Abstract: Disclosed is a thermoplastic resin foamed article, wherein the foamed article has two opposite surfaces, wherein the foamed article has at least a skin layer which defines one of the opposite surfaces and has a porosity of 0% or more but less than 1%, a lower-expansion layer which has a porosity of not less than 1% but less than 40% and is arranged so as to be adjacent to the skin layer, and a higher-expansion layer which has a porosity of not less than 40% but less than 100% and is arranged so as to be adjacent to the lower-expansion layer, wherein the skin layer, the lower-expansion layer and the higher-expansion layer are made of the same thermoplastic resin.

Abstract: A temporary floor covering 10 that allows air and moisture to pass through the covering 10 is disclosed. The floor covering 10 has a first layer 12, a second layer 14 connected to the first layer 12, and a plurality of perforations 18 in the covering 10. The first layer 12 is typically made of a low-density polyethylene foam, and the second layer 14 is typically made of a polyethylene film. The perforations 18 extend through the first and second layers 12, 14 to allow air and moisture to pass through both the first layer 12 and the second layer 14. Additionally, an outer surface of one of the first layer 12 or the second layer 14 may have an increased coefficient of friction.

Abstract: The present invention provides a foam sheet for a car interior member which is capable of being molded into a desired shape while keeping an excellent sound absorbency. The foam sheet for a car interior member according to the invention comprises a modified polyphenylene ether-based resin foam sheet having an open cell ratio of 50% or more, and the modified polyphenylene ether-based resin foam sheet has pore portions formed in a single face thereof so as to be open to the face thereof. Accordingly, vibration energy of sounds is smoothly induced through the pore portions to the open cells of the foam sheet 1 to vibrate cell walls of the open cells, thereby converting the vibration energy to thermal energy. Thus, an excellent sound absorbency is exhibited.

Abstract: A polypropylene-based resin composition for injection foam molding, containing (A) 50 to 95 parts by weight of a linear polypropylene-based resin having a melt flow rate of from 10 g/10 min. to 100 g/10 min. and a melt tension of 2 cN or less and (B) 5 to 50 parts by weight of a modified polypropylene having a melt flow rate of from 0.1 g/10 min. to less than 10 g/10 min. and a melt tension of 5 cN or more and exhibiting a strain hardening property (provided that a total of the resin (A) and the resin (B) is 100 parts by weight) and a foaming agent are supplied to an injection molding machine to be injected into a die, thereby achieving a foam molding. It is thus possible to obtain a injection foamed molded article which has a satisfactory injection foam moldability, a skin layer having little silver streaks or the like on its surface, and an internal core layer having a foam of high expansion ratio and uniformly fine and a excellent appearance glossiness, lightweightness, and rigidity at a low cost.

Abstract: A protective foam layer is provided. The protective layer has a foam substrate that is at least partially enclosed by a formed skin adjacent the outer surface of the foam substrate. The formed skin is substantially non-porous. The combination of the foam substrate with the formed skin results in a protective layer that is effective to absorb and/or dissipate impact force for both high- and low-speed impacts that can be experienced during a sporting event such as cycling. The formed skin can also be provided with a plurality of protective zones having vent holes through the formed skin to regulate the degree of energy absorption in the respective zones. In this manner, a single continuous protective foam layer can be provided having multiple protective zones having distinct energy absorption characteristics instead of providing discrete protective layers that must be joined or meet at a seam.

Abstract: A resin-molded component such as a loudspeaker diaphragm, in which rigidity is enhanced while light weight and high specific modulus of elasticity are maintained, is formed by applying carbon dioxide gas with a predetermined pressure to a thermoplastic resin in which crystallization is facilitated in the resin flowing direction to fill a mold. After the resin is filled, injection molding is performed by somewhat moving the mold to form five layers of: oriented minute-foaming layers, having approximately cylindrical foams, the length of which is twice the diameter thereof in the resin flowing direction in the mold, an unfoamed core layer positioned between both the foaming layers, and unfoamed skin layers formed on the front and rear surfaces.

