Abstract: A method and apparatus for manufacturing a filler for a composite structure. The apparatus may comprise a filler. The filler may comprise a fiber matrix that is uniform in all directions. The fiber matrix may comprise a first plurality of discontinuous filaments and a second plurality of discontinuous filaments. Each filament of the first plurality of discontinuous filaments may be comprised of a stiffening material. Each filament of the second plurality of discontinuous filaments may be comprised of a binding material. Discontinuous filaments of both the first plurality of discontinuous filaments and the second plurality of discontinuous filaments may be randomly oriented and entangled with each other.

Abstract: A system and a method for an electrical energy supply device including an anode; a cathode; an electrolyte disposed between the anode and the cathode; the electrical energy supply device is freeze resistant such that the electrical energy supply device can operate at a temperature below 0° C. without deterioration in electrical properties or electrical performance.

Abstract: A method for selectively producing a first or a second variant of a multi-layer plastic component, where both variants have a substrate part, a decorative layer, and a foam layer between the substrate part and the decorative layer, includes producing the foam layer in a foaming mold which has a first mold half, into which the substrate part is inserted before the foaming process. To produce the first variant, the decorative layer is inserted into a second mold half of the foaming mold before the foaming process. To produce the second variant, a spacer layer is inserted into the second mold half before the foaming process where, after the foaming process, the spacer layer is removed from the foam layer and the decorative layer is applied to the foam layer. The foam layer includes at least one first portion having a higher contour stability than a second portion.

Abstract: According to the present invention, in order to improve the productivity of an injection stretch blow molding machine, when a core mold is lifted during mold opening at an injection molding part of the injection stretch blow molding machine, stress is dispersed so as not to concentrate at an area where the thickness changes between a preform opening and a preform body so that the preform body is inhibited from being lifted at a skin layer formed in the area where the thickness changes between the preform opening and the preform body.

Abstract: Methods of making prepregs are described. The methods include the steps of forming a fiber-containing substrate, and contacting the fiber-containing substrate with a resin mixture. The resin mixture may include polymer particles mixed in a liquid medium, and the polymer particles may be coated on the fiber-containing substrate to form a coated substrate. The liquid medium may be removed from the coated substrate to form the prepreg. The prepregs may be used to make fiber-reinforced articles.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the production of reinforced plastics components. The process includes a) provision of at least one reinforcing material in a cavity of a molding device, b) provision of at least one starting material in a container, c) insertion of the container into the molding device, d) introduction of the at least one starting material from the container into the cavity, wherein the at least one starting material penetrates at least to some extent through the at least one reinforcing material, e) hardening of the at least one starting material with the at least one reinforcing material to give a reinforced plastics component, and f) demolding of the reinforced plastics component. The invention further relates to a device and to an assembly for the production of reinforced plastics components.

Abstract: The child vehicle capsule is a device that protects infants from impact injuries during unfortunate events. The child vehicle capsule comprises a shell, an impact layer, a comfort layer, and a ventilation system. The shell is an impact resistant enclosure that is absorb the impact energy. The impact layer is a structure that absorbs impact energy by permanently deforming during an unfortunate event. The comfort layer is a viscoelastic structure that: 1) absorbs a portion of the impact energy; 2) that reduces damage caused by the impact force by distributing the impact energy over a time period greater than the initial impact; and 3) that returns to its relaxed shape once the impact forces have been dissipated. The ventilation system manages airflow through the child vehicle capsule to maintain the comfort of the infant.

Abstract: A method for preparing asymmetric 3,4?-(hexafluroisopropylidene) dipthalic anhydride (a-6FDA) and asymmetric 3,4?-(methylene)diphthalic anhydride (a-MDPA) from asymmetric 2,3,3?,4?-benzophenone dianhydride (a-BTDA). First, a-BTDA is converted to its corresponding N-alkyl or N-phenyl bisimides by reacting with either methylamine or aniline. The sequential addition of two trifluoromethyl (CF3) groups to the carbonyl unit of a-BTDA produce the corresponding bisimides of asymmetric 6FDA, which is hydrolyzed to the asymmetric 6F-tetracarboxylic acid followed by cyclodehydration to obtain asymmetric 6F-dianhydride (a-6FDA). Separately, the carbonyl unit of bisimides of a-BTDA is reduced to a methylene unit to afford the corresponding bisimides of asymmetric 3,4?-(methylene)diphthalic anhydride, which is hydrolyzed to the asymmetric methylene tetracarboxylic acid followed by cyclodehydration to obtain 3,4?-(methylene)diphthalic anhydride (a-MDPA).

