Abstract: A method for making a forming structure. The method comprises the steps of applying a coating of a liquid photosensitive resin to a foraminous element and juxtaposing thereto a first mask comprising both opaque and transparent regions. The photosensitive resin is exposed to light having an activating wavelength to induce partial curing of the photosensitive resin in those regions which are in register with the transparent regions of the first mask. After removal of uncured resin, the process is repeated with a second mask. After removal again of uncured resin, the foraminous element and partially cured resin is immersed in an oxygen-free environment and exposed to light having an activating wavelength to filly cure the partially cured resin to form an apertured forming structure having a plurality of protrusions thereon.

Abstract: A method for making a forming structure for use in an apparatus for making formed polymeric film. The method comprises a multiple step process of applying a photoresist polymer to a metal base sheet, curing the polymer, acid etching the portions of the metal base sheet not covered by cured polymer to form a protrusion having an upper surface and a side wall (or walls), washing the base sheet with caustic and repeating the process as necessary, each time covering the upper surface and side wall of the protrusion with cured polymer.

Abstract: A method for making a forming structure. The method comprises the steps of applying a coating of a liquid photosensitive resin to a foraminous element and juxtaposing thereto a first mask comprising both opaque and transparent regions. The photosensitive resin is exposed to light having an activating wavelength to induce partial curing of the photosensitive resin in those regions which are in register with the transparent regions of the first mask. After removal of uncured resin, the process is repeated with a second mask. After removal again of uncured resin, the foraminous element and partially cured resin is immersed in an oxygen-free environment and exposed to light having an activating wavelength to fully cure the partially cured resin to form an apertured forming structure having a plurality of protrusions thereon.

Abstract: A golf club head made of a ferrous metal and having a density in the range from about 5 to about 6.8 g/cm3 and from about 7.0 to about 7.4 g/cm3, and such heads made of a cast ferrous metal having a density in the range from about 5 to about 7.4 g/cm3. The entire golf club head may be made of such ferrous metal. Or, the ferrous metal is preferably a ductile iron or gray iron. The ferrous metal may be present as an insert in the ball hitting face of the club head, and the body of the club head may be a material different from the ferrous material. Or, the body of the club head may be made of the ferrous metal and the ball hitting face of the club head may be a different material.

Abstract: A polymeric web exhibiting a soft and silky tactile impression on at least one side thereof is disclosed. The silky feeling side of the web exhibits a pattern of discrete hair-like fibrils, each of the hair-like fibrils being a protruded extension of the web surface and having a side wall defining an open proximal portion and a closed distal portion. The hair-like fibrils exhibit a maximum lateral cross-sectional diameter of between 2 and 5 mils, and an aspect ratio from 1 to 3. Methods and apparatus for making the polymeric web utilize a three-dimensional forming structure having a plurality of protrusions being generally columnar forms having an average aspect ratio of at least about 1.

Abstract: A method for making a polymeric web exhibiting a soft and silky tactile impression on at least one side thereof. The method comprises the steps of providing a forming structure being moveable upon a forming drum and comprising a plurality of protrusions extending from the forming structure, the protrusions being generally columnar forms having an average aspect ratio of at least about 1. The forming structure is disposed adjacent a vacuum chamber and vacuum is applied at a sufficient level to induce a sufficient partial pressure to conform a precursor web to the forming structure, thereby forming the polymeric web. The precursor web can be cast directly onto the forming structure, or it can be re-heated by re-heat means to elevate its temperature sufficiently to permit vacuum formation.

Abstract: A polymeric web exhibiting a soft and silky tactile impression on at least one side thereof is disclosed. The silky feeling side of the web exhibits a pattern of discrete hair-like fibrils each of the hair-like fibrils being a protruded extension of the web surface and having a side wall defining an open proximal portion and a closed distal portion. The hair-like fibrils exhibit a maximum lateral cross-sectional diameter of between 2 and 5 mils, and an aspect ratio from 1 to 3. Methods and apparatus for making the polymeric web utilize a three-dimensional forming structure having a plurality of protrusions being generally columnar forms having an average aspect ratio of at least about 1.

