Abstract: Biodegradable polymer blends suitable for laminate coatings, wraps and other packaging materials are manufactured from at least one “hard” biopolymer and at least one “soft” biopolymer. “Hard” biopolymers tend to be more brittle and rigid and typically have a glass transition temperature greater than about 10° C. “Soft” biopolymers tend to be more flexible and pliable and typically have a glass transition temperature less than about 0° C. While hard and soft polymers each possess certain intrinsic benefits, certain blends of hard and soft polymers have been discovered which possess synergistic properties superior to those of either hard or soft polymers by themselves. Biodegradable polymers include polyesters, polyesteramides, polyesterurethanes, thermoplastic starch, and other natural polymers. The polymer blends may optionally include an inorganic filler. Films and sheets made from the polymer blends may be textured so as to increase the bulk hand feel.

Abstract: Biodegradable polymer blends suitable for laminate coatings, wraps and other packaging materials are manufactured from a blend of suitable biodegradable polymers, such as at least one “hard” biopolymer and at least one “soft” biopolymer. “Hard” biopolymers tend to be more brittle and rigid and typically have a glass transition temperature greater than about 10° C. “Soft” biopolymers tend to be more flexible and pliable and typically have a glass transition temperature less than about 0° C. While hard and soft polymers each possess certain intrinsic benefits, certain blends of hard and soft polymers have been discovered which possess synergistic properties superior to those of either hard or soft polymers by themselves. Biodegradable polymers include polyesters, polyesteramides, polyesterurethanes, thermoplastic starch, and other natural polymers. The polymer blends may optionally include an inorganic filler. Films and sheets made from the polymer blends may be textured so as to increase the bulk hand feel.

Abstract: A water-absorbing composition, a process for producing a water-absorbing composition, a composite comprising a water-absorbing composition, and the use of a water-absorbing composition for releasing an active substance (e.g., a wound treatment substance, a care substance, or combinations thereof) are disclosed. A water-absorbing composition can include active substance-doped water-absorbing polymer particles comprising: ?1.) an active substance in a quantity in the range from about 0.001 to about 30 wt. %; and ?2.) an absorber matrix in a quantity in the range from about 70 to about 99.999 wt. %. Also, a hygiene article and a wound treatment means, including a water-absorbing composition, are disclosed.

Abstract: An optical module has a circuit carrier, a housed semiconductor element disposed on the circuit carrier, and a lens unit for projecting electromagnetic radiation along an optical axis towards the semiconductor element. The housed semiconductor element and the lens unit are embodied as two components. At least one spacer element is disposed outside the optical axis, between the housing of the semiconductor element and the lens unit. Due to the addition of a low-cost spacer element, the invention enables the simple compensation of possible remaining work tolerances, for example between client-specific semiconductor housings and lens units selected from lines of products of different production quality. While tolerance-exceeding lines of products have not had any use until now as rejects, reliable camera modules can advantageously be assembled using a compensation element according to the invention, and in principle, any mechanical adjustment of the focal point can also be dispensed with.

Abstract: A valve has a piezoelectric actuator with a valve element, a valve body and a valve seat. In order to control the valve, the valve element is moved into the valve seat from a position remote from the valve seat by means of a charging process at a prescribable first time. A first value is determined being characteristic of the electrical power supplied to the piezoelectric actuator when the valve element meets the valve seat. A second value is determined being characteristic of the electrical power supplied to the piezoelectric actuator when the charging process of the piezoelectric actuator is concluded. An actual difference value between the second value and the first value is determined. A difference between a setpoint difference value and the actual difference value is supplied to a controller. An actuating signal for charging the piezoelectric actuator is determined as a function of the actuating variable.

Abstract: A throughflow cylinder made at least partly of fiber-reinforced plastic including glass fibers, aramide fibers, carbon fibers, and/or carbon-reinforced plastic (CRP). The matrix material of the fiber-reinforced plastic includes a material heat resistant at least up to 300° C. such as a resin. At least one fiber layer is provided such that the coefficient of thermal expansion ? of the fiber-reinforced plastic is lower than that of steel at approximately 300° C. and preferably lies in a region of 0??<9·10?6·1/Kelvin. The manufacture of the fiber-reinforced plastic, for example carbon fiber-reinforced plastic, is such that more than approximately 30%, in particular more than approximately 50% and preferably more than approximately 70% of the fibers are oriented at least substantially in the peripheral direction.

