Abstract: In at least one embodiment, a membrane filtration element is provided. The element may include at least one feed spacer including a first set of parallel strands extending in a first direction and including a plurality of first strands having a first thickness and a plurality of second strands having a second thickness that is smaller than the first thickness. A second set of parallel strands may extend in a second direction that is transverse to the first direction. The second set of parallel strands may include a plurality of third strands having a third thickness and a plurality of fourth strands having a fourth thickness that is smaller than the third thickness. In one embodiment, the first and second sets of strands include alternating thick and thin strands, which reduce pressure drop in membrane filtration systems.

Abstract: In at least one embodiment, a membrane filtration element is provided. The element may include at least one feed spacer including a first set of parallel strands extending in a first direction and including a plurality of first strands having a first thickness and a plurality of second strands having a second thickness that is smaller than the first thickness. A second set of parallel strands may extend in a second direction that is transverse to the first direction. The second set of parallel strands may include a plurality of third strands having a third thickness and a plurality of fourth strands having a fourth thickness that is smaller than the third thickness. In one embodiment, the first and second sets of strands include alternating thick and thin strands, which reduce pressure drop in membrane filtration systems.

Abstract: In at least one embodiment, a multifunctional mat is provided comprising an interconnected network including a plurality of coextruded integrally joined strands forming a netting and a film bonded to the netting. The coextruded strands have at least three layers having three different compositions. The netting has an average kinetic coefficient ranging from 0.006 to 2.4 when measured according to ASTM D-1894 and a minimum absolute difference in adhesion temperature between the second thermoplastic composition and the other two thermoplastic compositions ranges from 10° C. to 120° C.

Abstract: In at least one embodiment, a wrapping material for use in covering an article on an automated packing machine includes an interconnected network of a plurality of machine-direction strands being integrally joined to a plurality of cross-direction strands to form a netting. A first film segment is situated overlapping and bonded to the netting to form a first machine-direction seal. A second film segment being spaced apart from the first film segment is situated overlapping and bonded to the netting to form a second machine-direction seal. The first or the second seal has a wave height maximum, crest-to-trough, of less than 0.25 inches. The wrapping material is capable of use without jamming the automated packing machine and without rupturing the first or second seal and processed about an article.

Abstract: The present invention provides a mesh bag for use with automated wicket bagging machines. In at least one embodiment, the mesh bag comprises a tubular mesh having a first end portion opposite a second end portion, a first wicketing strip attached to the second end portion of the mesh and having a peripheral edge, and a second wicketing strip attached to the second end portion of the mesh, wherein the second wicketing strip extends beyond a top edge of the mesh and the peripheral edge of the first wicketing strip and has at least one opening adapted for collating a plurality of mesh bags on one or more wicket pins. The present invention also relates to a method for making such bags.

Abstract: A surface support structure is provided with at least one cell having a plurality of upright walls. A first wall of the plurality of upright walls has a recessed portion forming at least a portion to allow extension and contraction in multiple directions of the at least one cell. The plurality of upright walls of the at least one cell define a perimeter such that the recessed portion extends towards a second wall of the plurality of upright walls and is within the perimeter.

Abstract: The present invention provides a water management building wrap that may be useable between a frame structure of a building and an exterior building covering. In at least one embodiment, the building wrap comprises a permeable membrane and an extruded polymeric drainage structure secured to the second side of the membrane. In at least one embodiment, the drainage structure includes a plurality of generally vertical members having a first thickness and forming boundaries for generally vertical water drainage channels, and a plurality of generally horizontal members attached to the generally vertical members and having a second thickness less than the first thickness and forming integral joints at intersections of the generally vertical members and the generally horizontal members that provide dimensional stability to maintain the orientation of the generally vertical members and form stable vertical water drainage channels.

Abstract: The present invention provides a degradable extruded netting. The netting comprises a plurality of interconnected strands with at least some of the strands comprising a degradable composition comprising a polyolefin and a metal carboxylate. The present invention also relates to a method for making degradable extruded netting. The method comprises extruding strands of polymeric material to form a netting wherein at least some of the strands are formed of the degradable composition.

Abstract: A surface support structure is provided with at least one cell having a plurality of upright walls. A first wall of the plurality of upright walls has a recessed portion forming at least a portion to allow extension and contraction in multiple directions of the at least one cell. The plurality of upright walls of the at least one cell define a perimeter such that the recessed portion extends towards a second wall of the plurality of upright walls and is within the perimeter.

Abstract: In at least certain embodiments of the present invention, the present invention provides a plastic netting for use in various erosion control netting assembles. In at least one embodiment, the assembly comprises a first extruded plastic net, a second extruded plastic net secured to the first net, and a fiber matrix disposed between the nets. In at least another embodiment, the assembly comprises a first extruded plastic net, and a fiber matrix secured to and/or under the netting. In at least another embodiment, the net serves as a mulch control netting when secured to the ground over a mulch material. In yet another embodiment, the net serves as a turf reinforcement. In at least one embodiment, the net comprises a plurality of openings sufficiently sized, to enable small animals to traverse or weave through the erosion control netting assembly without getting trapped in the openings.

