Abstract: A holding material for a pollution control element which can sufficiently suppress scattering of inorganic fibers when the pollution control element is assembled in a casing, and which has a sufficiently high coefficient of friction. The holding material includes: a sheet-like main body made of first inorganic fibers having a minor axis in the range of from about 3 to 10 ?m; and a surface layer which is provided on at least one surface of the main body and contains second inorganic fibers having a minor axis in the range of from about 1 to 15 nm.

Abstract: A structure for use in industrial fabrics such as paper machine clothing and engineered fabrics. The structure contains both axially elastomeric yarns and relatively inelastic yarns in various patterns. The structure has a high degree of both compressibility under an applied normal load and excellent recovery (resiliency or spring back) upon removal of that load.

Abstract: A structure for use in a compressible resilient pad. The structure contains both axially elastomeric yarns and relatively inelastic yarns in various patterns. The structure has a high degree of both compressibility under an applied normal load and excellent recovery (resiliency or spring back) upon removal of that load.

Abstract: A structure for use in industrial fabrics such as paper machine clothing and engineered fabrics is disclosed. The structure includes axially and radially elastic hollow members, and relatively inelastic yarns in various patterns. The structure has a high degree of both compressibility under an applied normal load and excellent recovery (resiliency or spring back) upon removal of that load.

Abstract: A structure for use as a compressible ultra-resilient pad is disclosed. The structure includes axially and radially elastic hollow members and relatively inelastic yarns in various patterns. The structure has a high degree of both compressibility under an applied normal load and excellent recovery (resiliency or spring back) upon removal of that load.

Abstract: In the description and drawings a final fiberglass product is disclosed. The final fiberglass product may have a fiber curl layer, a fiber skin layer, and a fiber loft layer between the fiber curl layer and the fiber skin layer. The fiber curl layer may be on an unfiltered air entry side of the final fiberglass product and have a plurality of generally sinusoidal fiber bundles therein.

Abstract: A nonwoven material has a plurality of randomly oriented and bulked crimped filaments, a plurality of point bonds interconnecting said crimped filaments into a fixed, 3-dimensional structure, and either a surface portion of said fixed, 3-dimensional structure having a greater density than an inner portion of said 3-dimensional structure or an external surface of said fixed, 3-dimensional structure being substantially free of any protruding filaments. The nonwoven material is made by: bulking a filament tow, fixing the bulked tow into a 3-dimensional structure, and calendering the 3-dimensional structure.

Abstract: A disinfecting cleaning wipe of stitch-bonded construction. The wipe includes a stitching substrate of fibrous nonwoven material having a mass per unit area of not more than 30 grams per square meter. A first plurality of stitching yarns is disposed in stitched relation through the stitching substrate in a pattern of substantially parallel linear stitch lines extending in a first direction across the stitching substrate. At least a second plurality of stitching yarns is disposed in stitched relation through the stitching substrate in a repeating zigzag pattern to define a first group of surface yarn float segments extending diagonally between stitch positions at opposing linear stitch lines. A disinfecting solution at least partially saturates the cleaning wipe.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a multi-axial laminate of webs produced from cables stretch broken into strips includes arranging, at an entry of a conveyor table, a first layer of pre-wound pre-cut strips along the longitudinal axis of the table, the strips being partially superimposed; arranging along the table at least two cross lappers transferring and depositing in an oblique and/or divergent position at predetermined angles a stretch broken strip; and arranging the strips in successive superimpositions on the first layer of pre-cut strips in different planes, to form a multi-axial web of stretch broken strips. The web then being treated by a fixing device. Movement of the support belt of the table taking place in steps to ensure the superimposition of the different layers of pre-broken strips deposited by the cross lappers. Implementation of the method taking place without any prior cohesion treatment of each strip.