Abstract: A method for making a forming structure. In one embodiment the method comprises the steps of (a) providing a base material having a thickness; (b) providing a laser source; (c) laser etching a plurality of spaced-apart apertures, each aperture extending through the entire thickness of the base material, such that the non-laser-etched portions of the base material define a continuous network; and (d) laser etching the continuous network to remove material in a pattern that defines a plurality of protrusions, each protrusion being generally columnar and pillar-like. The plurality of protrusions can be laser etched first, before laser etching the plurality of spaced-apart apertures. The base material can be cylindrical-shaped and the laser etching can be accomplished in a continuous process by rotating the cylindrical-shaped base material as a laser source is operatively translated while laser etching a path similar to “threads” of a screw.

Abstract: A polymeric web exhibiting a soft and silky tactile impression on at least one side thereof is disclosed. The silky feeling side of the web exhibits a pattern of discrete hair-like fibrils, each of the hair-like fibrils being a protruded extension of the web surface and having a side wall defining an open proximal portion and a closed distal portion. The hair-like fibrils exhibit a maximum lateral cross-sectional diameter of between 2 and 5 mils, and an aspect ratio from 1 to 3. Methods and apparatus for making the polymeric web utilize a three-dimensional forming structure having a plurality of protrusions being generally columnar forms having an average aspect ratio of at least about 1.

Abstract: A method for transacting exchanges of agricultural products involves observing the price of an agricultural product at observation points over a period of time. In one embodiment, a maximum price is specified. For each of the observation points, the maximum price is selected when the observed price is greater than the maximum price, and the observed price is selected when the observed price is less than the maximum price. A price is calculated for a quantity of the agricultural product based on the average of the selected prices and a premium. Individual contracts can be aggregated to reach more acceptable trading quantities and intervals, enabling participation of a derivative hedging products service provider and intermediate parties such as elevators and elevator services companies. Aggregation can be carried out manually or automatically, and configured to support anonymity of various parties in the transaction chain.

Abstract: A method for transacting transfers of commodities includes setting a first price for a first quantity of a commodity based on an average price observed during a period of time and either a premium or discount to the average price. A second price is set for a second quantity of a commodity based on a price determined at a future date. The second price does not exceed a maximum price in the event a premium applies to the first quantity, or a minimum price in the event a discount applies to the first quantity. The first quantity and the second quantity are delivered from a seller to a buyer, and the seller is paid a sum based on the first price, the premium or discount, as applicable, and the second price.

Abstract: A method for transacting transfers of commodities involves observing the price of a commodity at several observation points over a period of time. In one embodiment, a maximum price is specified. For each observation point, the maximum price is selected in the event the observed price is greater than the maximum price, or the observed price is selected in the event the observed price is less than the maximum price. The price for a quantity of the commodity then is calculated based on the average of the selected prices and a premium. Individual contracts can be aggregated to reach more acceptable trading quantities and intervals, enabling participation of a derivative hedging products service provider and intermediate parties such as resellers and reseller services companies. Aggregation can be carried out manually or automatically, and configured to support anonymity of various parties in the transaction chain.

Abstract: A method for transacting exchanges of agricultural products, such as crop output, livestock, and animal produce, includes setting a first price for a first quantity of agricultural product based on an average price observed during a period of time and either a premium or discount to the average price. A second price is set for a second quantity of an agricultural product based on a price determined at a future date. The second price does not exceed a maximum price in the event a premium applies to the first quantity, or a minimum price in the event a discount applies to the first quantity. The first quantity and the second quantity are delivered from a seller to a buyer, and the seller is paid a sum based on the first price, the premium or discount, as applicable, and the second price.

