Abstract: A spiral-link fabric for use in a papermaking machine or the like. The spiral-link fabric may include a plurality of spiral coils arranged in a predetermined manner such that adjacent ones of side-by-side spiral coils are interdigitated with each other so as to form a channel and interconnected by a pintle extending through the channel. At least some of the plurality of spiral coils have a coil width of approximately 12 mm or larger, as measured in machine direction of the spiral-link fabric. The ratio of the diameter of the monofilament forming the spiral coils to the coil width may be approximately 0.07 or less.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing single ply, continuous, cross ply or angle ply thermoplastic prepregs comprising means for feeding a tape of thermoplastic prepreg material into the apparatus and around at least one carrier means for positioning and aligning the tape to form a tube in such a way as to maintain substantially uninterrupted contact between the leading edge of the incoming tape of material and the receding edge of the previous wrap of the tape means for creating a cohesive transitional tube by joining the edges of adjacent wraps means for cutting the resulting cohesive transitional tube so as to produce at least one thermoplastic prepreg product with desired shape, size and ply fibre orientation and means for collecting the thermoplastic prepreg products so produced.

Abstract: A fibrous ceramic material including a plurality of fibers entangled with one another. The fibrous ceramic material includes at least one connector projecting between the fibers. At least a portion of the fibers have the connectors extending between and attach the fibers to one another. A method of manufacturing the fibrous ceramic material includes providing a precursor material having a plurality of fibers. A holder is provided for holding the precursor material. The precursor material is placed on the holder and both are heated to between about 1500 degrees Celsius and about 1700 degrees Celsius to form the fibrous ceramic material, thereby causing connectors to project from a portion of the fibers and attach the fibers to one another.

Abstract: A steel cord (200) is described that is simple and cost effective to produce while solving some particular problems for the reinforcement of elastomer belts such as timing belts or the like. The cord (200) is a single lay cord that comprises a core filament (202), around which a first layer and a second layer of filaments (204, 210, 212) is twisted, all filaments being twisted with the same lay length and direction. By appropriate choice of the lay length, the core filament diameter and the filament diameters of the first layer—the latter being larger or equal to the former—an aggregate gap can form in which intermittently a filament (210?) of the second layer gets entrained. This aggregate gap must be between 40 and 70% of the core filament diameter in order to obtain the desired effect of having a core filament (202) that is deformed with the same lay length and direction as the other filaments (204,210,212). A deformed core filament (202) suppresses the effect of core filament migration.

Abstract: A tire for vehicle wheel includes at least one elastomeric component including a crosslinked elastomeric material obtained by crosslinking an elastomeric composition including at least one diene elastomeric polymer; at least one sulfur-based vulcanizing agent, and at least one adhesion promoting agent having formula HOOC—R—S—R?—COOH wherein each of R and R?, equal or different from each other, is a divalent organic group. In a preferred embodiment of the first aspect of the present invention, the elastomeric component includes a metal reinforcing agent embedded therein.

Abstract: A union fabric comprising 6 to 60% by weight of a polyester fiber (A), 35 to 85% by weight of a halogen-containing fiber (B), and 5 to 55% by weight of a cellulose fiber (C) in which fabric the warp comprises weaving yarn containing the polyester fiber and the weft comprises flameproof chenille yarn and other weaving yarn, with the chenille yarn containing 10 to 70% by weight of halogen and 1 to 35% by weight of a flame retardant consisting of a metal compound, and in which fabric the content of the warp-constituting weaving yarn containing the polyester fiber is 20 to 40% by weight and those of the weft-constituting flameproof chenille yarn and the weft-constituting other weaving yarn are 35 to 70% by weight and 10 to 45% by weight respectively. This union fabric is excellent in design, texture, comfortableness in use.

Abstract: The present invention provides silk fibre reinforced composite materials comprising a thermoplastic polymer matrix, which are relatively light, whilst having a high impact resistance. The silk fibre reinforced composite materials of the present invention allow for an optimal dissipation of the impact energy such that they have a penetration resistance higher than 20 J per mm of plate thickness, more preferably more than 30 J per mm, most preferably more than 40 J per mm. Due to the high impact resistance of the fibrous composite material according to the present invention, panels or shells comprising such composites are particularly useful for the manufacture of objects, which in the course of their life cycle are subject to shocks or at risk of penetration.

