Abstract: A method of fabricating a highly porous structure is provided. The method includes the step of compounding a biodegradable polymer, a water-soluble polymer and a porogen to form a composite blend. A foaming agent is dissolved into the composite blend and the composite blend is injected into a mold so as to form the structure. Thereafter, the structure is removed from the mold and leached in a fluid.

Abstract: The invention relates to microporous polymeric membranes suitable for use as battery separator film. The invention also relates to a method for producing such a membrane, batteries containing such membranes as battery separators, methods for making such batteries, and methods for using such batteries.

Abstract: A method of making a porous membrane includes, in an exemplary embodiment, mixing together a first fine powder PTFE resin and a second fine powder PTFE resin to form a PTFE resin mixture. The first PTFE resin having a characteristic of forming more and longer fibrils than fibrils formed from the second PTFE resin. The second PTFE resin having a characteristic of forming thicker nodes than nodes formed from the first PTFE resin. The method also includes forming a preform from the PTFE resin mixture, extruding the preform into a tape, passing the tape through a plurality of opposing calender rolls to form a calendered tape having a thickness of about 380 ?m to about 1200 ?m, and stretching the calendered tape in the transverse direction to form a porous membrane having a plurality of nodes and fibrils and having a thickness of at least about 100 ?m.

Abstract: An apparatus for providing a printed and textured web substrate is disclosed. The apparatus has a printing apparatus and an apparatus for imparting elastic-like behavior. The printing apparatus has at least one rotatable ink roller for transferring an ink to the web substrate. The apparatus for imparting elastic-like behavior has a pair of intermeshing rollers capable of providing at least a portion of the web substrate with an elastic-like behavior.

Abstract: An apparatus for simultaneously activating two or more portions of a web in different directions. The apparatus includes a pair of intermeshing activation rolls with three-dimensional surface features disposed thereon. The three dimensional surface features are arranged in discrete regions on the rolls such that at least two of the regions provide different directions of activation. The rolls include one or more buffer regions positioned between the discrete regions on the roll that provide different directions of activation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing a stretched mechanical fastening web laminate (1) comprising a thermoplastic web layer (13) having two major surfaces, one of the major surfaces bearing a multitude of male fastening elements (14) suitable for engagement with a corresponding female fastening material, and on its other major surface a fibrous web layer (11), said method comprising the steps of (i) providing the fibrous web layer (11) having an initial basis weight, (ii) passing the fibrous web layer (11) through a nip formed by two rolls (101), (103), one of them having cavities (120) that are the negatives of a plurality of male fastening elements (14), introducing a molten thermoplastic resin into the cavities (120) in excess of an amount that would fill the cavities (120) which excess forms the thermoplastic web layer (13), allowing the resin to at least partially solidify and stripping of a precursor web laminate (10) thus formed comprising the fibrous web layer (11) and the the

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for manufacturing a microporous polyolefin film which can be used for various battery separators, separating filters and membranes for microfiltration. The process for manufacturing a microporous polyolefin film according to the invention comprises mixing/extrusion through efficient and separate injection of 15-55% by weight of polyolefin (Component I), and 85-45% by weight of a diluent (Component II) which forms thermodynamic single phase with the polyolefin and a diluent (Component III) which can undergo thermodynamic liquid-liquid phase separation with the polyolefin, into an extruder.

Abstract: Provided is a microporous film formed of a thermoplastic resin composition comprising 100 parts by mass of (a) a polyolefin resin and from 5 to 90 parts by mass of (b) a polyphenylene ether resin; the microporous film having a sea-island structure with the polyolefin resin as a sea portion and with the polyphenylene ether resin as an island portion and having a air permeability of from 10 sec/100 cc to 5000 sec/100 cc. The microporous film does not break easily even at high temperatures and has good heat resistance.

Abstract: Provided is a method of manufacturing a porous polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) membrane capable of achieving both a high collection efficiency and a low pressure drop, though it has a larger average pore size and a greater thickness than conventional porous PTFE membranes. This manufacturing method includes: stretching an unsintered polytetrafluoroethylene sheet by a factor of 5 to 30 in a predetermined direction at a temperature equal to or higher than the melting point of polytetrafluoroethylene; further stretching the stretched sheet by a factor of 5 to 40 in a direction different from the predetermined direction at a temperature lower than the melting point; and after the stretchings, heating the stretched sheet at a temperature equal to or higher than the melting point.

