Abstract: An object of the present invention is to propose heat insulating structure which is excellent in thermal insulating properties and higher in strength. The heat insulating structure includes: an aerogel layer including aerogel particles, adhesive, and fibers; and a retainer which is provided to at least one face of the aerogel layer and includes fiber materials and binder resin. Each of the fibers is part of one of the fiber materials included in the retainer.

Abstract: Enclosure parts for portable information handling systems may be made by heat pressing material layers together. The material layers may include outer fiber-reinforced thermoplastic layers and a core thermoplastic layer comprising a plurality of thermoplastic film layers. The core thermoplastic layer may be die cut to create voids that reduce weight of the enclosure part. A finishing layer may be added, along with attachment features.

Abstract: A stem extension for artificial flowers comprising a stem extension having an elongated shaft. The elongated shaft having a first end and a second end. The first end of the elongated shaft provided with a graduated female opening. The second end of the elongated shaft provided with a graduated male end. The stem extension comprises an exterior surface. A portion of the exterior surface comprises a course textured finish. The elongated shaft of the stem extension further comprises a one or more fins and veins arranged between the first end and the second end. The graduated male end comprises a one or more external diameters each separated from one another by a male shoulder. The graduated female receiving opening comprises a one or more internal diameters each separated from one another by a female shoulder. The graduated female opening comprises a first inside diameter and a second inside diameter.

Abstract: An interior display hanging ornament can have an ornament body with a comparatively large access port which allows mementos to be inserted therethrough, a removably attached port cap, a cap release actuator, and a dual hanger loop. The ornament body can be a bulb or other three-dimensional body having an interior space that can hold therein a plurality of mementos. Examples of such mementos include: photographs, shoulder patches, first home keys, post-cards, teaspoons, etc. At least a portion of the body should be transparent. A removably attached port cap can seal the access port. A cap release actuator allows a person to remove the port cap and access the interior of the ornament body. A dual hanger loop can be attached to the port cap to provide an upper loop from which to hang the ornament. A lower loop portion can suspend mementos within the ornament body.

Abstract: A ceramic porous body has an alumina porous body made up by binding aggregate alumina particles to each other, the aggregate alumina particles being bound to each other by a compound including gadolinium silicate, lanthanum silicate or yttrium silicate synthesized from a silicate mineral and at least one rare-earth oxide selected from Gd2O3, La2O3, and Y2O3, and an inorganic porous film formed on the alumina porous body.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a thermally insulating stretchable down feather sheet is described. The core of the sheet is comprised of down mixed with a binder mixture which exhibits elastic properties. The binder mixture consists of heat fusible stretchable glue particles and heat fusible elastomeric binding strands in dry form. The core is sandwiched between a bottom and a top stretchable elastomeric sheet having multi-directional stretchability. The core of down and the binder as well as the elastomeric sheet are bound together by heat treatment to provide a down insulating sheet which is stretchable in all directions without fractioning the sheet and which is capable of recovering substantially its original relaxed form after stretching or deformation.

Abstract: A porous cellular body comprising primarily a porous sintered glass material is disclosed. The porous sintered glass material primarily includes a first phase and a second phase, the first phase primarily comprising amorphous fused silica and the second phase comprising amorphous fused silica and a sintering aid.

Abstract: A combustion-resistant branch assembly for an artificial tree, the branch assembly including a first branch portion including a first rod having a main portion intermediate a first end portion and a second end portion; a first group of sub-branches attached to the first branch portion, each sub-branch of the first group of sub-branches including a member having a first end portion; and a first winding, including a combustion-resistant strand, wrapped about the first end portion of the first rod of the first branch portion and the first end portion of each sub-branch of the first group of sub-branches, thereby attaching the first group of sub-branches to the first branch portion.

Abstract: A metal-and-resin composite includes a metal substrate having a plurality of nano pores, an intermediate layer formed on the metal substrate, and a resin member. The intermediate layer fills at least portion of each nano pore. The resin member covers and bonds with the intermediate layer, thus to bond with the metal substrate.

Abstract: Provided in one embodiment includes a multi-fully alloyed powder that provides a wear-resistant and corrosion-resistant coating on a substrate when applied by a thermal spraying process. The coating exhibits desirable hardness, toughness, and bonding characteristics in a highly dense coating that is suitable for a wide range of temperatures. The embodiment provides a method of forming a coating, the method comprising: providing a substrate; and disposing onto the substrate a coating, comprising: a powder-containing composition comprising an alloy, the alloy comprising a solid solution comprising nickel, and a first component comprising at least one transition metal element and at least one nonmetal element.

Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods may relate to a collapsible tree system having limbs which automatically pivot from a low-profile position while the tree is in a collapsed state to an in-use position when the tree is in an extended state. In an illustrative example, the system may include limb supports movably disposed along a central support. Movement of the limb supports closer together and further apart may cause the limbs to pivot to and from positions. For example, due to limb contact with an adjacent limb support, the limbs may be caused to pivot to the low-profile position. When no forcible contact is present between an adjacent limb support and limb, gravitational forces may permit the limbs to freely pivot to the in-use position. In an illustrative example, each limb support may include a nesting cup for receiving a proximal end of the limbs while in the stowed position.

Abstract: A foldable tree skirt to cover a tree stand for a tree or Christmas tree. The cover includes a plurality of enclosed pockets containing rigid panels therein, and an attachment device for attaching a first end of the cover with a second end of the cover. The cover with the enclosed panels within the pockets of the cover is foldable in a disassemble state. In an assembled state, the cover is releasably secured together to form a three-dimensional enclosure having a substantially continuous sidewall adapted to surround the tree stand of the Christmas tree. The plurality of poles with pole connectors are assembled to removably fit onto the top of the inside sidewall and onto the bottom inside sidewalls of the cover, so as to maintain the three-dimensional shape, i.e. cone shape. The cover can be a single piece that wrappers around the tree stand and/or fits around the tree trunk.

Abstract: A molded plastic core structure acceptable to numerous uses and characterized by high structural strength to weight ratio. The structure typically comprises a two-sided array of cell-like receptacles having inwardly sloping walls that form floors. Receptacles in one side are inverted relative to receptacles in the opposite side and are inter-nested between one another to minimize the volume of plastic used. The walls and floors can be circular, square or triangular in plan view. Where square or triangular, the walls include both major and minor wall sections alternatingly interspersed with one another. Two or more core structures can be joined to one another with the receptacles of one panel being aligned with the receptacles of the joined other panel to form closed, syntactic cells that give the resulting structure high enclosed volume to surface area and weight ratios.

Abstract: A panel assembly that includes a core having first and second opposing major surfaces, a first laminate skin secured to the first major surface of the core, a second laminate skin secured to the second major surface of the core, and at least a first layer of polyimide aerogel incorporated into one of the first laminate skin or the second laminate skin.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a heat-insulating material, in particular in the form of a solid foam, based on silica particles of submicron porosity, this material incorporating two different ranges of porosities, advantageously including a first range consisting of (macro)pores with diameters of between 10 microns and 3 mm, and a second range consisting of submicron pores with diameters greater than 4 nm and less than 300 nm, the pore volume of said submicron pores being at least 1 cm3/g and the mass per unit volume of said insulating material being less than 300 kg/m3, and also relates to the process for obtaining the same.

Abstract: Methods for producing a superhydrophobic anodized surface including anodizing a surface of a substrate in an anodization acid to form a plurality of pores, etching the surface with an etchant to widen an edge of each of the plurality of pores; repeatedly anodizing the surface in the anodization acid and etching the surface with the etchant until the edges of the plurality of pores overlap to form a plurality of nano-sharp ridges, and coating the surface with a hydrophobic polymer to render the surface superhydrophobic, such that the surface exhibits a contact angle of at least 150 degrees with a drop of water. Articles including a surface having a series of nano-sharp pore ridges defined by a series of pores and a sub-?m thick layer of a hydrophobic polymer on said surface.

Abstract: The adjustable Christmas tree is an artificial Christmas tree that is adapted to fit in the corner of a room. The height of the adjustable Christmas tree can be changed to adapt to the height of the room. The adjustable Christmas tree comprises an angled base, a plurality of extension poles, a plurality of couplers, and a plurality of branches.

Abstract: The invention provides novel aerated composite materials that possess excellent physical and performance characteristics of aerated concretes, and methods of production and uses thereof. These composite materials can be readily produced from widely available, low cost raw materials by a process suitable for large-scale production with improved energy consumption, desirable carbon footprint and minimal environmental impact.

Abstract: The invention provides novel pervious composite materials that possess excellent physical and performance characteristics of conventional pervious concretes, and methods of production and uses thereof. These composite materials can be readily produced from widely available, low cost raw materials by a process suitable for large-scale production with improved energy consumption, desirable carbon footprint and minimal environmental impact.

Abstract: A structure including a substrate and a coating material. The substrate includes a plurality of voids and a surface on which at least the plurality of voids are formed, and is formed such that a void ratio of the plurality of voids decreases one of 2-dimensionally and 3-dimensionally from an inner side of the substrate toward an outer side thereof. The coating material is formed on the surface of the substrate.