Abstract: A strong, high density foam glass tile having a small pore size which can be used as a facade on both exterior and interior building walls. The foam glass tile of the present invention is strong enough that it can also be used as a structural member for a building. The foam glass tiles are very strong, and have a compression strength of 6000 psi (lb./sq. in.) or greater, and more particularly of 8000 lb./sq. in. or greater, and even more particularly of 10,000 lb./sq. in. or greater, and even more particularly of 12,000 lb./sq. in. or greater, and even more particularly of 14,000 lb./sq. in. or greater. These foam glass tiles will absorb more energy from an explosion, withstand higher heat and wind loading and other mechanical forces. The tiles of the present invention may have an average pore size of 1.0 mm or less, and preferably 0.7 mm or less, and more preferably 0.6 mm or less, and even more preferably 0.5 mm or less, and even more preferably 0.4 mm or less, and even more preferably 0.3 mm or less.

Abstract: An electrophotographic transfer paper has a substrate and a thermoplastic foamed resin layer which is provided on at least one surface of the substrate and has pores. In the electrophotographic transfer paper, the temperature at which the viscosity of the thermoplastic foamed resin layer becomes 1×10 4 Pa·s ranges from 60° C. to 100° C. and a gradient R of a viscosity-temperature curve of the thermoplastic foamed resin layer defined by the following Equation (1) ranges from 0.02 to 0.10: R={Log(?t)?Log(?t+20)}/20 ??(1) where ?t indicates 1×104 Pa·s and ?t+20 indicates the viscosity (Pa·s) of the thermoplastic foamed resin layer at the temperature higher by 20° C. than the temperature showing the viscosity ?t.

Abstract: A thermoplastic resin foam, which is high in thickness-direction compressive strength and low in flexural modulus of elasticity, can be set pliably along a curved applicable portion such as body's outer surface, and can effectively absorb an impact force imparted from the outside; and an expandable thermoplastic resin molded product providing the above foam. An expandable thermoplastic resin molded product comprises an expandable thermoplastic resin sheet-form material of expandable thermoplastic resin having a sheet body and many projections formed scattered on at least one surface of the sheet body, and an elastic thermoplastic material layer laminated on at least one surface of the expandable thermoplastic resin sheet-form material so as to be spread over the outer surfaces of the projections; and a thermoplastic resin foam obtained by foaming the expandable thermoplastic resin molded product.

Abstract: A longitudinally extending cellular body of a wood plastic composite is disclosed. The body has at least one wall which extends at least substantially the longitudinal length of the body, and encloses a central cavity which extends a distance that is less than the longitudinal length of said body. The cellular body has an impervious integral skin and has an exterior surface which is smooth to the touch. The surface has voids and has the appearance of wood. When the cellular body is struck, it makes a sound like the sound of a piece of wood being struck.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for making a densified skin polymer foam plank comprising providing a polymer foam having a plurality of cells and heating an outer surface of the foam at a heating station. The heating step collapses and melts the cells adjacent the outer surface to form the densified skin having a density greater than a density of the foam before the heating step. Additionally, the method and apparatus may further include extruding the polymer foam from an extruder.

Abstract: The invention provides a foamed body of thermoplastic resin having a high expansion ratio, desired shape and cells of desired diameter, especially fine cells. The foamed body of thermoplastic resin is produced by filling the thermoplastic resin containing a foaming agent into a cavity 31 of a mold 2a and thereafter enlarging the cavity 31 to expand the resin. In this process, the cavity 31 is completely filled with the resin as melted and containing the foaming agent, then held in its shape as filled with the resin and enlarged to an increased final cavity width upon the average temperature filled in the cavity 31 reaching the range from the melting point of the resin to the melting point plus 30° C.

