Abstract: A fluid cushion is comprised of a top material layer having a first preformed cell pattern formed therein, and first seal lines pattern between cells, respectively, and a bottom material layer having a second preformed cell pattern formed therein. The second preformed pattern is congruent and complementary to the first preformed cell pattern and has a seal line matching the first seal lines, respectively. A first middle material layer has a third preformed cell pattern formed therein, with second seal lines between cells, respectively, the cells in the third preformed cell pattern being a fraction of the size of cells in the first preformed pattern. A second middle material layer has a fourth preformed cell pattern which is congruent and complementary to the third preformed cell pattern and has seal lines between cells matching and joined to the second seal lines to form small center cells, respectively, there being a cluster of small cells bounded by the larger outer cells.

Abstract: A light influencing element and the process of fabricating the same is disclosed, wherein the light influencing element is fabricated by disposing a layer of a substantially opaque material upon a transparent substrate. One or more openings or wells may then be cut or formed in the surface of the layer of opaque material. Into such openings a light influencing material is then disposed, preferable said materials are injected thereinto as by ink-jet type injection heads. Liquid crystal displays and subassemblies formed upon the light influencing elements of the instant invention are also provided.

Abstract: A method of laminating glass sheets, the method comprising the steps of: (a) providing a glass sheet assembly comprising a pair of opposed glass sheets which are spaced from each other and spacer means located between the glass sheets, the spacer means being air permeable and liquid impermeable and extending along peripheral edges of the glass sheets, the glass sheet assembly being in a substantially horizontal orientation; (b) introducing a measured volume of a liquid laminating resin between the glass sheets so that the resin contacts the inner surfaces of both the top and bottom glass sheets as it is introduced into the space between the sheets, the introduction of resin being controlled so that a resin meniscus between the top and bottom sheets spreads outwardly in a controlled manner; (c) filling the space between the glass sheets with the measured volume of resin, air which is displaced by the resin being evacuated through the spacer means; and (d) permitting the resin to cure and solidify thereby to fo

Abstract: A bed sheet is provided comprising first and second layers of fluid impervious material a portion of which are overlapped for sealing together to form sets of fluid cells, and lateral flap portions extending smoothly and substantially without wrinkles from the overlapped portion for tucking around the sides and beneath the bed. Preferably, the fluid cells formed according to a pattern such that the lateral flap portions remain substantially without wrinkles upon introduction of fluid to said fluid cells. Preferably, the lateral flap portions are formed from the first and second layers and most preferably from the non-overlapped portions. Preferably, the bed sheet fluid cells are connectable to fluid lines by a flexible fluid line patch having fluid line connectors sealed thereinto. The fluid line patch may be presealed from overlapped swatches of fluid impervious material along a second line to form first and second fluid passages and seal first and second fluid line connectors thereto.

Abstract: The apparatus includes advancement clamps which move two mutually facing films along an advancement direction on which the following are arranged in sequence: two welding half-molds, which by mutually welding the two films in preset regions define cells which are open toward a longitudinal edge of the films; two half-molds for heating the welded films; a cell forming station. Air injection nozzles, inserted between the two flaps of the films on the side of the above mentioned longitudinal edge, and two forming half-molds, in which forming cavities are defined at the cells, operate in the forming station. Divaricators for divaricating the two flaps of the films are provided proximate to the forming station so as to facilitate the insertion of the air injection nozzles.

Abstract: An improved apparatus and method for producing fully air-cushioning dunnage from two sources of flexible thermoplastic film. This improved apparatus and method provides a fully air-filled dunnage by maintaining a forming roller (16) at a cold temperature. The outer surface (33) has a thermo-resistive layer (32) completely convering its periphery absent a plurality of cavities (30) formed therein. A first film (12) is heated then thermoformed into said cavities (30). The thermoformed portions of the film contact the cold cavities in the forming roller to cool both the film and the air in the cavities to a cold temperature. The heat welding surface of first film (12) is kept at an elevated temperature by the thermo-resisitive layer. A second film (20) is heated and welded to said first film by and with an adjustable heated pressure roller (24). The heat traveling through the second film and the first film is delayed for a predetermined amount of time by the thermo-resistive layer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a color filter substrate and a color filter electrooptical device, for example, such as color liquid crystal display device having a transparent electrode over a color filter formed on an inner surface of the liquid crystal display device.For providing the transparent electrode on the color filter, high-frequency ion plating method is used so as to improve the contacting property with an organic polymer of the color filter layer and the transparent electrode.

