Abstract: A method of achieving a workpiece material property change using a horn with a set of activation teeth as a source of ultrasonic energy and an anvil with a second set of activation teeth. The workpiece is engaged in tension between the two sets of activation teeth.

Abstract: Curled decorative grasses and methods for producing same are disclosed wherein the curled decorative grasses have improved bulk and simulate Spanish moss in color and appearance.

Abstract: A method and apparatus (10) for securing a fragile wafer (16) to a wafer tape (26) secured taut across a wafer frame (24). A gentle point force (72) is provided by a roller wheel (36) mounted on a rotatable arm (30) to securely adhere the wafer tape (26) to the backside of the wafer (16). Preferably, a spiral pattern (70) is formed by the rotating roller (36) to secure the wafer tape (26) to the wafer (16) to avoid forming air bubbles or creases between the wafer tape and wafer. The method and apparatus is especially suitable for securely adhering fragile wafers to wafer tape that are to be subsequently broken along kerfs.

Abstract: A process for making a disposable wearing article for securing an elastic member to the wearing article without reducing a comfortable feeling of touch with a wearer's skin of the wearing article. A production line of the wearing article includes a step of securing elastic member to a sheet material using an adhesive. The elastic member is coated on its peripheral surface with the adhesive in a pattern of substantially continuous line and then the elastic member secured to sheet material of the wearing article. The continuous line runs in a longitudinal direction of the elastic member so that the curved line undulates on a plane defined by developing the peripheral surface of the elastic member with a height of undulation substantially corresponding to or being larger than a circumferential length A of the elastic member.

Abstract: Lamellar, fibre-reinforced plastic strips can be used to reinforce a linearly expanded or flat construction part having a support function against any bending stress to which it is exposed. The strips are usually applied to the construction from the outside, or from the inside in the case of hollow structures, and fixed by an adhesive. The lamellar strips are pretensed with a tensioning device, treated with adhesive in a pretensed state, and then moved to the area to be treated together with the tension device. The tension device is provisionally fixed to the construction with displaceable fixing devices and pressed against said construction. Thereafter the lamellar strips are pressed against the construction by means of an air bag or air hose until the adhesive has hardened.

Abstract: Method of producing an impulse dried wetlaid fibrous web-shaped material, such as paper or non-woven, having a three-dimensional pattern of alternating raised and recessed portions, which have been provided in connection with impulse drying, at which the wet fibrous web is passed through at least one press nip (12) comprising rotatable roll (13) which is heated and that the fibrous web during the passage through the press nip is given a three-dimensional pattern of alternating raised and recessed portions either by means of a patterned wire (11) and/or by a pattern on the heated roll (13) To the fibrous web there has been added a material that softens or melts in the temperature interval 100-400° C. and that at least the parts of the fibrous web that is located closest to the raised portions of the heated roll (13) are heated to such a high temperature that said material softens or melts and by that provides an increased amount of bonding points in the fibrous web.

Abstract: Method of producing a paper having a three-dimensional pattern of alternating raised and recessed portions which is given the paper in connection with impulse drying. The paper web has a varying material composition as seen in its thickness direction, so that it at least in an outer layer contains an amount of a material that softens, melts or hardens in the temperature interval 100-400° C. or in some other way contributes in stabilizing the pattern structure that has been given the paper. It is further referred to an impulse dried paper produced according to the method.

Abstract: The process in accordance with the invention for producing a three-dimensional surface structure in a paper poster or paper photograph is used especially for the plastic reproduction of paintings. A paper poster or paper photograph is thereby placed face down onto a structured matrix and fixed, the paper poster or paper photograph being equal in size to or smaller than the matrix. A canvas is then adhered onto the back surface of the poster or photograph and the resulting stack of layers cold pressed. After the pressing, the structured laminate of paper poster or paper photograph and adhered canvas is then removed from the matrix, mounted under tension onto a frame, and sealed. In the preferred embodiment, the matrix is an imprint of the original painting and the paper poster is a print of the original painting in the original size.

Abstract: A method for flattening non-flat areas of screening material of a screen assembly, the non-flat areas of screening material between lines of glue gluing together a plurality of layers of screening material, the plurality of glued-together layers of screening material secured to a frame, the method including mounting the screen assembly on a vibratory separator, the vibratory separator located in an environment at an ambient temperature, vibrating the screen assembly with the vibratory separator for a period of time, feeding material to be treated onto the screen assembly, the material to be treated at a material temperature above the ambient temperature, the period of time of such a temporal length and the material temperature of such a temperature to effect flattening of the non-flat areas of screening material.

