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 cross-laminate web is formed of two oriented films, the films being arranged so that the main direction of orientation of the first film (A) generally follows the longitudinal direction (D) of the web and the main direction of the second film (B) is perpendicular (F) to that direction. The coefficient of elasticity of the material of the first film, in an unoriented state, is at least 115% lower than that of the material of the second film, and the heat shrinkability of the first film is greater than that of the second film. Bags formed from the cross-laminate have heat seals with improved shock peel strength.

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 kit for use in finishing a cut edge of floor coverings such as mats, carpets, carpet runners, and roll runners having a cut side edge including an elongated edging strip which has a length equal to or exceeding the length of the cut edge to be finished. The lateral width of the edging strip is selected so that when secured in place, the strip substantially covers and conceals the cut edge. The edging strip includes a flexible ribbon and an attachment member provided to permanently secure the ribbon in position substantially overlapping the cut edge. Preferably, the attachment member comprises a piece of two-sided tape having a length and width generally corresponding to that of the finishing strip. The two-sided tape is secured along a first side to the finishing strip, and a release sheet is carried by and releasably secured to the second other side of the tape.

Abstract: A laminated composite (multi-ply) radius filler includes a plurality of woven fabric reinforced plies cut to fill a radius gap (including, if appropriate, intentional overfill) to increase absolute strength, to increase specific strength, or to reduce cost by reducing cracking and distortion in the radius of a composite assembly. The present invention also describes the method of manufacture and method of use for such laminated composite radius filler.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to thermoplastic elastomer films and bags made from thermoplastic elastomer films and also to methods for making thermoplastic elastomer films and bags. The thermoplastic elastomer films of the present invention are composed of thermoplastic elastomers and non-elastic polyesters. The bags of the present invention are fabricated using blended monolayer thermoplastic films that include a blend of thermoplastic elastomer and a non-elastic polyester, or co-extruded multi-layer films that include at least one layer of thermoplastic elastomer and at least one layer of non-elastic polyester. The blended monolayer thermoplastic films of the present invention are useful in the food handling industry and particularly in the meat packaging industry and for use in cooking bag applications. The co-extruded films of the present invention are also useful in the food handling industry and particularly the meat packaging industry and for use in meat casing applications.

Abstract: A reflector is disclosed which enables bright image display with a wide angle of view and can be efficiently fabricated by a a simplified process. The reflector includes a resin layer having at its surface microscopic projections and depressions and formed by application of a coating composition containing a binder resin and crosslinked resin particles.

Abstract: An abrasion resistant garment and method of producing same. A garment that is highly ventilated while providing abrasion protection for a wearer during a slide, as for instance that may occur during a fall from a motorcycle. A material is produced wherein abrasion-resistant, low sliding friction, beads are held within a matrix of high-tensile strength, abrasion-resistant, cords. The beaded matrix within the garment can be augmented with layers to form a lining and exterior layers to enhance visibility. The force of a sliding rider is retained over the beaded matrix, away from the road surface. Under abrasive sliding friction, the beads additionally rotate to an extent which tightens the cord matrix and thereby helps constrain the skin surface of the wearer from making contact with the roadway surface.

Abstract: A fabric system for producing at least a woven fabric of controlled modulus or elongation in the MD or warp axis, has a core layer which is the main structural element, and may have one or more woven cover fabrics adhesively bonded with an off axis configuration to one or both sides of the core layer. In a preferred embodiment the core fabric is covered with at least one off axis fabric on both sides. The cover fabrics may also have resin or film top layers laminated or coated on their outside surfaces, for mechanical performance or UV protection or both.

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 laminated composite (multi-ply) radius filler includes a plurality of woven fabric reinforced plies cut to fill a radius gap (including, if appropriate, intentional overfill) to increase absolute strength, to increase specific strength, or to reduce cost by reducing cracking and distortion in the radius of a composite assembly. The present invention also describes the method of manufacture and method of use for such laminated composite radius filler.