Abstract: An improved golf ball having a coefficient of restitution of at least 0.700 and comprising a hollow, spherical shell of a deformable polymeric material which is filled with either a liquid or a unitary, non-cellular core of a material which, at the time of introduction into the shell, is a liquid. The spherical shell may be solid or cellular. The core material may be added through a hole in the shell as a liquid, a gel or a melt. In the preferred embodiment, the spherical shell is formed from two half shells which are bonded to each other. The mating edges of the half shells may have surface configurations which maximize their contact area.

Abstract: A customized shock-absorbing wrapper band comprising at least two rows of gas-filled cushions of arbitrary shape and size formed by joining two flexible webs, at least one of which is thermoformable, and pressurizing the thermoformed recesses when sealing such by the other web in a sealing station of a thermoforming, roller operated machine.

Abstract: A process for providing a resilient mat having a plurality of adjacent interconnected liquid-filled compartments with walls made of an elastomeric material and which is stable over a long time period, wherein the mat is heated to a temperature above 50.degree. C. until the liquid in the compartments has a pressure below 50% of it's initial pressure.

Abstract: An internally pressurizable lightweight high tensile strength multi-layered structure with an outer barrier layer envelope of elastomeric semi-permeable material for use as a cushioning device is provided. The outer barrier layer is bonded, at a multiplicity of sites, to substantially the entire distal surfaces of a double-walled drop-thread linked fabric wherein the filaments are comprised of a highly distorted, long chain, axially orientated crystalline molecular structure which has a low gas permeability. The bond between the barrier layer and the facing fabric is substantially increased by the presence of fibrils and texturizing. The drop threads which are likewise texturized, function as stress averaging members to maintain the composite structure in either a substantially flat or planar or contoured configuration without weldments within the select load-bearing areas.

Abstract: The present invention consists of a collapsible hollow core, having a circumferentially variable wall thickness, for use in a method of forming a hollow article. The core is manufactured by extruding a hollow parison into an open core forming mould, closing this mould, expanding the parison against the inner walls of the core forming mould by injecting pressure into the parison, and opening the mould to remove the core. The core thus formed is used in a method of forming a hollow article of a resin reinforced with fibers. The method consists of winding reinforcing fibers tightly around a hollow core having a circumferentially variable wall thickness and placing the wound core in a mould. A differential pressure is then provided between the interior and exterior of the core to cause a thinner wall portion thereof to initiate collapse of the core, and this collapse is continued to an extent necessary to relax the fibers.

Abstract: A seamless hollow rubber core for a tennis ball is formed within a spherical cavity of a mold, wherein the spherical cavity has a diameter commensurate with the outside diameter of the core. A spherical surface is formed from a material which has a melting temperature above the curing temperature of the rubber compound used for the core. The spherical surface is dimensioned commensurately with the inside diameter of a core. The spherical surface is then mounted within the mold concentrically with the spherical cavity. Unsured rubber core preforms are placed about the spherical surface in intimate contact with the spherical cavity. The core performs are then heated to a curing temperature. During the curing process, the preforms meld to form the seamless core. The core just formed is then heated to the melting temperature of the material of the spherical surface so that the spherical surface melts thereby leaving molten within the core.

Abstract: A thermal reaction apparatus for sealing liquid within cavities includes a tray having cavities for storing therein liquid. The cavities have openings arranged at varying levels in thickness direction of the tray. A planar sealing member is disposed on the tray to cover the openings and is comprised of a pair of flexible sheets and viscous fluid filled between the flexible sheets. A pressure plate is disposed on the planar sealing member for applying thereto pressure effective to locally flow the viscous fluid to enable the sealing member to seal the varying levels of the cavity openings to thereby prevent evaporation of the liquid stored in the cavities.