Abstract: A honeycomb-shaped panel is formed from a plurality of generally sinusoidally shaped strips of molded fiberboard material each having spaced, oppositely directed flat peaks, the peaks of adjacent strips being secured together to form a plurality of hexagonally shaped cells extending perpendicular to the surfaces of the sheet. The strips may be cut from a single sheet of corrugated fiberboard sheet material and then secured together to form the honeycomb panel, or a plurality of such panels may be secured together face to face with their ribs aligned to form a stack, and selected cuts may be made through the secured, stacked panels to form a plurality of honeycomb panels of desired surface shape and height dimensions. The strips forming the cells are substantially rigid and resistant to collapse of the cells, and form a substantially rigid core when assembled between two flexible fiberboard skins, while the panel is bendable to adopt a desired panel curvature.

Abstract: An anisotropic conductive joint package in which an anisotropic conductive film is joined to at least one conductive material selected from among the group consisting of gold (Au), silver (Ag), copper (Cu), aluminum (Al), magnesium (Mg), nickel (Ni), a tin oxide doped with indium (ITO), molybdenum (Mo), iron (Fe), palladium (Pd), beryllium (Be), and rhenium (Re).

Abstract: A 3D structure approximating a 3D curved surface having non-zero Gaussian curvature over a portion of the surface. The structure is formed of a plurality of thin strips (10) which are simply deformed and aligned adjacent one another to approximate the 3D curved surface. Each strip has: zero Gaussian curvature; a strip width which varies by no more than ±10% along a longitudinal axis of the strip; and a predetermined flat shape such that, after simple deformation, adjacent edges of adjacent strips can be aligned substantially parallel to one another separated by a substantially small gap. The aligned, simply deformed strips appear straight when viewed from a preferred viewing direction. The strips can be attached to a rigid support (12) at selected mounting points such that natural equilibrium deformation between the mounting points holds the aligned simply deformed strips in a desired approximation of the 3D curved surface.

Abstract: Structures for use in compressible resilient pads and methods of making thereof are disclosed. One structure includes one or more layers of a nonwoven extruded film or sheet, wherein the nonwoven extruded film or sheet is elastic, resilient, and compressible in a thickness direction, and extensible, bendable and resilient in its length and transverse directions, and two or more layers of a plurality of substantially parallel longitudinal direction yarns. The structure has a high degree of both compressibility under an applied normal load and excellent recovery (resiliency or spring back) upon removal of that load.

Abstract: An elastomeric laminate for use in an absorbent article can have a first plurality of elastomeric strands and a second plurality of elastomeric strands bonded to a first substrate. The first plurality of elastomeric strands can be bonded to the first substrate in a first orientation while the second plurality of elastomeric strands is joined to the first substrate in a second orientation. The first and second orientations can be different such that the elastomeric laminate can accommodate tension forces which act on the laminate from different axes. Optionally, a second substrate or a third plurality of elastomeric strands may be added to the elastomeric laminate.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for manufacturing a multi-layer web product. A long fiber stream is directed around a rotating carding cylinder. Two combing cylinders are disposed adjacent the carding cylinder to comb a first web of long fiber and a second web of long fiber, respectively, from the carding cylinder. A first conveyor receives the first web from the first combing cylinder and transports the first web toward a layering point. Similarly, a second conveyor receives the second web from the second combing cylinder and transports the second web toward the layering point. A short fiber deposition unit is disposed adjacent the second conveyor and deposits short fibers onto the second web. At the layering point, the first conveyor deposits the first web onto the second web, with the short fibers sandwiched therebetween, to form a layered web product.

Abstract: A doubly-curved mesh (110) is fabricated based on a customized design. In one aspect, a plurality of material-strips (112) are provided. A length is determined for at least one segment (223) of at least one material-strip based on a distance between points (214) on al geodesic line associated with the material-strip. The plurality of material-strips are connected to form a plurality of quadrilaterals (118) defined by four edges. At least one edge of at least one quadrilateral is modified based on the determined length for the at least one segment to form the doubly-curved mesh.

