Abstract: A process for the production of virtually full density polyolefin suitable for further processing by drawing to form a high tenacity, highly oriented polyolefin sheet comprising: a) feeding a metered amount of polyolefin powder into the nip between two heated calender rolls; b) rolling the powder through the nip under these conditions until a coherent sheet of polyolefin is produced. According to a highly preferred embodiment, initially, the nip is set at a gap smaller than the size of the smallest polyolefin powder particle and at a temperature above the melting point of the powder and once a coherent sheet of polyolefin exits the nip the temperature in the nip is lowered to a temperature below the melting point of the polyolefin powder and the gap increased to a desired level above the thickness of the largest powder particle.

Abstract: An integrally formed high density ceramic pellet, for use in a ballistic armor plate, has a longitudinally extending body portion and an impact receiving end face. The impact receiving end face includes an impact receiving proximal segment that is convexly curved and a distal segment that merges with a top surface of the body portion. The distal segment has lateral surfaces that have a region including at least a portion which is concave in configuration or a region including a substantially smooth angled configuration. A cross-sectional area of the distal segment at the area of merger is greater than a cross-sectional area taken across a nominally designated base of the proximal segment. The length of the contour line of the outer surface of the distal segment is between 5 and 25% of that of the entire integrally formed impact receiving end face.

Abstract: Under one aspect, an interventional device includes a balloon having a flexible wall. The flexible wall includes a composition including between 0.005 wt. % and 0.20 wt. % of carbon nanotubes dispersed in a polymer. Under another aspect, a method of making an interventional device includes contacting a plurality of polymer particles with a plurality of nanotubes; extruding the polymer particles and the nanotubes to form a composition comprising the polymer and the nanotubes; and blow-casting the composition into a balloon.

Abstract: A solid composite material is suitable for construction and industrial uses. The solid composite material consists of at least an effective amount of assorted agricultural remnants with additives of calcium carbonate and antimony trioxide bound in an effective volume of cured resin. The cured material tolerates wet environments, is fire resistant, resistant to caustic substances and can be finished to provide a product having a desired appearance.

Abstract: The invention provides a pharmaceutical oral fixed dose combination of aliskiren and valsartan. It provides compressed bilayer tablets with both a high drug load and suitable physical properties, which can be produced using conventional equipment.

Abstract: A block mold for forming a block, comprising a bottom wall, a side wall movable relative to the bottom wall, and a textured material on the side wall (e.g., near a bottom portion of the side wall) and adapted to create a textured surface on the block when the side wall is moved relative to the bottom wall. The textured material comprises abrasive particles (e.g., ten to sixty micron diamond grain) in a matrix (e.g., nickel alloy). In one embodiment, opposing first and second side surfaces of the side wall form two adjacent mold cavities, and the first and second side surfaces each include textured material (e.g., on a lower portion of the respective side surface). Preferably, the side wall includes a side surface defining a plane, and the textured material is applied to the side surface to create the textured surface that protrudes from the plane.

Abstract: The method of fabricating a stone-hard, mold-free, scented and decorative bead includes the steps of drying flower petals, finely chopping the dried petals, simmering the finely chopped petals, cooking off excess fluid from the simmered petals and straining to form a pulp, spreading the pulp and placing in a food dehydrator on low setting to form a dried pulp, milling the dried pulp m a flour mill on highest/finest setting to form a petal powder, mixing the petal powder with gum arabic solution and either flower oil or olive oil to form a clay composition, using either a form or hand rolling the clay composition to form a bead, piercing the bead with a pin, rotating the bead on the pin to form a dned bead, removing the dried bead from the pin to form a pierced bead, determining if a smoother surface is desired, if so buffing with final finish sandpaper, and determining if a shiny bead is desired, if so touching lightly petroleum jelly onto the pierced bead and wiping off to shine.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for manufacturing wood fiber insulating boards, wherein wood fibers are mixed with thermoplastic plastic fibers as binders and a fiber mat is produced therefrom, wherein multi-component fibers composed of at least one first and one second plastic component having different melting points are used as plastic fibers, wherein the fiber mat is heated in such a way that the second component of the plastic fiber softens and wherein the fiber mat is cooled down to produce the insulating board, characterized in that a steam/air mixture having a specified dew point flows through the fiber mat to heat the fiber mat and that multi-component plastic fibers are used as binders, the first component of which has a melting point above the dew point and the second component of which has a melting point below the dew point.