Abstract: An underground storage tank assembly and method for fabricating the same are disclosed. A steel primary fluid storage tank is provided having an outer, peripheral surface. A secondary fluid storage container being formed of curable plastic material and having a substantially smooth inner surface is tightly secured about the outer, peripheral surface of the primary fluid storage tank. The interstitial spaces formed between the outer surface of the primary container and the inner surface of the secondary container permit the desired migration of fluid therethrough to allow the detection of any fluid leaking through the primary tank or secondary tank. Various methods for forming the secondary fluid storage container are disclosed. The outer surface of the primary tank and/or the inner surface of the secondary fluid storage container may be textured for applications requiring enhanced fluid migration.

Abstract: A film encapsulated, gas cushion insole product which maintains its shape by means of a core fabric therein to which a desiccant may be added, if desired. To contain the gas for long periods of time, the film contains a layer of polyvinylalcohol.

Abstract: An air inflatable mattress for medical and hospital use is formed from upper and lower layers of flexible, air impervious material joined at a peripheral air impervious seam; laterally extending, elongate, spaced apart pillows extend between side edges of the mattress and are defined by lateral folds formed in the material of the upper layer; the pillows communicate at their opposed ends with longitudinally extending side plenums; the inflated pillows billow against each other in stress relieving contact effective to relieve air pressure bursting forces generated in the mattress.

Abstract: An anatomical multilayer seat for use on a bicycle or the like. The seat comprises a formed substantially rigid shell covered by a flexible cover sheet and having a layer of soft encapsulated gel material provided between the cover shell and the seat shell. The encapsulated gel layer is constrained against any appreciable lateral movement while permitting only limited deflection of the gel during use by a lower formed foam layer provided between the shell and the cover sheet to produce a controlled graduated support for the rider. If desired, a second upper layer of a resilient material can be advantageously provided between the gel layer and the cover sheet of the seat for encapsulating the gel layer. The invention also includes a method for making the anatomical multilayer seat.

Abstract: A method of joining surface mount components includes screen printing a single layer of solder paste or other adhesive onto a substrate, positioning a component with a planar lead with a hole through the planar lead over the solder and mounting a second component over the hole in the first lead. The assembly is heated or otherwise processed until the solder or adhesive flows by capillary action through the hole and into the space between the components such that it forms solder joint between the stacked components.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a sensing element, comprising bringing a first body in the form of an oil-free cross-linked matrix of flexible elastomeric material, the matrix containing electrically conductive particles, into contact with a second body of flexible elastomeric material that is electrically insulating and that contains an oil compatible with the elastomeric material of the first body, and allowing oil to migrate from the second to the first body so as to cause swelling of the first body, the migration continuing until a state of oil phase equalisation between the two bodies is reached.

Abstract: A system is provided for applying to fabric articles a liquid-containing decorative device constructed of interengaged thermoplastic sheets of predetermined configuration to develop a liquid-receiving pouch and a marginal portion with the latter having a normally exterior and a normally interior surface; which system includes a press having a fixed bed carrying a heating plate for receiving the article. Heating means for the heating plate are carried in the fixed bed. The press is provided with a swingably mounted pressure platen for movement between upper, inoperative position and lower, operative position; there being a pressure block having a normally downwardly opening recess configured complementarily to the pouch portion of the device for receiving the same and retaining it in desired relation upon the related article with the marginal portion of the decorative device being sandwiched between the pressure block and the article.

Abstract: A self-contained thermal insulation panel, of generally flat rectangular form suitable for placement within the walls or doors of a refrigeration cabinet, consists of a hermetically sealed envelope surrounding an assembled framework defining a plurality of thin parallel internal cavities. The cavities are formed by a plurality of thin stretched-out sheets, each preferably with at least one reflective face, spaced-apart by thin interlocking peripheral gaskets between a top and a bottom frame member. A method of manufacturing an insulation panel according to this invention requries the initial assembly, on a first frame member, of an alternating array of thin sheets and gaskets, then a final sheet and a second frame member all brought firmly together and permanently affixed as a unified assembly. The assembled structure is then evacuated and refilled with a heavier-than-air gas of low thermal conductivity, e.g.

