Abstract: The invention provides a method for acoustic closure of an installation of a row of sound isolation modules within a host building encompassing the modules. One or more acoustic absorbing closure panels are mounted to form a partition in front of the row of modules, thus forming two acoustically separate regions. The absorbing panels are comprised of one or more sound absorbing materials between a front and rear surface. The front surface faces the region exterior to the installation within the host building. The rear surface faces the installation.

Abstract: The invention relates to an ultralight, sound and shock absorbing component set comprising at least one base layer (2), an intermediate layer (3) and a covering layer (6). The intermediate layer (3) consists of a plurality of hollow bodies (4) arranged next to each other, whose walls are perforated and which thus form a complex labyrinth of hollow spaces. The covering layer (6) preferably has a microporous stiffening layer (8) which generates an airflow resistance of 900 Ns/m3<Rt<2000 Ns/m3. The dimensions of the walls of the hollow bodies (4) are such that they allow for compression of at least 50% at a maximum plateau tension of 0.5 Mpa<&sgr;<1.2 Mpa and inelastically and fully convert an impact energy of approximately 0.5 MJ/m3 into deformation work.

Abstract: Noise reduction sandwich panel, notably for an aircraft turbojet engine. In order to produce a noise reduction sandwich panel having a structure with two degrees of freedom, inserted separative components (20) are placed into the hexagonal cells (16) of the unique waffle core of the panel. More specifically, the separative components (20) have an substantially circular external peripheral edge, which allows them to be easily assembled, in spite of the deformations of the walls (18) of the cells (16) due to manufacturing tolerances and to the optional forming of the waffle core. Advantageously, several separative components (20) are supported by a same positioning unit (22), which then allows relative displacement between the separative components.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for acoustic closure of an installation of a row of sound isolation modules within a host building encompassing the modules. One or more acoustic absorbing closure panels are mounted to form a partition in front of the row of modules, thus forming two acoustically separate regions. The absorbing panels are comprised of one or more sound absorbing materials between a front and rear surface. The front surface faces the region exterior to the installation within the host building. The rear surface faces the installation.

Abstract: A sound muffling material for use in combustion engine exhaust mufflers is provided. The material includes volumized fibers retained in compressed form by a material of lower softening temperature than the fibers. When the material is heated by exhaust gases, the material of lower softening temperature is softened allowing the compressed fibers to expand. The fibers may be formed into a knitted fabric retained by a sacrificial thread. The material may be used to support catalyst bricks.

Abstract: An acoustic absorber includes an enclosure having a front opening and having a chamber communicating with the front opening for receiving an acoustic absorbing member which includes a housing having a number of apertures for receiving and dissipating noises. The housing may include a circular cross section or the other cross sections, and may include a casing having a number of apertures for receiving and dissipating the noises. The housing may be detachably secured to the enclosure with one or more catches which may engage with the lock grooves of the enclosure.

Abstract: A method and system of achieving noise reduction in a kitchen environment is disclosed. Noise reduction is achieved through the application of transmission loss paneling, sound absorption paneling, and vibro-acoustical isolation paneling to surfaces of a kitchen environment surrounding typical kitchen appliances. Targeted, noise reduction of the kitchen environment is achieved by installing the noise reduction system of the present invention to walls, cabinetry and flooring of a typical kitchen environment.

Abstract: A sound-deadening laminate, comprising a structural skin having a first face; and a layer of sound-deadening material, wherein the material has an equivalent Young's Modulus between 50 and 600 psi and is attached to the first face of the structural skin to form a laminate structure. The sound deadening laminate may be attached to framing members of a building.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a transparent noise-barrier wall which is slow to foul, easy to clean even when fouled, and capable of maintaining these effects over a long period of time. The transparent noise-barrier wall has brookite titanium dioxide substantially existing on the surface. The titanium dioxide particles preferably contain about 20% by mass or more of brookite titanium dioxide.

Abstract: Sound radiating structure includes a plurality of pipes each defining an inner cavity along the length of the pipe. Each of the pipes has an end opening at one end and is closed at the other end with a closure. Each of the pipes also has a side opening in its one side portion. When a sound is input to the sound radiating structure, it re-radiates various sound waves through a number of the end and side openings together with reflected sound waves.