Abstract: A method to authenticate genuine tablets manufactured by compressing powder between a punch/die set comprising the steps of: creating a microstructure on the surface of at least one of the face of the punch/die set; compressing the powder between the punch and the die; acquiring at least one reference image of the face of the punch/die set containing the microstructure or of a face of a tablet corresponding to the microstructure; acquiring at least one test image of a tablet to be authenticated; computing a level of similarity by an electronic device between the at least one test image and the at least one reference image; comparing the computed level with a threshold value so as to define if the acquired tablet is genuine.

Abstract: The present invention provides a performance assay that measures the total antioxidant activity of a composition using oxygen uptake in contrast to prior art methods that measure antioxidant capacity by indirectly measuring degradation of a fluorescent compound by following the disappearance of fluorescence. Using the performance antioxidant assay of the present invention, an antioxidant composition having synergistic activity is provided by the present inventors that includes flavonoids such as the flavonol quercetin, mixed tocopherols or tocotrienols, grape skin extract, green tea extract and bush plum. The antioxidant activity of the present composition exceeds 6,000 micromoles Trolox equivalent units per gram using the present invention.

Abstract: Compositions and methods are disclosed that relate to a biopolymer medium for growing plants. In certain embodiments, the biopolymer growth medium comprises or consists essentially of polylactic acid (PLA), polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) or a mixture of them. Another aspect of the invention relates to a method of producing a biopolymer growth medium.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of forming a molded core component. A mat formed from cellulosic fiber and resin is provided. The mat is consolidated in a first press until the resin is substantially fully cured, and then removed from the first press. The consolidated mat is then placed in a second press having a mold cavity shaped to form at least one depression in at least one of the major surfaces. The consolidated mat is reformed in the second press to form a molded core component having at least one depression in at least one of the major surfaces. The molded core component has a variable density, preferably of between about 10 lbs/ft3 and 80 lbs/ft3.

Abstract: Provided is a high manufacturing method of the production efficiency for a wood cement board that has a pattern of recesses and projections. The method for making a wood cement board having a pattern of recesses and projections on its surface, comprising: dispersing a raw material mixture onto a template provided with recesses corresponding to the portions of the wood cement board on which projections are formed, while conveying the template, thereby forming a mat; pressurizing only a section of the mat raw material mixture that is layered on the recesses of the template from above; leveling the surface of the partly pressurized mat; and pressing the resulting mat and the template together, followed by hardening and curing.

Abstract: A dust-reduced nicotine-containing granulate comprising a homogenous mixture of nicotine or a pharmaceutically acceptable nicotine derivative and an excipient, the granulate having a particle size of at least 150 ?m. Method for the preparation of a dust-reduced nicotine-containing granulate, and use of the nicotine-containing granulate for the preparation of pharmaceutical products.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing nonwoven and nonwoven obtainable by said method. Particularly, the invention relates to a nonwoven provided with improved tactile and absorbent characteristics, which make it suitable for use in the field of surface cleaning, personal hygiene, or formation of garments.

Abstract: An arrangement having a plurality of moistened cosmetic pads based on nonwovens which are piled into a closable packaging container in order to distribute to the final consumer and to prevent evaporation. The pads have, on average, a moisture content of at least 200% of the dry weight thereof in the arrangement, the pads have a fiber structure made of staple fibers, are individually moistened and have a homogeneous moisture content such that the difference of the average moisture content of the pads which are arranged in the upper and in the lower quarter of the stack is, at a maximum, 30% of the average moisture content of all of the pads.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing a film of ultra-high molecular weight polyolefin comprising: (a) subjecting a starting ultra-high molecular weight polyolefin with a weight average molecular weight of at least 500 000 gram/mole in powder form to a compacting step using an isobaric press: and (b) subjecting the compacted polyolefin to a rolling step and at least one stretching step under such conditions that at no point during the processing of the polymer its temperature is raised to a value above its melting point. The process allows for the manufacture of ultra-high molecular weight polyolefin films of high quality.

Abstract: A process for the production of virtually full density polyolefin suitable for further processing by drawing to form a high tenacity, highly oriented polyolefin sheet comprising: a) feeding a metered amount of polyolefin powder into the nip between two heated calender rolls; b) rolling the powder through the nip under these conditions until a coherent sheet of polyolefin is produced. According to a highly preferred embodiment, initially, the nip is set at a gap smaller than the size of the smallest polyolefin powder particle and at a temperature above the melting point of the powder and once a coherent sheet of polyolefin exits the nip the temperature in the nip is lowered to a temperature below the melting point of the polyolefin powder and the gap increased to a desired level above the thickness of the largest powder particle.

