Abstract: An assembled intermediate is described comprising a fluid transport element proximate an absorbent material is described. The fluid transport element comprises a thermoplastic nonwoven web comprising a plurality of bonded staple fibers having an average diameter of 20 to 500 microns, a thickness of at least 3, and a density ranging from 0.01 to 0.10 g/cm3. Also described are articles comprising such assembled intermediate.

Abstract: An assembled intermediate is described comprising a fluid transport element proximate an absorbent material is described. The fluid transport element comprises a thermoplastic nonwoven web comprising a plurality of bonded staple fibers having an average diameter of 20 to 500 microns and the web has a thickness of 3 to 20 mm, a density ranging from 0.01 to 0.10 g/cm3, and a work of compression no greater than 20 kJ/m3. Also described are articles comprising such assembled intermediate.

Abstract: Nonwoven fibrous webs including a multiplicity of randomly oriented discrete fibers and a multiplicity of chemically active particulates secured to the web, and methods of making and using same. In some embodiments, more than 0% and less than 10% wt. of the nonwoven fibrous web is made of multi-component fibers having at least a first region exhibiting a first melting temperature and a second region exhibiting a second melting temperature greater than the first melting temperature. In other embodiments, the discrete fibers include a first population of monocomponent thermoplastic fibers having a first melting temperature, and a second population of monocomponent fibers having a second melting temperature greater than the first melting temperature. In certain embodiments, at least some of the particulates are bonded to the fibers. In other embodiments, at least some of the particulates are secured within interstices of the fibrous web, without substantial bonding to the fibers.

Abstract: A device is provided for managing heat in an optical element, including: the optical element; a material at a reference temperature; and an intermediate gas layer located directly between the reference-temperature material and the optical element, the intermediate gas layer being located on at least a portion of the thickness thereof in a temporary diffusion state defined by a thickness of the intermediate gas layer, such that the ratio of the mean free path of the gas molecules in the intermediate gas layer over said thickness is between 0.1 and 10. The thickness of the intermediate gas layer is between 10 ?m and 5 mm. A corresponding heat-management method is implemented in the device for managing the temperature of an optical element.

Abstract: A device is provided for managing heat in an optical element, including: the optical element; a material at a reference temperature; and an intermediate gas layer located directly between the reference-temperature material and the optical element, the intermediate gas layer being located on at least a portion of the thickness thereof in a temporary diffusion state defined by a thickness of the intermediate gas layer, such that the ratio of the mean free path of the gas molecules in the intermediate gas layer over said thickness is between 0.1 and 10. The thickness of the intermediate gas layer is between 10 ?m and 5 mm. A corresponding heat-management method is implemented in the device for managing the temperature of an optical element.

Abstract: An assembled intermediate is described comprising a fluid transport element proximate an absorbent material is described. The fluid transport element comprises a thermoplastic nonwoven web comprising a plurality of bonded staple fibers having an average diameter of 20 to 500 microns and the web has a thickness of 3 to 20 mm, a density ranging from 0.01 to 0.10 g/cm3, and a work of compression no greater than 20 kJ/m3. Also described are articles comprising such assembled intermediate.

Abstract: Nonwoven fibrous webs including a multiplicity of discrete fibers, a population of sub-micrometer fibers having a population median diameter less than one micrometer adjoining the discrete fibers, and a multiplicity of chemically active particulates secured to the nonwoven fibrous web. In some embodiments, more than 0% and less than 10% wt. of the nonwoven fibrous web is made of discrete fibers that are thermoplastic polymeric fibers, and which optionally at least partially melt and coalesce to secure the discrete polymeric fibers to each other. In certain embodiments, at least some of the particulates are bonded to the thermoplastic polymeric fibers. In other embodiments, at least some of the particulates are secured within interstices of the fibrous web, without substantial bonding to the discrete fibers. Methods of making and using such nonwoven fibrous webs are also described.

