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: A deformable sheet material at least partly comprising a sheet metal or metal foil which is corrugated, e.g. by rolling, in continuous waveform in two directions (A, B) substantially orthogonal to each other. The sheet material can comprise aluminum foil with a thickness between 0.005-0.4 mm designed as a ribbon or a strip which prior to the rolling is folded in the longitudinal direction where an intermediate layer, e.g. of aluminum, can be placed between the two material layers.

Abstract: The present invention discloses folded corrugated material for producing segments or strips for use as Easter grass, packing material and the like or for use as flower pot covers, floral wrappings and ribbon materials.

Abstract: There is provided a corrugated nonwoven web where at least 40 percent of the web surface area is made from fusible fibers. The corrugated web is bonded such that no gaps are present between the folds of the web. Such webs provide comparable compression resistance and resiliency to, and greater void volume than, webs having a conventional X-Y plane fiber alignment.

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 covering material which can be plastically deformed by band and extended in at least one direction. The covering material has a substrate with openings, at least the top side of which substrate has a top coating which covers the openings. To create an economical covering material for covering the gap between a planar surface and a structured surface, in particular a highly structured roof surface, the covering material can be extended in at least one direction more than 30%, can be bent perpendicular to the direction of extension, and the entire surface of which covering material can be permanently and plastically deformed in three dimensions. The top coating is of a thin flat stock and that the coated substrate is, at least in the direction opposite the direction of extension, compressed, crepe-like, by at least 25% of its original length so that the surface of the covering material exhibits irregular little corrugations.

Abstract: A preferred filter media is provided. The media includes a fine fiber web secured to the surface of a coarse fiber support. A preferred filter media, comprising multiple layers of fine fiber media separated by coarse fiber support, is provided. Advantageous filter constructions result and are provided. Also according to the disclosure, methods for using such arrangements to filter are provided.

Abstract: A plastic tier sheet is provided for use in layered and stacked arrangements of bottles and similar packages to assist in shipping and handling the bottles and similar packages. The plastic tier sheet includes a center panel and edge flanges extending along edges of the center panel and connected to the center panel by living hinges formed by scoring the plastic sheet along its edges. The edge flanges are bonded to the center panel using the material of the tier sheet, such as by sonic spot welding. The edge flanges are secured tight against the center panel, such that there are no gaps to collect debris or unsanitary manner, but the sonic welded spots are spaced apart to minimize the number of spots required. The plastic tier sheet is characteristically formed without use of separate bonding materials or fasteners, such that there is low risk of parts or pieces falling into the bottles and similar packages being transported.

Abstract: The present invention discloses folded corrugated material for producing segments or strips for use as Easter grass, packing material and the like or for use as flower pot covers, floral wrappings and ribbon materials.

Abstract: A toilet skirt for being positioned around a toilet base and absorbing any moisture that collects thereat. The toilet skirt is a body member that has a pair of moisture absorbent layers that sandwich a moisture impervious layer between them. A plurality of pleats are located on the top moisture absorbent layer and a perforation seams passes between a first side of the body member and the pleats. The perforation seam and the pleats allow a portion of the top layer to fit around the sides of the toilet base in turtleneck fashion to collect moisture therefrom.

Abstract: A preferred filter media is provided. The media includes a fine fiber web secured to the surface of a coarse fiber support. A preferred filter media, comprising multiple layers of fine fiber media separated by coarse fiber support, is provided. Advantageous filter constructions result and are provided. Also according to the disclosure, methods for using such arrangements to filter are provided.

Abstract: A sound-absorbing cellular component is produced in multiple-chamber array, using a grid of spaced elongate rods, and by engaging to the rods of said grid a foil of deformable sheet material which is then drawn by deformation through spaces between rods, to thereby define adjacent partition walls of adjacent chambers. Various embodiments are described, involving retention and/or removal of the rods, and/or involving application of one or more insulating or finishing materials continuously over outwardly facing bottoms of the chambers of the array.

Abstract: A nonwoven fabric comprising thermoplastic resin fiber bundles, wherein numerically at least about 50% of all the fibers present are bonded to each other in the form of fiber bundles. The fiber bundles are arranged along substantially one direction.

