Abstract: An improved expandable and contractible window covering comprising a series of elongated cells is disclosed. Each cell is formed by joining two pleated sheets of material in the area of opposing creases. 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.

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 of manufacturing a honeycomb structure of thermostructural composite material comprising a fiber reinforcing fabric densified by a matrix, the fibers of the reinforcing fabric being of a material selected from carbon and ceramics, as is the matrix, the method comprising the following steps:making a three-dimensional fiber fabric by means of superposed two-dimensional plies that are bonded together by means of fibers passing through the plies;making slit-shaped cuts in a staggered configuration through the plies, and through the entire thickness of the fabric;stretching the cut fabric in a direction that is not parallel to the cuts but that is parallel to the plies so as to form cells whose walls are constituted by the lips of the cuts; andwhile the cut texture is held in the stretched state, densifying it using the matrix-constituting material to obtain a rigid honeycomb structure of thermostructural material.

Abstract: A method for making a material with an artificial dielectric constant is carried out by choosing the desired dielectric constant for a particular electromagnetic field, selecting a substantially non-electrically conductive sheet material (2) from which the cellular core material (26) is to be made, applying an electrically conductive material (8) to selected areas on the sheet material and thereafter forming a cellular core material from layers of the sheet material having the conductive material already applied thereto.

Abstract: A honeycomb manufacturing expander mechanism which includes a cam or guide plate having two sets of guide slots respectively extending outwardly in opposite directions away from a center portion of the plate. The inboard ends of the slots in each set are equally spaced from each other. In extending outwardly, the slots in each set converge such that the spacing between the outboard ends of each slot is less than that of the inboard ends. Disposed beneath the plate are a pair of mutually parallel bars, each carrying a plurality of expander pins which extend upwardly through corresponding slots in the plate. The bars are movable in concert from positions beneath the inboard ends of the slots to positions beneath the outboard ends of the slots by one or more motor-driven lead screw drives.

Abstract: An evaporative element or cartridge especially useful in humidifiers comprises a plurality of stacked slit and expanded wicking paper layers, and means for supporting the wicking paper. The supporting means may comprise a layer of slit and expanded metal sandwiched in between the stacked wicking paper layers. The stacked wicking paper and metal layers are held together with an adhesive. Alternatively, the supporting means may comprise a rigid frame on the side edges of the stacked wicking paper layers, the frame having prongs engaging the wicking paper layers. Each layer of stacked wicking paper is staggered with respect to adjoining layers. The wicking paper has superior capillary rise of 79 to 112 mm/min.

Abstract: High strength foam-filled materials and methods for their production are disclosed. The high strength materials include cellular structures comprising a plurality of open-ended cells containing polycyanurate foam. The polycyanurate foam-filled cellular structures have synergistically high mechanical properties and improved resistance to moisture. When cyanate ester foamable precursors in the form of tough films are foamed to fill honeycomb cells, the resulting foam-filled honeycomb has uniformly fine foam cell structure and improved bonding between the foam and the honeycomb.

Abstract: Apparatus for mass producing one or more individual stacks of expandable, secured together tubular strips which includes a stacking station having an inlet and a conveyor system for sequentially delivering tubular strips having a flat face sequentially to a point opposite said inlet. The stacking station includes pushing apparatus opposite said inlet for pushing the strip delivered opposite said inlet into said chamber. The pushing apparatus has a strip-holding face lying in a given plane and having suction apertures for holding said flat face of each strip delivered thereto in said plane. The pushing member is moved back and forth into and out of said stacking chamber at said inlet with said strip-holding face presented parallel to the flat face of the previous strip delivered to said stacking chamber to push the opposite side of the strip against the flat face of the adjacent strip in said chamber to secure the strips together and form a substantially unwrinkled stack of aligned strips.