Abstract: A textile product (1) comprising individual elements (4) interconnected by a textile technique, characterised in that the interconnected individual elements (4) hold at least one decorative or functional element (2, 2?, 2?, 12, 12?, 22) between each other, e.g. by braiding in or braiding around.

Abstract: Provided is a fiber-reinforced thermoplastic resin molded article, which contains reinforcing fibers having a given flattened cross-sectional profile, in which the fiber length distribution of the reinforcing fibers is shifted on the side of long fibers, and which is excellent in mechanical strength, heat resistance, dimensional accuracy such as warpage resistance, and surface appearance. A fiber-reinforced thermoplastic resin molded article of a thermoplastic resin composition comprising from 70 to 35% by weight of a thermoplastic resin (A), and from 30 to 65% by weight of reinforcing fibers (B) of which the cross section is flattened to have a degree of flatness, as expressed by the formula mentioned below, of at least 2.3, wherein the weight-average fiber length of the reinforcing fibers in the molded article is at least 1 mm: Degree of flatness=major diameter of reinforcing fiber (a)/minor diameter of reinforcing fiber (b).

Abstract: A composite board having a top surface, a core, and a bottom surface includes a polymeric material and a plurality of particles contacting the polymeric material to form a mixture. The weight percentage of the particles is greater than the weight percentage of the matrix material in the composite board. The volume of the plurality of particles range from 25% by volume to 88% by volume of the composite board. The composite board has a density in the range from 0.38 g/cm3 to 2.2 g/cm3. The top surface, the core, and the bottom surface are substantially comprised of the mixture.

Abstract: Luminant fabrics are disclosed in which an electro-luminescent material is activated by electrodes within the fabric. A yarn for use in such a fabric has a conductive core with an electro-luminescent layer coated thereon. A protective coating may be added. A plurality of such yarns may be used in contact with each other, with the respective cores connected to a source of alternating electric current. Application of the current creates an electric field which causes luminescence of the electro-luminescent layer.

Abstract: A sheet glass laminate structure (10) is produced by laminating at least three sheet glasses (20) each having a thickness of less than 1 mm through an intermediate layer (30) between two adjacent sheet glasses. When a central portion of 20 mm in length including the middle point of a virtual line and opposite end portions respectively being 20 mm long from the opposite ends of the virtual line are set on the virtual line having a length equal to 50% of the maximum overall dimension of the translucent surface of the sheet glass (20) and extending in parallel with the direction of maximum overall dimension with the center of the translucent surface as its middle point, a maximum variation ?Hmax of the interval H between two adjacent sheet glasses opposed to each other through the intermediate layer in connection with the central portion and the opposite end portions satisfies a following relationship of 0 ?m<?Hmax<200 ?m.

Abstract: [Problems to be Solved] To provide a graphite clay composite material, a process for producing the same, a gasket or packing comprising the composite material, and a clay dispersion used for the composite material, which can be applied to the various usages in a wide fields including; sealing material such as joint sheet, gasket, packing and the like, heat-release sheet, electromagnetic wave shielding material, sound-proof sheet and the like. [Means to Solving the Problems] A composite material comprising mainly a graphite and a clay, wherein the clay is laminated on and/or enters into a graphite layer.

Abstract: Sintered elements for use in hazardous areas comprise a first flame path having a first length and a first pore size, and a second flame path having a second length and a second pore size. The second length is greater than the first length and the second pore size is greater than the first pore size. Sounders and loud speakers for use in hazardous areas comprise a housing having a horn and a rear enclosure, a driver assembly, and a sintered element.

Abstract: A restraining belt comprising a webbing, and utilizing active material actuation for selectively modifying the tensile load strength of, stiffness of, or the tensioning applied to the webbing.

Abstract: A method of and an apparatus for manufacturing a three-dimensional netted structure using thermoplastic resin. The netted structure includes a plurality of filaments which are helically and randomly entangled and partly and thermally bonded together. The netted structure is a three-dimensional plate type netted structure having an apparent density greater than a predetermined amount.

