Abstract: The present invention is to provide a method of producing multilayer laminates comprising a polyamide and a fluorine-containing ethylenic polymer laminated together and being excellent in interlayer adhesion strength by multilayer coextrusion in an easy and simple manner without need of any additional step or without being limited to some or other particular adhesive material.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a laminated tarp and a method of making this laminate. More particularly, the present invention relates to a laminated tarp containing multiple layers, including a fabric layer sandwiched between two layers of polymeric material comprising a vinyl (co)polymer and a polyurethane material. This laminated tarp can also include a thermosetting adhesive layer between the polyurethane material and the fabric layer, as well as a heat-sealable or weldable coating over the polyurethane material and/or over the vinyl (co)polymer layer. Also described is a method for making the laminated tarp.

Abstract: A substantially planar sheet having two opposable surfaces, the sheet having at least one layer formed from a first optionally polymeric material and a second optionally polymeric material, the second material having a lower elasticity modulus (1% Secant) than the first material, incorporation of the second material producing a sheet having a tensile strength and/or elasticity modulus of about 90% or less of that of a sheet without such material when measured in any direction parallel to the sheet surface. Such conformable sheets and films are particularly useful for labelling and graphic art applications.

Abstract: A synthetic wood material and method are disclosed, including providing a plurality of continuous glass fibers oriented substantially in the longitudinal axis and coated with a resorcinol modified phenolic resin binder substantially free from catalyst. In one aspect, the synthetic wood material is oxidatively treated to restore color. In one aspect, the fibers and binder are precoated with a furfuryl alcohol resin prior to the pultrusion step to form the synthetic wood.

Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for forming filament bundles of long, continuous strands of filaments. The methods include bonding the long, continuous stands of filaments together so that they cannot move axially with respect to any other filament in the bundle. Methods of bonding include ultrasonic welding, freezing or applying adhesive.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for making a micaceous product capable of being impregnated preferably in the form of a mica ribbon by combining at least a support and a mica sheet. The invention is characterized in that it consists in: coating the support and the sheet with a solvent-fee resin or a mixture of solvent-free resins using several coating rollers brought to a temperature for producing the coat; combining the support with the mica sheet; subjecting them to a pressure and heat treatment.

Abstract: Improved filtration media or filter bodies can be made from fine fiber and can be formed into a filtration structure having no internal defects. The filter media or filter body comprises a collection of spot in fiber with defined fiber diameter, layer thickness and media solidity. The fine fiber is formed into a media body and obtains substantial flux and filtration efficiency. The filtration media or body can comprise single or multiple layers of fine fiber combined into the improved filter body.

Abstract: Improved filtration media or filter bodies can be made from fine fiber and can be formed into a filtration structure having no internal defects. The filter media or filter body comprises a collection of spot in fiber with defined fiber diameter, layer thickness and media solidity. The fine fiber is formed into a media body and obtains substantial flux and filtration efficiency. The filtration media or body can comprise single or multiple layers of fine fiber combined into the improved filter body.

Abstract: A method for providing a microwave-shield on the cover member of a microwavable food tray having different foods therein requiring different degrees of microwave irradiation is provided. The method includes providing an adhesive label directly to a cover member of the food tray in register with one of the food products in the tray. The cover member is provided on the food tray from a sheet of cover material having a plurality of microwave shields pre-applied thereto at discrete intervals.

Abstract: Extruded net with at least some strands which melt away upon the application of heat while other strands maintain elastic, or other desirable, properties. This netting is advantageously combined with a fabric in which the low melting strands function as an adhesive, while the high melting strands maintain their designed properties in the final laminate product.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided to improve a cutting reliability, to facilitate automation of the connection of wires and to allow for a reliable detection of wire joints. Ends of wires (a, a′) to be connected along their longitudinal directions are linearly placed, and a tape (t) is wound over and around the both wire ends. An adhesive layer of the tape is faced up, and the tape (t) is wound as the wire ends are rolled, thereby connecting the wires (a, a′). Since the tape displays a strong tear resistance in its longitudinal direction, the wires are strongly connected. The tape may contain reinforced fibers to display a stronger tear resistance. The wires (a, a′) are rolled by being held between plates (11, 33) and moving the plate (33) with respect to the plate (11). The tape (t) is placed on an auxiliary base plate (12) and is wound by the rolling movement of the wires (a, a′). The plate (33) is moved back after winding of the tape (t) to untwist the wires (a, a′).

