Abstract: A corrugated structure has a first and a second linerboard, with a corrugated medium sandwiched between the first and second linerboards. An RF processor is coupled between one of the linerboards and the corrugated medium. The processor may be positioned on an inlet or label, which may also include an antenna. A method of forming a corrugated structure having an embedded RFID processor includes providing a linerboard and a corrugated medium, positioning an RF processor between the linerboard and the corrugated medium, and affixing the linerboard and corrugated medium together with the RF processor positioned therebetween. An assembly line for forming a corrugated structure includes a supply of a first linerboard, a second linerboard, a corrugating material stock, and inlets that have an RF processor and antenna coupled to the inlets. The assembly line also includes a corrugator, a single facer, a double facer, an inlet applicator, and a cutter.

Abstract: A load-applying device used in a double facer that manufactures a corrugated board, the load-applying device comprising load bodies that are caused to ride above a corrugated board sheet only by the weight of weight blocks are disposed in a sheet conveying direction and in a direction at right angles of such sheet conveying direction; thus applying a load to the corrugated board sheet and bonding the corrugated board sheet without causing crushing of the corrugated board sheet or faulty bonding.

Abstract: A structural member for reinforcement of asphalt and concrete roadways and other products, and which comprises a gridwork of warp strands and weft strands which are disposed at right angles to each other and so as to define an open structure. In one embodiment, the gridwork is impregnated with a thermosettable B-stage resin so as to interlock the strands at their crossover points and maintain the gridwork in a semi-flexible state, and after being applied to the product to be reinforced, the resin is heated to convert the same into a fully cured composite to thereby rigidize the gridwork and reinforce the product. In cases where the product to be reinforced is heated, such as asphalt paving, the heat of the product provides the heat necessary to fully cure the resin in situ. In another embodiment, the resin is fully cured to rigidize the gridwork prior to its being applied to the structure to be reinforced. A method of producing the resin impregnated gridwork is also disclosed.

Abstract: A low friction machine for manufacturing corrugated board is described. The machine effectively extends the life expectancy of critical machine components such as the feet used in pressure applicators as well as a conveyor belt by reducing friction. The machine includes a foot operative for applying pressure to the substrate. The foot includes a conduit having a first end and a second end. An actuator attached to the foot and moves the foot between a raised position and a lowered position. The lowered position is proximate the substrate. An air supply connected to the first end of the conduit and supplies air to the foot. A check valve coupled to the second end of the conduit and regulates airflow in the foot. The check valve is opened when the foot is in the lowered position and closed when the foot is in the raised position.

Abstract: A corrugator single facer of the type utilizing a large diameter bonding and corrugating roll and a small diameter corrugating roll is driven without direct drive applied to either corrugating roll. Instead, the pressure belt arrangement which supports the lower corrugating roll to provide the nipping force includes a series of driven supporting pressure belts that are loaded against the lower corrugating roll and which transmit rotational movement thereto and through the nip to the large diameter bonding roll.

Abstract: This invention provides corrugated fiberfill structures with improved properties and processes for making the same. This invention further provides articles made from the improved corrugated fiberfill structures of the present invention.

Abstract: A filter forming and joining apparatus of the present invention automatically forms a succession of metal-free cylindrical filter elements from a pleat block of pleated filter material, each pleat block having a first end pleat at a first end of the pleat block and a second end pleat at a second end of the pleat block. The apparatus including a pleat block isolator for isolating successive individual pleat blocks from other pleat blocks in a succession of pleat blocks in preparation for filter formation, a filter former that manipulates each isolated pleat block along a forming path into a hollow cylinder shape, the hollow cylinder-shaped isolated pleat block having a first end pleat and a second end pleat positioned adjacent each other, and a filter joiner that bonds together the adjacent first and second end pleats of each hollow cylinder-shaped isolated pleat block producing a metal-free cylindrical filter element.