Abstract: Rapid production of thermoplastic sandwich structures containing fiber-reinforced or non-reinforced thermoplastic core, such as honeycomb, materials adhered to skins or facing sheets is accomplished by fusion bonding the skins or facing sheets to the core by means of thermoplastic film(s) heated to the melt temperature and applying sufficient pressure to fusion bond the skins or facing sheets to the core, followed, when necessary, by cooling the assembly to prevent overheating of the core and/or skins or facing sheets.

Abstract: An expandable and collapsible window covering is disclosed in which an unpleated facing fabric is attached to a pleated panel to provide a Roman shade type window covering. Transverse cells are formed by the attachment of the pleated panel and unpleated fabric which provide excellent insulation properties. A method for making such a shade is also disclosed.

Abstract: A honeycomb structure includes at least two corrugated strips having major flat surfaces extending angularly between opposed strip edges. The strips are offset relative to each other and joined together to define a series of cells extending between the strip edges along axes which are oriented at an angle other than normal to the strip edges. Each of the major flat surfaces includes a central depressed portion forming a matching sub-flat surface which is parallel to and connected to the major flat surface by sidewalls which may be substantially perpendicular to the major flat surface. Abutting undepressed portions of the major flat surfaces of adjacent strips and abutting sub-flat surfaces of adjacent strips are joined together so that the strips form a series of I-beams disposed one to a cell.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for making a hexagonal-cell honeycomb core from a honeycomb half-cell structure. The structure has a plurality of peaks and valleys on each side thereof and a diagonal surface between each consecutive peak and valley. The process comprises the steps of applying a first adhesive component, which is preferably a cyanate ester and an epoxy, to a first group of peaks and applying a second adhesive component, which is preferably the epoxy and a catalyst, to a second group of peaks. The structure is then stacked so that the first adhesive component on the first group of peaks comes into contact with the second adhesive component on the second group of peaks, thereby mixing the components to bond the half-cell structure together and form the honeycomb core.

Abstract: Process an equipment for the production of an expanded honeycomb core from strips (10) coated at uniform intervals with strips of adhesive (6), in which the strips (10) with their adhesive strips (6) parallel and in staggered positions are stacked on top of one another and adhesively bonded together under pressure and if necessary at an elevated temperature, the stack (40) so formed being subsequently expanded, consists in the following: a strip (10) passes over a position detector (24), which from the adhesive strips (6) determines its position relative to a first end (P) of a stack (40), and which controls a positioning drive (25) and a cutting device (26). The positioning drive (25) positions the strip (10) relative to the stack (40) at its end (P), and the strip (10) is held fast.

Abstract: A member for a honeycomb core or panel that can be bent with various radii of curvature, can contour a compound curvature and can support a load perpendicular to the defined curvature. The honeycomb member, preferably, has cells having an equilateral triangular cross section. The cells are defined by rectangular bottom, top and side faces. The connecting angle between each bottom face and each side face is typically about 60 degrees. The adjoining sides of the bottom faces contact each other. The adjoining sides of the top faces also contact each other. Although the cells contain a small orifice between adjoining sides, the cells have the same strength as that of completely enclosed cells. Furthermore, the relative position of the adjoining cells can be easily altered.

Abstract: Composite soundproofing panels for applications in the automotive sector have a plastic layer bonded to at least one porous material layer. The plastic layer has a composition which contains a first elastomeric material, a high density filler material, a plasticizer and a second elastomeric material. The plastic layer is bonded to at least one self-supporting, premoldable layer of porous material while maintaining a constant thickness within +10%.

Abstract: Shaped honeycomb parts are prepared in a continuous process wherein webs of fiber-reinforced or non-reinforced thermoplastic are slit in a predetermined manner such that the finished honeycomb may be separated by hand into parts having a predetermined geometry.

Abstract: A honeycomb core is disclosed which is formed by stretching a block comprising a plurality of layers of steel foil superimposed one upon another and bonded together by an adhesive agent applied in the form of lines spaced in parallel relationship and shifted a half pitch between adjacent steel foil layers.

