Abstract: The nanocomposite mixed-matrix membrane is a nanocomposite made from a nanofiller of Halloysite nanotubes or polypropylene-grafted maleic anhydride nano-layered silica dispersed or embedded in a hydrophobic polymer matrix. The Halloysite nanotubes are a 1:1 layered alumino-silicate clay having the chemical formula Al2O3 Si2O4 4(H2O)) formed into multi-layered hollow cylinders having walls that are formed from alternating layers of alumina and silica. The membrane is formed by extrusion of the nanocomposite with stretching over rollers during the extrusion, followed by annealing, cold stretching at room temperature, and hot stretching. The resulting membrane is microporous and can be used as a membrane distillation (MD) membrane for seawater and brackish water desalination.

Abstract: A vehicle floor mat includes a sheet of flexible thermoplastic elastomer containing at least one rigid plastic insert. The insert includes Velcro® hooks extending downwardly from its bottom surface for connecting the mat to a vehicle carpet or Velcro® loops on a pad connected to the vehicle floor pan. The insert is molded in a first injection molding operation, and then the sheet is molded around the top, sides and ends of the insert.

Abstract: Some embodiments relate to micro vias in printed circuit boards (PCBs). In an example, a PCB may include a PCB substrate and a micro via. The micro via may extend between opposing surfaces of the PCB substrate and may have a diameter less than or equal to about 100 microns. In another example, a method of forming micro vias in a PCB may include forming a through hole in a PCB substrate of the PCB. The method may also include positioning a pillar that is electrically conductive within the through hole. The method may also include backfilling the through hole around the pillar with an epoxy backfill.

Abstract: A method for making an elastomeric apertured web comprises providing a precursor web comprising a laminate which is subjected to incremental stretching to form an elastomeric precursor web. A forming apparatus is provided comprising a first member and a second member, wherein the first member comprises a mating member, and the second member comprises teeth which are joined to the second member. The elastomeric precursor web is moved through the forming apparatus, wherein apertures are formed in the elastomeric precursor web material as the teeth on the second member penetrate the mating member forming an elastomeric apertured web. The elastomeric apertured web exhibits a WVTR of at least about 1000 g/m2/day.

Abstract: A liquid container includes a brim forming a mouth opening into a product receiving chamber formed in a cup. A lid is coupled to the rim to close the mouth of the cup.

Abstract: A method for making apertures in a web comprising providing a precursor web material; providing a pair of counter-rotating, intermeshing rollers, wherein a first roller comprises circumferentially-extending ridges and grooves, and a second roller comprises teeth being tapered from a base and a tip, the teeth being joined to the second roller at the base, the base of the tooth having a cross-sectional length dimension greater than a cross-sectional width dimension; and moving the web material through a nip of the counter-rotating, intermeshing rollers; wherein apertures are formed in the precursor web material as the teeth on one of the rollers intermesh with grooves on the other of the rollers.

Abstract: A carbonated beverage nucleation device comprising a solid, non-reactive, non-porous, non-erodible and food-safe three-dimensional body having a top, bottom, vertical central axis oriented top to bottom, and at least a bilateral symmetry about the vertical central axis. Integral recessed, gas bubble nucleation sites are cut from at least an outer surface of the body by mechanical or chemical means. Contacting the body with a beverage causes gas dissolved in the beverage to form bubbles, attach to and then detach from recessed nucleation sites. This increases the quality and quantity of head froth.

Abstract: The present invention provides a technique capable of manufacturing a resin stamper at a low cost. A method of manufacturing a plate-shaped resin stamper includes: pressing a resin composite base material against a mother stamper having a pattern formed on the surface thereof by compression molding to transfer the pattern of the mother stamper to the composite base material; and punching the composite base material. In the manufacturing method, the resin composite base material includes at least one curing resin. In addition, during the compression molding, a portion of the composite base material is cured by active energy beams or heat, the pattern is transferred to the composite base material, and the composite base material is punched, thereby manufacturing the resin stamper.

Abstract: A molding process that comprises, in order, a preparation step of preparing a sheet having a textured pattern due to projections formed by curing an ink composition above one face of a substrate, a placement step of placing the face of the sheet having the textured pattern so that it faces a mold, and a molding step of carrying out molding with the sheet and the mold in contact with each other.

Abstract: A process for making an embossed web. A precursor web is provided between a forming structure and a compliant substrate. The forming structure has a plurality of discrete protruded elements and lands completely surrounding them. Pressure is provided between the compliant substrate and the forming structure to conform the precursor web to the forming structure to form the embossed web. The resulting embossed web has a plurality of discrete extended elements completely surrounded by land areas.

