Abstract: A reforming catalyst member having an elongated body whose outer surface has a number of peak and valley regions so as to increase the area of the outer surface to enhance catalyst utilization. The catalyst member is adhered to a fuel cell current collector using an adhesive and dried using infrared radiation.

Abstract: A sensor includes a proof mass suspended by a suspension beam, the suspension beam having a thickness less than a thickness of the proof mass.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to a mattress or a mattress pad with one or more gel sections. The gel section may provide improved support and comfort at a localized area of a mattress or a mattress pad.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to correct a curved Petzval focusing surface to a plane using a convex lens, a concave lens, and a space arranged between the curved side of the convex lens and the curved side of the concave lens. The method and apparatus may also include a Fresnel lens arranged between the concave lens and a pixel array.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a plate-like structure, the method including a step of transferring concave and convex patterns on a master to a surface of a transferred substrate by sandwiching the master provided with the concave and convex patterns and the transferred substrate, between a press surface of a hollow cylindrical upper and a press surface of a lower mold, and pressurizing central parts of the upper and lower molds to apply pressure to the master and the transferred substrate, wherein a compressive load imposed on inner peripheral portions of the upper and lower molds is blocked and distributed toward outer peripheries of the upper and lower molds.

Abstract: Sail membrane preferably made of a woven fabric of synthetic fibers, with said membrane having a microroughness in the form of parallelly extending grooves arranged so as to achieve a density of 5 to 25 grooves/mm deposited on or integrated into said membrane surface.

Abstract: A method for improving strength of the finished product in paint roller manufacturing processes and other continuous processes for producing tubular goods from polymers. The method utilizes a substrate such as a polypropylene strip with grooves on its surface. The grooved substrate is fed onto a mandrel to form a tube. Adhesive is applied upon the grooved surface of the grooved substrate. A cover may be applied about the tube, and the resulting product is then cut into finished-size paint rollers. The hardened adhesive in the grooves may operate to reduce the hoop-force which would otherwise tend to unwind the wound substrate. The method in certain embodiments provides a reduction in cost and weight of the finished product.

Abstract: In general the disclosure relates to manufacturing methods for producing conductive patterns on flexible substrates. For example, a layer of a metal powder composition is deposited onto an adhesive overlaying a substrate. Pressure is applied to the metal powder composition on the adhesive coated substrate web by a die having one or more projections, in order to reproduce a pattern on the substrate. The metal powder is compressed by the projections of the die, thereby densifying the powder and causing it to adhere to the adhesive in a reproduction of the die pattern. The metal powder does not adhere substantially in uncompressed regions, and may be removed. In this manner, a metal powder composition may be densified and adhered to a substrate forming a web of flexible circuit elements, for example, circuit elements such as antennas, resistors, capacitors, inductive coils, conduction pads and the like.

Abstract: Disclosed is a diffuser-integrated prism sheet, in which diffuser layers are provided on the upper and lower surfaces of the prism sheet and prism-shaped protrusions are formed in the prism sheet. The prism sheet for backlight units includes a lower diffuser layer having a light diffusion structure, a lower layer formed on the lower diffuser layer, a first intermediate layer formed on the lower layer and having prism-shaped protrusions formed parallel to each other, a second intermediate layer formed on the first intermediate layer, an upper layer formed on the second intermediate layer, and an upper diffuser layer formed on the upper layer and having a light diffusion structure, wherein an air layer is formed between the lower surface of the second intermediate layer and the valleys of the prism-shaped protrusions of the first intermediate layer. Also, a method of manufacturing the diffuser-integrated prism sheet is provided.

