Abstract: There is provided a web which has been spun from a mixture of thermoplastic polymer and a softening additive in an amount up to about 3 weight percent, and which has been mechanically treated to increase softness. The web has a final cup crush value which is less than 50 percent of the starting cup crush value and the drop in cup crush value is greater than the sum of the treatments individually. The web may be a single layer or may be a laminate of spunbond and other materials such as meltblown and coform fabrics.

Abstract: A cable construction comprising the following components: (i) a plurality of insulated electrical conductors having interstices therebetween, said insulation comprising (a) one or more polyolefins selected from the group consisting of polyethylene, polypropylene, and mixtures thereof, and, blended therewith, (b) a mixture containing one or more alkylhydroxy-phenylalkanoyl hydrazines and one or two functionalized hindered amines; (ii) hydrocarbon cable filler grease within the interstices; and (iii) a sheath surrounding components (i) and (ii) wherein said hindered amines have the following structural formulae in which n is about 2 to about 10: ##STR1##

Abstract: A combined thermal and acoustic insulator comprises a first metallic material layer formed, for example, from a metal foil, a fibrous low density material batt layer adjacent the first metallic layer, a high density plastic material layer, for example, a mass loaded elastomer, adjacent the batt material layer, and a second metallic foil layer. The first metallic material layer forms the heat exposed side and the second metallic layer forms the shielded side of the insulator. Alternatively, additional layers may be provided, for example, a third foil layer adjacent the fibrous material layer and a second fibrous layer between the third metal foil layer and the first metal foil layer.

Abstract: A composite material comprised of a support (1) and a heat foamable material (8), with the heat foamable material (8) being contained into a room (7) defined by the support (1) so that when heat is applied, form expands out of the room (7). Additionally provided is an expanded seal (9) obtained by using a composite material as defined here before and to a process for the manufacture of such composite material. Other applications of the composite material such as structure reinforcement and vibration dampening, are further discussed.

Abstract: A glass body for optical fiber containing GeO.sub.2 --SiO.sub.2 glass in a core portion thereof, in which the GeO.sub.2 --SiO.sub.2 glass has an absorbance at 5.16 eV of at least 1/mm but not higher than 2.5/mm or in which concentration of Ge.sup.2+ contained in the GeO.sub.2 --SiO.sub.2 glass substantially lies within the range of 1.1.times.10.sup.-9 to 2.8.times.10.sup.-9 mol/mm.sup.3 as calculated by the following general equation:A=.epsilon..sub.5.16ev .multidot.C.sub.(Ge2+) .multidot.1wherein A is absorbance which is expressed by A=-log T (T being transmittance) and normalized per 1 mm of optical path length, C.sub.(Ge2+) is Ge.sup.2+ concentration, .epsilon..sub.5.16ev is absorption coefficient (1/mol/cm), and 1 is optical path length.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a high-strength porous film or sheet consisting essentially of a high-molecular-weight polyethylene resin having a viscosity-average molecular weight of not less than 300,000, wherein the said film has a thickness of 5 to 50 .mu.m, an air permeability of 200 to 1,000 sec/100 cc, a porosity of 10 to 50% and a pin puncture strength of not less than 600 gf/25 .mu.m, and a process for producing the said film.

Abstract: A graphite lubricated leather and a method for producing a graphite lubricated leather is provided. A chrome tanned leather having internal fiber matrix is lubricated by application of a graphite powder suspended in a gluteraldehyde solution which has the effect of penetrating and bonding with the internal fiber matrix of the chrome tanned leather. A highly lubricated dry metallic appearing leather product is provided by the treatment.

Abstract: The present invention advances the art of vibration damping material constructions known to date. In one aspect of the present invention, a vibration damping article comprises at least one layer of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). The vibration damping article of the present invention may also comprise at least one adhesive layer for mounting to an object of interest. The vibration damping article of the present invention may also comprise at least one constrained layer, such as a metal or polymer film layer, for example. The constrained layer may be adhered to the PTFE layer, with a layer of adhesive, or the constrained layer may be adhered with heat, pressure, ultrasonics or other laminating means, depending upon the constrained layer construction.

Abstract: A shoe that conforms to foot contours and provides cushioning is comprised of a shoe sole and a shoe upper attached to the shoe sole. The shoe upper is comprised of an outer layer, an inner layer and a conforming layer therebetween, wherein a first portion of the conforming layer is comprised of viscoelastic gel and a second portion of the conforming layer is comprised of environmentally-responsive gel. The environmentally-responsive gel is preferably a temperature-responsive gel that will react to the heat emanating from a foot inserted into the shoe to express a liquid. The viscoelastic gel is preferably a soft, flowable gel that conforms to foot contours.

Abstract: High strength fiber-matrix composite materials are disclosed having low volumetric resistance inclusions in the matrix phase in order to resist transverse cracking of the matrix at those regions where the fibers are in closest proximity. Minute voids, air, solids or liquids serve to absorb the increasing volume change stress without cracking the matrix when the composite is deformed. The suppression of transverse cracking improves the overall performance of the composite.

