Abstract: The present disclosure relates to compositions, laminates, films and/or composites made from polymers, such as thermoplastic polyurethane (“TPU”). The films have one or more optical layers made from materials that allow the transmission of visible light and reflect or absorb UV light. A composite having an infrared (“IR”) cutoff layer, and a polymer layer desirably having an ultraviolet (“UV”) absorber is disposed between layers of glass or artificial glass, combined with polycarbonate (“PC”) or polyethylene terephalate (“PET”) layers.

Abstract: A fiber web structure made of randomly oriented synthetic fibers, an apparatus for making the web structure and a method of making the web structure. The web is a dimensionally-disordered, aerodynamically-formed structure in which electrostatic and/or non-electrostatic fibers are arranged to create structured fiber webs. The method uses different size, crimp, length and shapes of fibers, among various characteristics, to create strength and other properties. An apparatus for making the web structure includes a randomizing cylinder that removes fibers from a main cylinder, and condensing cylinders. The fiber webs may be structured in layers and the layers may have fibers and/or additives placed in or between the layers for enhanced performance.

Abstract: Devices and methods are provided for filtering contaminants or pollutants from water, such as rainwater or stormwater. The devices include a liquid filter comprising a tubular mesh enclosure containing a filling. The filling comprises compost particles and an activated carbon material. The compost particles have a bulk particle distribution of more than 30% less than 0.375 inches and at least 90% less than 2 inches. This unique combination of particle sizes and filling materials increases the removal efficiency of the filter. In addition, this filter media absorbs a broader range of industrial pollutants than conventional filters.

Abstract: Compositions, laminates, films and/or composites made from thermoplastic polymers, such as thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) are described. The films have one or more optical layers made from materials that allow the transmission of visible light and reflect or absorb UV light. An optical film is made from one or more TPU resins including a first UV absorber of the benzotriazole family or the triazin family, a light stabilizer, and a second UV absorber selected from a group consisting of benzotriazoles, benzophenones, triazin or benzylidene malonate. The second UV absorber may be present in a base resin combined with the TPU resin.

Abstract: Degradable extruded nettings are provided. Degradable extruded nettings may include a plurality of interconnected strands, at least some of the strands being made from a polymeric blend, the polymeric blend including a polylactic acid polymer composition, polybutylene succinate, and a degradation additive, the degradation additive including a degrader in a carrier resin are provided. Grass sod and methods for preparing grass sod using such degradable extruded nettings are also provided.

Abstract: Support membranes for filters are described that include a support sheet formed of a polymeric material and a continuous base section having opposed outer surfaces and spaced-apart ribs extending outwardly from at least one of the opposed outer surfaces. The spaced-apart ribs define continuous flow channels bound by the adjacent spaced-apart ribs. The ratio of the height of the ribs to the height of the continuous base ranges from about 2:1 to about 5:1. This relatively high aspect ratio of the ribs and the base layer increases the performance of the filter and reduces the cross-flow pressure drop of fluids filtered through the membrane.

Abstract: Provided are electrolyte films or cells for use in variety of applications, such as electrochromic windows. An electrolytic film comprises a polymer layer, such as thermoplastic polyurethane or polymethyl methacrylate, and an electrolyte within the polymer layer. The electrolyte comprises a salt and a plasticizer. The plasticizer comprises one or more materials that are selected to provide sufficient conductivity and optical transparency for operation of the electrolyte film in an application requiring substantial optical clarity and switching speed, such as a smart window.

Abstract: A filter support sheet extruded from a fluoroplastic material includes a base section having spaced-apart ribs extending outwardly from at least one surface thereof. Segments between spaced-apart ribs provide flow channels and apertures are punched through the sheet in a predetermined pattern unaffected by the structure of the support sheet. A method includes the steps of: (1) extruding a thermoplastic, fluoroplastic material to form of a sheet; (2) passing the sheet through a nip region provided by opposed rollers; at least one having an outer surface with counter-sunk grooves. Counter-sunk grooves in one roller are aligned with an outer surface or counter-sunk grooves of the other roller in the nip region to form a ribbed sheet having ribs upstanding from at least one surface of said sheet; (3) setting the ribbed sheet and (4) punching apertures through the ribbed sheet in a predetermined pattern.

Abstract: A device for slitting a tubular workpiece into strips includes radially disposed cutting members. The device may include a tapered infeed mandrel for maintaining tension on the tubular workpiece being slit and optionally an exit mandrel. In embodiments, the position of the radially disposed cutting members may be adjustable.

Abstract: A filtration material comprising a blend of polypropylene and acrylic fibers of round, flat, dog bone, oval or kidney bean shape in any size from 0.08 to 3.3 Dtex. A preferred blend contains about 50 weight percent polypropylene fibers and about 50 weight percent acrylic fibers. The fibers can be blended ranging from 90:10 to 10:90 polypropylene to acrylic. The shape contains 25 weight percent round, flat, oval, dog bone and kidney bean shapes. The fiber blend contains 25 weight percent of at least one size between 0.08 and 3.3 Dtex. Electret fibers incorporated within these blends have 0.02 to 33 weight percent of a charge control agent. These fibers can be used in producing electret material by corona or triboelectric charging methods.

Abstract: An in tank depth media fuel filter assembly includes a closed body having an interior and an exterior. The closed body has a first composite panel of filtration media and a second composite panel of filtration media. Each of the composite panels includes and outer support layer and at least three inner layers of filtration material including at least two spunbonded layers of synthetic filaments and at least one layer of wetlaid synthetic fibers. An opening is provided in the body for providing fluid communication with the interior thereof.

Abstract: A device for slitting a tubular workpiece into strips includes radially disposed cutting members. The device may include a tapered infeed mandrel for maintaining tension on the tubular workpiece being slit and optionally an exit mandrel. In embodiments, the position of the radially disposed cutting members may be adjustable.

Abstract: A filtration material comprising a blend of polypropylene and acrylic fibers of round, flat, dog bone, oval or kidney bean shape in any size from 0.08 to 3.3 Dtex. A preferred blend contains about 50 weight percent polypropylene fibers and about 50 weight percent acrylic fibers. The fibers can be blended ranging from 90:10 to 10:90 polypropylene to acrylic. The shape contains 25 weight percent round, flat, oval, dog bone and kidney bean shapes. The fiber blend contains 25 weight percent of at least one size between 0.08 and 3.3 Dtex. Electret fibers incorporated within these blends have 0.02 to 33 weight percent of a charge control agent. These fibers can be used in producing electret material by corona or triboelectric charging methods.

Abstract: A pleated filter structure includes a pleated filtering substrate and a pleated, polymer, mesh reinforcing sheet or netting for assisting in maintaining the pleated configuration of the filtering substrate. The pleated, polymer, mesh reinforcing sheet or netting includes a mechanically degraded polyalkylene terephthalate as the primary polymer therein. A method of making the pleated filter structure includes the steps of obtaining commercial articles having been made from a high crystallinity, flexible polyalkylene terephthalate; and mechanically degrading said articles to decrease the crystallinity and increase the stiffness of the polyalkylene terephthalate and extruding the mechanically degraded articles into an extruded structure stiffer and more amorphous than the polyalkylene terephthalate in the commercial articles.