Abstract: The invention relates to an imaging member comprising an imaging layer and a base wherein said base comprises a closed cell foam core sheet and adhered thereto an upper and lower flange sheet, wherein said foam core sheet has a modulus of between 100 and 2758 MPa and a tensile toughness between 0.344 and 35 MPa, and wherein said upper and lower flange sheet has a modulus of between and 1380 and 20000 MPa and a toughness between 1.4 and 210 MPa.

Abstract: The invention relates to an imaging member comprising an imaging layer and a base wherein said base comprises a closed cell foam core sheet and adhered thereto an upper and lower flange sheet, wherein said foam core sheet has a modulus of between 100 and 2758 MPa and a tensile toughness between 0.344 and 35 MPa, and wherein said upper and lower flange sheet has a modulus of between and 1380 and 20000 MPa and a toughness between 1.4 and 210 MPa.

Abstract: The present invention is a structural reinforcement part for use in automobile assembly comprising a molded shell substantially filled with a structural filler material and an expandable adhesive in contact with the exterior of the molded shell; wherein the structural filler material does not undergo or require any chemical reaction or expansion, after part installation or during automotive assembly. This simplified structural reinforcement part does not require the in-situ foaming process of the prior art and produces a strong lightweight structural member which can be adhered to the automotive skeleton via the expandable adhesive upon exposure to heat during automotive assembly. This structural member offers easy installation, since no bulk systems, pumps or additional equipment is required.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an imaging element comprising at least one imaging layer and a base. The base comprises a foam core layer, which comprises a polymer that has been expanded through the use of a blowing agent, and at least one polymeric surface smoothing layer, which comprises a solution polymer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an imaging element comprising an imaging layer and a support, wherein the support comprises a core layer having a surface roughness of at least 1.4 microns and a pit camouflaging flange layer between the support and the imaging layer. The present invention also relates to a method of forming an imaging support comprising extruding a polymer layer onto a core layer of surface roughness of at least 1.4 microns, and passing the extruded polymer layer on the core layer between two temperature controlled rollers, one of which comprises a pit camouflaging surface and a method of forming an imaging support comprising extruding a polymer layer, passing the extruded polymer layer between two temperature controlled rollers, one of which comprises a pit camouflaging surface, and laminating the polymer layer onto a core layer with a surface roughness of at least 1.4 microns.

Abstract: A vehicle bumper (20) integrates rigid and flexible components into a single co-injection molded structure. In a preferred embodiment, a flexible fascia (58) is provided with integrated rigid fastener brackets (62, 66, 70, 71), energy absorption structure and head lamp brackets and housings (62). A method for manufacturing such a bumper provides for the injection of two different plastic materials during the same molding process. The flexible plastic material first injected into the mold. Then, the rigid plastic material is injected at gates located where the rigid material is desired. In one embodiment, the rigid material is completely contained within the flexible material. The rigid material may be either a higher stiffness plastic or a fiber reinforced plastic.

Abstract: Single layer and multilayer polyolefin foam pipes with improved compression resistance have a polyolefin foam layer which consists of mixtures of modified propylene polymers having strain hardening behaviour or propylene homopolymers with a stereospecifity index >98% or propylene copolymers with a stereospecifity index of the homopolymer matrix of >96%. The polyolefin foam pipes are coated steel pipes for transporting crude oil or gas products or district heating applications, single layer pipes for insulation purposes and for non- or low-pressure applications and multilayer plastic pipes for the transportation of hot or cold fluids.

Abstract: A large, high density foam glass tile which can be used as a facade on both exterior and interior building walls. The foam glass tile can also be used with other materials to form a panel or a composite. The present invention may be used on the critical surfaces of buildings at high risk for terrorist attacks, in combination with cement, steel or other high strength building materials. The present invention may also be used in surfaces of typical buildings. The present invention has the advantage of absorbing a substantial portion of a shock wave caused by an explosion. The present invention also has the advantage of being more resistant to earthquakes.