Abstract: A process for the production of virtually full density polyolefin suitable for further processing by drawing to form a high tenacity, highly oriented polyolefin sheet comprising: a) feeding a metered amount of polyolefin powder into the nip between two heated calender rolls initially set at a gap smaller than the size of the smallest polyolefin powder particle and at a temperature above the melting point of the powder; b) rolling the powder through the nip under these conditions until a coherent sheet of polyolefin is produced: and c) once a coherent sheet of polyolefin exits the nip lowering the temperature in the nip to a temperature below the melting point of the polyolefin powder and increasing the gap to a desired level above the thickness of the largest powder particle. Apparatus for the performance of such a process is also described.

Abstract: Processes for producing non-woven materials from regenerated cotton and other fibers are disclosed. In one embodiment, the processes involve first regenerating cotton fibers from post-consumer or post-industrial waste. These regenerated fibers can be blended with other fibers, and intimately blended to provide a uniform blend of fibers. The fibers can then be subjected to a carding process to orient the fibers, and bound together using mechanical, chemical, or thermal binding processes to form a non-woven material. This material can then be used to form finished goods.

Abstract: Fluoropolymers having a —CF adjacent to a —CH which are subsequently dehydrofluorinated to create a —C?C— can be used as controlled release carriers for therapeutic agent(s) by covalently conjugating the therapeutic agent(s) to the fluoropolymer at the —C?C—.

Abstract: A process for the production of virtually full density polyolefin suitable for further processing by drawing to form a high tenacity, highly oriented polyolefin sheet comprising: a) feeding a metered amount of polyolefin powder into the nip between two heated calender rolls; b) rolling the powder through the nip under these conditions until a coherent sheet of polyolefin is produced. According to a highly preferred embodiment, initially, the nip is set at a gap smaller than the size of the smallest polyolefin powder particle and at a temperature above the melting point of the powder and once a coherent sheet of polyolefin exits the nip the temperature in the nip is lowered to a temperature below the melting point of the polyolefin powder and the gap increased to a desired level above the thickness of the largest powder particle.

Abstract: A process for the production of virtually full density polyolefin suitable for further processing by drawing to form a high tenacity, highly oriented polyolefin sheet comprising: a) feeding a metered amount of polyolefin powder into the nip between two heated calendar rolls initially set at a gap smaller than the size of the smallest polyolefin powder particle and at a temperature above the melting point of the powder; b) rolling the powder through the nip under these conditions until a coherent sheet of polyolefin is produced: and c) once a coherent sheet of polyolefin exits the nip lowering the temperature in the nip to a temperature below the melting point of the polyolefin powder and increasing the gap to a desired level above the thickness of the largest powder particle. Apparatus for the performance of such a process is also described.

Abstract: The invention relates to a molding, comprising a matrix in a material, selected from the group consisting of metal, ceramic and polymer synthetic material, and coupling particles embedded in the matrix, wherein a proportion of the surface of the molding in a geometrical form or in a regular pattern and/or an area of the molding is completely or the entire surface of the molding is mechanically treated.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is disclosed for dry forming a uniform non-woven fibrous web. The apparatus includes a transport duct, a spreading member and a discharge member connected in series. The discharge member has a flexible plate and a plurality of screws which act upon the flexible plate to deflect its inner surface and provide further control of the basis weight of the to be formed fibrous web. The apparatus also has a forming zone located below the discharge member. The method combines a plurality of individual fibers with a pressurized gaseous stream and routes this stream through the apparatus to form the uniform non-woven fibrous web.

Abstract: A process for producing a rubber composition, which comprises the step of kneading at least (A) 100 parts by weight of a pellet containing an ethylene-?-olefin-non-conjugated diene copolymer rubber, the pellet having a covering layer comprising a thermoplastic resin, (B) 10 to 200 parts by weight of a reinforcing material, and (C) 1 to 200 parts by weight of a softener; and a process for producing a vulcanized (further foamed) molded article of the rubber composition.

Abstract: A reverse molded fiberboard panel; a wainscot kit comprising a plurality of differently sized reverse molded panels, and a planar finishing or spacer panel, adapted to completely cover any size wall between a wall base board and a wall chair rail; and a method of reverse molding a loose cellulosic mat, in a single pressing step, to provide one or more relatively high density, raised panels without requiring preliminary pressing, or other pre-shaping step, such as scalping. The reverse-molded panels are molded in a conventional, multi-opening fiberboard press, in a single pressing step process, while achieving excellent transfer of mold detail (embossing fidelity) without visually noticeable fiber fracture.