Abstract: An apparatus for the continuous production of composite laminate bodies including panels and cylindrical pipes comprises a frame, a laminating mold, a sheet supply roller, a movable pressure roller, at least two preheating rollers and a heating device, wherein the pressure roller, preheating roller and heating device are mounted on the frame, the laminating mold is movable and is adjacent to the frame to form a laminating gap, and the heating device is provided near the laminating gap, so that the sheet travels from the sheet supply roller to the preheating rollers and then to the laminating gap where the sealing material on the sheet surface is heat melted just before being pressed against the laminating mold.

Abstract: A method for increasing the corrosion resistance of honeycomb core panel construction by using an ion implantation process. In one aspect of the invention, molybdenum ions are implanted to a predetermined depth into the front and back surfaces of a honeycomb-shaped core. The ions interact with the metal in the core wall to form an aluminum-molybdenum alloy which is impervious to corrosion. In another aspect of the invention, both front and back surfaces of the honeycomb-shaped core are bombarded with ions so that the ions are implanted throughout the entire core wall. The method may also be extended to include implanting ions into the outer skin layers to achieve enhanced corrosion resistance.

Abstract: Honeycomb materials having areas or volumes possessing different physical properties then the remainder of the honeycomb are prepared in a continuous process without requiring machining operations.

Abstract: A machine (300) and the process for manufacture of a unique completely pleated product-(110) which is made from a continuous, flexible web (311) for the covering of windows and the like. The machinery consists of a production line (300) with at least a screen printing assembly (306), printing phase control apparatus (330), a unique pleating assembly (400) and a folding assembly (500) for stacking and receiving the final product. Screen printing and web travel phasing is performed in accordance with standard practices in the industry, while the pleating and folding of the finished product is performed by apparatus designed and constructed by the instant inventors. After predetermined patterns of adhesive or bonding material (212) have been applied to the continuous web (311), it is pleated by a paired roller assembly (400) and, through the use of an air knife assembly (500), folded into a collecting apparatus.

Abstract: An expandable and collapsible window covering is disclosed in which an unpleated facing fabric is attached to a pleated panel to provide a Roman shade type window covering. Transverse cells are formed by the attachment of the pleated panel and unpleated fabric which provide excellent insulation properties. A method for making such a shade is also disclosed.

Abstract: A pleating machine for dual fluted shades consisting of a pair of cooperating sets of pleating conveyors closely adjacent and flanking a sealing device that joins the two resulting pleated webs together by transversely fed attaching sheets.

Abstract: Fiber-reinforced thermoplastic honeycomb is prepared in a continuous manner one half cell at a time by laying down a corrugated web of thermoplastic, with and without fiber-reinforcement atop a honeycomb, selectively fusing the node-antinode demes and repeating the process until a honeycomb of the desired depth is prepared.

Abstract: An improved expandable and contractible window covering comprising an assembly of elongated cells is disclosed. Each cell is formed by folding a strip of material and joining an edge to the next adjacent cell. The rear wall of the cell comprises less material than the hanging front wall flap of the cell, and the material of the cell is chosen to be relatively soft and flexible, so that the hanging front wall flap of each cell droops downwardly at least to the juncture with the adjacent lower cell.

Abstract: A machine (300) and the process for manufacture of a unique completely pleated product (110) which is made from a continuous, flexible web (311) for the covering of windows and the like. The machinery consists of a production line (300) with at least a screen printing assembly (306), printing phase control apparatus (330), a unique pleating assembly (400) and a folding assembly (500) for stacking and receiving the final product. Screen printing and web travel phasing is performed in accordance with standard practices in the industry, while the pleating and folding of the finished product is performed by apparatus designed and constructed by the instant inventors. After predetermined patterns of adhesive or bonding material (212) have been applied to the continuous web (311), it is pleated by a paired roller assembly (400) and, through the use of an air knife assembly (500), folded into a collecting apparatus.