Abstract: A damped structural panel includes a panel having bending modes including demanding bending modes. The demanding bending modes have subsonic bending waves along at least one axis, and require damping treatment based on sound radiation properties of the panel. A viscoelastic material is applied within a limited area adjacent to the panel edges based on the demanding bending modes. The viscoelastic material damps sound radiation caused by bending waves during use of the structural panel, such as use as a body panel on an aircraft.

Abstract: A space-dividing wall panel system includes an improved acoustic and tackable cover pad. The cover pad includes an interior molded panel which is compressed about its peripheral edges wherein the compressed edge sections provide the required rigidity for the cover pad. While edge rails are provided in these edge sections, the edge rails are not rigidly connected to each other but instead are adhered to the molded panel. The edge rails are provided for mounting the cover pad to a wall panel frame and provide rigid edge areas to which a cover fabric is adhered. The molded panel is formed of a fiberglass having layers of a scrim material embedded therein for tackability. The molded panel further includes a compressed mounting region which has an increased rigidity to facilitate mounting of receptacle bezels thereto.

Abstract: A noise insulating member having a low degree of water absorbency and a low degree of oil absorbency. The noise insulating member includes a polyurethane foam obtained by reaction of an organic polyisocyanate component and a polyol component in the presence of a fluorine-containing surfactant, and having a cellular network having cells and communication holes which communicate with said cells. The communication holes have respective diameters each of which is not larger than 60 &mgr;m.

Abstract: A window pane fixed to an automobile via a peripheral joint forms at least a part of a wall defining a cabin of the vehicle. The window pane, at the peripheral joint, is constructed so as to eliminate at least one mode of acoustic radiance from the pane to a cavity defined by the cabin when the pane is excited by an acoustic field.

Abstract: A core for the production of a rectangular acoustic panel includes a mat of rockwool bounded by flat front and rear surfaces, and having a density between 5 and 9 pounds per cubic foot, a thickness between 0.75 and 2.0 inches, and a binder content between 3% and 5%. A sheet of non-woven interbonded fiberglass is adhered to at least one flat surface of the rockwool mat, the sheet having a thickness between 20 and 30 mils.

Abstract: The use of a formaldehyde-free aqueous binder comprisingA) a polymer obtained by free-radical polymerization comprising 5-100% by weight of an ethylenically unsaturated acid anhydride or of an ethylenically unsaturated dicarboxylic acid whose carboxyl groups may form an anhydride group, andB) an alkanolamine having at least two hydroxyl groupsas a coating composition for shaped articles.

Abstract: An out-of-doors prefabricated, pre-engineered vertical wall structure constructed entirely of pressure treated wood and comprised of successive individual wall sections tightly arranged in an end-to-end pattern. Supporting rectangular posts join immediately adjacent wall sections together end-to-end and occupy the entire space between the sections, each of the posts having flat surfaces facing the ends of immediately adjacent wall sections on opposite sides of the post with upright pairs of spaced cants secured to said flat surfaces so as to form upright channels extending upwardly from top to bottom on the posts, each pair of cants being spaced apart to receive one end of one of said wall sections in a tight relation between said cants.

Abstract: An acoustic panel having at least two compressible, flexible, acoustic foam damping layers separated by at least two rigid layers. In one preferred embodiment, a first rigid layer has a second flexible foam layer spray applied, with a further spray application of a rigid third layer, followed by a spray application of a flexible foam fourth layer, followed by a spray application of a rigid fifth layer, followed by a spray application of a sixth flexible foam layer, finally followed by a spray application of a rigid seventh layer. Sound transmission through this embodiment is especially well attenuated at high audio frequencies.

Abstract: A device for measuring the acoustic absorption properties of materials such as liners for jet engines has a first housing, an acoustic driver configured to provide acoustic energy to the first housing, a second housing attached to the first housing, and an acoustic driver configured to provide acoustic energy to the second housing. Acoustic sensors are used to measure the acoustic energy emitted from the two housings and to measure the absorption of each of the housings.

Abstract: Disclosed a thermal- and sound-insulating container having a chamber, which is defined by multilayer wall structure including vacuum layers therein. The chamber is made as small as possible the surface area thereof to achieve the high insulating effectiveness. The thermal- and sound-insulating container is comprised of the multilayer wall structure with vacuum layers therein, which constitutes the chamber defined in a hollow cylinder partially having a flat secant face, the hollow cylinder having a cross section of a circle or an ellipse that closely resembles the circle. The multilayer wall structure is composed of a pair of confronting frames arranged spaced away from each other, surface panels attached to the frames to define an empty space between the confronting frames, and sealing members arranged between the frames and the peripheries of the surface panels so as to keep the space at vacuum.

