Abstract: A footwear closure system includes an article of footwear, such as a boot, having an upper portion, a lower portion, and a mid-portion that is positioned between the upper portion and the lower portion. The footwear closure system also includes a plurality of reel based closure devices that are coupled with the footwear. The plurality of reel based closure devices are configured to effect closure or tightening of the upper portion, the lower portion, and the mid-portion of the footwear. Each reel based closure device is independently operable and each reel based closure device effects closure or tightening of one of the upper portion, the lower portion, the mid-portion, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: Process for producing a fibre-reinforced polymer composition comprising the following steps: a) providing a polymer composition, b) melting the polymer composition in a compounding device, c) feeding a non-woven fabric into the compounding device in the presence of the molten polymer composition, and d) withdrawing the fibre-reinforced polymer composition from the compounding device. Furthermore, the product obtained by the process and the use of a non-woven fabric in an extruder to reinforce a polymer with fibres are disclosed.

Abstract: Process for producing a fibre-reinforced polymer composition comprising the following steps: a) providing a polymer composition, b) melting the polymer composition in a compounding device, c) feeding a non-woven fabric into the compounding device in the presence of the molten polymer composition, and d) withdrawing the fibre-reinforced polymer composition from the compounding device. Furthermore, the product obtained by the process and the use of a non-woven fabric in an extruder to reinforce a polymer with fibres are disclosed.

Abstract: A friction lining for use in the clutch plate of a friction clutch or a multiple wrap brake band for use in an automatic transmission is obtained by adhesively securing one side of a friction generating second layer to one side of a metallic first layer. The necessary incisions in the form of cuts, slots or slits are made from the exposed side of the second layer in a direction toward the exposed side of the first layer by resorting to one or more high-energy streams, such as laser beams, electron beams or liquid jets. Each incision can be made in one or more stages by a single stream or by a series of successively applied streams.

Abstract: A friction lining for use in the clutch plate of a friction clutch or a multiple wrap brake band for use in an automatic transmission is obtained by adhesively securing one side of a friction generating second layer to one side of a metallic first layer. The necessary incisions in the form of cuts, slots or slits are made from the exposed side of the second layer in a direction toward the exposed side of the first layer by resorting to one or more high-energy streams, such as laser beams, electron beams or liquid jets. Each incision can be made in one or more stages by a single stream or by a series of successively applied streams.