Abstract: An outer surface coating for the printing of high quality graphics is applied to a paperboard substrate to provide a linerboard component suitable for use in the manufacture of lightweight small flute corrugated products, and an inner surface coating is applied to the inner surface of the substrate to seal the inner surface. Sealing the inner surface effectively prevents show through on the outer printable surface where the flute tips of a corrugated component are adhered to the inner surface of the linerboard component.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for fabricating corrugated composite stiffeners provides a base tool having grooves formed in an outer surface and a roller having a rotating shaft and a removable, lobed, elastomeric member surrounding the shaft. The lobes of the elastomeric member form a radial array around the shaft and match the contours of the grooves in the base tool. A section of prepreg fabric is placed between the roller and the base tool, and the roller is rotated to sequentially engage the lobes with the grooves, the lobes pressing the fabric into the grooves, the fabric conforming to the contours of the grooves. Several layers of fabric are applied, then the elastomeric member is released from the shaft, laid out flat, and placed on the fabric on the base tool, the lobes locating in the grooves. The base tool, fabric, and elastomeric member are enclosed in a vacuum bag and heated to cure the fabric.

Abstract: A corrugator single facer of the type utilizing a large diameter bonding and corrugating roll and a small diameter corrugating roll is driven without direct drive applied to either corrugating roll. Instead, the pressure belt arrangement which supports the lower corrugating roll to provide the nipping force includes a series of driven supporting pressure belts that are loaded against the lower corrugating roll and which transmit rotational movement thereto and through the nip to the large diameter bonding roll.

Abstract: A corrugating machine for the manufacture of sheets of corrugated board comprises a first manufacturing unit for the production of a first web of corrugated board, a second manufacturing unit for the production of a second web of corrugated board, a mounting unit, which is disposed downstream of the manufacturing units in a working direction, for non-adhesively bringing together the first web of corrugated board and the second web of corrugated board and a working unit, which is disposed downstream of the mounting unit, for jointly working the first web of corrugated board and the at least second web of corrugated board that lie on top of each other.

Abstract: A method for the production of ribbed board product, such as fiberboard, flakeboard, or waferboard, which resists fracturing during manufacture. The ribbed board product made according to the invention can be used as decking and in packaging and shipping components.

Abstract: A method of making a sensible and latent heat exchange media having a multiplicity of passages therethrough through which an air stream can flow, the method comprising impregnating a solution containing at least one of the group consisting of sodium silicate and potassium silicate into corrugated cellulosic paper to provide silicate impregnated paper and reacting the silicate in the impregnated paper using a gas such as CO2 or an acid such as boric acid to form a silica gel desiccant, thereby forming a sensible and latent exchange media.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for manufacturing corrugated boards are disclosed. The method may include the steps of supplying a first web of medium having a first and second sides, wherein each side of the first web having a plurality of flutes, and wherein each flute having a crest, applying a wetting agent and an adhesive composition in a sequential fashion to the plurality of flutes on the first side of the first web, and securing a second web of medium is to the plurality of crests on the first side of the first web to form a single-faced corrugated board.

Abstract: A composite building component, including a non-planar molded composite web having two outer zones and two angled zones wherein the caliper of the angled zones differs from the caliper of at least one of the outer zones, and a flange disposed on an outer surface of an outer zone.

Abstract: The present invention is a machine to perform two or more processes to an bottle wherein registration of the first process to the second process is required. The products produced with such registration have distinct advantages over prior art. These include labeling systems comprising multiple labels that can be incorporated into many useful variants for promotional items. Additionally, novel packaging systems can utilize this technology.

Abstract: A hybrid double backer for the formation of a double face corrugated paperboard web combines an upstream driven holddown belt section and a downstream static porous mesh belt holddown section that provides optimum curing and drying of the paperboard web.

Abstract: The invention is a bladder formed of multiple layers of barrier film to provide multiple pressurized layers of cushioning fluid or gas when the bladder is filled. The sidewalls of the bladder can be constructed with an inverted seam construction to eliminate finishing steps in the manufacture of cushioning bladders and alternatively to provide a clean, seamless appearance along the side walls. The inverted seam can be formed by attaching the peripheral edges of inner barrier layers to the outer barrier layers adjacent a weld between inner barrier layers to provide an inside-out inverted seam appearance. An inverted seam can also be formed by providing separate sidewall elements attached to the barrier layers of the bladder to provide a seam displaced from the center of the sidewall.

