Abstract: A support harness with shock reducing elements includes a saddle with a first lateral edge and a second lateral edge. A pair of bridge connectors is attached to and extends outwardly from the saddle. The first and second lateral edges each has one of the bridge connectors positioned adjacent thereto. The bridge connectors each include a first strap section secured to the saddle adjacent to an upper edge thereof, a second strap section secured to the saddle adjacent to a lower edge thereof, and a central strap section extending between the first and second strap sections. The first strap section includes a plurality folds therein. A break-away fastener extends through the folds and breaks to release the plurality of folds when a predetermined amount of force is placed on the first strap.

Abstract: Shock absorbing seat belt height adjusters for use with vehicle occupant restraint systems, and associated systems and methods. In one embodiment, a shock absorbing height adjuster includes an adjustable D-ring that is operably coupled to an anchor point on a vehicle frame near a seat occupant's shoulder. The height adjuster can include an anti-cinch feature that enables the D-ring to elastically respond to tension loads in a shoulder web portion of the occupant restraint through at least an initial portion of D-ring movement.

Abstract: The technology described herein generally relates to a garment that is insulating yet light weight, which may provide protection from the elements without weighing down the wearer. The garment in accordance with the technology described herein comprises a layer of thermally insulating sheet material having one or more voided portions in place of conventional down or other synthetic thermally insulating materials. The one or more voided portions allow the thermal insulation to be light weight and adequately protective in cooler/cold weather, without adding motion hindering bulk to the garment.

Abstract: A ball bat may include a barrel wall formed at least in part by a plurality of concentric first composite laminate layers and a plurality of second composite laminate layers oriented transverse to the first composite laminate layers. In some embodiments, a ball bat may include composite material with a plurality of fibers oriented along a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis of the bat.

Abstract: A thermosetting oligomer or thermosetting polymer is provided. The thermosetting oligomer or thermosetting polymer contains repeating units, each of which has at least one thermosetting functional group in the side chain and is represented by Formula 1: where repeating units include X1, A1, and Y1 subunits, sidechain units include linking unit L and thermosetting functional group Z, and n is an integer from 1 to 4. The thermosetting oligomer or thermosetting polymer has a low coefficient of thermal expansion and high or no glass transition temperature, stiffness, processability, heat resistance and mechanical properties. The thermosetting oligomer or thermosetting polymer is highly soluble, wettable and dimensionally stable and is suitable for use in films, prepregs and printed circuit boards. Further provided are a thermosetting resin composition including the thermosetting oligomer or thermosetting polymer and a printed circuit board using the composition.

Abstract: A quasi-isotropic three-dimensional preform and a method of making thereof are disclosed. The preform includes a plurality of woven elements that are braided with each other. The woven elements have one or more integrally woven stiffeners or walls in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the woven element. The preform may be used in forming a fiber reinforced composite.

Abstract: A non-woven electret fibrous web for electrostatic adsorption and odor elimination and the preparation process thereof. In certain exemplary embodiments, the non-woven electret fibrous web includes a multiplicity of electret fibers, at least one of a plurality of photo-catalytic fibers or a plurality of multi-component fibers; and optionally, at least one of a plurality of chemically-active particulates, a plurality of carbon-based fibers, or a plurality of mono-component thermoplastic fibers. In other exemplary embodiments, carding and cross-lapping or air-laying processes are disclosed for making nonwoven fibrous webs including electret fibers and one or more of photocatalytic fibers, chemically-active particulates, multi-component fibers, mono-component thermoplastic fibers, or carbon-based fibers.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments concern a curved structural part composed of a composite material with reinforced, continuous fibers whose cross section includes at least two wings, with said fibers extending from one wing to the other, with said structural part having a variation in the width of its section parallel to the local radius of curvature. The structural element that results from assembling the parts in the disclosed embodiments therefore has local widening of the section at the connections between the parts constituting a structural element, such as an aircraft fuselage frame, and widening at the connection with the floor profiles, if such a profile is used to make an aircraft fuselage structure. The disclosed embodiments also concern a process for manufacturing such a part, as well as a device for advantageously implementing such a process.