Abstract: A method of constructing a frame (10) for a filtering screen from a polymer material is described in which a wire frame reinforcement is wholly encapsulated during the frame moulding process so that two parallel spaced apart wires extend through each of the intersecting orthogonal ribs (14, 16) which define the open area of the frame (10) across which the wire-cloths (158, 159) are stretched. The surfaces of the frame (10) in which the wirecloths (158, 159) are embedded are formed with ridges (22, 30, 32) and the crests of the latter extend to different heights. The crest are softened by heating during the manufacturing process and the wirecloths (158, 159) stretched over the frame (10) are forced into the softened crests after which the assembly is allowed to cool and cure. The frame (10) is re-usable by stripping wirecloths (158, 159) from the top of the frame (10) and fitting fresh wirecloths over the plastics material and heating the regions which are to encapsulate the fresh wirecloth.

Abstract: apparatus for repairing or refurbishing a filter screen (of the type defined in the specification) is described. The apparatus comprises a tray for accommodating a filter screen frame from which worn wirecloth has been stripped. Wirecloth stretching means surrounds the tray which includes attachment means for securing to edges of a sheet of wirecloth laid over an upper surface of the frame in the tray. Tensioning means is provided for exerting tension on the wirecloth in at least two mutually different directions so as to stretch it over the frame, and heating means is provided for heating the frame to soften the uppermost edges of a matrix of struts and periphery of the frame. Forcing means serves to force the wirecloth into the softened edges such that after cooling, the wirecloth remains bonded to the frame. Thereafter the wirecloth can be trimmed back to the edges of the frame.

Abstract: A hybrid shaft adapted to be used as a drive shaft of an automobile transmission system comprises a unitary cylindrical hybrid stem formed from a metal tube and a composite material layer adhered to the metal tube. The metal tube provides torque-transmission strength to the hybrid shaft while the composite material layer increases a specific modulus of the hybrid shaft. The hybrid shaft is produced by stacking a composite material layer on a metal tube, putting a thermal shrinkage tube on the composite material layer, and co-curing the metal tube and the composite material layer while exerting a longitudinal compression force on the metal tube to prevent it from being thermally expanded.

Abstract: A frame includes a plurality of screen bar segments. To form the screen bar, a flat malleable strip is provided. The strip is roll-formed to form a tube having a tensioning step on its face. The tensioning step extends along a length of the tube. The tensioning step has a mounting surface, which may be the bottom of the tensioning step. A hot-melt adhesive is applied to the mounting surface. The screen is spread across the frame, so that the screen extends over the mounting surface of each screen bar segment. The screen is secured to the face of the frame with an adhesive at a plurality of positions across a length of the mounting surface of at least one screen bar segment. The adhesive may be a hot melt adhesive. The screen is inserted with a plurality of pins to intermittently suspend the screen in the adhesive across the length of the screen bar segment. An apparatus for securing the screen to the screen bar segment includes a support surface that holds a screen bar segment.

Abstract: An optical information recording medium includes a first substrate; at least a first dielectric layer and a recording layer for signal recording provided on a surface of the first substrate; and a second substrate. The first substrate and the second substrate are assembled together in the state of being warped in planar symmetry and flattened. The first dielectric layer and the recording layer is interposed between the first substrate and the second substrate.

Abstract: A method for making a cut and puncture resistant laminated fabric under a laminating pressure including the steps of rolling a thermoplastic film and a fabric constructed with a substantial majority of a high performance fiber around a small diameter core to form a wound bundle. The wound bundle is heated at a temperature of between about 250 and about 285 degrees Fahrenheit for a sufficient length of time to laminate the thermoplastic film to the fabric.

Abstract: Method of producing an impulse dried wetlaid fibrous web-shaped material, such as paper or non-woven, having a three-dimensional pattern of alternating raised and recessed portions, which have been provided in connection with impulse drying, at which the wet fibrous web is passed through at least one press nip (12) comprising rotatable roll (13) which is heated and that the fibrous web during the passage through the press nip is given a three-dimensional pattern of alternating raised and recessed portions either by means of a patterned wire (11) and/or by a pattern on the heated roll (13). To the fibrous web there has been added a material that softens or melts in the temperature interval 100-400° C. and that at least the parts of the fibrous web that is located closest to the raised portions of the heated roll (13) are heated to such a high temperature that said material softens or melts and by that provides an increased amount of bonding points in the fibrous web.

