Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein include insulation used to insulate elongated members, such a pipe or duct, as examples. The insulation can address a number of features, including but not limited to expansion and compression of insulation material, expansion and compression of the elongated member insulated, and the ability to adapt the insulation for elongated member of different sizes and lengths. In one embodiment, the insulation is comprised of at least one plank comprised of a flexible polymeric foam configured to be wrapped around an elongated member. In order for the insulation to self-adjust to compensate for thermal expansion and contraction of the foam material, the plank is comprised of a plurality of flexible polymeric foam profiles. At least one flexible polymeric foam spacer may also be provided that self-adjusts to compensate for thermal expansion and contraction of the elongated member to prevent or reduce gaps in insulation.

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed in the detailed description include a unitary or monolithic composite or hybrid cushioning structure(s) and profile(s) comprised of a cellular thermoplastic foam and a thermoset material. The thermoset material may also be provided as cellular foam as well. In one embodiment disclosed herein, the unitary composite cushioning structure is formed from a cellular thermoplastic foam and a thermoset material. The cellular thermoplastic foam provides support characteristics to the unitary composite cushioning structure. The thermoset material provides a resilient structure with cushioning characteristics to the cushioning structure. A stratum is disposed between at least a portion of the cellular thermoplastic foam and at least a portion of the thermoset material to secure the at least a portion of the thermoset material to the at least a portion of the cellular thermoplastic foam to provide a unitary composite cushioning structure.

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed in the detailed description include a unitary or monolithic composite or hybrid cushioning structure(s) and profile(s) comprised of a cellular thermoplastic foam and a thermoset material. The thermoset material may also be provided as cellular foam as well. In one embodiment disclosed herein, the unitary composite cushioning structure is formed from a cellular thermoplastic foam and a thermoset material. The cellular thermoplastic foam provides support characteristics to the unitary composite cushioning structure. The thermoset material provides a resilient structure with cushioning characteristics to the cushioning structure. A stratum is disposed between at least a portion of the cellular thermoplastic foam and at least a portion of the thermoset material to secure the at least a portion of the thermoset material to the at least a portion of the cellular thermoplastic foam to provide a unitary composite cushioning structure.

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein include insulation used to insulate elongated members, such a pipe or duct, as examples. The insulation can address a number of features, including but not limited to expansion and compression of insulation material, expansion and compression of the elongated member insulated, and the ability to adapt the insulation for elongated member of different sizes and lengths. In one embodiment, the insulation is comprised of at least one plank comprised of a flexible polymeric foam configured to be wrapped around an elongated member. In order for the insulation to self-adjust to compensate for thermal expansion and contraction of the foam material, the plank is comprised of a plurality of flexible polymeric foam profiles. At least one flexible polymeric foam spacer may also be provided that self-adjusts to compensate for thermal expansion and contraction of the elongated member to prevent or reduce gaps in insulation.

Abstract: Related methods to produce unitary or monolithic composite or hybrid cushioning structure(s) and profile(s) comprised of a thermoplastic foam and a thermoset material are also disclosed. As non-limiting examples, the thermoset material may also be provided as cellular foam. The unitary composite cushioning structure may be formed from the thermoplastic material and the thermoset material. The thermoplastic material provides support characteristics to the unitary composite cushioning structure. The thermoset material provides a resilient structure with cushioning characteristics to the cushioning structure. A stratum, which may be continuously produced, is formed between at least a portion of the cellular thermoplastic foam and at least a portion of the thermoset material as the thermoset material transforms from a non-solid to a solid phase to secure the at least a portion of the thermoset material to the at least a portion of the thermoplastic material to provide a unitary composite cushioning structure.

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein include insulation used to insulate elongated members, such a pipe or duct, as examples. The insulation can address a number of features, including but not limited to expansion and compression of insulation material, expansion and compression of the elongated member insulated, and the ability to adapt the insulation for elongated member of different sizes and lengths. In one embodiment, the insulation is comprised of at least one plank comprised of a flexible polymeric foam configured to be wrapped around an elongated member. In order for the insulation to self-adjust to compensate for thermal expansion and contraction of the foam material, the plank is comprised of a plurality of flexible polymeric foam profiles. At least one flexible polymeric foam spacer may also be provided that self-adjusts to compensate for thermal expansion and contraction of the elongated member to prevent or reduce gaps in insulation.

