Abstract: To produce a flexible material comprising a carrier with active particles fixed thereon by adhesive points, the adhesive points are applied to the carrier when the carrier is of larger area than in its final condition, whereby the adhesive points with active particles adhering thereto are brought closer together in the final condition of the material than when the adhesive points were initially applied.

Abstract: In order to electrically connect the projecting electrodes of an LSI with a given wiring pattern on a circuit substrate, at least a portion of the electronic part is covered with a heat-shrinkable film member which in turn is fixedly mounted on the circuit substrate by adhesive at the opposite side or all the sides of the heat-shrinkable film member. When the heat-shrinkable film member is heated, the shrinkage of the heat-shrinkable film member presses the LSI against the circuit substrate under pressure. Thus, the bumps of the LSI can be electrically connected with the wiring pattern on the circuit substrate. Therefore, the LSI can be easily mounted on the circuit substrate or replaced by a new one.

Abstract: A method in which a multi-layered ceramic circuit board made of a hybrid laminate consisting of green sheets containing hollow silica and green sheets containing no hollow silica is manufactured without failures occurring during the firing of the laminate. By incorporating quartz glass into a first ceramic material containing hollow silica to replace part of the hollow silica with quartz glass, the compositions of the first ceramic material and a second ceramic material containing no hollow silica are controlled so that the difference between the percentages of shrinkage on firing of the green sheets formed of the first and second ceramic materials is within 1%.

Abstract: A process of placing a sleeve on a cable comprising:A) wetting at least one ofa) the internal surfaces of the sleeve andb) the external surfaces of a substrate on which the sleeve is to be placed with an aqueous mixture comprising a lubricant;B) draining excess aqueous mixture from the wetted surfaces;C) placing the sleeve into close and conforming contact with the substrate;D) sliding the sleeve off of the substrate; andE) placing the sleeve over the cable.

Abstract: This invention relates to the preparation of a balloon dilatation catheter which comprises blowing a length of double lumen tubing to produce a double lumen catheter piece having distal and proximal ends and having a first lumen and a second lumen; cutting an opening in the second lumen proximal to the distal end of the catheter piece; inserting a pushing wire having distal and proximal ends into the second lumen through the proximal end of the catheter piece until the distal end of the pushing wire extends distally across the opening; inserting a piece of lubricous tubing into the second lumen through the distal end of the catheter piece; sealing the distal end of the first lumen; heating the distal portion of the catheter piece to cause the distal portion of the second lumen to shrink slightly to cause the lubricous tubing to fixedly engage the distal end of the pushing wire, while the first lumen is pressurized; and heating the remainder of the catheter piece to cause the second lumen to shrink around the

Abstract: System and method for densifying expanded thermoplastic foam materials such as loose fill packing materials, larger blocks of such materials, and food and beverage service items to reduce the volume of such materials for recycling or disposal. The material is heated to soften the material and expel gas from cells within the material and thereby shrink the material to a reduced volume. In some embodiments, and the material is further densified by compacting the heat softened material to further reduce the volume.

Abstract: Heat-shrinkable tubes are fitted on a dress hanger or its clips and are then shrunk by heating them until the tubes are tightly secured to the hanger or its clips. The tubes are flocked or are otherwise provided with a constituent exhibiting a non-slip property at locations where the tubes will come into contact with clothes hung on the hanger. The clothes are thus prevented from slipping on the hanger.

Abstract: A heat recoverable, shrink-object is made from a mesh or web assembly having thermoplastic threads that extend in a first direction, and second threads that are essentially non-stretchable and run transversely to the first threads, that assembly is embedded in a polymer matrix which is then crosslinked; the thermoplastic threads do not crosslink; the matrix with embedded mesh or web is then heated to a temperature above the crystallite melting point of the polymer matrix and the thermoplastic threads are stretched into an elongated state at that temperature, and the stretching is maintained during subsequent cooling until a lower temperature including room temperature is reached and stretching is no longer needed to maintain said elongated state.