Abstract: A honeycomb-shaped panel is formed from a plurality of generally sinusoidally shaped strips of molded fiberboard material each having spaced, oppositely directed flat peaks, the peaks of adjacent strips being secured together to form a plurality of hexagonally shaped cells extending perpendicular to the surfaces of the sheet. The strips may be cut from a single sheet of corrugated fiberboard sheet material and then secured together to form the honeycomb panel, or a plurality of such panels may be secured together face to face with their ribs aligned to form a stack, and selected cuts may be made through the secured, stacked panels to form a plurality of honeycomb panels of desired surface shape and height dimensions. The strips forming the cells are substantially rigid and resistant to collapse of the cells, and form a substantially rigid core when assembled between two flexible fiberboard skins, while the panel is bendable to adopt a desired panel curvature.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments provide precision resistive composite members and methods for manufacturing and using them. The resistive composite member can have controllable dimensions, geometric shapes, mechanical properties and resistance values. The resistive composite member can be used for high-performance sensors or instrument probes that require, for example, high contact pressure, ultra-high frequency, and/or enable state-of-the-art digital signal transmission, characterization, or measurement. The resistive composite member can include one or more “twisted-fiber-tow” or one or more arrays of “twisted-fiber-tow” contained in a suitable non-metallic or essentially non-metallic binder material. The “twisted-fiber-tow” can further include a number of fibers that are twisted individually and/or in bundles in order to control the mechanical properties and fine-tune the resistance of the resistive composite member and thus to customize the high-performance instrument probes.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for manufacturing a multi-layer web product. A long fiber stream is directed around a rotating carding cylinder. Two combing cylinders are disposed adjacent the carding cylinder to comb a first web of long fiber and a second web of long fiber, respectively, from the carding cylinder. A first conveyor receives the first web from the first combing cylinder and transports the first web toward a layering point. Similarly, a second conveyor receives the second web from the second combing cylinder and transports the second web toward the layering point. A short fiber deposition unit is disposed adjacent the second conveyor and deposits short fibers onto the second web. At the layering point, the first conveyor deposits the first web onto the second web, with the short fibers sandwiched therebetween, to form a layered web product.

Abstract: A polyhydroxyalkanoate copolymer comprises one kind of unit of —[OCH((CH2)x—SOC6H5R)CH2CO]— (n=1-7)??(1) (wherein R is any one of H, halogen, CN, NO2, COOR?, SO2R? (R? is any one of H, Na, K, CH3 and C2H5; R? is any one of OH, ONa, OK, halogen, OCH3 and OC2H5), CH3, C2H5, C3H7, (CH3)2—CH and (CH3)3—C) and —[OCH((CH2)x—SO2C6H5R)CH2CO]— (n=1-7)??(2) (wherein R is any one of H, halogen, CN, NO2, COO R?, SO2R? (R? is any one of H, Na, K, CH3 and C2H5; R? is any one of OH, ONa, OK, halogen, OCH3 and OC2H5), CH3, C2H5, C3H7, (CH3)2—CH and (CH3)3—C) and at least one unit of chemical formulae (3) to (6): —[OCH((CH2)m—Rz)CH2CO]— (n=1-8) ??(3) (wherein Rz comprises a residue having either a phenyl structure or a thienyl structure), —[OCH((CH2)k—C6H11Ra)CH2CO]— (n=1-8)??(4) (wherein Ra is any one of H, CN, NO2, halogen, CH3, C2H5, C3H7, CF3, C2F5 and C3F7) —[OCH((CH2)n—CH?CH2)CH2CO]— (n=1-8), and??(5) —[OCH((CH2)n—COORb)CH2CO]— (n=1-8)??(6) (wherein Rb is any one of H, Na and K).