Abstract: The present invention provides an automotive inner ceiling material difficult to deform at a high temperature. Sheath-core type conjugate polyester fibers are prepared. The sheath is a heat fusible component. The core is a non heat fusible component. The sheath is made of copolyester which comprises acid units made of terephthalic acid and diol unites made of ethylene glycol and 1,4-butanediol. The conjugate fibers and the main fibers of polyester are mixed and provided in a card machine to be opened and accumulated to obtain a fibrous web. The fibrous web is heated to melt the sheaths, which are thereafter solidified to bind the fibers to obtain a non woven fabric. The nonwoven fabric is heat-treated at a temperature equal to or higher than the melting point of the sheath. Immediately thereafter, the nonwoven fabric is heat-molded between a pair of a mold plates. During the heat-molding process, the inner temperature is maintained at 100˜130° C. for 60 seconds to obtain the ceiling material.

Abstract: A baseball bat has a core section formed exclusively of bamboo fibers fused together and an outer section substantially surrounding the core section. In a method for fabricating a blank from which a baseball bat is fabricated, a core section is fabricated through harvesting elongated bamboo pieces, removing the epidermis or skin from the bamboo pieces, cutting the bamboo pieces into a predetermined length, fiberizing the bamboo pieces, fusing the bamboo fibers to form a solid and unitary core blank, and processing the solid core blank to provide a core section have a substantially square cross section having opposite front and rear sides and opposite top and bottom sides.

Abstract: A porous facing material comprises a nonwoven web containing interfused thermoplastic elastomeric fibers. The interfused thermoplastic elastomeric fibers comprise a blend of at least two thermoplastic elastomers of a different tensile modulus. The nonwoven web has a basis weight in a range of from 100 to 1500 grams per square meter and a thickness of from 0.2 to 3.5 millimeters, and is abrasion resistant. Acoustically attenuating composites, which have an airflow resistance of from 100 to 10000 mks rayls, and which include a porous facing material secured to a porous backing, are also disclosed. Methods of making and using the foregoing articles are also disclosed.

Abstract: Foam sheets are continuously produced by metering foam particles, which are free of any added binder or adhesive, from a storage location onto a moving conveyor at a controlled volumetric rate so as to continuously form a layer of the particles on the conveyor, heating the layer of particles to a temperature sufficient to render the particles tacky such that the particles adhere to one another so as to form a substantially integral sheet, compressing the sheet with a compression device that applies pressure on the advancing sheet so as to compress the sheet to a smaller thickness and enhance the integrity of the sheet; and cooling the compressed sheet.

Abstract: A manufacturing process that comprises placing an article within a particulate medium (4), the article being provided with a molded body (8) of small ceramic particles. On application of heat and pressure the small ceramic particles are pushed between the particulate medium (4) to permit localized deformation of the article (2).

Abstract: A process of continuously producing a more isotropic, electrically conductive composite composition is provided. The process comprises: (a) continuously supplying a compressible mixture comprising exfoliated graphite worms and a binder or matrix material, wherein the binder or matrix material is in an amount of between 3% and 60% by weight based on the total weight of the mixture; (b) continuously compressing the compressible mixture at a pressure within the range of from about 5 psi or 0.035 MPa to about 50,000 psi or 350 MPa in at least a first direction into a cohered graphite composite compact; and (c) continuously compressing the composite compact in a second direction, different from the first direction, to form the composite composition in a sheet or plate form. The process leads to composite plates with exceptionally high thickness-direction electrical conductivity.

Abstract: A multi-calender process for forming a high modulus, high strength component for use in ballistic-resistant articles. The process includes forming ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene powder into a uniform sheet at a low pressure. Multiple calender units mold and draw the uniform sheet into a non-fibrous, monolithic, ultra high molecular weight polyethylene tape. The multi-calender process and subsequent draw stages stretch the non-fibrous UHMWPE tape to a total draw of at least 100 to 1 to produce a high modulus, high strength UHMWPE component with a modulus of 1,400 grams per denier or greater. The multi-calender process of the present invention enables production of a high-strength, high-modulus UHMWPE component for ballistic-resistant articles and other applications at significantly higher rates and at a lower unit cost.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an engineered stone composite produced from a mineral aggregate, a synthetic resin and a binder using compression and vibration to obtain a high strength mineral composite with a high mineral content and a method for its preparation.