Abstract: An object of the invention is to provide a holding and sealing mat material of a catalytic converter for purifying an exhaust gas which can prevent inorganic fibers from flying in all directions from a surface of the holding and sealing mat material, and can keep a working environment at a time of assembling good. In the holding and sealing mat material of a catalytic converter for purifying an exhaust gas, which is arranged between a catalyst carrier and a shell covering the catalyst carrier from the outside thereof, the holding and sealing mat material includes a mat-like material consisting of inorganic fibers and being formed in a mat shape and a binder of 0.5 to 20 weight % of an organic binder or an inorganic binder, which is attached to the mat-like material, wherein a filling bulk density of the holding and sealing mat material after being assembled is within a range between 0.1 and 0.

Abstract: The present invention intends to provide a thermoplastic resin foam molding comprising a substrate having a foam layer and a projection formed in one piece together with the substrate wherein the projection hardly separates from the substrate and they are firmly jointed together. The invention provides a thermoplastic resin foam molding comprising a substrate and a projection formed in one piece together with the substrate wherein the substrate has a foam layer and a skin layer containing no voids wherein the ratio (R/L) of the curvature R of a joint between the projection and the substrate to the thickness L of the skin layer is from 3 to 50.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a foamed polyolefin resin sheet which exhibits a high adhesive strength when laminated with a layer formed of a saponified ethylene-vinyl ester copolymer and which still exhibits a high adhesive strength even when laminated with a layer of a thermoplastic resin having relatively low polarity such as a polyolefin resin. This object is attained by a foamed polyolefin resin sheet including a foamed polyolefin resin layer and a non-foamed surface layer formed of a thermoplastic resin composition having an A1/A2 ratio falling within a range between 1×10?8 and 1×10?1, wherein A1 is a maximum absorbance of the infrared absorption spectrum of the thermoplastic resin composition within an infrared ray wave number region of from 1700 to 1750 cm?1 and A2 is a maximum absorbance of the infrared absorption spectrum of the thermoplastic resin composition within an infrared ray wave number region of from 1455 to 1465 cm?1.

Abstract: A composite molding is formed by welding and joining a foam to a substrate made of a synthetic resin, the foam including a hard skin layer and a foamed layer formed by foaming a foamable synthetic resin in an unhardened state within the skin layer as the pressure of a cavity is decreased, wherein the skin layer includes a cover covering the foamed layer and a collar projecting outward from the edge of the cover on the substrate side while being directly welded and joined to the surface of the substrate. Therefore, the edge of the skin layer on the substrate side can be adequately hardened, thereby enabling adequate formation of the foamed layer and adequate welding between the foam and the substrate.

Abstract: The present invention provides processes and an apparatus for injection-molding an article with a fluid channel formed therein. The process includes providing at least first and second resin streams within a mold cavity, causing the flow fronts (16) of the resin streams to meet at a longitudinal point in the mold cavity to form a first layer of solidified resin on a peripheral surface of the mold, the first layer having a knit line (20) at the longitudinal point where the resin streams meet; and introducing a fluid into the molten resin in the mold to form a fluid channel (50) and a second layer (32) of solidified resin, the second layer between the fluid channel and the first layer of solidified resin, wherein the second layer is devoid of a knit line at the longitudinal point in the mold cavity where the first and second flow fronts meet.

Abstract: The present invention relates to bioriented polyethylene films having high water vapor transmission rates (WVTR) and methods for preparing the same. The film comprises a base layer and skin layers. The base layer comprises highly cavitated polyethylene, such as medium density polyethylene (MDPE) or high density polyethylene (HDPE). The cavitating agent in the base layer may be calcium carbonate. At least one skin layer comprises (i) a copolymer of ethylene and at least one other monomer and (ii) a hydrocarbon resin, such as a cyclopentadiene resin. This copolymer (i) may be an ethylene-propylene copolymer or an ethylene-propylene-butene-1 terpolymer. The film may have unidirectional tear properties in the machine direction. This film is particularly useful for packaging food products, such as pieces of candy.