Abstract: A water treatment composition comprised of a metal ion yielding material secured to an adhesive, with the adhesive secured to a structure, so that when the structure is placed in a body of water the concentration of metal ions is maintained at level sufficient to kill bacteria and sufficient to permit release of metal ions over an extended period of time. Also, a method of securing a metal ion yielding material, as well as a method of manufacture of an article, by first adhering the metal ion yielding material to a structure and then forming the structure into an article for placement in a body of water to maintain the desired metal ion concentration therein.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming an improved pultruded and clinched Z-axis fiber reinforced composite laminate structure. The upper and lower skins and the core are pulled automatically through tooling where the skin material is wetted-out with resin and the entire composite laminate is preformed in nearly its final thickness. The preformed composite laminate continues to be pulled into an automatic 3-dimensional Z-axis fiber deposition machine that deposits “groupings of fiber filaments” at multiple locations normal to the plane of the composite laminate structure and cuts each individual grouping such that an extension of each “grouping of fiber filaments” remains above the upper skin and below the lower skin. The preformed composite laminate then continues to be pulled into a secondary wet-out station.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming an improved pultruded and clinched Z-axis fiber reinforced composite laminate structure. The upper and lower skins and the core are pulled automatically through tooling where the skin material is wetted-out with resin and the entire composite laminate is preformed in nearly its final thickness. The preformed composite laminate continues to be pulled into an automatic 3-dimensional Z-axis fiber deposition machine that deposits “groupings of fiber filaments” at multiple locations normal to the plane of the composite laminate structure and cuts each individual grouping such that a extension of each “grouping of fiber filaments” remains above the upper skin and below the lower skin. The preformed composite laminate then continues to be pulled into a secondary wet-out station.

Abstract: Melt blown or spun bond nonwoven webs are formed by flowing fiber-forming material through a die cavity having a substantially uniform residence time and then through a plurality of orifices to form filaments, using air or other fluid to attenuate the filaments into fibers and collecting the attenuated fibers as a nonwoven web. Each die orifice receives a fiber-forming material stream having a similar thermal history. The physical or chemical properties of the nonwoven web fibers such as their average molecular weight and polydispersity can be made more uniform. Wide nonwoven webs can be formed by arranging a plurality of such die cavities in a side-by-side relationship. Thicker or multilayered nonwoven webs can be formed by arranging a plurality of such die cavities atop one another.

Abstract: A fibrous blanket, formed with a profiled weight and thickness across the width and/or along the length of the blanket, may be used for various thermal and/or acoustical applications or formed through molding into a molded part having: a uniform thickness and variable density; a variable thickness and a uniform density; or a variable thickness and a variable density. When forming the fibrous blanket on a collection surface, the deposition of fibers on the collection surface is controlled, by manipulating the fiber containing gas stream and the fibers in the gas stream with secondary gas streams, to obtain a desired weight and thickness profile for the fibrous blanket.

Abstract: To provide an epoxy resin composition suitable as a matrix resin for fiber reinforcement, and a yarn prepreg suitable in unwindability, excellent in higher processability due to drapability, high in the tensile strength of the epoxy resin composition after curing, and high in efficiency of the strength of reinforcing fibers. A yarn prepreg, satisfying the following formulae (1) to (3): 50≦Wf≦80  (1) 20,000≦F≦100,000  (2) F/8,000≦d≦F/2,400  (3) where Wf is the content by weight of the fiber bundle (%), F is the number of filaments in the fiber bundle and d is the width of the prepreg (mm).

