Abstract: According to one aspect, a method of forming foam composites. The method includes providing a plurality of microspheres in contact with a fiber pre-form having a plurality of fibers, inserting at least one penetrating element into the fiber pre-form, and repeatedly moving the at least one penetrating element within the fiber pre-form so as to encourage the plurality of microspheres to disperse within the fiber pre-form. The fiber pre-form with the microspheres dispersed therein is then heated, causing the microspheres to expand and fuse together to form the foam composite.

Abstract: According to some aspects, a method of manufacturing a coated multi-threat fabric, including providing a first fabric layer having a first surface, the first fabric layer having a plurality of high performance fibers, applying a first polymeric material onto the first surface of the first fabric layer, the polymeric material having a melt flow index of between about 0.7 to 1400 g/10 min, a Shore D hardness of between about 36 and 75, and ultimate tensile strength of between about 5 and 75 MPa, spreading the first polymeric material onto the first surface of the first fabric layer so as to form a raw coated fabric having a first coating layer, and heating the raw coated fabric to bond the first coating layer to the first fabric layer, wherein the first polymeric material is selected such that the coated multi-threat fabric is flexible enough to be stored on a roll of a predetermined size.

Abstract: According to one aspect, a method of forming foam composites. The method includes providing a plurality of microspheres in contact with a fiber pre-form having a plurality of fibers, inserting at least one penetrating element into the fiber pre-form, and repeatedly moving the at least one penetrating element within the fiber pre-form so as to encourage the plurality of microspheres to disperse within the fiber pre-form. The fiber pre-form with the microspheres dispersed therein is then heated, causing the microspheres to expand and fuse together to form the foam composite.

Abstract: A means to cast a fishing bait or lure using a weight on your fishing line which eliminates the disadvantages of weight on the line. This is achieved by the use of a weight, so configured that it detaches from fishing line instantly or over time, depending on preference, upon contact with water. The configuration of the weight is 2 equal bodies of clay held together by water-soluble adhesive tape. The amount of tape determines the amount of time the weight stays attached to the line. The identical clay bodies have a tab and slot on the mating surface of the bodies to prevent slippage. There is a groove down the longitudinal axis of the bodies, which forms a hole for fishing line when the bodies are joined together. This weight is easily attached to the line using the hole formed.