Abstract: A skateboard and method of forming such a skateboard is provided which yields a skateboard deck, formed in a unitary structure, of polymeric material. The deck may formed of molten, pliable, planar sheet material, which is heated past a glass transition temperature and thereafter formed for curves and shape through imparting of force on the polymeric material by molding. The resulting skateboard deck is formed as a unitary structure which can be further enhanced using flexible compressible mounts engaged in deck apertures to engage the wheels and trucks thereon. The unitary structure of polymeric material is also well suited for light transmission therethrough from light emitters which may be operatively engaged to the mounts.

Abstract: Polishing pads with apertures are described. Methods of fabricating polishing pads with apertures are also described.

Abstract: A composite friction unit of a three dimensional composite body is formed of a substantially uniform array of predominately glass strands of primary reinforcing fibers in matrix of phenolic resin material, the reinforcing fibers in the form of fabric distributed throughout the body forming a friction unit having a predetermined size and configuration and uniform distribution and alignment of fibers throughout. An alternate friction unit includes a substantially rigid or rigid backing co-pultruded in forming the unit. The units are produced in a pultrusion process wherein the reinforcing fibers and matrix are pulled through a forming die.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for removing a canister 12 from a component 18 by forming an opening 30 in the canister wall thickness 14, 16 and introducing a pressurised fluid into the opening 14, 16 causing hydrostatic pressure build up between an internal canister surface 14 and the component 18, leading to the removal of the canister 12. This method and apparatus obviates the need to expend significant machining or chemical processing to remove the canister 12.

Abstract: An extensible apertured nonwoven web, and a method for making such an apertured nonwoven web. In one embodiment the method comprises the steps of providing an apertured nonwoven web, incrementally stretching it in a direction substantially parallel to the cross machine direction, and applying tension in the machine direction such that the web width after applying tension is less than the web width after incremental stretching.

Abstract: A forming tool assembly and method for forming a cooking element. The forming tool assembly has an upper tool assembly and a lower tool assembly that cooperate to shape the cooking element from an annular cutout.

Abstract: As implant for the stabilization of bones or vertebrae is provided, the implant being a solid body including a longitudinal axis that defines a longitudinal direction and including a flexible section that has a surface and has a length in the longitudinal direction, the flexible section including at least one cavity located near the surface and having a width in the longitudinal direction that is smaller than the length of the flexible section, the at least one cavity being connected to the surface through at least one slit, and a width of the slit in the longitudinal direction being smaller than the width of the cavity.

Abstract: There is provided a method of manufacturing a structural object, including using rapid prototyping technology, forming a structure body from a powder material whose main component is a water-soluble compound. The formed structure body is impregnated with an adhesive that provides adhesive function upon reaction with moisture contained in the structure body.

Abstract: A gasket assembly and method of construction is provided. The assembly includes a carrier body having opposite planar surfaces with at least one media-conveying opening extending through the planar surfaces with at least one through opening spaced radially from the at least one media-conveying opening. Further, the carrier body has at least one projection formed of the material of the carrier body. The at least one projection extends from the at least one through opening outwardly from at least one of the planar surfaces. The assembly further includes an elastomeric material encapsulating the projection.

Abstract: A gas tank, includes: a liner; and a fiber reinforced plastic layer. A hollow portion is formed within a thickness of the liner along an axial direction of the tank.

Abstract: A stent for treating a bodily lumen with a flexible section in a high strain region is disclosed. A flexible section may be selectively positioned to reduce an amount of strain in the high strain region when subjected to the applied stress during use to inhibit or prevent fracturing in the high strain region.

Abstract: A sports racquet having a plurality of string port holes and conventional string holes is formed of a single tube of prepreg material. When molded, mold elements press opposed portions of the prepreg tube into contact with one another, and shape the adjoining prepreg material into a string port hole blanks. The portion of the pressed-together material which initially blocks the string port hole is removed after molding so that the string port holes extend through the frame. Alternatively, the mold elements cause the prepreg tube to follow a serpentine shape, thereby defining string port holes which are open alternately along the top and bottom surface of the frame. A pair of cover rings may be secured to the top and bottom racquet surfaces to cover the open sides of the string port holes.