Abstract: The present invention provides an absorbent article imparting superior comfort during wearing without inhibiting an absorbent property of an absorbent body, and a manufacturing method thereof. In the stretchable non-woven fabrics composed of a stretchable thermoplastic fiber and a heat-adhesive fiber having a lower melting point than that of the thermoplastic fiber which is arranged on a skin non-contacting side of a chassis, a low-stretchability portion is formed, in which the stretchability of the stretchable non-woven fabrics is lowered, at least in a portion thereof which overlaps an absorbent body in a thickness direction. The low-stretchability portion is formed by heating and pressurizing the portion of an elasticized non-woven fabric being extended.

Abstract: A process for extruding a thin positive electrode sheet having at least 40%/wt of solid content for a lithium polymer battery through a single or twin screw extruder is disclosed as well as a positive electrode sheet produced therefrom. A mixture of active cathodic intercalation material, lithium salt and electronic conductive material is mixed with a polymer of the polyether family in a ratio of at least 40% of total weight into the mixing chamber of an extrusion machine and extruded through a classical sheet die into a thin cathode sheet or film onto a substrate in sheet form.

Abstract: A method for producing a microporous material comprising the steps of: providing an ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE); providing a filler; providing a processing plasticizer; adding the filler to the UHMWPE in a mixture being in the range of from about 1:9 to about 15:1 filler to UHMWPE by weight; adding the processing plasticizer to the mixture; extruding the mixture to form a sheet from the mixture; calendering the sheet; extracting the processing plasticizer from the sheet to produce a matrix comprising UHMWPE and the filler distributed throughout the matrix; stretching the microporous material in at least one direction to a stretch ratio of at least about 1.5 to produce a stretched microporous matrix; and subsequently calendering the stretched microporous matrix to produce a microporous material which exhibits improved physical and dimensional stability properties over the stretched microporous matrix.

Abstract: A method that includes coextruding two or more thermoplastic resin streams through a profiled die plate, which die plate is shaped to form a nonplanar film (three dimensional) preferably with a regularly oscillating peak and valley structure that oscillates from a top surface to a bottom surface forming longitudinally extending ridges on both faces of the film. The film is formed by coextruding the film through the oscillating die plate opening causing partitioning of the resins in different zones in the width direction of the film. Flattening of the film results in a film with side-by-side zones formed of different polymers or relative proportions of polymers.

Abstract: A method for making a vascular graft includes providing a PTFE green tube extrudate which is un-sintered, and then initially expanding the un-sintered extrudate to produce an initial node and fibril micro-structure therein. This is followed by heating the extrudate to raise the temperature thereof for a time period of sufficient duration such that the extrudate is partially sintered. The partially sintered extrudate is subsequently expanded to make the vascular graft. The subsequent expansion produces a subsequent node and fibril micro-structure in the vascular graft. An alternative method for making a vascular graft includes providing a PTFE green tube extrudate which is un-sintered, longitudinally expanding the un-sintered extrudate to form an ePTFE tube structure, and radially expanding the un-sintered ePTFE tube structure. ePTFE made according to the method is fabricated into various structures, such as tube structures, filament structures, and sheet structures.

Abstract: The invention relates to a vessel prosthesis or patch, made from a biocompatible polymer with microporous, finely-fibrillated structure and a method for improving the e-modulus of said vessel prostheses or patches. According to the invention, the vessel prostheses or patches are subjected to a full stretching (extension) with a degree of extension between 30% and 250% and subsequent restoration.

Abstract: The present invention provides a microporous polyolefin membrane of high permeability and novel structure, and also provides a method of producing the same, wherein its average pore size is gradually decreases from at least one membrane surface towards its center. The method of producing the microporous polyolefin membrane comprises the steps of extruding the solution, composed of 10 to 50 weight % of (A) a polyolefin having a weight-average molecular weight of 5×105 or more or (B) a composition containing this polyolefin and 50 to 90 weight % of a solvent, into a gel-like formed article and removing the solvent therefrom, wherein a treatment step with a hot solvent is incorporated.