Abstract: An guide arm apparatus to guide endless ribbon into the web of a corrugating machine, said apparatus having automatic control for placing and positioning the endless ribbon

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and to a device for producing a corrugated sheet that has a corrugation and that is especially used for a catalyst substrate. According tot eh inventive method, a sheet of a predetermined thickness of less than 0.06 mm is passed through two intermeshing rolls. Each roll has a profile that is made up of profile sections. A flank clearance between two opposite flanks of the profile sections is larger than the thickness of the sheet which is passed through the intermeshing rolls.

Abstract: The invention relates to embossing single-ply paper products, for example, paper towels, tissue and napkins, in which an improved embossing arrangement is used which is particularly suitable for paper products which have been processed so as to impart undulations whose axes extend in a principal undulatory direction, typically in the machine direction. The absorbent sheet typically further includes undulations which extend in the cross (transverse direction) of the web such that the absorbent sheet has a biaxially undulatory structure. The undulations may be formed by the use of an undulatory creping blade. Defined parameters accommodate: the distance at which the undulations are spaced, the total surface area of the design (embossing) elements, the width and length of the embossing elements and the aspect ratio of the elements, as well as the angular orientation of the embossing elements with respect to the undulations.

Abstract: A process for applying glue and brazing material to a honey-comb body includes coating structured metal sheets with adhesive or binder at given positions of zones of the metal sheets to be subsequently coated with brazing material and brazed. Subsequently, the metal sheets are layered or wound into a honeycomb body having a multiplicity of channels for the passage of a fluid. A continuously adhering brazing powder is applied to all of the given positions of the layered or wound body. Excess brazing powder is shaken or blown out of the body. A corresponding device includes a transport path for structured sheets and rotatable sponge-like rollers to be saturated with adhesive or binder. The rollers are disposed laterally alongside and/or above and/or below the transport path. The rollers are rotatable by a transport motion of the sheets or drive mechanisms are provided for rotating the rollers.

Abstract: A method of producing a filter insert (1) having folds (2) extending radially, by first pleating a filter material to form an essentially rectangular filter sheet (3) having folds (2) arranged across the longitudinal direction (4), then wrapping the pleated filter sheet (3) around a core (7), and next joining the first fold (8) and last fold (9) of the filter sheet (3) adjacent to one another in the circumferential direction.

Abstract: A trim panel for use in automotive trim applications is made from a laminate of a thermoformable foam layer and an A-side layer made of vinyl or cloth or the like. The laminate is thermoformed to impart permanently the contour of a rigid substrate to which the panel will be attached. The foam layer retains the desired contour without the use of other materials. The A-side material and foam layer may be laminated by an adhesive layer may be a foam which is flame laminated to the foam layer and A-side layer. The foam layer may be encased by thin layers of polyethylene. Process controls are applied allowing thermoforming of parts to automotive precision.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for manufacturing a filter element by winding a fluted media into a coreless roll. The fluted filter media is transported forwardly and a front edge is lifted upwardly by a rearwardly facing inclined ramp. A rearwardly facing surface pushes the front edge rearwardly, and then a downwardly facing surface pushes it downwardly, thereby forming an incipient log, or roll start. The remaining portion of the fluted media is then rolled around the incipient log, thereby making a coreless cylindrical fluted filter media.

Abstract: A device for manufacturing a composite sheet (5) comprising at least one corrugated sheet (1) and at least one flat sheet (3), which is glued to the wave peaks of the corrugated sheet (1), said device comprising at least one fluted roller (13) for shaping and/or maintaining the shape of the corrugated sheet (1), said roller being covered with the corrugated sheet (1) around a portion of its circumference during operation, and a gluing unit (27) for applying a liquid glue used to attach the corrugated sheet (1) to the flat sheet (3), with said gluing unit (27) having a gluing roller (45) whose outer surface (47) is continuously coated with a glue film and whose axis is essentially parallel to that of the fluted roller (13), said gluing roller being driven at approximately the same peripheral speed as that of the fluted roller (13), and with it being possible, using means for moving the rollers closer together (53, 65, 67, 69), to move said gluing roller, with its outer surface (47) against the portion of the c

Abstract: A pleat filter medium assembly and method of making the same wherein pleated fibrous filter medium forming troughs between opposed faces of adjacent filter medium pleats serve to include spacer inserts formed from intersecting sets of spaced strands of different cross-sectional thickness.

