Abstract: A device is provided for preventing contact between a baffle plate and a focus adapter in the upper chamber of an ashing system. The device includes a housing, a baffle plate including a plurality of holes, a focus adapter between the housing and the baffle plate, a plurality of spacers aligned with the holes, and a plurality of fasteners securing the spacers between the baffle plate and the housing, wherein the spacers isolate the focus adapter from contacting the baffle plate.

Abstract: A method for producing a decorative element includes the steps of: (a) preparing a thermoplastic polyurethanes (abbreviated TPU) film, at least one ornament, and a releasing film, which has been coated with a glue layer on a plane thereof; (b) disposing the plane of the releasing film coated with the glue layer facing to the ornament; (c) arranging the ornament located between the TPU film and the releasing film to form a stacked array; (d) hot pressing the stacked array.

Abstract: A positioning device for positioning a number of two-sided adhesive pieces includes a base, a number of pulling blocks, and a pressing block. The base includes a positioning block defining a number of positioning holes. Each pulling block includes a connecting plate, and a supporting plate protruding out from a top end of the connecting plate. A first surface of each adhesive piece is adhered on a top surface of one of the supporting plate. The connecting plate is received in a corresponding one of the positioning hole. The pressing block is attached to the positioning block. A second surface of each adhesive piece to be adhered to a bottom surface of the pressing block.

Abstract: A stabilizing mechanism for resisting relative movement of upper and lower laminates of a composite structure having a core comprises a lower grip strip and at least one upper grip strip. The lower grip strip may be mounted to a tool upon which the composite structure may be processed. The lower grip strip may include an outer surface having at least one engagement feature for engaging at least one of the upper and lower laminates which make up the composite structure. The upper grip strip may have opposing outer surfaces which may include at least one engagement feature for engaging the lower strip and at least one of the upper and lower laminates.

Abstract: A process for placing at least one fiber element on a surface is disclosed so as to provide a deposited fiber element having a width that varies longitudinally. The process may provide a step in which the width of the fiber element is modified upstream of the deposition step using a width control device. A device for performing the process is also disclosed. Further, fibrous sheets containing one or more deposited fiber element having a width that varies longitudinally are also disclosed. Preforms formed from one or more of the fibrous sheets are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for bonding a first wafer on a second wafer by molecular adhesion, where the wafers have an initial radial misalignment between them. The method includes bringing the two wafers into contact so as to initiate the propagation of a bonding wave between the two wafers while a predefined bonding curvature is imposed on at least one of the two wafers during the contacting step as a function of the initial radial misalignment.

Abstract: A composite membrane of wood floor diaphragm for construction of new buildings and strengthening of existing buildings to provide improved load transfer capacity and enhanced resistance to gravity and lateral loads, such as earthquake and/or wind for buildings with wood floor framing. The aforementioned composite membrane is a system, comprised of four-way interlocking mosaic end grain parquet floor attached to a plywood subfloor beneath. A floor to floor sound blocking barrier that can operate in high eighty decibel and above range may preferably be installed under the subfloor.

Abstract: A fiber enforced sheet for use as a wall or floor covering which comprises of adhered thin bricks bonded to a fiber-reinforced, backing layer. Thin brick is adhered to the fiber enforced sheet. The fiber enforced backing increases strength and rigidity to the thin brick during handling, and installation permits the thin bricks to be adhered to proper specification and spacing to be cut using ordinary tile or thin brick tools.

Abstract: A method of providing chiplets over a substrate including providing in sequence a substrate; coating an adhesive in a layer over the substrate; placing a plurality of first chiplets onto the adhesive layer in separated chiplet location(s) to adhere the first chiplets to the adhesive layer, wherein one or more of the first chiplets do not adhere to the adhesive layer, so that first chiplet(s) are adhered to the adhesive layer in adhered chiplet location(s) and first chiplet(s) are not adhered in non-adhered chiplet location(s); locally processing the adhesive layer in the non-adhered chiplet location(s) to condition the adhesive layer in the non-adhered locations to receive second chiplets; placing second chiplet(s) onto the adhesive layer in the conditioned non-adhered chiplet location(s) to adhere the second chiplets in the adhesive layer in the non-adhered locations; and curing the adhesive.

Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention provides a method for manufacturing a composite preform from tape material, including feeding a tape section into a tape section guide that suspends the tape across a tooling surface, moving at least one of the tape section guide and the tooling surface relative to each other to position the tape section at a desired location and orientation relative to the tooling surface, moving the tape section toward a pre-existing tape section disposed on the tooling surface, and tacking the tape section to the pre-existing tape section. A corresponding apparatus for manufacturing composite preforms is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a hull for vessels, containers or equivalents. The method comprises the steps: preparing an elastic or viscoelastic glue through mixing of at least two components; monitoring and/or controlling the mixing for determining if a correct desired mixing product has been achieved; applying a layer of the glue onto the hull (2) or on a first side of a sheet (4) of cellular plastic or other light weight material; mounting the sheet onto the hull, the sheet being equipped with a multiplicity of through-going air evacuation holes (12); placing an air permeable material (6) on top of the other side of the sheet (4), mounting a vacuum foil (8) onto the other side of the sheet; gluing by vacuum suction; observing visually if the glue exits out of the air evacuation holes on the other side of the sheet.

Abstract: An absorbent composite includes a water-insoluble fibrous matrix, a superabsorbent polymer composition that has an initial absorbent capacity of at least about 5 grams of saline per gram of superabsorbent polymer composition; and a first triggering mechanism having a first release time of between about 5 and 60 minutes, where the superabsorbent polymer composition has a second absorbent capacity that is at least about 25 % greater than the first absorbent capacity as measured by the mCRC Test.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing camera modules for use in portable electronic devices, such as mobile phones, is provided. More specifically, in camera modules utilizing lens motion type auto focus actuation, permanent magnets associated with voice coil motors utilized in the auto focus system, generate magnetic flux that can interfere with the process of bonding image sensors to camera modules if the permanent magnets of different voice coil motors are positioned too closely. Incorporating a magnetic shield into the manufacturing process to restrain or control the magnetic flux generated by the permanent magnets permits voice coil motors to be positioned closer together during the manufacturing process. This increases manufacturing throughput and reduces cost.

Abstract: Composite tape is laminated onto a substrate using a gantry to move a tape laminating head along the length of the substrate. The laminating head is mounted for movement along a beam on the gantry that extends across the width of the substrate. The direction of lamination may be altered by changing the angular orientation of the beam.

Abstract: An assembly and method for placing a desired length of tape material, fed as a moving continuous strip of tape material, onto a moving continuous web of material, wherein the orientation of the placed tape material is substantially perpendicular to the direction of movement of the moving continuous web of material.

Abstract: Pressure-sensitive adhesive tape made of a flat, support material each side of which is coated with a pressure-sensitive adhesive, the pressure-sensitive adhesive on at least one side being produced from a monomer mixture comprising a monomer of the formula CH2?CH(R1)(COOR2), where R1?H or CH3 and R2 is an alkyl radical having 1 to 10 carbon atoms or H and the homopolymer possesses a static glass transition temperature of <?30° C.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for applying a die attach epoxy to substrates on a panel of substrates. The system includes a window clamp having one or more windows through which the epoxy may be applied onto the substrate panel. The size and shape of the one or more windows correspond to the size and shape of the area on the substrate to receive the die attach epoxy. Once the die attach epoxy is sprayed onto the substrate through the windows of the window clamp, the die may be affixed to the substrate and the epoxy cured in one or more curing steps. The system may further include a clean-up follower for cleaning epoxy off of the window clamp, and a window cleaning mechanism for cleaning epoxy off of the sidewalls of the windows of the window clamp.

Abstract: A top down trap lock shingle system that includes a plurality of identical shingles, each shingle having a bottom layer and a top layer permanently attached to said top edge of said bottom layer forming an extended area along the top of the shingle that includes strips of adhesive and said bottom layer having an enlarged nailing or stapling zone that extends beyond the bottom edge of the top layer. The shingles are trapped locked together by inserting the top tab portion of the top area in a top down manner onto an above shingle row staggered to protect the seams and fastening the bottom edge of the shingle to the plywood roof thus trap locking each of the shingle rows in place. The laminated shingle system is especially durable and provides protection against high winds preventing wind damage and water intrusion.

Abstract: The disclosure concerns a method, an apparatus and a system for producing or equipping paperboard such that information carriers can be implanted between two layers of material, together with a piece of paperboard material produced in this way and a package. In particular, the disclosure concerns the implantation of an information carrier in corrugated paperboard, taking into account cuts that are subsequently to be made in the transverse direction, the distance of the position at which the cross-cuts are made from the position at which the information carriers are applied, and the movement executed by the web of material between the application position and the cross-cutting position.