Abstract: A three-dimensional support structure is provided and includes a single sheet of material that is folded into a repeating pattern of cells. Each of the cells is formed by first and second spaced-apart endwalls and first and second sloped sidewalls spanning between the endwalls. Each endwall comprises two plies of material while each sidewall comprises a single ply of material. The first and second sidewalls are adjoined at a folded edge. The cells are aligned such that the first endwall of one cell from the repeating pattern abuts the second endwall of an adjacent cell of the repeating pattern to form a four-ply wall of the material. A first liner may be attached to a first side of the folded material and a second liner may be attached to a second side of the folded material.

Abstract: Articles including a primary composite structure having a circumference, at least one mounting flange operably connected to the primary composite structure about the circumference, the mounting flange having at least one circumferentially oriented core fiber.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an improvement for an inseam mechanically attached roofing membrane which includes a body portion, a mechanically fastened edge on one length with a fold line along the body portion and an overlap portion overlying the body portion. Further disclosed herein is a roofing material for a lap type roof system with a reinforced lap edge, which includes the base portion of the roofing material and a secondary portion of material disposed at the edge of the base portion.

Abstract: A composite material as a sheet material is described, being relatively cheap, most useful as a raw material of a sanitary product or the like, such as underwear, dust-proof mask or dispensable paper diaper, etc., and good in processability, stretchability, gas-permeability, softness, and touch. The composite material is formed by laminating a stretchable layer and a conjugate spunbonded nonwoven fabric including conjugate fibers including a low-melting-point component and a high-melting-point component. The conjugate fibers are partially bonded to each other by thermocompression, wherein each bonded portion has fine folded structures including alternate hill and valley regions in the CD, and the distance between neighboring hills is 100-400 ?m in average. The conjugate spunbonded nonwoven fabric exhibits stretchability through the spread of the fine folded structures, and has, at 5% elongation, a CD-strength of 0.1 N/5 cm or less and an MD/CD strength ratio of 200 or more.

Abstract: An acoustic ceiling panel for a lay-in or suspended ceiling includes a core portion, and front and rear layers covering front and rear sides, respectively, of the core portion. The air flow resistance of the core portion does not exceed about 100 MKS rayls. The air flow resistance of the front layer lies in the range of about 300 to about 800 MKS rayls. The air flow resistance of the rear layer lies in the range of about 300 to about 1200 MKS rayls. The panel would be supported on a grid suspended below a structural ceiling to form an air space therebetween.

Abstract: Herein are disclosed high loft spunbonded webs that are substantially free of crimped fibers and gap-formed fibers. The webs exhibit a solidity of from less than 8.0% to about 4.0% and a ratio of Effective Fiber Diameter to Actual Fiber Diameter of at least 1.40. Also disclosed are methods of making such webs.

Abstract: Herein are disclosed high loft spunbonded webs that are substantially free of crimped fibers and gap-formed fibers. The webs exhibit a solidity of from less than 8.0% to about 4.0% and a ratio of Effective Fiber Diameter to Actual Fiber Diameter of at least 1.40. Also disclosed are methods of making such webs.

Abstract: A three-dimensionally structured fiber fabric has a high fluid absorption capacity of at least 5 g fluid per g of fiber fabric and elevations and depressions that occur alternately and regularly with reference to the fabric plane, which includes at least one nonwoven fabric layer and a shrunk fabric bonded to it. The bond between the nonwoven fabric layer and the shrunk fabric has been produced by hot bonding, and the hot bonding occurred at least perpendicular to the direction of the greatest shrinkage of the shrunk fabric, in the form of regularly arranged lines. Furthermore, spaces have formed between the nonwoven fabric layer and the shrunk fabric, at the alternately occurring elevations and depressions, which spaces promote the fluid absorption capacity of the fabric. These fabrics may be used as wiping cloths, wet wipes, as fluid dispensers for cleaning or for applying fluids, etc.