Abstract: An optical module has a circuit carrier, a housed semiconductor element disposed on the circuit carrier, and a lens unit for projecting electromagnetic radiation onto the semiconductor element. The lens unit preferably includes a lens assembly with, say, three lenses and a diaphragm. The lenses, optionally together with the diaphragm, are aligned in a well-defined manner due to their geometric design so that no additional optical adjustment is necessary. The lenses are held in a type of lens holder that is an integral component of the housing of the semiconductor element.

Abstract: An optical module has a lens holder into which a lens array with three lenses and a diaphragm, for example, is inserted. The lenses and the diaphragm are oriented by way of the geometrical shape thereof such that no further optical adjustment is required. The circuit carrier and the lens unit are adjusted via at least one permanently flexible or springy element which is disposed between the lens holder and the circuit carrier and presses the component-equipped area of the circuit carrier away from the lens holder and against at least one stop element that is in positive contact with the lens unit. In the novel optical module or optical system it is no longer necessary to take into account the thickness tolerance of the circuit carrier and possible adhesives in the tolerance chain of optical modules. The module and the system are particularly suitable interior or exterior zone applications in motor vehicles.

Abstract: An optical module has a circuit carrier, a housed semiconductor element placed on the circuit carrier, and a lens unit for projecting electromagnetic radiation onto the semiconductor element. The lens unit, which is constructed separate from the cased semiconductor element, preferably comprises a lens assembly formed of, for example, three lenses and of a diaphragm. The three lenses, optionally together with the diaphragm, are aligned in a well-defined manner due to their geometric design so that no additional optical adjustment is necessary. According to the invention, a support is formed, at least in sections, on the case of the semiconductor element, and the lens unit is placed thereon thus being supported. The concept is that by forming a support directly on the case of a cased semiconductor element even with classically cased semiconductor chips, it is possible to construct a camera module with which every mechanical focus setting can be eliminated.

Abstract: An optical module has a lens holder into which a lens array formed of three lenses and a diaphragm, for example, is inserted. The lenses, and optionally the diaphragm, are clearly oriented by way of the geometrical shape thereof such that no further optical adjustment is required while the lens array is disposed in a supported manner directly on the sensitive surface of the semiconductor element. A camera module can be designed which dispenses with the need to mechanically adjust the focus in any manner by supporting especially the lens holder or the lens or the peripheral area thereof directly on the chip surface. The optical module is particularly suitable for applications in the interior or exterior zone of a motor vehicle.

Abstract: The aim of the invention is to obtain filter tows or filtering materials for manufacturing filters for smoking products which make it possible to prevent or at least reduce health risks due to the release of the filter components and external contamination of cigarettes by filter components. According to the invention, a filter element is manufactured of starch and/or a mixture of a starch-based polymer and eventually incorporated activated-carbon layers and provided with pores and/or channels. The filter particles eventually adherent to such filtering materials or released during cigarette smoking can be dissolved in a corresponding moisture-containing environment. They do not come into consideration for health-damaging effects.

Abstract: Disclosed is acetylated wood which has an acetyl group content of 3 to 30 percent by weight and can be produced by reacting wood products with isopropenyl acetate at temperatures of 50 to 125° C. in the present of 0.02 to 2 percent by weight of acid catalyst, the percentage being in relation to the used isopropenyl acetate. The reaction with isopropenyl acetate can take place in a liquid phase or gas phase. The acetylated wood produced according to said method is suitable for wood products requiring high dimensional stability and extended natural durability.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a machine and process for producing a tissue web. The machine includes a forming area including at least one rotating continuous dewatering wire with zonally varied wire permeability, and at least one shoe press. The process includes dewatering the tissue web with at least the at least one continuous dewatering wire with zonally varied wire permeability, and pressing the tissue web in the at least one shoe press.

