Abstract: A plastic laminate sheet for making collapsible dispensing container comprises an outer layer of filled-plastic made of polypropylene or a blend of polypropylene, and high density polyethylene, and a filler, preferably calcium carbonate, incorporated therein. The outer filled-plastic layer is coextensively bonded to an inner layer of high density polyethylene to form the laminate sheet. An intermediate layer of an oxygen barrier plastic may be interposed in the laminate sheet in order to impart oxygen impermeability thereto.

Abstract: An ornament including a plurality of hoops having fabric mounted therein. The hoops are arranged so that the plane of each hoop intersects the plane of the remaining hoops. Various embodiments are disclosed wherein the external geometric configuration of the hoops and the quantity of hoops is varied. Further, a variety of fabric patterns are attached to the hoops. In one embodiment, two pieces of fabric are joined together at their centerline with the centerline the being positioned in line with the inner intersection of two hoops. The outer edge of one fabric is then attached to a hoop while extending through the plane of the hoop to the intersection hoop line and then outwardly with the opposite edges of the fabric attached to the remaining hoop. The second fabric is attached in like fashion to the two remaining portions of the hoops not having fabric attached thereto.

Abstract: Radiant heat resistant fluid-distendable structure and methods for making same.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method of making a decorative fan. Two types of paper are layered together, reinforced and are then pleated. The resulting pleats are gathered and are bound at one end by means of Mylar tape. A decorative disk is mounted at the gathered, tapered end to conceal the tape. The fan has a particular use as a decorative piece in front of a fireplace.

Abstract: A writing board for use as an accessory to a brief or attache case has a main housing and four telescopically received auxiliary panels. The auxiliary panels may be telescoped outward to form together with the main housing a large surface on which to rest papers and files or telescoped into the housing in overlapping relationship to form a compact unit readily stored within a brief or attache case. The housing is formed of three parallel plates spaced apart to form two passages in each of which a pair of auxiliary panels is received. Strips of panel material, metal channels or special clips may be used to hold the plates of the housing in proper spaced relation. The two lateral auxiliary panels include pockets to secure papers and the edges of one auxiliary panel and the housing include lips to limit slippage of papers or writing tools into a seated user's lap.

Abstract: A drapery is provided comprising a plurality of parallel rigidized panels. Adjacent panels are hingedly joined to each other along their adjacent edges. A means for hanging said drapery on a curtain rod is provided. When the drapery is folded, the adjacent panels fold one upon the other, and when the drapery is extended, the adjacent panels form a continuous drapery.

Abstract: A foldable easel for supporting sheet material includes three sheet members pivoted end to end for selective movement between a folded condition with the members in stacked parallel relation and an erected condition with the members in triangular relation. The free end of one of the two outer members has a lip for supporting the sheet material to rest against the upstanding sheet member in the erected condition. In one embodiment, a mating pin-and-hole connecting system is provided at the free ends of the outer members and at the ends of the intermediate member for permitting releasable connection of the members in either their erected or folded conditions. In another embodiment, one of the outer members has a perimetric border within which the other members are contained in the folded condition and which acts as the lip for engagement therewith of the other outer sheet member when in the erected condition.

Abstract: A one piece beverage insulator in the form of a beverage container holder with an open top that is die cut from a sheet of insulative foam either open cell or closed cell laminated with a surface vinyl film. The one piece beverage insulator die cut pattern is in the form of two mirror image side halves joined by a center bottom shaped to conform to the bottom of a beverage container to be held by the finished holder. The die cut holder pattern is folded over on itself with the side halves aligned but with the inside foam sides of the halves facing out and the side edges are stitched or vinyl welded together after which the holder is pulled inside out through its open top returning the vinyl surface to the outside. This finished holder is stored in a collapsed flat state to be opened when receiving a beverage can or other beverage container to be held and insulated by the holder.

Abstract: Process for forming and securing a polymeric sheet onto a planer board, process for making a lap desk, a die apparatus used in the process, and the laminated board product. The process includes the steps of gluing an oversize sheet onto the board and drawing the board through a heated die to bend the edges of the sheet onto the periphery of the board. The lap desk is formed by gluing a bag to the periphery of the board, filling the bag with stuffing, and drawing the sheet, board and stuffed bag through the die to laminate the sheet to the board. The die apparatus includes a frame to hold the assembly as it is drawn through the die, and a press for pushing the assembly through the die.