Abstract: There is provided an embossed particleboard, which can be used, for example, as a siding. The particleboard comprises a monolayer embossed particleboard including wood particles having an average size of less than 4 mm, a resin, and optionally a sizing agent. There is also provided a method of manufacturing a wood-based product such as a siding. The method comprises embossing and pressing in a single step a monolayer mat comprising wood particles having an average size of less than 4 mm and a resin, so as to obtain an embossed monolayer particleboard siding.

Abstract: A method of making an embossed air-laid absorbent sheet material includes depositing a dry web of fibers on a foraminous support; compacting the fiber web; embossing the compacted fiber web with an embossing roll provided with a plurality of sinuate bosses radially projecting circumferentially around the embossing roll to provide the fiber web with a functional emboss pattern including a plurality of continuous sinuate compressed regions extending in a machine direction of the fiber web, and bonding the fiber web to produce the embossed air-laid absorbent sheet material. The emboss pattern is operative to preferentially convey sorbed liquid along the plurality of continuous sinuate compressed regions of the fiber web.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of forming a molded core component. A mat formed from cellulosic fiber and resin is provided. The mat is consolidated in a first press until the resin is substantially fully cured, and then removed from the first press. The consolidated mat is then placed in a second press having a mold cavity shaped to form at least one depression in at least one of the major surfaces. The consolidated mat is reformed in the second press to form a molded core component having at least one depression in at least one of the major surfaces. The molded core component has a variable density, preferably of between about 10 lbs/ft3 and 80 lbs/ft3.

Abstract: Disclosed are expanded polytetrafluoroethylene products, such as porous polytetrafluoroethylene tubes, having high axial tear strength and a process for their production. Each expanded polytetrafluoroethylene product has a microstructure, which comprises fibrils and nodes interconnected with each other by the fibrils, and has an axial tear strength of not lower than 6,000 gf/mm as calculated in accordance with the following formula: L/[T×(V/100)] where L (gf) is an axial tear load, T (mm) is a wall thickness, and V (%) is a volume ratio of resin. The process for the production of the expanded polytetrafluoroethylene product includes a high-speed extrusion step.

Abstract: An improved acoustically and thermally insulating composite material suitable for use in structures such as buildings, appliances, and the interior passenger compartments and exterior components of automotive vehicles, comprising at least one airlaid fibrous layer of controlled density and composition and incorporating suitable binding agents and additives as needed to meet expectations for noise abatement, fire, and mildew resistance. Separately, an airlaid structure which provides a reduced, controlled airflow therethrough useful for acoustic insulation is provided, and which includes a woven or nonwoven scrim.

Abstract: A method of making an embossed air-laid absorbent sheet product includes depositing a dry web of fibers on a foraminous support; compacting the fiber web; embossing the compacted web with a laser-engraved roll with a hard rubber embossing surface, the hard rubber embossing surface having a plurality of sinuate bosses radially projecting circumferentially around the laser-engraved roll to provide the fiber web with a functional emboss pattern including a plurality of continuous sinuate compressed regions extending in a machine direction of the fiber web, the laser-engraved roll being heated to or maintained at a temperature of from about 100° F. to about 300° F.; and bonding the fiber web.

Abstract: A production line for producing sheets based on hydraulic binder, the production line including in an upstream zone of the production line, marking device for marking a facing material of the preform with a mark; in a downstream zone of the production line, detecting device for detecting the mark made by the marking device; a cutting device; and an actuating device for actuating said cutting device after receiving a detection signal from the detection device.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for pressing a formed part, in which a ceramic and/or metallic material to be pressed, in particular powdery and/or granulated material (3) is being filled into the die cavity (2) of a die (1), in an axis of compaction (X) with at least one pressing punch (4, 5) the material (3) is being pressed, and in a direction, with a component of movement perpendicular to the first axis of compaction (X), a transverse punch (6) is being moved into the material (3) in a transverse axis (QX), with the movement of the transverse punch (6) being carried out during and/or after pressing of the material (3) in the axis of compaction (X), in particular during and/or after beginning of the compaction operation of the material (3). In particular there is carried out according to the method the actuation of pressing punches in the axis of compaction in such a way, that there act onto the transverse punch in the direction of the axis of compaction on both sides approximately equal forces.