Abstract: A micro-bubble laminate is made by drawing a heated thermoplastic film through the perforations of a perforated substrate laminated to the film. The bubbles may then be trapped by laminating an additional thermoplastic layer to the laminate construction. This laminate may be used in producing air cushioning or bubble laminates, and the inventive process avoids the intricate and expensive machinery typically used in the production of air cushioning materials.

Abstract: A method of filling a liquid crystal device with a blended liquid crystal material is set forth. The liquid crystal device is filled by disposing the liquid crystal device having an inlet port, in a vacuum chamber, evacuating the vacuum chamber, supplying the inlet port with the blended liquid crystal material, and elevating the pressure in the chamber to allow the blended liquid crystal material to fill the liquid crystal device through the inlet port by virtue of the differential pressure between the inside and the outside of the liquid crystal device, with the temperature of the blended liquid crystal material being maintained, until the liquid crystal device is completely filled with the blended liquid crystal material, at a temperature higher than the transition temperature of any one of the constituents of the blended liquid crystal material so that the blended liquid crystal material is transformed in its isotropic phase.

Abstract: A method for forming gel-filled cushion pads that provide a resilient support against the ankle, comprises the use of a vacuum chamber substantially covered at the top with a perforated base plate. A thin, rubber foam layer spacer pad with openings is overlaid on the base plate. A thin, rubber foam layer front pad with openings is overlaid on the spacer pad in alignment with the spacer pad openings. Adhesive material is coated on the top surface of the front pad. A thin layer of urethane is overlaid on the adhesive coated upper surface of the front pad and vacuum is applied to pull the urethane layer toward the base plate. With the urethane layer substantially conformed to the inner walls of these pads, a patterned pocket is formed for receiving liquid gel. Then, a predetermined amount of liquid gel is poured into this pocket and allowed to cool and solidify to form a dense semi-solid gel.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a sheet-formed buffer material using a gelled material wherein a thermally flexible and weldable covering sheet is applied to each of both surfaces of a flat gel material layer made of gelled material with penetration value of 50 to 200 and a buffer layer is thus made, said buffer layer being divided from above said covering sheet by a dividing means having a thermally welding means whereby said buffer layer is divided by said dividing means to form separate cells and simultaneously said covering sheets of the divided portions are welded by said thermally welding means to form dividing grooves between separate independent cells.

Abstract: Articles comprising a thermoplastic substrate bearing rupturable microcapsules in a binder on at least one surface thereof. These articles can be applied by means of heat and pressure to porous objects. The process of applying the articles to porous objects further results in partially embedding the microcapsules in the substrate. Thermoplastic substrates having rupturable microcapsules partially embedded therein, but not having a binder, are another aspect of this invention.

Abstract: In encapsulated-lens reflective sheeting of the prior art, a monolayer of glass microspheres is embedded in a binder layer, a specularly reflective layer underlies the microspheres, and a cover film encapsulates the microspheres, within a plurality of hermetically sealed cells. In the invention, a HMW thermoplastic binder film, affords improved structural integrity, greater toughness, and better conformability to irregular surfaces without cracking. The cover film preferably is of the same polymer family as said binder film.

Abstract: Bubble-type flexible cushioning and packaging sheets are formed using films which are composites of single extrusion or multiple extrusion polyethylene films having density, molecular weight and, optionally, additives selected to provide a desired combination of qualities including heat sealability and low gas/vapor transmission. A preferred film material has a cross-sectional profile consisting of an inner region of linear low density polyethylene material surrounded by outer regions of high molecular weight medium density polyethylene material. The material permits the formation of preferred, square bubble configurations using a process which involves sealing two such films along generally parallel longitudinal lines; inflating the films between the longitudinal sealing lines; then sealing the films along transverse lines to form inflated rectangular pockets or bubbles therebetween.