Abstract: An improved expandable and contractible window covering comprising a series of elongated cells is disclosed. Each cell is formed by joining two pleated sheets of material in the area of opposing creases. 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.

Abstract: A process for making a shaped structure including a high melt temperature thermoplastic laminate surface and a honeycomb core substrate, by heating the laminate to its melt temperature above about 600.degree. F., pressing one surface of the core into the laminate, and forming the core and laminate on a molding tool.

Abstract: Composite tube, which is a sandwich structure, comprising a plurality of fiber strata, each made of epoxy-saturated fibers, and at least one layer of a honeycomb material sandwiched between. The fiber strata and the honeycomb layers are in alternating sequence. Each fiber stratum may include a fiber web surrounded by a fiber cable, which consists essentially of a large number of twisted fibers arranged in the axial direction and parallel to each other. The composite tube of this invention is very light in weight, yet has tensile strength and other mechanical properties corresponding to those of conventional tubes made of steel. The tube of this invention is especially useful as a guide roller or an expansion shaft.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for handling further processing a continuously produced, unstretched honeycomb band is disclosed. To facilitate handling and further processing of the unstretched honeycomb band, the following process steps are used:a) the honeycomb band is reeled and temporarily stored as a reel or marketed as a separate commercial product;b) for further processing, the unstretched honeycomb band is unwound from the reel and stretched into the desired final shape; andc) the desired partial lengths are cut off from the continuous, stretched honeycomb band.

Abstract: A relatively inexpensive void filler includes alternately stacked and laminated sheets of V-shaped and W-shaped panels of corrugated board glued together along the center and sides.

Abstract: Apparatus for cutting a continuous web into precise length sheets and precisely stacking the sheets, relative to each other, includes first and second moving endless belt tables for advancing the web, a sheet orientation table and a stacking table. A vacuum holds the web firmly, without tension, against the respective belts. A shearing device is disposed between the first and second endless belts. Web, detectors positioned along the line of travel of the web, detect printed or colored lines on the web to obtain accurately cut sheets. Individually driven and positioned sheet grippers grasp the cut sheet positioning each sheet under dual hole punching devices which punch precisely positioned holes in each sheet. A pair of aligning pins on a sheet stacking bed are used as guides for orienting the sheets in interleave configuration. Each sheet is secured to its adjacent sheet to maintain sheet orientation.

Abstract: A technique is provided for removing foam mandrel material from a stiffener section of a composite structural member as is employed in lightweight aircraft skin structures. The technique involves the direct pressure glass bead blasting of the mandrel material. By mounting a blasting nozzle within a rubber hose of larger diameter, an airstream containing glass beads may be directed outwardly through the nozzle while evacuating pressure is created in an annular passageway between the hose and the nozzle to evacuate mandrel foam particles as well as spent glass beads. The result is a clean channel within the stiffener section.

Abstract: Single-panel pleated shades are created through an adaptation of methods used to create cellular shades. The cellular shades are created by known methods, and are then cut longitudinally to divide them into two single-panel pleated shades.Advantages of the invention include its enhanced appearance and low cost.

Abstract: A method for forming cellular shades using sheer materials. Strips of sheer material are creased to define tabs and central portions. Strips of a non-bonding material are placed over the central portions. Beads of adhesive are placed over the tabs and these assemblies are stacked, whereby the tabs are adhered to the central portions of the successive strip, while the non-bonding material prevents adhesion of the tabs to the central portions of the corresponding strips. When the adhesive has set, the non-bonding strips can be conveniently removed, yielding a cellular shade which can be formed of substantially any fabric material.