Abstract: A machine which fabricates an undergarment assembly having an openable front panel. The assembly is made from two continuous half width webs. The first and second web paths are transversely spaced. It includes devices to add a V-folded reinforcing strip along the edge of one web. Devices are included to add elastic strands adjacent the central crotch section and a re-closable tape across the front panel opening. One of the webs is printed with adhesive at spaced longitudinal intervals to bond portions of the two overlapped webs in central areas to define a bonded full width rear panel. The machine cuts leg openings and pad securement flaps on the outer margins of each half web. After assembly, the web is severed into unit products for delivery and packaging. The delivery system includes vacuum rolls for transferring flat product or longitudinally and transversely folded product for package size reduction.

Abstract: The machine of the present invention fabricates an undergarment assembly having an elasticized pad support panel secured to inner surfaces of the rear panel and the openable front panel. The machine makes the garment assembly from two half width webs, one of which has a reinforced edge. The machine arrangement includes first and second transversely spaced web paths and components to bond tensioned elastic strands to spaced dots of adhesive located on a third pad supporting web that is secured to adhesive areas applied adjacent, but not in, the garment crotch area with spaced adhesive applied to the innermost surfaces of the rear and front panels. The machine includes devices to add side margin and front panel connecting tapes, and die cutting rolls to cut leg openings in side margins. The machine includes components to divert cull product and deliver flat unfolded product, or longitudinal and transverse folded products for packaging.

Abstract: A dimensionally heat recoverable tubular article (1) is made by spirally wrapping cross-linked polymeric sheet (3) a number of times, and directly fusing together overlapping layers (5) of the cross-linked sheet (3) to form a consolidated tubular article. The final article has a wall thickness of at least 2.2 mm. Articles according to the invention may be made of different diameter and different wall thickness, starting from the same thickness initial sheet material, simply by changing the circumference of wrapping or the number of spiral wraps. Articles according to the invention are particularly useful as casings over joints between district heating pipes.

Abstract: A distinctive method and apparatus for forming an article includes a moving of at least one first strand of material, such as strand (22), along an appointed machine-direction (34). The at least one first strand of material is attached to a base layer of material (42) to provide a substrate composite (40), and a laminate layer (44) can be placed adjacent the at least one first strand of material to provide a laminate composite web (48). In a particular aspect, at least one second strand of material, such as strand (56), can be moved along its appointed machine-direction, and the at least one second strand of material can be attached to the base layer (42). In another aspect, an appointed portion of the base layer (42) can be folded to substantially enclose the at least one second strand (56) with the base layer material.

Abstract: A printing process prints a continuously moving substrate with elongate, semi-tone graphics. The printed substrate is incorporated into a composite elastic material, in which the substrate is contracted, thereby forming a desired full-tone graphic from the semi-tone graphic.

Abstract: Apparatuses, methods and systems for mesh integration and tension control, mesh retention, and mesh management of mesh-type deployable reflectors. The mesh members are comprised of a plurality of wedge-shaped gore members, each of which are pre-tensioned initially utilizing double-sided tape in a temporary manner prior to final stitching. String-like chord catenary members are positioned in pockets formed on the outer end of the gore members. The mesh member is attached to a ribbed reflector frame structure through a plurality of nodal assembly mechanisms. The nodal assemblies have spring biasing members for tensioning radial and transverse chord members along the reflector surface. A plurality of string-like members positioned in washers on the mesh member are used to maintain a tension field in the mesh member when the reflector is in its collapsed and stowed condition.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and apparatus for mechanically bonding a polymer to a convex surface of a substrate to provide intimate contact therebetween for improved energy transport between a transducer on one side of the substrate and a chemical bath on the other. The polymer seals the surface of the substrate from the chemical bath and may have a low adhesion to the substrate. A thin film of the polymer is brought under a tensile stress to provide intimate physical contact with most of the area of the convex surface. In one embodiment, the tensile stress is achieved by providing polymer as a liquid on the convex surface and then cooling to take advantage of differential thermal contraction between the polymer and the substrate to achieve the tensile stress in the polymer.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing an optical information medium has a step of bending at least one of a first board and a second board having a center hole, a step of applying a radiation-curing resin onto the bent board in a doughnut form while the bent board is rotated, and a step of lapping the other board on the bent board and rotating the paired boards integrally.

