Abstract: An expanded resilient product and methods for making the same are disclosed. The product is characterized as a geometric solid of resilient material that has a plurality of slits formed therein. Each slit is defined by a first surface having a protruding portion and second surface having a recess portion corresponding to the protruding portion of the first surface which together form an interlocking fit between the two. Forces are applied to the product sufficient to dislodge a protruding portion of the first surface from the complementary recess portion of the second surface, thereby forming a plurality of gaps. The product is then permitted to relax, whereupon the protruding portions compressively contact the complementary recess portions of the second surface. But because of the interlocking fit, the protruding portions are prevented from re-engaging the recess portions and thereby maintain the expanded nature of the product.

Abstract: An elongate composite structural member and method of making the same which is particularly useful for forming the handle of hand-held striking and prying tools or implements. The elongate structure member comprises a foamed in place molded resin composition core and outer skin layer which is reinforced with intermediate layer of structurally strong, unidirectional oriented fibers. The expanded foam resin, intermediate fiber layer and the expanded foam resin outer skin are bound together by the cured foamed resin composition formed during the molding process to form a strong, integral composite structure.

Abstract: The present invention provides a microwave silicate foam susceptor which comprises a dry sodium silicate foam substrate coated with an effective amount of microwave active material. The silicate is preferably a sodium silicate, but can be other suitable alkali metal silicate, and the active constituent is preferably graphite, but other actives can be used. The susceptor of the present invention is capable of quickly reaching and more importantly maintaining extremely high temperatures. This enables it to brown and crispen foods in a microwave oven.

Abstract: The present invention provides an adhesive cloth tape for bundling the component wires of a wiring harness for use, for example, on an automobile. Conventional adhesive polyvinyl chloride tapes and adhesive acetate cloth tapes have problems that wiring harnesses bundled by these adhesive tapes generate fluttering and rustling noise while the automobile is running, and conventional adhesive cotton cloth tapes reduce the efficiency of bundling work because these tapes have high tear strength, though their noise preventing performance is excellent. The present invention provides an adhesive cloth tape solving the foregoing problems in the conventional adhesive cloth tapes, having a tensile strength of 8 kgf/19 mm or higher with respect to the direction of its length, and comprising: a woven base cloth of 0.

Abstract: A porous multi-layer film favorably employable as a separator film for a nonaqueous electric battery comprises at least three united polyolefin layers, in which at least one polyolefin layer is a polyethylene layer and at least one polyolefin layer is a polypropylene layer which is placed in contact with the polyethylene layer. The polyolefin layers are combined to form a united structure with a peel strength of at least 3 g/15 mm and has a pore volume of 30-80%, a maximum pore size of 0.02-2 .mu.m, a shutdown temperature of 135.degree.-140.degree. C., and a thermal durability to maintain the shutdown condition up to at least 180.degree. C.

Abstract: A recording medium comprising at least one boehmite-containing porous layer on a substrate, wherein the porous layer has pores having a pore radius of from 1 to 30 nm in a pore volume of from 0.3 to 1.2 ml/g, pores having a pore radius of from 10 to 30 nm in a pore volume of from 0.2 to 1.0 ml/g and pores having a pore radius of from 30 to 100 nm in a pore volume of not more than 0.3 ml/g, and the b-axis of a boehmite crystal is oriented vertically with respect to the surface of the substrate.

Abstract: A main body of a hollow cylindrical member is formed of a wound preimpregnation sheet made of reinforcing fibers impregnated with synthetic resins. A synthetic resins layer with a metallic member is provided onto an outer periphery of the main body for reinforcing and/or decorative property. The metallic member is in the form of a thin film bonded to an outer periphery of the synthetic resins layer or a net-like metallic member embedded in the layer.

Abstract: A nonwoven abrasive or scouring article having at least one major surface and an interior region comprises an open, lofty web of first and second crimped, staple organic thermoplastic fibers, wherein the first organic thermoplastic fiber comprises materials selected from the group consisting of polyamides, pololefins, and polyesters, and wherein said second organic thermoplastic fiber comprises at least two materials of different heat stability. The first and second organic crimped, staple thermoplastic fibers are melt-bonded together at least at a portion of points where they contact. At least a portion of the first and second fibers of one major surface of the nonwoven article have an abrasive coating bonded thereto, and at least a portion of the first and second fibers of the interior region have no abrasive coating bonded thereto, a structure which minimizes the amount of binder which must be used.

