Abstract: Methods and apparatus for eliminating or reducing a surface skin when producing a flexible polyurethane foam slab are disclosed. The top surface of the chemically reactive polyurethane foaming mixture is heated during and/or after the foaming mixture expands. The heating preferably is conducted so as to prevent a significant temperature gradient from forming between the internal temperature of the foaming mixture and the top surface of that mixture. Preferably, heat is applied so as to heat from the top surface of the foaming mixture in an escalating fashion to higher temperatures as the foam is conveyed along a conveying path away from the foaming mixture dispensing device.

Abstract: An organic solvent-free process for deposition of metal oxide thin films is presented. The process includes aqueous solutions of necessary metal precursors and an aqueous solution of a water-soluble polymer. After a coating operation, the resultant coating is fired at high temperatures to yield optical quality metal oxide thin films.

Abstract: Disclosed is an improvement of a process for producing a three layers co-extrusion biaxially polypropylene(BOPP) synthetic paper of thickness 25˜250 &mgr;m which is menufactured by using three single screw extruders By means of an improvement of a process for producing a three layers co-extrusion biaxially polypropylene(hereinafter as BOPP) synthetic paper of thickness 25˜250 &mgr;m. More particularly, the invention relates to a process for producing a three layers BOPP synthetic paper by means of three layers co-extrusion wherein two different PP resin compositions are separately extruded by one primary single screw extruder with venting device and two secondary single screw extruders with venting device first, and then are co-flowed by a same T-die to form a three layers coating sheet, and through cooling, biaxial orientation, corona treatment and winding to form a three layers co-extrusion synthetic paper of thickness 25˜250 &mgr;m.

Abstract: There is a described a cushion element a method for producing same. Specifically, the improved cushion element includes a fastener assembly for mechanical adhesion of a trim cover to the cushion element. The fastener assembly comprises laterally spaced marginal portions which extend longitudinally along the fastener assembly. These margins are embedded in or encompassed by the foam body thereby improving the mechanical “pull-out” strength of the fastener assembly in the foam body.

Abstract: A method for foaming or foam-coating components is used for foaming hollow cavities of double-walled or multiple-walled components or foam-coating component parts with decorative surfaces so as to improve haptic properties of component parts. A material is introduced or applied in an unfoamed state to be foamed through the use of microwave energy. In order to achieve high dielectric losses and to ensure that the heat effect is evently distributed and essentially restricted to the material to be foamed, the material is adjusted in a polar manner by addition of certain substances such as conductive soot. Reflecting agents are used to improve the distribution and effect of the microwaves. The method ensures fully foamed hollow cavities and foam layers of uniform thickness. A foamable material for foaming or foam-coating components is also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for producing inorganic porous materials, mainly composed of glass or glass-ceramic components. The glass or glass-ceramic components can have interconnected continuous macropores with a median diameter larger than 0.1 &mgr;m, and mesopores in the walls of said macropores, said mesopores having a median diameter between 2 and 100 nm. The process can include dissolving a water-soluble polymer or some other pore forming agent and a precursor for a matrix dissolving agent in a medium for mixing with a metalorganic compound.

Abstract: A voltage is applied to a feeder plate (29) from a power source section (2) including an alternating power source for dielectric heating, whereby an electric field in a direction crossing a direction in which a mold (8) is moved is applied to an incoming plate (28) which is not in contact with the feeder plate (29), so that molded object materials (9) are heated and expanded. By doing so, arc discharge caused by contact of the mold with an electrode is prevented from occurring during the heating and molding of a biodegradable molded object by dielectric heating.

Abstract: Foamed articles having enhanced tensile, elastic recovery, and creep and fatigue resistance properties are prepared using a dual cure system. This system comprises a heat or radiation-activated first stage cure (which follows or coincides with foaming) followed by a moisture-activated second stage cure. Heat-activated curing systems include peroxide, sulfur, etc., and radiation-activated cure systems include electron beam, gamma-ray, etc. Moisture-activated systems include silane, sulfonyl chloride, and the like.

Abstract: System for thermal and/or acoustic insulation of a tube intended, for example, to allow the outflow of hydrocarbons originating from an oil deposit, consisting of a sleeve surrounding the tube over at least a part of its length. According to the invention, the sleeve consists of an aerogel. A method for thermal and/or acoustic insulation of a tube is also described.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of compacting a plurality of flat, stacked, non-woven cotton and cotton blend articles from a normal size to a greatly reduced size to form a package of such articles that saves exterior packaging, shipping, handling and warehouse costs. The pressure and time dwell are selected to compact the stacked articles to the extent necessary to cause the desired size reduction, but not sufficient to either damage the articles or compact them to the degree that a liquid or other means is required to recover them from their compacted to their original size.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a process for preparing thermoplastic elastomer laminates which comprises placing a thermoplastic elastomer foamable sheet in an unexpanded state containing a polyolefin resin, an ethylene/.alpha.-olefin copolymer rubber and a foaming agent onto the back of a thermoplastic elastomer sheet containing a polyolefin resin and an ethylene/.alpha.-olefin copolymer rubber, heat fusion bonding both sheets to each other, and heating the resulting laminated sheet to expand the thermoplastic elastomer sheet containing the foaming agent.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing expanded thermoplastic microspheres, including a belt conveyor (A) having an endless belt (1) for conveying microspheres. A device (B) for infrared (IR) heating, including a plurality of IR lamps (4) is located above the belt (1). A dosing device (C) for the dried unexpanded microspheres is located at one end of the belt conveyor and in conjunction with the belt (1). A collecting device (D) for expanded microspheres is located at the other end of the belt conveyor and in conjunction with the belt (1).

Abstract: A chemical sensor matrix is provided for use in medical, biological and industrial applications. The gas sensor includes a cross-linked fluoropolymer matrix of a composite having a gas-sensitive indicator within the matrix. The composite includes a highly fluorinated monofunctional acrylate monomer and a multifunctional acrylate cross-linking agent. Gas-sensitive indicator components which are suitable for detecting gases such as oxygen, carbon dioxide and the like represent indicators suitable for incorporation into the cross-linked fluoropolymer matrix.

Abstract: A process is provided for modifying a ceramic ultrafiltration membrane system consisting of a sub-microporous top layer and a microporous inorganic carrier whereby said top layer after modification has reduced pore size and/or is made catalytically active.

Abstract: A filter media (10) of the type supported across a fluid flow passage for collecting particulate out of the fluid and subsequently being moved out of the flow passage after becoming congested with particulate. The filter media (10) includes a top layer (12), a middle layer (14), and a bottom layer (16). The middle layer (14) comprises a support web (18) formed by entwined cotton fibers (20), and a mesh (22) supported by the web (18) formed by entwined glass microfibers (24). The middle layer (14) forms a plurality of minute pore passages between adjacent glass microfibers (24) and cotton fibers (20). The top layer (12) is a nonwoven wet laid polyester material for preventing adherence of the fiber media (10) to the edges of the fluid flow passage. The bottom layer (16) is a nonwoven spun bonded polyester material highly resistant to tear for supporting the filter media (10) while it is moved out of the flow passage.