Abstract: Energy-absorption for a composite article is achieved by incorporation in the article of a load-bearing tubular element of ductile material which is bonded to another component of the article, the ductility of the element being such that the element deforms plastically at a part intermediate its ends when subjected to axial tensile stress less than the ultimate tensile strength of the element, the ductile material having deformation characteristics which cause the wall of the said part of the element to contract towards its longitudinal axis, thereby absorbing energy. An inner member may be provided to resist inwards continuation of the tubular element and the tubular element may be situated inside an outer sheath member. The said inner member and/or outer sheath member may be formed to elongate or break before the tubular element in response to the axial tensile stress.

Abstract: A construction element having a high strength to weight ratio, particularly useful in the fabrication of a boat hull, the construction element comprising:A first face layer of resin impregnated glass fiber cloth or glass fiber matting;An intermediate stiffening member comprising a laminate of:A. a flexible top sheet, preferably of paper;B. an intermediate foam layer, bonded to the top sheet; andC. a flexible bottom sheet, preferably of paper, bonded to the intermediate foam layer on the side opposite the top paper sheet; the laminate having:I. a first series of spaced slits extending through the top sheet and intermediate foam layer but not through the bottom sheet;Ii. a second series of spaced slits parallel to the first series of spaced slits and extending through the bottom sheet and intermediate foam layer but not through the top sheet, the second series of spaced slits being offset from the first series of spaced slits;Iii.

Abstract: Lightweight, compliant, structural members comprising an assemblage of metallic strips disposed in side-by-side relationship with the edges of the strips at opposite sides of the assemblage. The edges of the strips on one side of the assemblage may be folded over to provide a smoother, more continuous working surface. Point-to-point node bonding of adjacent strips and straight and nested foils at opposite sides of the assemblage can be utilized to facilitate handling and processing and to furnish lateral support.

Abstract: Fence fabric formed of a multiplicity of entwining electrically conductive metal wire cores each coated with a heat disintegrable electrical insulation is rendered susceptible to grounding by disposing each of said metal cores in contact with at least one electrically conductive ground element. To produce this product, one or more of the foregoing conductive elements is placed in permanent contact with each coated wire of the fence fabric and sufficient current passed through said conductive element to disintegrate the insulation coating and provide an electrically conductive path between the metal core of each of said wires and said electrical conductor.

Abstract: A floor mat comprises substantially rigid, elongated rails disposed generally parallel to each other in closely spaced relation. Each rail has a base portion for supporting the mat and a top portion with a tread surface such as a strip of carpet, abrasive or vinyl thereon. Cooperative ball and socket structures along opposite sides of the rails fixedly space the rails from each other but permit rotational movement of the rails relative to each other whereby the floor mat may be rolled up or adjust itself to irregular floor surfaces.

Abstract: A quick patch for a tank comprising a suction cup. The cup is partially filled between its dome or center portion and rim with mastic. A quick setting adhesive is applied to a cleaned surface on the interior tank wall about the crack. The vacuum cup is applied over the crack and the dome portion depressed while the rim is tightly engaged with the surface. The interior of the depressed center portion is pressed against the adhesive and quick-glued in place while the interior is evacuated. In the event that the adhesive fails to hold after a while, the center portion will expand causing the peripheral edge portions of the vacuum cup to adhere to the wall surface of the tank and drawing in the encompassing mastic. In the exterior application the expansion of the center portion serves as an indicia of the failure of the patch.

Abstract: A skid for slidably supporting and moving heavy objects. The skid has an elongated load bearing strip of hard fiber-board material with a strip of cushioning material bonded to the top surface of the load bearing strip. A strip of flexible tape-like material having pressure sensitive adhesive on the top surface is bonded to the top surface of the cushioning material. The top adhesive surface of this material is adapted to secure the skid to the bottom portion of an object. The bottom surface of the load bearing strip is covered with a hard, smooth glossy surface when the object is adapted to rest on a floor having a soft covering. Alternatively, the bottom surface is covered with a moisture resistant, static-free, wax impregnated, matted fiber fabric when the object is adapted to rest on a floor having a hard covering or finish. The load bearing strip also may be formed with a plurality of transversely extending grooves to facilitate separation of the skid into a plurality of smaller skid-like sections.

Abstract: An extruded plastic mesh of the type indicated having mesh openings each of which is a six-sided figure bounded on four sides by portions of four separate strands and on oppositely disposed two sides by elongate members comprising confluent portions of pairs of said four strands and forming a crotch at each end of each elongate member, wherein all of said strands and elongate members have preferred molecular orientation of the plastic material thereof in the direction of their major dimension and passing through and around the crotches of the elongate members of adjacent mesh openings and wherein the length of each elongate member measured from crotch to crotch is at least twice the diameter of a notional circle having the same area as the cross section of the elongate member at about its mid-point.

Abstract: A luminous mark on an object is provided by a phosphor and a source of nuclear radiation in an indentation of the object, the materials being held in place by a transparent cover closing said indentation.

Abstract: Underwater surfaces are protected against weed and/or shell growth with a wax coating containing one or more biocides effective against weed and/or shell growth when dissolved or dispersed in wax. The biocides are preferably sea-water insoluble and may be fresh water soluble also. They are preferably thermally stable up to 150.degree. C and soluble in wax. Suitable biocides are Cu, Zn, Ni, Co, Mn or Sn salts of carboxylic acids or polyacrylic acids, or organic compounds having an active structure containing S, Cl, N or O.The coating may be 5-500 micrometers thick.

