Abstract: A flexible composite with integral flights is provided and methods for making the same. The composite is made from, for example, silicone rubber, urethane rubber, polytetrafluoroethylene or other polymer. The composites are useful for making conveyor belts for use in high temperature food processing, and particularly for contact toasters. The conveyor belts are an improvement over the prior art in that they prevent slippage of the articles conveyed, may be manufactured at low cost, and are relatively easy to clean.

Abstract: A flexible composite with integral flights is provided and methods for making the same. The composite is made from, for example, silicone rubber, urethane rubber, polytetrafluoroethylene or other polymer. The composites are useful for making conveyor belts for use in high temperature food processing, and particularly for contact toasters. The conveyor belts are an improvement over the prior art in that they prevent slippage of the articles conveyed, may be manufactured at low cost, and are relatively easy to clean.

Abstract: A method is provided for forming a contact toaster having a flexible belt. The method includes forming a flexible belt by applying at least one of a silicone rubber, a urethane rubber, and a fluoropolymer to a fabric reinforcement material having a first face and a second face, and forming ribs on the first face of the fabric reinforcement material. The ribs are formed from at least one of a silicone rubber, urethane rubber, and fluoropolymer. The flexible belt is attached to the contact toaster such that the ribs on the first face are configured to impart lateral force to objects to be toasted that are carried by the flexible belt. The flexible belt is attached such that it passes through a heating zone of the contact toaster.

Abstract: A flexible composite with integral flights is provided and methods for making the same. The composite is made from, for example, silicone rubber, urethane rubber, polytetrafluoroethylene or other polymer. The composites are useful for making conveyor belts for use in high temperature food processing, and particularly for contact toasters. The conveyor belts are an improvement over the prior art in that they prevent slippage of the articles conveyed, may be manufactured at low cost, and are relatively easy to clean.

Abstract: A method is provided for forming a contact toaster having a flexible belt. The method includes forming a flexible belt by applying at least one of a silicone rubber, a urethane rubber, and a fluoropolymer to a fabric reinforcement material having a first face and a second face, and forming ribs on the first face of the fabric reinforcement material. The ribs are formed from at least one of a silicone rubber, urethane rubber, and fluoropolymer. The flexible belt is attached to the contact toaster such that the ribs on the first face are configured to impart lateral force to objects to be toasted that are carried by the flexible belt. The flexible belt is attached such that it passes through a heating zone of the contact toaster.

Abstract: A flexible composite with integral flights is provided and methods for making the same. The composite is made from, for example, silicone rubber, urethane rubber, polytetrafluoroethylene or other polymer. The composites are useful for making articles of manufacture, in particular, conveyor belts for use in high temperature food processing. The conveyor belts are an improvement over the prior art in that they prevent slippage of the articles conveyed, may be manufactured at low cost and are easy to clean.

Abstract: A flexible composite with integral flights is provided and methods for making the same. The composite is made from, for example, silicone rubber, urethane rubber, polytetrafluoroethylene or other polymer. The composites are useful for making conveyor belts for use in high temperature food processing, and particularly for contact toasters. The conveyor belts are an improvement over the prior art in that they prevent slippage of the articles conveyed, may be manufactured at low cost, and are relatively easy to clean.

Abstract: A flexible composite with integral flights is provided and methods for making the same. The composite is made from, for example, silicone rubber, urethane rubber, polytetrafluoroethylene or other polymer. The composites are useful for making articles of manufacture, in particular, conveyor belts for use in high temperature food processing. The conveyor belts are an improvement over the prior art in that they prevent slippage of the articles conveyed, may be manufactured at low cost and are easy to clean.

Abstract: A fluid diffuser and a method for diffusing fluid are provided. In one preferred embodiment, the diffuser comprises a frame adapted to be connected to the end of fluid supply duct. Mounted within the frame is a pore-containing web. The web redirects fluid passing through the pores by changing the direction of the fluid upon exiting the web. Prescribed portions of the web can be blocked to expel fluid preferentially in one direction and expel fluid less in other directions. Other means for controlling the direction and flow of fluid upon exiting the web are provided, including changing the angle of fluid supply to the web, and placing a vane at the entrance to the web.

Abstract: A blended solid composition is provided containing a fibrillatable microparticulate PTFE polymer in an unfibrillated state and at least one elastomeric and/or fluoroplastic component. The composition is useful in making microfiber-reinforced solid compositions and articles produced therefrom.

Abstract: A blended solid composition is provided containing a fibrillatable microparticulate PTFE polymer in an unfibrillated state and at least one elastomeric and/or fluoroplastic component. The composition is useful in making microfiber-reinforced solid compositions and articles produced therefrom.