Abstract: A fluid sample analyzing system may be formed from an image sensor integrated circuit substrate. A glass wafer may be used to cover a wafer of image sensors. The glass wafer and the image sensor wafer may be attached using oxide bonding. Fluid channels may be formed in a layer that is interposed between the image sensor wafer and the glass wafer. The layer may be deposited on the image sensor wafer and the glass wafer prior to oxide bonding. A spacer may be used to deliver the fluid channel layer to the image sensor wafer before the glass wafer is bonded to the image sensor wafer. The spacer may be formed from a silicon wafer. The silicon wafer may be bonded to the image sensor wafer and thinned, leaving a thin spacer wafer layer on the image sensor wafer in which fluid channels may be formed.

Abstract: A manufacturing method of a semiconductor device comprising the steps of: affixing a die attach film and a dicing film to a back surface of a semiconductor wafer: thereafter dicing the semiconductor wafer and the die attach film to divide the semiconductor wafer into a plurality of semiconductor chips: thereafter pulling the dicing film from the center toward the outer periphery of the dicing film with a first tensile force to cut the die attach film chip by chip; and thereafter picking up the semiconductor chips together with the die attach film while pulling the dicing film from the center toward the outer periphery of the dicing film with a second tensile force smaller than the first tensile force.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing bamboo mats which also relates to the use of such bamboo mats including bamboo mats and products manufactured from such bamboo mats. This method is found to produce bamboo mats with an improved form-retention and durability compared to known bamboo mats made of strips obtained directly from the ‘wet’ bamboo stem. The bamboo mats can be used in interior construction, for instance for furniture or the covering of floors, walls and ceiling.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention contemplate the formation of a solar cell module comprising an array of interconnected solar cells that are formed using an automated processing sequence that is used to form a novel planar solar cell interconnect structure. In one embodiment, the module structure described herein includes a patterned adhesive layer that is disposed on a backsheet to receive and bond a plurality of conducting ribbons thereon. The substantially planar bonded conducting ribbons are then used to interconnect an array of solar cell devices to form a solar cell module that can be electrically connected to one or more external components, such as an electrical power grid, satellites, electronic devices or other similar power requiring units. Embodiments of the invention may further provide a roll-to-roll system that is configured to serially form a plurality of solar cell modules over different portions of a backsheet material received from a roll of backsheet material.

Abstract: A manufacturing method of an absorbent article according to the present invention includes the steps of: splitting an elastic member bundle having line-splitting strength within the predetermined range into multiple first elastic members by feeding the elastic member bundle in an MD via a line splitter, the line-splitting strength measured by a predetermined measuring method; applying an adhesive at least on a predetermined curved line on a web continuously conveyed; and placing the multiple elastic members thus split on the web while swinging the elastic members in a CD. The elastic member bundle is formed by splitting a single original elastic member with a slit into the multiple elastic members, and bundling and pressurizing the multiple elastic members.

Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention provides a method for manufacturing a composite preform from tape material, including feeding a tape section into a tape section guide that suspends the tape across a tooling surface, moving at least one of the tape section guide and the tooling surface relative to each other to position the tape section at a desired location and orientation relative to the tooling surface, moving the tape section toward a pre-existing tape section disposed on the tooling surface, and tacking the tape section to the pre-existing tape section. A corresponding apparatus for manufacturing composite preforms is also disclosed.

Abstract: Tapes for marking valuable components and their housings and supporting posts are described along with a process for utilizing the tapes including the steps of sequentially marking the copper and the equipment with a MR marking (e.g. barcodes, Q-R codes and/or EF transmitters). EF or related broadcasting transmitters or their equivalent would be thin enough and responsive to a signal; machine reading a MR sequence on copper that is brought; marking the copper sold before, after or at the point of sale; identifying the location and coding the copper as stolen at the point of theft, utilizing a nationwide system of copper marking tied to the buyer's information; visually marking the copper in a non-sequential way, potentially by region or state in order to minimize the amount of overlap and would also include the concepts of mandatory scanning of copper products at installation or recycling.