Abstract: A multi-section mold and method for molding a foam article. Micro-groove vents are formed in the parting line to expel gases from the mold cavity. Flashing that solidifies in the micro-groove vents takes the form of fringe-like elements. The roof of the mold cavity can be provided with similar micro-groove graining patterns to disrupt the accumulation of gas bubbles and minimize defects in the final foam surface.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for manufacturing a multi-layer web product. A long fiber stream is directed around a rotating carding cylinder. Two combing cylinders are disposed adjacent the carding cylinder to comb a first web of long fiber and a second web of long fiber, respectively, from the carding cylinder. A first conveyor receives the first web from the first combing cylinder and transports the first web toward a layering point. Similarly, a second conveyor receives the second web from the second combing cylinder and transports the second web toward the layering point. A short fiber deposition unit is disposed adjacent the second conveyor and deposits short fibers onto the second web. At the layering point, the first conveyor deposits the first web onto the second web, with the short fibers sandwiched therebetween, to form a layered web product.

Abstract: A plurality of surface acoustic wave elements, with an IDT electrode 2 and a pad electrode 3 formed on the principal surface of a piezoelectric substrate 1, are formed to be flip-chip mounted on a circuit board 5 and sealed using sealing resin 7. The circuit board 5 is diced integrally with the sealing resin 7 applying a rotating dicing blade 8 from the bottom surface side thereof to produce a plurality of surface acoustic wave devices. The side surfaces of the surface acoustic wave devices can be formed perpendicularly with dimensional accuracy without rounding or chipping an edge portion of the sealing resin 7.

Abstract: The invention relates to a large-size OSB-board having improved technical and mechanical properties. The aim of the invention is to solve the technical problems posed by an OSB-board which is suitable for using on large surfaces and also, for example, for the construction of buildings. To this end, the board has a width of at least 2.60 m and a length of at least 7.0 m, and the flectional elasticity module is it least 700 N/mm2 in the main loading direction.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a nonwoven fabric having a relatively low level of ionic contaminates which is achieved by exposing the fabric to a deionized water wash, preferably, in-line with the nonwoven production process, thereby eliminating, or at least reducing, the need for an expensive and time consuming cleanroom laundering. The fabric is primarily comprised of continuous filament fibers and may be manufactured into such end-use products as cleaning wipes and protective clothing for cleanrooms and surface coating operations, such as automotive paintrooms. Also encompassed within this invention is a method for producing a nonwoven fabric having a relatively low level of ionic contaminates.

Abstract: When the hydrogen separating membrane is in a low temperature condition, a lean bus operation is carried out in a reformer in order to conduct warm-up while suppressing generation of hydrogen. At the timing t1 where the temperature of the hydrogen separator membrane has reached a temperature at which hydrogen embrittlement does not occur, reforming is initiated. In such a condition, oxygen is supplied to hydrogen which is permeated through the hydrogen separator membrane for burning the hydrogen, so as to further facilitate the warm-up. At the timing t2 where the temperature has reached an operation temperature, the supply of oxygen in a purge side is stopped so as to stop the burning of hydrogen, and an operation mode is shifted to a normal operation.

Abstract: The invention relates to a plastic-based composite product which consists at least partially of a plastic in which a material consisting substantially of particles is homogeneously embedded, which particles have tensile strength in at least one principal direction. The invention provides a product of the stated type which has the special feature that the particles comprise: small particles, in particular plates or fibres, with a random orientation and a length of 0.2-2 mm; and large particles with a dominant orientation, for instance 80-95%, of the said principal direction of the particles in a chosen product principal direction and a length in the particle principal direction of about 2-6 mm.

Abstract: A composite nonwoven fabric comprising multiple layers of a web formed from a blended mixture of metal fibers and nonmetal fibers is provided. The metal fibers preferably have a rough outer surface with irregular shaped cross-sections that vary along their length. The fibers of adjacent layers of the web material are interengaged in a needlepunching step. The composite nonwoven fabrics of the invention, which have very good isotropic strength. In a preferred embodiment, the composite nonwoven fabric is employed as a floor buffing pad for use with an electric floor buffing apparatus.