Abstract: A resilient panel having anisotropic flexing characteristics in which thermal compression bonding techniques have been to laminate a plurality of sheets of thermoplastic polyurethane material together with bonds that are in strip form, spaced at regular intervals, and staggered between alternate sheets of material. The laminated stack was then cut into slices of appropriate thickness, and the slices were expanded to form a honeycombed core which, while held in spread apart disposition, was thermally pre-formed and made ready to receive facing materials. The facing materials were then thermal compression bonded to each side of the honeycombed core, and the panels were trimmed to assume their final dimensions.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing thermoplastic structures wherein the structure comprises a fiber-reinforced thermoplastic resin. The fiber reinforcement may be in the form of a woven or non-woven web. The thermoplastic resin may be introduced therein in the form of staple fibers blended into the non-woven web or by melt-coating the web or by laminating a pre-formed thermoplastic resin film to the web. The latter technique allows uniform distribution of a radar-absorbing material, coated on or blended into the pre-formed thermoplastic film, throughout the honeycomb.

Abstract: A machine (300) and the process for manufacture of a unique completely pleated product (110) which is made from a continuous, flexible web (311) for the covering of windows and the like. The machinery consists of a production line (300) with at least a screen printing assembly (306), printing phase control apparatus (330), a unique pleating assembly (400) and a folding assembly (500) for stacking and receiving the final product, screen printing and web travel phasing is performed in accordance with standard practices in the industry, while the pleating and folding of the finished product is performed by apparatus designed and constructed by the instant inventors. After predetermined patterns of adhesive or bonding material (212) have been applied to the continuous web (311), it is pleated by a paired roller assembly (400) and, through the use of an air knife assembly (500), folded into a collecting apparatus.

Abstract: A method for making a thermal insulating structure for providing thermal insulation, structural load accommodation, and noise attenuation for surfaces in aerospace systems that are exposed to high temperatures is disclosed. Structure to be protected is a high-temperature solid back sheet to which is a honeycomb core having a perforated buried septum is bonded to a substrate. A layer of cast fiber-ceramic insulation is secured to the honeycomb core, filling portions of the core outward from the septum and extending beyond the outer face of the core. To absorb structural loads, a densified top coat overlies the insulating layer. To minimize the transmission of shear-inducing loads into the insulating layer, the outer face of the honeycomb core has an irregular surface. Core cell vents extending through the walls of adjacent cells provide a controlled airspace between the back sheet and the buried septum through which a fluid coolant may be circulated.

Abstract: A method of forming a honeycomb panel consisting of a plurality of interconnected permanent honeycomb cells that includes in one embodiment feeding two continuous sheets toward a joining station and prior to arrival, periodically creasing both sheets entirely across at timed intervals. After joining the sheets together at the joining station along parallel join lines midway between the creases, the resulting tubular structure is further sealed and expanded with pressure rollers and an expansion chamber to form the completed honeycomb panel. In another embodiment, an uncreased tubular structure is expanded by expansion plates that are inserted into each tube and permanent creases are formed midway between join lines by heating and pressing at the edges of the expansion plates.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process and an apparatus for the production of an endless honeycomb band, consisting of flatly adjacent, partially bonded strips, which band can be drawn out by stretching in band longitudinal direction to form a honeycomb. Film sheets are continuously drawn off from a plurality of coils, provided on one side with equally spaced glue strips running mutually parallel in the sheet longitudinal direction and subsequently being laid one on top of another. The gluing is performed with a hotmelt adhesive, which is sprayed onto each film sheet in the form of a plurality of strips. The glue strips of the one film sheet are arranged offset with respect to the above-lying or below-lying film sheet by half a strip spacing in each case.

Abstract: A honeycomb panel manufacturing system and method comprises expansion tables, a curing chamber, adhesive application table, and a pressing station for bonding face sheets to honeycomb panels. The method of manufacture comprises expanding honeycomb material, curing expanded panels, and pressing face sheets onto opposite sides of cured panels.

Abstract: An expandable honeycomb product which is formed by printing an adhesive pattern onto a plurality of webs of a suitable core material. The unit of adhesive pattern is a truncated triangle which is repeated at intervals along webs of core material, which are stacked such that the adhesive pattern is staggered relative to each web. When expanded, the webs deform into a honeycomb product composed of a repeating pattern of six-sided cells. Each cell may have a different inner and outer height and width, due to the introduction of differential inner and outer waveform wavelength and amplitude by adhesive pattern, allowing the production of non-planar honeycomb product which may be deformed into a structure having small radius curvatures about either axis or both axes along the surface of the honeycomb structure.