Abstract: There are disclosed a styrenic resin laminate comprising at least one surface layer consisting essentially of a styrenic polymer having a high degree of syndiotactic configuration (SPS layer) and a foam layer (other layer) consisting essentially of a styrenic resin (GPPS, IPS, HIPS, ABS resin, SMA copolymer, AS resin, modified PPO; blend of HIPS/PPO, etc); and a molding obtained by thermoforming the above-mentioned laminate. The above laminate is particularly excellent in heat resistance and easily thermoformable into the molding, which is also excellent in heat resistance and recyclability in terms of retention of flexural strength, utilizable in heating oil-base food with a microwave range and can easily be recovered for reuse, thereby greatly contributing to environmental preservation and resources saving.

Abstract: The present invention is a method for manufacturing inorganic membranes which are capable of separating oxygen from oxygen-containing gaseous mixtures. The membranes comprise a porous composite of a thin layer of a multicomponent metallic oxide which has been deposited onto a porous support wherein the pores of the multicomponent metallic oxide layer are subsequently filled or plugged with a metallic-based species. The inorganic membranes are formed by depositing a porous multicomponent metallic oxide layer onto the porous support to form a porous composite having a network of pores capable of transporting gases. The network of pores are plugged or filled by organometallic vapor infiltration to form an inorganic membrane having essentially no through porosity.

Abstract: Compositions, methods, and systems for manufacturing articles, particularly containers and packaging materials, having a starch-bound cellular matrix reinforced with substantially uniformly dispersed fibers. High strength articles that have adequate flexibility and toughness immediately or very shortly after being demolded without the need for subsequent conditioning are molded from compositions having a starch-based binder and fibers that are uniformly dispersed by means of a high yield stress fluid fraction within the starch-based composition. In a two-step mixing process, a preblended mixture is formed by gelating a portion of the starch-based binder or other thickening agent in water to form a liquid phase having high yield stress into which the fibers are substantially uniformly dispersed. The fibers preferably have an average length of at least about 2 mm and an aspect ratio of at least about 25:1.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an article comprising a substrate which has coated thereon a photopolymerizable epoxy composition containing a plurality of epoxides including at least one selected from the group consisting of bisphenol A epoxides and cycloaliphatic epoxides, and at least one aliphatic epoxide, from about 0.1% to about 2% of at least one organometallic cationic initiator capable of initiating polymerization at wavelengths of from about 200 to about 600 nm, and optionally at least one accelerating agent. The article can be a flexible tape backing or a chip-resistant paint.

Abstract: Articles of manufacture fashioned from sheets having a hydraulically settable matrix are disclosed, particularly food containers, beverage containers and packaging containers. Suitable compositions are prepared by mixing together a hydraulic binder, water, and appropriate additives (such as aggregates, fibers, and rheology-modifying agents) which impart predetermined properties so that a sheet formed therefrom has the desired performance criteria. Hydraulically settable sheets are formed from the mixture by extrusion, then calendering the sheets using a set of rollers and then drying the sheets in an accelerated manner to substantially harden the sheets. The resulting hydraulically settable sheets may have properties substantially similar to sheets made from presently used materials like paper, cardboard, polystyrene, or plastic.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for manufacturing sheets having a highly inorganically filled matrix. Suitable inorganically filled mixtures are prepared by mixing together an organic polymer binder, water, one or more inorganic aggregate materials, fibers, and optional admixtures in the correct proportions in order to form a sheet which has the desired performance criteria. The inorganically filled mixtures are formed into sheets by first extruding the mixtures and the passing the extruded materials between a set of rollers. The rolled sheets are dried in an accelerated manner to form a substantially hardened sheet, such as by heated rollers and/or a drying chamber. The inorganically filled sheets may have properties substantially similar to sheets presently made from traditional materials like paper, paperboard, polystyrene, plastic, or metal. Such sheets can be rolled, pressed, scored, perforated, folded, and glued.