Abstract: A dash mat for a vehicle comprising a passenger compartment and an engine compartment separated by a firewall. The dash mat comprises a decoupling layer with multiple openings and a sound barrier layer with integrally molded fasteners that are received within the decoupling layer openings to secure together the decoupling and sound barrier layers. The fasteners have at least one flange portion that overlies the sound barrier to capture a portion of the decoupling layer between the flange and the sound barrier.

Abstract: The acoustic tower of the present invention is a portable, acoustic tower that has both a performance position and a storage position. In the storage position, a canopy panel lies substantially parallel proximate an upper panel, both of which are hingedly secured to a cross tube assembly that is supported by a lift tube. The upper panel lies substantially parallel to a lower panel that is fixedly secured to a lower panel assembly having side supports and a center shaft which substantially contains the lift tube. To raise the acoustic tower to the performance position, the canopy panel is raised to one of a plurality of preset angles and maintained in position through use of ratchet and pawl assemblies of the cross tube assembly. With the canopy panel at the desired angle, the upper panel and canopy panel are raised vertically by telescopically elevating the lift tube within the center shaft. The lift tube is elevated by virtue of a winch assembly that is connected to the lift tube by a length of webbing.

Abstract: A sound insulating membrane and processes for forming, particularly well suited for use in floor, ceiling and wall constructions. The membrane comprises at least one backing layer in contact with a layer of nonfoam polymeric material. The polymeric material has an elongation factor of about 500% to about 900% and a Shore A hardness of from about 65 to about 80 points, 5 seconds. In a preferred embodiment, the polymeric material comprises 40-70% chlorinated polyethylene, 20-30% ethylene vinyl acetate, and up to 10% polyvinyl chloride. Floor, ceiling and wall constructions and related methods utilizing the sound insulating membranes are also disclosed.

Abstract: An acoustical barrier (10) for mounting to the fire wall (20) of a motor vehicle includes a sound barrier layer (12) of a molded construction and sound dampening characteristics. The sound barrier layer (12) has an integrally molded boot (40) for receiving and acoustically sealing a steering column (70). The boot (40) has a base portion (42) integrally molded with a convolute portion (48), and a cap portion (56) integrally molded with the convolute portion (48). The convolute portion (48) includes a continuous outer wall section (50) surrounding an opening (46) in the sound barrier layer (12). The continuous outer wall section (50) has an upper end integrally formed with a flexible bight portion (54). A continuous inner wall (52) has an upper end integrally formed with the bight portion (54) and a lower end integrally formed with the cap portion (56). The cap portion (56) has an opening coincident with the openings (46, 78) in the sound barrier layer (12) and fire wall (20), respectively.

Abstract: A sound-absorbing building panel for lining of the inside walls and ceilings, in particular ceiling tile, consists of a carrier panel to be arranged spaced from a wall, which carrier panel is advantageously a perforated sheet metal and to which on at least one side a sound-absorbing, microporous layer is applied. Such a building panel, which does not require an insulation layer as a backing and can, moreover, be manufactured inexpensively, has a sound-absorbing layer of granules which are surrounded on all sides by an adhesive coating. The granules are essentially designed ball-shaped and are adhesively connected together at point-like connections and to the carrier panel. The granules also have a diameter between 0.1 to 0.9 times of the hole diameter of the carrier panel.