Abstract: [Problem] To provide a cushion pad that improves the holding property and reduces the wobbling feeling. [Solution] A force S25 during compression to 25% in a first portion and a first side portion, which are positioned on a seating surface side, is set to a value smaller than the value of S25 in a second portion and a second side portion, which are positioned on a bottom surface side. The first portion and the first side portion are positioned on the seating surface side of a thickness center. This allows ensuring a close contact property with the buttocks. The second portion and the second side portion are positioned on the bottom surface side of the thickness center. This allows improving the holding property of the buttocks and reducing the wobbling feeling.

Abstract: An athletic protector, such as an athletic cup, with regions formed of the same compositional material, which is more rigid in one such region than in another such region.

Abstract: An injection molding method comprising: a mold clamping step of clamping a first mold and a second mold to form a mold cavity; a first injection filling step of injecting a foamable molten resin into the mold cavity to fill an interior of the mold cavity with the foamable molten resin, after completion of the mold clamping step; a mold cavity expansion step of expanding the mold cavity by a specified quantity to cause the foamable molten resin to foam, after the start of the first injection filling step; and a second injection filling step of pouring a molten resin or gas into the foamable molten resin within the mold cavity, after the completion of the first injection filling step, and after the start of the mold cavity expansion step.

Abstract: A method for producing a cushion element for a vehicle seat, in which a component suitable for forming a three-dimensional separation zone is inserted in a tool, subsequently at least one first foamable mass is introduced into a first space of the tool. On foaming the mass, the component forms a three-dimensional separating element between a first foamed cushion region and a further space within the tool. The component is pressed against a counter-support in the tool during the forming to give a three-dimensional separating element. A suitable tool comprises an upper tool, a lower tool and a counter support for contacting a component taking on a three-dimensional shape. By introducing the three-dimensional mouldable shape into the tool and the subsequent forming thereof to give a three-dimensional separating element, complex formed regions with differing properties, in particular, differing degrees of hardness can be economically generated in a foamed cushion element.

Abstract: A skin-fitted foam molding member includes a core material, a skin having a roll portion, and a foam body filled between an internal surface of the core material and an internal surface of the skin. A seal portion is formed by welding an external surface of an end portion of the core material with the roll portion which faces the external surface of the end portion of the core material. The skin has a rib portion which is so formed as to protrude from the internal surface of the skin toward the core material and which faces an internal surface of the end portion of the core material, where the rib portion forms an inward seal portion by sandwiching the end portion of the core material between the roll portion and the rib portion by a foaming pressure of the foam.

Abstract: A method for producing a rubber composition includes kneading: a rubber component comprising a conjugated diene polymer having at least one functional group selected from the group consisting of a thiol group, an oxetane group and a hydrocarbylthio group; silica particles; and a catalyst for condensing silanol to form an aggregate of the silica particles. Preferably, at least one polymer selected from the group consisting of a conjugate diene polymer having no functional group bondable to silica, and a polymer having no functional group bondable to silica and the polymer being other than conjugated diene polymer is also kneaded as a rubber component other than the conjugated diene polymer.

Abstract: A device for the application of foaming reaction mixtures to a substrate which makes it possible to apply that foaming reaction mixture uniformly, a process for the production of foaming reaction mixtures using this device, apparatus for producing composites which include the device of the present invention and composites produced using such apparatus are disclosed. Use of the device of the present invention to produce foams makes it possible to produce foams having improved surface quality at higher production rates than were previously possible. The device of the present invention is particularly useful for the production of sandwich composite elements.

