Abstract: The method and apparatus of the present invention prevents the formation of pin-holes during stretching of strip laminates in the cross machine direction. Pin-holes are prevented by creating slack areas along the length of the web where the edges of the non-woven strips meet with the polymer film, pressing the slack areas into the interdigital stretching rollers without stretching the slack areas, and stretching the remainder of the web in a typical manner. The slack regions are formed prior to interdigitation by, for example, formation of a furrow, a fold or a corrugation.

Abstract: Disclosed is an anisotropic conductive adhesive having an adhesive layer and conductive particles individually adhered to the adhesive layer, the conductive particles being arranged in an ordered array. The size of the conductive particles is at least somewhat smaller than the thickness of the adhesive layer. Also disclosed is an anisotropic conductive adhesive having an adhesive layer, conductive particles individually adhered to the adhesive layer, and a release liner having an ordered array of dimples. The conductive particles reside in a single layer in the dimples. The anisotropic conductive adhesive is made by placing the conductive particles in an ordered array of dimples on a low adhesion surface. An adhesive layer is then laminated on top such that the conductive particles individually adhere to the adhesive layer. The anisotropic conductive adhesive may be used to electrically connect fine pitch electrodes on opposing circuit layers.

Abstract: A bladder usable in the sole of a shoe for supporting the plantar area includes a plurality of chambers designed to provide a resilient resistance force. In the fabrication of the bladder, each of the chambers is formed in fluid communication with each other, and fluid is supplied into the chambers at a selected location. After the chambers have been pressurized to the desired internal pressure, the fluid communication port(s) is sealed. Although certain of the chambers are pressurized to the same internal pressure, different resistance forces are provided by forming the chambers with different volumes.

Abstract: A molded plastic panel for covering an exterior building wall includes a laterally directed lead fin, a laterally extending groove below the lead fin, and a rearwardly directed middle wall between rows of simulated shingles, all for joining laterally adjacent panels. A side flange extending outwardly of the panel may also be included.

Abstract: A rug underlay formed of a compressed central mat of needle-punched waste or recycled fibers, the upper layer of which is heat fused by a drum to provide a chevron design of lands and grooves alternating between adjoining squares and a lower layer of elastomeric material coating the mat and embossed with a pattern of geometric formation.

Abstract: A decorative roll-patterned metal strip or sheet, preferably aluminium strip or sheet, having: a thickness of about 0.05-1.0 mm, preferably about 0.1-0.8 mm, with a surface having a plurality of indentations of a depth of about 0.001-0.05 mm, preferably about 0.02-0.035 mm, and optionally having a layer of a paint of a thickness of about 3-30 microns, preferably about 10-15 microns, on the surface and within its indentations, the ratio of the depth of the indentations to the thickness of the strip or sheet being in the range of about 1:5 to about 1:100. A process is provided for making the decorative roll-patterned metal strip.

Abstract: A structural panel has one or more face sheets bonded by adhesive layers to a core body having two outer plastic liner sheets fusion-bonded to linear ends of inner plastic truss elements spaced apart with open spaces therebetween extending in a plane direction of the plastic liner sheets. The sheet-to-sheet adhesive bonding provides a high-strength laminate bonding that is very resistant to delamination, simple and inexpensive, and can be carried out by a preferred continuous sheet bonding technique. The all-plastic core body is highly resistant to moisture attack, and the open spaces between truss elements provide flexibility to accommodate thermal expansion and contraction. The truss construction of the core body provides high compressive and shear strength, while minimizing the amount of material required to be used. In one preferred embodiment, two metal face sheets are used, and the core body has plastic liner sheets fusion-bonded to a corrugated plastic core sheet.

Abstract: An expandable and contractible cellular panel 10 comprises a plurality of parallel, aligned, elongated tubular sections 12 secured together at the median region of their adjacent longitudinal margins to form the panel 10. The adjacent tubular sections 12 of the panel 10 are made of a pair of substantially identical separate strips of sheet material from those forming the other adjacent tubular sections 12. The various adjacent pairs of strips are laminated together along their confronting longitudinal margins. Each strip is made of at least two separate flexible substrate sheets 18,20 having completely different appearances, and are secured together by welding together their longitudinal margins.

Abstract: Apertured plastic films comprise a stretchable thermoplastic polymeric material having a plurality of micro-holes defined by a network of fiber-like elements. The films are produced by directing fluids, especially water, against the upper surface of a starting film in the form of columnar streams in a contact zone, while the film is supported on a backing element. The films of the invention are useful as covering materials for absorbent products such as diapers, wound dressings and sanitary napkins.