Abstract: A press and a method for laminating essentially plate-shaped workpieces under the effect of pressure and heat. In the closed state, a lower press half and an upper press half form a vacuum chamber utilizing a peripheral, one-part, or multi-part seals. A flexible membrane divides the vacuum chamber into a product half that can be evacuated that holds at least one workpiece and a pressure half that can be pressurized. The membrane is constructed and arranged so that it presses the workpiece directly or indirectly against a bottom side of the vacuum chamber due to a pressure difference generated in the vacuum chamber due to the evacuation of the product half and/or due to the pressurization of the pressure half. The membrane is mounted on a membrane frame that can be handled separately and that is connected detachably to the upper press half and that can be mounted on the membrane frame or tensioned in the frame from outside of the press.

Abstract: A process for finishing a wood or wooden board, in particular an MDF or HDF board, with an upper side and an underside. The process includes applying a sealing layer of melamine resin to the upper side of the board and printing a decoration onto the sealing layer. A protective layer is applied of melamine resin to the decoration and the board is pressed under the action of temperature until the protective layer and the sealing layer melt and bond to each other with the inclusion of the decoration printed on.

Abstract: A method of making a cushion material includes the steps of pressing a pad onto a die with a plurality of protrusions to form a plurality of protrusion portions on the pad, and then attaching an upper layer on transversely cutting the protrusion portions of the pad to separate the upper layer and the die and form the pad with a plurality of pad members thereon, and then attaching a lower layer on the other side of the pad members to form a three-layer cushion material.

Abstract: A method for forming an electronic device on a flexible substrate conditions a surface of the flexible substrate to increase its malleability and to provide a conditioned substrate surface. A master surface is impressed against the conditioned substrate surface. The master surface is then released from the conditioned substrate surface, thereby forming a circuit-side surface on the substrate. The electronic device is then formed on the circuit-side surface. The substrate may be supported on a carrier during the method.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method of transferring a multi-layer body onto a substrate and a transfer film and a method of producing a transfer film. A transfer film (8) is provided, which has a carrier film (81), a single-layer or multi-layer decorative layer and a release layer (82) which permits separation of the decorative layer from the carrier film. A first portion (35) of the decorative layer forms the multi-layer body to be applied to the substrate. The transfer film (8) and a release film (91) are placed upon each other. A first adhesive layer (86) arranged between the decorative layer and the release film (91) is activated in a second portion (36) of the decorative layer, that adjoins the first portion (35) of the decorative layer that is associated with the multi-layer body and however in the first portion (35) of the decorative layer is not activated, is not provided or is deactivated.

Abstract: [Subject] To provide a body fluid absorbent article including a second sheet, which fulfills its own function, while the “sticking”, which would have been caused by the conventional second sheet, is prevented on the account of embossing. [Means for Solving Problem] A body fluid absorbent article having a face sheet 1, a body fluid permeable member 20 including an assembly of fibers in tows, a body fluid retainable absorbent element AB in this order, and a face-side second sheet 10, which is interposed between the above face sheet 1 and the above body fluid permeable member 20 with such a positional relation that the above face-side second sheet 10 is at least partly superposed on the above body fluid permeable member 20; and embossing is carried out integrally on the above face sheet 1 and the above face-side second sheet 10 while embossing is not carried out on the above body fluid permeable member 20.

Abstract: The present application is related to substrates having light transmitting areas and light shielding areas. The application discloses methods of manufacturing the substrates, including modifying a light shielding layer be contact to a structured surface.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method of forming a patterned conductive element for an implantable medical device, the method comprising the steps of: depositing a supplementary material on a sheet of conductive, parent material to form a sheet of composite material; applying a carrier material over the supplementary material of the composite sheet to form a sheet of semi-finished material; removing portions from at least the conductive parent material of the sheet of semi-finished material in accordance with a desired pattern corresponding to a patterned conductive element to be formed; and releasing at least the carrier material from the sheet of semi-finished material.

Abstract: A sound absorbing heat shielding material includes an inner heat reflective layer, a sound absorbing layer and an outer layer. The inner heat reflective layer defines a plurality of openings therethrough in which the openings are configured to impart a high air flow resistivity on the inner heat reflective layer. The sound absorbing layer is disposed next to the heat reflective layer. The outer layer is disposed adjacent to the sound absorbing layer and opposite from the inner heat reflective layer. The outer layer defines a plurality of openings that allow air to pass therethrough.