Abstract: A method of making tennis balls by a single core part and fabric piece bonding step is disclosed wherein an assembly of core parts, including a pair of hemispheric core halves, and fabric cover pieces, including a pair of figure eight fabric dumbbells, are assembled to one another to a subassembly of core parts held together by a dried but uncured first curable cement, the fabric pieces are held about the core subassembly by a second dried but uncured cement and a third curable cement is provided between the fabric pieces to form the exterior ball seam. The assembly of core and cover parts and pieces thus held together by the tackiness of dried but uncured cements is then placed within a snugly fitting mold and cured in the presence of heat to bond the core parts to one another, the fabric cover pieces to the core and the fabric piece edges to one another to a completed ball.

Abstract: A method of making tennis balls by a single core part and fabric piece bonding step is disclosed wherein an assembly of core parts, including a pair of hemispheric core halves, and fabric cover pieces, including a pair of figure eight fabric dumbbells, are assembled to one another to a subassembly of core parts held together by a dried but uncured first curable cement, the fabric pieces are held about the core subassembly by a second dried but uncured cement and a third curable cement is provided between the fabric pieces to form the exterior ball seam. The assembly of core and cover parts and pieces thus held together by the tackiness of dried but uncured cements is then placed within a snugly fitting mold and cured in the presence of heat to bond the core parts to one another, the fabric cover pieces to the core and the fabric piece edges to one another to a completed ball.

Abstract: This invention is concerned with inflatable plastic baby baths similar in shape to a rubber tire inner tube having an impervious web across the ring. The web is preferably midway between the top and the bottom of the inflatable tube or annulus, and by inflating the article while hot during manufacture a smooth and wrinkle-free appearance can be produced. Such a plastic bath can be made virtually immovable on a smooth surface by expelling air from under the web and causing a partial vacuum. The diameter of the inflated tube is sufficiently great relative to the width of the web to prevent the web touching the supporting surface in normal use.

Abstract: Disclosed is a thermoplastic plymeric composition having antistatic characteristics and a method to make same. The composition comprises a thermoplastic polymer in admixture with an antistatic agent. In one embodiment the polymer is polyethylene and the agent is a mixture of polyethoxylated cetyl alcohol and glyceryl monostearate. Also disclosed is the antistatic polymeric composition in a film, which is useful for packaging static sensitive devices such as electronic circuit boards, or for packaging devices that must be protected from static electricity such as devices in a medical operating room where explosive oxygen and/or ether are present.

Abstract: The inventon relates to a method of producing a plurality of multi-pane insulating glass assemblies in which the assemblies are formed into a self-supporting unit for further fabrication. Each assembly is provided with at least one exteriorly accessible opening, and the assemblies, supporting one another in surface-to-surface contact, are moved along a conveyor as a unit into a vacuum chamber. Vacuum is drawn on the unit to evacuate each interpane space, following which a gas having coefficient of thermal conductivity lower than that of air is introduced into the chamber to fill the interpane spaces of the glass assemblies. The assemblies as a unit are then conveyed out of the vacuum chamber and the exteriorly accessible openings are sealed.

Abstract: An optical cable having a bore in which is loosely housed two helically extending optical fibre ribbons and which is filled with a greasy water-impermeable medium is manufactured by feeding four flexible cords of electrically insulating material into circumferentially spaced, longitudinally extending grooves in the outer surface of a stationary rigid tubular elongate guide of circular cross-section, helically lapping two optical fibre ribbons around the guide and the flexible cords so that the cords support the helically lapped ribbons, applying longitudinally to and transversely folding around the guide and the optical fibre ribbon a flexible strip of electrically insulating material to form a tube, introducing water-impermeable medium in a liquid or semi-liquid state through a bore in the guide and into the tube and extruding around the tube a sheath of electrically insulating material.