Abstract: The present invention provides a laminate flexible strip for attachment to a vehicle in the form of a weather sealing strip. The strip includes a core member and a filler layer of elastomeric seal material disposed about and into the voids of the core member. The core member includes a bent wire in an undulating pattern that forms a number of continuously connected longitudinally spaced and laterally extending u-shaped metal clamping clips for reinforcing the seal material and a number of continuous laterally spaced and longitudinally extending linear fibers connected to the clips to maintain the spatial relationship between the bent wire members. While the fibers or laminate maintain the longitudinal spacing of the wires, they also allow the core to flex laterally and compress longitudinally in the finished extrusion. The fibers may be made of the same material as or a material dissimilar to the clips.

Abstract: The invention comprises a flexible adsorbent-loaded filter formed from a flexible support web and attached adsorbent particles. The adsorbent-loaded filter has open filter cells which are defined by the support web and the attached adsorbent particles and are random in size and orientation through the length and depth of the filter. The support web is formed of substantially nonlinear filaments that randomly intersect. The adsorbent particles largest average cross sectional dimension is smaller than the average diameter of the pores of the support web. When the flexible adsorbent loaded filter is flexed about a radius of curvature 20 mm, the percent increase in pressure drop is less than 100 percent when measured at a face velocity of 0.25 m/s.

Abstract: A liquid dispensing module dispenses multiple filaments of adhesive material from a single die to coat multiple strands of a substrate material. The liquid filaments are dispensed primarily in an oscillatory or back and forth manner such that each filament coats multiple strands of the substrate material. This results in a coated substrate that exhibits more uniform characteristics across the strands after they are secured to a substrate or substrates.

Abstract: Construction and advantages of improved wavy composite structures made from wavy composite, unidirectional composites, and damping materials is revealed. By combining wavy composite laminae in various waveforms, offsets, angular orientations and material combinations, it is possible to provide axial, torsion, or shear properties equivalent to unidirectional materials but without the limitations related to fiber discontinuity, labor costs for fabrication, and weakness at seams where laminates overlap. By combining wavy composite layers with unidirectional crossplies, or by using woven mats with various fill fiber levels where the warp fibers are sinuously arranged, improved strength and damping is possible. Several examples of both wavy crossply laminates and unidirectional crossply laminates are analyzed and compared.

Abstract: A fiber mat is configured such that the fibers 2 of an intermediate layer arranged between two adjacent layers touch the fibers of one of the layers at positions situated at a distance from the contact points with the fibers of the other layer. The positioning and the material of the fibers is designed to have a high elasticity with regard to pressing.

Abstract: An elongate elastic member is secured to a substrate to form an elastic composite. The elastic member extends along an elastic axis between a first location on the substrate and a second location on the substrate spaced longitudinally from the first location. At least a portion of the elastic axis is generally non-parallel to the longitudinal axis of the substrate. The elastic member crosses its elastic axis at least twice as it extends along the elastic axis, with the elastic member crossing itself at least once as it extends along the elastic axis. In another embodiment, the elastic member generally forms a wave pattern which defines a width of the securement path and has at least two different periods along the securement path. In yet another embodiment, the elastic member defines a continuous series of loops wherein each loop defines a closed portion having a generally tear-drop shape.

Abstract: A carrier for use in the manufacture of weatherseals is disclosed, the carrier having a serpentine frame and at least one elongation reducing member extending along its longitudinal dimension. The elongation reducing member may be secured to the frame in a set down relationship. The elongation reducing member can be a cable joined to the a plurality of limbs in the frame to maintain a maximum spacing between adjacent limbs along the longitudinal dimension. The resulting carrier is prevented from elongating during an extrusion process and thus a resulting product has reduced shrinkage.