Abstract: A new conductive interconnected porous film, useful as a material for a gas diffusion layer which is used in a solid polymer type fuel cell, which satisfies the requirements of a good conductivity, good gas permeability, surface smoothness, corrosion resistance, and low impurities and which is strong in bending and excellent in handling to an extent not obtainable by existing sheet materials of carbon fiber, that is, a conductive interconnected porous film wherein a resin base material part of a thermoplastic resin has a porous interconnected cell structure which is formed by removal of removable particulate matter and has cells of sizes of 10 ?m to 50 ?m and wherein the resin base material part is comprised of different particle size particles of first carbon particles of large size carbon particles of a diameter of 5 ?m or more and second carbon particles of micro size carbon particles of a diameter of 10 nm or more mixed together, and a method of production of the same.

Abstract: A support element, for example a plate, a mattress, a pillow, a seating plane of a chair, of an armchair, a saddle for vehicles and the like, equipped with a resting surface for a user, includes at least one first layer in gel associated with at least one second layer of different material; such a first layer in gel and such a second layer, that are associated, are crossed by through openings that are suitable for the proper circulation of air from one side to the other of the support element, so as to allow the optimal transpiration and thermal regulation of the parts of the body of the user positioned resting on the support element itself.

Abstract: The use of nucleating agents to manufacture polymeric stents is disclosed. The resulting stents may have increased crystallinity, decreased crystal size, increased mechanical properties, and faster degradation times.

Abstract: A method for producing a cable-sealing member is disclosed. The method comprises forming a formed rubber including a first plane and a second plane that oppose in a thickness direction and a side plane that bridges a peripheral edge of the first plane and a peripheral edge of the second plane. The method further includes rotating the formed rubber with one axis in the thickness direction as a rotary axis while a holder is applied over the side plane of the formed rubber and, meanwhile, inserting a cutting blade from the first plane into the formed rubber to form a ring-form slit portion and stopping the cutting blade just in front of the second plane, leaving a slit-form ring unbored on one side.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a magnet-conductive device includes performing a punch process to a plate by a glue-injectable punch structure, wherein the glue-injectable punch structure includes a punch head and a control member. The punch head comprises an accommodating cavity, an injection hole and an inlet, and a supply channel is formed by the accommodating cavity, the injection hole and the inlet. The control member selectively obstructs the supply channel or permits the supply channel into conduction. By using the method for manufacturing the magnet-conductive device, the stack between plural plates is simplified, and the coupling strength between adjacent plates is enhanced. In addition, this invention considers the gel between adjacent plates to be insulating medium to lower the iron loss of the magnet-conductive plates.

Abstract: A bioabsorbable biomedical implant is disclosed. The implant includes a tubular scaffold comprising a plurality of interconnected polymer struts. The interconnected polymer struts defines a plurality of deformable cells. The polymer struts have an average thickness of no more than 120 ?m. Methods for making the bioabsorbable biomedical implant, including the methods for making the polymer materials for the tubular scaffold, are also disclosed.

Abstract: A single-layer diffuser membrane constructed of first and second compounds. The first compound has structural and flexibility properties suitable for applying air to wastewater through a plurality of perforations formed through the membrane and the second compound is suitable for inhibiting fouling of the membrane. The first compound may comprise polyurethane and the second compound may comprise polytetrafluoroethylene. The concentration of the second compound within the membrane may be between about 3.0 vol. % and 20.0 vol. %. The second compound may be dispersed adjacent the perforations to inhibit fouling of the perforations. Another aspect of the present invention relates to the method for constructing the membrane. Upon the mixing of the first and second compounds, the mixed composition may be formed into a membrane through, for example, an extrusion process or a molding process. Perforations may be created either during or after the forming of the membrane.

Abstract: A forming tool assembly and method for forming a cooking element. The forming tool assembly has an upper tool assembly and a lower tool assembly that cooperate to shape the cooking element from an annular cutout.

Abstract: The invention relates to a cap for the neck of a container and to a method for producing one such cap. According to the invention, the skirt (12) of the cap (1) is provided with frangible bridge elements (44A, 44B) which break when the cap is first opened. In addition, on either side of the aforementioned frangible bridge elements, the skirt includes a non-removable part and a removable part provided with an outer biasing tab (24) that only extends along a peripheral portion (12A) of the skirt. In order to limit the biasing force of the tab, so as to release the removable skirt part, the radial dimension (e44A) of the bridges (44A) located in the skirt portion (12) associated with the tab is smaller than the radial dimension (e44B) of the bridges (44B) located outside said portion.