Abstract: The specification discloses a structural honeycomb core fabricated of crystalline theremoplastic to provide corrosion-resistant, heat-resistant, high-impact structure. The core includes inter-welded strips forming a rigid core. In a first embodiment, the linear strips are welded and then expanded to form a honeycomb core. In a second embodiment, the strips are corrugated prior to welding.

Abstract: The invention relates to a multiple pot comprising individual pots interconnected by connector portions so as to be capable of being pulled out. The multiple pot is used to raise and transplant seedlings of plants. The invention also relates to a method of fabricating the pot. The pot is designed especially to promote growth of roots across the side walls of the individual pots after transplantation. Also, the resistance encountered when the multiple pot is unfolded is reduced. Further, the individual pots are uniform in size. These feature arise from the facts that the connector portions are formed by applying a waterproof paste discontinuously and that a water-soluble paste is not applied around the edges of the individual pots created when the multiple pot is unfolded. Hence, a coating of the paste is formed in none of these portions. The multiple pot is fabricated by continuously carrying out three steps.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for forming cellular core structures from corrugated fibreboard utilizing flat sheets of single wall corrugated board of rectangular configuration. The sheets are fed end one at a time in the direction of the board flutes into a rotary die cutting station to form a parallel array of evenly spaced die cut lines extending perpendicular to the flute-feed direction from one side edge to the other side edge of each sheet. Each die cut line is defined by an alternating series of very long die cuts and very short die cuts individually spaced from one another along the die cut line by very short uncut sheet material connecting portions to thereby form a plurality of strips of sheet material intermittently integrally joined by the uncut sheet material connecting portions. An array of crease lines extend parallel to the flute-feed direction and are arranged in pairs of spaced apart in the direction of the die cut lines and closely flanking each of the uncut connecting portions.

Abstract: A new honeycomb core structure of heat-resistant aromatic polyimide is disclosed. The structure comprises plural aromatic polyimide sheets having a second-order transition temperature in the range of 250.degree. C. to 400.degree. C. wherein adjoining aromatic polyimide sheets are adhered to each other by welding the two sheets in regions apart from each other at equal intervals and the welding regions on one side of any aromatic polyimide sheet are located at positions shifted from positions of welding regions arranged on another side of the sheet. The honeycomb structure is formed by extending the combined aromatic polyimide sheets in the direction vertical to the plane of the polyimide sheets while heating the sheets at a temperature higher than their second-order transition temperature.

Abstract: A new honeycomb core structure of heat-resistant aromatic polyimide is disclosed. The structure comprises plural aromatic polyimide sheets wherein adjoining two aromatic polyimide sheets are combined to each other with a heat resistant adhesive at adhesive regions arranged between the two sheets at equal intervals and the adhesive regions on one side of any aromatic polyimide sheet are located at positions shifting from positions of adhesive regions arranged on another side of the sheet. The honeycomb structure is formed by extending the combined aromatic polyimide sheets in the direction vertical to the plane of the polyimide sheets.

Abstract: A reaction injection molded recreation board with spaced rectangular reinforcing rods. The rods are rectangular in cross section and are disposed between upper and lower surfaces of the board. Position clips maintain the reinforcing rods in mutually spaced relationships within an injection mold during the process of injecting foam plastic. The structure of the positioning clips is also disclosed.

Abstract: A honeycomb structure formed of two continuous lengths of pleated materials secured together intermediate the pleats. Each length of pleated material defines one side of the honeycomb structure. The two continuous lengths are secured together by feeding them longitudinally of their length and toward each other. At the location where the two lengths meet, they are joined together intermediate their pleats.