Abstract: A method of making semiconductor devices comprising the steps of: preparing non-defective individual film packages having good quality, wherein leads are formed and a semiconductor chip is mounted on each of the film packages; attaching each of the non-defective individual packages to each of mounting portions of a plate; and cutting the plate into separate pieces, each of the separated pieces corresponding to each of the mounting portions on which each of the non-defective individual film packages is mounted.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a connecting rod made of composite material, especially for internal-combustion engines, the composite material being formed by a reinforcement embedded in a cured material, and the connecting rod (A) comprising, along the longitudinal extension (X—X) of the connecting rod, a central shank (B) extended respectively, at its two ends, by a connecting-rod big end (C) and a connecting-rod small end (D). According to the invention, the connecting rod (A) is produced entirely as a single component made of composite material and the reinforcement of the composite material comprises superposed plies of crossed straight filling yarns, the filling yarns, which extend parallel to the longitudinal extension (X—X) of the connecting rod (A), constituting at least twice the volume percentage of the filling yarns which extend in each of the directions other than the longitudinal extension (X—X) of the connecting rod (A), and binding yarns pass through the superposed plies.

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 present invention relates to a repair and reinforcement method for preexisting structures such as buildings or the like, and in particular, relates to a repair and reinforcement method for concrete structures, and to an anisotropic textile employed in this method. The present invention provides a method which permits execution even in low temperature conditions, and which moreover exhibits superior repair and reinforcement effects in a short period of time; during the impregnation of a resin into a sheet material comprising reinforcement fibers and the curing of this resin to form a fiber-reinforced resin layer which is used in the repair and reinforcement of preexisting structures, a reactive mixture having a gelling period of 15 minutes or more at a temperature of 20° C. and which polymerizes even at 5° C.

Abstract: The inventive composite laminate has an interface profile which describes a fractally nonlinear contour. Inventive fabrication thereof typically includes computer numerically controlled wire-cut electrical discharge machining of a metal mold, resin transfer molding of a first composite portion using the metal mold, and resin transfer molding of a second composite portion using the first composite portion as a mold so that the interfacing surfaces of the composite portions are secondarily bonded to each other in conformal fashion. The interface surface of the second composite portion approximates the geometry of the metal mold surface, while the interface surface of the first composite portion approximates the inverted geometry of the metal mold surface. Each interface surface defines a multiplicity of lengthwise parallel grooves and ridges corresponding to the widthwise disordered undulations of the fractal interfacial profile.

Abstract: The invention relates to a ballistic-resistant molded article containing a compressed stack of monolayers, with each monolayer containing unidirectionally oriented reinforcing fibers and at most 30 wt. % of a plastic matrix material and with the fiber direction in each monolayer being rotated with respect to the fiber direction in an adjacent monolayer, characterized in that the density (&rgr;P) of the compressed stack is at least 98.0% of the theoretical maximum density. The invention also relates to a process for manufacturing the molded article. The ballistic-resistant article may be used in, for instance, helmets, as inserts in bullet-proof vests, as armoring on military vehicles and in ballistic-resistant panels.

Abstract: A laminated cloth is composed of a first cloth sheet and a second cloth sheet. The first cloth sheet has a knitcloth layer and a hairy layer of fiber and extending from one side of the knitcloth layer. The second cloth sheet is adhered to the hairy layer which is breathable and compressible.

Abstract: A method for forming a structural panel such as for a bridge deck includes providing a first and a second sheet formed by fibers and settable resin and laminating the sheets with a plurality of parallel side by side connection members. The connection members are formed by filament winding around a core using primarily a large wind angle followed by a final shallow angle of wrap. The connection members are triangular in cross section and each is inverted relative to the next so that the sides are in contact. The connection members are connected together while the resin is uncured so that during lamination they cure together to allow integration of the resin, close matching of the shapes so that the resin at the junction remains thin and intermingling of the filaments. The connection members are dry wound on a core and the resin is applied by infusion. The core carries reinforcing members to tailor strength as required along the length of the member.