Abstract: A flap fusion sheet is formed by folding a flap continuous in the longitudinal direction in two, overlaying the side ends and fusing the inner sides of the side ends by heat to form a sleeve, at one side of a continuous backing sheet formed by laminating layers made of low melting point polyolefin on both sides of a flat yarn cloth made of high melting point polyolefin, and fusing the outer side of the sleeve in the longitudinal direction at least at other positions than the end portions in the width direction of the backing sheet.

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 plurality of unidirectional sheets (30a, 30b, 30c) are superposed in different directions and they are bonded together. At least one of the unidirectional sheets is made by spreading a tow so as to obtain uniform thickness, width not less than 5 cm, and a weight of no more than 300 g/m2, cohesion being imparted to the sheet so as to enable it to be handled prior to being superposed with other sheets. Advantageously, the unidirectional sheets are made of carbon fibers and are obtained by spreading out large tows.

Abstract: A spunbond nonwoven fabric is provided, formed from a multiplicity of substantially continuous bicomponent filaments randomly arranged and bonded to one another. The bicomponent filaments have a multilobal cross-sectional configuration including a first polymer component formed of a higher-melting composition occupying at least the central portion of the filament cross-section and a second polymer component formed of a lower-melting composition being present in at least one lobe of the multilobal cross-section.

Abstract: A durable, low-density, high performance insulating material is suitable for use as a high temperature thermal and acoustic insulation. The insulation includes fiber batting made with non-thermoplastic fibers or blends of fibers such as aramid fibers and ceramic fibers, which are bound within at least some interstices by high temperature non-flammable thermoplastic binder such as polyphenylene sulfide. In addition, a fireblocking layer can be provided on at least one surface of the insulation to further improve fire ablation or flame retardance.

Abstract: The invention relates to a sound absorbing material, made from a microfilament nonwoven fabric having a mass per unit area of 40 to 300 g/m2, in which a nonwoven fabric is made from melt-spun, drawn, multi-component endless filament having a titer of 1.5 to 5 dtex and directly laid down to form a fibrous web; and the multi-component endless filaments, optionally after prebonding, are split at least to 80% to form micro-endless filaments having a titer of 0.1 to 1.2 dtex and bonded.

Abstract: A process and apparatus are provided for positioning a plurality of reinforcement strands including a spliced reinforcement strand in a desired spatial relationship prior to a forming die. The process comprises the steps of: positioning a plurality of uninterrupted reinforcement strands moving toward a forming die so that the uninterrupted strands extend from a first location upstream of the forming die to the forming die in a space-apart converging configuration; and positioning at least one spliced reinforcement strand so that it extends generally centrally through the center of the converging configuration of the uninterrupted strands. The apparatus comprises first and second guide structures.

Abstract: In a process for the manufacture of an optical ribbon conductor from several optical conductors, the outer circumference of at least one optical conductor (LW2) is coated with a first coating material (FC). The optical conductor (LW2) and at least another optical conductor (LW3) are arranged adjacent to each other in their longitudinal direction (OA) and are formed into a ribbon conductor and coated with a second coating (BC), so that a gap (S) results between the two adjacent optical conductors which is not occupied by an optical conductor. The position of at least one of the optical conductors (LW2, LW3) within the ribbon conductor (LWB) is controlled relative to the coating thickness (D) of the second coating material (BC). The second coating material (BC) can then dependably be removed after manufacture without also removing the first coating material (FC).

Abstract: Article of manufacture, board and process of manufacture of the same are provided. The board preferably includes coconut mesocarp fibers, and can be a medium density fiber board. The board is composed of at least 40-50% of the coconut mesocarp fibers. The board can also include at least one outer portion and at least one inner portion, and the coconut mesocarp fibers of the inner portion can be larger that the coconut mesocarp fibers of the outer portion. The process produces the board preferably includes coconut mesocarp fibers which can composed of at least 40-50% of the coconut mesocarp fibers.