Abstract: Optical films and processes for forming the optical films are described in which materials having different properties are used and the different properties are exploited to obtain improved optical and/or mechanical properties of the optical film. The different properties of the materials may be used to select processing conditions under which the materials will react differently. The film may be processed with respect to two different directions with the amount of molecular orientation, if any, induced by the process being separately controlled for each material and each direction.

Abstract: A method of forming a composite acoustic panel (26). The method begins by arranging a perforated sheet (54) on a convex lay-up mandrel (70), arranging a core material (62, 74) on the perforated sheet (54), and curing the perforated sheet (54) and the core material (62, 74) to form a composite acoustic core (60) having a lay-up mandrel side and an opposite upper side. Composite sheets (96, 98) are then arranged on a concave lay-up mandrel. The composite acoustic core (60) is arranged on the composite sheets (96, 98) with the opposite upper side of the acoustic core (60) against the composite sheets (96, 98). The composite acoustic core (60) and the composite sheets (96, 98) are then cured so as to form the acoustic panel (26). A sacrificial sheet (76) can be added to upper side of the core material (62, 74) prior to curing the perforated sheet (54) and the core material (62, 74). The sacrificial sheet (76) preferably has a low coefficient of thermal expansion.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a multi-layer piezoelectric transducer having enhanced mechanical output displacement capability resulting from an increase in the amount of "pre-stress" applied to the electroactive (ceramic) layer by the pre-stress layer. The pre-stress layer is heated to a temperature above the temperature of the ceramic layer and bonded at an elevated temperature to the ceramic layer, such that, as the pre-stress layer subsequently cools down to ambient temperature, it applies a compressive stress to the ceramic layer. During the step of cooling the layers to ambient temperature, the temperature drop of the pre-stress layer is greater than the temperature drop of the ceramic layer, thereby increasing the amount of "pre-stress" applied to the electroactive (ceramic) layer by the pre-stress layer.

Abstract: A battery separator is made from a microporous polyolefin membrane having a thickness of less than or equal to 0.5 mil. The separator is made by extruding a parison, collapsing the parison to form a flat sheet comprising two plies, annealing the sheet, stretching the sheet, and winding the sheet.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for fabricating spindle and roller empying rotation axes made of a composite material, which comprises a step of inserting a front metal part and an end metal part into a front and an end of a rotation axis made of a composite material. In accordance with the present invention, spindle and roller with easy control of balancing and less inertia on rotation, can be fabricated, by employing rotation axes made of a composite material which has a high stiffness, superior torque transfer capability and natural frequency.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing an article of fibre reinforced resin material includes the preparation of a reinforcement preform which includes one or more roves of staple fibres with sufficiently low twist to enable the fibres to slide relative to each other and thereby the rove to elongate when subjected to tension. The reinforcement preform is shaped by deforming the preform into the desired three dimensional shape of the article being manufactured. The shaping can be carried out before, after or simultaneously with impregnation with matrix material. The matrix material may be thermoplastic material incorporated in or with the preform.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to the use of polyaryletherketone-based thermoplastic materials in the fabrication of logging tools employed in high pressure, high temperature, downhole logging applications. A polyaryletherketone resin bonded with glass fibers is formed into a housing for the logging tool. The housing is constructed by any of the following processes: filament winding or compression molding. When used with a logging tool, the housing encloses the operative components of the logging tool, such as sensors and sources, and protects the operative components from borehole fluids.

Abstract: A fluid filter includes a first batting of high loft, non-woven, fibrous fluid-permeable material with a plurality of openings formed through the thickness thereof across the length and width of the batting. A second layer of high loft, non-woven, fluid-permeable fibrous batting is attached to the first layer and extends across the entire length and width of the first layer. Preferably, the first and second layers are adhered together to form a single integral fluid filter. In the preferred form of the invention, the openings in the first batting have side walls which are perpendicular to the upper surface of the batting, such that fluid flow impacts on the upper surface of the batting, rather than directly impacting on the side walls.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for applying a bonding layer to a member of an optical recording medium and for bonding together members of an optical recording medium. The methods and apparatus are useful for assembling optical recording media such as compact disks (CDs) and digital versatile disks (DVDs), and are particularly well suited for use with pressure sensitive adhesives.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for manufacturing prestressed piezoelectric actuators which maximizes output, and increases the precision and efficiency with which the multi-layer actuators are made. Individual layers of the piezoelectric actuators are automatically stacked and registered with respect to each other within press members prior to bonding the layers to each other with a thermoplastic adhesive. Compressive force is applied while heat is conductively transferred from a heating element to the actuator in order to raise the temperature of each of the layers above the melting point of the thermoplastic. The temperature of the heating element is then decreased until the temperature of the actuator layers drops to below the melting point of the thermoplastic adhesive, thereby bonding the layers. Compressive force is then released, and the actuators are removed, further cooled and polarized.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for high speed and uniform manufacture and assembly of acoustical diaphragms having electrical conductor circuits applied thereto to frame components used with acoustic transducers wherein a web of diaphragm material having a plurality of spaced circuit carrying diaphragm sections applied thereto is moved relative to an applicator station wherein each section of the web of diaphragm material is placed under a predetermined tension and a frame component is bonded to the tensioned section, afterwhich the section of diaphragm material is severed from the web of diaphragm material.