Abstract: A tailored structural member that is designed to generate a yield-type response, with applicability to the arrest of a moving body. The structural member comprises a primary load path connected in parallel to a longer secondary load path at a pair of common nodes. The primary load path is designed to fail at a lower load than that required to fail the secondary load path when subjected to a tensile force. As a result of the load redistribution achieved through the use of the redundant paths provided by the primary and secondary load paths, the structural member dissipates more kinetic energy from the moving body within a given set of displacement and deceleration force constraints than is possible using a conventional, uniform cross-section member.

Abstract: A thermal shunt comprising flexible graphite fibers for removing heat from components coupled thereto and providing mechanical isolation. The thermal shunt comprises a plurality of stacked layers of graphite fibers secured together at opposite ends to form rigid sections at the respective opposite ends that provide for thermal coupling. Portions of the graphite fibers between the rigid sections are flexible and provide mechanical isolation between components to which the thermal shunt is coupled.

Abstract: A hat that is designed to be used to ward off the sun and has a crown and a brim. The brim has a series of stiffening rods attached thereto to hold the brim in a selected shape.

Abstract: A platform, breakwater, or endless track includes an array of molded cells nterconnected by a system of elongate flexible members, such as wire ropes or lines. The molded cells are cast in molds located at overlapping portions of the cables. The molds may be flexible nylon bags having openings for receiving the cables through them and a fill port to receive material. The molds may be retained on cast cells or removed and reused. A buoyant material, such as expanding self-hardening foam is pumped from foam mixing and pumping equipment into the molds to cast the cells for floating on water, although negatively buoyant cells could be cast for some applications. The cells may be cast on site or elsewhere and then transported to the work site. The cables either can be secured or free running in the molded cells.

Abstract: There are described a self-adhesive prepreg on the basis of a resin-impregnated fibrous supporting material carrying on at least one surface a layer with an increased ratio of resin to supporting material, and the use thereof for the production of sandwich structures.

Abstract: A method of forming composite sine wave spars from composite material. In accordance with the method, the sine wave spar is formed of web plies, filler plies, separator plies and cap plies. The edges of the web plies are cut to form a plurality of teeth having different geometric configurations. The web plies are first formed to the sine wave contours of a tool having the desired final part geometry. The teeth of the web plies are then folded over the edges of the tool to form a portion of the flanges of upper and lower U-shaped channels. The portions of the flanges of the U-shaped channels not covered by the teeth are formed using filler plies that intermesh with the teeth to form a layer of the flanges of the respective upper or lower U-shaped channel. The flanges are reinforced through the use of separator plies that are placed between the filler plies. The formed upper and lower U-shaped channels are joined together so that their respective flanges are located in line with each other.

Abstract: The improved creped non-laminar singular web structure comprising long fibers and short fibers demonstrated by high TWA and Z peeling. Creping causes a certain portion of long synthetic fibers and short fibers to substantially be oriented in a predetermined vertical or Z direction across the thickness of the web structure. In particular, when a stratified preparation containing wet stiff CTMP fibers is used, the vertically oriented CTMP fibers increase the total water absorption (TWA) of the web structure without collapsing. The high TWA print/double-creped paper products manufactured from the above web structure are suitable for heavy wipe and dry uses.

Abstract: Prefabricated composite detail parts use precured strips that include Z-pin reinforcement along the bond line. Each strip has Z-pin stubble protruding from opposed faces so that the pins are embedded into the detail parts when the joint forms.

Abstract: A carbon-fiber reinforced plastic sheet is excellent in tensile strength and modulus of elasticity, but defective in impact resistance and fracture toughness. To overcome the defect, two aramid fiber reinforced plastic sheets are adhered to the opposite surfaces of the carbon-fiber reinforced plastic sheet to thereby provide a laminated structure and the aramid fibers are skewed at angles of +30.degree. to +60.degree. with respect to the direction of an impact load. This arrangement exhibits an improved shock absorbing efficiency and eliminates surface distortion which would otherwise take place during lamination. Further, a shock-absorbing structure may be produced from combining a plurality of sheets assembled crosswise such that surfaces of the respective sheets lie parallel to the direction of the impact load, and a cutout recess and a bulged portion are formed at an end of at least one sheet adjacent an intersection of the structure.

