Abstract: A three-dimensional spacer fabric resin infusion medium and reinforcing composite lamina for use in the manufacture of fiber reinforced polymer composites is disclosed. The use of the three-dimensional spacer fabric as a composite lamina aids in both the resin infusion rate and resin uniformity throughout the laminate.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are presented for reinforcing and stiffening a printed circuit board (PCB) in selected locations by utilizing preferentially oriented fibers. Selected fibers within the polymeric material matrix of the PCB fiber-matrix layer are removed and replaced with a similar quantity of fibers in a preferential orientation. Various combinations of layering of modified fiber-matrix layer material with conventional fiber-matrix layer material are presented to achieve the desired PCB stiffening. Printed circuit boards, under the weight of heavy attached electronic components, may deflect or flex along an axis, defined as the characteristic fold. This flexing is exasperated with manufacturing and handling loading, particularly when mounted in a chassis. Preferentially orientated fibers laid transverse to the characteristic fold reinforces the area to resist flexure within the area surrounding the characteristic fold.

Abstract: A method to produce a papermaker's shoe press belt or other industrial process belt and a belt made according to such method. The belt is produced by dispensing a mixture of polymer and staple fiber onto a cylindrical mandrel, by extrusion or by co-extrusion. Preferably, the variation of the concentration and/or orientation of the staple fiber within the polymer is controlled such that the finished belt has desired properties.

Abstract: A sheet of unidirectionally-oriented fiber strands includes unidirectional fibers, bonding fibers interwoven with the unidirectional fibers to form a fiber panel, and thermoplastic film laminating the fiber panel there between. In one embodiment, a second sheet of laminated unidirectional fibers is joined to the first sheet of laminated unidirectional fibers with the unidirectional fibers running in a second direction as compared to the first fibers. In yet another embodiment, individual laminated sheets of unidirectional fibers are stitched together to form packets of sheets which may be used singularly or multiple packets may be bundled together.

Abstract: A high strength flexible fabric structure including a plurality of flexible fabric sections, each section including a plurality of plies of alternating fiber orientation. A joint is located between adjacent sections. The plies of each section are offset to form a uniform thickness seam between the two sections without any overlap of plies of like fiber orientation.

Abstract: This invention relates to porous paper machine clothing (1, 11, 21) for de-watering a paper web in a paper machine, comprising a filament lay-up made of at least one layer (2, 12, 22) of longitudinal filaments (3, 13, 23) and at least one layer (4, 14, 24) of transverse filaments (5, 6, 7; 15; 25) which cross the longitudinal filaments (3, 13, 23), wherein the longitudinal and transverse filaments (3, 13, 23; 5, 6, 7; 15; 25) are single-component filaments, which is characterised in that the longitudinal and transverse filaments (3, 13, 23; 5, 6, 7; 15; 25) are fused at crossing points (8, 16, 27) to each other and/or to parts (17, 18, 19) joining them as a result of heating to the melting temperature which is restricted to said crossing points (8, 16, 27). The invention further relates to a method of producing porous paper machine clothing such as this.

Abstract: An image receiving material for electrophotography having, on a support, one or more structural layers including a toner image receiving layer, wherein at least one layer of said structural layers comprises plasticizer, and wherein a flow starting temperature of said toner image receiving layer is at 30° C. or higher that is, as well, lower than a temperature of a flow starting temperature of toner resin+10° C., is disclosed. Using the image receiving material can provide formation of toner reflected images similar to photographs with respect to smoothness (glossiness) and also provide no image degradation by image roughness or removal.

Abstract: A method of preparing a cellulosic article includes a step of combining cellulosic material and binder resin to form treated cellulosic material. A mat is formed of a plurality of layers of the treated cellulosic material. The method also includes the steps of interfering with bonding of resin between two adjacent layers of the mat, and applying heat and pressure to the mat to form a cellulosic composite article having an internal blistered pattern. A consolidated cellulosic article includes a consolidated cellulosic mat and a layer of blisters disposed in the consolidated cellulosic mat.

Abstract: Prepare a foam structure that includes hollow coalesced foam strands and, optionally, solid coalesced foam strands using an extrusion die block equipped with apertures that promote forming the hollow strands and, optionally, the solid foam strands.