Abstract: A permanent stud wall structure having improved sound transmission loss comprising two substantially parallel rows of spaced apart vertically extending support members secured at their ends to a base and header respectively by appropriate means and defining a stud cavity; said vertically extending support members being located in each of said rows such that there is a corresponding support member in the other row that is in substantially the same plane running perpendicular to said rows; one or more horizontally extending relatively rigid support members extending between one or more corresponding vertically extending support members and being secured to said vertically extending support members by appropriate securing means; said horizontally extending members including a vibration isolator means to reduce the transmission of sound between opposite ends thereof; and one or more layers of a covering material secured to the outwardly facing surfaces of one or more of said vertically extending support members s

Abstract: This invention provides a thin metallic sheet structure having excellent sound damping characteristics which can lower the sound pressure level of a sound inherent to a thin metallic sheet structure when this structure is patted, and can quickly damp the sound by a simple structure. In a flat sheet-like or box-like structure comprising a thin metallic external sheet and beams for reinforcing the external sheet, a thin metallic sheet structure having excellent sound damping characteristics according to the present invention employs the construction wherein the reinforcing beams 2 are brought into contact with one of the surfaces of the thin metallic external sheet 1 through a sound damping sheet 3, and the coupling state between the sound damping sheet 3 and the thin metallic external plate 1 or the reinforcing beams 2 is a non-coupling state or a discrete coupling state on at least one of the surfaces of the sound damping sheet 3.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a noise screen adapted to keep down the sound from one side which is characteristic in that the vertical cross section of the noise screen (1) is zigzag-shaped, alternating between absorbing faces (2) and reflecting faces (3), and that the absorbing faces (2) are arranged on the faces tilting upwards towards the sound side. The reflecting faces (3) are preferably transparent for providing an esthetic appearance of the noise screen, but may also be non-transparent for excluding road-users from viewing inhabited areas behind the noise screen (1). The reflecting faces (3) may also in the height as well as the length of the noise screen (1) alternate between being transparent and non-transparent. The noise screen (1) is built up in modules which are placed on posts (8) which seen in cross section may be compressed respectively extended telescopically in the longitudinal direction of the noise screen (1).

Abstract: A sound insulation pad for inhibiting sound transmission between floors comprised of thermoplastic material having a three-dimensional shaped surface. The invention also relates to a sound rated floor system using the sound insulation pad and a method of constructing such sound rated floor system.

Abstract: A new insulating tile for providing heat and sound insulation to wall and floor surfaces. The inventive device includes front and back plates each having inner and outer surfaces. Around the outer perimeter of the front plate is a side wall outwardly extending from its inner surface. The terminal edge of the side wall is coupled to the inner surface of the back plate to form a substantially air tight seal therebetween. The inner surfaces of the plate members are spaced apart to define an insulating interior space between them. A closure tab is outwardly extended from the inner surface of the front plate and is inserted into an aperture extending through the inner and outer surfaces of the back plate. The closure tab is designed for providing a substantially air tight closure of the aperture. The air pressure within the interior space is less than the relative air pressure of the environment surrounding the exterior of the insulating tile to provide further insulation properties to the interior space.

Abstract: A curb for a rooftop air conditioning unit. The curb comprises: a frame having side walls and end walls arranged in a generally rectangular shape, and a generally planar portion overlaying a portion of the frame. The planar portion includes a first layer providing structural support, a second layer providing a sound barrier, and a third layer provides a heat energy barrier.

Abstract: A barrier wall (20) separating a passenger compartment from an engine compartment of a motor vehicle has an acoustical barrier assembly (10) mounted thereto. The acoustical barrier assembly (10) includes a sound barrier layer (12) of a molded construction and sound dampening characteristics. At least one fastener (28) is integrally molded as a single piece with the sound barrier layer (12). The fastener (28) includes a plurality of outer spacer ribs (30) that project laterally from a tube (32) and space an inner surface (24) of the sound barrier layer (12) away from the barrier wall (20). A circumferentially extending flange head (34) is integral with the tube (32) and includes a first frusto-conical section (36) and a second inverse frusto-conical section (38).

Abstract: The invention relates to a sound insulating structure including low-density and high-density layers. The low-density layer has first and second fibrous layers and ranges from 0.5 to 1.5 kg/m.sup.2 in surface density. The first and second fibrous layers are respectively made of first and second thermoplastic synthetic fibers. The first and second fibers respectively have first and second single fiber diameters, each of which diameters is in a range of from 3 to 40 .mu.m, and first and second fiber lengths, each of which lengths is in a range of from 10 to 100 mm. The high-density layer is formed on the low-density layer and is made of an air-impermeable polymer material and has a surface density that is higher than that of the low-density layer and ranges from 1 to 10 kg/m.sup.2. The low-density layer is high in sound-absorption coefficient and at the same time low in spring constant. Therefore, the sound insulating structure becomes substantially improved in sound insulating capability.