Abstract: To optimize the results of rounding and therefore to optimize the high pressure resistance of the component, it is firstly proposed that prior to the machining step of hydro-erosive rounding, the edge (5) and the surfaces (4, 6) of the high pressure-resistant component (1) which adjoin the edge (5) are each placed under compressive stresses in the region of their surface by means of a grinding and/or honing process. Also with regard to the method, and with regard to an apparatus for the hydro-erosive rounding, it is proposed that a closure element (9) is inserted into the continuing first bore (2), downstream of the second bore (3), which branches off from the first bore, as seen in the main direction of flow (S) of the liquid (8) mixed with abrasives (7), in order to divert the liquid (8) mixed with abrasives (7) from the first bore (2) into the second bore (3).

Abstract: A method and machine for the manufacture of a fiber web, in particular of a tissue web or of a hygienic web, in which the fiber web is formed on a soft clothing with fine pores and the clothing is guided over a surface subject to suction and in which the fiber web is transferred from a soft clothing with fine pores directly onto a TAD wire of a TAD drying apparatus. An optimum quality of the respective final product is achieved with an energy effort which is as low as possible, in particular, the energy effort required with vacuum generation in the dewatering of the fiber web is reduced.

Abstract: A plurality of upper spool rails arranged over a reel-up device. Each elevated rail temporarily stores reeling spools that are successively loaded into a reeling station to wind a web and form finished reels of paper. The elevated spool rails include: a first pair of parallel upper spool rails extending over the reel-up device and adapted to support a plurality of a first type of reeling spools; and a second pair of parallel upper spool rails spaced above the first pair, and adapted to a plurality of a second type of reeling spools.

Abstract: Biodegradable polymer blends suitable for laminate coatings, wraps and other packaging materials are manufactured from a blend of suitable biodegradable polymers, such as at least one “hard” biopolymer and at least one “soft” biopolymer. “Hard” biopolymers tend to be more brittle and rigid and typically have a glass transition temperature greater than about 10° C. “Soft” biopolymers tend to be more flexible and pliable and typically have a glass transition temperature less than about 0° C. While hard and soft polymers each possess certain intrinsic benefits, certain blends of hard and soft polymers have been discovered which possess synergistic properties superior to those of either hard or soft polymers by themselves. Biodegradable polymers include polyesters, polyesteramides, polyesterurethanes, thermoplastic starch, and other natural polymers. The polymer blends may optionally include an inorganic filler. Films and sheets made from the polymer blends may be textured so as to increase the bulk hand feel.

Abstract: Water-absorbing, antimicrobial polymer particles comprising from about 1 to about 500 ppm, based on the particles, of a silver ion based on a silver salt, wherein the silver salt has a solubility product of at least about 1×10?8 (mol/l)m+n; at least about 10 wt. %, based on the polymer particle, of a water-absorbing polymer based on: (?1) from about 50 to about 99.99 wt. % polymerized, ethylenically unsaturated, acid groups-containing monomers or salts thereof, (?2) 0 to about 40 wt. % polymerized, mono-ethylenically unsaturated monomers polymerizable with ?1, (?3) from about 0.01 to about 5 wt. %, preferably from about 0.1 to about 3 wt. % of one or more crosslinkers, (?4) 0 to about 30 wt. % of a water soluble polymer and (?5) 0 to about 20 wt. % of auxiliaries, the concentration of the silver ion based on a silver salt in at most about 90 vol. % of the particles is less than about 0.01 ppm.

Abstract: In an apparatus for handling rolls of web material, a shaft bearing one or more fully wound rolls of web material thereon are supported from one end in a cantilever support. An external mandrel is aligned with a free end of the shaft. A roll-moving device is positioned to shift the rolls axially along the shaft away from the supported end of the shaft. The roll-moving device shifts the rolls of web material off the shaft and onto the aligned external mandrel, shaft or other support device. The weight of the roll of web material is borne by the shaft and external mandrel throughout the transfer. Once the shaft is removed, the rolls of web material can be handled during further processing from the core.

Abstract: The invention employs a fluid cushion between a shaft and cylindrical core to reduce friction between the core and shaft. Reduced friction at the shaft/core interface lowers the forces required to separate rolls of web material from the shaft. Lower separation forces should mean less damage to the wound web material and less wear and tear on the shaft and extraction equipment.