Abstract: A fiber reinforced composite structure and method for fabricating the composite, are described wherein four sets of mechanically flexible fibers are interwoven in a three-dimensional woven structure wherein each fiber is woven through the structure generally along one of the four directions defined generally parallel to a body diagonal of a cube, and wherein the woven structure is impregnated with polymeric, metallic or ceramic matrix material to form a composite material which is braced against deformation by shear applied in any orientation.

Abstract: An improved composite ski structure comprising a core with a successful layering of at least two alternately diagonally offset composite layers, covered by two outer longitudinal layers. Both the top and bottom surfaces of the core are layered in this fashion, and the composite layers are preferably applied as a multi-layered outer laminate wrapped fully around the core. In a preferred form, a multi-functional epoxy is applied to bond the inner surface of the composite laminate to the core. In a further form of the invention at least the tip, and preferably also the tail of the core are formed from composite inserts, and at least the tip section of the outer laminate is cut in a herringbone pattern to be wrapped around a curved/angled tip without stress cracking. The invention also comprises a method for making a ski structure as described.

Abstract: A reinforced foam core sandwich structure including opposing face sheets, a foam core therebetween, and tow members encapsulated within the foam core and extending between the opposing face sheets to form a combined foam/tow member core wherein the compressive strength or shear strength of the combined foam/tow member core is greater than the compressive strength or shear strength, respectively, of the foam core alone or the tow members alone forming a support structure within the foam core between the face sheets.

Abstract: An oriented strand board (OSB)-fiberboard composite structure is comprised of a baseboard having three wood strand layers, the wood strands being oriented in space with respect to a board forming machine such that a core layer is comprised of wood strands oriented generally in a random or cross-machine direction and each adjacent layer is comprised of coarse and fine wood strands oriented generally in the machine direction. In a preferred embodiment, the wood strands comprising each adjacent OSB layer are formed with the coarsest strands located nearest the core layer and the finest strands are located nearest the outer surfaces of each outer board layer. The OSB-fiberboard composite product is clad with a wood fiber overlay on one major surface of the baseboard. The composite board is manufactured without warping, by providing particular OSB layer thicknesses, such that the lower OSB layer is about 25% to about 35% thicker than the OSB layer bonded to the fiberboard.

Abstract: A method for the production of patch-rubbers intended to repair radial-ply and bias-ply tires. The patch-rubbers, although having the same strength as those known, are more flexible and do not affect the original mechanical features and performances of the regions of the tires repaired therewith, and are also suitable to perform retreading operations on tires by both high pressure molding machines and autoclaves. The method consists in superposing the plies (1a, 1b), embedding a fabric made by fiber cords, in such a way that their medium axes diverge from the longitudinal or symmetry axes A of the patch-rubbers, and in superposing on the plies, a further ply (2) of smaller area having rectilinear metallic cords forming a different angle with the above mentioned axes A.

Abstract: A thermally conductive film that includes a film of polymeric matrix material having a thickness t defined between a top surface and a bottom surface. A plurality of fibers, having a greater thermal conductivity than the polymeric matrix material, is disposed in the film and extends between the top surface and the bottom surface. Each of the fibers are oriented in the film to form a fiber-to-film surface angle .theta. relative to the top and bottom surfaces that is greater than about 45.degree. but is less than arctan t/d, where t is the thickness of the film and d is the diameter of the fibers in the direction of the angle .theta.. A shear/extruder apparatus is used to form the thermally conductive film from a sheet of composite prepreg material. An upper die block and a lower die block separated by a predetermined distance form an extrusion slot therebetween.

Abstract: A composite thermal insulation structure particularly suited for gas turbine engine applications is disclosed. An aspect of the present invention includes a composite thermal insulation structure having a backing, a ceramic pile woven substantially perpendicular into the backing, and a ceramic matrix material infiltrated in the ceramic fiber pile.

Abstract: A wood structural member of the present invention, such as a laminated wood beam, a wood I-beam, or truss, includes syntehtic fiber reinforcing panels. The reinforcing panels include multiple synthethic fibers that are arranged parallel to one another and aligned with the longitudinal direction of the panel, and accordingly the wood structure. The fibers are maintained in position by a resin encasement. Preferably, the surface of the reinforcing panel is treated so that the reinforcing panel may be adhered to the structural member with nonepoxy adhesive, such as resorcinol, commonly used in the laminated beam industry.