Abstract: A blended solid composition is provided containing a fibrillatable microparticulate PTFE polymer in an unfibrillated state and at least one elastomeric and/or fluoroplastic component. The composition is useful in making microfiber-reinforced solid compositions and articles produced therefrom.

Abstract: A composite of thermally non-adherent fluoropolymeric and non-fluoropolymeric components is created through the agency of a non-woven, fibrous binder interposed between and portionally embedded into both components. The fibers of the non-woven binder have a substantial portion of their length extending into both components and cross the interface at an angle that is substantially normal to the plane of embedment. The composite possesses good peel-adhesion behavior between the otherwise thermally non-adherent components.

Abstract: A composite of thermally non-adherent fluoropolymeric and non-fluoropolymeric components is created through the agency of a non-woven, fibrous binder interposed between and portionally embedded into both components. The fibers of the non-woven binder have a substantial portion of their length extending into both components and cross the interface at an angle that is substantially normal to the plane of embedment. The composite possesses good peel strengths of greater than 5 pounds/linear inch between the otherwise thermally non-adherent components.

Abstract: A flexible, reinforced textile composite material for constructing tensioned fabric structures, e.g. for sheltering from the outdoor environment, is disclosed. The material has a hydrophobic protective film element laminated to the textile composite material to provide enhanced hydrophobicity. In a preferred embodiment, of the invention, one or a mixture of colorants, dyestuffs or biological agents are incorporated into the hydrophobic protective film layer. The textile composite material has particular application as a tensioned architectural element for forming a dome, roof or the like, or as an electromagnetic window or a radome.

Abstract: A multi-layer film of improved adhesive strength and other properties is made by combining a layer of polyimide and one or more layers of fluoropolymer selected from the group consisting of PTFE, thermally compatible TFE copolymers, blends thereof, PVF.sub.2, thermally compatible VF.sub.2 copolymers, blends thereof, PCTFE, thermally compatible CTFE copolymers, and blends thereof. It has been found that the peel adhesion between the polyimide layer and any fluoropolymer layer is greatly improved over known products. Laminated composites of improved adhesion and cohesion are made using such a multi-layer film and at least one fluoropolymer film. The fluoropolymer film is thermally weldable to the polyimide film.

Abstract: A novel composite comprises a substrate having a coating matrix including an initial layer of a perfluoropolymer and an overcoat comprising a fluoroelastomer, a fluoroplastic, a fluoroelastomer/fluoroplastic blend, or a combination thereof. The perfluoropolymer in the initial layer may be a perfluoroplastic, a perfluoroelastomer, or blends thereof. In a separate embodiment, the novel composite includes a substrate coated solely with one or more layers of perfluoroelastomer alone or as a blend with a perfluoroplastic. Where the substrate is not susceptible to hydrogen fluoride corrosion, the composite may include solely one or more layers of a blend of a fluoroelastomer and a hydrogen-containing perfluoroplastic. Cross-linking accelerators may be used to cross-link one or more of the resins contained in the coating layers. Each composite may be top-coated with a layer or layers of a fluoroplastic, fluoroelastomer, and/or a blend thereof.

Abstract: A fluoroplastic resin dispersion is modified by the addition of a fluoroelastomer latex to yield a fluid coating or casting composition for forming films. The fluoroplastic resin dispersion, preferably an aqueous dispersion of a perfluoroplastic, such as polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), is modified by blending with a fluoroelastomer composition, preferably a latex, such that the fluoroplastic comprises up to about 95%, preferably up to about 90%, by weight of the invention composition. The fluoroelastomer component comprises at least about 5% by weight of the blend. The fluid composition and film according to the invention may preferably comprise from about 10-95% by weight fluoroplastic and from about 5-90% fluoroelastomer.

Abstract: Dispersion polymerized PTFE itself, if provided in an unfused state, is sufficiently capable of acting as a pressure sensitive adhesive to facilitate the formation of an initial mechanical bond between components of a laminate such that it may be subsequently heat treated in a relatively short period of time to produce a well-bonded final laminate.

Abstract: A multi-layer film of improved adhesive strength and other properties is made by combining a layer of polyimide and one or more layers of fluoropolymer selected from the group consisting of PTFE, thermally compatible TFE copolymers, blends thereof, PVF.sub.2, thermally compatible VF.sub.2 copolymers, blends thereof, PCTFE, thermally compatible CTFE copolymers, and blends thereof. It has been found that the peel adhesion between the polyimide layer and any fluoropolymer layer is greatly improved over known products. Laminated composites of improved adhesion and cohesion are made using such a multi-layer film and at least one fluoropolymer film. The fluoropolymer film is thermally weldable to the polyimide film.