Abstract: A precut plate for defining an assembly of plate parts is capable of taking at least first and second shapes. A first flat shape, wherein the plate as a whole is substantially in a plane and a second folded shape, obtained after folding about hinge parts of the plate one relative to the others to define a hollow volume, for example all or part of a package for products. The plate includes at least three layers stacked on one another. The second layer located between the first and the third layer is a flexible material layer, at least the first of the two first and third layers being a relatively rigid layer. The invention also concerns the resulting volume or package, and the method for making the plate.

Abstract: A solid mesh swimming pool cover incorporates a mesh layer that has been successfully used as a porous mesh cover for several years with a thin impermeable base layer. A two-step polymer coating process seals the mesh to produce a solid safety swimming pool cover of unusual light weight and durability with an abrasion resistant bottom layer that has a low coefficient of friction to facilitate easy removal. The base layer is a plastic or resin product, such as a co-polymer resin, and the top layer is a mesh pool cover fabric, such as polypropylene. Ultraviolet (UV) inhibitors added to both coating step materials insure an extended service life. Since the mesh used for the centrally located mesh panels in the drain type solid cover of this invention uses the same mesh as the rest of the non-porous cover, it is more aesthetically pleasing since it blends in with the rest of the cover.

Abstract: The invention relates to an SMC (sheet moulding compound) for producing fibre-reinforced duroplastic components. Said SMC consists of a resin matrix (2) which is fibre-reinforced with unidirectional fibres (UD-fibres) (7) that are arranged in axial alignment and preferably with additional cut fibres (random fibres) (4) that are arranged in a non-aligned manner in the resin matrix. According to the invention, in order to achieve extremely high rigidity in a multi-axial direction with a low surface weight, several layers of SMC are arranged in the component, each layer containing UD-fibres (7) with a different alignment from one another.

Abstract: A floor cleaning wipe comprising a water insoluble substrate which is impregnated with a floor cleaning composition.

Abstract: A paper machine clothing, especially a press felt (1), includes a support (2) which has at least one layer of a thread lap (3, 4, 5, 13) and which is embedded in a fiber matrix. Lap threads (6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 14, 17, 21, 25, 26, 27, 28, 33, 38, 43, 44, 45) run parallel to one another. The lap threads (10, 14, 17) are provided with outwardly projecting fibers (12, 16, 19).

Abstract: A laminated product according to the present invention has a fiber reinforced resin layer, an elastic layer laminated on one surface of the fiber reinforced resin layer, and a surface protection layer laminated on a surface of the elastic layer for protecting the surface of the elastic layer. The fiber reinforced resin layer includes at least two prepreg sheets, each of which is formed by impregnating a thermoplastic resin into continuous reinforcing fibers arrayed in one direction such that the volume ratio of the continuous reinforcing fibers is in the range of 40 to 80%. The prepreg sheets are laminated so as to the array directions of the continuous reinforcing fibers at right angles.

Abstract: In garments with a foamed net used as a clothing material (inter-lining), a clothing material is provided that is light-weight and easy-moving, and has improved warmth retaining property, cushioning property and buoyancy without spoiling the feeling of the garment to the wearer and does not cause cost increases or disadvantages in production. A foamed net in a meshed shape being constituted with a plurality of foamed strands intersected and simultaneously welded together at intersection points is inserted between an outer cloth and a lining cloth. The foamed strands may have a cross section form of elliptical shape with different ratios of height to width and the foamed strands are welded together so that the height direction of the cross section form may be orthogonal or almost orthogonal to the face of the net.

Abstract: Using a combination of relatively coarse filler and latex binder, a high solids coating which has a minimum solids content of about 60% by volume, can be produced with a relatively low working viscosity. These very high solids coatings can be applied in thick single layers and oven cured without cracking. They maintain more than 80% of their original wet thickness. The resulting coating provides an extremely hard and durable surface, even on relatively soft mineral fiber board ceiling tiles or wall panels.