Abstract: The present invention provides a laminate flexible strip for attachment to a vehicle in the form of a weather sealing strip. The strip includes a core member and a filler layer of elastomeric seal material disposed about and into the voids of the core member. The core member includes a bent wire in an undulating pattern that forms a number of continuously connected longitudinally spaced and laterally extending u-shaped metal clamping clips for reinforcing the seal material and a number of continuous laterally spaced and longitudinally extending linear fibers connected to the clips to maintain the spatial relationship between the bent wire members. While the fibers or laminate maintain the longitudinal spacing of the wires, they also allow the core to flex laterally and compress longitudinally in the finished extrusion. The fibers may be made of the same material as or a material dissimilar to the clips.

Abstract: A carrier for use in the manufacture of weatherseals is disclosed, the carrier having a serpentine frame and at least one elongation reducing member extending along its longitudinal dimension. The elongation reducing member may be secured to the frame in a set down relationship. The elongation reducing member can be a cable joined to the a plurality of limbs in the frame to maintain a maximum spacing between adjacent limbs along the longitudinal dimension. The resulting carrier is prevented from elongating during an extrusion process and thus a resulting product has reduced shrinkage.

Abstract: An article and method for reinforcing structural members is provided. The article comprises a carbon fiber material, preferably a carbon fiber mesh with a roughened surface defined by an epoxy resin. The article has lateral fibers woven into longitudinal carbon fibers that are in tension, creating a mesh. An epoxy resin is applied to the fiber mesh to form a rigidified fiber mesh tape once the resin is cured. To obtain a roughened surface a plastic sheet is removably attached to the surface of the fiber mesh. The plastic sheet is removed thereby exposing a roughened carbon fiber surface defined by the epoxy. The rigidified fiber mesh tape is adhered to the structural member by applying a second epoxy to the structural member. The roughened surface of the rigidified carbon fiber mesh material is then joined to the second epoxy resin. To firmly adhere the fiber mesh to the structural member an impermeable material and a plastic barrier are placed above the article and the structural member.

Abstract: A webbed reinforcing strip for poured concrete structures includes a first elongated tension strand, a second elongated tension strand spaced apart from and substantially parallel to the first tension strand, and at least two pairs of strands interconnecting the first and second tension strands in an open weave pattern. The interconnecting strands cross each other between the tension strands to form a webbed central portion of the strip. The interconnecting strands bend to join the tension strands at nonperpendicular angles at a plurality of nodes. All strands are formed of glass fiber reinforced plastic material and are bonded together with a bonding resin. Thus, thermal transfer and the potential for damage due to corrosion are minimized.

Abstract: A structural reinforcement in the form of an open gridwork which is advantageously used, for example, as part of a shoe sole. The structural reinforcement provides and/or enhances spring-like characteristics of the member it is reinforcing, propels and encourages the natural foot strike of the user to length the user's stride, increases the stride speed, and stabilizes the user's foot to prevent permanent compression of the midsole as a result of creep. The gridwork is impregnated throughout with a fully cured or B-stage thermosettable resin. The gridwork includes at least one continuous filament selected from the group consisting of glass, carbon, and aramid. The open gridwork is flat, corrugated, or double corrugated. The corrugated gridwork may be sinusoidal. The open gridwork may be part of a shoe midsole or may constitute a shoe midsole.

Abstract: A tailored structural member that is designed to generate a yield-type response, with applicability to the arrest of a moving body. The structural member comprises a primary load path connected in parallel to a longer secondary load path at a pair of common nodes. The primary load path is designed to fail at a lower load than that required to fail the secondary load path when subjected to a tensile force. As a result of the load redistribution achieved through the use of the redundant paths provided by the primary and secondary load paths, the structural member dissipates more kinetic energy from the moving body within a given set of displacement and deceleration force constraints than is possible using a conventional, uniform cross-section member.

Abstract: In the manufacture of a structural member comprising a thermoplastic composite core with an exterior reinforcing layer, the core member is initially extruded in the shape of a profile. The profile is then contacted with reinforcing fiber and resin to form the exterior reinforcing layer. The exterior thermosetting layer is cured to form a reinforcing layer. The structural member is preferably manufactured using a pultrusion method in which a tractor device is used to provide linear movement of the profile from the extrusion head to the exterior coating operation. The fiber-reinforced thermoset is coated on the entirety of the exterior of the profile or is applied only on a portion of the profile requiring reinforcement in a defined load-bearing direction. A preferred thermoplastic core comprises a polymer-fiber composite material.