Abstract: Corrugated cardboard plates are made by laminating and bonding corrugated cardboards 1, each including a corrugated sheet 1a and at least one liner sheet 1b bonded to the corrugated sheet 1a, to provide a corrugated cardboard laminate 5, which is in turn cut along a plurality of cutting lines b lying perpendicular to a direction parallel to ridge lines a of the corrugated sheet 1a to provide a plurality of corrugated blocks 7. The corrugated blocks 7 are then arrayed in a line to provide an elongated flat corrugated plank 9 in which the top face of one of the corrugated blocks 7 is bonded to the bottom face of the next adjoining corrugated block 7. At least one backing sheet 11a or 11b, made of paper, to one of opposite surfaces of the elongated flat corrugated plank 9 and is subsequently cut into a plurality of corrugated cardboard plates 14 of a predetermined size.

Abstract: A water-resistant, viscosity stable, alkaline curing, starch-based corrugating adhesive composition comprising starch, an alkali material, a ketone-formaldehyde crosslinking additive containing selected sulfite salts and having reduced free-formaldehyde content, and water.

Abstract: A load-applying device used in a double facer that manufactures a corrugated board, the load-applying device comprising load bodies that are caused to ride above a corrugated board sheet only by the weight of weight blocks are disposed in a sheet conveying direction and in a direction at right angles of such sheet conveying direction; thus applying a load to the corrugated board sheet and bonding the corrugated board sheet without causing crushing of the corrugated board sheet or faulty bonding.

Abstract: Starch-based corrugating adhesives of the carrier, no-carrier and carrier-no-carrier type having improved green strength and water resistance are prepared by adding hemicellulose to the adhesive composition. When the adhesive is the carrier type or the carrier-no-carrier type, the hemicellulose can be extracted from corn fiber in situ during the process of preparing the carrier phase.

Abstract: A method for the production of ribbed board product, such as fiberboard or flakeboard, which resists fracturing during manufacture. The ribbed board product made according to the invention can be used as decking in packaging components.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for manufacturing a rigid corrugated board, comprising, beforehand, a stage for the production of at least one single-faced web of given width by the adhesive bonding of a flute to a single-faced covering.

Abstract: A filter element formed of a pleated filter medium (11) and having a seal or gasket element (15) on its periphery or end faces. On one side of the filter element, which may represent either the inlet or the outlet side of the filter element, at least one adhesive track or reinforcing member (12, 13, 14), and preferably at least two adhesive tracks or reinforcing members (12, 13, 14), is/are arranged in such a way that the filter element can be bent to a curved configuration in one direction.

Abstract: Corrugating adhesives of the carrier, no-carrier and carrier-no-carrier type having excellent dry pin adhesion, green strength and improved water resistance are prepared with solubilized fiber as a complete or partial substitute for starch. The adhesive composition contains solubilized fiber and, optionally, from about 0.1% to about 99% added starch by weight based on total solubilized fiber and added starch. When the adhesive is the carrier type or the carrier-no-carrier type, the fiber, preferably corn fiber, can be solubilized in situ during the process of preparing the carrier phase.

Abstract: A process for applying glue and brazing material to a honeycomb body includes coating structured metal sheets with adhesive or binder at given positions of zones of the metal sheets to be subsequently coated with brazing material and brazed. Subsequently, the metal sheets are layered or wound into a honeycomb body having a multiplicity of channels for the passage of a fluid. A continuously adhering brazing powder is applied to all of the given positions of the layered or wound body. Excess brazing powder is shaken or blown out of the body. A corresponding device includes a transport path for structured sheets and rotatable sponge-like rollers to be saturated with adhesive or binder. The rollers are disposed laterally alongside and/or above and/or below the transport path. The rollers are rotatable by a transport motion of the sheets or drive mechanisms are provided for rotating the rollers.

Abstract: The invention relates to a pressure plate arrangement for joining together a plurality of material webs each comprising at least one plain web and/or at least one corrugated web, to form a corrugated cardboard web (P), at least one of the material webs being provided with adhesive at least in sections. The arrangement comprises a contact pressure unit (14) provided with a pressure plate (22), and a heatable counterpressure plate (26), between which the material webs being joined together are passed. The contact pressure unit (14) and the pressure plate (22) are arranged to be approachable to or removable from the counterpressure plate (26), wherein the pressure plate (22) is also constructed to be heatable. The invention also relates to apparatus for joining together a plurality of material webs comprising a plurality of such pressure plate arrangements.