Abstract: A laminar reinforcing structure is provided for impact resisting face on an article, such as toe-puffs of safety shoes, striking faces on baseball bat and ice hockey stick, outsoles for boots of ice skates, and heads or faces of golf clubs, to increase an impact-resistant strength at such faces. The reinforcing structure includes a basic layer and at least one reinforcing layer. The basic layer is made of one or more plies of a fiber-reinforced thermosetting resin material and molded into a profile matching with that of the impact-resisting face of the article. The reinforcing layer is made of a thermoplastic resin-fiber woven fabric dip-coated with thermosetting resin to cover at least part of surfaces of the basic layer or be sandwiched between any two adjacent plies of the basic layer. The laminar reinforcing structure provides excellent mechanical strength and has low weight without substantially increasing the article weight.

Abstract: A method of producing a strand board having an average density of between 450 and 550 Km/m3 by providing a first set of strands having a moisture content of between 25 and 45% based on the dry weight of said strands and a second set of strand having a moisture content of between 5 and 7% based on the dry weight of said strands and forming a lay-up having a core layer formed of strands from the second set of strands sandwiched between a pair of surfaces layers each formed from strands of the first set. The lay-up is then pressed between heated platens into a consolidated panel having an average density of between 450 and 550 Km/m3 by closing the platens to the thickness of said consolidated panel in less than 30 seconds and raising temperature the said core layer to 100° C. in less than 35 seconds without increasing the core gas pressure above 0.17 Mpa.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing a panel (1, 1′, 1″), wherein a hoard (6) is coated with a flexible layer (2) on a first side (7), said board (6) having a plurality of grooves (8) for facilitating the bending of the panel (1) to a curved shape. The invention also relates to a panel (1, 1′, 1″) manufactured by such a method.

Abstract: The subject invention provides a flexible, protective, integral liner comprising at least one first polymer which is a homogeneous linear or substantially linear ethylene/&agr;-olefin interpolymer having a density of from 0.850 g/cm3 to 0.920 g/cm3, and at least one second polymer which is an ethylene/&agr;-olefin interpolymer having a density of from 0.905 g/cm3 to 0.935 g/cm3, provided that the density or the second polymer is at least 0.002 g/cm3 greater than the density of the first polymer. In preferred embodiments, the liner will further comprise an ignition resistance additive. The liners of the invention exhibit an excellent balance of flexibility and strength, and, when an ignition resistance additive is employed, excellent ignition resistance.

Abstract: The invention relates to moisture resistant, through-wall, multicomponent copper flashing material and a continuous process for its preparation. Copper sheeting substrate having special properties is laminated on at least one side with fiberglass sheeting having special properties. The fiberglass sheeting is bonded thereto by means of a thin coating of waterbased adhesive, preferably water based polyvinyl emulsion or vinyl acetate emulsion adhesives. A continuous process provides the copper sheeting from a bulk roll to be simultaneously spray coated on both sides with liquid water based adhesive, forcefully engaging and laminating each side with the fiberglass sheeting, air drying and curing the thinly coated adhesive laminated fiberglass sheeting bonded to the copper sheeting. The final multilaminated flashing material has excellent mechanical properties and chemical resistance.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are presented for reinforcing and stiffening a printed circuit board (PCB) in selected locations by utilizing preferentially oriented fibers. Selected fibers within the polymeric material matrix of the PCB fiber-matrix layer are removed and replaced with a similar quantity of fibers in a preferential orientation. Various combinations of layering of modified fiber-matrix layer material with conventional fiber-matrix layer material are presented to achieve the desired PCB stiffening. Printed circuit boards, under the weight of heavy attached electronic components, may deflect or flex along an axis, defined as the characteristic fold. This flexing is exasperated with manufacturing and handling loading, particularly when mounted in a chassis. Preferentially orientated fibers laid transverse to the characteristic fold reinforces the area to resist flexure within the area surrounding the characteristic fold.

Abstract: A thermal protection structure includes a thermal protection layer formed by impregnating reinforcing fibers with a matrix resin, a gas-pervious wear-resistant layer formed of a heat-resistant material and laminated on the outer surface to be exposed to heat of the thermal protection layer. The wear-resistant layer prevents the direct impact of raindrops or ice pellets on the thermal protection layer, so that the reduction of the thermal protection ability of the thermal protection layer due to wear can be prevented. The gas-pervious wear-resistant layer permits the emission of gases produced by the thermal decomposition and carbonization of the thermal protection layer caused by aerodynamic heating into the environment.