Abstract: A nonwoven laminate material for mechanical closure systems, method for its production, and its use. The multi-layer nonwoven fabric laminate material has at least one layer of a polyolefin endless filament nonwoven fabric having a maximum tensile strength in the machine running direction that is at least as great as crosswise to that direction, and made up essentially of fibers having a titer of less than 4.5 dtex, as well as a second layer of a nonwoven fabric that is bonded to the first layer, which includes a sheet of crimped staple fibers made of polyolefins, and whose crimped fibers are coarser than the fibers of the nonwoven fabric of the first layer. The at least two nonwoven fabric layers are bonded to one another at the common interface by bonding in the form of a pre-determined pattern. With this laminate, it is possible to produce diapers that are also suitable for adult incontinence patients, which have a mechanical closure system, e.g., a Velcro™ closure.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to reducing the build up or accretion of adhesive, alone or in combination with other materials, on the surfaces of equipment used to ultrasonically treat a workpiece (e.g., ultrasonically bonding various components or pieces to one another.) Thus the invention encompasses composites, absorbent products, and methods of making said composites and products where an adhesive composition having certain identified properties is used to reduce the build up or accretion of the adhesive on ultrasonic bonding equipment. In one embodiment of the invention, a composite includes an adhesive having a capillary-viscosity value of about 7 Pas.sec or greater and a Shore-OO-Hardness value of about 65 or greater, whereby the relative accretion value is less than about 1, and more particularly less than about 0.5.

Abstract: An applicator of heat-reactive adhesive-impregnated tape has a pair of side-by-side, spaced-apart wheels which carry an endless belt. A support mechanism holds the belt against a moving sheet of material that the tape is being applied to. A tape dispenser heats the tape to melt its adhesive and feeds the heated tape onto the sheet of material. The tape travels with the sheet of material under the belt and the belt presses the tape into contact with the sheet of material. The distance between the wheels is such that the belt is in contact with the tape until the adhesive is completely cured.

Abstract: In one general aspect, the invention involves applying a chemical treatment to fibers, such as reinforcing fibers suitable for making a composite article, so as to size and/or preimpregnate the fibers. The chemical treatment has a relatively low viscosity and is substantially solvent-free and non-radiation curable. Heat energy may be employed to lower the viscosity and improve the wetting ability of the applied treatment and/or to increase the molecular weight of, or otherwise cure, the treatment with essentially no generation of solvent vapor. The treated fibers are used to form a composite strand, which may be subsequently processed in-line or off-line into a composite article having fibers disposed in a polymeric matrix. Another general aspect relates to encased composite strands, in thread or pellet form, and to wire-coating methods and apparatus for making them. The strands are moldable into fiber-reinforced thermoplastic composite articles.

Abstract: The present invention relates to copolymers containing polyamide blocks and polyether blocks based on ethoxylated primary amines, these copolymers having a melting point of between 80° C. and 135° C. and an MFI (melt flow index) of between 5 and 80 g/10 min (2.16 kg-150° C.). The invention also relates to adhesives of the HMA (or hot melt adhesive) type consisting of the above copolymers containing polyamide blocks and polyether blocks.

Abstract: A process and apparatus are provided for positioning a plurality of reinforcement strands including a spliced reinforcement strand in a desired spatial relationship prior to a forming die. The process comprises the steps of: positioning a plurality of uninterrupted reinforcement strands moving toward a forming die so that the uninterrupted strands extend from a first location upstream of the forming die to the forming die in a space-apart converging configuration; and positioning at least one spliced reinforcement strand so that it extends generally centrally through the center of the converging configuration of the uninterrupted strands. The apparatus comprises first and second guide structures.