Abstract: A foam layer can be formed at a temperature at which the surface quality of a surface layer is not deteriorated, and a molding technique that is excellent in adhesiveness of a foam layer and a surface layer or/and a base member is developed. For the purpose of obtaining a resin molding composite, the present invention is characterized by a polyolefin resin molding composite comprising a surface layer and a foam layer, or a surface layer, a foam layer, and a base member, wherein the foam layer comprises a foam layer produced by fusion bonding thermoplastic expanded resin particles one another by molding, where the thermoplastic expanded resin particles comprises a core that is made of a crystalline thermoplastic resin and is in an expanded state and a polyethylene resin coat covering the core, and the surface layer comprises a thermoplastic synthetic resin having a melting point of 5° C. or more higher than a melting point of polyethylene resin constituting the coat of the particles.

Abstract: A multilayer polyolefin foamed sheet comprises a foamed layer and a non-foamed layer. The foamed layer is composed of polyolefin and the non-foamed layer is composed of one of the polyolefins, a polypropylene with a long-chain branch and a polyolefin-based adhesive resin with a long-chain branch. In another aspect, a multilayer polyolefin foamed sheet comprises a foamed sheet having at least one polyolefin foamed layer and a gas barrier resin sheet having at least one barrier resin layer laminated thereon, wherein the gas barrier resin sheet has a thickness of from 10 to 300 &mgr;m and has a thickness distribution, Tmax/Tmin, of from 1 to 1.2 in an area of at least 25 cm2.

Abstract: Microporous sheets coated with a colored base coating and a clear coating are disclosed. The coated microporous sheets are durable and possess desirable visual characteristics such as high gloss and distinctiveness of image.

Abstract: A semiconductor polishing device having a substantially cylindrical roller body made of polyvinyl acetal with a uniform material porosity having a mean flow pore pressure ranging from about 0.30 PSI to about 0.35 PSI with 80% of its pores ranging from 7 to 40 microns in size coated with a low viscosity adhesive composition of an appropriately formulated aliphatic or aromatic difunctional polyether urethane methacrylate or formulated multifunctional allphatic urethane acrylate and abrasive particles to form an adhesive skin of about 1 micron in thickness. The abrasive particles typically have a particle size ranging from about 0.05 to about 7 microns and a Mohs' hardness of at least about 7.

Abstract: The invention presents a composite profile for use in the production of windows, doors, facade elements or the like, having inner and outer metallic profiles spaced at a specific distance from each other by a plastic profile. The invention further proposes that the plastic profile contain a surface of a solid, non-porous first plastics material, in a core region, a fine-pored cellular structure of a second plastics material. Additionally, the plastic profile may either be a solid, multilayer profile or a hollow profile. Such plastics profiles are particularly adapted to absorb tensile, bending and/or pressure loads.

Abstract: The inventive method for producing packaging materials consisting of a polyolefin foam layer (B) coated with a coating film (A) on at least one side, which packaging material is formable into self supporting packaging items, such as trays, by thermoforming or folding, comprises a coextrusion step or an extrusion lamination step in which step the bonding between the polyolefin foam layer (B) and the coating is achieved. With the extrusion lamination step, the method is as follows: In a first method step, a single-layer or multi-layer coating film (A) is produced by extrusion or coextrusion, in a second method step a polyolefin foam sheet (B) is produced by expansion and extrusion and in the third method step the polyolefin foam sheet (B) is coated with the coating film (A) by extrusion lamination, wherein a polyolefin bonding layer (30) is extruded between the foam sheet (B) and the coating film (A) and pressure is applied to the combination.