Abstract: A plastic laminate sheet for making collapsible dispensing container comprises an outer layer of filled-plastic made of polypropylene or a blend of polypropylene, and high density polyethylene, and a filler, preferably calcium carbonate, incorporated therein. The outer filled-plastic layer is coextensively bonded to an inner layer of high density polyethylene to form the laminate sheet. An intermediate layer of an oxygen barrier plastic may be interposed in the laminate sheet in order to impart oxygen impermeability thereto.

Abstract: A blank of foldable sheet material for folding a regular octahedron comprises a sheet of foldable material, such as paper, plastic sheet or metal foil, having the shape of a regular hexagon, without interior cuts or exterior tabs. The blank is scored or marked for scoring along lines subdividing said hexagon into 24 equilateral triangles of equal size, each having sides one half the length of a side of said hexagon. The triangles are formed by first marking or scoring along lines extending from opposite apexes of the hexagon to produce six equilateral triangles having sides of the same length as the sides of the hexagon and then marking or scoring along lines connecting the midpoints of adjacent ones of the first produced triangles. Successive folding of apexes of the blank along score lines ending with the tucking of one final flap into another produces an octahedron held together by the folds and final tuck without need for adhesives or other securing means.

Abstract: A novel foldable and essentially self-opening, light weight, multi-panel ice which preferably is primarily useful as a collapsible, expendable or retrievable and reusable reflector type military decoy target, capable of reflecting microwaves, millimeter waves and light waves. Its ability to be folded relatively flat minimizes storage space requirements, thus allowing for many more units to be carried by troops in the field. With a spring-loaded "pop-open" character and capability of being constructed in several different forms or shapes, it has a unique essentially self-opening, self-orienting ability which facilitates a quick, easy and nearly automatic deployment. Functioning as a corner type reflector decoy, it reflects much more of the source-generated energy waves back to the source than would a normal size non-reflective article, irrespective of its deployed orientation relative to the source thereby deceiving the enemy into thinking that there is a large object such as a tank in that area.

Abstract: An air-inflatable structure wherein each flat wall of the structure comprs a separate air bag. Sharp rectangular corners can be formed at the demarcation zones between the separate air bags. The invention is particularly useful in the formation of air-inflated structures having flat walls and sharp corners, e.g., decoy (fake) military vehicles. Decoy structures (e.g., tanks, trucks, etc.) can be made to achieve closer more realistic simulations of actual structures.

Abstract: A collapsible centerpiece formed of sheet material comprising a first pair of legs having slots for receiving a second pair of legs so as to form a generally "X" shaped configuration, and a horizontal support having slots in its edges for receiving the upper edges of the legs to separate the legs and stabilize the assembled centerpiece.

Abstract: A wood sheet-like product which comprises at least two sheets of wood and a pliable material bonded between the sheets. The wood and pliable material is bonded to form a unitary product and grooves through the wood sheets are spaced at intervals to facilitate bending of the product at the grooves. The sheet-like product is used to make wood honeycomb and corrugated wood by positioning grooves at predetermined locations on the product, bending the product into a certain configuration. In the case of honeycomb, adjacent strips of the product are adhered together in such a way as to form polygonal cells. To make corrugated wood one configuration has a series of high and low ridges secured to a facing skin. The methods of making the wood sheet-like product comprises inserting a pliable material between two sheets of wood bonding the sheets together and cutting a groove through the wood sheets but not through the pliable material.

Abstract: For use in the manufacture of laminated safety glass, a vacuum bag in which the glass-plastic laminations are bonded together formed of fiber glass cloth having a layer of silicon-rubber applied to the outer surface thereof which seals the interstices between the glass fibers but leaves the interior surface of the bag bare and the individual glass fibers exposed for direct contact with the glass sheets during lamination.

