Abstract: A method for forming thinned areas in a thin sheet material. The method includes the steps of (1) placing the thin sheet material on a pattern anvil having a pattern of raised areas wherein the height of the raised areas is generally less than the thickness of the sheet material; (2) conveying the sheet material, while placed on the pattern anvil, through an area where a fluid is applied to the sheet material; and (3) subjecting the sheet material to a sufficient amount of ultrasonic vibrations in the area where the fluid is applied to the sheet material to area thin the sheet material in a pattern generally the same as the pattern of raised areas on the pattern anvil. In some embodiments, the thinned areas may be micro areas.

Abstract: A method for forming microapertures in a thin sheet material where the area of each of the formed apertures generally ranges from about 10 square micrometers to 100,000 square micrometers. The method includes the steps of (1) placing the sheet material on a pattern anvil having a pattern of raised areas wherein the height of the raised areas is greater than the thickness of the sheet material; (2) conveying the sheet material, while placed on the pattern anvil, through an area where a fluid is applied to the sheet material; and (3) subjecting the sheet material to a sufficient amount of ultrasonic vibrations in the area where the fluid is applied to the sheet material to microaperture the sheet material in a pattern generally the same as the pattern of raised areas on the pattern anvil.

Abstract: A rhomboid piece of paper and plastic laminate has a central rhomboid region scored with parallel lines of weakening. Border regions are provided with appropriate layers of adhesive such that when the blank is wrapped around a needle cap, the border region nearest the open end of the cap bonds to the cap and provides a first circumferentially continuous end band, while the border region nearest the closed end of the cap provides a second end band which is axially moveable relative to the cap. The two end bands are joined by a plurality of longitudinally extending circumferentailly contiguous regions which separate into strips which project radially to form an umbrella-like structure when the second end band is urged toward the first end band. The strips extend along a slight helix angle before formation of the umbrella-like structure.

Abstract: A method of treating a low hydrohead fibrous porous web material to increase its retentive wettability, by at least about 50%, as compared to untreated low hydrohead web material, is disclosed. The increase in retentive wettability is evidenced by the increase in the average number of runoff tests that the treated web material can sustain without unacceptable runoff is disclosed.The invention is also directed to products prepared or preparable by the process.

Abstract: A method of treating a high hydrohead fibrous porous web to increase its retentive acquision rate and retentive absorbency, as compared to untreated web, is disclosed.The invention is also directed to products prepared by or preparable by the process.

Abstract: A programmable and automated leak detection apparatus performs automated handling and leak testing of varying sized objects. In one embodiment, the apparatus seals one portion of the object to form an inner chamber and also forms an enclosure about the entire object. Different partial vacuums are drawn on the chamber and the enclosure and a test gas injected into the enclosure. The chamber is monitored for test gas leakage from the enclosure. The apparatus includes an automated measuring subsystem for obtaining a physical parameter of the object which is then compared with data in a program controller's memory to determine a pass/fail leak rate for that particular object. The vacuum system used has separate vacuum lines to the enclosure and chamber and the test gas purging system combined with the use of separate vacuum lines results in the efficient and rapid purging of test gas prior to testing the next object.

Abstract: Particle-laden meltblown material, methods of forming such material, composite laminate fabrics using such material as a layer of the laminate, and uses of such material and/or laminate thereof are disclosed. The particle-laden meltblown material is a coform of the particles and meltblown fibers, consolidated into a meltblown material. The meltblown fibers are made of polymeric materials such that the fibers are tacky after extrusion from the meltblowing die and prior to consolidation as meltblown material; active particles (such as active carbon) are incorporated in the stream of meltblown fibers, as the fibers pass from the die to the consolidation surface, at a location where the fibers are tacky, so that the particles adhere to the surface of the fibers. The polymeric materials forming the meltblown fibers can be elastomeric materials, and/or blends of polymers.

Abstract: Particle-laden meltblown material, methods for forming such material, composite laminate fabrics using such material as a layer of the laminate, and uses of such material and/or laminate thereof are disclosed. The particle-laden meltblown material is a coform of the particles and meltblown fibers, consolidated into a meltblown material. The meltblown fibers are made of polymeric materials such that the fibers are tacky after extrusion from the meltblowing die and prior to consolidation as meltblown material; active particles (such as active carbon) are incorporated in the stream of meltblown fibers, as the fibers pass from the die to the consolidation surface, at a location where the fibers are tacky, so that the particles adhere to the surface of the fibers. The polymeric materials forming the meltblown fibers can be elastomeric materials, and/or blends of polymers.

Abstract: Alkali values are recovered in a cyclic method from mechanically mined trona ore or from trona deposits by a solution mining technique utilizing a solvent comprising an aqueous solution of sodium sulfide. The ore is solubilized as sodium carbonate which is precipitated as sodium sesquicarbonate and/or sodium bicarbonate by treating the solution with hydrogen sulfide and the precipitated salt separated from the mother liquor. In the process, sodium sulfide and hydrogen sulfide become converted into sodium hydrosulfide which is contained in the mother liquor. Heat treatment of the mother liquor converts the sodium hydrosulfide into sodium sulfide thereby regenerating a solution of sodium sulfide which is recycled to the trona ore and into hydrogen sulfide which is evolved and recycled to the sodium carbonate solution.

Abstract: A high-voltage type photoflash lamp filled with a filamentary combustible material and oxygen and having a beadless ignition structure comprising a pair of spaced apart lead-in wires with spherically shaped terminations, a glass frit coating over the lead-in wires with scraped-off portions exposing the bare metal of the wire adjacent each termination, and a coating of primer material over the frit-coated terminations and bared portions of the wires. The primer may bridge the wire terminations or comprise separate spaced apart coatings on the respective terminations, with the filamentary combustible being in contact with both terminations to provide a conducting path therebetween. The frit coating is thick enough to prevent preignition short circuits.

Abstract: A modular picture holder includes a plurality of object containing compartments which are rearwardly joined and which are forwardly spaced each from the other. The compartments terminate rearwardly in planar alignment and forwardly in picture display compartments which are multiplanar. Each photograph containing compartment includes enclosing sidewalls, the said sidewalls inclining from the rear to the front of each compartment. The pictures or other objects to be displayed are retained in different planes, which combine with the tapered sidewalls of each compartment to impart a striking, three-dimensional, visual effect. The sidewalls of contiguous compartments define a inclined slot or canyon therebetween which enhance the three-dimensional visual effect. The picture holders are arranged in modular form and include rearwardly positioned clips suitable to interconnect any number of modules to form a larger photograph display pattern.

Abstract: A photohardenable thermoplastic stratum containing a thermally activated blowing agent may be used to record images by imagewise exposing the stratum to actinic radiation adapted to polymerize and harden the stratum image-wise, and heating the exposed stratum to soften the unhardened areas and decompose the blowing agent, whereby a positive image of microscopic bubbles is formed in said stratum.

Abstract: This invention is a dual element, plastic snap fastener assembly for bags, raincoats, cartons, portfolios and the like. Each fastener element in the assembly is sealed to one side of its supporting material with its coupling member, i.e. a stud or socket, projecting through an aperture in the material to the other side of the material where the coupling member is interengaged by the cooperating member of the other element in the assembly.