Abstract: Fiber-reinforced semi-finished articles made of thermoplastics of medium to high viscosity and a process for their production. To produce a fiber-reinforced composite material, a multiplicity of continuous filaments having single-filament diameters of 7 to 30 micrometers are arranged in parallel in the form of a band and tensioned, and the filament band is wetted by a thermoplastic polymer melt in a melt pultrusion process. In this process, the filament band is pulled over at least two heated spreader surfaces. The viscosity of the melt, measured at low shearing rates, is 105 to 2500 Pa·s. The tension upon entering the first spreader surface is 5 N to 50 N per 4000 single filaments, and the speed of the filament band is at least 3 m/min.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing a hybrid boron reinforced polymer matrix composite from precursor tape and a linear array of boron fibers. The boron fibers are applied onto the precursor tapes and the precursor tape processed within a processing component having an impregnation bar assembly. After passing through variable-dimension forming nip-rollers, the precursor tape with the boron fibers becomes a hybrid boron reinforced polymer matrix composite. A driving mechanism is used to pulled the precursor tape through the method and a take-up spool is used to collect the formed hybrid boron reinforced polymer matrix composite.

Abstract: Disclosed is a pultrusion machine for forming a laminated composite with a predetermined profile and the product obtained. The apparatus comprises at least two spools for supplying elongated reinforcements. A collator receives the elongated reinforcements and arranges the reinforcements in layered relationship to form a layered elongated bundle. A supply member wets the layered elongated bundle with plastisol to form a wetted elongated bundle. The wetted elengated bundle is transported through a pultrusion die wherein the wetted layered bundle is molded into the predetermined profile. A converting apparatus cures, or converts, the wetted layered bundle into the layered composite. A particularly preferred embodiment is an extrusion comprising a reinforcing material wherein said reinforcing material comprises a fiber reinforced plastisol.

Abstract: Disclosed are composite elastomeric yarns comprising a polymeric core, a thermoplastic polymeric sheath disposed about the core and fibers disposed about and mechanically anchored in the sheath. The melting point temperature of the material comprising the sheath is at least about 10° C. and preferably from about 50° C. to about 75° C. lower than the melting point temperature of the material comprising the core. Methods and articles relating to such yarn are also disclosed.

Abstract: A new fiber-forming method, and related apparatus, and webs prepared by the new method and apparatus are taught. In the new method a) a stream of filaments is extruded from a die of known width and thickness; b) the stream of extruded filaments is directed through a processing chamber that is defined by two narrowly separated walls that are parallel to one another, parallel to said width of the die, and parallel to the longitudinal axis of the stream of extruded filaments; c) the stream of filaments passed through the processing chamber is intercepted on a collector where the filaments are collected as a nonwoven fibrous web; and d) a spacing between the walls of the processing chamber is selected that causes the stream of extruded filaments to spread before it reaches the collector and be collected as a web significantly wider in width than the die. Generally the increase in width is sufficient to be economically significant, e.g., to reduce costs of web manufacture.

Abstract: The present invention is to provide a base material for a laminate having a high strength, reduced thickness, and light weight. In the present invention, a base material is prepared by incorporating a thermosetting resin binder into a non-woven fabric of para-aramid fibers prepared by a wet type paper making, and then heating a plurality of the resultant non-woven fabric sheets under pressure. The non-woven fabric sheet comprises 95 to 70 mass % of the para-aramid fibers and 5 to 30 mass % of the thermosetting resin binder.

Abstract: A composite fabric for use in reinforcement of cementitious boards and similar prefabricated building wall panels. The fabric includes an open mesh first component of continuously coated, high modulus of elasticity strands and a nonwoven second component fabricated from alkali resistant thermoplastic material. The high modulus strands of the first component are preferably bundled glass fibers encapsulated by alkali and water resistant thermoplastic material. The composite fabric also has suitable physical characteristics for embedment within the cement matrix of the panels or boards closely adjacent the opposed faces thereof. The reinforcement provides long-lasting, high strength tensile reinforcement and impact resistance for the panels or boards. The reinforcement also enables the boards to have smooth outer faces suitable for painting, papering, tiling or other finishing treatment.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of securing an elastic band (13) between two material layers (14) which consist at least partially of meltable material. According to the invention, the elastic band is provided with perforations in the form of holes and/or slots. The band is placed between the two material layers and the layers are bonded together through the perforations by melting or fusing the layers together at locations opposite the perforations. The invention also relates to an elastic band which has been affixed in this manner and to a diaper which includes such a band.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming an improved pultruded and clinched Z-axis fiber reinforced composite laminate structure. The upper and lower skins and the core are pulled automatically through tooling where the skin material is wetted-out with resin and the entire composite laminate is preformed in nearly its final thickness. The preformed composite laminate continues to be pulled into an automatic 3-dimensional Z-axis fiber deposition machine that deposits “groupings of fiber filaments” at multiple locations normal to the plane of the composite laminate structure and cuts each individual grouping such that a extension of each “grouping of fiber filaments” remains above the upper skin and below the lower skin. The preformed composite laminate then continues to be pulled into a secondary wet-out station.