Abstract: To provide a lay-up apparatus capable of precision positioning and laying of thin strips of copper foil or insulation tape on a flat plane even when there are variations in the cut lengths of the strips. A lay-up apparatus lays first and second strips of tape 101, 102 on top of two electrodes 5, 6 deposited on a photovoltaic devices panel 1. The strips of tape are unwound by first and second grippers 112, 122 and cut to predetermined lengths by first and second cutters 113, 123. The cut strips of tape are laid one on top of the other and transported by rotatable moving means 130. The moving means 130 rotates in opposite directions when laying the strips of tape it holds from the electrode 5 toward the electrode 6 and when laying the strips of tape from the electrode 6 toward the electrode 5, while using one end of the strips of tape as a reference and keeping constant the relative positions of the reference end of the strips of tape and that electrode which is nearest the reference end.

Abstract: An outdoor lighting fixture having a composite lens assembly that includes a transparent liner or sleeve having a translucent mosaic covering composed of a plurality of glass shards having a grout compound infused in the interstices between the plurality of glass shards. The transparent liner is a thin-walled cup having a shape that is symmetrical about its vertical axis and is open at its upper end. The transparent liner may have a frusto-conical, cylindrical, parabolic, hemi-spherical shape or any combination thereof. While the liner or sleeve is preferably transparent, other embodiments may be colored or frosted translucent to provide differing illumination effects. In addition, while the exterior and interior surfaces of the transparent liner are preferably smooth, in other embodiments they may be textured. A novel two-step process for manufacturing the composite lens assembly is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to polyethylene material that has a plurality of unidirectionally oriented polyethylene monolayers cross-piled and compressed at an angle to one another, each polyethylene monolayer composed of ultra high molecular weight polyethylene and essentially devoid of resins. The present invention further relates to ballistic resistant articles that include or incorporate the inventive polyethylene material and to methods of preparing the material and articles incorporating same.

Abstract: The present invention provide an apparatus for manufacturing a bonded substrate that suppresses a defect in the bonded substrate. When the pressure in a vacuum chamber is at the atmospheric level, upper and lower chuck units respectively attract substrates through vacuum. When the vacuum chamber is depressurized, each chuck unit electrostatically attracts the associated substrate. During the depressurization of the vacuum chamber, the pressure for attracting each substrate to the associated chuck unit is controlled to be equal to the pressure in the vacuum chamber. This prevents each substrate from falling from or moving relative to the associated chuck unit. The first and second substrates are thus bonded together as accurately aligned.

Abstract: The invention discloses double-sided metal clad laminates and fabrication methods thereof. A plurality of polyamic acid coatings is co-extruded on a first metal foil and heat imidization to provide a multilayer polyimide film. A second metal foil is hot pressed on the multilayer polyimide film, thus providing a double-sided metal clad laminate. The polyamic acid coatings include a first, a second, and a third polyamic acid coating with surface tensions of S1, S2, and S3, respectively, satisfying relations of S1>S2>S3, wherein the first polyamic acid coating is the coating directly applied on the first metal foil.

Abstract: Corrosion-resistant adhesive compositions are provided. The compositions are useful for bonding together plies in multi-ply cellulosic fibrous structures. Multi-ply cellulosic fibrous structures incorporating the adhesives, products produced from such structures, and methods of producing the structures are also disclosed. The adhesive compositions incorporate a polyvinyl alcohol polymer and a corrosion inhibitor. The adhesive compositions may be sprayed or coated onto the cellulosic structures to bond layers of the structure to each other. The corrosion-resistant adhesive compositions are useful for preventing corrosion in the various devices used for handling and application of the adhesives such as spray equipment and applicator rolls. The cellulosic fibrous structures may be used to produce a variety of products including paper towels, toilet tissue, facial tissue, napkins, and other absorbent materials.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for bonding metal or plastic substrates, in which the substrate is freed from adhering impurities, a dual-component polyurethane adhesive is directly applied onto at least one substrate without prior application of a primer and the substrates are joined and cured. According to the invention, the dual-component polyurethane adhesive is composed of a component A, containing 1 to 98% by weight with reference to the component A of an oleochemic polyol, 1 to 10% by weight of at least one three-, four- or five-functional polyol with a molecular weight of 90 to 750 g/mol, 2.5 to 60% by weight of at least on aldehyde resin, keton resin and/or keton/aldehyde resin with a molecular weight of 250 to 25000 g/mol, and 0 to 70% by weight of other additives and a component B, containing at least one polyisocyanate, the NCO/OH ratio of the isocyanate component to the polyol component ranging between 1.0 and 2.0:1.