Abstract: A three-dimensional netted structure having an upper surface, a lower surface, two side surfaces a left end surface, and a right end surface, including at least a plurality of filaments helically and randomly entangled and thermally bonded together, wherein the filaments are formed out of a thermoplastic resin by extrusion molding followed by cooling with a liquid; and the netted structure is four-surface molded, the upper surface, the lower surface and the two side surfaces being molded. An apparatus and a method for manufacturing the three-dimensional netted structure.

Abstract: An article such as a fan blade of a turbofan engine comprises a core made up of components at least some of which comprise packs of rods embedded in a resin matrix material. The rods extend in the span-wise direction of the blade to resist centrifugal forces imposed on the blade during operation. The core is encased in a skin-formed from preforms which may comprise fabric reinforcements.

Abstract: A helical textile having a substantially uniform thickness from ID to OD having circumferential warp fibers; non-interlaced radially aligned weft fibers having fiber lengths that may vary with the textile diameter to maintain constant textile thickness, the warp fibers and weft fibers not interlaced together; and non-reinforcing binding yarns securing the warp fibers to the weft fibers, thereby forming a helical textile.

Abstract: A helical textile of uniform thickness having uniform radial weft fibers from a textile ID to a textile OD; and non-interlaced circumferential warp fiber bundles having equal width and height that increases from the textile ID to the textile OD, thereby forming a helical textile having a uniform thickness from textile ID to OD. Other embodiment includes non-interlaced circumferential warp fiber bundles having an equal cross section area, a height that increases from the textile ID to the textile OD, and a width that decreases from textile ID to textile OD. Yet another embodiment includes a helical textile of a uniform thickness having circumferential warp fibers; and more than one radial weft fiber bundles, each radial weft fiber bundle occupying a zone between two selected radial distances between the textile ID and OD, wherein the cross sectional areas of the radial weft fiber bundles increases from helical textile ID to OD.

Abstract: A spiral-link fabric comprised of connected sets of “chain mail” intertwined spiral coils. Alternating sets of two right-turn spiral coils and two left-turn spiral coils are repeatedly connected to form the body of the fabric. Within each set, the spiral coil loops are intertwined in a pattern which does not require fastening to connect the coils. The alternating sets are connected by interdigitating respective spiral coil loops and inserting a series of parallel pintles extending through the channels formed by the interdigitated loops.

Abstract: A cable adapted for use as an actuator, adaptive structural member, or damper, includes a plurality of longitudinally inter-engaged and cooperatively functioning shape memory alloy wires.

Abstract: A spiral-link fabric for use in a papermaking machine or the like. The spiral-link fabric may include a plurality of spiral coils arranged in a predetermined manner such that adjacent ones of side-by-side spiral coils are interdigitated with each other so as to form a channel and interconnected by a pintle extending through the channel. At least some of the plurality of spiral coils have a coil width of approximately 12 mm or larger. The ratio of coil thickness to coil width may be approximately 0.5 or less.

Abstract: The present invention relates to multidirectionally reinforced fiber preforms that conform easily to complex curvatures, such as, composite turbine fan cases, jet engine containment rings, aircraft fuselage frames, aircraft window frames, and flanged rings for attaching nacelles to aircraft engines. The present invention provides multidirectionally reinforced shape woven preforms with improved strength for composite structures that are axisymmetric as well as non-axisymmetric in nature. The invention is a preform used to reinforce a composite structure which includes a contour woven fabric portion, bi-axially braided, tri-axially braided or bias fabric portion, and/or a polar woven fabric portion, and a method of making thereof. The preform may optionally include a three-dimensionally woven portion. The combination of different forms of fabrics allows the preform to be produced without cutting and darting of the individual plies.

Abstract: The invention relates to adhesive articles provided with an elongated core which comprises a fibrous web and with a sheath comprising an adhesive composition, which are particularly suitable for bonding or stiffening a variety of substrates.

Abstract: A paint roller assembly and method of assembling the paint roller assembly is disclosed. The paint roller assembly comprises a core layer, a first reinforcement layer, a second reinforcement layer, a fabric cover, and adhesive for joining the layers and fabric cover together. The method of assembling the paint roller assembly includes the steps of helically winding a core material around a mandrel, applying adhesive to an exposed portion of the core material, helically winding a first reinforcement layer around the core material, applying the adhesive to an exposed portion of the first reinforcement layer, helically winding a second reinforcement layer around the first reinforcement layer, applying the adhesive to an exposed portion of the second reinforcement layer, and helically winding a fabric cover over the second reinforcement layer.