Abstract: A composite spunbond nonwoven and a laminate using the same are provided. The composite spunbond nonwoven is formed of a composite fiber including a low melting point component and a high melting point component. The composite fiber is partially thermal compression bonded to each other, and thermal compression bonded portions have fine folded structures formed by repeating convex portions and concave portions in a CD (cross direction in nonwoven manufacturing). An average of distances between adjacent convex portions of the folded structures is in a range of 100 ?m-400 ?m. The composite spunbond nonwoven exhibits an elongation property by unfolding the fine folded structures. When the composite spunbond nonwoven is elongated by 5%, a CD strength is less than or equal to 0.1 N/5 cm width, and a MD/CD strength ratio is greater than or equal to 200. MD is longitudinal direction in nonwoven manufacturing.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a cutting tool having high toughness and abrasion resistance, in which a coated cutting tool including a cemented carbide substrate, a cermet substrate or a ceramic substrate coated with a hard coating film by means of chemical vapor deposition, moderate temperature-chemical vapor deposition or physical vapor deposition, and/or a cemented carbide cutting tool, a cermet cutting tool or a ceramic cutting tool are subjected to wet blasting using 10-300 ?m sized particles to decrease residual tensile stress or increase residual compressive stress, thereby improving toughness, and also, reducing surface roughness of the cutting tool, thus remarkably increasing chipping resistance and flaking resistance.

Abstract: A cutting insert preferably for milling of extremely highly alloyed grey cast iron, of a substrate and a coating and methods of making and using the insert are disclosed. The cemented carbide substrate includes WC, of from about 3 to about 8 weight-% Co and less than about 0.5 weight-% carbides of metals from groups IVb, Vb or VIb of the periodic table. The coating has a first, innermost layer of TiCxNyOz with x+y+z=1, y>x and z less than about 0.2, preferably y greater than about 0.8, and z=0, with equiaxed grains with size less than about 0.5 ?m and a total thickness of from about 0.1 to about 1.5 ?m, a layer of TiCxNy with x+y=1, x greater than about 0.3 and y greater than about 0.3, preferably x greater than or equal to about 0.5, with a thickness of greater than about 3 to about 5 ?m with columnar grains with an average diameter of less than about 5 ?m, a layer of a smooth, fine-grained, grain size of from about 0.5 to about 2 ?m, ?-Al2O3 with a thickness of from about 0.

Abstract: Coated milling inserts particularly useful for milling of highly alloyed grey cast iron with or without cast skin under wet conditions at preferably rather high cutting speeds and milling of nodular cast iron and compacted graphite iron with or without cast skin under wet conditions at moderate cutting speeds are disclosed. The inserts are characterised by a WC—Co cemented carbide with a low content of cubic carbides and a highly W-alloyed binder phase and a coating including an inner layer of TiCxNy with columnar grains followed by a layer of ?-Al2O3 and a top layer of TiN.

Abstract: A corner fitting and a method of forming a corner fitting including steps of providing a flat woven fabric including a first woven portion having first and second direction woven fibers, a second woven portion adjacent the first woven portion having first direction fibers and sacrificial second direction fibers and a third semi-woven portion having first direction fibers selectively engaged by the sacrificial second direction yarns. The method further comprising steps of folding the flat woven fabric in at least one direction, and removing the sacrificial second direction fibers, wherein during removal, the sacrificial second direction fibers are replaced in the second woven portion by the first direction fibers of the third semi-woven portion and form a corner fitting having continuous fibers connecting all sides.

Abstract: A protective member primarily for use as an energy absorbing pad for incorporation into garments to protect the wearer against accidental impacts. The member comprises a putty-like energy absorbing material (2) encapsulated in a flexible envelope (3, 4). The energy absorbing material is normally soft and flexible but changes to become temporarily rigid when an impact force is applied thereto, thereby absorbing the impact energy, the material returning to its normal flexible condition after the impact. The energy absorbing member preferably comprises a series of connected corrugations to increase its energy absorbing properties.