Abstract: A method of bonding a rib on an endless belt includes applying a bonding material on the endless belt increasing a circumferential length of an endless rib and collaring the rib having the increased circumferential length on a portion of the endless belt where the bonding material is applied.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for the manufacture of a composite camouflage construction having an open mesh net substrate, and a continuous sheet overlying the substrate and bonded thereto along plural spaced lines of attachment, with lobes of the sheet cut to simulate the appearance of leaves and foliage. Apparatus and method includes a sewing station for stitching the sheet along plural spaced lines of attachment to the substrate to form open-ended pockets or channels between the sheet and substrate. The cutting station spaces the sheet from the substrate and a heated cutting wire reciprocates between adjacent lines of stitches to cut the sheet, open the channel, and use a series of loose lobes simultating the appearance of natural objects of a terrain, the fabric is then heated to cause the lobes to shrink and fall out of the plane of the fabric and are folded and creased to increase the openness of the fabric.

Abstract: A process for applying heat shrink film to containers comprising the steps of a) coating at least a portion of a heat shrinkable but unshrunken film segment with a reactive hot melt polyurethane adhesive having a free isocyante content greater than 2% and a viscosity less than 3000 cps at 225.degree. F.; b) applying the film to the longitudinal surface of the container; and, c) subjecting the container to heat to shrink the film onto the container so as to permanently affix it thereto.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for applying heat shrinkable film to containers and other articles having a vertical body position, e.g., the cylindrical body of a container, and one or two re-entrant portions, e.g., a shoulder on a bottle. A segment of film is applied to the vertical surface without heat shrinking and with one or two end portions overlapping the re-entrant part of the article Heat is applied to the overlap or overlaps to shrink them onto the article.

Abstract: A method of making a pipe-like member such as a fishing rod and a golf club is disclosed. According to the method, a tape-like prepreg is formed by overlaying each other a first fiber layer comprised of fibers aligned along a longitudinal direction of the layer and a second fiber layer comprised of fibers aligned in a direction substantially normal to the fiber alignment direction of the first fiber layer. Then, the tape-like prepreg is wound about a mandrel with a turn of the prepreg being widthwise overlapped with an adjacent turn of the prepreg. Thereafter, the assembly is sintered.

Abstract: This invention relates to a composition of matter having a fibre structure incorporating a major proportion of heat shrinkable fibres, the structure includes within it discreet fibre groupings which serve to provide structural elements within the composition. The composition of the invention is capable of being formed to provide shaped products. A particular aspect of the invention relates to compositions comprising flame retardant fibres typically polyimide fibres which enables the production of flame retardent compositions. The density of the structures can be controlled as can the rigidity thereof.

Abstract: A stretchable nonwoven fabric is provided, in which a uniform web comprising 70 to 100% by weight of polypropylene base heat-bondable composite fibers and 0 to 30% by weight of other organic fibers and having a web heat shrinking percentage "A" of 50% or lower at 100.degree. C. and a web heat shrinking percentage "B" of 50% or higher at 120.degree. C. provided that a difference "B"-"A" between the latter and the former is 20% or higher, the fibers being uniformly entangled together, has been shrinked as a result of sufficient crimping and more increased entanglement of the above composite fibers imparted through further heat-treatment, and which has an elastic recovery-at-30%-elongation of 80% or higher in both the warp and weft directions. This nonwoven fabric has no density variation, no crease, and excellent stretchability.

Abstract: Central is a nonstretchable, high strength thread that extends transverse to stretching, either of individual heat recoverable strands or of an embedding layer. The thread is either placed across plural heat recoverable strands, or plural threads are individually wrapped around the strands, or there is a plurality of helices on thermoplastic strings in a heat recoverable embedment, with further transverse high strength threads being interwoven with the helices.

Abstract: A vinyl floor covering to accommodate wood subfloor contraction and expansion as well as rolling load incorporates a foamed plastisol encapsulated glass mat which may be cut to form pivot points and expanded under a controlled pre-stressed condition. The glass mat serves as a carrier during manufacture and an "elastic glass" reinforcing layer during use as either tension or loose-lay flooring. The floor covering may be a true hybrid surface covering which is capable of accommodating the dimensional change of a target subfloor by utilizing the characteristics of both tension floorings and loose-lay floorings.