Abstract: Strand coating methods having an applicator head pivotally mounted adjacent a substrate, a coating material dispenser mounted on the applicator head, a strand guide mounted on the applicator head, wherein the strand guide and the coating material dispenser are adjustably positionable in unison relative to the substrate by pivoting the applicator head to vary the spacing of the strands relative to the substrate.

Abstract: Slits of precisely controlled length are cut in a layer of material having collimated fibers. Each slit begins at a defined coordinate point and proceeds diagonally at an acute angle relative to the axial direction of the fibers. Subsequent slits are initiated at coordinate points relative to the starting coordinate point of the previous slit. The region of fibers located above and below each slit are referred to as upper and lower fiber bands, respectively. The lower bands are substantially aligned in a zonal band that runs perpendicular to the lengths of the fibers. The location of the beginning coordinate point for each slit defining a zonal band is defined by adding a random length dimension to a previous starting coordinate point. The maximum length of the cut fibers may be determined in accordance with the intended application and process.

Abstract: A method for producing an extruded sheet material wherein a polymeric material is formed into a sheet and a variety of materials are incorporated into the extruded material prior to hardening. The sheet materials produced incorporate, either sheet, filament or particulate matter onto either side of the finished product, allowing for great variability in the finished product.

Abstract: Adhesive tape having a tapelike backing of nonwoven material, which is coated on at least one side with an adhesive, the nonwoven web being a staple fiber web which is mechanically consolidated or wet-laid, between 2% and 50% of the fibers of the web being fusible fibers.

Abstract: Carbon nanotube structures which enhances handling of carbon nanotubes, enabling them to be applied in a wide variety fields such as electronic devices, functional materials, and structural materials containing carbon nanotubes, and a method for producing them are provided. A method for manufacturing carbon nanotube structures includes the step of forming liquid bridges of a liquid at gaps among plural objects and/or at plural gaps among portions of an object. The plural carbon nanotubes are dispersed in the liquid and linked together, then arranged structurally to the liquid bridges, and the carbon nanotube structures are manufactured in this way.

Abstract: A multilayer laminate is produced with in-line fabric deposition. One layer of the multilayer laminate has stable, heat-set, helically crimped fibers which are uncompacted and therefore retain their loft.

Abstract: Thermosetting resin pipes and pipe fittings are provided which are prepared by polymerizing a cyclic olefin monomer in the presence of a ruthenium or osmium metathesis polymerization catalyst. These articles may be prepared by various methods, such as centrifugal casting. Reinforced articles may also be prepared by filament winding.

Abstract: An elastically stretchable composite sheet includes an elastically stretchable first web and an inelastically stretchable second web of thermoplastic synthetic resin fiber which is intermittently bonded to the first web in a y-direction. Component fiber of the second web has its cress-section cut in a direction orthogonal to the y-direction defined by a width w and a height h dimensioned to be at a ratio h/w less than 0.5. The composite sheet having such a structure improve its flexibility.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a composite laminate and a composite laminate manufactured according to the method are provided. The laminate comprises a series of fabric plies (1 to 15) of fibrous reinforcing material set in plastics matrix material. The method includes the steps of providing a relatively small number of fabric styles from which to choose; selecting at least one of those fabric styles according to design requirements for a particular portion of the laminate; laying up that portion with the said selection, and repeating the selection and layup steps as required to complete the layup of the laminate.