Abstract: A vacuum molding roll sleeve (100, 700, 800)comprises a body (119, 818, 819) comprising a mold wall portion (120, 820) disposed between a molding surface (110, 1210, 710, 810) and at least one vacuum surface (130, 830). The molding surface (110, 1210, 710, 810) has shaped depressed features and has first openings (112, 812) disposed therein at first predetermined positions (134). Each first opening (112, 812) is spaced apart from the at least one vacuum surface (130, 830) by a respective minimum thickness (135, 835). The at least one vacuum surface (130, 830) has second openings (132, 832) disposed therein at second predetermined positions (134). The first openings (112, 812) are fluidly connected to the second openings (132, 832) by conduits (140, 840) wherein, on a respective basis, at least some of the conduits (140, 840) are longer than the minimum thickness (135, 835) between the first openings (112, 812) and the vacuum surface (130, 830).

Abstract: Various embodiments of a respirator that includes a harness, a mask body, and an exhalation valve are disclosed. The exhalation valve can include a valve seat and a flexible flap that is in engagement with the valve seat. The flexible flap can have one or more materials that can cause the flap to flash when moving from a closed position to an open position or vice versa. The flashing valve can make it easier for a user to ascertain whether the valve is operating properly.

Abstract: Provided is an acoustic article and related methods of manufacture and use. The acoustic article includes a continuous layer having a first elastic stiffness, and a plurality of distributed masses disposed on a major surface of the continuous layer having a second elastic stiffness. The second elastic stiffness can be less than the first elastic stiffness to provide an acoustic metamaterial displaying an anti-resonance peak at a frequency below 800 Hz. The acoustic article can be made using efficient and scalable processes for manufacturing low frequency acoustic barrier materials.

Abstract: Various embodiments of a respirator that includes a harness, a mask body, and an exhalation valve are disclosed. The exhalation valve can include a valve seat and a flexible flap that is in engagement with the valve seat. The flexible flap can have one or more materials that can cause the flap to flash when moving from a closed position to an open position or vice versa. The flashing valve can make it easier for a user to ascertain whether the valve is operating properly.

Abstract: Cushioning articles or structures are provided including a cell layer with an array of cells interconnected with each other. Each of the cells includes at least three cell walls extending between the first and second major surfaces thereof. The cell walls are shared by the adjacent cells, and the cell layer further includes a land region located at the second major surface and connecting the at least three cell walls. A base layer is attached to the second major surface of the cell layer to form a sheet.

Abstract: Cushioning articles or structures are provided including a cell layer with an array of cells interconnected with each other. Each of the cells includes at least three cell walls extending between the first and second major surfaces thereof. The cell walls are shared by the adjacent cells, and the cell layer further includes a land region located at the second major surface and connecting the at least three cell walls. A base layer is attached to the second major surface of the cell layer to form a sheet.

Abstract: A method of making an article is provided, including placing at least a portion of a panel in an injection molding die and overmolding at least one molded structure on a surface of the panel in the injection molding die, wherein the molded structure includes a foam composition. An article is also provided including a material-to-material connection between the surface of a panel and a molded structure. The panel includes first and second layers and a core disposed there between, wherein the core has a plurality of walls providing a series of connected cells. Some of the cell walls have openings providing fluid communication between a series of at least 3 cells, and the opening in a cell wall has an area that is at least 50 percent of the area of a side of that cell wall. Articles such as panels, walls, or other parts with curved surfaces can be formed according to certain exemplary embodiments. The articles are useful for absorbing sound in a designed frequency range.

Abstract: The present invention is a process for converting a multilayer film to a plurality of nano-ribbons. The process includes co-extruding a first film and a second film to form the multilayer film, slitting the multilayer film to form a plurality of multilayer ribbons, and separating the multilayer ribbons to form a plurality of nano-ribbons having substantially flat cross-sections.

Abstract: The present invention is a process for converting a multilayer filament to a plurality of nano-ribbons. The process includes co-extruding a first layer and a second layer to form the multilayer filament, and separating the multilayer filaments to form a plurality of nano-ribbons having substantially flat cross-sections.

Abstract: Various embodiments of a respirator that includes a harness, a mask body, and an exhalation valve are disclosed. The exhalation valve can include a valve seat and a flexible flap that is in engagement with the valve seat. The flexible flap can have one or more materials that can cause the flap to flash when moving from a closed position to an open position or vice versa. The flashing valve can make it easier for a user to ascertain whether the valve is operating properly.