Abstract: A moving-web slack reducing system including a deformable tension roller, such as a brush-type tension roller having an outer surface defined by the ends of a plurality of bristles. The slack reducing system may be deployed in a preheater assembly for a machine for manufacturing corrugated board. The bristles of the deformable tension roller allow the outer surface of the tension roller to deflect both radially and in the cross-machine direction without binding to the paper web. The bristles may also deflect variably across the tension roller in the cross-machine direction. Thus, the deflection of the bristles adjusts automatically and virtually instantaneously to changes in the tension of the paper web to compensate for variations in tension across the web in the cross-machine direction. This allows the brush-type tension roller to take the slack out of the paper web without having to rapidly and precisely adjust any actuators.

Abstract: A single facer for corrugated paperboard of the type using a very large diameter fluted bonding roll and a much smaller diameter fluted corrugating roll which engages the bonding roll to provide a corrugating nip. The small diameter corrugating roll is made to be resilient so that it is capable of inward deflection in the vicinity of the corrugating nip in order to cushion impact as the rolls interengage along the corrugating nip. This cushioning deflection absorbs vibrational movement due to chordal action of the interengaging flutes, and thereby reduces noise levels, roll wear and improves the quality and consistency of corrugation.

Abstract: Apparatus for continuously producing a web (1) which is corrugated from a thin sheet material which is elastic at least in a transverse direction of the web. The apparatus includes a guide bed (2) which has grooves extending parallel or inclined to each other in the direction of movement of the material. The apparatus also has holding-down devices (5) arranged opposite the grooves of the guide bed (2) so as to urge the web passing between the surface of the guide bed (2) and the holding-down devices (5) into the grooves of the guide bed (2) to obtain corrugations in the web. Finally, at the outlet end (4) of the guide bed (2) is an apparatus or substance which substantially prevents the formed corrugations from springing back to the original condition. A process for producing a strip and an absorbent article containing corrugated strips are included.

Abstract: A unit for joining paper sheets together in corrugated board manufacturing equipment comprises at least one toothed or corrugated roll (1), which is mounted in such a way as to rotate about its axis; means (5, 6) for feeding and pressing at least one flat paper sheet (C2), which interact with the toothed or corrugated roll (1) in laying said flat sheet (C2) over the corrugated paper sheet (C0) conveyed by said toothed or corrugated roll (1) and gluing means (4) which apply adhesive on one of the sheets. According to the invention, the means for feeding/pressing the flat paper sheet (C2) against the corrugated paper sheet (C0) on the toothed or corrugated roll (1) consists of a roll (6) which is mounted in such a way as to rotate about its axis and parallel to the toothed or corrugated roll (1) and which is made, at least at its periphery (106) of a layer of natural or synthetic fibers or compacted blends thereof, having a certain compressibility and/or deformability.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for producing a multi-ply corrugated paperboard (105) by repeatedly laminating multi-ply corrugated mediums (102, 103) with different pitches and widths between top and bottom liners is disclosed. This invention thins the paperboard and improves the compressive strength of the paperboard so as to substantially reduce the package volume. In the process for producing the multi-ply corrugated paperboard, a first corrugated medium (102) is continuously laminated to a liner (101), thereby forming a single-ply paperboard. The first corrugated medium (102) has predetermined flute pitch and flute peak height. Thereafter, a second corrugated medium (103) is continuously laminated to the single-ply paperboard, thereby forming the multi-ply corrugated paperboard (105) having improved shock absorptivity and compressive strength against a vertical load. The second corrugated medium has optionally selected flute pitch and flute peak height.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing a single face corrugated web from an adhesively bonded liner and medium web without the use of a pressure roll nip where the liner web is joined to the medium web. A heated bonding roll with a fluted outer surface carries the single face web around a circumferential portion sufficient to create a green bond in the glue lines before the web is removed from the roll. The bonding roll may be internally heated or a steam chamber may be positioned around a portion of a lower bonding roll, such that the steam chamber introduces a supply of steam into contact with the single face web while the single face web is in contact with the outer circumference of the bonding roll. An adjustable wrap arm places the freshly glued single face web in contact with the bonding roll and tension in the liner web is controlled to adjust the radial force applied to the glue lines.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for producing single face corrugated web, which comprises the first corrugating roll and second corrugating roll, and further comprises the first smoothing roll provided in a feeding channel of a liner web, a second smoothing roll provided in a feeding channel of a single face corrugated web, and a third smoothing roll provided in a feeding channel of the liner web between the first smoothing roll and the second smoothing roll, wherein the third smoothing roll is constructed so that the liner web fed between the first smoothing roll and the second smoothing roll is brought, by tension, into contact with the outer circumferential surface of the second corrugating roll over an appointed length.

