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: 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: 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, methods, and systems for manufacturing articles, particularly containers and packaging materials, having a fiber-reinforced, starch-bound cellular matrix. Suitable mixtures used to form the articles are prepared by first preparing a viscous preblended mixture comprising water, a gelatinized starch-based binder, and fibers having an average length greater than about 2 mm. The highly viscous preblended mixture effectively transfers the shearing forces of the mixer to the fibers. The final moldable mixture is then prepared by mixing into the preblended mixture the remaining starch-based binder, water, and other desired admixtures, e.g., mold-releasing agents, inorganic filler rheology-modifying agents, plasticizers, coating materials, and dispersants, in the correct proportions to form an article which has the desired performance criteria.

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: 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, paperboard, polystyrene, plastic, or metal. Such sheets can be rolled, pressed, scored, perforated, folded, and glued.

Abstract: There is described a bituminous roofing underfelt comprising a spunbond of polyester, in particular polyethylene terephthalate, filaments having a filament linear density of 1-8 dtex embedded in a bitumen matrix, wherein the weight of the bitumen accounts for from 40 to 90% and that of the spunbonded for from 10 to 60% of the basis weight of the roofing underfelt, and the spunbond is consolidated by a meltable binder whose melting point is below the processing temperature of the bitumen used in making the bituminous roofing underfelt and which is present in the spunbonded in a weight proportion of from 5 to 20% of the total weight. The spunbonded preferably bears an embossed pattern, for example a plain-weave embossment. There is also described a process for manufacturing the roofing underfelt and the spunbond present therein.

Abstract: The present invention relates to slip-resistant machine washable floor mats particularly suitable for use in motor vehicles. The floor mats have an upper carpet fabric layer attached with adhesive or by flame lamination to a lower layer of coarse-celled reticulated polyurethane foam having pore sizes within the range of 3 to 80 pores per linear inch (about 0.19 to about 0.02 inch cell diameter). The floor mat has an air permeability greater than about 5 (ft.sup.3 /min.)/ft.sup.2 at 0.5 inch of water pressure drop, which enhances the washing and drying ability of the entire mat.

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: Hydraulically settable mixtures and methods for extruding such mixtures into a variety of objects which are form-stable in the green state are disclosed. High green strength is achieved by increasing the yield stress of the mixture while maintaining adequate extrudability. Optimizing the particle packing density while including a deficiency of water yields a hydraulically settable mixture which will flow under pressures typically associated with the extrusion of clay or plastic. In addition, a rheology-modifying agent can be added to increase the yield stress of the mixture while not significantly increasing the viscosity. The desired strength properties and other performance criteria of the final hardened extruded product are controlled by adding aggregates, fibers, a hydraulically settable binder, water, and other admixtures.

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.

Abstract: An inorganic constructional board for use as wall backing material or the like comprises a middle layer portion (1a) formed mainly of inorganic foamed material with an adequate quantity of fibrous material and binder added thereto, and outer layer portions (1b) placed on both surfaces of the middle layer portion (1a), the outer layer portion being formed mainly of mineral fiber material and inorganic powder material with binder added thereto. The middle layer portion (1a) has a specific gravity of less than 0.4, and the outer layer portions (1b) have a specific gravity of more than 0.7. Therefore, the board is more lightweight than a plaster board and has performance characteristics equivalent to or better than those of the plaster board.

Abstract: A protector made of thermoplastic resin to which a foaming agent is added is adapted such that no foams are present in the thermoplastic resin forming a predetermined volume area including lock portions mounted on a protector body for integrating the protector body and a lid element but foams are present in the thermoplastic resin forming the area other than the predetermined volume area, whereby a molded part of thermoplastic resin is provided which accomplishes weight reduction and an insured strength at a strength-required area.

Abstract: A separator for a battery using an organic electrolytic solution, which comprises a microporous film comprising a matrix comprised of a polyethylene and a propylene polymer having a weight average molecular weight of from 10,000 to 1,000,000, the propylene polymer being present in a proportion of from 5 to 45% by weight, based on the total weight of the polyethylene and the propylene polymer, the polyethylene containing a fraction having a molecular weight of not smaller than 1,000,000 in a proportion of at least 10% by weight and a fraction having a molecular weight of not greater than 100,000 in a proportion of at least 5% by weight, and wherein the microporous film has a thickness of from 10 to 500 .mu.m, a porosity of from 40 to 85% and a maximum pore diameter of from 0.05 to 5 .mu.m.

Abstract: Insulation barriers incorporating a cementitious structural matrix formed from a cementitious mixture including a hydraulic cement and water. The insulation barriers are manufactured from cementitious materials in order to be lightweight, insulative, less expensive, and more environmentally compatible than those currently used; they may augment, and even take the place of, traditional insulation materials including insulations made of glass fibers, polyurethane foam, urea-formaldehyde foam, polystyrene, wood fiber, cellulose fiber, rock-wool, etc. The cementitious structural matrix of the insulation barriers usually includes a hydraulic cement paste (formed from the reaction of water with, e.g., a portland-type cement) in combination with a rheology-modifying agent, such as methylhydroxyethylcellulose, and a lightweight aggregate material, which lowers the density of the insulation barrier and increases its insulation ability.

Abstract: An anchoring strip for a pull-in rod is used for shaping the profile of upholstery materials for upholstered parts, which are covered on their outside by a covering material. For this purpose, an anchoring strip has a sewing-on flag, which can be connected with the covering material. The anchoring strip consists of a molded plastic body which is formed in one piece and has a basic connector bar, which can be anchored flexibly to the upholstery material. Along the longitudinal extent of the basic connector bar, receiving elements for a pull-in rod are provided and which are disposed at intervals from one another and point to the outside of the upholstered part. The pull-in rod can be interlocked from the outside of the upholstered part with the receiving elements to form a firm holding engagement.

Abstract: The present invention relates to hydraulically bonded cement compositions and methods. More particularly, the present invention is directed to novel compositions and methods of hydrating hydraulic cement without mechanical mixing of the cement and water. The present invention includes materials prepared by manipulating under pressure powdered hydraulic cement compositions using known or novel powder packing, casting, or expanding techniques, such that air within the powdered hydraulic cement is substantially removed while the cement is formed into a self-supporting near net final position. Thereafter, the formed hydraulic cement is hydrated without mechanical mixing of the cement and water.

Abstract: Incorporation of solid removable aggregates into powdered cement which later completely dissolve, evaporate, volatilize, or melt leaving voids in the cement composition is discussed. Cementitious articles are prepared by manipulating powdered hydraulic cement or cement paste compositions into mechanically self-supporting structures of a predetermined configuration and thereafter hydrating the hydraulic cement compositions without mechanical mixing of the cement and water.