Abstract: A nonwoven filter media or mat (10) formed from a plurality of elongated generally hollow fibers (20) each having an internal cavity (22) which has an opening (24), smaller than the cavity width, to the fiber (20) surface and each retaining within the internal cavity (22) a large number of relatively small solid particles (18). The small solid particles (18), which can be an adsorbent such as activated carbon, are permanently entrapped within the longitudinal cavities (22) of the fibers (20) without the use of an adhesive.

Abstract: A method of making a laminated panel with an embedded wiring harness begins with the steps of providing at least two separate layers of material and a length of wire. A portion of the wire is deformed into a circuitous pattern that results in a deformed wire with a length significantly shorter than the original undeformed length of wire. The wire is then positioned between the layers of material, which are then laminated together into a laminate. The laminate is then cut into a shaped laminated panel with the deformed wire being adjacent the cut edge of the panel. Finally, the deformed wire is pulled away from the cut edge of the laminated panel and used as an electrical lead for attachment to a power source, antenna or some electrical device.

Abstract: An integrally molded composite article comprised of (I) a nonfoam layer formed from a thermoplastic elastomer powder composition (A) and (II) a foam layer formed from a foamable composition comprised of (i)(B) a thermoplastic synthetic resin powder, and (C) a heat decomposable foaming agent or (ii)(B) a thermoplastic synthetic resin powder, (C) a heat decomposable foaming agent and (D) a liquid coating agent, wherein the thermoplastic elastomer powder (A) is comprised of a composition of an ethylene-.alpha.-olefin copolymer rubber and a polyolefin resin or a thermoplastic elastomer powder comprised of a partially cross-linked composition of an ethylene-.alpha.-olefin copolymer rubber and a polyolefin resin, the thermoplastic elastomer powder having a complex dynamic viscosity .eta.*(1) at 250.degree. C. and a frequency of 1 radian/sec of not more than 1.5.times.10.sup.5 poise and having a Newtonian viscosity index n, calculated by the following formula using the above-mentioned complex dynamic viscosity .eta.

Abstract: A pinch welt for trimming a flange formed on a vehicle body panel is disclosed. The welt includes a rigid insert made of a thermoplastic or synthetic rubber material that is compatible with the material of an outer decorative layer of the welt so as to allow the pinch welt to be readily recyclable as a single unit after use. The material of the insert has a resilience that allows the welt to be readily secured to the flange in a resilient manner. The insert is shaped by cooperating continuous forming rolls in an extrusion process that provides oppositely extending tines in which a thin webbing is formed between the tines.

Abstract: A roof for vehicles, particularly convertibles: A roof material including an upper fabric layer, a lower fabric layer, a rubberizing layer arranged between the upper and lower fabric. Possibly a ceiling inner lining is arranged below the roof material. A protective layer is arranged on the lower fabric layer and/or on the top side of the ceiling inner lining. The protective layer consists of a cut resistant material of cut-proof fibers such as aromatic polyamide fibers, polyethylene fibers spun by the gel-spinning process, or glass fibers. A wire is in at least one system of the threads of the cut resistant material. A textile nonwoven layer is applied, by needling, on at least one side or both sides of the protective layer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel composite product which is composed of a fibrocrystalline heterogeneous structure consisting of:on the one hand a plurality of fibers of expanded specific surface area and of hydrophilic character, having a substantial quantity of microfibrils on their surface, andon the other hand crystals of precipitated calcium carbonate (PCC), organized essentially in clusters of granules, the majority of which trap the microfibrils and are joined directly thereto by mechanical bonding.

Abstract: A fastening member is formed from a fiber-reinforced ceramic composite material, in which a ceramic material is reinforced with a plurality of inorganic long fibers. The inorganic long fibers are located in the ceramic material such that first orientated layers, in which the inorganic long fibers are orientated in a predetermined direction, and second orientated layers, in which the inorganic long fibers are orientated in a direction different from the direction of orientation of the inorganic long fibers in the first orientated layers, may be laminated alternately.

Abstract: Sealable liquid-tight containers and methods for economically manufacturing such containers for storing and dispensing substances and any other purposes for which conventional sealable liquid-tight containers are utilized. The containers are readily and economically formed from mixtures of hydraulically settable binders such as hydraulic cement, gypsum and clay with water. Appropriate additives can also be added to the mixture which impart desired characteristics and properties to both the mixture and the hardened containers. The mixtures can be utilized to form containers by various methods. One method involves forming the containers without substantial mixing of the mixture, compacting the mixture and hydrating the mixture. Other methods involve molding the mixture, extruding the mixture and forming sheets from the mixture to be converted into containers. The components may also be dried, coated, lined, laminated and/or receive printing.

Abstract: Compositions, methods, and apparatus 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 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 then 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 cut, rolled, pressed, scored, perforated, folded, and glued to fashion articles from the sheet.

Abstract: There is provided a process which comprises the step of subjecting a just produced spunbond web to a high flow rate, heated stream of air across substantially the width of the web to very lightly bond the fibers of the web together. Such bonding should be the minimum necessary in order to satisfy the needs of further processing yet not detrimentally affect the web. The fibers of the web may be monocomponent or biconstituent and the web should be substantially free of adhesives and not subjected to compaction rolls.