Abstract: The present invention relates to specific methods of producing cleated rubber-backed floor mats (such as dust control or rubber mats) through the utilization of the combination of a perforated coated woven fabric article and a cushioned platen liner between the article and the metal platen of an in-line dust control mat manufacturing machine. Such a procedure permits a more efficient manner of producing cleated anti-creep dust control mats than previously followed. In particular, the fabric article is in the form of a conveyor belt and is preferably constructed from Teflon®-coated woven fiberglass which will not adhere to the tacky rubber component of the target mat and can withstand the extremely high vulcanization temperatures and pressures required during the production of a dust control mat.

Abstract: Provided is a polypropylene resin foam-molded article which has a rib having a relatively small thickness and which has an improved strength at a boundary part between a main body part and the rib part without increasing a thickness of the rib part. The polypropylene resin foam-molded article is obtained by molding a material for a foam-molded article using a polypropylene resin, wherein the molded article comprises a main body part and a rib part provided vertically to the main body part; the rib part has a thickness (Tr) of 3 mm or less, or a thickness ratio (Tr/Tb) of a thickness of the rib part (Tr) to a thickness of the main body part (Tb) is 0.8 or less; the main body part and the rib part each comprise a non-foamed surface layer and an intermediate layer having a foamed structure; and the intermediate layer in the main body part is connected to the intermediate layer in the rib part.

Abstract: Disclosed is a joint structure for a partial foaming part of an instrument panel, which is capable of preventing loss of materials due to unnecessary consumption of the skin layer and leakage of a polyurethane foam filled between the core layer and the skin layer during partial foaming of the instrument panel. In a joint structure between a core layer 2 and a skin layer 3 for manufacturing a partial foaming part 1 of which a polyurethane foam layer 4 is formed between the core layer 2 and the skin layer 3, a partial end portion 31 is curved inwards within the polyurethane foam layer 4 at a front end of the skin layer 3. A skin end portion 32 upwardly extends from an end of the partial end portion 31 and is pressed against the core layer 2 due to foaming pressure of the polyurethane foam layer 4. A foam staying space 33 is provided between an inner side surface of the core layer 2 and the skin end portion 32 of the skin layer 3.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for making a densified skin polymer foam plank comprising providing a polymer foam having a plurality of cells and heating an outer surface of the foam at a heating station. The heating step collapses and melts the cells adjacent the outer surface to form the densified skin having a density greater than a density of the foam before the heating step. Additionally, the method and apparatus may further include extruding the polymer foam from an extruder.

Abstract: A method of forming a sheet comprising extruding a polymer material comprising an incompatible material and a foaming agent, cooling the extruded material, stretching said extruded material in at least one direction.

Abstract: A method for extruding a thermoplastic polymer/wood fiber composite utilizes styrene acrylonitrile as the principal thermoplastic component. Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene is used as a stiffener and modifier to prevent degradation of a foaming agent's efficacy. The method of the invention and the extrusion produced by the inventive method are particularly applicable to extrusions having high aspect ratio cross-sectional shapes and extrusions in which the ratio of wall thickness to interior volume is large.

Abstract: The present invention provides a hollow foamed polyolefin-based resin container comprising an inner layer and an outer layer, at least one of the inner and outer layers being formed of a foamed polyolefin-based resin sheet, wherein at least a side wall part of the container has a hollow portion between the inner and outer layer and a process for produciong the same, and the like. The hollow foamed polyolefin-based resin container can be used as containers for retorted food products and other containers.

Abstract: A technique and device for rehabilitating or repairing waste water system components or the like, comprising a spray-applied, multi-layer liner which seals the components and imparts structural integrity. The liner comprises a primer layer, a first moisture barrier layer, a foam layer and a second moisture barrier layer. The first and second moisture barrier layers are preferably made of the same material and form a skin on both sides of the internal foam layer. The combination of the foam layer and the two moisture barrier layers imparts structural strength and rigidity to the cured liner.