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

Abstract: A computer printer compatible index tabs assembly that includes a carrier sheet recognizable by any of a wide variety of computer compatible printing devices. The carrier sheet includes a plurality of self-adhesively secured tabs each formed from a resilient, durable thin film. The self-adhesive is formulated to either permanently or releasably adhere to a peripheral edge of a sheet of material which is to be tagged, labeled or indexed. After printing, the index tab is transferred from the carrier sheet and positioned with the self-adhesive securing the index tab to the sheet of material and with the indicia projecting outwardly from the edge for convenient display.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a stiffened fabric for use in cartridge filters comprising flat fabric formed from entangled heat resistant staple fibers having a weight of from 4 to 8 oz/yd.sup.2 wherein the stiffened fabric is characterized by a flex modulus of at least 10 KSI measured at 200.degree. C.

Abstract: In order to provide an insulation system for internal thermal insulation of a pressure chamber which can be subjected to pressure by a gas flow, the system being constructed for arrangement at an inner surface of an outer jacket of the pressure chamber and comprising at least one layer of insulating material, whereby good thermal insulation can be obtained with little maintenance work, it is proposed that the insulation system should comprise means for equalizing pressure between the insulating material and an internal chamber, which means are arranged over a large area relative to a surface of a layer of insulating material.

Abstract: A staple fiber web is disclosed which contains pleats having staple fibers which are commingled with staple fibers from adjoining pleats. The commingling permits denser packing of pleats on the web and increases filtering efficiency and stability of the web. Methods of manufacturing the pleated staple fiber web are disclosed.

Abstract: A composite elastic material includes a layer of ribbon-shaped elastomeric elements disposed in machine direction alignment and point bonded to an extensible layer which may be a gatherable layer or a stretchable layer. A layer of meltblown elastomeric fibers may be bonded to the layer of elastomeric ribbon-shaped elements before bonding to the extensible layer. The elastic composite has excellent cohesion, controlled breathability to air and water vapor, an opaque appearance, and is easy to cut and convert to end use products such as garments, pads, diapers, and personal care products where elasticity is desired.

Abstract: An improved mathematically modeled family of bellow fold patterns, useful for making bellows from stiff but foldable materials, which forms a corner of a bellow consisting of a series of several single inversion fold patterns, each having a characteristic design angle which is mathematically computed to provide a desired initial wall angle for the bellow and to minimize wall tilting over a predetermined extension angle range, thereby allowing low cost bellows to be made which can extend long distances while using a minimal amount of stiff but foldable material.

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: An ornamental bunting is formed of a length of fabric folded to form a plurality of pleats. Each of the pleats has an aperture therethrough, and a ring-shaped member passes through all of the apertures to maintain an end of the length of fabric in a gathered condition.

Abstract: A filter composite comprising a first layer of glass fibers having random orientation, the layer being porous to gas flow therethrough; a porous mat of sufficient stiffness as to support the glass fiber layer during use as a filter, the mat consisting of compacted glass fibers; and an additional porous layer carried by the mat to block escape of glass fibers or particles from the filter composite during gas flow therethrough, the composite formed to have pleated or undulating configuration.

Abstract: A mineral fiber plate product is produced by producing a first non-woven mineral fiber web containing mineral fibers predominantly arranged in a first longitudinal direction and segments of the first mineral fiber web are arranged in a partly mutually overlapping relationship for producing a second non-woven mineral fiber web, which contains mineral fibers generally transversally relative to one another. The second mineral fiber web is folded transversely for producing a third non-woven mineral fiber web. The third non-woven mineral fiber web is cured for producing a cured non-woven mineral fiber web from which a mineral fiber plate, or alternatively, a tubular insulating element is cut. In packaging, the volume of the mineral fiber plate may be reduced to 40%-60%.

Abstract: A folding fan, more specifically a folding fan used as an advertisement medium. A rectangular shape piece of paper is placed on another paper piece of the same shape, the pieces of paper are opened in such a way that the vertex A at the top right side of one rectangular paper piece is against the center of an opening m selected at a prescribed position on the center line F in the direction of a longer side agrees with the vertex C at the top left side of another rectangular paper piece. The line segment connecting the point E, which is obtained on the vertex side at the bottom right side of the rectangular paper piece at the point where the distance between the vertexes B and D on the bottom side of the two paper pieces opposing the agreed vertex is divided into three equal parts. The agreed vertex A at the top right side of the rectangular paper piece is taken as a bend line, and the rectangular paper piece is folded in the shape of a valley at the bend line.

