Abstract: A flexible reflective insulating structure includes a layer of flexible fiber-based material, and a flexible metallic layer having a first surface of emissivity less than 0.1. The metallic layer is attached to the layer of fiber-based material with its first surface facing towards the layer of fiber-based material. The fiber-based material is preferably attached to the metallic layer in a manner such that the emissivity of at least about 85% of the first surface, and preferably at least about 95% and most preferably at least about 97% is substantially unaffected.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to surface functionalized fabrics, particularly those based on non-woven polypropylene, wherein the functional groups are capable of binding antimicrobial agents through ionic conjugation to control their release and prolong their antimicrobial activity. The invention also deals with Nylon 6 fabric that is complexed with iodine to control its release and to achieve prolonged antimicrobial activities. Similarly, polypropylene and cellulosic fabrics grafted with N-vinylpyrrolidone are disclosed. The N-vinylpyrrolidone can also complex with iodine to control its release and provide antimicrobial activity over desired periods of time.

Abstract: A formaldehyde-free aqueous binder comprising A) a free-radically polymerized polymer containing from 5 to 100% by weight of units derived from an ethylenically unsaturated acid anhydride or from an ethylenically unsaturated dicarboxylic acid whose carboxyl groups can form an anhydride group, and B) an alkanolamine having at least two hydroxyl groups, is useful as binder for renewable raw materials in the form of fibers or chips to produce shaped articles.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a press fabric having an anti-rewet scrim or “barrier” within the internal structure of a press fabric, and a method for making same. External materials are not necessary in creating the barrier. In other words, the existing material is modified to create a natural barrier to prevent water migration back to the press fabric surface.

Abstract: A wind tunnel blade (30) connected to a base (32) and held in position by a two-piece cuff (34). The wind tunnel blade (30) is formed in a resin transfer molding process in which central, fore, and aft foam core sections (70, 72, 74) are placed together to form the wind tunnel blade (30). Radius fillers (120) are used to fill the gaps between the outer edge of the foam core sections. The radius fillers (120) used in the wind tunnel blade (30) are formed by a braided sleeve (122) surrounding a number of unidirectional tows (124). A tip (68) is formed separately from the rest of the wind tunnel blade (30) and is glued to the top thereof. Stacked layers of braided fibers (100) are used to reinforce the central core section (70).

Abstract: A blowable insulation material comprising batt shredded into blowable clusters. In preferred embodiments, the clusters comprise water-repellant or lubricant-finished fiber and/or dry fiber and/or binder fiber and may be mixed with opened fiber. A process to produce the blowable clusters is also disclosed.

Abstract: A net for diffusing light comprising threads of flat yarn, characterized in that the flat yarn has a layer comprising a foamed synthetic resin film capable of diffusing light passing therethrough. Also disclosed is a method for protecting plants from overexposure to sunlight comprising covering the plants with such a net.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of manufacturing security elements for electronic article surveillance, the security elements being made of at least two layers, and to a security element manufactured according to the method The method comprises the steps of applying a first layer of a cellulose material in a still moist state to a second layer of a cellulose material, with soft magnetic elements which emit a characteristic signal in the interrogating field of an article surveillance system being added to one of the two layers; and subsequently die stamping or cutting out the desired shape of the security elements from the two layers in the dry state. The method provides a low cost manufacturing means for reliably operating security elements.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a roofing underlayment system comprising two layers of a coated structural article which comprises a substrate having an ionic charge coated with a coating having essentially the same ionic charge or one layer of such coated structural article in combination with one layer of felt material. The coating of the coated structural article consists essentially of a filler material and a binder material wherein the binder material bonds the filler material together and to the substrate and wherein the coating does not bleed through the substrate. The roofing underlayment system of the present invention can impart a Class B or better (Class A) fire rating to a roof assembly.

Abstract: A multi-microlayer thermoplastic film structure and methods of making the same. More specifically, this invention relates to a multi-microlayer film having a degradable polymer layer and a thermoplastic elastomer layer. Filler materials may be included in either the degradable polymer layer or the thermoplastic elastomer layer. The multi-microlayer films may be formed in a co-extrusion process.

Abstract: An insulating lining that is used as a floor covering and is especially useful in providing acoustic insulation. The insulating lining consists of a covering layer and a cell layer with a plurality of cells. The cells are defined by lateral cell walls and are open on the bearing surface side. The cell walls of the cell layer have spacers on the bearing surface side so that when the insulating covering is in place air which is enclosed in each cell can communicate directly with the airspace in each adjacent cell through a lateral space between the bearing surface and the bottom edge of the cell wall between each pair of adjacent cells.