Abstract: A sound attenuating apparatus for noise bearing fluid streams wherein elongated perforated wall forming panel sheets include integrally formed indentations extending along a direction transverse the direction of the fluid stream to provide strength and stiffeners for the perforated panel sheets.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a heat-bonded type vibration-damping resin for a structural member which contains in view of a preferable blending rate asphalt, synthetic rubber, petroleum resin and filler material, and further a heat-bonded type vibration-damping resin for a structural member which contains in view of a preferable blending rate asphalt, filler material, blowing agent. In addition, its basic concept consists in a configuration in which the vibration-damping resin is formed into a sheet and arranged at the surface of the metallic structure used at a place where vibration and noise should be prevented so as to form the vibration-damping structure and a method for manufacturing the vibration-damping structure. The vibration-damping resin can be easily mounted on the surface of the metallic structure having an elongated shape, bonded to it by heating and has a workability in which the mounting work to the metallic plate may be facilitated.

Abstract: A multi-technology acoustic energy barrier and absorber is disclosed that employs the teaching of U.S. Pat. No. 5,400,296 for a matrix material with at least two species of particles with differing characteristic acoustic impedances, in combination with the teaching of U.S. patent Pending Ser. No., 08/780,271, for an "Acoustic Absorption or Damping Material with Integral Viscous Damping," and with the principles underlying constrained-layer dampers.

Abstract: A plate-like body structure for a sound insulation wall having a built-in solar battery constituted by the combination of a built-in solar battery structure having a gentle convex arcuate shape so as to be installed on the top end portion of a sound insulation wall in the form of a head piece, and a built-in solar battery structure having a built-in solar battery plate-like body held by transparent plate-like materials from its opposite sides and inserted into a window-like opening portion or a wall holding frame portion formed in the sound insulation wall.

Abstract: Disclosed is a foam sound barrier for a machine such as a construction machine having several control levers. The barrier includes acoustic blocks, each of which has a notch between plural projections. Such blocks are made of acoustic material for sound-deadening and define a clearance portion (i.e., a hole) for accommodating the levers. In one embodiment, the blocks are conformably "saw-tooth" shaped for wedge fit against one another and in another embodiment, the blocks are collinear and retain a bellows-like boot around one of the levers. The embodiments can be used alone or together. The barrier reduces sound level by at least about 0.8 decibels and also helps exclude dirt from the machine operator's compartment.

Abstract: A vibrationally and acoustically insulated structure includes a structure using enclosing a source of internally generated noise and vibrations. The structure further includes a vibration and acoustic insulating device positioned over a portion of the internal surface of the housing and having a vibration damping portion and acoustic absorbing portion. The vibration damping portion, such as a constrained damping layer having a continuous damping layer and a segmented constraining layer of individual rigid segments, reduces vibrations transmitted through the structure housing. The acoustic absorbing portion includes an acoustic barrier layer adjacent the constrained damping layer, an acoustic absorption layer adjacent to the acoustic barrier layer and one or more mounts for mounting the acoustic absorption layer and acoustic barrier layer to the constrained damping layer. The acoustic absorption device reduces the reverberating acoustic waves within the structure housing.

Abstract: A panel for constituting sound insulating wall is provided with a front plate, a rear plate, and a sound absorbing member put between the plates. The sound absorbing member contains reduced plastic products coated with magnetic material such as magnetic tape and magnetic sheet. The front plate is provided on the sound source side and constituted of a plate having numerous holes. The sound absorbing member is composed of a permeable bag and the reduced plastic products in the bag so that the bulk specific gravity and permeation resistance can be 0.05-0.4 and 3-90 dyn.S/cm.sup.4, respectively. The reduced plastic products may be reduced plastic products alone not subjected to other processings, or may be a mixture of reduced plastic products and molded bodies of reduced plastic products. Alternatively, only molded bodies of reduced plastic products can be put in the permeable bag.

Abstract: A panel spacer is disclosed that enhances the natural damping characteristics of the material used for construction. The spacer is shaped to redirect acoustic and vibrational energy into a direction parallel to the panel surfaces and to take advantage of the faster energy propagating through the material of the spacer relative to surrounding gasses. Energy propagating through the spacer will arrive at a mid-point of the spacer well before sound originating from the same source can reach the same point through air or another gas. The phase discrepancy between the induced displacements of the spacer and the surrounding gas is used to dissipate energy by causing the spacer to interacting viscously with the gas.