Abstract: According to one aspect of the present invention, a filter assembly for removing particulate matter from a fluid stream is disclosed. The filter assembly includes a filter medium having a number of longitudinally extending spaced pleats. Opposing faces of adjacent pleats form a valley therebetween and include a pair of peak portions and a valley portion. The filter assembly further includes a plastic support net being pleated for supporting the filter medium in a pleated shape. The plastic support net includes spaced strands extending in a first direction and spaced strands extending in a second direction that is generally transverse the first direction. The strands extending in the first direction continuously extend over the valley and peak portions of opposing faces of adjacent filter medium pleats and are aligned in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the filter medium pleats.

Abstract: The present invention provides a water management building wrap that may be useable between a frame structure of a building and an exterior building covering. In at least one embodiment, the building wrap comprises a permeable membrane and an extruded polymeric drainage structure secured to the second side of the membrane. In at least one embodiment, the drainage structure includes a plurality of generally vertical members having a first thickness and forming boundaries for generally vertical water drainage channels, and a plurality of generally horizontal members attached to the generally vertical members and having a second thickness less than the first thickness and forming integral joints at intersections of the generally vertical members and the generally horizontal members that provide dimensional stability to maintain the orientation of the generally vertical members and form stable vertical water drainage channels.

Abstract: The present invention provides a water management building wrap that may be useable between a frame structure of a building and an exterior building covering. In at least one embodiment, the building wrap comprises a permeable membrane and an extruded polymeric drainage structure secured to the second side of the membrane. In at least one embodiment, the drainage structure includes a plurality of generally vertical members having a first thickness and forming boundaries for generally vertical water drainage channels, and a plurality of generally horizontal members attached to the generally vertical members and having a second thickness less than the first thickness and forming integral joints at intersections of the generally vertical members and the generally horizontal members that provide dimensional stability to maintain the orientation of the generally vertical members and form stable vertical water drainage channels.

Abstract: The present invention provides a degradable extruded netting. The netting comprises a plurality of interconnected strands with at least some of the strands comprising a degradable composition comprising a polyolefin, a metal carboxylate, and an aliphatic poly hydroxy-carboxyl acid. In at least one embodiment, at least 10% of the strands are made of the degradable composition. The present invention also relates to a method for making degradable extruded netting. The method comprises extruding strands of polymeric material to form a netting wherein at least some of the strands are formed of the degradable composition.

Abstract: The present invention provides a biodegradable extruded netting. The netting comprises a plurality of interconnected strands with at least some of the strands comprising a biodegradable composition comprising polylactic acid polymer and biodegradable plasticizer. In at least one embodiment, at least 10% of the strands are made of the biodegradable composition. The present invention also relates to a method for making biodegradable extruded netting. The method comprises extruding strands of polymeric material to form a netting wherein at least some of the strands are formed of the biodegradable composition.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides a layered plastic netting. The netting can include a first outer layer comprised of a first polymeric material, an inner layer comprised of a second polymeric material, and a second outer layer generally opposed to the first outer layer and comprised of a third polymeric material. The first polymeric material can be comprised of first relatively low melt temperature (LMP) polymeric material. The second polymeric material can be comprised of a relatively high melt temperature (HMP) polymeric material. The third polymeric material can be comprised of a second relatively LMP polymeric material differing from the first relatively LMP polymeric material.

Abstract: In at least certain embodiments of the present invention, the present invention provides a plastic netting for use in various erosion control netting assembles. In at least one embodiment, the assembly comprises a first extruded plastic net, a second extruded plastic net secured to the first net, and a fiber matrix disposed between the nets. In at least another embodiment, the assembly comprises a first extruded plastic net, and a fiber matrix secured to and/or under the netting. In at least another embodiment, the net serves as a mulch control netting when secured to the ground over a mulch material. In yet another embodiment, the net serves as a turf reinforcement. In at least one embodiment, the net comprises a plurality of openings sufficiently sized, to enable small animals to traverse or weave through the erosion control netting assembly without getting trapped in the openings.

Abstract: The present invention provides a water management building wrap that may be useable between a frame structure of a building and an exterior building covering. In at least one embodiment, the building wrap comprises a permeable membrane and an extruded polymeric drainage structure secured to the second side of the membrane. In at least one embodiment, the drainage structure includes a plurality of generally vertical members having a first thickness and forming boundaries for generally vertical water drainage channels, and a plurality of generally horizontal members attached to the generally vertical members and having a second thickness less than the first thickness and forming integral joints at intersections of the generally vertical members and the generally horizontal members that provide dimensional stability to maintain the orientation of the generally vertical members and form stable vertical water drainage channels.

Abstract: According to one aspect of the present invention, a filter assembly for removing particulate matter from a fluid stream is disclosed. The filter assembly includes a filter medium having a number of longitudinally extending spaced pleats. Opposing faces of adjacent pleats form a valley therebetween and include a pair of peak portions and a valley portion. The filter assembly further includes a plastic support net being pleated for supporting the filter medium in a pleated shape. The plastic support net includes spaced strands extending in a first direction and spaced strands extending in a second direction that is generally transverse the first direction. The strands extending in the first direction continuously extend over the valley and peak portions of opposing faces of adjacent filter medium pleats and are aligned in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the filter medium pleats.