Abstract: A synthetic reed for use in reed-blown wind instruments such as the clarinets, saxophones, oboes and bassoons may be made from an oriented thermoplastic material such as uniaxially oriented polypropylene. The reed may have a profile that is thinner near the tip and in the vamp than the profile of a cane reed of equivalent playing strength, and may be machined from an oriented polymer blank has a higher longitudinal modulus than that of said cane reed of equivalent playing strength.

Abstract: A synthetic reed for use in reed-blown wind instruments such as the clarinets, saxophones, oboes and bassoons may be made from an oriented thermoplastic material such as uniaxially oriented polypropylene. The reed may have a profile that is thinner near the tip and in the vamp than the profile of a cane reed of equivalent playing strength, and may be machined from an oriented polymer blank has a higher longitudinal modulus than that of said cane reed of equivalent playing strength.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for measuring, monitoring and/or providing an indication of material “damage” in board products, particularly Machine Direction (MD) Shear. In this regard, the present document discloses applying a predetermined force to a board product such that the board product is not deflected beyond its elastic region. The apparatus used for applying the force is preferably of a size or structure suitable for physically limiting the amount of deflection of the board product. By maintaining the board product within its elastic region as such, the occurrence of permanent damage to the board product is reduced. Hence, the disclosed method and apparatus are able to provide a non-destructive indication of MD Shear on the paperboard product being tested, and are thus suitable for use in on-line testing/monitoring of paperboard production.