Abstract: At least one section of a jib of a crane, such as a mobile crane, includes a composite cross-section incorporating a layer of steel covered by one or more fiber composite layers. In a preferred embodiment, more than one fiber composite layer is included and the respective fiber layers are disposed in a criss-cross manner with respect to each other to enhance the overall strength of the telescopic part. Also, in a preferred embodiment the steel layer of the composite is on the interior of the telescopic part for minimizing thermal stresses due to temperature changes caused by sun loads. In another preferred embodiment, the composite fiber layers are disposed only in the zone of the cross-section of the telescopic part, which is subjected to tensile forces during use.

Abstract: Disclosed are melt processable multicomponent fibers in which at least one component includes a polyacrylonitrile polymer and at least one component includes a fugitive polymer. The melt processable multicomponent fibers of the present invention may be separated into microfilaments formed entirely of polyacrylonitrile, suitable for the production of carbon and graphite fibers. The fibers of the present invention may be used in a variety of applications, including composites and filtration media.

Abstract: Nonwoven filaments having improved melt spinning process characteristics and end use properties are prepared using a visbroken single-site catalyzed propylene polymer. The propylene polymer has a first melt flow rate (MFR) before visbreaking and a second MFR after visbreaking, such that the ratio of the second MFR to the first MFR is about 1:1 to about 3:1. The nonwoven filaments exhibit less filament tension during spinning, and permit higher line speeds before breaking, than similar filaments prepared using a single-site catalyzed propylene polymer having the second MFR straight out of the reactor, and which has not been visbroken.

Abstract: A process for the drying of woven glass fabric to be used in a reinforcing laminate in sensitive electronic equipment is disclosed. The process adopts a drying technique of utilizing dielectric or radio frequency heating which results in a cleaner product.

Abstract: A covering for an architectural opening, having a first layer with alternating relatively opaque stripes and relatively translucent stripes, and a second layer with alternation relatively opaque stripes and relatively translucent stripes. The first and second layers are positioned one behind the other, with the stripes substantially parallel. The first and second layers are movable relative to one another in a direction substantially perpendicular to the stripes. The covering also includes a series of parallel binder threads for attaching the first layer to the second layer. The binder threads run substantially perpendicular to the stripes, and thereby, one of the layers can be slid along the binder threads when moved relative to the other. The blind is preferred to be woven as a double-layer fabric.

Abstract: An alkali dispersible article comprises a sheath-core microfiber. The sheath layer comprises a hydrolytically degradable polymer, and the core layer comprises another polymer that is different than the sheath polymer. The core polymer may be a hydrolytically degradable polymer or more preferably a water soluble polymer.

Abstract: A durable, low-density, high performance insulating material is suitable for use as a high temperature thermal and acoustic insulation. The insulation includes fiber batting made with non-thermoplastic fibers or blends of fibers such as aramid fibers and ceramic fibers, which are bound within at least some interstices by high temperature non-flammable thermoplastic binder such as polyphenylene sulfide. In addition, a fireblocking layer can be provided on at least one surface of the insulation to further improve fire ablation or flame retardance.

Abstract: A shred-resistant and cut-resistant absorbent sheet material including an absorbent substrate and cut-resistant particles discontinuously distributed through the substrate. The absorbent substrate can comprise cellulosic material and the particles comprise polymeric materials having an average size of at least about 100 nanometers, and most preferably between 100 nanometers and 1000 nanometers. In one embodiment, the particles are provided in an amount of between about 10 percent to about 50 percent by weight of the sheet. The sheet material can be made using typical paper making processes. Heat and/or pressure are applied to the sheet material to cause the particles to at least partially flow, so as to bond to the absorbent substrate. The sheets can be provided as a layered structure with a slip-resistant base for home use in the preparation of foodstuffs.

Abstract: An underlayment material is disclosed for use as an underlayment in a non-textile flooring system. The underlayment material comprises a thin, flexible layer of polyurethane foam and a thin, flexible substrate layer bonded to one side of the layer of polyurethane foam. In a preferred embodiment, the underlayment material is a mechanically frothed polyurethane foam. In another preferred embodiment, the substrate layer is a layer of non-woven spun bonded polyester fibers. In another preferred embodiment, the underlayment material has a thickness of between about 0.05 and 0.125 inches, and most preferably, about 0.085 inches. In still another preferred embodiment, the foam has a fine cell structure and a density of between 10 and 30 pounds per cubic foot, and most preferably about 20 pounds per cubic foot. In still another preferred embodiment, the foam has a compression set of between about 5% and 25%, and most preferably about 10%.