Abstract: The present invention provides a nonwoven fabric for filters which is excellent in dust collection efficiency and exhibits low pressure drop and excellent mechanical characteristics and rigidity, and a method of producing the nonwoven fabric. A nonwoven fabric for filters of the present invention is a nonwoven fabric for filters which is a long fiber nonwoven fabric, consisting of thermoplastic continuous filaments and formed by partially thermocompression bonding the thermoplastic continuous filaments, wherein the nonwoven fabric has a QF value (Pa?1) of 0.02 to 0.08 and stiffness of 2 to 80 mN.

Abstract: Shaped filtration articles are made from a monocomponent nonwoven web formed by flowing first and second fiber-forming materials of the same polymeric composition through first and second die cavities in respective fluid communication with first and second sets of orifices in a meltblowing die tip. The first fiber-forming material flows at a lesser flow rate or viscosity through the first die cavity and first set of orifices to form a set of smaller size filaments and the second fiber-forming material flows at a greater flow rate or viscosity through the second die cavity and second set of orifices to form a set of larger size filaments. The collected nonwoven web contains a meltblown bimodal mass fraction/fiber size mixture of intermingled continuous microfibers and larger size fibers of the same polymeric composition.

Abstract: Molds and processes that permit high-speed, mass production of retaining wall blocks having patterned or other processed front faces, as well as retaining wall blocks formed by such processes. The invention permits the front face of the block to be impressed with a pattern or otherwise directly processed, to allow the formation of pre-determined block front faces, while at the same time facilitating high-speed, high-volume production of blocks. Pre-determined front faces can include front faces having pre-determined patterns and textures, front faces having pre-determined shapes, front faces made from different material(s) than the remainder of the block, and combinations thereof.

Abstract: A process for the production of virtually full density polyolefin suitable for further processing by drawing to form a high tenacity, highly oriented polyolefin sheet comprising: a) feeding a metered amount of polyolefin powder into the nip between two heated calender rolls; b) rolling the powder through the nip under these conditions until a coherent sheet of polyolefin is produced. According to a highly preferred embodiment, initially, the nip is set at a gap smaller than the size of the smallest polyolefin powder particle and at a temperature above the melting point of the powder and once a coherent sheet of polyolefin exits the nip the temperature in the nip is lowered to a temperature below the melting point of the polyolefin powder and the gap increased to a desired level above the thickness of the largest powder particle.

Abstract: A process for the production of virtually full density polyolefin suitable for further processing by drawing to form a high tenacity, highly oriented polyolefin sheet comprising: a) feeding a metered amount of polyolefin powder into the nip between two heated calendar rolls initially set at a gap smaller than the size of the smallest polyolefin powder particle and at a temperature above the melting point of the powder; b) rolling the powder through the nip under these conditions until a coherent sheet of polyolefin is produced: and c) once a coherent sheet of polyolefin exits the nip lowering the temperature in the nip to a temperature below the melting point of the polyolefin powder and increasing the gap to a desired level above the thickness of the largest powder particle. Apparatus for the performance of such a process is also described.

Abstract: Processes for manufacturing stoppers from mixed material agglomerate are provided. According to one embodiment, a homogenized mass is produced by processing a mixture in which cork power, having particle sizes approximately within a range of 30 to 300 mesh, predominates with agglomerating equipment, the mixture also including rubber or resin, a cross-linking agent and an expander. Rollers are then produced according to a predefined measurement of desired stoppers by passing the homogenized mass through a cylindrical extruder. The rollers are then finished and expanded and reticulated in a press machine. Finally, the rollers are polished and severed to form appropriate dimensional shapes. In one embodiment, the agglomerated and homogenized mass can also be shaped in expanded and cross-linked plates, from which, through drills, molds, and/or other suitable tool equipment, the corks are obtained in the desired measures.

Abstract: A coform nonwoven web that contains a matrix of meltblown fibers and an absorbent material is provided. The meltblown fibers are formed from a thermoplastic composition that contains at least one propylene/?-olefin copolymer of a certain monomer content, density, melt flow rate, etc. The selection of a specific type of propylene/?-olefin copolymer provides the resulting composition with improved thermal properties for forming a coform web. For example, the thermoplastic composition crystallizes at a relatively slow rate, thereby allowing the fibers to remain slightly tacky during formation. This tackiness may provide a variety of benefits, such as enhancing the ability of the meltblown fibers to adhere to the absorbent material during formation of the coform web. In certain embodiments, the coform web may also be imparted with texture using a three-dimensional forming surface.