Abstract: A method of fabrication with the formation of a receiving panel which defines a plurality of spaced-apart parallel plows extending longitudinally. The panel has an open surface along which the plows are exposed and an opposing surface from which the plows are not accessible. The plows may be formed by adhering substrates to a separate veneer layer to define the plows between the substrates. It is preferable that the veneer layer be formed of wood, but the substrates can be formed of a less expensive material, such as composite material. Once the receiving panel has been fabricated, it is bowed to form an arc about an axis parallel to the plows. This can be done by passing the panel, carried by a belt, between two rollers that are configured to define between them a profile corresponding to the arc of the panel. While the panel is in this bowed condition, strips, made of wood, are inserted in the plows. The strips can be formed by opposing laminations that are not adhered to each other.

Abstract: A photolithographically patterned spring contact is formed on a substrate and electrically connects contact pads on two devices. The spring contact also compensates for thermal and mechanical variations and other environmental factors. An inherent stress gradient in the spring contact causes a free portion of the spring contact to bend up and away from the substrate. An anchor portion remains fixed to the substrate and is electrically connected to a first contact pad on the substrate. The spring contact is made of an elastic material and the free portion compliantly contacts a second contact pad, thereby electrically interconnecting the two contact pads.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a bulk-stretched pillowed laminate of two or more layers in which at least one of the layers is stretched before other layers are attached to it. In one execution, a thermoplastic film is stretched until it permanently deforms. Then, while still in a stretched state, a nonwoven web is laminated to the film and the resultant composite is allowed to relax slightly causing the nonwoven layer to gather and pucker, which in turn gives the composite a thicker and bulkier feel and appearance. The material of the present invention, while having a wide variety of uses, is particularly well-suited for use as an outercover for personal care absorbent articles, including diapers, training pants and sanitary napkins.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing a reinforced composite prepreg material comprising the steps of aligning discontinuous fibers by use of a strong electric field while simultaneously inserting the fibers through a mesh screen and into a ply or plies of fiber reinforced polymer matrix composite in an uncured state in a direction normal to the surface of the composite material. After the fibers are attached in the ply of fiber reinforced polymer matrix composite, the aligned fibers are forced through the composite material by applying a gentle pressure to the top of the conductive fibers while simultaneously being guided by the mesh screen. After the insertion process has been completed, the mesh screen is lifted vertically away from the composite material and any unaligned fibers are simultaneously removed. The newly formed reinforced prepreg composite films are then stacked on top of each other and pressurized and cured in an autoclave or press to produce an improved composite laminate.

Abstract: A pressure-sensitive adhesive comprises an elastomer having a partially oriented and partially crystallized elastomer component. Articles comprising the pressure-sensitive adhesive on a backing or substrate are also disclosed, as are methods of preparing the adhesive and the articles.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for attaching wrap-around labels to cylindrical or prismatic containers starting with cutting of a section of a label from a suitable foil material. Then, the label section is shaped or deformed, maximally to the limit of what is reversible for the material being used, at a time immediately prior to the application of the label section onto the exterior of the container. The undulated label section is placed around the exterior of the container so that the edges of the label are overlapping and an adhesion or gluing process is initiated, for example, by reaction and/or heating. Reforming of the shaped or deformed label section is retarded until the label section rests against the exterior of the container along with the permitting the simultaneous progress of the adhesive process to be completed.