Abstract: Provided is a method that can improve formability and blow moldability of a foamed parison as compared with conventional production method and can produce a polypropylene-based resin foamed blow-molded article having excellent uniformity of wall thickness over a wide range of its density. The method comprises kneading a polypropylene-based resin with a physical foaming agent, extruding the thus obtained foamable molten resin through a die to obtain a foamed parison in a softened state, placing the foamed parison between molds and then blow-molding the foamed parison and is characterized in that the polypropylene-based resin comprises a polypropylene-based resin (A) satisfying specific requirements (1) to (3) and a polypropylene-based resin (B) satisfying a specific requirement (4), when the polypropylene-based resins (A) and (B) are each subjected to dynamic viscoelasticity measurement in which an oscillation strain is applied thereto at a temperature of 190° C.

Abstract: A production apparatus of a skin-fitted foam molding member includes a first mold where an internal surface of a core material is disposed to face a mold face of the first mold; a second mold disposed to open and close relative to the first mold where an external surface of a skin having a roll portion is disposed to face a mold face of the second mold; a bender for bending the roll portion to allow the roll portion to face an external surface of an end portion of the core material; a welder for forming a seal portion which prevents a leak of a foam body where the preventing operation of the leak of the foam body is implemented by welding the end portion of the core material with the roll portion; and a filler for filling the foam body.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for molding a foamed article, such as a midsole or outsole for footwear, in which first water, then a desired amount of thermoplastic polyurethane foam beads are placed in a compression mold in the shape of the article and the mold is brought to a peak temperature of from about 130° C. to about 180° C. over a period of from about 300 to about 1500 seconds, then cooled to from about 5° C. to about 80° C. over a period of from about 300 to about 1500 seconds within about 30 seconds after the peak temperature is reached. The foamed article made by the method has a density of from about 0.1 to about 0.45 g/cm3.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a midsole includes placing first and second preforms into a midsole recess of a mold, with first and second portions of the mold defining a first overflow chamber connected to the first recess; closing the mold by positioning the first and second portions in contact with one another; heating the mold for a predetermined period of time at a predetermined temperature such that the first and second preforms melt and bond together to form a midsole, with a portion of each of the first and second preforms flowing into the first overflow chamber to form a first overflow portion; removing the midsole from the mold; allowing the midsole to expand; and cutting away the first overflow portion.

Abstract: A container is formed to include and interior region and a mouth opening into the interior region. The container includes a floor, a side wall coupled to the floor to define the interior region between the floor and the side wall, and artwork on the side wall.

Abstract: An article of footwear includes an upper; a midsole positioned beneath the upper and including a plurality of support members, at least one support member being formed of a lower portion formed of a first material, and an upper portion positioned above the lower portion and formed of a second material, the second material having a higher resiliency than that of the first material.

Abstract: A loose fill packing media that can be used to protect packed items from heat and flame or to contain combustion and heat generated by a packed item comprises a plurality of foam cores formed from a cured thermoset resin coated with a layer of an intumescent material. The foam may be formed by mixing a thermoset resin with micro-balloons and a heat absorbing phase change material, adding a catalyst and shaping the mixture into pellets, curing the shaped pellets and then coating the pellets with the intumescent material. The pellets flow freely at room temperature to facilitate pouring into a box around a package to be protected. If the temperature becomes sufficiently elevated, the intumescent material foams and then chars holding the pellets together. The layer of pellets significantly impedes heat transfer to or from the package surrounded by the pellets.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an easy-to-apply, but versatile method for modifying the physical and chemical resistance properties of expanded polyester products, such as fire retardancy and hydrolysis resistance, by melt-modification of the surface layer(s) of said foams and sponges, the manufacturing of such products and the use of such products.