Abstract: A plurality of sheets (12,16,18) of Low-Temperature-Cofired-Ceramic (LTCC) tape or other fusible ceramic tape are laminated together. A pattern (10) is printed on an external surface (12a) of the laminated structure (20) of a material having a thermal shrinkage rate which is different from that of the tape. The pattern (10) may be printed before or after lamination. The structure (20) is then baked to burn organic materials out of the tape. During this step, the pattern (10) and underlying portions (12b,12c) of the upper tape sheet (12) shrink to a different extent than the bulk of the structure (20), and delaminate therefrom to form cavities (26,28) having the same shape as the pattern (10). The structure (20) is then fired to sinter the tape and form a fused multilayer substrate (32). The cavities (26,28) may be filled with an electrically conductive or resistive material (36,38).

Abstract: A sleeve for clamping and connecting items to be clamped or connected includes a plurality of windings of heat shrinkable material bound into a sleeve which is placed over the item to be clamped or items to be connected. The heat shrinkable material in the sleeve is secured in such a way that upon application of heat to the sleeve, the heat shrinkable windings will shrink and exert inward compressive pressure about the inner surface of the sleeve and thereby about the item to be clamped or the items to be connected. When desired for clamping a tubular item, the clamp can be incorporated as part of the tubualr item by incorporating the windings of heat shrinkable material into the end of the tubular item. The method of clamping of the invention includes the steps of positioning a tubular item over the item to which it is to be clamped and then placing a pluraltiy of windings of a heat shrinkable material about the tubular item where it surrounds the item to which it is to be clamped.

Abstract: A formable textile material is described comprising a textile sheet material comprising at least two different kinds of polyester yarn, at least one of the yarns having a heat shrinkage at the boil of at least 45%, preferably at least 60%, and at least one of the yarns having a heat shrinkage of at most 10%, preferably at most 5%, in the shrunk and unshrunk state; further the formable textile material provided with a resin finish and a dimensionally stable network material produced therefrom.Processes for producing these articles are also specified.

Abstract: In the manufacture of thermoplastic film zipper bags and the like heat sealing the film to the zipper produces a seal line that shrinks, resulting in unsightly apearance. A system and method are disclosed for restoring the shrunk seal line to its orginal length by corrugating and stretching it between mating teeth. A method is also disclosed for restretching the seal without corrugation.

Abstract: A method of highly accurate printing using a web offset press, particularly suited for stereographic printing. Consistent reproductions of a composite image are produced on a paper web, and registry between the image and an embossed screen is maintained, by preshrinking (e.g., reducing the moisture content of) the paper prior to printing the composite image on the paper web. Preshrinking the paper prevents the subsequent ink drying operation from causing shrinkage of the paper and concomitant variations in the image, permitting inline formation of a screen in accurate registry with the image.

Abstract: A conformable electromagnetic radiation suppression cover comprising one or more absorbing material(s) and a sealant. The cover conforms to the shape of a reflecting structure due to forces internal to the absorbing material(s) when the cover is subjected to an agent external to the cover. The absorber comprises dissipative particles bound in a conformable polymeric binder. The sealant is positioned to seal the conformable cover to the reflecting structure, and provides environmental protection to the structure and preferably better adhesion between the cover and the structure. In a preferred embodiment, the volume of the cover is varied before shrinkage to produce a cover thickness in the direction of incident radiation, as measured after shrinkage, which produces a preselected resonant frequency for the cover. The cover may include a conductive surface, such as a metallic foil. Impedance matching materials are preferred but not required.

Abstract: In heat-connections between metal and ceramic, martensite stainless steel or martensite heat-resistant steel which can be hardened by quenching in a gas or vacuum after having been heated beyond the quench hardening temperature thereof are used as metal. The heat connection is by brazing or shrinkage fit at 800.degree. C. or more. Stress strain caused by a difference in thermal expansion coefficient between the two can be reduced. Further, since the metal can be connected to the ceramic while hardening the metal, man-hours can be reduced markedly.

Abstract: Optical elements (52, 54) are bonded to supports (58) by a resilient bonding agent (68) and a rigid bonding agent (78). The resilient bonding agent has the property of shrinking upon curing and is placed within a bonding space (66) defined by rails (64) of a rail assembly (56). Upon curing, the bonding agent shrinks and securely pulls the contacting surfaces (52b, 64a) of the element and the rails under tension of the bonding agent. A donut (80) of resilient material spaces the bonding agent from contact with or adjacent to the contacting surfaces (64a, 52b) so that, for a rail assembly and an optical element of significantly different coefficients of thermal expansion, temperature variations will not cause glass pieces to be pulled from the optical element. The base (62) of the rail assembly is also made thin to bend and provide relief upon contraction of the bonding agent rather than to unduly stress the optical element.