Abstract: A plurality of reversible active composite materials are disclosed, including composites based on a shape memory alloy member (SMA) and a shape memory polymer member (SMP), as well as composites based on two different SMP members. Each different member (SMA or SMP) will be trained to remember a specific shape at a specific temperature. Where two different SMP members are employed, the members exhibit different glass transition temperatures. Such composite materials can be implemented in many form factors, including two generally planar members, a single generally planar SMP member with SMA fibers distributed throughout the SMP, and a SMA fiber/wire coated with a SMP coating. In particular, the SMA fiber/wire coated with a SMP layer can be used to form helical coils that can be used in paired hinges to achieve reversible bending of a structure into which such paired hinges are incorporated.

Abstract: An apparatus comprising a central member and a synthetic fiber material portion extending radially outward from the central member along at least a portion of the central member and comprising a plurality of synthetic threads, wherein each of the plurality of threads comprises a plurality of synthetic filaments, and wherein each of the plurality of filaments comprises a plurality of synthetic microfibers.

Abstract: A dunnage conversion machine (36) converts a sheet stock material into a dunnage product that is relatively thicker and less dense than the stock material, but is relatively thin and sufficiently flexible to function as a protective wrap. The conversion machine includes a feed mechanism (40) that advances a sheet stock material therethrough and a connecting mechanism (42) downstream of the feed mechanism. The connecting mechanism retards the passage of the sheet stock material therethrough by feeding the stock material therethrough at a slower rate than the feed mechanism feeds the stock material to the connecting mechanism. This causes the stock material to randomly crumple in a longitudinal space between the feed mechanism and the connecting mechanism. The connecting mechanism connects multiple overlapping layers of sheet stock material together as they pass therethrough, including connecting at least one crumpled sheet to one side of one other sheet.

Abstract: Fiber tows are formed by situating carbon-nanotube-infused filaments in close proximity to one another, enabling the nanotubes on the filaments to interdigitate. In some embodiment, this enables the formation of fiber tows that do not require do not require resin impregnation.

Abstract: A dispersible fibrous structure having an in-use wet tensile strength of at least about 40 g/cm; a disposable wet tensile decay of at least about 35% and a method of making the structure. The structure has at least one property selected from a group consisting of: a wet CD maximum slope of less than about 12 kg/7.62 cm, a wet CD Elongation of greater than about 50%, a low elongation CD modulus of less than about 5.0 kg/7.62 cm, and a wet CD Bending of less than about 0.05 gf cm/cm.

Abstract: The invention provides a functional stretch laminate composite puckered fabric which is robust, laundry-durable and adaptable for securing about any three dimensional body, and a method for forming such puckered fabric. The functional stretch laminate fabric is provided with at least one functional element which can conduct electricity, conduct light, provide electromagnetic fields or provide shielding from electromagnetic fields. Generally, the functional stretch laminate fabric is sufficiently robust for Incorporation into garments and for applications in so-called wearable electronics.

Abstract: A composite structure, such as a structural member (12), is formed by the steps of knitting a three dimensional pre-form (17) from one or more selected fibres such as natural fibres selected from hemp, cotton, flax, jute and synthetic fibres such as boron aramide fibres, carbon fibres, glass fibres and polymer based fibres, using a three dimensional knitting machine (16). The pre-form (17) has a shape commensurate with that of the structure (12) to be formed. The pre-form (17) is caused to take its three dimensional shape by inflating or otherwise expanding the pre-form such as by injecting a foamable synthetic plastics material into the interior of the pre-form, and thereafter fixing the shape of the shaped fibres to form the composite structure.

Abstract: A graphite material includes a plurality of graphite particles and a plurality of pores which form a microstructure. When a cross-section of the microstructure is observed with a scanning electron microscope, the number of the pores appearing on the cross-section is more than 250 or more per 6000 ?m2, an average area of the pores appearing on the cross-section is 5 ?m2 or less, and an average aspect ratio of the pores appearing on the cross-section is 0.55 or less.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for making continuous coextruded intermingled glass filaments and continuous thermoplastic organic filaments that enable non-spinnable compounds to be incorporated at the thermoplastic filaments. The invention is characterized in that the thermoplastic filaments are obtained by coextrusion of a thermoplastic material acting as core and a thermoplastic material containing at least one non-spinnable compound. The invention also concerns a device for implementing the method. The resulting composite yarn is provided with specific core properties provided by the non-spinnable compounds.