Abstract: A method of producing a porous plastic film, and a porous plastic film. The plastic film is prepared from a raw material blend comprising a polymer-containing basic material and an additive. Pores are generated in the film by stretching a film preform. The additive comprises a POS(S) chemical.

Abstract: A method for producing a microporous material comprising the steps of: providing an ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE); providing a filler; providing a processing plasticizer; adding the filler to the UHMWPE in a mixture being in the range of from about 1:9 to about 15:1 filler to UHMWPE by weight; adding the processing plasticizer to the mixture; extruding the mixture to form a sheet from the mixture; calendering the sheet; extracting the processing plasticizer from the sheet to produce a matrix comprising UHMWPE and the filler distributed throughout the matrix; stretching the microporous material in at least one direction to a stretch ratio of at least about 1.5 to produce a stretched microporous matrix; and subsequently calendering the stretched microporous matrix to produce a microporous material which exhibits improved physical and dimensional stability properties over the stretched microporous matrix.

Abstract: Disclosed is a successively biaxially stretched film obtained by successive biaxial stretching method comprising extruding a melt of a ?-crystal nucleating agent-containing polypropylene-based resin composition from a T-die, cooling the extruded resin on a chill roll, and stretching the resulting web sheet longitudinally and then transversely, wherein the longitudinally stretched sheet is made to have a degree of ?-crystal orientation of less than 0.3 by the following method (I) and/or (II), optionally subjected to annealing treatment, and transversely stretched: method (I): melting the polypropylene-based resin composition containing needle crystals of a specific ?-crystal nucleating agent at a temperature not lower than m.p.

Abstract: The present invention concerns an extrusion formed reticulated web, mesh or netting including reticulated hook fasteners for use with hook and loop fasteners the polymer netting comprising two sets of strands at angles to each other. The first set of strands are a plurality of oriented (molecular orientation created by stretching) strands extending in a first direction and are generally mutually parallel and linear. The second set of strands are a plurality of substantially parallel strands attached only to a first face of the first set of oriented strands. The first set of oriented strands occupy a first planar cross-sectional area in the thickness direction of the formed netting. Said second set of oriented strands occupy a second planar cross-sectional area in the thickness direction of the formed netting. Preferably, these first and second planar cross-sectional areas are substantially mutually exclusive and are abutting.

Abstract: The invention relates to a co-extruded, biaxially oriented polyester film consisting of a base layer and at least one outer layer. The film contains a UV-stabilizer and has a matt outer layer which contains a mixture and/or a blend of two components (I) and (II), whereby component (I) is substantially a polyethylene terephthalate homopolymer or a polyethylene terephthalate copolymer, or a mixture of polyethylene terephthalate homopolymers or polyethyleneterephthalate copolymers, and component (II) is a polymer which contains at least one sulphonate group.

Abstract: The invention discloses a 5-layer co-extruded biaxial-oriented polypropylene synthetic paper which is a 5-layer laminated structure with thickness between 30–300 ?m comprising the uppermost layer (A) of paper sheet or resin, the second layer (B) of paper sheet or resin, the intermediate foamed layer (C), the forth layer (D) of paper sheet or resin and the bottom layer (E) of paper sheet or resin which is to improve the rigidity and stiffness covering power, strength between layers, glossiness of paper surface, paper thickness and the printability of the conventional synthetic paper.

Abstract: A thermal transfer image recording composite sheet has a lamination structure: (2) image receiving sheet section (including image receiving layer (D), image recording sheet substrate (C) and adhesive layer (E)) and (1) release sheet section (including release layer (B) and release sheet substrate (A)), and exhibits, as a whole, a compressive modulus of 50 MPa or less, wherein, the substrate (C) is constituted from (a) an upper oriented porous polyester film layer bonded to the image receiving layer (D) and (b) a lower oriented porous polymer film layer, the polymer of which is different from polyester of the layer (a), laminated on the upper film layer (a) and bonded to the adhesive layer (E), or the adhesive layer (E) comprises, together with an adhesive agent, a plurality of hollow particles each formed from a hollow core portion and a shell portion and has an average particle size of 0.

Abstract: A method and a device for production of a web with good breathing properties, for example having a nonwoven web based on plastic filaments and/or plastic fibers and a plastic film, applied on one side of the nonwoven web and containing at least one mineral filler. For the production of the good breathing properties, the web is stretched in the longitudinal direction of the same, in two successive steps, and an embossing is carried out, at least in certain sectors of the surface, between the two steps which effect the stretching in the longitudinal direction.