Abstract: A laminate resin film having two major surfaces is constituted by plural resin species. In the laminate, layers of the plural resin species are laminated obliquely to the two major surfaces in at least one section perpendicular to the two major surfaces, and each layer of the plural species of resins is exposed to the two major surfaces. The laminate resin film has equivalent properties in the thickness direction (such as gas-barrier property) as in a conventional laminated film but has properties in the planar extension direction which are remarkably affected by properties (such as low Young's modulus and heat-shrinkability) of a certain component resin layer.

Abstract: There is provided a fiber bed for removing liquid aerosols and soluble solids from a gas stream in a fiber bed mist eliminator. The fiber bed is in the form of a flexible mat having a void fraction of greater than about 0.89 and greater than about 700 net collection targets. The mat includes a layer of collecting fibers having an average fiber diameter between about 1 and about 5 .mu.m. The collecting fibers are stabilized by a plurality of stabilizing fibers which penetrate into and are disposed interstitially within the collecting fiber layer. The improved fiber bed of the present invention is field-replaceable and, by utilizing fibers having a small average diameter, the thickness of the fiber bed may be reduced.

Abstract: The invention relates to a diagonal veneer laminate structure consisting of several superposed veneer layers (1a, 1b, 1c . . . ) glued to each other. In each veneer layer (1a, 1b, 1c . . . ), the main grain (S1 or S2) is disposed to form a crossing angle (.alpha.) with the main grain (S2 resp. S1) of immediately adjoining veneer layers (1b; 1a and 1c) which is in the range of 3.degree. to 60.degree..

Abstract: A structural part having as its basis a sandwich fabric, in particular a velour fabric, having at least a first layer (a) and a second layer (b) and intermediate links connecting said layers (a, b), in which connection the fabric consists of a technical yarn such as aramid fiber, carbon fiber, ceramic fiber or, in particular, glass fiber, is resinified and cured, and the intermediate links form rigid spacing elements for the first and second layers (a, b). In order to be able to produce, in particular, structural parts which have a strong curvature, at least one of the layers (a, b) be woven in an open weave, such as used also in multi-layer fabrics.

Abstract: An articulated knee brace includes a pair of arms pivotally connected by corresponding pivot pins and gear segments supported by a set of hub plates having holes for receiving adjustable stop pins. The arms are attached by flexible and releasable bands to a person's limb on opposite sides of a joint, and one of the arms carries an adjustable hydraulic control unit. The unit includes a tubular housing enclosing a pair of axially spaced pistons rigidly connected by a shaft, and a curved link member connects the pistons to the hub plates eccentrically of the pivot axes. A set of manually rotatable valves are supported by the housing between the pistons and variably control the flow of hydraulic fluid through the valves and between the piston chambers in response to pivoting of the arms for selectively and independently adjusting the resistance to flexion and extension of the brace and limb.

Abstract: A translaminar reinforcement system for Z-direction reinforcement of a fiber matrix structure in which a plurality of reinforcing elements are disposed in a body of compactible material to extend in at least one direction and orientated at at least one acute angle and driven into a fiber matrix structure when the body is compacted by a compressive force.

Abstract: Method for producing a fibrous reinforcement (1) for a component of composite material comprising at least two non-coplanar walls, which are for example orthogonal.According to the invention, at least one first fibrous element (2) is produced as a fiber mat, said first fibrous element (2) is applied via one of its narrow sides (4) against a first face (5) of a second element; and there are inserted, through a second face (7) of said second element (3), on the opposite side to said first face (5), and by the stitching without knotting of a continuous filament (F) by means of a needle, transverse fibers passing through said second element (3).Production of fiber-matrix composite components.

Abstract: An electric insulation composite sheet excelled in flexibility as well as heat resistance, crack resistance, anti-hygroscopicity and insulation property comprising as essential components epoxy compound 150-300 g/eq in epoxy equivalent, hardener consisting essentially of polycarboxylic acid polyanhydride represented by the following general formula [1] ##STR1## and a reinforcing fiber.