Abstract: A fiber mat is configured such that the fibers 2 of an intermediate layer arranged between two adjacent layers touch the fibers of one of the layers at positions situated at a distance from the contact points with the fibers of the other layer. The positioning and the material of the fibers is designed to have a high elasticity with regard to pressing.

Abstract: A reinforcing product includes a first layer (2) of reinforcing threads (3) parallel to each other and a second layer (4) of reinforcing threads (5) parallel to each other and transverse to the first layer (2). The reinforcing threads (3) in the first layer (2) are partially covered by a powder based on a thermoplastic or thermosetting material forming a bond firstly at points between the reinforcing threads (3) in the first layer (2), and secondly between the reinforcing threads (3) in the first layer (2) and the reinforcing threads (5) in the second layer (4).

Abstract: An article is provided that is highly resistant to localized normal indentation, or indentation tensile stresses, against its surface. The article is a stacked array of at least five layer units each having local anisotropy in at least one direction. Each unit has an adjacent unit that differs in a mechanical property, or offset in principle axis of anisotropy by less than 45°. The article forms part of a construction constructed and positioned to withstand indentation, or contact damage, detrimental to its use having a component normal to any tangent of the surface. The article can be a stacked array of fiber-reinforced polymeric material, i.e., prepreg, with the fiber direction offset from each layer to the next by less than 45°. Methods of making the article and methods of use of the article to resist impact are provided. Also provided are articles having surfaces, the surfaces being constructed and arranged to withstand sliding contact stress.

Abstract: An impact resistant rigid composite has a plurality of fibrous layers, each of which comprise a network of filaments. The fibrous layers are disposed in a matrix, with elastomeric layer(s) therebetween. Prior to curing of the matrix, successive fibrous layers exhibit therebetween a peel resistance of at least about 3 g/cm. The composite has high rigidity combined with superior ballistic properties. When bonded at one or both surfaces to a hard plate selected from the group consisting of metals and ceramics, the composite affords increased protection against armor piercing projectiles.

Abstract: There is disclosed an absorbent article including an absorbent layer and a liquid-permeable surface sheet placed on a liquid-receiving side of the absorbent layer for introducing excreted liquid from the human body to the absorbent layer. The surface sheet is of a corrugated configuration to have valleys and peaks extending in a longitudinal direction of the article and alternately arranged in a transverse direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. Each valley has a connecting part raised to connect between two adjacent peaks.

Abstract: A multilayer construction that includes a first layer that includes water sensitive thermoplastic polymer and a second layer disposed on the first layer, the second layer including superabsorbent polymer.

Abstract: A molded wood composite article man-made from wood fibers or wood particles on at least an upper, molded surface of the article, and a method of manufacturing the article to include a relatively uniform density, detailed design contours and textured aesthetics on one or more molded depression-interior inclined surfaces, while preventing embrittlement, softness and blistering of the article along the depression-interior inclined surfaces. These attributes are achieved by molding one or more depressions into an initially planar layer of cellulosic material, wherein the molded depressions have a length to depth ratio in the range of about 5.0 to about 8.5, and have one or more inclined walls that have upper surfaces, along essentially an entire inclined span, that include detailed design contours, including adjacent curved and planar portions, e.g., bead and cove.

Abstract: An extendible, coilable member is reversibly configurable between a coiled form and an extended form. At least one surface of the member, typically an inner surface, is provided with resilient protrusions. Upon extension of the member to the extended form, the protrusions adopt a first state in which they protrude from the surface of the member. Upon rolling of the member to the coiled form, the protrusions flex so as to lie between the turns of the coiled member.