Abstract: There is provided a composite porous membrane comprising a porous membrane comprised of an organic polymeric compound, and a supporting porous membrane adjacent to the porous membrane, characterized in that the organic polymeric compound constituting the porous membrane penetrates in at least part of a surface adjacent to porous membrane of the supporting porous membrane, the porous membrane having specified opening ratio, average pore diameter, standard deviation of pore diameter, ratio of through pore, average membrane thickness, standard deviation of membrane thickness and internal structure, and that the supporting porous membrane has communicating pores of 0.5 D ?m or greater average pore diameter. Further, there are provided a blood filtration membrane comprising the composite porous membrane; a leukocyte removing filter unit comprising the composite porous membrane as a second filter; and, utilizing the composite porous membrane, a cell culturing diaphragm and method of cell culturing.

Abstract: A mattress includes a mattress body having a top substrate and a bottom substrate separated by a resilient layer having a mattress thickness to resiliently conform to a body of a person. The mattress includes an aperture formed in the top substrate and the resilient layer mattress that is oriented proximate to an upper torso portion of the body of the person. The mattress includes an insert that is shaped to be received in the aperture and has an upwardly open recess to receive an upper portion of the body of the person. An upwardly open recess can be formed directly in the top resilient layer of the mattress body oriented proximate to an upper torso portion of the body of the person.

Abstract: Provided is a keyboard musical instrument such as an acoustic piano or an electronic piano having an appearance and design similar to an acoustic piano, in which a fall board is made of a resin plate-shaped body, and hollow portions are provided inside the plate-shaped body. In addition, the plate-shaped body includes a plate-shaped resin foamed plate portion, and the hollow portions are made of plural air bubbles contained inside the resin foamed plate portion.

Abstract: A method of making personal protective equipment, such as a push-in earplug, is disclosed. The method includes the steps of covering a substrate with an outer layer that includes an unactivated foaming agent, positioning at least a portion of the outer layer in a mold, and activating the foaming agent such that a portion of the outer layer expands.

Abstract: The invention relates to a biaxial oriented film with a microporous layer, comprising a propylene polymer and at least one ?-nucleating agent the microporosity of which is generated by conversion of ?-crystalline polypropylene on drawing the film and the use thereof for the labelling of containers in blow molding. The Gurley value for the film is 10,000 to 300,000 Gurley.

Abstract: It is an objective of the present invention to provide a method for producing an air-permeable composite sheet which has excellent mechanical strength and compression resistance as well as PTFE's innate property such as air-permeability, water repellency, heat resistance and chemical resistance; and a filter and a fabrics material containing the air-permeable composite sheet produced by the method as a constituent material. The method for producing an air-permeable composite sheet according to the present invention is characterized in comprising steps of filling pores of a porous PTFE sheet with a hardenable material solution; hardening or semi-hardening the porous PTFE sheet filled with the hardenable material solution; and expanding the hardened or semi-hardened porous PTFE sheet.

Abstract: A sole assembly is formed by preheating a mold assembly, placing a quantity of rubber in a first portion of a lower recess of a mold assembly; placing a middle plate in contact with a bottom plate, and an upper plate in contact with the middle plate; subjecting the top, middle, and bottom plates to heat to semi-cure the rubber in the lower recess to form an outsole member; separating the top plate, the middle plate, and the bottom plate; placing the top plate in contact with the bottom plate, with polyolefin forming a midsole above the semi-cured rubber; moving the movable insert upwardly with respect to the top plate; subjecting the top and bottom plates to heat such that the polyolefin expands within the sole recess and the polyolefin and rubber in the sole recess fully cure, cross-link, and bond to one another to form a sole assembly; cooling the top and bottom plates; and removing the sole assembly.

Abstract: A structural component with at least two side members has a support structure that includes a partition with multiple curved portions forming cells. The partition connects to the side members and extends between the side members at least partially along straight lines. The partition may extend along one or more straight lines from one side member to the other. One structural component is a container with a wall about the internal support structure. The container cells may be formed with a core structure. The core can include a permeable storage material and may be retained after formation, or may be removed. In some cases the container wall has generally planar surfaces, which may include surface undulations. Core structures are also provided for forming structural components. Formation can include casting a material about a core structure within a mold to form a partition extending between two or more sides.