Abstract: Microfluidic structures featuring substantially circular channels may be fabricated by embossing polymer sheets.

Abstract: Optical waveguide and manufacturing of an optical waveguide comprising embossing at least one groove into a first substrate by rolling, applying at least a second substrate into the groove and covering at least the groove with a third substrate such that the groove constitutes an optical waveguide for optical signal transmission.

Abstract: The present invention relates to A backlight system including an adherend for outgoing light, an optical film subjected to embossing or roughening processing treatment so as to increase the surface area thereof, and a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer containing a pressure-sensitive adhesive polymer having a gel fraction of 35 to 85%, in which the adherend and the optical film are joined through the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer. Further, the invention relates to a process for producing the backlight system, an optical sheet with a pressure-sensitive adhesive which is used in the backlight system, and an image display and an illuminating system using the backlight system.

Abstract: A tube shaped fuel cell module which includes a plurality of tube shaped fuel cell cells each of which has, in order from the inside, an internal collector, an inside catalyst electrode layer, a solid electrolyte membrane and an outside catalyst electrode layer; and an external collector which collects power from the tube shaped fuel cell cells, is such that the external collector has a corrugated plate structure in which convex portions and concave portions continuously alternate. The tube shaped fuel cell module is also provided with at least one cell-collector unit which includes the external collector, and the plurality of tube shaped fuel cell cells which contact the surface of the concave portions of the external collector along the entire lengths of the tube shaped fuel cell cells.

Abstract: A lengthy grid polarizer film comprising a lengthy resin film and a plurality of grid lines provided on the surface and/or inside of the resin film and extending substantially in parallel with each other are provided, the grid lines being made of a material G being 1.0 or more in the absolute value of the difference between the real part n1 and the imaginary part ?1 of the complex refractive index (N1=n1?i?1), said resin film having a plurality of rows of grooves formed extending substantially in parallel with each other on its surface, and said grid line being made of a thin film of the laminated material G on the bottom face of the grooves and/or on the top face of ridges located between the adjacent grooves. A lengthy optical laminated body comprises the lengthy grid polarizer film and another lengthy polarizing optical film.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing an identity booklet cover provided with a radio frequency identification device having an antenna and a chip (12) connected to the antenna, the method including the following steps: producing an antenna (12) having contacts (13 and 14) on a support (10), creating a recess (20) between the contacts (13 and 14), placing adhesive dielectric material (25, 26) near the contacts of the antenna, positioning an integrated circuit module (19) on the support so that the groups of contacts of the module are opposite the contacts of the antenna and the encapsulation of the module is in the recess (20), placing on the face of the support featuring the antenna at least one layer of thermo-adhesive film (40, 50, 60), placing a cover layer (70) on the layer (or) layer(s) (40 or 50 and 60) of thermo-adhesive film, laminating all the layers.

Abstract: Using a ¼ inch end mill a grid pattern of one inch squares or lands separated by concave troughs or grooves 0.025 inches deep is milled on to the surface of a one quarter inch thick magnesium plate. A conductive barrier such as a titanium foil is then laid over the magnesium plate, and is then pressed into the pattern with a one inch thick 80 durometer rubber sheet. Pressure of 250 pounds per square inch is then applied to the rubber to create indentations in the foil creating the same pattern as the one on the magnesium plate. The foil is then removed. An electrically conductive adhesive is then screen printed on the magnesium lands only, avoiding the grooves. The titanium foil is oriented to the pattern on the magnesium plate and mated to the magnesium plate by applying 200 pounds per square inch of pressure.