Abstract: Cushions are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a cushion is comprised of a plurality of foam profiles each having a top surface and a bottom surface, and a geometry of reduced cross-section area from the top surface to the bottom surface in a vertical projection. The plurality of foam profiles are arranged such that the top surfaces of the plurality of foam profiles are disposed in or substantially in a first plane. In this manner, hollow portions can be formed between adjacent foam profiles. At least one sheet of material is affixed to at least one of the top surface and the bottom surface of the plurality of foam profiles. When a compression force is imposed on the cushion, the hollow portions allow the foam profiles to adapt to deformation. Further, by providing the hollow portions, the cushion can more easily be rolled or wrapped for transport or storage.

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein include insulation used to insulate elongated members, such a pipe or duct, as examples. The insulation can address a number of features, including but not limited to expansion and compression of insulation material, expansion and compression of the elongated member insulated, and the ability to adapt the insulation for elongated member of different sizes and lengths. In one embodiment, the insulation is comprised of at least one plank comprised of a flexible polymeric foam configured to be wrapped around an elongated member. In order for the insulation to self-adjust to compensate for thermal expansion and contraction of the foam material, the plank is comprised of a plurality of flexible polymeric foam profiles. At least one flexible polymeric foam spacer may also be provided that self-adjusts to compensate for thermal expansion and contraction of the elongated member to prevent or reduce gaps in insulation.

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed in the detailed description include a unitary or monolithic composite or hybrid cushioning structure(s) and profile(s) comprised of a cellular thermoplastic foam and a thermoset material. The thermoset material may also be provided as cellular foam as well. In one embodiment disclosed herein, the unitary composite cushioning structure is formed from a cellular thermoplastic foam and a thermoset material. The cellular thermoplastic foam provides support characteristics to the unitary composite cushioning structure. The thermoset material provides a resilient structure with cushioning characteristics to the cushioning structure. A stratum is disposed between at least a portion of the cellular thermoplastic foam and at least a portion of the thermoset material to secure the at least a portion of the thermoset material to the at least a portion of the cellular thermoplastic foam to provide a unitary composite cushioning structure.

Abstract: By providing an elongated profile which incorporates a plurality of indentations formed therein, a load bearing/cushioning/supporting element is realized. By employing this construction, the element accommodates large strain under force, and shows good resiliency and repeated recovery. The element can be produced from a continuous extrusion process with immediate manipulation to re-shape the extrusion profile, or secondary thermal forming process which follows the extrusion process, or blow molding process, or injection molding process.

Abstract: By providing an elongated profile which incorporates a plurality of indentations formed therein, a load bearing/cushioning/supporting element is realized. By employing this construction, the element accommodates large strain under force, and shows good resiliency and repeated recovery. The element can be produced from a continuous extrusion process with immediate manipulation to re-shape the extrusion profile, or secondary thermal forming process which follows the extrusion process, or blow molding process, or injection molding process.

Abstract: A molding process includes flowing a polymer melt into the cavity of a mold which includes a core pin. After the mold is filled and skin layers of solidified polymer have formed adjacent the mold wall and core pin wall, the core pin is spun transversely to the direction of polymer melt flow. The invention includes hollow articles of improved mechanical properties made by the process.

Abstract: A molding process includes flowing a polymer melt into the cavity of a mold which includes a core pin. After the mold is filled and skin layers of solidified polymer have formed adjacent the mold wall and core pin wall, the core pin is spun transversely to the direction of polymer melt flow. The invention includes hollow articles of improved mechanical properties made by the process.

Abstract: A device and method are provided for determining the bulk (average) temperature, surface temperature, temperature profile, and thickness of radiation translucent materials. These material functions are determined by evaluation of the intensity of the radiation emitted from the material using two detectors with a radiation source placed in the optical path of one of the detectors. The data is taken at several intensities of source radiation and reduced to obtain the bulk temperature and material thickness. The second detector is used to measure the surface temperature. These data are then used to determine the temperature profile in the material.