Abstract: A selectively collapsible and expandable insulating curtain having a plurality of collapsible tubes, preferably of plastic material, extending longitudinally for its width and superimposed one on top of the other in a row in the direction of curtain height. Each tube has an upper wall and a lower wall secured together by bands of adhering contact on opposite sides of the tubular cavity. Additional bands of adhering contact secure superimposed tubes to each other longitudinally along midsections of the upper and lower walls. The side bands of contact define fold lines allowing collapse and expansion of the tubes as the curtain is raised and lowered, respectively, in the manner of a venetian blind. The curtain may include additional rows of superimposed tubes one adjacent to the other in the direction of curtain thickness.

Abstract: A wallpaper preparation board made of low cost rigid sheet material such as cardboard, paperboard, or thin sheets of wood, metal, or plastic, etc., is formed from a plurality of substantially flat panels of the sheet material which are hingedly attached end-to-end to form an elongate board which can be folded in accordion style into a compact unit. A first elongate opening is provided at one end of the board, with the opening being adapted to receive a roll of wallpaper longitudinally therein. A second elongate opening or slit is provided adjacent to the first opening, whereby the paper from the roll of wallpaper is directed under the portion of the board positioned between the two elongate openings and upwardly through the second elongate opening to be pulled along the length of the board. A cutting guide extends across the board next to the second elongate opening to aid in cutting lengths of wallpaper which are withdrawn from the roll.

Abstract: An automatically expanding pop-up decoration for use in gift-wrapping a package is capable of assuming a compact folded orientation suitable for storage in a limited area, yet expands automatically upon application to a package so as to create a substantially upstanding portion. The decoration comprises an ornament having a pair of opposed end members and an expansible structure pivotally joining the end members together. It further comprises an elastic cord operatively engaging the opposed ornament end members so that application of the cord about a package so as to tension the cord automatically causes the ornament end members to pivot into a substantially edge-to-edge relationship with the expansible structure standing substantially upright from the package.

Abstract: An automatically expanding pop-up decoration for use in gift-wrapping a package is capable of assuming a compact folded orientation suitable for storage in a limited area, yet expands automatically upon application to a package so as to create a substantially upstanding portion. The decoration comprises an ornament having a pair of opposed end members and an expansible structure pivotally joining the end members together. It further comprises an elastic cord having the opposite ends thereof secured to the opposed ornament end members so that application of the cord about a package so as to tension the cord ends automatically causes the ornament end members to pivot into a substantially edge-to-edge relationship with the expansible structure standing substantially upright from the package.

Abstract: An inflatable ornament suitable for hanging on a Christmas tree limb or the like is formed from a pair of flexible plastic sheets joined along their periphery to define a collapsible, substantially fluid-tight envelope. The envelope includes a reduced neck portion having a valve therein for filling the ornament with a suitable fluid such as air. The valve comprises a stem extending laterally outward from one of the sheets and a removable plug for sealing the stem. A hook member connected to the stem, or formed integral with the plug, is adapted to suspend the ornament from the limb. A reflective metal coating applied to the envelope gives the appearance of a glass ornament.

Abstract: An insulation batt comprising at least two sheets of heat reflecting material, the sheets being secured in overlapping substantially parallel relation by strips extending therebetween and secured thereto, the strips permitting relative movement of the sheets such that they may be moved from a first position in which they are closely juxtaposed in substantially face to face relation and a second position in which they are spaced to provide an insulating air space therebetween.

Abstract: A device for mitigating the splashing of droplets of molten metal during the pouring of same into a mould comprises a strip or strips of material which form a system of polygonal cells. The device is for vertical location with the strips edgewise in the base of a mould and fulfills the function of either a splash-guard when casting direct or a float when bottom-casting.

Abstract: A floating cover assembly encompassing in a first condition a method and apparatus for tensioning a floating cover for a liquid storage reservoir wherein the surface level of the stored liquid varies and in a second condition, a method and apparatus for maintaining a liquid storage reservoir. In the apparatus of the above inventions, a peripheral envelope formed at least adjacent a portion of the peripheral edges of the floatable sheet is adapted to be inflated with a compressible fluid, such as air, for proper tensioning of the sheet as the level of the stored liquid varies in the reservoir and for preventing wrinkling of the sheet while, in the second condition, the peripheral envelop is adapted to be filled with a non-compressible fluid for providing a ballast for the sheet during maintenance operations thereof while the sheet is inflatably supported for maintenance of the sheet and/or reservoir.

