Abstract: Several headliner embodiments include a felt layer connected to a cover layer. In the preferred embodiments a pair of felt layers are positioned on both sides of a central mat layer. The mat layer provides loft, while the felt layers in combination with the mat layers provide other desired characteristics for the headliner.

Abstract: A stand for supporting an elongate object such as a Christmas tree in a substantially vertical orientation has a central tubular support (4) adapted to receive an end of the object, and a plurality of legs (12) pivotally secured to the tubular support (4) so as to be movable between a retracted position and an extended position wherein the legs extend radially outwardly therefrom, and a locking collar (10) which is slidably disposed on the support (4) to engage lugs (24) on the legs (12) to secure them in the extended position.

Abstract: A reflective laminated strip includes an aluminum alloy strip having a cleaned and conversion coated outer surface, an adhesive layer adjacent the conversion coated outer surface, and a polymer layer joined to the adhesive layer. An exterior side of the polymer layer is coated with a reflective metal layer that is preferably stainless steel, chromium or aluminum having a thickness of less than about 5000 .ANG..

Abstract: A sealing, trimming or finishing strip for fitting to the flange around the edge of a door or similar opening in a motor vehicle body has a channel-shaped gripping portion supporting a tubular sealing portion on the outside of the door opening and onto which the door sealingly closes. On the inside of the door opening, a cosmetic lip integrally extends laterally from the gripping portion and is curved-over to form a concave surface for embracingly receiving and gripping the edge of a trim panel. A cloth or textile covering extends over the outside surface of the cosmetic lip, around its distal edge and over the whole of the concave surface of the lip to terminate at a point on the outside side wall of the gripping portion.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an improved method of producing a mosaic design on the surface of a ceramic tile substrate and the resultant mosaic tile article manufactured thereby. A selected glaze coating is initially applied to the tile substrate upon specific surface areas predetermined for coloration as part of the mosaic design with the glaze coating being varied in hardness dependent upon the intended architectural or other use of the tile. After firing the selectively glazed tile substrate to harden the coating, a ceramic coloration pattern of the mosaic design is applied over the glaze coating using direct printing or decal transfer to produce a decorated tile. After re-firing the decorate tile, a resist medium is further applied over the colored and glazed areas as a mask, leaving the intermediate areas of the tile substrate unmasked.

Abstract: A plastic sheet is extruded and a layer of redwood, cedar or other bark which has been finely separated is hot rolled into the two faces. The bark is decorative and also protects the sheets from ultraviolet light destruction. The sheets can then be hot worked into corrugated, design-embossed sheets and into many tubular or other hollow or open-sided shapes.

Abstract: A method of creating table top displays (10) for decorating or displaying advertisements on table tops (12) is disclosed. The method prints an image or design (16) on a single piece of substrate (14) that is nearly as large as the table top to be covered. The substrate is then covered with one or more laminate layers (24,26) and adhered to the upper surface of a table top. The laminated substrate is then coated with one or more layers of clear sealant (18). The sealant layer is applied in a manner to resist cracking and chipping.

Abstract: An improved reinforced friction material is comprised of a cured friction material mixture of friction particles, filler particles, and binder particles, and has a embedded honeycomb core reinforcement whose individual cells are filled with and bonded at the cell walls to the cured friction material mixture by a novel manufacturing method.

Abstract: A bilaminate window glass assembly for an automotive vehicle includes at least one pane forming a window glass, a non-breakable frame disposed adjacent about at least a portion of a perimeter of the pane and a panel bonded to one side of the frame and the pane to form a bilaminate window glass.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for providing control or elimination of non-microbial enzymatic staining in lumber sapwood. Stain resistant lumber obtained by application of mechanical force.

Abstract: A structure and process for producing artificial fruits and vegetables (10). The structure consists of an inner assembly (12) that includes an upward extending stem (30) attached to a weighted core (14). The inner assembly is contained within a semi-rigid enclosure (48) that is subsequently covered with a resilient material (62) that is colored and textured to simulate a particular species of a fruit or vegetable. The process utilizes a mold (66) having a spherical cavity (96) into which is centrally placed the weighted core (14) with the stem (30) projecting through the mold's upward end (86). The mold (66) also has a fill port (92) into which is inserted a specified quantity of polystyrene beads. The beads expand when the mold is heated, to fill the cavity (96) and form the semi-rigid enclosure (48). The enclosure (48) is then covered with the resilient material (62) and the enclosure with the resilient material is placed in a hot-pressure mold that adds a texture.