Abstract: A viscoelastic wound closure dressing. The dressing can include a viscoelastic backing having a first major surface configured to face skin when in use, a first end, a second end, and a middle section located between the first end and the second end. The wound closure dressing can further include a skin-contact adhesive on the first major surface of the viscoelastic backing adjacent the first end and the second end. A majority of the first major surface of the middle section can be free of the skin-contact adhesive. The viscoelastic backing can recover, at room temperature: (i) no more than 40% of its deformation after 10 seconds, after being strained to 50% elongation for 30 minutes, and (ii) at least 70% of its deformation after 48 hours, after being strained to 50% elongation for 30 minutes.

Abstract: Various embodiments of a respirator (10) that includes a harness (13, 16), a mask body (12), and an exhalation valve (14) are disclosed. The exhalation valve (14) can include a valve seat (20) and a flexible flap (22) that is in engagement with the valve seat. The flexible flap can have one or more materials that can cause the flap to flash (26) when moving from a closed position to an open position or vice versa. The flashing valve can make it easier for a user to ascertain whether the valve is operating properly.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a process of manufacturing a multicellular structure comprising interconnected cells, wherein the process comprises: a) providing a polymerizable precursor of a polymeric material, wherein the polymerizable precursor comprises a reactive monomer mixture; b) providing a mold comprising precursor structures of the multicellular structure; c) optionally, heating at least one the reactive monomer mixture or the mold; d) incorporating the reactive monomer mixture into the precursor structures of the multicellular structure thereby substantially filling up the precursor structures of the mold, wherein the reactive monomer mixture has a viscosity of no greater than 10,000 mPa-s when incorporated into the precursor structures of the multicellular structure and when measured according to the viscosity test method defined in the experimental section; e) polymerizing the polymerizable precursor of the polymeric material into the precursor structures of the mold; and f) demolding the mul

Abstract: Laterally-coalesced foam slabs and methods and apparatus, including foaming dies, for making and using such foam slabs.

Abstract: A shim stack foaming die for making foam slabs comprises a plurality of shims that are layered together under pressure to form a shim stack, wherein the shims combine to collectively define a plurality of die orifices in a working face, to define a main body of the shim stack foaming die, and also to define a plurality of die cavity that is fluidly connected to the plurality of die orifices. And articles foamed from the shim stack foaming die have found wide use in various applications, thermal or acoustic insulation, reinforcing layers and/or space-filling layers, and so on.

Abstract: Panels comprising first and second layers and a core disposed there between, wherein the core has a plurality of walls providing a series of connected cells, wherein some of the cell walls have openings providing fluid communication between a series of at least 3 cells, and wherein the opening in a cell wall has an area that is at least 50 percent of the area of a side of that cell wall. Exemplary embodiments of panels described herein can be formed articles such as panels, walls, or other parts with curved surfaces. In one exemplary method, panels are shaped via thermoforming. In another exemplary method, panels are shaped via insert molding to provide the article. In another exemplary method, panels are shaped via compression molding to provide the article. The panels are useful for absorbing sound in a designed frequency range.

Abstract: Cushioning articles or structures are provided including a cell layer with an array of cells interconnected with each other. Each of the cells includes at least three cell walls extending between the first and second major surfaces thereof. The cell walls are shared by the adjacent cells, and the cell layer further includes a land region located at the second major surface and connecting the at least three cell walls. A base layer is attached to the second major surface of the cell layer to form a sheet.

Abstract: A viscoelastic wound closure dressing. The dressing can include a viscoelastic backing having a first major surface configured to face skin when in use, a first end, a second end, and a middle section located between the first end and the second end. The wound closure dressing can further include a skin-contact adhesive on the first major surface of the viscoelastic backing adjacent the first end and the second end. A majority of the first major surface of the middle section can be free of the skin-contact adhesive. The viscoelastic backing can recover, at room temperature: (i) no more than 40% of its deformation after 10 seconds, after being strained to 50% elongation for 30 minutes, and (ii) at least 70% of its deformation after 48 hours, after being strained to 50% elongation for 30 minutes.

Abstract: Foam slabs and methods and apparatus, including foaming dies, for making and using foam slabs.

Abstract: A shim stack foaming die for making foam slabs comprises a plurality of shims that are layered together under pressure to form a shim stack, wherein the shims combine to collectively define a plurality of die orifices in a working face, to define a main body of the shim stack foaming die, and also to define a plurality of die cavity that is fluidly connected to the plurality of die orifices. And articles foamed from the shim stack foaming die have found wide use in various applications, thermal or acoustic insulation, reinforcing layers and/or space-filling layers, and so on.