Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to dielectric elastomeric composites that include a retainable processing membrane, an elastomer material, and an electrically conductive material. The elastomer layer may be partially imbibed into the retainable processing membrane. The retainable processing membrane may be porous. The retainable processing membrane is compacted in the transverse direction, machine direction, or in both directions prior to the application of an elastomer material and an electrically conductive material. The compaction of the retainable processing membrane may form structured folds or folded fibrils in the membrane, giving the retainable processing membrane a low modulus and flexibility. In some embodiments, the dielectric composites are positioned in a stacked configuration. Alternatively, the dielectric elastomeric composites may have a wound configuration. The dielectric composites have a total thickness less than about 170 ?m.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to dielectric elastomeric composites that include a retainable processing membrane, an elastomer material, and an electrically conductive material. The elastomer layer may be partially imbibed into the retainable processing membrane. The retainable processing membrane may be porous. The retainable processing membrane is compacted in the transverse in direction, machine direction, or in both directions prior to the application of an elastomer material and an electrically conductive material. The compaction of the retainable processing membrane may form structured folds or folded fibrils in the membrane, giving the retainable processing membrane a low modulus and flexibility. In some embodiments, the dielectric composites are positioned in a stacked configuration. Alternatively, the dielectric elastomeric composites may have a wound configuration. The dielectric composites have a total thickness less than about 170 ?m.

Abstract: A supported elastomeric foam (100) includes an elastomeric matrix (102) formed of an elastomer and including a reinforcement region (104) and a foamed region (106). The foamed region includes gas filled cells (108) in the elastomer, and the reinforcement region includes a porous layer (204) having an interconnected network of pores at least partially imbibed with the elastomer. The foam can include an adhesive at a surface of the foam. A compressible seal (802) including a compressible body, which can be elastomeric foam, can also include a pattern of discontinuous adhesive regions about which the compressible body can deform to form a sea. The supported elastomeric foam can form a gas tight seal in an interface when placed under minimal compression.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for producing a fluoropolymer article having a high surface roughness and high coarseness which comprises the following steps: a) forming a paste comprising a fluoropolymer into a paste-formed fluoropolymer product at a temperature lower than 50° C., b) densifying the paste-formed product, and c) stretching the densified paste-formed fluoropolymer product in at least one direction. The present invention further relates to a fluoropolymer article obtainable by a process according to the invention. The present invention furthermore relates to a fiber comprising, or consisting of, a fluoropolymer having a surface roughness expressed as a peak to valley distance (Rt) greater than 10 micrometer and/or an average surface roughness (Ra) greater than 1.5 micrometer. The present invention furthermore relates to a membrane comprising, or consisting of, a fluoropolymer having a coarseness index ?/EBP of at least 0.

Abstract: Disclosed are protective hoods including particle barrier layers to reduce or prevent penetration of the hoods by particulates in the environment of a wearer. The particle barrier layer of a hood is accessible when the hood is intact. A hood described herein optionally includes an aperture for accessing the particle barrier layer. A hood described herein optionally includes a face opening that engages with a face mask to form a protective seal. A hood described herein optionally includes a visual indicator to indicate when the hood is properly positioned with respect to a face mask.

Abstract: A process for the formation of an assembly comprising a structured or compacted porous film (c) comprising a) application of a porous film (d) onto an elastic substrate (a) in a stretched state such that a reversible adhesion of the film on the stretched substrate (a) occurs, and b) relaxing the substrate (a) with the applied film thereon to obtain a structured or compacted porous film (c), c) applying a support material (e) to a part of the structured or compacted film (c) so that the structured or compacted film to which no support material (e) is attached is releasable.

Abstract: A check valve (1) for a through hole in a compartment wall (100) comprises an elastic membrane (20) covering an open end (16) of a flow passage (14), a base (11) to which the elastic membrane (20) is fixed, and a protector (30) covering at least a portion of the elastic membrane (20), wherein the elastic membrane is fixed to the base in a state where it is elastically stretched over and forced against a sealing surface (17) surrounding the open end (16) so as to seal the flow passage (14). The elastic membrane lifts from the sealing surface when the pressure in the flow passage is high. The elastic membrane may be air- or gas-permeable and, preferably, waterproof so as to impart a low pressure venting functionality to the check valve.

Abstract: A vent, preferably made of metal, comprises a body (10) having an aperture (24) for the passage of a fluid and a sealing surface (11) surrounding the aperture. A porous membrane (50) lies against the sealing surface (11) and covers the aperture (24). A clamp arrangement may comprise a spring (30) pressing the membrane against the sealing surface (11) to prevent liquid from passing through between the sealing surface (11) and the membrane (50), e.g. by means of a cap (40) secured to the body (10) of the vent. The clamp arrangement is such that upon a reduction of the membrane thickness by 50% in the clamping area the compressive force per unit area does not change by more than 50%.

Abstract: Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) composite articles that have a macro textured surface. The composite articles include at least two different PTFE membranes in a layered or stacked configuration. The composite article has a macro textured surface characterized by a plurality of strands raised from the surface of the PTFE membrane. The strands may be formed of either interconnected nodes of PTFE or of at least one nodal mass of PTFE and have a length equal to or greater than about 1.5 mm. The macro textured surface provides a topography to the first PTFE membrane. The composite articles have a bubble point from about 3.0 psi to about 200 psi, a thickness from about 0.01 to about 3.0 mm, and a bulk density from about 0.01 g/cm3 to about 1.0 g/cm3.