Abstract: A reinforcing net for use in a reinforcing layer is formed by spacing two parallel spreader yarns under tension and wrapping weft yarns around the two spreader yarns. The reinforcing net can either be affixed to an adhesive coated substrate or coated with adhesive at the intersections of the yarns to bond the net together. The net may be affixed to a plurality of substrates to form a laminate. The net, a ribbon of net with one substrate, and the laminate, may be used in making and reinforcing spirally wound products such as ducts, duct insulation and the like. A number of warp yarns can be included in the reinforcing net to increase its strength. The method of manufacturing the reinforcing net includes the steps of creating tension in the spreader yarns, providing a least one spool for supplying weft yarn, longitudinally advancing the spreader yarns, rotating the spool around the advancing spreader yarns and applying adhesive to the intersections of the yarns.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a pneumatic tire having a component including at least one diene based rubber and discontinuous textile cord having at least two textile yarns, wherein the cord is partially untwisted.

Abstract: A thin film includes a substrate and a transparent, porous film of organic material, such as 8-hydroxyquinoline aluminum. The organic material is vapor deposited on the substrate such that the film has distinct helical columns extending away from the substrate.

Abstract: Heat-reflecting adhesive tape (1), preferably for wrapping elongate material such as, more particularly, leads or cable harnesses, having a tapelike backing (2) composed of an assembly comprising at least one first layer (2a), formed by a glass fabric having a basis weight of 30 to 200 g/m2, and at least one second layer (2b), formed by a metallic layer having a thickness of 10 to 40 ?m and a thermal effectiveness to SAE J2302 at 350° C. of greater than 45° C., and having a pressure-sensitive adhesive coating (3) applied at least to one side of the backing (2), the flexural rigidity of the adhesive tape in longitudinal and transverse direction being less than 500 mN, preferably less than 300 mN (as measured with a Softometer KWS basic 2000 mN from Wolf).

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of functionally coating a basalt fiber, including: coating a basalt fiber by passing the basalt fiber through an aqueous fluorine-based solution including 50˜60 wt % of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), 2˜5 wt % of a nonionic surfactant and water at a passing speed of 1˜2 m/minute, the solution being maintained at a temperature of 20˜25° C.; drying the coated basalt fiber at a temperature of 80˜110° C.; heating the dried basalt fiber to a temperature of 180˜270° C.; and sintering the heated basalt fiber at a temperature of 360˜420° C. Further, disclosed herein is a method of functionally coating a basalt core yarn, including: preparing a basalt core yarn by winding a sub fiber around a basalt fiber, which is a main fiber, and then twisting the sub fiber and basalt fiber; coating the basalt core yarn by passing the prepared basalt core yarn through a coating solution including 35˜45 wt % of a phosphorus-based fire retardant, 50˜59.9 wt % of toluene, which is a solvent, and 0.

Abstract: A fabric comprising a plurality of coiled yarns arranged in side-by-side intermeshing relationship and having elongated pintles extending through intermeshed portions of the yarn. Elongated stuffer elements extend through central portion of each of the coils in between adjacent pintles. The stuffer elements respond to a given input after insertion to expand and fill the central portions of each of the coils. The input may be temperature, light, sound, chemical and tension. In one form, the stuffer elements formed from auxetic material which is placed in tension, after insertion, to cause the stuffer elements to expand and reduce the permeability of the fabric.

Abstract: A floor covering for the dispersion of a liquid. The floor covering includes an upper layer that is permeable to liquid, a base layer that is substantially impermeable to liquid, and a wicking layer disposed between the upper and base layers. The wicking layer is configured to disperse and promote evaporation of the liquid.