Abstract: A pavement marking tape having a scrim, wherein the scrim is extensible to enable the tape to conform to irregularities in a road surface, and thereby bond more securely to that surface.

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: A web or film is electrostatically charged by sequentially subjecting the web or film to a series of electric fields such that adjacent electric fields have substantially opposite polarities. Both a method and apparatus are disclosed for charging the web or film.

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: A stock material for use with a cushioning conversion machine is provided. The stock material includes a plurality of superimposed plies of a sheet-like material which are fan-folded into a rectangonal stack. The superimposed plies include a series of alternating folds which each create superimposed creases through the plies. The alternating folds together form a sequence of rectangular pages which are piled accordion-style one on top of the other to form the rectangonal stack.

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 novel pleated fibrous structure is disclosed, which fibrous structure comprises a layer of a pleated split fiber film. The layer of split fiber film may be electrostatically charged. The pleated split fiber film may be part of a composite fibrous structure further comprising a support of a nonwoven or scrim.

Abstract: Non-planar thermoplastic article having a flexible portion suitable for use in an aggressive chemical environment, with the flexible portion is an irradiated thermoplastic consisting of polyethylene, ethylene methyl acrylate, ethylene ethyl acrylate, or ethylene vinyl acetate copolymers. Such articles can be made by forming the article and then irradiating, or alternatively by radiating the thermoplastic and then forming the article.

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

Abstract: Nonwoven fabrics having a desirable level of bulk, elasticity and low permanent set are produced by creasing a precursor web and heat setting the creases. Such webs may have varying basis weights and compositions depending on the intended end use. Applications disclosed include components for personal care products such as disposable diapers and feminine hygiene products, for example, as well as garment applications such as training pants, surgical gowns and the like. Also, absorbent products such as wipers are disclosed. Methods for forming the creased nonwoven fabric are disclosed using interdigitated rolls for creasing in the machine direction or in the cross-machine direction.

Abstract: A completely vented upholstered body of grid plates with a wave profile includes solid portions of the grid which pass through the wave extrema of its wave contour. Many of the solid portions of the grid preferably are disposed transversely to at least one wave propagation direction and, in each case, continuously over a large portion of a wavelength, at a distance from one another. There is only a limited, specified bending deformation, during which the solid portions of the grid can be deformed largely independently of one another as if they were individual spiral springs. As a result, the upholstered body has a high point elasticity despite the plate construction. By adroit dimensioning of the course of the wave thickness, an advantageous diffusion of stresses can be achieved without stress peaks. Moreover, the work of deformation is absorbed uniformly in the upholstered material. This results in a long service life of the upholstered body.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming expandable-collapsible articles comprises a horizontally oriented frame which receives one or more webs of sheet material from a feeding mechanism, a pusher bar having upper and lower gripper members engageable with the sheet material and a stripper bar having upper and lower stripper members movable between folding position and discharge position with respect to the frame. One or more linear actuators are provided to move the pusher bar toward and away from the stripper bar, and the extent of linear movement of such actuators is adjustable so that different lengths of sheet material can be advanced by the pusher bar into contact with the stripper bar thus forming fold lines in the sheet material with varying spaces therebetween.

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: A passive fire protection system for the protection of conduits, cable trays, support rods, and structural steel against flame and heat in a severe total environment type fire such as a hydrocarbon fire which includes a multi-layered (laminated), flexible material containing a plurality of layers of intumescent materials. This multi-layered material is configured such that it provides a containment system for the carbonaceous foam resulting from the expansion of the intumescent materials.

Abstract: A preferred filter media is provided. The media includes a fine fiber web secured to the surface of a coarse fiber support. A preferred filter media, comprising multiple layers of fine fiber media separated by coarse fiber support, is provided. Advantageous filter constructions result and are provided. Also according to the disclosure, methods for using such arrangements to filter are provided.

Abstract: A food preparation foil including a metal foil layer having a first flexible non-stick coating created on the metal foil layer and having channel folds running the width thereof that are oriented in parallel and spaced at intervals of about one and one-half (11/2") inch. Each channel fold includes a number of steam release apertures formed therethrough.

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: 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: 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 free-flowing dunnage packaging material formed from individual dunnage elements which are individually constructed from small sheets of paper, such as small paper squares, with the sheets being preformed into cup-like configurations so that such material, when used to fill a space or region between an article and a surrounding confinement, possesses sufficient strength to permit safe but cushioned support of the article.