Abstract: A corrosion resistant, light weight composite twisted rope rebar is disclosed for reinforcing concrete material, including providing a plurality of continuous glass fibers oriented substantially in the longitudinal axis and coated with a thermoset polyester resin and catalyst. In one aspect, the twisted rope rebar includes two or more bundles in a helical pitch of about two inches to six inches to form the twisted rope rebar.

Abstract: A box-shaped fibrous preform is produced by laying or superposing a plurality of reinforcing fibrous material layers (6a) on top of each other into a box-like shape. The box-shaped fibrous preform is used as an auxiliary member (1) or by cutting the box-like member into segments of a required shape. The auxiliary member (1) is combined with reinforcing fibrous material forming a main structural member. The auxiliary member and the main structural member are placed in a mold and a resin is supplied into the mold to carry out a resin-impregnating and curing operation.

Abstract: The present invention provides a reinforcing structural rebar. The rebar comprises an inner core formed by pultruding reinforcing fibers through a bath of a first resin material, the inner core typically containing at least about 40 percent by weight reinforcing fibers and an outer cladding of a corrosion resistant and reinforced second resin material.

Abstract: A wood board comprising a core layer comprising one or more strand boards formed by using a foaming binder, and at least one surface layer comprising oriented strand board, which is laminated to at least one surface of the core layer, the foaming binder being a mixture of a foaming resin and a non-foaming resin at a ratio within a range of 4:1-1:4. It is preferable that the thin wooden strips comprising the surface layer has at least one of an average length value and an average width value thereof which is larger than that of the thin wooden strips comprising the core layer. The wood board of the present invention has particularly superior resistance to moisture, and has low density and high strength. In the wood board of the present invention, it is possible to adjust the anisotropy of the strength thereof by adjusting the number of layers or the thickness thereof.

Abstract: An extensible composite fabric including a multiplicity of continuous fibers extending in one direction and distorted into aligned, locally parallel, curved paths for imparting extensibility to the fabric in that direction, and a method and apparatus for making such a composite fabric.

Abstract: In the natural wood panel according to the invention, the fibers (10) are inclined to the panel plane (2) at an angle (.alpha.) between 0.degree. and 90.degree., especially between 20.degree. and 70.degree.. The panel has at least one layer of such natural wood panels (2) joined with one another, in which the fibers (10) of the panels (2) point in the same direction or, in another embodiment, in different directions. At least one other layer can be provided which is joined with the layer of natural wood panels (2), and this layer can also be a natural wood laminated panel or a layer of wood, wood fiber substances, sound-absorbing, heat-insulating, radiation-repelling or heat-conducting material.

Abstract: A method and device are disclosed for forming reinforcement element formed of fibers distributed along three dimensions, wherein, a continuous fiber is introduced in a substrate resting on a support formed of such fibers crossed in at least two directions, by stitching, from the free face of said substrate opposite said support by means of a needle driven with a reciprocal movement, a relative movement being in addition generated between said support and said needle so that said continuous fiber is formed inside said substrate of a succession of consecutive segments forming a zig-zag line.The invention is remarkable in that:said needle is curved and imposes on each segment of said continuous fiber a similar curved form; andthe reciprocal movement of said curved needle occurs while rotating about an axis perpendicular to the plane of said needle and disposed on the concave side thereof.

Abstract: A method of forming a fibrous composite that includes forming first and second layered groups of fibers extending in side-by-side relation; and passing gas such as air through the groups of fibers to effect controlled reduction in overall thickness of the two groups of fibers. The two groups of fibers are typically bonded together, and a think flexible, porous support layer may support the first layer which consists of glass fibers of smaller diameter than the glass fibers in the second layer.