Abstract: Three-layer, highly oriented polyester films having an A-B-C layer construction, preferably made of polyethylene terephthalate, which, in addition to a base layer B, have a smooth surface layer A which contains no external particles and a rough surface layer C which contains external particles such as antiblocking agents or pigments, preferably SiO2, in defined amounts and particle sizes, feature in particular good producibility and processibility, high gloss of the film surface A and low opacity. The very smooth surface A is suitable in particular for coating with materials, for example SiOx, by means of plasma polymerization of hexamethyldisiloxane by the CVD or PECVD method, which provides the film with a high oxygen barrier and is suitable in particular as packaging for light- and air-sensitive foods or other consumable items.

Abstract: An elastomeric, breathable laminate having enhanced breathability is formed by bonding a breathable, microporous, extendible/elastic film to a nonwoven facing material. The facing material can be necked to impart cross-directional stretchability. Once the film and the facing material are bonded together, the resulting laminate is stretched in one or more areas to impart higher breathability to selected areas of the laminate. The breathable laminate with enhanced breathability is particularly useful as an outer cover for diapers and other personal care products.

Abstract: A system and method for extruding composite material and the composite material therefrom. The composite material consists of a filler mixed with a binding agent. The composite material is extruded as billets with enhanced physical properties, such as color, texture, electrical conductivity and fire retardancy, and contains a dispersion pattern of the filler material. A system and method are also provided for drawing the composite material through a die and a composite material produced thereby. The drawn composite material exhibits a density reduction over the density of the starting material and enhanced physical properties. A particularly useful tongue and groove arrangement are also provided for joining adjacent strips of a composite material made according to the extrusion process.

Abstract: A running length of fastener product is formed of longitudinally pre-oriented synthetic resin. The product is characterized by a base web and an array of discrete fastener elements protruding from at least one side of the web, the web being in a laterally stretched molecular oriented condition. After forming a preform having discrete fastener elements integral with a base web in a stretchable state, the preform is stretched in a manner that substantially increases the fastener element spacing and reduces the thickness of the base web. A machine is shown that is capable of lengthwise orienting before forming and widthwise stretching after forming, which employs controlled heating to render the product widthwise stretchable while preserving or achieving a desired shape of the fastener elements.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an elastic laminate which is elastically extensible in at least one direction. The elastic laminate includes an elastomeric material having a first surface and a second surface opposing the first surface; and a first nonwoven layer joined to the first surface of the elastomeric material. The first nonwoven layer is formed from component fibers having a primary fiber direction. The first nonwoven layer has a Fiber Orientation Ratio within about ±20 degrees from a primary fiber direction of at least about 65%. The present invention is also directed to a disposable garment employing such an elastic laminate.

Abstract: The invention relates to a multi-layered semi-finished product with at least one first and one second film layer. The semi-finished product has a velour-type structure on the outer surface of the first film layer facing away from the second film layer and the second layer has a filler material. The first and second film layers are permeable. A first proportion of a filler material in the first film layer is smaller than a second proportion of a filler in the second film layer.

Abstract: A drawn film production method including steps of drawing a crystalline thermoplastic resin film in the TD direction is characterized in that the orientation coefficient of the c-axis of the crystal of the thermoplastic resin in the film to the MD direction of the film is 0.8 or higher.

Abstract: A process for rendering films, film composites, and articles made therefrom less resistant to passage of water vapor by passing a filled precursor film or film composite through the nip of interdigitating grooved rollers. The films or film composites are generally formed using a precursor film of a film forming polyolefin or polyolefin blend, with a relatively high filler loading and optionally an elastomer. A process is disclosed for making diapers or other disposable items where a relatively high water vapor is coupled with a resistance to liquid strikethrough. In one embodiment of the invention, the interdigitating grooved rollers are maintained in a temperature range of from about 91° F. to about 159° F.

