Abstract: A crosslinked, highly porous body derived from a water-soluble, hydrogel polymer, wherein the porous body is characterized in that it has an open-celled 3-dimensional lattice structure, a density of less than about 1.0 g/cm.sup.3, a surface area of equal to or greater than about 30 m.sup.2 /g, and a compression strength of equal to or less than about 75% yield at 300 psi.

Abstract: A pultruded composite member having a longitudinal axis comprising a plurality of reinforcing fibers in a solid polymer matrix, said member having embedded at least one functional feature having been incorporated therein during its manufacture when the fiber reinforced liquid polymer was pulled through a pultrusion apparatus.

Abstract: Disclosed is a lightweight nonwoven laminate particularly useful as a component of personal care articles, for example as a barrier cuff material for disposable diapers. Components of the laminate include at least one fine fiber layer having a basis weight in the range of from about 1.5 gsm to 26 gsm and at least one continuous filament layer having a basis weight in the range of from about 10 gsm to 30 gsm. The fine fiber component comprises at least a ratio of 5% and the layers are intermittently bonded for a total basis weight up to about 55 gsm. Desirable softness, breathability and barrier properties are obtained.

Abstract: A method of making a moldable, nonwoven composite material. The method includes blending a mix of first fibers and second thermoplastic fibers. The second fibers have a melting point lower than that of the first fibers and comprise approximately 40-80 percent of the blend. The blend is then processed into a fibrous batt. The batt is then consolidated into a nonwoven structure with the first fibers being thoroughly intermixed with the second fibers. The nonwoven structure is then heated to a temperature below the melting point of the first fibers and above the melting point of the second thermoplastic fibers to substantially liquefy the second fibers and form a thermoplastic resin. The heated nonwoven structure is compressed to flow the liquefied resin to displace air voids in the nonwoven structure and encapsulate the first fibers. Finally, the nonwoven structure is cooled to form a composite material having substantially reduced air voids therein with the first fibers thoroughly encapsulated by the resin.

Abstract: A heat shrinkable nonwoven fabric includes outer layers of thermoplastic staple fibers and an inner layer containing heat shrinkable fibers the layers are point bonded together at spaced locations without causing shrinkage of the heat shrinkable fibers. The web may then be uniformly heated in a relaxed state to cause a substantial increase in bulk.

Abstract: Method allowing the incorporation of a metallic structure into a plastic with a view to producing molded articles, which consists, after having produced a fine knitted article, preferably a weft-knitted article, which is pliant so as to ensure deformability, in combining the said knitted fabric with a plastic sheet or film, and it is characterized in that the metal knitted fabric is combined immediately upon leaving the assembly allowing the formation of a plastic film or sheet, the combining being performed by calendering while the formed plastic sheet has not yet cooled down, thus allowing the inlaying of at least the surface of the said knitted structure into the said plastic sheet or film.

Abstract: An improved camouflaged product comprising an open mesh, net substrate to which is bonded a sheet material. This sheet is colored in the desired pattern and bonded to a substrate along spaced lines of attachment between adjacent lines of bonding to the net substrate. Separate lobes are formed on each side of the lines of stitching to simulate the appearance of natural objects of the terrain such as leaves or foliage and then are heated to over 400 degrees Fahrenheit to wrinkle and deluster the camouflage lobes thereby significantly enhancing camouflaged properties, such as creating a wrinkled three-dimensional effect and significantly decreasing luster.

Abstract: A consolidated non-woven web made by post-treating a precursor nonwoven web including consolidating the web laterally by drawing, thereby reducing the maximum pore size measure of the web and improving the filtration efficiency of the web, and subjecting the consolidated web to an electrostatic field to further enhance filtration efficiency.

Abstract: A rod connection arrangement includes a connection element for connecting a cylindrical reinforcing rod to a cylindrical main rod, with the reinforcing rod extending at an angle to the axis of the main rods. Each rod respectively consists of a core of compression material surrounded by a fiber composite wall having fabric layers with fibers that cross at an angle. The connection element consists of an arcuate body having a central axis and an inner surface with a radius substantially equal to an outer radius of the main rod. The arcuate body preferably extends over an arc of less than 360 degrees. The connection element further consists of an integrally formed joint plate projecting radially outwardly from an outer surface of the arcuate body. The joint plate is preferably formed by two layers of a fabric material imbedded in a rein matrix wherein fibers of the fabric layers cross at an angle of substantially .+-.45 degrees.