Abstract: A vinyl tension floor covering includes a reinforcing layer, preferably disposed below the neutral bending plane. The floor covering elongates in at least one direction due to a controlled pre-stressed condition and tends to return to its original pre-elongated dimension. Reinforcing layers expand in the across machine direction as well as machine direction in response to a tensile stretching force in the machine direction or roll-up growth.

Abstract: A vinyl floor covering to accommodate wood subfloor contraction and expansion as well as rolling load incorporates a foamed plastisol encapsulated glass mat which may be cut to form pivot points and expanded under a controlled pre-stressed condition. The glass mat serves as a carrier during maufacture and an "elastic glass" reinforcing layer during use as either tension or loose-lay flooring. The floor covering may be a true hybrid surface covering which is capable of accommodating the dimensional change of a target subfloor by utilizing the characteristics of both tension floorings and loose-lay floorings.

Abstract: A method of forming composite prepreg articles. Prepreg plies (12) are laid up over a breakable mandrel (10), the mandrel having a configuration substantially matching the desired configuration of the composite prepreg article and being pre-coated to prevent the prepreg from sticking to it. A release film (14) is applied over the prepreg. A heat-shrinkable braided sleeve (16) is placed over the prepreg and release film and secured to the mandrel, thereby creating an assembly (28). The prepreg is first compacted by encapsulating the assembly and applying a vacuum, and is then substantially cured by exposing the assembly to heat. After curing, the braided sleeve and release film are removed. The cured prepreg, which serves as the desired composite prepreg article, is separated from the mandrel by breaking the mandrel.

Abstract: A method of dimensionally stabilizing a transparent, shrinkable thermoplastic layer, such as polyethylene terephthalate, in a draw-formed laminate with plasticized polyvinyl butyral which comprises heat setting the thermoplastic layer.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a method of forming optical devices composed of a photonucleable, crystallizable, lithium silicate glass body having at least one glass lens integral with and rising above at least one surface thereof, the lens being surrounded by a crystallized glass matrix, and optical devices produced by such method. The inventive method comprises subjecting the crystallized body to an ion exchange reaction wherein sodium and/or potassium ions from an external source are exchanged for lithium ions within the surface of the glass lens, the exchange reaction being conducted at a temperature of about 25.degree.-125.degree. C. above the annealing point of the glass for a time sufficient to produce a lens having an axial height in excess of 100% greater than that of lenses produced solely by selectively crystallizing a photonucleable, lithium silicate glass body.

Abstract: A method of producing a fluidic module from two or more pieces (B.sub.1 B.sub.2) of plastic material having an intermolecular bonded interface, comprises forming an interface surface (2) on each piece, forming at least one fluidic passageway (4) in at least one of the interface surfaces, assembling the pieces with the interface surfaces in contact with each other and confining them against expansion. Heat is applied to the assembled pieces to induce their expansion against total or limited confinement to cause transmigration of molecules from one interface surface to the other to bond the pieces together.

Abstract: Paint-coated polymeric films which are bonded to substrates such as automobile panels, as a substitute for spray painted finishes, often develop surface blemishes or defects from the coating or web handling operations. These can be reduced or eliminated by vacuum thermoforming the film to the desired substrate in a plural stage procedure. The periphery of the film is clamped in a frame. Then the film is preheated to a temperature above its glass transition temperature until the film becomes taut in the frame. It is allowed to cool and is then reheated to at least the glass transition temperature and is then vacuum thermoformed to the substrate. This procedure eliminates many if not all of the visible surface defects in the thermoformed film.

Abstract: A method of producing a fluidic module from two or more pieces (B.sub.1 B.sub.2) of plastic material having an intermolecular bonded interface, comprises forming an interface surface (2) on each piece, forming at least one fluidic passageway (4) in at least one of the interface surfaces, assembling the pieces with the interface surfaces in contact with each other and confining them against expansion. Heat is applied to the assembled pieces to induce their expansion against total or limited confinement to cause transmigration of molecules from one interface surface to the other to bond the pieces together.