Abstract: The present invention proposes light-weight and easy-to-handled deodorizing material that has a large contact area with bad smell-causing gas as well as better deodorizing performance and also that enjoys a smooth circulation of that gas with a lower permeation resistance. A single-faced corrugated fiberboard made of a cellulose-based substance is allowed to contain ferrous sulfate, which is subsequently oxidized into basic ferric sulfate.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a macroscopically three-dimensional formed substrate including a first boundary zone having a first surface pathlength and a second boundary zone having a second surface pathlength. The first and the second surface pathlengths are preferably measured when the formed substrate is in a relaxed condition. The substrate also includes an elongated zone located at least partially between the first boundary zone and the second boundary zone. The elongated zone comprises incrementally stretched regions which result in the elongated zone being elongated in a first direction of elongation and having a third surface pathlength measured when the formed substrate is in the relaxed condition. The third surface pathlength is greater than either the first pathlength or the second pathlength such that the substrate takes on a macroscopic three-dimensional configuration when the backsheet is in a relaxed condition.

Abstract: The present invention provides a selectively-activatible sheet material for dispensing and dispersing a substance onto a target surface. The sheet material comprises a three-dimensional sheet of material having a first side and a second side. The said first side has a plurality of hollow protrusions extending outwardly therefrom and separated from one another by valleys, while the second side has a plurality of depressions corresponding with the hollow protrusions. A substance adheres to and partially fills a location protected from external contact comprising the valleys and/or the depressions. The sheet material may be selectively activated by deforming the hollow protrusions to deliver the substance to a target surface, the substance having an effective viscosity upon activation which permits the substance to be liberated from its protected location and dispensed onto the target surface.

Abstract: A side entry heat recoverable article. The heat recoverable article comprises a longitudinal body member composed of a cross-linked polymer and having a generally C-shaped cross section. The body member preferably includes circumferential ribs. A layer of adhesive adjacent to the interior surface of the body member may be co-extruded with the body member or provided separately. The heat recoverable article is preferably used for repairing damaged wire.

Abstract: The present invention includes a structured optical film with variable pitch peaks and/or grooves to reduce the visibility of moire interference patterns and optical displays incorporating one or more layers of the film. The pitch variations can be over groups of adjacent peaks and/or valleys or between adjacent pairs of peaks and/or valleys.

Abstract: A corrugated sheet comprising:50-90% by weight of recycled polyethylene terephthalate;5-20% by weight of a rubber;10-45% by weight of an inert filler;and having a crystallinity gradient such that said shaped sheet maintains the shape, under its own weight, up to a temperature of at least 70.degree. C. and has impact strength which is substantially greater compared to that of the fully crystallized shaped sheet.

Abstract: The perceived softness of embossed tissue can be increased greatly while avoiding nesting when a particular pattern is embossed into the tissue. This pattern combines relatively shallow stitchlike bosses with deeper more sharply defined signature bosses. The stitchlike bosses can be rounded and arranged in wavy flowing intersecting lines. The signature bosses can be arranged in regions framed by the intersecting wavy flowing lines.

Abstract: A composite component is provided having at least one felt layer as reinforcement when used for crash and/or noise management applications, and preferably also including at least one reinforcement fiber layer. At least one of the reinforcement layers, preferably a felt layer, may be formed into a preform which is placed into a mold of suitable shape to form the component, along with the other reinforcement layers, with a resin/polymer being injected into the mold and then cured to form the composite component.

Abstract: A multi-ply paper product wherein the plies are adhesively joined together. One or both of the plies may have embossments protruding towards and contacting the other ply. The plies are adhesively joined, preferably at such embossments. The adhesive is selected from a composition that advantageously provides a minimum wet ply bond strength and a dry ply bond strength which falls within a particularly desired range.

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: Composite films and film laminates comprising at least one elastomeric core and a surrounding nonelastomeric matrix preferably prepared by coextrusion. The film when stretched and allowed to recover will create an elastomeric composite.

Abstract: Ever more stringent environmental restrictions make it ever more challenging to apply coatings by conventional processes like spray painting because of the volatile solvents and hazardous pigments. The present invention is an alternative for applying a coating precisely on a surface. In the method of the invention, we apply appliques of constant Gaussian curvature to the corresponding areas of comparable curvature. We make the appliques on a family of molds of different Gaussian curvature and thereby avoid making a "splash" mold of the surface of interest to create the appliques or encountering the ridges, creases, or gaps that otherwise occur with attempts to cover the surface with flat (planar) appliques.

