenic) capability and the capability for hardening and survivability. The modulus and dimensional stability of film-based ultralightweight honeycomb sandwich structures is better than currently possible with aluminum or fiber-reinforced composite materials. Other thin-walled structures such as tension web beams and thin facesheets also show similar stiffness-to-weight advantages over current materials.