Abstract: A resin molded article comprising a main body of molded material, an intermediate coating layer comprising scaly pieces of matter and a resin constituent composed of one, or a plurality of layers, and a finish coating layer formed on the outermost surface of the intermediate coating layer. The resin molded article of the present invention provides improved resistance to chipping.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for developing an improved camouflaged product comprising of an open mesh, net substrate to which is bonded a sheet material. This sheet is colored in the desired pattern and bonded to a substrate along spaced lines of attachment between adjacent lines of bonding to the net substrate. In this formation, indefinite length webs of the net substrate and a continuous sheet may be combined in faced relation and stitch-bonded along spaced parallel continuous lines to form continuous parallel channels or pockets along the length of the composite material. The composite net and sheet material is passed to a cutting machine having a plurality of generally U-shaped guide members that separate and space the net substrate from the sheet. As the composite moves through the guide members, a plurality of spaced heated air cutters to reside and reciprocate slightly above the sheet to cut a generally sinuous path between the lines of the stitches.

Abstract: A concrete coloring material and a process for coloring concrete by means of such a concrete coloring material capable of permitting concrete to exhibit natural color or aesthetic properties while preventing concrete from being substantially discolored. Polyethylene oxide is used as a water-soluble adhesive or glue. The oxide is mixed with a composition such as dye, pigment, a mixture thereof or the like, to thereby permit the composition to penetrate into the concrete.

Abstract: A roofing membrane having a reinforcing fabric saturated with a bituminous material. The reinforcing fabric having a first fiberglass scrim layer to which is stitched a non-woven polyester mat.

Abstract: The present invention is directed toward a fibrous web having improved strength characteristics which, in the presence of water, rapidly disintegrates when subjected to standardized agitation testing. The web includes a plurality of fibers joined together by a binder. The binder makes up from about 0.20 to about 15 percent of the dry weight of the web. The binder is formed from a blend of from about 10 to about 40 weight percent of a water dispersible, high molecular weight amorphous polyester having one or more ionic substituents attached thereto; from about 10 to about 40 weight percent of an elastomeric latex emulsion; from about 20 to about 40 weight percent of a xerogellant; and from about 5 to about 20 weight percent of a plasticizing agent. The fibrous web is useful in the formation of disposable diapers and feminine care products which may be flushed down the toilet.

Abstract: A water vapor-permeable, waterproof linear polyurethane-urea polymer consisting of at least four soft segments: polytetramethylene oxide, polyethyleneoxide and polycaprolactone-polydimethylsiloxane-polycaprolactone. The soft segments are linked together with a diisocyanate and chain extended with a diamine. The polymer is utilized to coat various textile materials. The compositions of the polymer as well as various methods of coating the textile materials are described.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a non-asbestos friction material comprising a phenolic or phenolic-modified resin (and in certain embodiments, silicon nitride particles) incorporated into a fibrous base material which is then impregnated with a silicone resin. The friction material is prepared by mixing the phenolic or phenolic-modified resin (and, in certain embodiments, silicon nitride particles) into an aqueous paper formulation, forming a porous fibrous base material, impregnating the fibrous base material with a silicone resin, and heating the impregnated material to cure the phenolic resin and the silicone resin.

Abstract: The invention relates to an abrasive article comprising:(a) a plurality of abrasive grains; and(b) at least one binder for the abrasive grains,wherein the binder comprises a cured epoxy resin containing a polycyclic aryl, polycyclic alkyl, or cycloalkyl structure. The abrasive articles can comprise bonded, non-woven or coated abrasive articles.

Abstract: A vapor exchange medium comprises a multiplicity of porous desiccant particles and a binder holding the particles together to form a solid shape. The binder includes a multiplicity of substantially spherical, covalently-bonded silica particles derived from a silica sol which are small enough to ensure sufficient covalent bonding of the silica particles to maintain the structural integrity of the vapor exchange medium, yet large enough relative to the pore size of the desiccant particles such that the silica particles do not materially adversely affect the adsorption properties of the desiccant particles. The vapor exchange medium has an isotherm separation factor of 0.07 to 0.1 The vapor exchange medium may be impregnated into a fibrous carrier to form a heat exchange element or device. Apparatus for making the a exchange device is also disclosed.

Abstract: An improved beach towel or blanket having compartments or pockets therein for holding articles. The pockets have integral closures, and may be lined with waterproof or water-repellent material.

Abstract: A wet laying process for making fluid-sealing gasket sheet materials is described. The gasket materials seal particularly well against polar liquids. These gasketing sheets have from about 5 to about 20% fiber, and at least about 62% filler, and a reduced binder concentration, containing about 18% by weight of binder or less, allowing the binder to be reduced even to zero. The sheet must include at least about 3% by total dry weight of a gel-forming mineral filler. In addition to giving from good to very excellent seals against polar liquids, this gasketing also has good torque retention and creep resistance.