Abstract: A three-dimensionally structured fibrous web made up of continuous-filament layers which alternate perpendicular to the surface plane, and denser short-fiber layers that are permanently thermally bonded in a continuous or spot-like manner to the filament layers, the wide-mesh continuous-filament layers representing a scrim, lattice, or netting, has on the short-fiber layers repeating, fold- or wave-shaped elevations. In the manufacturing process, all of the layers of the laminate are subjected together to a shrinkage process at a temperature which lies between the softening and melting points of the scrim material.

Abstract: A composite reinforced plastic lumber article, having a generally rectangular cross-section, is formed by extruding a wood particle/polymer composition through an extrusion die which forms a corrugated or relatively thin sheet cross-section core part. The core part is compressed to push corrugations closer together and then cooled in a two-stage cooling process with water spray and submersion followed by vacuum and air blast drying of the article, followed by extruding an outer coating of the same composition over the core part. A continuous plank-like composite article is thus formed and is cooled after the outer coating is extruded over the core part. Opposed surfaces of the article may be embossed to provide a woodgrain appearance. The two-stage article forming process provides rapid cooling of the material to enhance the speed of production of reinforced plastic lumber articles.

Abstract: Highly textured tissue sheets, particularly suitable for use as bath tissue, are produced by throughdrying and have a low number and/or low amount of pinholes. The low number or amount of pinholes is provided by using a throughdrying fabric having parallel wide ridges with a height suited to the particular tissue sheet being produced.

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 simplified elastic laminate is made from nonwovens and is especially suitable for side panels of training pant garments or the like. A plurality of thermoplastic adhesive elastomeric fibers are located between first and second facing webs. The fibers have an elastic core and adhesive surfaces. The facing webs, with the elastomeric fibers between them, are calendered together thus adhering the facing webs together via contact adhesion with the elastomeric fibers.

Abstract: A novel paper article, a method of making a paper product, and an embossing roll are disclosed for providing a paper surface region having a minority of fiber to fiber bonds broken in the paper surface region to a depth less than about 0.02 mm from the paper surface. In one aspect, the roughened embossing roll includes protuberances or depressions sized at less than about 0.1 mm. In one aspect, the roughened embossing roll includes protuberances or depressions adapted to produce paper product surface deformations in the paper surface, wherein the paper product surface deformations are invisible to an unaided human eye. The present invention provides a paper product having higher perceived softness while maintaining tensile strength.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a soft, thick, single-ply, printed, absorbent paper product having a Yankee side and an air side wherein the absorbent paper is printed on before or after embossing on the Yankee side, air side, or both sides, said absorbent paper exhibiting a serpentine configuration. This inventions also relates to a process for the manufacture of such absorbent paper product having a basis weight of at least about 12.5 lbs. per 3000 square foot ream and having low sidedness, said tissue exhibiting: a specific total tensile strength of between 40 and 200 grams per 3 inches per pound per 3000 square foot ream, a cross direction specific wet tensile strength of between 2.75 and 20.0 grams per 3 inches per pound per 3000 square foot ream, the ratio of MD tensile to CD tensile of between 1.25 and 2.75, a specific geometric mean tensile stiffness of between 0.5 and 3.2 grams per inch per percent strain per pound per 3000 square foot ream, a friction deviation of less than 0.

Abstract: A thermally insulating textile (2) adapted to provide a variable degree of thermal insulation dependent on ambient temperature, the textile including a laminate of two fabric layers (15, 15′) having interposed a bulking layer (1), which may be one or more fabric layers (3a, 3b) on to which is deposited a shape memory polymer (4) in a repeat pattern. The bulking layer (1) is adapted to cooperate with the fabric layers (15, 15′) to vary the gap therebetween upon departure in a desired direction of the textile temperature from a predetermined temperature.

Abstract: A package of a continuous strip of material includes a plurality of parallel side by side stacks each containing a length of the strip which is folded back and forth such that each folded portion of the stack is folded relative to the next portion about a line transverse to the strip and such that the side edges of the strip portions are aligned. The strip of material includes a splice defined by the two ends of the strip. The two ends of the strip are held together by yarn stitches passing through and bridging the strip ends.