Abstract: A method for making three dimensional convex patterns on foam material includes a step of preparing a first netted fabric which includes first holes, a step of spreading a layer of ink on the first netted fabric, a step of overlapping the first netted fabric on a second netted fabric which includes second holes larger than the first holes, and a step of printing the layer of ink on a foam material by a molding set.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for making swaged lighting holes (1) in planar areas of parts (5) made of preimpregnated composite, by means of which the part (5) is arranged between a female tooling (11) with the final shape of the bottom side of the swaged part and a caul plate (19) with the final shape of the top side of the swaged part, except in an area (3) which must be swaged, pressure P1 is applied on the caul plate (19) in the area of the part (5) that must be maintained substantially planar, and pressure P2 is applied by means of a male tooling (17) on the area (3) of the part (5) which must be swaged at a forward speed allowing the flow of the resin during the slippage of the fibers of the material so that it may deform, adapting to the final shape of the female tooling (11).

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and system for a protecting an optical lens material during formation of a dimensional image article. A heat compression laminator including a cushioning assembly provides an insulating barrier between the lower compression assembly of the heat compression laminator and the individual lenses of an optical lens material, such as the lenticules on a lenticular lens material. The cushioning web protects the optical lens material so as to prevent significant deformation during the application of heat and pressure in a laminating step. Use of the cushioning web can be especially advantageous during formation of clear, transparent, or semi-transparent dimensional image articles.

Abstract: A laminated heated glazing including at least two superposed transparent and mechanically strong substrate panes with interposition of an interlayer made of a transparent plastic between two adjacent panes. The glazing further includes, in its thickness or on the surface, at least one thin transparent conductive film that extends over at least part of the glazing, the film or films being heated for deicing and/or demisting by Joule effect, at least one film having flow separation lines formed by etching to guide current from one band to the other. The width of the flow separation lines is small enough for them to be invisible to the naked eye in the laminated heated glazing.

Abstract: An optical sheet includes a base film, a plurality of prism patterns and a plurality of first embossing patterns. The prism patterns are formed on an upper surface of the base film. Each of the prism patterns has the shape of a trigonal prism and includes a first inclined surface and a second inclined surface. The first and second inclined surfaces are inclined with respect to the upper surface of the base film and meet each other at a peak portion. First embossing patterns are formed at the peak portion.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a light-control element including a transparent surface layer oriented in an uniaxial direction, a center layer comprising a skeletal member and a plurality of cavities arranged at intervals and oriented parallel to the uniaxial direction of the surface layer, and a base layer. In some embodiments, the light-control element includes a liquid crystal material at least partially filling the cavities. In certain preferred embodiments, each of the surface layer and the base layer include one or more electrodes adapted for application of an electrical potential to the liquid crystal material. The disclosure also provides methods of manufacturing and using light control window glazings including light-control elements containing liquid crystal materials for efficient thermal management of interior spaces of vehicles and buildings.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a security device comprises: a) providing a transparent, plastics support layer releasably on a carrier layer; b) coating the plastics support layer with a radiation curable material, wherein either i) the radiation curable material inherently provides an optically variable effect or ii) the method further comprises providing the radiation curable material with an optically variable effect generating structure, c) curing the radiation curable material by exposure to suitable curing radiation; and, d) cutting through the cured material and the support layer along a boundary defining the security device.

Abstract: A method of making films surface imprinted with nanometer-sized particles to produce micro- and/or nano-structured electron and hole collecting interfaces, include providing at least one transparent substrate, providing at least one photoabsorbing conjugated polymer, providing a sufficient amount of nanometer-sized particles to produce a charge separation interface, providing at least one transparent polymerizable layer, embedding the nanometer-sized particles in the conjugated polymer, applying the polymerizable layer and the conjugated polymer/nanometer-sized particle mixture on separate substrates where the nanometer-sized particles form a stamp surface, imprinting the stamp surface into the surface of the polymerizable film layer to produce micro- and/or nano-structured electron and hole collecting interfaces, polymerizing the polymerizable film layer to form a conformal gap, and filling the gap with at least one photoabsorbing material to promote the generation of photoexcited electrons and transport to

Abstract: Multicolored film composites are produced by laminating a support film with at least two different-colored top films. The surface of the top films or of the film composite is provided with a surface structure. The support film is a film of thermoplastic foam material, and the top films are laminated on in temporal succession and in overlapping relationship onto the support film.

