Abstract: A composite flexible fabric is employed as a covering for an opening of a building, such as a window or door. The composite fabric protects the opening from hurricane force winds and associated flying objects. The composite fabric is formed from at least one layer of a fabric comprised of high tenacity polyolefin fibers and at least one layer of a plastic film. The film is attached to at least one surface of the high tenacity polyolefin fiber fabric. Each of the fabric layer and the film layer are sufficient translucent so as to permit light to enter the opening of the building. The fabric layer provides protection against high wind and impact from projectiles, and the film layer provides an impervious barrier to water, such as wind driven rain. An adhesive layer may be used to enhance bonding between the fabric layer and the film layer.

Abstract: A composite flexible fabric is employed as a covering for an opening of a building, such as a window or door. The composite fabric protects the opening from hurricane force winds and associated flying objects. The composite fabric is formed from at least one layer of a fabric comprised of high tenacity fibers and at least one ultraviolet radiation resistant layer which is attached to the high tenacity fiber fabric. The UV resistant layer limits transmission of both UVA and UVB rays preferably to less than about 10% of the radiation incident upon such layer. Preferably, the UV resistant layer is a woven fabric, and the layer of high tenacity fibers is a woven fabric of extended chain polyethylene fibers. An adhesive layer may be used to enhance bonding between the fabric layer and the UV resistant layer.

Abstract: A method of making colored monofilament ultrahigh molecular weight polyolefin fishing line, comprising the steps of feeding a substantially untwisted multifilament ultrahigh molecular weight polyolefin yarn; coating the substantially untwisted multifilament yarn with a colorant; twisting the coated multifilament yarn; and heating the twisted multifilament yarn to a temperature and for a time sufficient to at least partially fuse adjacent filaments together while stretching the yarn. The resultant product is a colored monofilament fishing line that has improved color-fastness and abrasion resistance.

Abstract: A method of making colored multifilament ultrahigh molecular weight polyolefin yarn, including feeding at least one substantially untwisted multifilament ultrahigh molecular weight polyolefin yarn, coating the substantially untwisted multifilament yarn with a coating composition comprising colorant in a thermoplastic resin carrier, with the coating composition being adhered to the filaments of the multifilament yarn, and heating the multifilament yarn while stretching the yarn without fusing of the filaments of the multifilament yarn. The resultant yarn is a colored multifilament yarn having improved color-fastness. The thermoplastic resin has a lower melting point than the filaments of the multifilament yarn. Preferably, a plurality of the substantially untwisted multifilament ultrahigh molecular weight polyolefin yarns are processed together.

Abstract: A composite flexible fabric is employed as a covering for an opening of a building, such as a window or door. The composite fabric protects the opening from hurricane force winds and associated flying objects. The composite fabric is formed from at least one layer of a fabric comprised of high tenacity fibers and at least one ultraviolet radiation resistant layer which is attached to the high tenacity fiber fabric. The UV resistant layer limits transmission of both UVA and UVB rays preferably to less than about 10% of the radiation incident upon such layer. Preferably, the UV resistant layer is a woven fabric, and the layer of high tenacity fibers is a woven fabric of extended chain polyethylene fibers. An adhesive layer may be used to enhance bonding between the fabric layer and the UV resistant layer.

Abstract: An abrasion-resistant skirt material for use with air cushion vehicles having at least one air chamber. The sheet material comprises a fabric base comprising yarns of an ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene. A bonding layer, comprising a thermoplastic material is bonded to the fabric base, and an outer layer, comprising a rubber compound is bonded to the bonding layer.

Abstract: Hybrid fiber constructions having reduced creep tendency. More particularly, twisted, low creep yarns formed by twisting together one or more high strength polyolefin fibers and one or more low creep reinforcing fibers.

Abstract: A composite flexible fabric is employed as a covering for an opening of a building, such as a window or door. The composite fabric protects the opening from hurricane force winds and associated flying objects. The composite fabric is formed from at least one layer of a fabric comprised of high tenacity polyolefin fibers and at least one layer of a plastic film. The film is attached to at least one surface of the high tenacity polyolefin fiber fabric. Each of the fabric layer and the film layer are sufficient translucent so as to permit light to enter the opening of the building. The fabric layer provides protection against high wind and impact from projectiles, and the film layer provides an impervious barrier to water, such as wind driven rain. An adhesive layer may be used to enhance bonding between the fabric layer and the film layer.

Abstract: Tubular structures formed of helically wound layers of a composite fabric structure. The fabric structure has an inwardly facing layer in the form of a fabric base. The fabric base comprises a network of high tenacity fibers. The composite fabric structure also includes an outwardly facing layer formed of rubber. The inwardly facing layer and the outwardly facing layer are bonded together, preferably through the use of a bonding layer. The tubular structure may be used as a stand along product, as an antichafing cover for a rope, as a liner for a pipe, or the like.

Abstract: This invention provides security articles comprising fibers, threads and fiber sections (“dots”) possessing multiple verification characteristics. The fibers possess unique and difficulty duplicated combinations of complex cross-sections, components, and multiple luminescent responses. The many verifiable characteristics of the security fibers, threads and dots provide high levels of protection against fraudulent duplication of articles in which they are incorporated. The manifold security features provide means of tailoring specific identity characteristics for specific use and users.

Abstract: Flexible body armor formed from flexible composites which have improved knife-stab resistance. The body armor is formed from composites which include layers of a fabric base, formed from high tenacity fibers, and a rubber layer bonded to the fabric base. A thermoplastic bonding layer may be used to bond the fabric and rubber layers together. To provide ballistic resistance, the body armor may also include a ballistic resistant composite of a network of high tenacity fibers.