Abstract: Nonwoven fibrous webs including a multiplicity of randomly oriented discrete fibers and a multiplicity of chemically active particulates secured to the web, and methods of making and using same. In some embodiments, more than 0% and less than 10% wt. of the nonwoven fibrous web is made of multi-component fibers having at least a first region exhibiting a first melting temperature and a second region exhibiting a second melting temperature greater than the first melting temperature. In other embodiments, the discrete fibers include a first population of monocomponent thermoplastic fibers having a first melting temperature, and a second population of monocomponent fibers having a second melting temperature greater than the first melting temperature. In certain embodiments, at least some of the particulates are bonded to the fibers. In other embodiments, at least some of the particulates are secured within interstices of the fibrous web, without substantial bonding to the fibers.

Abstract: A base (2) for a floor mat (1) is composed of a plurality of components that are releasably-secured together to define at least one recess, for receiving matting material (3), and a ramp-like edge (4) that inclines upwardly from the level of the floor surface to the level of the upper surface of the mat. In some embodiments, the ramp-like edge may extend without interruption around the entire periphery of the base. In other embodiments, in which the base is generally rectangular, the ramp-like edge may extend without interruption along only two opposed sides of the base. Advantageously, the height of the walls of the/each recess is such that the tops of the walls are at the level of the upper surface of the mat.

Abstract: A mat/carpet (1) comprises an upper layer (3) having a soil-removing outer surface (7) for contacting traffic passing over the mat, and a lower layer (5) located below the upper layer. The upper layer comprises textile fibers (9, 11) and is water-permeable whereby water can drain from the upper layer (3) into the lower layer (5). The lower layer (5) is arranged to collect, for subsequent removal, water that is received from the upper layer (3), and may comprise channels (50) through which water can flow in a direction generally parallel to the soil-removing outer surface (7) of the mat.

Abstract: Matting material (1) comprises a supporting web (3) of comparatively coarse filaments (11) in which is embedded a web (5) of comparatively fine fibres (15). The upper surface of the embedded fibrous web (5) provides a shoe-wiping surface, and the coarse filaments (11) of the supporting web (3) project above the upper surface of the embedded web (5) to provide shoe-scraping elements.

Abstract: The present invention provides an adhesive pad comprising a fibrous layer comprising a mixture of metal fibers and polymeric fibers, said fibrous layer having a thickness of at least 3 mm and having on at least one of its opposite major surfaces an adhesive layer, said adhesive layer being configured so as to allow electrical contact between said fibrous layer and a metal substrate when such metal substrate is adhered to said adhesive layer. The opposite major surfaces of the fibrous layer of the adhesive pad are generally planar and generally parallel to each other. In a particular embodiment, the adhesive pad is in the form of a sheet, for example rectangular, square, circular or oval or in the form of a web.

Abstract: Surface conditioning articles comprising an organic matrix and water-based organic binders are reported. The water-based organic binders include a first binder and a second binder with abrasive particles dispersed and adhered within the second binder. The first binder comprises a mixture of a phenolic resin and a carboxylated butadiene-acrylonitrile copolymer latex, in the range of weight ratio of dry materials of said latex versus said phenolic resin of 90/10 to 60/40.

Abstract: Surface conditioning articles comprising an organic matrix and water-based organic binders are reported. The water-based organic binders include a first binder and a second binder with abrasive particles dispersed and adhered within the second binder. The first binder comprises a mixture of a phenolic resin and a carboxylated butadiene-acrylonitrile copolymer latex, in the range of weight ratio of dry materials of said latex versus said phenolic resin of 90/10 to 60/40.

Abstract: The latch comprises a bolt 20 pivotally mounted on a support plate 10, a latch 3 cooperative with the bolt, a rotatable lever driven in rotation by an electric system 9, 7, 5, 6 for opening the latch for pivoting the catch 3 and releasing the bolt 20. The electric system comprises a motor 9 having a low reversibility torque and sufficient power, and a spiral return spring 8 which is stressed during the opening by the rotation of the motor 9, this spring 8 being capable of being resiliently released when the motor 9 is no longer carrying current, after the opening of the latch, so as to permit the return of the lever 4 and of the latch 3 to their initial position under the effect of their own springs 21, 29.