Abstract: A thermoplastic composite reinforcing sheet material useful for reinforcing orthotic devices and other articles, such as a prosthetic socket or a ski boot. The composite sheet material consists of a plurality of layers. Two layers form outer opposed sides of the sheet and are made from a thermoplastic material. The core of the sheet consists of a plurality of fiber-containing layers. Each layer is impregnated with a thermoplastic resin which will bond with the outer thermoplastic layers when the final shape is vacuum thermoformed. The orientation of the fibers in the core may be varied to change the strength and rigidity of the composite thermoplastic reinforcing sheet. An orthotic device can be built using a thermoplastic host material and the disclosed thermoplastic composite reinforcing sheet material. The host material defines the overall shape of the orthotic device and is any thermoformable thermoplastic. The reinforcing sheet is used to reinforce desired sections of the final orthotic device.

Abstract: A camouflage covering is provided which includes an underlying layer of lightweight porous material such as a nylon mesh. Elongated strips are attached at one of their ends to the underlying layer of material. The strips have various emissivity values which are arranged in patterns which avoid having strips of the same emissivity value adjacent one another. The strips tend to disrupt both the shape and the brightness of an underlying object's infrared emission. Also, the strips tend to absorb the radiation being emitted from the underlying object. In one embodiment, the loosely hanging strips attached to the underlying layer form a personal infrared camouflage garment which protects a user from detection by infrared detection devices. To prevent prolonged contact between the person wearing the garment and the underlying layer, a plurality of insulating devices can be used such as an insulated helmet or shoulder pad. Securement devices are also provided to secure the underlying layer to the person.

Abstract: An airbag of an airbag restraint system for an automotive vehicle. The airbag is formed of a circular doubly woven cloth including generally circular front and rear cloth parts which are separable from and integral at their periphery with each other to define therebetween a gas chamber to be filled with high pressure gas from an inflator. Each of front and rear cloth parts is formed with a generally rectangular reinforcement regions located near the periphery of the cloth part. The reinforcement region includes two warp band-like regions which are separate from each other and located near the periphery of the cloth part. The reinforcement region further includes two weft band-like regions which are separate from each other and located near the periphery of the cloth part. The weft band-like regions cross the warp yarn band-like regions, so that the reinforcement region is formed generally rectangular. Reinforcement yarns are woven in each of the warp and weft band-like regions.

Abstract: Fibrous network structures are produced within liquid polymer resins by passing the fiber-containing resin along a channel having a plurality of sets of flow modifying elements which establish a regulated succession of velocity profiles for the principal flow direction and the two directions perpendicular thereto. The individual velocity profiles persist over distances which are small compared to the channel dimension over which they are established and are such that there is substantially no net deviation from the principal flow direction. The velocity profiles superimpose on each other to cause rotation and sliding of the fibers so that a coherent network structure is built up which persists through extrusion dies and molds into the solid state. By means of a large number of touches per fiber the structures thereby established confer efficient mechanical reinforcing properties and enhanced thermal properties on the polymer composition.

Abstract: A low cost, high web integrity fabric that can be economically produced and tailored to provide a variety of different combinations of characteristics and properties for different end uses. It is a fabric wherein the strength in any direction can be predetermined and also wherein the elasticity in any direction can be varied in a predetermined fashion. It is also a fabric that combines continuous filaments, ranging from elastomeric to non-elastic but elongatable to at least a minimum extent, for strength and elasticity with the predetermined indepth intermingling of fibrous melt blown webs for interlocking of the said continuous filaments in the formation of the integrated, fibrous and continuous filament matrix.

Abstract: This invention teaches a method of forming a low cost, breathable, light weight, soft, disposable elastic structure with surface properties that are characterized by a controlled irregularity of the pleats or shirrs that make up the broad surfaces of the structure. The structure is a layered structure with outer layers of low basis weight breathable material, a central elastic layer, and an adhesive layer that serves to join all the layers together to form a unitary elastic structure.