Abstract: A post having particular utility for use in a highway sound barrier wherein a number of posts are set along the highway to support acoustical panels. Each post is made of reinforced precast concrete having side channels to mount the acoustical panels. The posts are supported on poured concrete footings having a tapered depression in the top surface which is reinforced by a surrounding array of closed loop reinforcing rods. The post is inserted in the depression and bonded thereto by a quick setting grout.

Abstract: A panel for an office sound screen includes a core which includes an asphalt layer and insulation layers positioned on both sides of the asphalt layer. Preferably the asphalt layer has a thickness between 0.030 inch (0.076 cm) and 0.125 inch (0.318 cm). The asphalt layer acts as an adhesive so that the insulation layers are laminated thereto. Preferably the insulation layers are made from a fibrous glass wool insulating material having a density between 0.5 pounds per cubic foot (8 kg/m.sup.3) and 5 pounds per cubic foot (80 kg/m.sup.3). The panel further includes a cover layer positioned on at least one side of the core.

Abstract: A self-supporting sound-absorbing panel intended to be attached to indoor walls and ceilings of buildings includes a core assembly made from a mat of rockwool having four straight perimeter edges disposed in a rectangular array, and sheets of non-woven interadhered fiberglass bonded to front and rear surfaces of the mat. A rigid rectangular frame surrounds and secures the core assembly. A cloth facing is tautly disposed upon the front surface of the panel, extends around the edges of the frame, and is bonded to the rear of the panel.

Abstract: In order to improve an acoustic insulation performance of a box with parallel faces such as an insulating glazing, the box is equipped with a waveguide. Preferably, the waveguide is situated at the periphery and communicates with the gap of the box via localized orifices situated on each of the sides.

Abstract: A sound barrier cover for a compressor unit which has a housing provided by a substantially continuous wall which provided with a plurality of access ports therethrough. The barrier cover has first and second shell sections configured to lie close to the housing wall and substantially envelope the same wherein the shell sections are configured to provide two substantially longitudinally oriented halves each having sound absorbing material affixed to its inner surface. These halves have perimeters with portions thereof formed with mating tongue and groove structure and carry cooperating components of snap-fastener devices in close proximity to the perimeters. These snap-fastener devices are adapted to hold the perimeters in contact with each other and with the sound absorbing material in resilient contact with the housing.

Abstract: An acoustical surface is formed by securing a series of half cones, preferably truncated, to a wall.

Abstract: A rapidly erectable, removable, reusable, and raisable acoustical wall system is provided that comprises a plurality of wall panels, each of which has opposing side edges which include a front edge and a back edge, a plurality of panel support posts having pairs of parallel flanges for receiving the side edges of the wall panels to form a wall, and a plurality of wedging members for forcefully securing the front side edges of the panels into an acoustically-obstructing engagement with the front flanges of the panel support posts. Wedge-receiving recesses are provided at the top and bottom of each of the back side edges of the panels, the top recesses of one panel being registrable with the bottom recesses of another panel when two panels are stacked between the same support posts.

Abstract: There is described a sound-insulating power vehicle part which includes a shaped outer sheet and an acoustically effective inside packing which together form an inherently stable lightweight composite part. To obtain this, a thermosetting plastic is used for the outer sheet while the inside packing is formed of a fiber-resin fleece, which is only slightly compacted in an acoustically effective main area and is closely compacted in its stabilizing areas.

Abstract: An insulating laminate, which is particularly suitable for a sound attenuating barrier, such as a contoured vehicle headliner. The disclosed embodiment includes a finish lamina, which may be preferably cloth-like, and a substrate which is preferably structurally stable and self supporting and which may be adapted to absorb sound primarily at predetermined higher frequencies. In one preferred embodiment, a thin flexible film is located between the finish lamina and the substrate which is adapted to absorb sound primarily at relative lower predetermined frequencies. The film may include a pattern of openings or holes designed to absorb sound primarily at predetermined lower frequencies. In the disclosed embodiment, the substrate includes a porous fiber mat, preferably including fibers having a range of thicknesses to improve sound attenuation at higher frequencies, a structural foam lamina and a reinforcing scrim, preferably comprising spunbonded polyester filaments.