Abstract: A covering sheet material particularly for covering balsa wood frameworks of model aircraft, comprises a fibrous scrim which is impregnated with a resin solution containing a cross-linking agent and a catalyst. The resin solution may also include a dye or pigment, coloring agent, a filler or a metal powder, to give a desired surface appearance. The scrim may be a heat bonded non-woven fabric of polyester fibres, and the covering sheet may be bonded to the framework using a heat seal adhesive. After bonding, the covering material may be tautened by further heating. The covering material is lighter, stronger and more puncture resistant than conventional doped tissue paper covering materials.

Abstract: A substantially wrinkle-free, high modulus, thermoplastic film having at least one compound curve is disclosed. The substantially wrinkle-free film may form a part of a laminate which itself has utility in automotive glazing applications.An improved lamination process is also disclosed for the production of non-planar laminates from planar sheets of heat-shrinkable films through the use of a negative image mold of the non-planar article to be laminated. Heat-shrinkable films which may be used in the practice of the invention include polyester films, polyolefin films, polyamide films, polyurethane films, polycarbonate films, polyvinylchloride films, and polystyrenic films.The method is applicable to a wide range of non-planar articles and is particularly suitable to articles having at least one compound curve forming at least part of its surface. The improved lamination process of the present invention has specific utility in the manufacture of automotive glazing products such as windshields and rear windows.

Abstract: A method of producing a fluidic module from two or more pieces of plastic material having an intermolecular bonded interface, comprises forming an interface surface on each piece, forming at least one fluidic passageway in at least one of the interface surfaces, assembling the pieces with the interface surfaces in contact with each other and confining them against expansion. Heat is applied to the assembled pieces to induce their expansion against their confinement to cause transmigration of molecules from one interface surface to the other to bond the pieces together.

Abstract: An optical element (10) is bonded to a support (12) by a resilient bonding agent (20). The bonding agent has the property of shrinking upon curing. It is placed within a bonding space (18) defined by rails (14, 16). Upon curing, the bonding agent shrinks and securely pulls the element against top surfaces (14a, 16a) of the rails under tension of the bonding agent.

Abstract: A hollow fiber separatory module for separating fluids includes an annular hollow fiber separatory bundle encased in a pressure resistant shell. A region of the bundle is constricted so that the walls of the fiber are densified. Consequently, compaction of these fibers during operation is reduced. The constricted region is encapsulated by a potting material. Minimization of compaction aids in maintaining a sealing contact between the fibers and the potting material. "O" rings extending from the pressure resistant shell may seal the space between the pressure shell and the fiber bundle. The constricted portion may accommodate the "O" rings so that a pressure resistant shell of uniform outside diameter can be used. The fiber bundle may be constricted by heating, chemical treatment, applying pressure or application of tension during winding.

Abstract: A web of plastic material presenting filtering properties comprises a porous layer interconnected with a first non woven layer of plastic fibers.The porous layer is formed by heating another nonwoven of plastic fibers, having a lower plasticizing temperature than the fibers of the first non woven, to at least the plasticizing temperature of the fibers of the other non woven but below the plasticizing temperature of the fibers of the first non woven.The first nonwoven consists of polyester fibers and the other nonwoven, e.g., of polypropylene fibers.An apparatus for manufacturing such a web comprises a central roller, and endless felt band partially slung around said central roller, a heating member and a cooling element.

Abstract: A planar, biaxially heat-shrinkable, plastics mesh layer is fixed to a planar, relatively non-heat-shrinkable plastics mesh layer at zones which are spaced apart on a generally square grid, and the structure so formed is heated to cause the shrink layer to shrink biaxially and thereby cause the non-shrink layer to assume a cuspated configuration. The structure can be shipped as a semi-finished product after fixing the layers together and before heating, thereby reducing bulk and hence shipping costs.

Abstract: A method of environmentally sealing a pipe, cable or harness substrate by means of a recoverable fabric and a sheet of polymeric material.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the manufacture of printed circuit boards and, particularly, to a process of miniaturizing said printed circuit board.