Abstract: Composite films and film laminates comprising at least one elastomeric core and a surrounding nonelastomeric matrix preferably prepared by coextrusion. The film when stretched and allowed to recover will create an elastomeric composite.

Abstract: A rectangular foldable blank along the length of which parallel lines of adhesive tape are applied near each edge and covered with removable protective film, and which parallel slit score lines run near each long edge just inside the tape line, and a regular score line bisecting the length of the blank, and perforations dissecting the width of the blank at select intervals. Also, to the seam sealer cover formed from the blank producing a tent like structure with continuous parallel adhesive tab portions running the length of the structure at both edges. And, to the assembly formed when one or more of the aforementioned seam sealer covers are installed by adhering the adhesive tab portions to a floor covering surface in such a method as to cover and protect the entire length of a floor covering seam and line of seam sealer from debris contamination and foot traffic within the hollow formed by the assembly and floor covering surface.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to thermal insulation elements each formed of a structural material with a highly emittant surface having a geometric shape of a repetitive three dimensional design which permits alternate stacking of one thermal insulation element alternately with another thermal insulation element and which locks movement of adjacent thermal insulation elements in at least one of the directions 90.degree. to the stacking direction; and more specifically, to a thermal insulation barrier having at least three alternately stacked thermal insulation elements, two of the thermal insulation elements having the same design, the alternate thermal insulation element having a complementary design, whereby when the thermal insulation elements are alternately stacked, any point of contact between thermal insulation elements is a contact between the alternate thermal insulation element and only one of the other thermal insulation elements.

Abstract: A double skin composite panel comprising two steel facing plates of thickness between 2 mm and 32 mm is joined together by cross-members. Each cross-member is aligned generally normal to the facing plates and is spaced from its neighboring members by a distance of between 10 and 80 times the thickness of the centers of the facing plates, the separation between the facing plates being between 30 mm and 800 mm. A filler material, e.g. concrete, is introduced into the spacing between the facing plates.

Abstract: A wear and shock resistant ceramic-cored composite panel (11) for use in equipment exposed to heavy abrasive materials comprising a plurality of commensurately shaped generally planar layers. The layers are comprised of and sequentially arranged in the following order: a ceramic layer (12); a first fiberglass reinforced plastic composite layer (13); a resilient core layer for absorbing impact energy imparted indirectly thereto by the heavy abrasive materials (14); and a second fiberglass reinforced plastic composite layer (16), wherein the layers are consecutively bonded together in the order set out above by an adhesive, then secured to various sites of wear inside equipment by known types of attachment or utilized as structural members themselves.

Abstract: The liquid-permeable composite nonwoven fabric for use in the body fluids absorptive articles such as sanitary napkins comprises a liquid-permeable nonwoven fabric made from thermoplastic synthetic fibres and a plurality of continuous filaments made from thermoplastic synthetic resin being arranged parallel to one another and bonded to an upper surface of the nonwoven fabric at bonding zones arranged intermittently along and longitudinally of the respective filaments so that each filament may form bulges describing circular arcs above the nonwoven fabric.

Abstract: The present invention aims at preventing or reducing the lowering in mechanical characteristics of a carbon fiber reinforced carbon composite due to stress orientation caused by the use of a thermosetting resin as a carbon matrix precursor resin to thereby obtain a carbon fiber reinforced carbon composite improved in mechanical characteristics, and for attaining this aim, provides a process for the preparation of a carbon fiber reinforced carbon composite which comprises impregnating a carbon fiber with a bismaleimide-triazine copolymer resin instead of the sizing agent and thermoplastic resin which have been used conventionally and heating the resulting impregnated carbon fiber in a non-oxidizing atmosphere to carbonize or graphitize the resin.

Abstract: A multi-ply paper product. One or both of the plies may have embossments protruding towards and contacting the other ply. The plies are adhesively joined, preferably at such embossments. The adhesive is selected from a composition that advantageously provides a minimum wet ply bond strength and a dry ply bond strength which falls within a particularly desired range.

Abstract: A method for embossing a sheet of creped paper composed of at least one ply, whereby the sheet is engaged between two metallic cylinders fitted with protrusions and driven in rotation in a conventional manner and mesh with each other while having a play e1 between the tops of the protrusions of one cylinder and the opposite surface of the other cylinder, and a play e2 between the slopes of two adjacent protrusions wherein e1 and e2 are determined in the direction transverse to the direction of paper advance in such a manner that the ratio of e1/e2 is between 0.8 and 1.