Abstract: A thermally insulating textile (2) adapted to provide a variable degree of thermal insulation dependent on ambient temperature comprising a laminate of two fabric layers (15, 15′) having interposed a bulking layer (1), which may comprise one or more fabric layers (3a, 3b) on to which is deposited a shape memory polymer (4) in a repeat pattern. The bulking layer (1) is adapted to cooperate with the fabric layers (15, 15′) to vary the gap therebetween upon departure in a desired direction of the textile temperature from a predetermined temperature.

Abstract: Described are a polymerizable composition comprising methyl styrene monomer, polymers comprising monomeric units derived from methyl styrene monomers, and optical products comprising these polymers.

Abstract: Described are optical products comprising a base and an optical layer. The optical layer is prepared from a polymerizable composition comprising an alkyl-substituted brominated phenolic ester(meth)acrylate monomer.

Abstract: Cast padding materials and padding and lining materials for other orthopedic devices are made from three dimensional fiber networks which are semi-rigid and dimensionally stable. The fiber networks are made from textile fabrics that have projections and optional depressions which are compressible and return to their original shape after being compressed. The fiber networks are made by the thermo-mechanical deformation of textile fabrics that are in turn made from thermoplastic fibers.

Abstract: A bellows formed from a material sheet is constituted of a core member containing a glass fiber cloth as a matrix and fluorine resin film adhered over entire surfaces at both sides of said core member.

Abstract: A fastening tape for a sanitary article, for fastening the article on the body of a person is attached to the article at one of its end portions (18) and provided with any fastener (22) on one surface of the other end portion (20). A stretchable elastic portion (30) consists of a sandwich structure of a tape section (32) of a stretchable elastic material secured to one surface of the fastening tape (10) at least at both ends (32a, 32b) thereof, to bridge a section of the fastening tape (10).

Abstract: A napkin is folded so that certain layers include marginal portions which extend beyond the remaining layers. The marginal portions are provided with a deeper embossing pattern than the remaining portions of the napkin to provide enhanced banding and handling of a stack of napkins.

Abstract: A window covering comprises a series of spaced collapsible cells, each cell having a pair of opposed panels which are joined by permanently creased flexible material. One panel of each cell is secured to a first control cord and the opposite panel of each cell is secured to a second control cord. Relative longitudinal movement of the two control cords causes said opposed panels to move toward or away from each other to expand or collapse the cells. Each panel includes a stiffening portion which has a mechanical interlock formation which retains a bead on the associated control cord. In their collapsed condition, the cells are spaced from each other to allow light to pass from one side of the window covering to the other through the space between the cells.

Abstract: A protective armor construction includes a plurality of layers of penetration resistant material. These layers comprise one or more expandable stress layers of flexible penetration resistant material having a plurality of folds therein. The folds are arranged so as to unfold and expand in response to a penetration force exerted on the armor construction, e.g., by a bullet, such as to impede the penetration force and to thereby limit penetration of the armor construction. To provide superior protection, two or more of such expandable stress layers are provided along with multiple unfolded layers disposed in front and behind these layers. The folds of the two expandable layers extend orthogonally to one another while the folds of the individual expandable layers over lap. The folds of the outermost expandable layer face outwardly while the folds of the innermost expandable layer face inwardly.

Abstract: A corrugated fiberfill structure is provided including at least one fibrous web folded to form a plurality of pleats having alternating crests and bases, each of the pleats having a pair of legs in which each of the legs has a first leg surface and a second leg surface, the first leg surface of one leg being in intimate contact with the first leg surface of an adjoining leg of the pleat and the second leg surface of the one leg being in intimate contact with the second leg surface of one adjoining leg of an adjacent pleat over a portion of each leg. At least some crests define a first structural surface and at least some bases define a second structural surface; with the distance between the first and second structural surfaces defining the thickness of the structure. The pleats of the structure are so arranged across the thickness that the density of the structure varies between the first and second structural surfaces.