Abstract: There is provided a means for laminating and bonding a flexible printed circuit and a stiffener film with an adhesive layer therebetween by using a laminator without creating air bubbles at the lamination surface and without using large-scale manufacturing equipment. A method comprising: providing a laminate in which liners are on upper and lower surfaces of a half-cured reactive adhesive layer (3), removing one of the liners from the laminate, and bonding a surface of a first adherend (2) to the first exposed surface of the adhesive layer; removing the other liner from the laminate, pressure bonding a minute embossing pattern (4) surface of an embossed liner to the second exposed surface of the adhesive layer to form a minute embossing pattern on the surface of the adhesive layer; and removing the embossed liner from the surface of the adhesive layer, and thermocompression bonding a second adherend to the surface of the adhesive layer having the minute embossing pattern.

Abstract: A laminated multi-layer card that can be imprinted with personal information, the card containing an entrapped security element; the security element containing a pressure sensitive adhesive layer.

Abstract: A method for producing a porous flow-through element for use in an electrokinetic infusion pump is provided and generally includes providing a porous membrane that is entirely porous along both its length and width, treating the membrane by selectively inactivating portions of the membrane in a desired pattern to define active regions that allow fluid flow therethrough and inactive regions that do not, and laminating the treated membrane. Various techniques can be used to treat the membrane including, for example, applying a heated embossing die to the membrane, contacting selected portions of the membrane with laser energy, applying a pore-penetrating chemical to the membrane, and cutting and removing selected portions of the membrane. The resulting treated membrane can be laminated between opposed films having one or more perforations therethrough with each perforation being aligned with an active region to define a fluid flow pathway therebetween.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present application relate to new form constructions and methods of forming and using the new form constructions. One method of printing a form construction involves (1) providing a substrate having a first major surface and a second major surface; (2) bossing at least a portion of the substrate to form a bossed substrate portion; and (3) attaching a signage to the bossed substrate portion. The signage or a printable portion of the substrate may then optionally be printed. An exemplary new form construction includes a substrate having a bossed substrate portion and an unbossed substrate portion; and a signage adjacent to the bossed substrate portion.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a method of forming a multi-ply core component. A mold press is provided having an upper die and a lower die defining a mold cavity. At least one of the upper die and the lower die has a plurality of protrusions. A first wood composite board and a second wood composite board are disposed within the mold cavity. The first and second boards are fused proximate the plurality of protrusions by compressing the boards in the mold cavity through application of heat and pressure.

Abstract: A synthetic amorphous marble flooring and a manufacturing method of the same are disclosed. The method includes the steps of kneading a synthetic resin compound with multi-colored spot color chips and primarily rolling the kneaded compound to manufacture a primarily rolled sheet, laminating the primarily rolled sheets while cutting the sheet to have a predetermined size and rotating the sheet, performing secondary rolling the laminated sheets by a low-temperature calendering to form wave patterns and rough surface on the sheets, and filling the rough surface of the secondarily rolled sheets by embossing in the length direction or any type of embossing using a first embossing unit of a double-embossing system to maintain uniform thickness, and flattening the surface by a secondary embossing unit of the double-embossing system. Thus, the synthetic marble flooring exhibiting amorphous marble patterns and excellent durability and a method of manufacturing the same are provided.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a board for gliding over snow comprises producing a decorative and protective exterior assembly with at least one additional piece. At least one opening is made in the exterior assembly. The additional piece or pieces are placed on an outer surface of the exterior assembly, each piece having at least one through-fixing zone, passing through the opening or openings. The through-fixing zone or zones penetrate an inner structure of the board and constitutes one or more securing means for the piece or pieces.

