Abstract: A power transmission belt having an endless body with a length, an inside, and an outside. The body has cogs on at least one of the inside and outside of the body and spaced along the length of the body so as to define alternating cog crests and cog troughs. The cog crests each have oppositely facing side surfaces with an apex between the oppositely facing side surfaces. There is a reinforcing fabric on the at least one of the inside and outside of the body. The reinforcing fabric has first and second spaced end portions with a first free end at the first end portion and a second free end at the second end portion. The first and second end portions overlap so that the first and second free ends are each at a side surface on a cog crest.

Abstract: A process by which high frequency printed wiring board construction can be fabricated using smooth copper surfaces. A conductive, thin film polymer is plated on smooth copper surfaces of a core lamination. The polymer can be selected from a group of materials consisting of polypyrrole, polyaniline, polythiophene, and combinations thereof. The conductive polymer promotes adhesion between the resin polymer of the laminate and the smooth copper surfaces.

Abstract: A stitched pile surface structure and a process and apparatus for producing and finishing the same is disclosed. The stitched pile surface structure includes a backing having a thickness T. A plurality of parallel lines of stitches extends longitudinally along the backing. Each stitch has a predetermined stitch length dimension S. A plurality of rows of pile elements (either as loop pile or cut pile) is formed from one or more pile yarn(s) having an effective predetermined yarn diameter D. The total weight of the yarn used to form the pile loop elements is G grams. Substantially all of the stitches have a thread length DKL that satisfies the relationship: DKL<=D·(1+?/2)+(2·T)+(2·S) A mass of binder material having a weight of less than G grams is disposed on the pile surface structure.

Abstract: A method for making in a single step a multiple-ply panel comprising the steps of forming and sandwiching a raw mat assembly of resinated furnish between two sheets of green incised wood veneer, applying a layer of thermosetting high-moisture tolerant adhesive at interfaces between the green veneer and core mat, and applying pressure and heat to cure the consolidated panel assembly for a duration sufficient to secure good internal bond within the substrate panel.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a padded body composed of a skin layer formed in a bag shape and filler made of a granular or fragmental material padded into the skin layer comprising the steps of: mixing the filler and a water reactive binder; padding a mixture of the filler and the binder into the skin layer to form a padded body; and passing steam through the padded body. The binder reacts to the steam so that the filler adheres each other and adheres to an inner surface of the skin layer.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a security item comprises extruding or casting a polymer plastics substrate and, during the forming process, introducing a security thread into the substrate. The security thread is embedded to different depths in the substrate so as to generate a windowed effect.

Abstract: A method of forming plastics sheets, comprises the steps of supporting a die (or substrate 12) between plastics sheets 36 in an enclosure, heating the plastics sheets 36 by infra-red heating element 28, evacuating air from the enclosure, and urging the plastics sheets 36 into contact with opposite faces of the die (or substrate 12) while maintaining a vacuum or a substantial vacuum between the plastics sheets 36. Apparatus for performing this method is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides an aqueous adhesive composition including a resinous phase dispersed in an aqueous medium, the resinous phase containing (a) a polychloroprene, (b) optionally, a halogenated polyolefin different from (a), and (c) optionally, an aminoplast resin. Further provided is an aqueous adhesive composition of a resinous phase dispersed in an aqueous medium wherein the resinous phase includes (a) a polychloroprene, (b) a halogenated polyolefin different from (a), and (c) a polyurethane polymer having ionic salt groups. A multi-layer composite and methods for adhering a thermoplastic material to a rigid substrate using the aqueous adhesive compositions also are provided.

Abstract: A process for continuous, tailored lamination of aligned composite materials in such a way that either pre-formed or pre-consolidated sheets are made available for subsequent infusion molding or stamping processes, the process comprising the steps of: material placement, consolidation/stabilization, cut and kit, fabrication, and final trim. A tailored blank machine is also described. The blank machine includes a series of material placement heads arranged in a linear or serial fashion along a single moving placement table, wherein each head lays down a single angle of the prescribed stacking sequence as the conveyer passes under the head at a constant speed wherein the angle is proportional to head traverse rate divided by conveyer speed.

Abstract: A method of securing an elastic strand to a flat substrate or sheet of material moving the elastic strand and the sheet in a converging manner from a first position in which the elastic strand is spaced from the sheet to a second position in which the elastic strand contacts one surface of the sheet. A filament of adhesive is dispensed onto the strand in a pattern configured with adhesive masses coupled by thinner filament sections. The adhesive masses are contacted with the strand when the strand is in the first position. The strand is bonded to the substrate with at least the adhesive masses.