Abstract: To produce a pultrusion which can be machined without undue strength loss bidirectional woven fiber fabric is modified to be pultrudable into a high shear strength composite member. In a preferred form of the invention the fabric is pleated in the pultrusion process to create an endless wall of stacked switchback pleated layers which defines a box beam wall in one example, and the shaft of a bolt in another. Products produced by this process have improved isotonic strength qualities over currently produced pultrusions, which are limited to unidirectional fibers, continuous fiber mats, or alternating layers of non-woven 0.degree. and 90.degree. cloth and do not have the shear strength inherent in the pleated configuration.

Abstract: A tubular supporting element for supporting an elastic sleeve for covering a junction of cables which is provided with a wall which has a groove or incision directed according to a helical line and which has a radial depth from the outer surface of the supporting element less than the radial thickness of the supporting element. The incision has a mouth at the outer surface of the supporting element with a width of less than 0.1 mm, preferably less than 0.05 mm, so as to provide a strip between the incision having a substantially rectangular cross-section. Also, a process and an apparatus for making the tubular supporting element.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for forming a window treatment article having opposed upper and lower sheets interconnected by transversely oriented, longitudinally spaced vanes comprising a pair of counter-rotating folding rollers oriented with respect to one another to form a nip therebetween, and a pusher bar assembly which is operative to successively advance a portion of the upper sheet into the nip between the folding rollers where it is folded and brought into contact with a lower sheet.

Abstract: A business form comprising a substrate with at least one surface bearing a dual-functional coating comprising a copolymer of ethylene and vinyl acetate containing at least 40 weight percent ethylene and having a softening point of at least 60.degree. C. enhances adhesion of toner particles and is self-adhering under application of heat and pressure.

Abstract: The invention is a stretchable layered fabric laminate which is air impermeable and waterproof while being permeable to water vapor. The stretchable fabric laminate includes a stretchable composite material layer consisting of a hydrophobic protective layer of a porous polymeric material on each side of a layer of hydrophilic water-vapor-permeable synthetic polymer. The composite material layer is laminated to at least one layer of stretchable fabric. The stretchable layered fabric laminate has excellent stretch and recovery properties in both machine and transverse directions, and is useful for the manufacture of form-fitting articles of protective clothing and other end uses.

Abstract: A compact cassette is provided with substantially rectangular plastic support liner(s) between tape roll(s) and cassette wall(s), having at least one longitudinal bend, and the deflections of the support liners in a defined load range should be not more than a factor of 2 greater in the case of exposure to heat at about 85.degree. C. compared with no exposure. Suitable liner materials are those having glass transition temperatures equal to or greater than 85.degree. C., for example consisting of polysulfones, polyethersulfones, polyarylether ketones, polyetherimides, and/or blends and/or copolymers thereof.

Abstract: An inflatable well packer includes several annular layers of material, consisting of a series of oriented fibers encapsulated in a resin, the fibers being oriented in directions relative to the direction of the circumference of the annular layers such that pressure from the bore through the annular layers causes changes to the orientations of the fibers, thus causing inflation of the well packer, the fibers within each layer being oriented along the length of the layer, so that a portion of them are oriented at the lock up angle.

Abstract: A flat-peaked and flat-troughed corrugated wafer board panel is provided. The panel is characterized in having a substantially uniform density.

Abstract: A multilayered reflective polymeric body of alternating layers of polymers wherein at least a portion of the layers are in a folded-over relationship is provided along with a coextrusion apparatus and method of preparing the multilayer polymeric body. The reflective polymeric body includes at least first and second diverse polymeric materials having a sufficient number of alternating layers of the first and second polymeric materials such that a portion of the light incident on the body is reflected. The first and second polymeric materials differ from each other in refractive index by at least about 0.03. The reflective body is thermoformable and may be fabricated into wall panels, dishware, decorative trims, and the like, and may also find use in security applications such as credit cards, credit card emblems, or on currency.