Abstract: The present invention is a preprinted holographic label or printed material for use in labeling squeezable tubes or containers as well as compact discs, computer software, cosmetics, and the like. The holographic structure of the present invention provides for selectively reverse-printing a reflective coating directly onto a micro-embossed holographic film or coating which is affixed to a clear thin-film and contains the micro-embossed structure. Non-reflective coatings and support structures are also provided for protecting both the graphics and embossed holographic image from contamination.

Abstract: A method of determining an adjusted color to be used for computing colorants for printing on a specified substrate, comprising: specifying an apparent color; estimating diffuse reflection from an outside surface of colorants when printed on the specified substrate; and adjusting the specified color for the effects of the estimated diffuse reflection to determine a color to be used for computing the colorants.

Abstract: A method of making an embossed air-laid absorbent sheet includes: depositing a dry web of fibers on a foraminous support; embossing the compacted web with a laser engraved roll provided with a hard rubber embossing surface having an embossing pattern with a depth of from about 5 mils to about 100 mils. The hard rubber embossing surface is biased toward a second embossing surface selected from the group consisting of the surface of a nip roll and a foraminous web support engaging a support embossing roll. The process further includes bonding the web.

Abstract: A method of forming a composite article is disclosed that involves providing a press having first and second platens, a cellulosic fiber substrate having a first thickness, and a layer of material such as a wood veneer, foil, or non-creped paper, where the layer of material has a thickness less than the thickness of the cellulosic fiber substrate. A layer of bonding material is placed onto the cellulosic fiber substrate or the layer of material, and the layer of material is placed onto the cellulosic fiber substrate so that the bonding material is between the layer of material and the cellulosic fiber substrate.

Abstract: A method is provided for altering residual stresses in a fiber-metal-laminate structure. At least a first fiber laminate substrate layer having first and second surfaces is provided. At least a first outer metallic laminate layer having third and fourth surfaces is provided, and the first and fourth surface is provided, and the first and fourth surfaces are bonded together. The third surface is peened, such that the at least first fiber laminate substrate layer is subjected to residual tensile stresses and the at least first outer metallic laminate layer is subjected to residual compression stresses. Peening defines a peened region that extends from the third surface into the at least first outer metallic laminate layer a finite distance that is closer to the third surface than the fourth surface.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a bag for use in vacuum packaging comprises forming a first panel including a tray for retaining contents within the bag and a second panel. Optionally, the tray can include a plurality of ridges or protuberances for suspending contents such that liquid can collect in the tray. Each panel comprises a gas-impermeable base layer and a heat-sealable inner layer molded from melt-extruded resin. The first panel is overlapped with the second panel, and three of four edges of the panels are heated such that the inner layers bond at the heated edges. This description is not intended to be a complete description of, or limit the scope of, the invention. Other features, aspects, and objects of the invention can be obtained from a review of the specification, the figures, and the claims.

Abstract: A method for processing a film. The method impressing the whole surface or a selected surface of the film to form protuberant structures on the film by using a transfer and an impresser which has grain projections formed thereon, wherein the protuberant structures have a protuberant shape with an opening hole on the tip or without an opening hole on the tip.

Abstract: Methods are provided for manufacturing bipolar graphite articles. First and second components are formed from flexible graphite material. The first component has a protrusion formed thereon, and the second component has a recess formed therein which is complementary to the protrusion of the first component. The first and second components are assembled so that the protrusion of the first component is received in the recess of the second component. Preferably, the components are made from uncured resin impregnated graphite material. The assembled components are then pressed together and heated to cure the resin so as to bond the components together.

Abstract: An insulating paperboard contains at least one layer of cellulose fibers. The one layer is at least partially composed of bulky fibers. The paperboard is sufficiently insulated to provide a hot water ?T across the paperboard of at least 0.7° C.±2.3° C. per 0.1 mm of caliper. The paperboard may be embossed to decrease surface transmission of heat. A hot cup may be produced from the insulating paperboard.