Abstract: A method for making a shapeable article from poly(lactic acid) includes treating solid poly(lactic acid) that results in the solid poly(lactic acid) having a crystallinity of at least 20% by weight based on the weight of the solid poly(lactic acid) and a gas concentration of 6% to 16% by weight based on the weight of the solid poly(lactic acid); and heating the solid poly(lactic acid) having said minimum crystallinity and gas concentration to produce a cellular poly(lactic acid) article that is shapeable. The shapeable cellular poly(lactic acid) article is advantageous in that the article can be further shaped by heat and/or pressure (or vacuum), such as via thermoforming, into a variety of useful products.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a porous manganese oxide-based lithium absorbent and a method for preparing the same. The method includes the steps of preparing a mixture by mixing a reactant for the synthesis of a lithium-manganese oxide precursor powder with an inorganic binder, molding the mixture, preparing a porous lithium-manganese oxide precursor molded body by heat-treating the molded mixture, and acid-treating the porous lithium-manganese oxide precursor molded body such that lithium ions of the porous lithium-manganese oxide precursor are exchanged with hydrogen ions, wherein pores are formed in the lithium-manganese oxide precursor molded body by gas generated in the heat treatment. The porous manganese oxide-based lithium adsorbent according to the present invention is easy to handle and has many more adsorption reaction sites compared to existing molded adsorbents, thus providing high lithium adsorption efficiency.

Abstract: A reactive polymer-supported porous film for separator, that has sufficient adhesiveness between electrodes and separator and can suitably be used to produce a battery having low internal resistance and high rate performance, a method for producing the porous film, a method for producing a battery using the porous film, and an electrode/porous film assembly are disclosed. The reactive polymer-supported porous film for battery separator includes a porous film substrate having supported thereon a reactive polymer obtained by reacting a crosslinkable polymer having at least one reactive group selected from the group consisting of 3-oxetanyl group and epoxy group in the molecule, with an acid anhydride, thereby partially crosslinking the polymer.

Abstract: Methods for manufacturing a composite fan inlet housing are disclosed. The methods include inserting a first piece of composite material and a second piece of composite material into a molding tool, inserting an inflatable bladder between the first piece and the second piece, and pressurizing the inflatable bladder to a curing pressure for a length of time sufficient to allow the first piece and second piece to cure.

Abstract: A golf ball has a diameter of at least about 43.6 mm and a density of from about 0.85 g/cm3 to 1.05 g/cm3. The golf ball can be made of ionomer resin or a combination of ionomer resins, including highly neutralized polymers and highly resilient polymers as disclosed. The golf ball may have a solid core made of a highly neutralized polymer or highly resilient polymer and a cover of an ionomer resin.

Abstract: A method of making garment material, the method having the steps: applying coagulant (34) to a substrate (32); applying a foam (38) of the polymeric material to the substrate (32); allowing the coagulant (34) to coagulate some of the foam (38); and removing uncoagulated foam (38) from the substrate (32) to leave a layer of coagulated polymeric material on the substrate (32).

Abstract: A porous membrane with the membrane wall constructed of a hydrophobic polymer and a hydrophilic polymer, wherein when the membrane wall is divided into 3 sections in the film thickness direction to form region “a” containing one wall surface A of the membrane wall, region “c” containing the other wall surface C and region “b” between region “a” and region “c”, the hydrophilic polymer content ratio Ca in region “a” is greater than the hydrophilic polymer content ratio Cc in region “c”, and the mean pore size of the wall surface C is larger than the mean pore size of the wall surface A.

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: A method facilitates fabricating a cellular cushion. The method comprises injecting material into a mold in an injection molding process to form a cushion first layer that includes a plurality of hollow cells that extend outward from the base and are each coupled together in flow communication, coupling a second layer to the first layer, and coupling an injection stem in flow communication to the plurality of hollow cells to enable an operating pressure within the cells to be changed.