Abstract: A main body of a hollow cylindrical member is formed of a wound preimpregnation sheet made of reinforcing fibers impregnated with synthetic resins. A synthetic resins layer with a metallic member is provided onto an outer periphery of the main body for reinforcing and/or decorative property. The metallic member is in the form of a thin film bonded to an outer periphery of the synthetic resins layer or a net-like metallic member embedded in the layer.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for manufacturing sheets having a highly inorganically filled matrix. Suitable inorganically filled mixtures are prepared by mixing together an organic polymer binder, water, one or more inorganic aggregate materials, fibers, and optional admixtures in the correct proportions in order to form a sheet which has the desired performance criteria. The inorganically filled mixtures are formed into sheets by first extruding the mixtures and the passing the extruded materials between a set of rollers. The rolled sheets are dried in an accelerated manner to form a substantially hardened sheet, such as by heated rollers and/or a drying chamber. The inorganically filled sheets may have properties substantially similar to sheets presently made from traditional materials like paper, paperboard, polystyrene, plastic, or metal. Such sheets can be rolled, pressed, scored, perforated, folded, and glued.

Abstract: Compositions, methods, and systems for manufacturing articles, particularly containers and packaging materials, having a particle packed, highly inorganically filled, cellular matrix are disclosed. Suitable inorganically filled mixtures are prepared by mixing together a starch-based binder, a solvent, inorganic aggregates, and optimal admixtures, e.g., fibers, mold-releasing agents, rheology-modifying agents, plasticizers, coating materials, and dispersants, in the correct proportions to form an article which has the desired performance criteria. The inorganically filled mixtures have a predetermined viscosity and are heated between molds at an elevated temperature and pressure to produce form-stable articles having a desired shape and a selectively controlled cellular, structure matrix. The molded articles may be placed in a high humidity chamber to obtain the necessary flexibility for their intended use.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for manufacturing sheets having a highly inorganically filled matrix. Suitable inorganically filled mixtures are prepared by mixing together an organic polymer binder, water, one or more inorganic aggregate materials, fibers, and optional admixtures in the correct proportions in order to form a sheet which has the desired performance criteria. The inorganically filled mixtures are formed into sheets by first extruding the mixtures and the passing the extruded materials between a set of rollers. The rolled sheets are dried in an accelerated manner to form a substantially hardened sheet, such as by heated rollers and/or a drying chamber. The inorganically filled sheets may have properties substantially similar to sheets presently made from traditional materials like paper, cardboard, polystyrene, plastic, or metal. Such sheets can be rolled, pressed, scored, perforated, folded, and glued.

Abstract: An apparatus 1 for widening a foam sheet S obtained immediately after heating and foaming a foam sheet which has not been yet widened, while the foam sheet S is continuously received or supplied. The sheet widening apparatus 1 comprises: a pair of chains 2 constructed in the form of endless chains composed of links 22 having pin parts 21 and a driving device 3 meshing with these chains 2 and driving the chains 2 along such loci as to widen the space between the chains 2 from sheet receiving start points to sheet receving end points. A method for widening a foam sheet by the sheet widening apparatus 1 comprises the steps of piercing both the side parts of the foam sheet S with the pins 21 at the sheet receiving start points; widening the space of width between the pins 21 along gently curved loci by drying the chains 2 while the pins 21 penetrating the foam sheet; and receiving the foam sheet S from the sheet receiving start points to the sheet receiving end points while the foam sheet is widened.

Abstract: Cementitious containers which have a cementitious structural matrix for use in the packaging, storing, partitioning, and/or shipping of goods. The containers are manufactured from cementitious materials in order to be strong, durable, tough, lightweight, cushioning, insulative, inexpensive, and more environmentally compatible than those currently used in packaging, storing, and/or shipping goods. The cementitious structural matrix of the containers includes a hydraulic cement paste (formed from the reaction of water with, e.g., a portland cement) in combination with a rheology-modifying plasticizer, such as methylhydroxyethylcellulose. Preferred embodiments may also in include various aggregate materials, fibrous materials, and air voids, which add the necessary strength while making the product lightweight, and which can provide insulative properties (if desired) at a cost which is economically justified in comparison to conventional paper and polystyrene products.