Abstract: A disposable diaper 1 includes a topsheet 2, a backsheet 3, and an absorbent member 4 between the sheets 2 and 3. A pair of leg flaps 5 each having an elastic member is provided along the laterally opposite side edges of the absorbent member 4. Each of the leg flaps 5 is fixed at its front end portion 52 and rear end portion 53 to a portion C, one of longitudinally opposite end portions of the diaper, and to a portion B, the other end portion, in such a configuration that each of the leg flaps 5 may be folded back over the side of the backsheet 3 when the disposable diaper 1 is in a flat-out state with the elastic members stretched.

Abstract: A method for making an illustrated card has providing a cardboard with at least one printed layer and ornamentation; positioning one ornamentation on one of the adhesive portions; pressing the ornamentation toward the adhesive portion; and repeating positioning one ornamentation on one of the adhesive portions and pressing the ornamentation toward the adhesive portion. The illustrated card allows users especially children to make the illustrated card by themselves and children can be trained to arrange the ornamentation with different colors for improving chromatological and fine-motor skills.

Abstract: The construction element (1) has a hollow body (2) which extends along a longitudinal axis (A) and has substantially rectangular cross-section, possibly with rounded corners, and at least a first (3a) and at least a second (3b) strut element, wherein the first strut element (3a) extends from a first edge of the hollow body (2) to the second edge which lies opposite it with respect to the longitudinal axis, and the second strut element (3b) extends along the other diagonal between the associated edges. The strut elements (3a, 3b) are advantageously designed and arranged such that they absorb compressive forces but not tensile forces. A semi-finished product (1a) which has the strut elements (3a, 3b) and a tubular sleeve element (4) which extends along a longitudinal axis (A) can be arranged inside the construction element (1). The hollow body (2) and the strut elements (3a, 3b) can be fabricated completely from a fiber-reinforced plastic.

Abstract: Upon arranging a base portion and first and second silicon carbide layers such that each of a first backside surface of the first silicon carbide layer and a second backside surface of the second silicon carbide layer faces a first main surface of the base portion, at least one of the first and second silicon carbide layers is partially projected as a projection to outside the first main surface when viewed in a planar view. Each of the first and second backside surfaces and the first main surface are connected to each other by heating. This heating carbonizes at least a part of the projection, thereby forming a carbonized portion. When removing the projection, the carbonized portion is processed. In this way, the planar shape of a silicon carbide substrate can be readily adjusted.

Abstract: There is provided a film peeling device (100) for peeling a film (3) stuck onto a first portion (121) containing a peripheral portion of a wafer (20) and also stuck onto a second portion (122) located inward with respect to the first portion, comprising: a moving means (61, 62) for relatively moving the first portion and/or second portion so that the film of the first portion of the wafer can be located at a position higher than the film of the second portion; a tape drawing means (142) for drawing out a peeling tape (103) onto the film stuck onto the first and the second portion; and a peeling means (146) for peeling the film from the first and the second portion of the wafer when the peeling tape drawn out from the tape drawing means is pressed against only the first portion film and moved along the first portion. Due to the foregoing, it is possible to prevent the wafer from being damaged at the time of peeling the front surface protection film.

Abstract: An electrochemical element includes at least one individual cell having electrodes arranged on a sheet-like separator, wherein the electrodes have been applied to the separator by at least one adhesive.

Abstract: Ruthenium or a Ruthenium compound is applied to an anode structure according to a predetermined pattern, with only part of the anode active area containing Ru. The parts of the MEA that do not contain Ru are not expected to suffer degradation from Ru cross-over, so that overall degradation of the cell will be diminished. Having less precious metals will also translate into less cost.

Abstract: A carbon nanotube film structure includes at least two overlapped carbon nanotube films, with adjoining films being aligned in different directions. Each carbon nanotube film includes a plurality of successive carbon nanotube bundles aligned in the same direction. The carbon nanotube structure further includes a plurality of micropores formed by/between the adjoining carbon nanotube bundles. A method for fabricating the carbon nanotube film structure includes the steps of: (a) providing an array of carbon nanotubes; (b) pulling out, using a tool, one carbon nanotube film from the array of carbon nanotubes; (c) providing a frame and adhering the carbon nanotube film to the frame; (d) repeating steps (b) and (c), depositing each successive film on a preceding film, thereby achieving at least a two-layer carbon nanotube film; and (e) peeling the carbon nanotube film off the frame to achieve the carbon nanotube structure.

Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention provides a method for manufacturing a composite preform from tape material, including feeding a tape section into a tape section guide that suspends the tape across a tooling surface, moving at least one of the tape section guide and the tooling surface relative to each other to position the tape section at a desired location and orientation relative to the tooling surface, moving the tape section toward a pre-existing tape section disposed on the tooling surface, and tacking the tape section to the pre-existing tape section. A corresponding apparatus for manufacturing composite preforms is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a radome which has excellent transmission loss of radio waves and structural strength, which can be easily produced, and which has favorable workability, and a method of producing the same. The radome includes an olefin woven material and a glass cloth, in which the olefin woven material and the glass cloth are impregnated with a matrix resin to be integrated with each other, and the glass cloth is disposed closer to an inner side of the radome than the olefin woven material. As the olefin woven material, a woven material formed of an ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene fiber can be used. As the matrix resin, an epoxy resin, a vinyl ester resin, an unsaturated polyester resin, or a silicone resin can be used.

Abstract: A component mounting apparatus includes: a plurality of pressure-bonding units which are arrayed in line and each of which includes a pressure-bonding head for pressure-bonding a component to a component pressure-bonding area of the substrate, and an edge-portion support member for supporting an edge portion of the substrate during the pressure bonding; a guide support member for supporting the pressure-bonding units so that their movement along the edge portion for execution of substrate pressure-bonding can be guided; a common head up/down unit for integrally moving up and down the individual pressure-bonding heads; and a plurality of unit-moving devices which are provided for the plurality of pressure-bonding units, individually and respectively, to move the pressure-bonding units along the edge portion so that placement of the pressure-bonding units is changed.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure relate generally to body gear having designed performance characteristics, and in particular to methods and apparatuses that utilize an array of holographic heat managing elements coupled to a base material to direct body heat while also maintaining the desired transfer properties of the base material. In some embodiments, the heat managing material elements include heat-directing elements that reflect heat or conduct heat, and may be directed towards the body of a user or away from the body of the user.

Abstract: A die-attach film and a method of manufacturing the same, the method including providing a dicing film layer with the attach layer thereon, the dicing film layer being prepared from a photocurable adhesive composition and including an attach layer region overlapping the attach layer such that the attach layer blocks inflow of oxygen into the attach layer region, and a ring frame region, the ring frame region having an upper surface that is adjacent to the attach layer and is exposed to air or an oxygen atmosphere such that oxygen flows into the ring frame region; and irradiating UV light to a back side of the dicing film layer to induce photocuring of the attach layer region, the oxygen in the ring frame region acting as a radical scavenger and suppressing photocuring of the ring frame region.

Abstract: A laminate comprising aramid paper containing aramid fiber and aramid pulp and polyester film, the aramid paper and polyester film having been subjected to plasma surface treatment before laminating, wherein the aramid paper and polyester film are continuously bonded to each other. The disclosure is concerned with a process for manufacturing the laminate and an apparatus for manufacturing the laminate.

Abstract: Systems and methodologies for facilitating the proper case and feeding of children or others by parents or caregivers. Through visual cues on products, juxtaposed with corresponding textual descriptors, and color-coding, the technique of the present invention provides a ready tool to identify appropriate foods. Additionally, a ring protocol establishes a way to assure that not only appropriate foods are consumed but in an appropriate percentage and amount, thereby assuring parents and other caregivers that their charges are properly fed.

Abstract: A flexible material includes a plurality of separate resilient elements joined to a flexible, resiliently stretchable substrate. Such a material is suitable for providing protective war for human and animal bodies. Preferably, the elements includes a foam material such as a closed cell polyethylene foam and the substrate includes a knitted fabric. In an advantageous embodiment, a second flexible substrate is bonded over the elements to sandwich them between the two layers of substrate.

Abstract: A flexible material includes a plurality of separate resilient elements joined to a flexible, resiliently stretchable substrate. Such a material is suitable for providing protective war for human and animal bodies. Preferably, the elements includes a foam material such as a closed cell polyethylene foam and the substrate includes a knitted fabric. In an advantageous embodiment, a second flexible substrate is bonded over the elements to sandwich them between the two layers of substrate.