Abstract: This invention provides a fuel cell flow field plate or bipolar plate having flow channels on faces of the plate, comprising an electrically conductive polymer composite. The composite is composed of (A) at least 50% by weight of a conductive filler, comprising at least 5% by weight reinforcement fibers, expanded graphite platelets, graphitic nano-fibers, and/or carbon nano-tubes; (B) polymer matrix material at 1 to 49.9% by weight; and (C) a polymer binder at 0.1 to 10% by weight; wherein the sum of the conductive filler weight %, polymer matrix weight % and polymer binder weight % equals 100% and the bulk electrical conductivity of the flow field or bipolar plate is at least 100 S/cm. The invention also provides a continuous process for cost-effective mass production of the conductive composite-based flow field or bipolar plate.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing foamed thermoplastic films and trash bags wherein a foaming agent is added to a base thermoplastic resin. The resultant foaming agent/base resin mixture is extruded to form a single-ply foamed thermoplastic film. The film may be formed into bag, such as a trash bag.

Abstract: A conductive plastic article (31) is disclosed suited for a housing that offers improved shielding against electromagnetic interference or that offers improved electrostatic discharge properties. The plastic article is made by means of low pressure injection molding. The article (31) comprises at least 0.25 volume percent of electrically conductive additives (38). The article (31) comprises a cellular structure. The cellular structure is created by the use of a blowing or foaming agent. At least 0.25 weight percent of blowing or foaming agent is used in the production of the conductive plastic article (31).

Abstract: A mold used to mold a resin roller shaft including a shaft portion and a roller joint portion configured to join a roller includes a plurality of cavities of different shapes for molding a roller joint portion. At least one of the plurality of cavities includes a space portion surrounded by a parting-free surface formed by an insert. The insert is larger in inner diameter than the shaft portion, and is movable by an ejector in the opening/closing direction of the mold.

Abstract: A pin or tube reinforced polymeric foam and a method of manufacture thereof. The reinforcing pins or tubes are incorporated into the polymeric foam during or after fabrication of the reinforced polymer foam and are preferably coated with an adhesive or binder layer prior to fabrication.

Abstract: A molded discrete low stress gasket is constructed of restructured filled PTFE for use in corrosive or severe chemical environments under relatively low bolt loads. The gasket has a gasket surface and includes a raised outer sealing ring and a raised inner sealing ring. The gasket may constructed from a restructured filled PTFE material, with the sealing rings deforming at lower pressures than the remaining portions of the gasket.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to foamed binders for wood strand products and methods and systems for producing wood strand products using foamed binders. In some embodiments, the disclosure includes a method for producing a wood strand product from cellulosic particles, the method comprising the steps of foaming a phenol formaldehyde binder to produce a foam, tumbling the cellulosic particles in a rotary blender, applying the foam to the cellulosic particles in the rotary blender, blending the cellulosic particles and the foam so that the foam covers the cellulosic particles, and consolidating the cellulosic particles under heat and pressure.

Abstract: Composite materials with high damping and high stiffness at relatively low density. These materials include three-dimensional structures of interconnected ligaments, which have multiple concentric layers alternating between stiff constraining layers and soft damping layers, so that bulk deformation of the structure results in high local shear strain and correspondingly high bulk damping.

Abstract: A method for making a nanoporous membrane is disclosed. The method provides a composite film comprising an atomically thin material layer and a polymer layer, and then bombarding the composite film with energetic particles to form a plurality of pores through at least the atomically thin material layer. The nanoporous membrane also has a atomically thin material layer with a plurality of apertures therethrough and a polymer film layer adjacent one side of the graphene layer. The polymer film layer has a plurality of enlarged pores therethrough, which are aligned with the plurality of apertures. All of the enlarged pores may be concentrically aligned with all the apertures. In one embodiment the atomically thin material layer is graphene.

Abstract: A foam ornament surface enhancing method includes the steps of: providing a pigment, a PU protective material, a PU supportive material and a mold; spraying the pigment into the mold; spraying the PU protective material onto a side of the pigment; casting the PU supportive material into the mold within a first predetermined time; and letting the materials sit still for a second predetermined time to dry the PU protective material and the PU supportive material sufficiently to manufacture the foam ornament. The PU protective material can protect the foam ornament from UV exposure and enhance the surface strength and flame retardation effect, so as to enhance the service life, aesthetic appearance and surface texture.