Abstract: The present document describes a method and apparatus to rapidly reticulate closed-cell or partially closed-cell foams. The method involves the propagation of an energy impulse inside the foam; the energy impulse can be a shock wave. The energy impulse is generated in the same gaseous environment in which the foam is immersed, preferentially air in room condition. The energy impulse destroys the membranes closing the foam cells without disintegrating the frame's structure. In particular, the method rapidly improves the acoustic and filtering behavior of the foams.

Abstract: The invention relates to a biaxially oriented, multilayer microporous foil including one layer made from propylene homopolymer, a propylene block copolymer, a polyethylene and ?-nucleating agent, and at least one further porous layer.

Abstract: A light blocking sheet includes: a plurality of light transmission portions extending in a first direction and arranged at a distance from each other along a second direction that crosses the first direction; and a plurality of light blocking portions extending in the first direction, each of the plurality of light blocking portions being disposed between two immediately neighboring light transmission portions.

Abstract: A container having the shape of a cylinder of a substantially horizontal symmetry axis, closed at its both ends with the bottoms comprising steps in which a body having the form of a pipe empty inside of a corrugated inner surface is manufactured so that a first set of spray nozzles arranged at various angles is introduced into a mold turning around its own axis and then an inner surface of the mold is sprayed, next a hole is cut out for an inspection manhole in the surface of the produced body, then the body is closed with the bottoms at both ends so that a bottom mold is placed at each open end of the body, a second set of spray nozzles arranged at various angles is introduced through the hole for an inspection manhole, and then an inner surface of the bottom mold is sprayed.

Abstract: A rapid exchange catheter comprises a guide wire lumen including a substantially sealed portion in which a lumen wall extends around an entire periphery thereof and a channel portion including a channel opening the lumen to an exterior of the catheter, wherein a width of the channel is less than a maximum width of the channel portion. A guide wire ramp extends into the channel portion, with the ramp extending further into the lumen of the channel portion as a distal end of the ramp is approached.

Abstract: A holey fiber includes: a core portion; an inner-cladding portion positioned at an outer periphery of the core portion, the inner-cladding portion having a plurality of inner holes formed in a layered structure around the core portion; and an outer-cladding portion positioned at an outer periphery of the inner-cladding portion, the outer-cladding portion having a plurality of outer holes formed in a layered structure around the inner-cladding portion. The inner holes are disposed to form a triangular lattice of which lattice constant ?1 is equal to or smaller than 2.0 ?m and to form equal to or greater than two layers. The outer holes are disposed to form a triangular lattice of which lattice constant ?2 is greater than the ?1 and equal to or larger than 3.0 ?m and to form equal to or greater than two layers. The overlap index is equal to or greater than 2.0%.

Abstract: A biological filtration system includes a reservoir configured to receive an aqueous liquid, a multiplicity of polymeric container closures in the reservoir, a fluid inlet fluidically coupled with the reservoir, and a fluid outlet fluidically coupled with the reservoir. The fluid inlet is configured such that an aqueous liquid provided to the reservoir via the fluid inlet contacts the multiplicity of polymeric container closures. The polymeric container closures support biofilm growth. Treating the aqueous liquid provided to the biological filtration system includes contacting the polymeric container closures with the aqueous liquid, growing biofilm on the polymeric container closures in contact with the aqueous liquid, thereby removing contaminants from the aqueous liquid to yield a treated aqueous liquid, and removing the treated aqueous liquid from the biological filtration system.

Abstract: A liner tube for repairing existing pipes is provided. The liner tube is sufficiently flexible to lie substantially flat under its own weight thereby defining an upper portion and a lower portion. The liner tube includes an inner layer, an outer layer disposed around the inner layer, a first intermediate layer disposed between the inner layer and the outer layer, the first intermediate layer being wrapped around the inner layer to overlap itself and define a first overlap portion in the upper portion, and a second intermediate layer disposed between the first intermediate layer and the outer layer, the second intermediate layer being wrapped around the first intermediate layer to overlap itself and define a second overlap portion in the lower portion. The first and second intermediate layers include a porous material and the inner layer includes material substantially impermeable to liquids.

Abstract: The present invention relates to wound treatment material comprising at least two perforated biomatrix layers interconnected by connecting means, as well as to methods for preparing such wound treatment materials and their use, in particular in the treatment of exuding wounds, and in the vacuum-assisted wound treatment therapy.