Abstract: A structure forming part of a shoe comprising a sealed member of elastomeric material having a plurality of chambers containing a fluid, the chamber having a generally planar alignment, the plurality of chambers interconnected by a plurality of flexible sheets, wherein at least a portion of at least a plurality of the interconnecting sheets is oriented at an angle to the general plane of the chambers.

Abstract: An embossed substrate comprising a substrate of a plastic material and having a surface and an embossed surface carried by the surface of the substrate. The embossed surface is characterized by having a pattern with an average roughness of between 100 nanometers and 300 nanometers with the roughness being distributed substantially uniformly over the surface, the pattern has ridges and valleys with the horizontal distance between adjacent ridges and/or valleys being greater than the depth between the ridges and the valleys. The peaks and the valleys are randomly disposed without periodicity to cause diffusion of light impinging thereon to minimize or eliminate interface effects when the embossed surface overcoated with thin planar organic layers is exposed to light.

Abstract: A wrapping material comprising a sheet of material such as paper, cellophane, foil, or man-made organic polymer film and a cling material such as polyethylene secured to a portion of the sheet of material. The cling material connects to the sheet of material and/or itself as the wrapping material is wrapped about an item thereby securing the sheet of material about the item.A method of wrapping an item such as a floral arrangement, Easter basket or a gift container by wrapping the item with the wrapping material.

Abstract: A method of exposing a radiation-sensitive medium through a mask and using an imaging system having a given depth of focus to control for pattern dependent distortion. The steps comprise: providing the radiation-sensitive medium within the depth of focus of the imaging system; providing radiation to the radiation-sensitive medium through the mask; providing the radiation-sensitive medium fully outside the depth of focus of the imaging system; and providing radiation to the radiation-sensitive medium through the mask. Corrections are automatically made by providing the radiation-sensitive medium fully outside the depth of focus of the imaging system, since in that regime the mask operates as a grey-scale mask, with the amount of light passing through any region of the mask dependent on the transmission of the masking pattern in that region.

Abstract: A shim includes a generally u-shaped member having a pair of parallel legs interconnected by a base and at least one retainer finger extending from one of the legs generally toward the other leg in a manner to define a self-retaining surface area between the finger, the legs and the base.

Abstract: Composite films and film laminates comprising at least one elastomeric core and a surrounding nonelastomeric matrix preferably prepared by coextrusion. The film when stretched and allowed to recover will create an elastomeric composite.

Abstract: Described is an exhaust gas cleaning metallic substrate of the structure that three metallic honeycomb bodies are successively arranged within a metallic casing. Among the three metallic honeycomb bodies, (i) the metallic honeycomb bodies at front and rear positions have each been constructed by fixing a planar and corrugated bands as constituent members of said metallic honeycomb body at at least some of points of contact therebetween and also an outer peripheral wall of the metallic honeycomb body and an inner peripheral wall of the metallic casing at at least some of points of contact therebetween, and (ii) the metallic honeycomb body at a middle position has been constructed without fixing a planar and corrugated bands as constituent members of said metallic honeycomb body at points of contact therebetween and also an outer peripheral wall of the metallic honeycomb body and an inner peripheral wall of the metallic casing at points of contact therebetween.

Abstract: An embossed tissue having improved bulk and puffiness while being non-nesting by having a lattice pattern and at least two signature bosses. More particularly, one of the signature bosses is defined by embossments having a lower portion which is continuous and an upper portion which is defined by crenels and merlons.

Abstract: An acupressure massaging system includes a platform having an upper surface, and includes an array of intersecting air channels extending therethrough in communication with space external of the pad. An array of spaced, independently flexible nipples extends from the upper surface of the platform, each nipple having an upper distal end and a flexible, accordion-pleated side wall comprised of material having elastic memory and defining an internal air-flow chamber. The air-flow chamber is in fluid communication with the air-flow channels and each nipple is structured and disposed for movement from a biased and normally extended position to a compressed position in response to contact with the skin or clothing of the user.