Abstract: An artificial Christmas tree 10 having several branch segment assemblies 14-18 is disclosed, and further having electrically activated lights 46, 48, and 50 which are predisposed or preassembled upon the tree. Also disclosed is a method for automatically winding or placing the lights upon tree 10.

Abstract: An improved shim such as is used to wedge between door frames and walls in construction applications. The improved shim is made of a non-wood material which resists splintering, splitting, and compression. It also resists decay, rot and degradation over time. The shim is an elongated wedge-shape. It can include transverse slots, grooves, or scores which make it frangible at various locations along its length to size it to different lengths. The improved shim can be manufactured linked end-to-end and foldable into a compact stack.

Abstract: A crystal ball structure with changeable ball appearance having a base, a fixing base and a transparent box. A nose portion is used to combine the base and the fixing base to form an integral body that is separable from each other. An open end of the transparent box is connected with the rubber plug base. Accordingly, the base may be easily separated from the fixing base so that a card may also be inserted into or removed from the open end of the transparent box, thus the ball appearance is achieved.

Abstract: The present invention award plural component dispenser device includes a support means for supporting a framework of an object and a plurality of insert pieces. The support means has a base and a plurality of holders for holding the plurality of insert pieces. Each insert piece is sized and shaped to be removably inserted into a corresponding holder. The insert pieces and holders are polygonally shaped and approximately conical.

Abstract: A unique material is disclosed for use in trim panels, such as headliners. The unique material includes a central polyester honeycomb core, and outer polyester layers providing an I-beam construction. In a most preferred embodiment of this invention, the layers are all formed of polyester such that portions trimmed away from the panel are easily recycled. In addition, since the honeycomb core is formed of a thermoplastic, it is easily molded to desired shapes. The honeycomb core provide good strength to weight characteristics and also good acoustic characteristics.

Abstract: A faceted gemstone having at least one thin layer of material coated on the pavilion of a transparent substrate so that the body of the gemstone appears to have a different color. The color of reflected light changes hues when viewed through the face of the gemstone at different angles of observation. This causes the gemstone to appear to change color when the stone is tilted. The thin film is coated by low temperature techniques such as sputtering.

Abstract: Disclosed is a crown which is essentially a single piece unit formed desirably of plastic having a domed center portion with a plurality of guides, and depending sides, each of which has coordinated guides. The sides, in turn, are hingedly secured to the domed central portion to permit a dependent relationship. Because each side has a securement means for penetrating a foam block, they can be wrapped around such a foam block in anticipation of the insertion of the decorative elements. Further in coordination with the crown, patterns are provided in which a sizing discipline is shown, and with exemplary head sizes, to the end that flowers, whether artificial or natural and items such as flags, balloons, hearts, signs, or other emblems, can be sized and then directly inserted into the crown in accordance with the keyed indicia on the sizing portion of the patterns.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for producing a thermoformable acrylic resin sheet having a granite-like appearance after thermoforming, wherein ground particles of a methyl methacrylate resin which has been slightly cross-linked by means of 0.005-0.2 wt. % of a polyfunctional monomer, said particles having a size smaller than 1 mm, are incorporated in an amount of 0.3-1.5 wt. % into a liquid methyl methacrylate matrix resin composition containing a cross-linking monomer in an amount which is sufficient for effecting cross-linking of the matrix resin to a degree which is equal to or higher than the degree of cross-linking of the ground resin particles, at least one of the resin particles and the matrix resin composition containing a coloring material providing a color difference between them, whereupon the liquid mixture is brought into a flat mold and is kept therein to allow the resin particles to settle and the mixture is then polymerized to produce the thermoformable acrylic resin sheet.

Abstract: Methods and articles so produced for increasing the camouflaging effect of any camouflaging pattern, the invention relates to the coating of at least portions of a camouflaging pattern disposed on an article with a material capable of different chromic states at different ambient light levels. Materials employed to produce color changes in the camouflaging pattern include light and/or heat sensitive dyes and/or inks and particularly photochromic materials capable of reversible color changes. At least portions of camouflaging patterns modified according to the invention change color, typically from a color in the original camouflaging pattern to a different color or from a first shade of a given color to a second shade of that same color, on exposure to sunlight either of a more direct nature or a greater intensity, the color change being reversed in whole or in part by a return of ambient light conditions toward or to a given set of original light conditions.