Abstract: A vehicle bumper (20) integrates rigid and flexible components into a single co-injection molded structure. In a preferred embodiment, a flexible fascia (58) is provided with integrated rigid fastener brackets (62, 66, 70, 71), energy absorption structure and head lamp brackets and housings (62). A method for manufacturing such a bumper provides for the injection of two different plastic materials during the same molding process. The flexible plastic material first injected into the mold. Then, the rigid plastic material is injected at gates located where the rigid material is desired. In one embodiment, the rigid material is completely contained within the flexible material. The rigid material may be either a higher stiffness plastic or a fiber reinforced plastic.

Abstract: The present invention provides new patterned porous substrates and a new method for forming the new patterned porous substrates containing one or more selected patterns which is applicable to all porous structures regardless of their polymeric content, their method of manufacture or their UV absorbing characteristics.

Abstract: A motor vehicle has a first body part with a seal support flange thereon that supports a unitary seal construction having a flexible bulb seal portion engageable with second vehicle body part including a hood or other vehicle body part for sealing against leakage between the first and second vehicle body parts and an integrally formed base portion and wherein the flexible bulb seal is hollow and is formed of a soft low density thermoplastic foam and the integrally formed base portion is integrally extruded with the flexible bulb seal and is formed solely from polymeric material having spaced walls defining a recess for fitting the unitary seal construction in place on the support flange.

Abstract: The invention relates to a thermoplastic moulded part comprising at least a polyolefin or a polycondensation polymer and reinforcing fibers, characterized in that 1 to 60 wt. % of the moulded part consists of reinforcing fibers with a length of between 0.8 and 15 mm, at least a portion of which is present partly in the center and partly in the non-porous dish surface, and that the moulded part has a porosity of between 5 and 95 vol. %. The invention also relates to a process for producing such a moulded part.

Abstract: The present invention is a floor mat made from a rubber composite, the composite having a foam rubber core positioned between dense rubber layers. Protrusions or cleats, which are produced during the vulcanization process, extend outwardly from the lower surface of the mat. The present mat offers mat users desirable anti-fatigue characteristics that are achieved by (a) a combination of dense rubber and foam rubber layers and (b) the spaced positioning of a plurality of cleats over one surface of the mat. Such a mat is anticipated to be useful in service environments, such as hair styling salons, retail outlets, or restaurant kitchens, for example.

Abstract: Composite elements comprise

Abstract: A molded product is made comprising a low-density product having an impermeable surface. The impermeable surface integral with the low density interior is suitable for receiving various types of brightly colored finishes. It is also contemplated that a non-porous plastic film may be molded in place on the surface of the molded product.

Abstract: A polyimide porous film obtained by drying and imidizing a polyimide precursor porous film which is substantially homogeneous on both sides, the polyimide porous film having pores on both sides wherein the pores all satisfy the conditions: 1) the difference in the mean pore size of both sides is less than 200% based on the smaller average value of the mean pore size, 2) the coefficient of variation for the pore size on each side is smaller than 70%, 3) the coefficient of variation for the pore centroid distance on each side is smaller than 50%, and 4) the mean pore size on each side is 0.05-5 &mgr;m.

Abstract: A biaxially oriented polyolefin multilayer film having a skin layer having oil-absorbing voids is disclosed. The film has substantially a small amount of void-initiating particles in the skin layer and typically no fillers in the core layer. Yet the film shows no visible distortion after exposure to food products such as potato chips.

Abstract: Compositions, methods, and systems for manufacturing articles, particularly containers and packaging materials, having a fiber-reinforced, starch-bound cellular matrix. Suitable mixtures used to form the articles are prepared by first preparing a viscous preblended mixture comprising water, a gelatinized starch-based binder, and fibers having an average length greater than about 2 mm. The highly viscous preblended mixture effectively transfers the shearing forces of the mixer to the fibers. The final moldable mixture is then prepared by mixing into the preblended mixture the remaining starch-based binder, water, and other desired admixtures, e.g., mold-releasing agents, inorganic filler rheology-modifying agents, plasticizers, coating materials, and dispersants, in the correct proportions to form an article which has the desired performance criteria.