Abstract: A base body of a piston ring has an electroplated chrome or gas nitrided sub-layer formed on its outer peripheral face. The sub-layer is face-lapped, roughened through grit blasting, and then oil lapped to remove the asperities. The resulting plateau-reservoir surface has a smooth plateau and a number of reservoirs. A metallic nitride face coating is applied to the sub-layer. The reservoirs provide additional surface area to promote the bonding between the metallic nitride and the sub-layer. The coating does not eliminate the reservoirs, however. Thus, the reservoirs provide the additional function of storing lubricating oil which may be used during piston ring operation to eliminated unwanted wear.

Abstract: A sheet-like sandwich molding having two outer rigid covering layers and, as the core, at least one sheet-like structure of fiber material, which has been deformed by deep-drawing and been provided with synthetic resin. The sheet-like structure of fiber material, constituting the core, can, for example, be a knitted fabric provided with a curable condensation resin.

Abstract: Hot melt polymer/fatty acid compositions are described that render fibrous products such as paper, paperboard and corrugated paper containers water-resistant at room temperature, but enable such articles to be repulped and recycled when the coated articles are repulped in a heated nearly neutral to alkaline pH aqueous medium.

Abstract: The perceived softness of embossed tissue can be increased greatly while avoiding nesting when a particular pattern is embossed into the tissue. This pattern combines relatively shallow stitchlike bosses with deeper more sharply defined signature bosses. The stitchlike bosses can be rounded and arranged in wavy flowing intersecting lines. The signature bosses can be arranged in regions framed by the intersecting wavy flowing lines.

Abstract: Packing material and method in which a sheet of paper stock is folded in opposite directions along alternate parallel lines to form a series of ridges and valleys, cuts are made in the stock at intervals spaced along the ridges, and sections of the stock adjacent to the cuts are folded in a reverse direction along the fold lines at the ridges to form downwardly extending pleats beneath the ridges. The material can be crumpled for use as a dunnage material or wrapped about an item to be protected. In one disclosed embodiment, the material can be compressed for shipping and storage and expanded for use. In another, which is particularly suitable for use as a protective wrap, the folded stock is affixed to a backing sheet.

Abstract: A geosynthetic clay liner with a low permeability or controlled permeability intermediate sheet is provided. The liner includes two outer sheets with two layers of bentonite and an intermediate sheet disposed therebetween. The intermediate sheet may be rippled or deformed to enhance the structural stability of the liner. The intermediate sheet may be chosen from a material with low or ultra-low permeability characteristics or may be chosen from a material with controlled or directional permeability characteristics.

Abstract: An embossed tissue having improved bulk and puffiness while being non-nesting by having a lattice pattern and at least two signature bosses. More particularly, one of the signature bosses is defined by embossments having a lower portion which is continuous and an upper portion which is defined by crenels and merlons.

Abstract: A method is provided for forming a corrugated structure from a fibrous web by first forming a fibrous web; alternatingly lapping the fibrous web; folding the fibrous web to form corrugations; brushing fibers from one corrugated peak to extend to an adjacent peak and bridge the gap therebetween; spraying resin on the corrugated fibrous web; heating the resin-sprayed corrugated fibrous web; or further sandwiching said fibrous web with a pair of outer webs with resin sprayed thereon and heating said sandwiched fibrous web. Another embodiment initially combines fibers of low melting point with regular fibers and heats the corrugated fibrous web after brushing, rather than spraying resin on the corrugated fibrous web.

Abstract: The grooves of a grooved press belt are formed with an improved configuration which reduces groove closure under pressure and which reduces cracking and tearing of the belt. The improved groove configuration consists of a curved bottom and two upwardly diverging side walls. In a first embodiment the bottom wall is semi-circular and has a diameter which is equal to about one half of the width of the groove opening. The upwardly diverging side walls preferably include radiused upper edges. The side walls preferably have an angle of divergence between about five degrees and about fifteen degrees from a vertical plane. In a second embodiment, the bottom of the groove is substantially flat, and the bottom corners are radiused to provide a smooth transition between the flat bottom and the upwardly diverging side walls.

Abstract: A bi-directionally corrugated sandwich construction for use in applications equiring high-strength, light-weight components is disclosed. The sandwich construction comprises first and second face sheets positioned essentially parallel to and spaced apart from each other and having a core therebetween. The core has two sets of corrugated strips which have planar peaks and troughs positioned at regular intervals. The strips of the first set are positioned parallel to and spaced apart from each other with the peaks and the troughs in phase with each other such that parallel rows of troughs are formed perpendicular to the strips. The strips of the second set are positioned parallel to each other with the peaks and troughs in phase with each other, and are positioned perpendicular to the first set of strips in the rows of troughs formed thereby.

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.