Abstract: A drip irrigation hose of the continuous emitter type in which the outlets from the regulating passage each comprise a single longitudinal slit. By controlling the length of the slits and the flexibility of the film, water drips from the outlets when the hose is pressurized without clogging when the hose is depressurized. The slits are sufficiently long and the film is sufficiently flexible so the water drips from the outlets when the hose is pressurized. The slits are sufficiently short and the film is sufficiently rigid so the outlets close completely when the hose is depressurized. An outlet forming wheel has a knife blade on its periphery. A backing wheel engages the outlet forming wheel to establish a first nip therebetween. The backing wheel has on its periphery a circumferential slot into which the knife blade fits at the first nip. A rib forming wheel has around its periphery impressions that define a desired track pattern for the ribs.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of manufacturing a laminate flexible strip for attachment to a vehicle in the form of a weather sealing strip. The strip includes a core member and a filler layer of elastomeric seal material disposed about and into the voids of the core member. The core member is formed by bending a wire into an undulating pattern that forms a number of continuously connected longitudinally spaced and laterally extending u-shaped metal clamping clips for reinforcing the seal material. A number of continuous laterally spaced and longitudinally extending linear fibers are attached to the clips to maintain the spatial relationship between the bent wire members. While the fibers or laminate maintain the longitudinal spacing of the wires, they also allow the core to flex laterally and compress longitudinally in the finished extrusion. The fibers may be made of the same material as or a material dissimilar to the clips.

Abstract: An automotive vehicle sound absorption system. An expandable material, such as an polymer-based foam, is disposed on a surface of a wall. Upon activation, the foam transforms, preferably during an automobile assembly operation, and remains bonded to surface for sound absorption.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a cured, toothed belt is carried out upon a on a belt-making machine. The method includes incrementally molding sections of the belt with tooth spacing based on an estimated pitch circumference derived from a measured inside circumference, defining and measuring a length of a remaining uncured portion of the belt, the length of the remaining uncured portion of the belt being compared to a design length, a difference between the length of the remaining uncured portion of the belt and the design length being an error; and, adjusting a distance between a centerline of the first drum and the second drum, so that a compensating error is evenly distributed over the remaining uncured portion of the belt. One advantage of this invention is that the cumulative error generated by measuring and curing each section of the belt in an “end to end” manner can be compensated by small adjustments made over a large section of the belt, preventing a large error in the last section of the belt.

Abstract: A process for making an absorbent fibrous web composite including a stable, controllable dispersion of superabsorbent polymer is provided. A pre-formed web, desirably including cellulose fibers and, optionally, thermoplastic fibers is provided. First and second superabsorbent polymer precursor compositions are added to the fibrous web using separate streams. The first and second superabsorbent polymer precursor compositions combine with each other and chemically react on or in the fibrous web, to form a superabsorbent polymer which sticks to the surface of the fibrous web.

Abstract: A method of continuously producing a melt-blown polymer filament mass includes producing a first set of melt-blown polymeric filaments, collecting the first set of filaments on a rotating collection device to form a tubular filament mass having a plurality of layers, and applying a second set of melt-blown polymeric filaments to the filament mass. The first set is produced generally in-line along an axis generally parallel to the collection device. The second set is deposited on the filament mass such that filaments of the second set extend through and engage a plurality of layers of the filaments of the first set. The method further includes urging the filament mass along the collection device to create a tubular filament mass of indefinite length with a first major surface and a second major surface. In one embodiment, the second set are applied in a sweeping motion.

Abstract: Selection criteria for dyes that predicts efficiency and performance for plastics welding. A first stage quantitative calculation screens dyes that possess an absorption band that can be matched to a laser that is suitable for plastic welding. It also identifies absorption troughs in the visible spectrum and establishes relationships between the relative optical densities of the absorption band and trough. A second stage quantitative calculation screens dyes for their contribution to the transparency of the substrate. By combining these two stages, the usefulness of a candidate dye can be quickly, easily and inexpensively determined.

Abstract: A method of binding leaves or other organic debris utilizing an adhesive composition comprising a water soluble or dispersible polymer. The method includes the step of coating upwardly facing leaves and/or other organic debris with an adhesive composition to bond them together into larger sections. The adhesive composition includes an anti-slip additive to counter slipperiness of the pile when wet.

Abstract: The invention relates to an insulation product comprising an elongated fibrous batt with at least a partial polymeric encapsulating layer formed by melt-blowing or melt spraying a polymeric composition onto one or more surfaces of the fibrous batt and, optionally, a separate vapor retarding layer applied to one or more surfaces of the fibrous batt and an apparatus for manufacturing such an insulation product.

Abstract: This invention pertains to processing continuous webs such as paper, film, composites, and the like, in dynamic continuous processing operations. More particularly, it relates to transferring discrete parts to a continuous web, whether paper, film, composite, or the like. Specifically, the invention relates to methods and apparatus for taking discrete parts from a source in a taking zone, optionally taking the discrete parts as components of a continuous web, onto a transport head on a transfer assembly, severing the discrete parts from the continuous web if received as part of a continuous web, rotating the transfer assembly about a first axis and correspondingly rotating the transport head about a second axis radial to the first axis, to thereby present the discrete parts to a receiver in a transfer zone, and transferring the discrete parts to the receiver in the transfer zone.