Abstract: Generally flat structural panel for building construction includes an inner insulating core such as of plastic foam and a pair of opposed outer facings, or sheets, bonded to the panel's insulating core. One of the outer facings is of gypsum composite, or gypsum fiberboard, while the other outer facing is of oriented strand board (OSB) impregnated with plastic, such as a polyisocyanurate or urethane resin. The gypsum fiberboard forms the panel's inner surface, while the plastic impregnated OSB forms the panel's outer surface. The panel's outer facings provide high tensile strength, with the gypsum fiberboard facing also affording high load bearing capacity as well as resistant to fire, the environment, and insects. The plastic impregnated OSB does not expand or contract with changes in humidity to maintain a planar configuration for the panel with a smooth, uniform surface for exterior finishing.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method of forming a fabric of interlaced yarn by arranging on a surface a plurality of yarn guide blocks, each guide block adapted to guide yarn from a yarn source to the surface and wherein the relative motion of the yarn guide blocks and surface serves to deposit yarn from the guides onto the surface in such a way that when said yarns are deposited on a surface, the diagonal positions of the yarns from one block are offset from a direct overlapping alignment with the yarns from the remaining blocks to thereby densely cover the surface during repeated cycles of such motion.

Abstract: A transparent laminate is constituted by a transparent substrate, a low refractive index transparent thin film formed on a surface of the transparent substrate, between three and five combination layers laminated successively on a surface of the first low refractive index transparent thin film, another high refractive index transparent thin film formed on a surface of the combination layers, and an outermost layer. The combination layers has high refractive index transparent thin films and silver type transparent electrical conductor thin films, each combination layer having one high refractive index transparent thin film and one silver type transparent electrical conductor thin film. The outermost layer is stuck through a transparent adhesive agent layer onto a surface of the high refractive index transparent thin film farthest from the transparent substrate.

Abstract: A partially impregnated preform employs a fiber layer partially impregnated with a resin to form a fiber reinforced resin composite. The fiber layer of the partially impregnated preform is formed of a plurality of parallel oriented tows, each tow formed of a plurality of unidirectional reinforcement fibers. The resin is partially impregnated on one or both faces of the fiber layer. A resin composition for partially impregnating a fiber layer of a preform is also provided. A stack of partially impregnated preforms utilizes a plurality of partially impregnated preforms. The stack of partially impregnated preforms may be cross-ply reinforced by cross-ply stitching the stack of partially impregnated preforms together prior to curing to form a fiber reinforced resin composite upon curing.

Abstract: A sheet of unidirectionally-oriented fiber strands includes unidirectional fibers, bonding fibers interwoven with the unidirectional fibers to form a fiber panel, and thermoplastic film laminating the fiber panel there between. In one embodiment, a second sheet of laminated unidirectional fibers is joined to the first sheet of laminated unidirectional fibers with the unidirectional fibers running in a second direction as compared to the first fibers. In yet another embodiment, individual laminated sheets of unidirectional fibers are stitched together to form packets of sheets which may be used singularly or multiple packets may be bundled together.

Abstract: The present invention provides for wood based panels (e.g., OSB or plywood) that are termite resistant, fungal resistant, or a combination thereof; and methods of manufacturing the same.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for manufacturing fiber-reinforced, composite materials relies on one or more processes improving over conventional forming, filling, and processing techniques. A homogeneous resin-stitching process provides for resin stitching for using only 5-20 percent of the rovings in a preform as wetted rovings, cured to maintain a stitching together of the structure. A resin-packet transfer process provides infusion of resins from directly beside a wall of a preform, rather than passing resins throughout the longitudinal length of fibers in a perform. A cyclic vacuum bagging process alternately applied over pressure and outside vacuum to a vacuum bag process, thus relieving pressure, and later, optionally, applying pressure to improve structural strength. Relieving pressure tends to improve (reduce) porosity.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the manufacture of a multi-layered board having a stable, and moisture-resistant surface. To accomplish this and other advantages of the invention, an improved binder system is used in the production of the surface layers of a multi-layered board which combines an. excellent resin penetration inside the wood constituents of the board's surface layers, with a strength, durability and resistance to ambient water and moisture. The improved binder system used in the production of the board surface layers according to this invention involves contacting wood pieces with a binder composition comprised of a curable powdery aldehyde resin and a curable isocyanate resin in the substantial absence of free water to provide a composite mixture that can be formed into a surface layer for assembly and lamination together with other wood and resin composite layers.