Abstract: A body may be provided having first and second ends having threaded outer surfaces. A bore may extend between the first and second ends. A tool may be provided having a first outer mold-line surface, a second opposing surface, and a hole extending between the first and second opposing surfaces. The first end may be threadedly attached and sealed, at the second opposing surface, to an inner surface of the hole. A cap may be threadedly attached and sealed to the second end of the body. A composite may be consolidated against the first outer mold-line surface of the tool. The cap may be unthreadedly removed from the second end. A drill bit may be inserted into the bore, through the tool hole, and against the composite to drill a composite hole.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a fiber absorber includes individuating preformed fibers, compressing the preformed fibers, housing the compressed fibers in a needle-punch processing case in which needle insertion holes are formed, and performing needle punching by inserting needles through the needle insertion holes from at least three directions having perpendicular relation to one another in the needle-punch processing case.

Abstract: According to one embodiment of the present invention a Friendship bracelet that appears as one but can be torn into two individual bracelets for each friend to wear and be connected to each other is disclosed. The invention described here allows a proper link between both friends who wear half of the bracelet. The result is a proper symbol that connects two friends to each other by wearing half of a bracelet that used to be one single bracelet before being torn in two. The friendship bracelet according to another embodiment of the present invention that appears as one but can be torn into a plurality of individual bracelets for each friend in a group to wear and be connected to one another is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device that secures a straight or Foley catheter in the urinary tract of a male subject. The device includes a portion that can be coupled to the subject's penis and a portion that can be coupled to the straight or Foley catheter. The present invention also relates to methods of making and using this device and to assemblies including the device and a straight or Foley catheter.

Abstract: The invention offers a separation membrane element that can be produced by a method in which a membrane-sealing portion is formed by, first, immersing end portions of hollow-fiber-shaped porous separation membranes in a resinous liquid and, then, curing the resin, that has a feature in that the membrane-sealing portion is formed of a casting resin and pores of the hollow-fiber-shaped porous separation membranes are filled with a pore-filling resin at the portion at which the membranes are in contact with the membrane-sealing portion, so that the casting resin is strongly bonded with the pore-filling resin, and that has the hollow-fiber-shaped porous separation membranes whose basal portions are flexible, so that breakage of the basal portions and leakage of gas or liquid are less likely to occur when in use; a separation membrane element that has a feature in that in the membrane-sealing portion, at least the surface at a side that is to be in contact with a liquid to be treated is formed of a thermosetting f

Abstract: A tip fairing of a horizontal airfoil of an aircraft is provided. The tip fairing comprises stiffening elements and a skin covering the stiffening elements. The stiffening elements comprise a central web and two flanges located at the tips of the web, with contact between the skin and the stiffening elements being made through the flanges of the stiffening elements. The tip fairing is manufactured from a composite material, is manufactured from a single part, and the planes defining the webs of any pair of stiffening elements taken in twos form an angle less than about 30°.

Abstract: Systems and methods for the fabrication of prepregs possessing enhanced ability for the removal of gases from within prepregs and prepreg layups prior to and/or during at least a portion of consolidation and cure process to form composite structures are disclosed. In certain embodiments, perforations of selected configurations may be introduced into the prepregs prior to, during, and after layup. The perforations provide routes for gases trapped within and between the perforated prepregs and prepreg lay-ups to escape during consolidation and cure process, reducing the residual porosity within the resulting composite. For example, composites having residual porosities less than 10 vol. %, on the basis of the volume of the composite, may be achieved in this manner.

Abstract: Embodiments relate generally to plastic wall panels. Wall panels are formed by rotational molding processes and may be used in sound attenuation barriers or other wall or building structures. Some embodiments include reinforcing structure. The reinforcing structure may be configured to effectively support a plastic shell of the wall panel in a way that allows some relative movement between the plastic shell and the reinforcing structure.

Abstract: A method for fabricating an embodiment of a medical device comprising the steps of: preparing a biodegradable polymeric structure; coating the biodegradable polymeric structure with a polymeric coat including a pharmacological or biological agent; cutting the structure into patterns configured to allow for crimping of the cut structure and expansion of the cut structure after crimping into a deployed configuration.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a thermoforming device for thermoforming a product (1) from a plastic foil (23), and to a corresponding method. The invention relates particularly to a thermoforming process and device in which a slot (2) is arranged in a product (1) to be formed. The invention also relates to a product (1), particularly a flowerpot, manufactured using this thermoforming device or method. The thermoforming device is characterized in that the cutting sleeve (10) and cutting plate (7) and/or hold-down element (8) define an auxiliary cutting line through which the plastic foil (23) is cut in order to arrange a slot (2) in the product (1) to be formed. The functions of slot-forming and product-foil separation are hereby performed by substantially the same components.