Abstract: A polymer-based reinforced rubber composition may be produced that comprises a) a plurality of polymer-based fibers, wherein at least some of the plurality of polymer-based fibers comprises at least one surface modification agent; and b) a rubber compound, wherein the rubber compound comprises a plurality of active rubber moieties, and wherein at least some of the plurality of active rubber moieties is adhesively interactive with the surface modification agent.

Abstract: This invention provides security articles comprising fibers, threads and fiber sections (“dots”) possessing multiple verification characteristics. The fibers possess unique and difficulty duplicated combinations of complex cross-sections, components, and multiple luminescent responses. The many verifiable characteristics of the security fibers, threads and dots provide high levels of protection against fraudulent duplication of articles in which they are incorporated. The manifold security features provide means of tailoring specific identity characteristics for specific use and users.

Abstract: An adhesion promoter comprises a polymeric strand with an epoxy-reactive group other than a phenolic hydroxyl group, and a crosslinking group that crosslinks the polymeric strand with a rubber in a crosslinking reaction, wherein the polymeric strand is water soluble in an amount of at least 10 g/l, and more preferably at least 100 g/l. Particularly contemplated adhesion promoters may further comprise styrene-butadiene-vinylpyridine copolymer, and may advantageously be employed as a replacement for resorcinol-formaldehyde latex in the fabrication of a rubber containing tire. Especially contemplated rubber compositions may additionally comprise maleinized polybutadiene to synergistically improve adhesion of the rubber to a polymeric fiber coupled via contemplated adhesion promoters.

Abstract: Ballistically resistant and fire resistant composite articles for aircraft interiors and other applications. Composite articles are provided having a flexural modulus of at least about 80,000 lbs/sq. in (552 MPa), a flexural strength at yield of at least about 800 lbs/sq. in. (5.52 MPa), an areal density of about 0.9 lb/ft2 (4.40 kg/m2) to about 1.5 lb/ft2 (5.86 kg/m2), a fire resistance meeting the requirements of §25.853 Title 14 of the United States Code, Jan. 1, 2002, and a V0 velocity of at least about 1430 ft/sec (427 m/s) when tested by United States Federal Aviation Administration Advisory Circular 25.795.2, 10 Jan. 2002, using .44 Magnum Jacketed Hollow Point (JHP) bullets of 240 grains (15.6 g) mass and using 9 mm Full Metal Jacketed, Round Nose (FMJ RN) bullets of 124 grains (8.0 g) mass.

Abstract: An adhesion promoter comprises a polymeric strand with an epoxy-reactive group other than a phenolic hydroxyl group, and a crosslinking group that crosslinks the polymeric strand with a rubber in a crosslinking reaction, wherein the polymeric strand is water soluble in an amount of at least 10 g/l, and more preferably at least 100 g/l. Particularly contemplated adhesion promoters may further comprise styrene-butadiene-vinylpyridine copolymer, and may advantageously be employed as a replacement for resorcinol-formaldehyde latex in the fabrication of a rubber containing tire. Especially contemplated rubber compositions may additionally comprise maleinized polybutadiene to synergistically improve adhesion of the rubber to a polymeric fiber coupled via contemplated adhesion promoters.

Abstract: This invention provides security articles comprising fibers, threads and fiber sections (“dots”) possessing multiple verification characteristics. The fibers possess unique and difficulty duplicated combinations of complex cross-sections, components, and multiple luminescent responses. The many verifiable characteristics of the security fibers, threads and dots provide high levels of protection against fraudulent duplication of articles in which they are incorporated. The manifold security features provide means of tailoring specific identity characteristics for specific use and users.

Abstract: An adhesion promoter comprises a polymeric strand with an epoxy-reactive group other than a phenolic hydroxyl group, and a crosslinking group that crosslinks the polymeric strand with a rubber in a crosslinking reaction, wherein the polymeric strand is water soluble in an amount of at least 10 g/l, and more preferably at least 100 g/l. Particularly contemplated adhesion promoters may further comprise styrene-butadiene-vinylpyridine copolymer, and may advantageously be employed as a replacement for resorcinol-formaldehyde latex in the fabrication of a rubber containing tire. Especially contemplated rubber compositions may additionally comprise maleinized polybutadiene to synergistically improve adhesion of the rubber to a polymeric fiber coupled via contemplated adhesion promoters.

Abstract: Ballistically resistant and fire resistant composite articles for aircraft interiors and other applications. Composite articles are provided having a flexural modulus of at least about 80,000 lbs/sq in (552 MPa), a flexural strength at yield of at least about 800 lbs/sq. in. (5.52 MPa), an areal density of about 0.9 lb/ft2 (4.40 kg/m2) to about 1.5 lb/ft2 (5.86 kg/m2), a fire resistance meeting the requirements of §25.853 Title 14 of the United States Code, Jan. 1, 2002, and a V0 velocity of at least about 1430 ft/sec (427 m/s) when tested by United States Federal Aviation Administration Advisory Circular 25.795.2, Jan. 10, 2002, using .44 Magnum Jacketed Hollow Point (JHP) bullets of 240 grains (15.6 g) mass and using 9 mm Full Metal Jacketed, Round Nose (FMJ RN) bullets of 124 grains (8.0 g) mass.

Abstract: A polymer-based reinforced rubber composition may be produced that comprises a) a plurality of polymer-based fibers, wherein at least some of the plurality of polymer-based fibers comprises at least one surface modification agent; and b) a rubber compound, wherein the rubber compound comprises a plurality of active rubber moieties, and wherein at least some of the plurality of active rubber moieties is adhesively interactive with the surface modification agent.