Abstract: Fibers having a high degree of flexibility and handleability are produced by oxidizing fibers spun from a carbonaceous pitch which has been transformed, in part, to a liquid crystal or so-called "mesophase" state to an oxygen content of from 17 per cent by weight to 30 per cent by weight. Because of their strength and handleability, these highly-oxidized fibers can be easily processed at high speeds by means of conventional yarn-transport systems, and readily woven or knit into cloth. Such cloth may then be heat treated to produce carbon or graphite cloth.

Abstract: A multi-panel outsert suitable for attachment to the exterior of a product container has two or more longitudinal panels closed upon themselves by transverse folds and secured compactly by adhesive joining a spot on the inside of the outer longitudinal panel to an adjacent, outside portion of the outer panel which encloses and secures thereunder one or more other panels, affording increased printing area for the outsert with decreased likelihood of loss. An aperture through the panel or panels folded inwardly adjacent the outer panel allows such direct attachment of the outer panel to itself to effect the enclosure and securement.

Abstract: A composite trim strip structure comprising two adhesively bonded, non-coextensive body portions, the first body portion being a narrow strip having decorative longitudinal side strips and a second, wider body portion adapted to receive the first body portion and form additional, parallel, longitudinally decorative strips on either side of the first body portion. Each body portion is backed with elastomeric adhesive layers. When the trim strip is assembled and adhered to the side of a car, the plural adhesive layers serve to distribute impact force and the trim strip better resists separation from the car when impacted.

Abstract: The invention refers to heat weld joints of the type used for adjoining webs of reinforced plastic foil intended for use as stretched ceiling covers. The invention consists in the provision of means at intervals along the heat weld joints for reinforcing same to withstand the influence of heat. The invention also covers a process for the preparation of such reinforced heat weld joints.

Abstract: A laminate thermal control coating for spacecraft comprising a layer of solar-radiation stable film, a layer of particulate-radiation stable film applied to the upper surface of the solar-radiation stable film, and a layer of reflecting material applied to the lower surface of the solar-radiation stable film. The coating experiences no increase in solar radiation absorptance (the proportion of radiant energy absorbed) upon exposure to particular or solar radiation as the particulate radiation is substantially absorbed in the particulate-radiation stable layer and the solar radiation partially absorbed by the particulate-radiation stable layer is transmitted by the solar-radiation stable film to the reflecting material which reflects it back through the laminate and into space.

Abstract: A low-cost, throw-away receptacle such as a cup, picnic plate, or container, and closures for such receptacles, are made from foamed plastic material, preferably foamed polystyrene, which is lined on one or both sides with unoriented polyolefin film, preferably polypropylene. The film is secured to the foamed plastic base material using as a heat-sensitive adhesive a vinylic polymer or polyamide resin. Preferred vinylic polymers are based on vinyl acetate, and include polyvinyl acetate maleate copolymer. The film is coated with the initially wet adhesive which is dispersed in an emulsion or solvent carrier, and dried before laminating the film to the foam material. Laminating is done by heating the foam material to a temperature of from 250.degree.-275.degree. F., preheating the coated film to from 100.degree.-180.degree. F., and pressing the coated film surface against the heated foam using a cold platen or roller for from 10 to 15 seconds.

Abstract: A multicelled structure which may be used as a body support or other cushioning device has inflatable cells against which a supported or cushioned body bears. The structure is formed from a flexible material on mandrels which have a fluted or other shaped configuration and spaced apart. This prevents the material which is in a soft or uncured condition from bridging adjacent cells during the forming operation. The fluting or shape on the resulting cells is configured to enable the side walls of adjacent cells to closely approach or contact each other when the cells are expanded by internal fluid pressure so that the end walls of the cells form a generally continuous surface.

Abstract: A container is made by folding a blank to define a receptacle, clamping the blank between a core tool and a cavity tool and seaming juxtaposed blank edges by injection moulding, one tool defining a recess overlying the juxtaposed edges and at least one preferred flow path being defined in that recess offset relative to the juxtaposed edges so that injected material clamps the edge region over which the preferred flow path lies against the other tool face opposite the recess to prevent injected material penetrating between the blank over which the preferred flow path lies and that other tool face.

Abstract: Autoclavable, corrugated, respiratory care tubing comprising thermoplastic material which is aliphatic olefin polymer, aromatic olefin block polymer or mixtures thereof, the material being hydrolytically stable, having a flexular modulus according to A.S.T.M. D-790 of less than 1800 kg/cm.sup.2, having a Shore A hardness according to A.S.T.M. D-2240 of from 45 to 92 and being substantially dimensionally stable in steam at temperatures of at least about 120.degree. C.

Abstract: The invention relates to cementitious building board, such as gypsum board, having reinforcing strips along one or more of its edges. Such strips can be incorporated in such board faced with paper or other sheet material by cutting back the core leaving the edges of the sheets projecting, applying the strip and returning the edges of the sheets, to be adhesively secured to the face of the strip. The edge may have any desired profile but of particular interest is a board or tile having a groove, or kerf along at least two opposite edges of the core, the reinforcing strips being corresponding channel sections with lateral flanges to which the edges of the facing sheets are secured. The reinforced boards are useful in the production of ceilings and walls and, in the case of panels and tiles with kerfed edges, can be mounted by invisible or "secret" fixing devices.