Abstract: An assembly (1) for protecting an acoustic device comprises an expanded polytetrafluorethylene (ePTFE) membrane (3) and first and second polymeric substrates (2, 4) disposed on opposing sides (5, 6) of the membrane (3). The first substrate (2) is transmissive for laser light of a predetermined wavelength, and the membrane (3) is joined to the first and second substrates (2, 4) by first and second laser weld joints (9, 10) on the first side (5) of the membrane (3) and the second side (6) of the membrane (3), respectively, that are created in a single laser transmission welding step through the first polymeric substrate (2) towards the second polymeric substrate (4). The first side (5) of the membrane (3) may be at least partially absorbent for the laser light and the second side (6) may be at least partially transmissive for the laser light. This may be achieved by a color gradient from black to white from the first side (5) to the second side (6).

Abstract: An O-ring seal consists of an elastomeric core (1) and a sheathing enclosing the core, said sheathing consisting preferably of two shell-like, thermoplastically coated PTFE films (3, 4). In the overlapping region (3a, 3b, 4a, 4b) of the films, the latter are connected together in a sealing manner, in that the thermoplastic coatings thereof are welded together by the laser transmission welding method. The sheathing is not connected to the elastomeric core (2).

Abstract: An implantable containment apparatus for receiving and retaining a plurality of cells for insertion into a patient, such as into a tissue bed, is disclosed. The device includes a chamber having structural spacers therein to maintain an average distance between the first interior surface and the second interior surface of the chamber and to define at least one reservoir space for the placement of cells within the chamber.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a waterproof and water vapor permeable laminate, comprising: an first functional layer comprising a first water vapor permeable membrane; a second functional layer comprising a second water vapor permeable membrane; and a water vapor permeable intermediate textile layer arranged in between the first membrane and the second membrane and attached to the outer and inner functional layers in a water vapor permeable manner; the intermediate textile layer being hydrophobic.

Abstract: Fluoropolymer articles having a high surface roughness and high coarseness are provided. In one embodiment, a fiber is provided that has a surface roughness expressed as a peak-to-valley distance (Rt) greater than 10 micrometers and an average surface roughness (Ra) greater than 1.5 micrometers. In another embodiment, a membrane having a coarseness index ?/EBP of at least 0.3 g/cm3/psi and an air permeability of 15 ft3/ft2/min or higher is provided. The fluoropolymer articles are produced by a process that includes forming a paste-formed fluoropolymer product at a temperature lower than 50° C., densifying the paste-formed product, and then stretching the dens Pied paste-formed fluoropolymer product in at least one direction. In exemplary embodiments, the fluoropolymer may be polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), a modified PTFE, a TFE copolymer, a fluorothermoplastic, a fluoroelastomer, or combinations thereof.

Abstract: A multilayer composite in which a nonwoven filter media layer is affixed to but separated from a hydrophobic microporous membrane such that the multilayer porous composite provides effective separation of water and particulate with substantial resistance to clogging in new fuels with low interfacial tensions.

Abstract: The application relates to a textile composite article comprising at least one textile made of fibers/filaments, especially in the form of yarns, having a partially internal discontinuous pattern of an impregnating material which penetrates at least partially a cross section of said first textile leading to impregnated areas and non-impregnated areas in accordance with the discontinuous pattern. The non-impregnated areas are air permeable and may comprise a functional coating. Such a treated textile composite is air-permeable and water vapor permeable and has reduced water absorption and re-dry time. In one embodiment the textile composite article shows an additional enhanced flame protection.

Abstract: Waterproof, breathable socks, booties, shoe inserts, and footwear assemblies containing the shoe inserts are provided. The booties and shoe inserts may include a laminate comprising a seamless extensible film, such as a polyurethane film, and at least one textile. The bootie is suitable for a range of sizes and shoe shapes. The bootie may shrink to fit, or, alternatively, be stretched to fit, an asymmetrical last having a desired size to form a shoe insert. A bootie having a seamless extensible film eliminates the need to have multiple sizes of shoe inserts correlating to particular shoe sizes. In embodiments where the polyurethane film is seamless and continuous, the shoe insert eliminates the need for a waterproof seam tape, which is conventionally used to make shoe inserts waterproof. Methods of forming the socks, booties, and shoe inserts are also provided.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a process for the production of a thermally conductive article that includes (1) pleating a thermally anisotropic sheet having a thermal conductivity in a first plane that is higher than the thermal conductivity in a second plane perpendicular to the first plane and (2) compacting the pleated structure. An article obtained by the process, the use of the thermally conductive article for production of a device, and the device are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a combination of at least one envelope (20) for a laminar structure (100) providing adaptive thermal insulation, and a heat pro-tection shield (50) for the envelope (20), the envelope (20) enclosing at least one cavity (16) having included therein a gas generating agent (18) having an unactivated configuration and an activated configuration, the gas generating agent (18) being adapted to change from the unactivated configuration to the activated configuration, such as to increase a gas pressure inside the cavity (16), in response to an increase in temperature in the cavity (16), the envelope (20) being configured such that a volume of the envelope (20) increases in re-sponse to the increase in gas pressure inside the cavity (16), the heat protection shield (50) being assigned to the at least one envelope (20) such as to cover at least a heat exposed side of the envelope (20) with respect to a source of heat (700).