Abstract: The invention is directed broadly to microporous films prepared from immiscible blends of at least two components, preferably polymers, which are produced via melt processing, a film formed therefrom, for example by extrusion and post-film-forming treatments comprising uniaxial or biaxial cold-stretching and hot-stretching. The films have a three-dimensional reticulated or interconnected network of microcracks or crazing throughout the film, extending from one surface of the film to the other, providing a stable porosity and pore size useful for a variety of filtration and other applications.

Abstract: An elastically stretchable composite sheet includes an elastic layer and an inelastic layer formed with stretchable fibers having a relatively small diameter and bonded to at least one surface of the elastic layer. In the inelastic layer bonded to the elastic layer is formed with thermoplastic synthetic fiber, at least 80% by weight of stretchable fibers includes thermoplastic synthetic fiber containing lubricant of 0.1˜5.0% by weight.

Abstract: A process for producing a polymer/filler composite material includes a mixture forming step in which there is obtained a mixture of a flake-like filler and a polymer material, and the mean area (L2), mean thickness (d) and volume fraction (c) of the flake-like filler in the mixture satisfy the following equations (1), (2) and (3): 500 nm2≦L2≦100 &mgr;m2  (1) d≦L/20  (2) 0.2d/L≦c≦4d/L  (3), and a deforming step of applying deformation to the mixture at a strain rate of no greater than 10 s−1.

Abstract: A method of forming a stretch composite with one or more elastomeric members disposed on at least one region of an extensible substrate to provide stretch properties to a targeted region of the substrate is disclosed. The composite has been incrementally stretched to at least partially break up the structure of the substrate in order to reduce its resistance to stretch. The stretch composites are useful for disposable and durable articles, such as disposable absorbent articles including diapers, pull-on diapers, training pants, incontinence briefs, catamenial garments, baby bibs, and the like, and durable articles like garments including sportswear, outerwear and the like. Methods of making such stretch composites are also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to an opaque biaxially oriented film made of at least one layer that contains COC. This layer contains a cycloolefin copolymer (COC) in a concentration of 0.5 to 30 wt. % with regard to this layer and contains a polymer made from aliphatic hydroxycarboxylic acid units.

Abstract: An indicator comprising a porous resin material, and a liquid retained in the pores of the porous resin material, in which the whiteness of the porous resin material is at least 80, and the whiteness of the porous resin material is at least 20 larger than that of the indicator. This indicator displays information such as a period through the change of a color tone, and the like, well maintains the displaying properties, and suffers from less variation of displayed periods.

Abstract: A process for rendering films, film composites, and articles made therefrom less resistant to passage of water vapor by passing a filled precursor film or film composite through the nip of interdigitating grooved rollers. The films or film composites are generally formed using a precursor film of a film forming polyolefin or polyolefin blend, with a relatively high filler loading and optionally an elastomer. A process is disclosed for making diapers or other disposable items where a relatively high water vapor is coupled with a resistance to liquid strikethrough.

Abstract: A film is extruded from plastic material by an extruder. The film is orientated after extrusion. Material is mixed into the plastic so that when the plastic film is stretched, cavitation bubbles are formed in the material particles mixed into the plastic. During the orientation, gas is arranged to the plastic film under high pressure so that the gas diffuses in the cavitation bubbles and causes overpressure in them. Thus, it is possible to make a thin foamed film with a foaming degree over 70%.

Abstract: The present invention provides a porous polyolefin film abounding in air permeability and moisture permeability and having extremely high degree of light transmission and tear strength, a process for producing same and intended use thereof. This porous polyolefin film is produced, for example, by stretching an unstretched polyolefin film having a resin composition of 100 parts by weight of polyolefin, 50-150 parts by weight of an inorganic filler having a 50% median diameter of at least 2 &mgr;m but less than 7 &mgr;m measured according to the light-scattering method, and 2-20 parts by weight of a wax of polyolefin series in at least uniaxial direction at an area magnification of 1.1-1.5 times, and possesses physical properties of a water vapor transmission rate of at least 1000 g/m2·24 hrs., a light transmission of at least 65%, and a tear strength of at least 0.6 N.

Abstract: Polyolefin/filler breathable films may be produced by machine or transverse direction orientation using interdigitating grooved rollers. Biaxial orientation to similarly produce breathable films may be accomplished by the same method. By heating the rollers, the breathability of the film is increased without increasing the depth of engagement of the interdigitating rollers.

