Abstract: A prefabricated wall panel (10) has a precast body (12) including at least one decorative design element (14). In addition, the wall panel includes a mounting element (16) having a first end (18) embedded in the precast body and a second end (20) projecting from the precast body. A interlocking structure (36,40) is provided along at least two opposing edges of the wall panel to insure proper alignment and interconnection when two or more wall panels are installed together on a support substrate.

Abstract: An inventive solid state drawing die has shaping walls that define a shaping channel and that, in the course of solid state drawing, direct polymer composition along a drawing path. Each cross section of the drawing path (and, hence, polymer composition in the drawing path) is non-circular, substantially proportional to one another, contains a centroid that lies on a substantially straight line parallel to the drawing direction and all cross sectional dimensions are 1.5 millimeters or more.

Abstract: A perforated resin extrusion end plate (10) with a curved or arcuate perforated section suitable for use in making extruded foamed polymer strand foam bodies, extruded filled polymer strand articles of manufacture or extruded composites of fibrous organic material and a thermoplastic material such as a wood-plastic composite. The die plate does not fracture under conditions that produce fracturing of a flat perforated die plate with the same perforated area and thickness.

Abstract: Methodologies and systems to compare images with different levels of contrast are provided. Contrast is normalized between the images with different contrast levels and brightness is set. When normalizing contrast a derivative of gray level is determined for a first digital image having a first contrast level, and a derivative of gray level is determined for a second digital image having a second contrast level that is greater than the first contrast level. A ratio of the derivative of gray level for the first digital image to the derivative of gray level for the second digital image is determined, and the derivative of gray level for the first digital image is equalized with the derivative of gray level for the second digital image. Brightness of at least one image may be set automatically, such as by calculating an average pixel value excluding background and text, or manually.

Abstract: Prepare a foam structure that includes hollow coalesced foam strands and, optionally, solid coalesced foam strands using an extrusion die block equipped with apertures that promote forming the hollow strands and, optionally, the solid foam strands.

Abstract: Prepare a foam structure that includes hollow coalesced foam strands and, optionally, solid coalesced foam strands using an extrusion die block equipped with apertures that promote forming the hollow strands and, optionally, the solid foam strands.

Abstract: The invention is a composite foam structure comprising a first segment of an anisotropic thermoplastic foam part and a second foam shaped part comprising an isotropic foam wherein the anisotropic foam block and isotropic foam part intersect along at least one common surface.