Abstract: An apparatus for producing an elastomeric nonwoven laminate including a plurality of elastomeric strands joined to a nonwoven web in a controlled distribution is provided. The apparatus includes an extruder for extruding a plurality of elastomeric strands onto a cooled surface of a rotating drum, which transports the strands in parallel alignment to a nip formed between two rollers rotating about parallel axis. The drum transfers the plurality of strands to the nip in a controlled distribution where it is bonded with the nonwoven. The apparatus also includes elements which automate the apparatus for creating the elastomeric nonwoven laminate.

Abstract: A method of forming a layered article, the method comprises thermoforming a substrate sheet to form a shaped substrate, wherein the shaped substrate is a fiber-reinforced plastic material having a void content sufficient to allow a vacuum to be applied through the shaped substrate; pulling a vacuum through the shaped substrate; and pulling a film layer onto a surface of the shaped substrate to form the layered article.

Abstract: A method for inducing strain on a workpiece includes the step of providing a testing apparatus having a first set of teeth and a second set of teeth. The workpiece is placed adjacent to the first or second set of teeth. The second set of teeth is disposed on a movable carriage which linearly reciprocates thereby allowing the first and the second sets of teeth to engage and disengage each other. A commanded position by time is provided to the carriage while the actual position by time of the carriage is measured. The first set of teeth are in communication with at least one load cell such that when the first set of teeth engage the second set of teeth, the load applied by the carriage is measured. The actual position by time data and the load data are manipulated to produce vast information pertaining to the workpiece.

Abstract: The weatherability of a multilayer article comprising a top layer and a substrate layer is enhanced by the addition of a fiber in a thermoplastic polymer substrate. The top layer includes at least one thermoplastic polymer comprising structural units derived from at least one 1,3-dihydroxybenzene and at least one organodicarboxylic acid. Processes for making the aforementioned multilayer article are also provided in the present invention.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing an elastomeric nonwoven laminate including a plurality of elastomeric strands joined to a nonwoven web in a controlled distribution is provided. The apparatus includes an extruder for extruding a plurality of elastomeric strands onto a cooled surface of a rotating drum, which transports the strands in parallel alignment to a nip formed between two rollers rotating about parallel axis. The drum transfers the plurality of strands to the nip in a controlled distribution where it is bonded with the nonwoven. The apparatus also includes elements which automate the apparatus for creating the elastomeric nonwoven laminate.

Abstract: A method of forming a layered article, the method comprises thermoforming a substrate sheet to form a shaped substrate, wherein the shaped substrate is a fiber-reinforced plastic material having a void content sufficient to allow a vacuum to be applied through the shaped substrate; pulling a vacuum through the shaped substrate; and pulling a film layer onto a surface of the shaped substrate to form the layered article.

Abstract: A process for forming a shaped, multilayer article comprises heating a reinforced resinous substrate to a thermoforming temperature to form a heated substrate; contacting a surface of the heated substrate with a surface of shaped surface component, wherein the heated substrate has a sufficient concentration of heated resin at the surface thereof for bonding the heated substrate to the shaped surface component; and thermoforming the heated substrate at a pressure less than or equal to about 500 psi (3447 kPa) to provide a bond at an interface between the surface of the thermoformed substrate and the surface of the shaped surface component.

Abstract: Disclosed is a multilayer article assembly comprising (i) a coating layer comprising a block copolyestercarbonate comprising structural units derived from at least one 1,3-dihydroxybenzene and at least one aromatic dicarboxylic acid, (ii) a second layer comprising a polymer comprising carbonate structural units, (iii) an adhesive layer comprising a polyurethane, and (iv) an uncured thermoset or uncured cyclic oligomer substrate layer, wherein the coating layer is in contiguous contact with the second layer, and the adhesive layer is in contiguous contact with the second layer and the substrate layer. Also disclosed is a method for preparing said multilayer article assembly.

Abstract: A composition for preventing or retarding the formation of gas hydrates during the transport of a fluid comprising water and a hydrocarbon through a conduit. The composition is a homopolymer of vinyl caprolactam, or copolymers thereof, having a low molecular weight in the range of 500 to 4000, which is made by polymerization of the monomer or monomers in a polymerization solvent which is a mixture of a glycol ether and water, preferably 2-butoxyethanol and water, at a pH of about 8-12.