Abstract: A dryer fabric and a seam area of a dryer fabric. The basic structure of the dryer fabric comprises at least two superposed machine direction yarn systems. Some yarns of a paper side machine direction yarn system form seam loops at connecting ends and some of the paper side machine direction yarns form an edge of the seam area. All the machine direction yarns of the paper side system make a backward turn at the connecting end and they are fastened off on the backside. The paper side machine direction yarns are cut at a cutting point. Cutting points form a fasten-off row. Yarns that form seam loops are fastened off in a first fasten-off row and yarns that form an edge of the seam area are fastened off in one or more second fasten-off row. One fasten-off row is situated at the beginning line of the seam area.

Abstract: In a spiral link fabric having a plurality of helical coils connected along a coiled perimeter to form a plurality of hinges, each hinge is formed using one of a plurality of connecting rods. The result is a spiral link fabric having a plurality of open channels between each of the plurality of hinges. At least one antistatic stuffer yarn made of polyamide impregnated with carbon is place in at least one of the plurality of open channels to dissipate any electrostatic discharge.

Abstract: Disclosed is a three-dimensional structure (4) consisting of natural fibers in the form of matting, panels, hollow bodies, molded parts or the like, wherein the natural fibers are fibers of the hop plant, particularly the stems (1) of the hop. Hitherto, only the umbellae of hops were used, particularly for the brewing of beer, wherein the rest of the plant was removed in a variety of manners. The invention makes it possible to also use the stems (1) of the hop plant, which make up the largest part of the plant, and optionally the leaves of the hop plant, for the production of the three-dimensional structure. The stems (1) of the hops can be used for certain products, even together with metal wires adhering thereto after harvesting. The invention also relates to a method for further processing the hop plant relieved of the umbellae and to various uses of the structure.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for producing a polyphenylene sulfide multifilament yarn, a polyphenylene sulfide multifilament yarn and the use of a polyphenylene sulfide multifilament yarn. The process for producing a polyphenylene sulfide multifilament yarn is characterized in that only after time period between 0.1 sec and 0.3 sec after leaving the spinneret the filaments of the spun yarn are subjected to an active cooling stage. The Polyphenylene sulfide multifilament yarn having a filament linear density of 5 dtex to 30 dtex, an overall linear density of 500 dtex to 2500 dtex, a breaking tenacity in the range of 50 cN/tex to 80 cN/tex and an elongation at break of 8% to 16% for a yarn with a breaking tenacity in the range of 60 cN/tex to 80 cN/tex and an elongation at break of 16% to 30% for a yarn with a breaking tenacity in the range of 50 cN/tex to 60 cN/tex.

Abstract: The invention relates to glass strands and glass strand structures coated with an electrically conducting coating composition which comprises (as % by weight of solid matter): 6 to 50% of a film-forming agent, preferably 6 to 45%, 5 to 40% of at least one compound chosen from plasticizing agents, surface-active agents and/or dispersing agents, 20 to 75% of electrically conducting particles, 0 to 10% of a doping agent, 0 to 10% of a thickening agent, 0 to 15% of additives. The invention also relates to the electrically conducting coating composition used to coat the said strands and strand structures, to their process of manufacture and to the composite materials including these strands or strand structures. Application to the preparation of structures and composite materials which can be heated by the Joule effect or which can be used for electromagnetic shielding.

Abstract: Composites comprising at least a hollow fiber for the gas- or liquid-transporting ceramic material whose outer surface is in contact with the outer surface of the same or another hollow fiber and the contact sites are joined by sintering are described. Additional composites include at least one hollow fiber from gas- or liquid-transporting ceramic material and at least a connection element for feed or discharge of fluids on at least one of the ends, in which hollow fibers are joined to the connection element by sintering. The composites can be used for recovery of gases from gas mixtures.

Abstract: A method for packaging a product comprises compressing a product in a first direction and a second direction, and transferring the product into a package having an opening, wherein the product is oriented in the package such that neither the first direction nor the second direction are aligned with the opening is disclosed. A packaging apparatus comprises a first plate oriented in a first direction, a second plate oriented in a second direction that intersects the first direction, a third plate oriented in a third direction that intersects the second direction but does not intersect the first direction, and a chute aligned with the third direction.

Abstract: A fabric comprising a textile layer comprising yarns, wherein said textile layer is permeable to water vapour and impermeable to liquid water; and disposed on at least part of one side of the textile layer is a wicking means.