Abstract: An extremely thin, high flute density, printable, corrugated paperboard having a combined caliper thickness of about 0.040 inches or less includes a first flat paper liner about 0.0085 to 0.010 inches thick, a corrugated medium having a paper thickness of about 0.005 to 0.008 inches, with the flute dimensions including a cordal flute height of about 0.021 inches and a distance between flute crests of about 0.070 inches, and a second flat paper liner about 0.0065 to 0.01 inches thick, the composite paperboard product having about 181 flutes per linear foot. The process for manufacturing the corrugated paperboard includes novel steps for forming the flutes in a manner which will not cause wrinkling or tearing of the paper stock, and the application of a novel adhesive formulation having solid content of about 28.8 percent and a Steinhall viscosity of about 23 seconds.

Abstract: A panel adaptable for use in automotive trim applications has a laminate of a support layer and an A-side layer made of vinyl or cloth. The support layer is made of a thermoformable material such as foam, felt or polypropylene. The laminate is thermoformed to impart the contour of a rigid substrate to which the panel will be attached. The support layer retains the desired contour without the use of other materials. The panel may have a shirred appearance imparted thereto by the inclusion of a plurality of gathers therm.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a corrugator and corrugated fiberboard sheet manufacturing method which are capable of accurately adjusting the quantity of moisture included in a sheet to certainly suppress the warp deformation of the sheet with the passage of time. The corrugator has an adhering section equipped with a plurality of pressurizing units separately disposed in series along a sheet conveying direction, where a front linerboard and a rear linerboard are adhered to each other to form a corrugated fiberboard sheet and the corrugated fiberboard sheet formed in the adhering section is processed into a predetermined configuration in a processing section standing on the downstream side of the adhering section.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for manufacturing corrugated board in which the corrugated board is produced by gluing at least three individual constituent webs (3, 5, 7) respectively on two sides oriented toward each other, wherein in a single work cycle, at a first glue application point (A), a first constituent web (3) is coated with glue and at a second assembly point (B), the first constituent web (3) is glued to a second constituent web (5) to form a half-finished web (31), and wherein in the same work cycle, at a second glue application point (D), glue is applied to a third constituent web (7) or to the half-finished web (31) and the third constituent web (7) is glued to the half-finished web (31) at a second assembly point (C) that is removed in the web travel direction in relation to the first assembly point (B). Furthermore, the invention relates to a device for carrying out the process according to the invention.

Abstract: A self-supporting filter media, comprising a batt made of thermoplastic fibers, and heat induced scores provided at predetermined intervals along a length of the batt. And, a method of fabricating a self-supporting filter media, the method comprising the steps of: providing a thermoplastic batt of fibers; adding an adhesive to the batt; heating the batt and the adhesive to bind the fibers with the adhesive; heat scoring the batt at periodic intervals for producing a scored batt of fibers; and rolling the scored batt of fibers for storage or shipment.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a sheet tension adjusting method which allows the tension to a single-faced corrugated fiberboard sheet or a liner to be greatly adjusted with a high accuracy to be capable of the adjustment of upward or downward warps of the corrugated fiberboard sheet. In the method according to this invention, when manufacturing a single-faced corrugated fiberboard sheet S.sub.1 in a manner that a liner L.sub.1 is adhered onto a corrugated sheet C.sub.1, the single-faced corrugated fiberboard sheet S.sub.1 is wound around one or more rolls 1 to change a braking force to the roll 1, thereby adjusting the tension to the single-faced fiberboard sheet S.sub.1. Further, this invention is effectively applicable in manufacturing various kinds of corrugated fiberboard sheets.