Abstract: A method of making a microporous laminate sheet having a first film layer and a second layer. The first film layer includes a pore initiator and is bonded to the second layer in order to form a laminate sheet. The laminate sheet is then stretched using at least one CD intermeshing stretcher and at least one MDO stretching unit. Methods of making a microporous film is well as a microporous film laminate are also provided, along with an apparatus for stretching a film or laminate.

Abstract: An elastically stretchable composite sheet that includes an elastic layer and an inelastic layer formed with stretchable fibers having a relatively small diameter and bonded to at least one surface of the elastic layer. In the inelastic layer bonded to the elastic layer is formed with thermoplastic synthetic fiber, at least 80% by weight of stretchable fibers includes thermoplastic synthetic fiber containing lubricant of 0.1˜5.0% by weight.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a stretched film which is light and has improved mechanical properties inherent in stretched film. The stretched film of the present invention, containing the independent voids, is the one obtained by treating the as-stretched film to form the independent voids therein, these voids being formed by the flaky layers which keep characteristics of the as-stretched film. These independent voids have a thickness of, e.g., 10 to 500 &mgr;m on the two-dimensional plane and 1 to 250 &mgr;m in the thickness direction, and the film has a total thickness of 5 to 2000 &mgr;m thick. The stretched film may be coated with surface layers on both sides, thickness of each surface layer being 5 to 20% of the total thickness.

Abstract: A porous thermoplastic resin film capable of functioning well as a separator of a cell is provided. The porous film is constituted with a thermoplastic resin and a filler, wherein XR defined by the following formula: XR=25×TGUR×d2/Y is smaller than 5, where Y(&mgr;m), TGUR (sec/100 cc), and d (&mgr;m) represent the thickness, the gurley value, and the average pore diameter of said film, respectively. The porous film constructed as shown above can reduce the internal resistance of a cell when used as a separator of the cell.

Abstract: A transversely stretched nonwoven fabric is manufactured by transversely stretching a nonwoven fabric. First, an original web comprising a plurality of un-oriented filaments is heated to a temperature higher than its stretch suitable temperature by 5° C. or more. Next, the heated original web is stretched at a rate of 1.2 to 3 in its transverse direction to stretch the filaments of the original web with almost no molecular orientation involved. Then, the original web stretched transversely at a rate of 1.2 to 3 is heated to the stretch suitable temperature and the original web is further stretched transversely at the stretch suitable temperature. With these steps, a transversely stretched nonwoven fabric in which the original web is stretched transversely at a rate of 7 times or more in total as compared with the state of the stretch thereof is manufactured with a high tensile strength of 132.5 mN/tex (1.5 g/d) in the transverse direction.

Abstract: A plastic net consisting of a pre-stretched plastic stretch film comprises pre-stretched bridges (7) and filaments (6), said filaments extending in a main direction (5) and being transversely folded in order to increase their tensile strength. The required reshaping of the original film material is performed by a pre-stretching device (9) with interacting rollers (10, 11) and a transverse folding device (20) with a reshaping area (23) in which the width of the filaments (6) is reduced.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for removing camber from zipper with profiles having interlocking elements and or webs. The zipper is stretched longitudinally in a manner so that the interlocking elements stretch relative to each other. To this end, the zipper is fed to an idler wheel that may be spring loaded. From a set of first drive wheels and fed from the idler wheel by a set of second drive wheels. The second drive wheels are driven faster than the first drive wheels to effect the stretching. Alternately only the second set of drive wheels are driven and the stretch is provided by the spring loaded idler wheel or the zipper is driven around a static curved surface.

Abstract: The present invention involves the synthesis of a series of amylose (starch) derivatives with various degrees of substitution and amylose/amylopectin ratios. These chains are chemically crosslinked and then mechanically deformed (stretched) to produce a biodegradable and mechanically superior material. Specifically, the process consists of chemically modifying starch into starch derivatives such as starch ethers, starch esters and starch carbamates. The polymers have a percentage degree of substitution of from about 35% to about 95% (degree of substitution is from about 1.05 to about 2.85) and preferably have a percentage degree of substitution of from about 65% to about 90% (degree of substitution is from about 1.95 to about 2.70). The starch derivatives are crosslinked to obtain crosslinked chains and processed into sheets, films, fibers, threads or other articles as known in the art.