Abstract: An optical fiber contact for terminating an optical fiber includes a memory tube material having a first section which has been recovered around a pigtail optical fiber. A second section of the memory material is nonrecovered, and an optical fiber is terminated by inserting a cleaved or polished end of the optical fiber into the nonrecovered tube section and recovering this tube section around the cleaved or polished optical fiber end. A plurality of contacts are disposed in first and second linear arrays which are then optically interconnected with an optical fiber contact assembly.

Abstract: A method for producing a string-shaped bacteria bed having many loops of fiber on the whole surface thereof, which is used for sewage or wastewater treatment, characterized by preparing a narrow strip of cloth made from a thermoplastic material, having many loops of fiber on the obverse thereof, and heating the reverse thereof having no loops of fiber by contacting it with a heating rod while tensing and drawing it diagonally, thereby the strip of cloth is diagonally curled and stranded by heat to form a string having many loops of fiber on the whole surface thereof. In such a method, the string, having high holding capacity of bacteria colony, is obtained by simplified installation.

Abstract: A method of preparing a high strength sheet material comprising (a) forming a laminate comprising at least two layers of a thermoplastic polymer material, each layer having a fibrillar grain structure providing a predominant direction of splittability in each said layer, and wherein the layers are bonded to one another with the said predominant directions of splittability generally transverse to each other, (b) biaxially orienting the molecules of said layers by stretching the layers in substantially uniaxial steps, at least the transverse stretching step thereof being effected by applying pressure to the surface of the laminate along lines extending substantially in the longitudinal direction of the laminate to impart thereto a transversely waved or sinuous configuration, and (c) subjecting the biaxially oriented laminate while in the sinuous condition to a heat treatment while allowing at least 7% shrinkage of the laminate to take place in at least its transverse direction.

Abstract: An elasticized article and a method for elasticizing the article are disclosed in which a strip of elastic material has an end bonded to an end of a strip of shrinkable material to form a single elongated strip having spaced apart opposing ends. The combined strip is bonded at its opposing ends to a flexible substrate of an article with the elastic material in a contracted relaxed condition and the shrinkable means in a stable extended condition. Subsequent to the application of the combined strip to the flexible substrate, the shrinkable means is contracted by shrinking to thereby extend the elastic material and elasticize the flexible substrate.

Abstract: A heat-shrinkable backing material, which preferably is a spun-bonded polyolefin backing material, is tufted with a relatively heat stable yarn and the tufted backing is subjected to a temperature of not less than 300.degree. F. The applied temperature induces the tufted backing to shrink, thereby increasing the tuft density by not less than about 130% so as to produce an unbacked, densely tufted carpet tile. A secondary backing is then applied to provide a stable structure.

Abstract: An optical apparatus for focusing at least one image and optionally only one image of an object, said apparatus comprising a receiving surface and an optical imaging device between the image and the object to form an image of the object on the receiving surface. The imaging device comprising at least one glass body, at least a portion of which is a photonucleated opacified glass. The body has opposed surfaces, at least one of the surfaces having raised light focusing transparent optical pattern portions integral therewith and transparent channels connecting the raised transparent pattern portions to the surface opposed to the surface containing the pattern.

Abstract: Cyclone separator apparatus and method of manufacture are described for providing a separator cone of abrasion resistant material covered by a sleeve of plastic material having flexible seal regions at least some of which are spaced from the outer surface of the cone. The cover sleeve of plastic is bonded to the cone of abrasion resistant material which is preferably made of aluminum oxide ceramic material, by heating the cone to a temperature above the melting temperature of the plastic, inserting the heated cone into the sleeve to melt the inner surface of the sleeve and cooling the assembly below such melting temperature to bond the sleeve to the cone. The sleeve may be made of polyethylene or other suitable thermoplastic or thermosetting plastic materials and the cleaner cone can be made of ceramic material, metal or other suitable abrasion resistant materials of high melting temperature than the plastic sleeve.

Abstract: A dimensionally heat recoverable article carrying a thermoplastic polymeric material and a heat-softenable adhesive of smaller thickness and lower softening or melting point than the polymeric material is used to encapsulate objects such as joints in cables. The heat-softenable adhesive allows low installation temperature while the polymeric material allows excellent cycling performance to be maintained. The article may be in the form of a wrap-around sleeve.