Abstract: An improved method of making a fabric covered tennis ball is disclosed wherein a pair of molded semi-hemispheric elastomeric material core halves are joined together by a thermosetting adhesive means, the joining of the core halves taking place in the presence of atmospheric pressure. Heat and pressure are applied externally to the core halves to cure and set the adhesive, and in a preferred embodiment to localize areas, particularly where the adhesive resides between the core halves. An integrally molded air valve is provided in a side wall of one of the core halves to facilitate the introduction of additional air pressure into the core after its having been bonded in assembled condition. A tennis ball fabric covering is provided about and adhesively secured to the core covering the air valve, the fabric being air permeable to allow introduction of additional amounts of air into the completed tennis ball to facilitate production of a desired ball bounce characteristic for the tennis ball.

Abstract: A water mattress includes an outer bladder for retaining water and an inner chamber assembly for inhibiting wave motion within the bladder. The chamber assembly includes multiple chambers each having a bottom sheet and a closure sheet, and the bottom sheet being deformed to provide the bottom and sides of the chamber. Adjacent chambers are joined along a single seam to form the chamber assembly. In a preferred method, the bottom sheet is heated and drawn into a vacuum form where it is cooled to permanently deform the sheet into an integral, multiple chamber, seamless configuration.

Abstract: A waterbed mattress has a baffle structure that comprises a horizontally extending pad of buoyant material with a plurality of chambers depending therefrom. The chambers can be hemi-spheroidal. The chamber walls having water metering holes therethrough.

Abstract: A dunnage shock absorber and a method and apparatus for making the same is disclosed. The shock absorber is constructed from plastic material which forms a series of trigonal-shaped, gas-filled units which maintain adequate shock absorbing characteristics over a broad range of temperature conditions. This disclosed method includes the steps of forming a plastic tubular body, introducing a cooled gas into the body and forming individual trigonal-shaped units having cooled gas entrapped through angularly heat sealing the edges of such units. The disclosed apparatus forms plastic film into a series of gas-filled trigonal units through the use of fin seal rollers to seal the film into a tubular body. Sponge-like rollers downline of the fin seal rollers grip the tubular body and a conduit injects cooled gas into the tubular body. Horizontal and vertical sealers are provided downline of the sponge-like rollers to heat seal the tubular body with gas entrapped therein.

Abstract: A method for fabricating breast prostheses in accordance with the invention includes the steps of forming an outer sheet to a concave configuration; forming an inner sheet to a concave configuration; bonding an intermediate sheet to a form member having a concave inner surface and a convex outer surface; sealing the inner sheet, intermediate sheet, and outer sheet together along their peripheries, thereby forming an outer chamber defined by the outer sheet and the intermediate sheet and an inner chamber defined by the intermediate sheet and the inner sheet, the inner chamber containing the form member; filling the outer chamber with uncured silicone gel; compressing the chamber to remove the air therefrom; placing the compressed chamber in a vacuum chamber to further remove any remaining air therefrom; sealing the chamber; and curing the liquid silicone into a gel.

Abstract: A floatable on water, translucent laminated plastic sheet material having a plastic embossed film with a plurality of embossments dispersed thereon except at the longitudinal edges thereof. The embossments are spaced apart and separated by land areas and a plastic backing film is laminated to the embossed film at the said longitudinal edges and at the land areas. Thus air containing buoyant cells are formed by the embossments of the embossed film and the backing film. The improvement comprise a fibrous material laminated to the sheet material at least at the longitudinal edges thereof, whereby the edges are reinforced by the fibrous material and the edges may be attached to correspondingly reinforced edges of another of the sheet material without substantially weakening the attached sheets of material at the attachments thereof.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing a sheet having many hollow bodies from thermoplastic material such as polyethylene, used for cushioning and insulation, is disclosed. Film extruded from a T die, after being cooled, is heated by an induction heating roller with a jacket and inner cooling means.The induction heating roller with a jacket and inner cooling means has, along with the jacket within a rollershell, an induction coil for heating, and a hermetically sealed heat transfer medium between the jacket and the induction coil. The characteristic feature of the present invention is a cooling means provided to cool the heat transfer medium, with advantages of rapid temperature rise and fall, and uniform temperature distribution on the circumference and longitudinal axis of the roller.Using this apparatus, a sheet having many hollow bodies, with high transparency and high product yield without defects such as partial inferior fusing, can be produced.