Abstract: A method is provided for forming a durable, smooth-sided, multi-layer integral, composite engineered panel. The method typically is directed to first forming a mat comprising a plurality of layers of lignocellulosic strands or wafers. The plurality of layers of lignocellulosic strands or wafers are bonded together by an adhesive material. Then, at least one layer of smaller particles of lignocellulosic material is formed on the mat. This layer of smaller particles is blended together with an adhesive material thereby joining the layer of smaller particles to at least one outer surface of the mat. Next, at least one sheet of paper is joined to an outer layer of smaller particles of lignocellulosic material. This step takes place during the formation of the multi-layer integral, composite engineered panel. Finally, a substantially smooth outer surface is formed, upon pressing, in at least one surfaces of the multi-layer integral, composite engineered panel.

Abstract: A leader used to pull a seamable papermaker's fabric onto a paper machine comprising at least one section of material comprising yarns which are so oriented so as to distribute the load evenly across and down the fabric.

Abstract: The invention relates to a linear or branched polymer containing ester groups and at least one amidegroup in the backbone, having hydroxyalkylamide end groups and having a weight average molecular mass of ≧800 g/mol. The invention also relates to an entirely or partly modified polymer.

Abstract: An endless belt in which a fibrous material is dispersed in a substantially uniform manner all over an endless elastic body layer is provided. A non-woven tape is impregnated with a polyurethane elastomer material liquid and wound and layered on a supporting belt, and then, after curing the polyurethane elastomer material liquid to form an elastic body, it is removed from supporting belt.

Abstract: A method of making a fiber glass mat especially useful for bonding to wood contains glass fibers and a “B” staged resin is disclosed. A substantial portion of the resin binder can be a furfuryl alcohol formaldehyde, phenol formaldehyde, melamine formaldehyde, or any other resin that can be “B” staged. Also, a method of making wood and wood product laminates using this new mat without any other adhesives, and the resultant laminates are disclosed.

Abstract: A fiber reinforced core is formed from plastics foam material having elongated porous and fibrous webs and/or rovings extending through the foam material. The rovings may extend angularly through the webs, and strips of the foam material may be helically wound with layers of crossing rovings to form the webs. Porous and fibrous skins for the core may be formed by the wound rovings and by parallel continuous rovings, and the foam strips may be formed with internal grooves adjacent the webs and connected by a feeder channel for infusing a hardenable adhesive resin into the grooves and outwardly through the webs to the skins with differential pressure on the resin.

Abstract: A fiber glass mat especially useful for bonding to wood contains glass fibers and a “B” staged resin, and the method of making the mat, are disclosed. A substantial portion of the resin binder can be a furfural alcohol, phenol formaldehyde, melamine formaldehyde, or any other resin that can be “B” staged.

Abstract: A composite member having increased resistance to delamination includes a reinforcing wrap of fiber-matrix composite material which is encircled about the member so that the edge surfaces of the member are covered by the wrap. The wrap includes fibers which are oriented from about −60° to about +60° relative to the direction along which the reinforcing wrap is wrapped about the member. The fibers of the reinforcing wrap impart increased third-axis or Z-direction strength at the edges of the member where interlaminar tensile stresses are greatest.

Abstract: A low-stretch, flexible composite, made of one or several sections, particularly useful for making a sail (2), includes first and second polymer films (52, 62) with discontinuous, stretch-resistant segments (16) therebetween. The segments extend generally along the load lines (17) for the sail. The segments have lengths which are substantially shorter than corresponding lengths of the load lines within each section. The ends of the segments are laterally staggered relative to one another. Mats (20) of generally parallel mat elements can be used as the segments. The mat elements typically include discrete multifiber yarns (24, 26) and/or a fiber array (22), typically created by pneumatically laterally spreading apart the fibers of an untwisted multifiber yarn (32). A laminating assembly includes first and second flexible pressure sheets (66, 68), defining a sealable lamination interior (82) containing the material stack (64) to be laminated, housed within an enclosure (90).

Abstract: Fiber oriented sails made of woven panels of scrim type weave wherein warp yarns in the panels follow primary load paths in a sail and a method for making woven panels.