Abstract: Disclosed are fast blooming surfactants that are suitable for inclusion in film compositions that will subsequently treated with a low surface energy material to create a surface energy gradient between the underlying polymeric structure of the film and spaced apart microscopic depositions of the low surface energy material. The surfactants have a permeation rate of less than 240 hours, a surface tension in an aqueous solution at a concentration that is greater than the critical micelle concentration that lies between the critical surface tension of the underlying polymeric structure of the web material and the critical surface tension of the low surface energy depositions; and an HLB between about 6 and about 16. Preferred surfactants also have a weight loss on heating to 250° C. that is less than about 20%. More preferred surfactants have a hydrophobic chain that is substantially saturated.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a HIPE-derived heterogeneous polymeric foam structure of interconnected open-cells, wherein the foam structure has at least two distinct regions. Such heterogeneous foams have various applications, such as energy and fluid absorption, insulation, and filtration.The invention further relates to a heterogeneous absorbent polymeric foam that, upon contact with aqueous fluids (in particular body fluids such as urine and blood), can acquire, distribute, and store these fluids.The foams of the invention have at least two distinct regions having different density, polymer composition, surface properties, and/or microcellular morphology.The invention further relates to a process for obtaining the heterogeneous foams by polymerizing a high internal phase water-in-oil emulsion, or HIPE. In one aspect, the process utilizes at least two distinct HIPEs, with each emulsion having a relatively small amount of an oil phase and a relatively greater amount of a water phase.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a HIPE-derived heterogeneous polymeric foam structure of interconnected open-cells, wherein the foam structure has at least two distinct regions. Such heterogeneous foams have various applications, such as energy and fluid absorption, insulation, and filtration.The invention further relates to a heterogeneous absorbent polymeric foam that, upon contact with aqueous fluids (in particular body fluids such as urine and blood), can acquire, distribute, and store these fluids.The foams of the invention have at least two distinct regions having different density, polymer composition, surface properties, and/or microcellular morphology.The invention further relates to a process for obtaining the heterogeneous foams by polymerizing a high internal phase water-in-oil emulsion, or HIPE. In one aspect, the process utilizes at least two distinct HIPEs, with each emulsion having a relatively small amount of an oil phase and a relatively greater amount of a water phase.

Abstract: Absorbent foams materials that are capable of acquiring and distributing aqueous fluids, especially discharged body fluids such as urine. These absorbent foams combine relatively high capillary absorption pressures and capacity-per-weight properties that allow them to acquire fluid, with or without the aid of gravity. These absorbent foams also give up this fluid efficiently to higher absorption pressure storage materials, including foam-based absorbent fluid storage components, without collapsing. These absorbent foams are made by polymerizing high internal phase emulsions (HIPEs).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a HIPE-derived heterogeneous polymeric foam structure of interconnected open-cells, wherein the foam structure has at least two distinct regions. Such heterogeneous foams have various applications, such as energy and fluid absorption, insulation, and filtration.The invention further relates to a heterogeneous absorbent polymeric foam that, upon contact with aqueous fluids (in particular body fluids such as urine and blood), can acquire, distribute, and store these fluids.The foams of the invention have at least two distinct regions having different density, polymer composition, surface properties, and/or microcellular morphology.The invention further relates to a process for obtaining the heterogeneous foams by polymerizing a high internal phase water-in-oil emulsion, or HIPE. In one aspect, the process utilizes at least two distinct HIPEs, with each emulsion having a relatively small amount of an oil phase and a relatively greater amount of a water phase.

Abstract: A correlated set of iron-type golf club heads, wherein each head in the set employs the same sized vibration damping plaque. Each club head includes a substantially planar blade element having a front striking face for impacting a golf ball, and a rear surface opposite the front striking face. A perimeter weighting element is formed integrally with at least a portion of the outer perimeter of the rear surface and extends substantially rearwardly from the rear surface. The remainder of the rear surface not covered by the perimeter weighting element defines the bottom of an open cavity which is substantially surrounded by an inner peripheral surface of the perimeter weighting element. The area and shape of the remainder of the rear surface that defines the bottom of the open cavity are substantially identical in each club head of the correlated set, thus making it possible to use the same sized and shaped vibration damping plaque in each club head.

Abstract: Absorbent foams materials that are capable of acquiring and distributing aqueous fluids, especially discharged body fluids such as urine. These absorbent foams combine relatively high capillary absorption pressures and capacity-per-weight properties that allow them to acquire fluid, with or without the aid of gravity. These absorbent foams also give up this fluid efficiently to higher absorption pressure storage materials, including foam-based absorbent fluid storage components, without collapsing. These absorbent foams are made by polymerizing high internal phase emulsions (HIPEs).