Abstract: The invention is a stretchable layered fabric laminate which is air impermeable and waterproof while being permeable to water vapor. The stretchable fabric laminate includes a stretchable composite material layer consisting of a hydrophobic protective layer of a porous polymeric material on each side of a layer of hydrophilic water-vapor-permeable synthetic polymer. The composite material layer is laminated to at least one layer of stretchable fabric. The stretchable layered fabric laminate has excellent stretch and recovery properties in both machine and transverse directions, and is useful for the manufacture of form-fitting articles of protective clothing and other end uses.

Abstract: A method for producing a pant-style garment from a substrate having a plurality of tensioned garters. A garter is any continuous loop of elastic material or a laminate of elastic bands and one or more flexible backing sheets. In one embodiment a substrate is joined to one or more mandrels having tensioned garters fitted thereon. Substrate material is removed from within the loop of the garter, thereby forming apertures in the substrate. The substrate is folded along its longitudinal centerline such that its longitudinal edges meet. The substrate is subsequently joined along lines of joinder, and the substrate is cut into individual pant-style garments. In preferable embodiments, a process for providing elastics to the longitudinal edges of the substrate, thereby producing elasticized waistbands is included.

Abstract: A process for the continuous preparation of non-expanded honeycomb core from non-precorrugated web involves the progressive corrugation and consolidation of web by a corrugating/consolidating unit containing corrugating and consolidating elongate teeth which traverses a bed unit containing sets of former bars, forming a half cell height of honeycomb at each pass. A plurality of node-antinode demes of the topmost half cell layer being formed are consolidated while new corrugations and associated node-antinode demes are being formed. The process allows for more lengthy consolidation time, a smaller temperature differential between consolidating teeth and the node-antinode demes being consolidated, and further allows the corrugating and consolidation temperatures to be substantially independent of each other. The process may be implemented through use of a corrugating/consolidation unit having a travelling belt containing corrugating and/or consolidating teeth which may be individually and selectively heated.

Abstract: A method for producing a pant-style garment from a substrate having a plurality of tensioned garters. A garter is any continuous loop of elastic material or a laminate of elastic bands and one or more flexible backing sheets. In one embodiment a substrate is joined to one or more mandrels having tensioned garters fired thereon. Substrate material is removed from within the loop of the garter, thereby forming apertures in the substrate. The substrate is folded along its longitudinal centerline such that its longitudinal edges meet. The substrate is subsequently joined along lines of joinder, and the substrate is cut into individual pant-style garments. In preferable embodiments, a process for providing elastics to the longitudinal edges of the substrate, thereby producing elasticized waistbands is included.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a hollow fiber membrane carpet includes the steps of laying out a multiplicity of hollow fibers, forming a pair of strips of non-permeable adhesive material on the hollow fibers in a transverse relationship thereto and in a spaced relationship from one another such that main portions of the hollow fibers extend between the spaced strips, cutting selected portions of the hollow fibers adjacent to the spaced strips so as to open the hollow fibers to communication at least at one of a pair of opposite end portions of the hollow fibers, and assembling the hollow fibers and spaced strips into a plurality of elementary carpet members and thereafter into a hollow fiber membrane carpet.

Abstract: The present invention relates to oral hygiene and specifically to an improved method for adding chemotherapeutic agents to dental floss containing several multi-fiber bundles, to methods of treating the oral cavity with the improved dental floss and to the improved dental flosses per se.

Abstract: An absorbent article, such as a sanitary napkin, having flaps and zones of differential extensibility for relieving the stresses that develop in the flaps when the flaps are folded down along the edges of crotch of the wearer's undergarments is provided.

Abstract: The invention is a sidewall for a cargo vessel having a seamless, snag-free interior liner. The wall includes an exterior skin that is rivetted to a first side of a supporting sidepost, and a seamless, snag-free interior liner that is mounted to the second side of the sidepost. The method for making the sidewall includes rivetting the exterior skin to the first side of the supports, and then gluing the seamless interior liner material to the second side of the supports with or without tension, and so that the interior liner is not at all pierced by fasteners, or only pierced in areas that are not likely to contact cargo. In a preferred embodiment, the interior liner is mounted to the second side of the supports under tension to maximize the interior liners' ability to absorb and deflect cargo impact and remain snag-free, sag-free and puncture resistant.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and to an arrangement for creating in a web (1) of sheet material a fold which includes at least one elastic thread (4). The web is placed on two mutually separated carrier elements (2, 3), and at least one prestretched elastic thread (4) is placed over the web in the space between the opposing edges of the carrier elements.