Abstract: The process for the production of double-walled mouldings for the reduction of sound in vehicles and engines in general by means of a single pressing operation consists in introducing into a compression mould a double package, each individual package consisting of a layer of prepolymer fibres and a foil of thermoplastics material. The foils of the individual packages are situated facing one another and a medium under pressure is blown in between these foils, in order to cause each package layer to be pressed against the internal face of the corresponding half-mould. The compression mould is heated to a temperature which is sufficient to cause complete melting of said foil and complete polymerization of said prepolymer fibres.

Abstract: A process for making electro-optic elements are provided which comprises the steps of:a. setting up an enclosure by sealing peripheral areas of a pair of electrode plates spaced at a given distance,b. filling a liquid material capable of producing an electro-optical change, into the enclosure through a filling hole thereof, andc. sealing the filling hole while applying pressure to the entire surface of the electrode plates constructing the enclosure.

Abstract: A twin-sheet thermoformable laminate structure is provided which has two layers of foamed thermoplastic material. A coating of a fabric impregnated with an acrylic resin having a softening temperature greater than 75.degree. C. is applied to at least the outer surface of each layer of thermoplastic material.

Abstract: There is depicted and claimed "on demand" apparatus and method for producing air-cushioning material for end-user manufacture. There are two arrangements and both provide economy of apparatus, space, labor and materials. Two thermoplastic film strips are carried from roll storage means to this air-cushioning forming means whereat the webs of film are locally heat-sealed together. A first film is fed to a heated roll whereat this film is heated sufficiently to be thermoformed on a cooled roll with cavities formed therein. These cavities are manifold-connected to a source of vacuum which draws the heated film into the formed cavities. The second strip of film is fed to another heated roll having a resilient covering material with thermoconductive metal powder as a substantial component, thus providing sufficient thermoconductivity and resilience to heat-seal or weld this second film to those areas around the cavities formed in the first film.

Abstract: An apparatus for dampening wave action in a waterbed is disclosed. The apparatus consists of a fibrous member bonded to a flexible foam member which is positioned inside a waterbed bladder. The coaction of the fiber and foam dampens waves generated in the water and also provides improved shape-retaining characterisitcs in the apparatus. The use of a large fibrous component allows water to be quickly evacuated from the apparatus and the use of a foam component provides flotation and spacial orientation of the apparatus within the waterbed bladder. A method for bonding the foam to the fibrous member is also disclosed.

Abstract: An inflatable dunnage bag is formed by a flat, flexible triangular envelope constructed of heavy kraft paper and a sealed inner plastic liner which is inflatable through a valve. The bag is used for shoring load by standing it upright with its base topmost, horizontally oriented, and positioned adjacent the top of the load and its apex positioned contiguous to the bottom perimeter of the load.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire having a pocket filled with lubricant attached to the inner sidewall of the tire having a puncture sealant surrounded by an O-ring built into the inside wall of the pocket. The puncture sealant allows lubricant to be injected into the pocket by use of a syringe and eliminates the need for subsequent sealing of the pocket and leakage of lubricant from the pocket.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the production of air cell cushioning material, for protective cushioning purposes in packaging or other purposes, with the air cell product being formed from flexible, single stratum sheet of low density, low melting point thermoplastic, such as low density polyethylene film. The method and apparatus include an arrangement for cooling an embossed film on a rotatable forming drum to a predetermined temperature range prior to applying a sealing laminating film to the cooled embossed film, and are such that the apparatus can be halted in its operation without injurious effects to any substantial amount of the air cell product being produced, and can be restarted to again commence production of the air cell product. The apparatus and method utilize clear thermoplastic single stratum film, and result in an effective air cell cushioning product which possesses extremely good clarity even after the heating and pressure steps utilized in the production of the product.