Abstract: Pneumatic structural and cushioning material of plastic sheets, bands, and/or tubes, which are compartmentized into a plurality of chambers. The material is capable of convenient and economical storage and shipment in a collapsed state and rapid inflation to an operative state at the point of use. The chambers embody one-way valving arrangements to maintain the chambers in an expanded state over long periods of time, rendering the product useful in cushioning loads during shipment by land, air or water; in safety devices for humans in vehicle bumpers, air cushions, and buoyant devices of all types; and in structural assemblies of either temporary or permanent types to attain heat and sound insulation effects.

Abstract: The invention provides a dynamic system for heat-sealing an all-plastic material in a continuous process at high speed. The invention includes an all-plastic heat-sealable container material comprising a multiple-layer composite, in sheet form, including a core layer and at least one outer layer on one side thereof. The layers preferably comprise thermoplastic material, the core layer material having a higher softening point than the outer layer material. The composite sheet is conveyed through a converting, side-seaming or other apparatus at high speed, the system being tuned to dynamically heat the outer layers to a molten state for heat sealing, while the core does not soften but remains undistorted. The core is thus thermally insensitive to heat at speeds used in side-seaming the composite, and as such it supports and maintains the structure of the sealing outer layers on its exterior while they are in a molten condition.

Abstract: A portable movie screen device includes a flexible screen, a pair of stiffening members one secured at each of the opposite edges of the screen, a pair of tension elements secured together so as to be movable from collapsed relation to extended aligned relation, means for anchoring the extended tension elements to the stiffening members so as to place the screen in a taut viewing position, and means for supporting the screen in upright position. The support means may include a leg element secured to the tension elements. The stiffening members are hollow so that the collapsed elements may be stored therein. Various means are provided to connect the elements together and to fix them in operative position.

Abstract: A power cell for lifting masses by inflation of the cell by a gaseous or liquid medium, the cell being hollow and, in the pressure-free state, substantially a single plane. The cell includes two parallel polygonal surfaces, preferably squares, invariant in shape, interconnected by wall segments which vary in shape as the cell is inflated, the side wall segments forming partial cylindrical surfaces. The side wall segments and the polygonal surfaces are joined by transition wall surfaces to form a closed body. Various embodiments of the transition wall surfaces forming corner segments, are disclosed, wherein, in the pressure-free state of the cell, the extensions of the peripheries of adjoining side wall segments may intersect substantially rectilinearly, in a convex arc, in a concave arc, or in an obtuse angle.

Abstract: Pneumatic structural and cushioning material of plastic sheets, bands, and/or tubes, which are compartmentized into a plurality of chambers. The material is capable of convenient and economical storage and shipment in a collapsed state and rapid inflation to an operative state at the point of use. The chambers embody one-way valving arrangements to maintain the chambers in an expanded state over long periods of time, rendering the product useful in cushioning loads during shipment by land, air or water; in safety devices for humans in vehicle bumpers, air cuhsins, and buoyant devices of all types; and in structural assemblies of either temporary or permanent types to attain heat and sound insulation effects.

Abstract: An artificial and mechanical tree which includes a pole member and a plurality of vertical, accordion-type limb sections is disclosed. Each of the tree limb sections has the tree limbs attached to a vertically collapsible and expandable tubular member which is concentric with and removably attached in the expanded configuration to the pole member.

Abstract: An article fabricated from a flexible foam material, such as foam rubber, is compressed by encasing the article in a substantially air-tight sack, and withdrawing air from the sack, thereby reducing the size of the foam article for packaging. The article may be a fabric or plastic covered object, such as a pillow or toy animal; after compression, the object is packaged in a box. The packaged article provides an unusual gift item.

Abstract: An interference type radar attenuator is described formed of a plurality of thin sheets having selected admittance values. The sheets are spaced apart by thin plastic spacer members having a shape memory so that the sheets can be compressed together by deforming the plastic spacers for very tight packaging and, upon release of the packaging, the sheets return to a spaced relation for effective radar attenuation. A similar structure is useful in space vehicles for thermal shielding and as a meteroid bumper.

Abstract: A floating seat cushion which is capable of emergency use as a life preserver. The seat cushion comprises a center core of open cell polyurethane foam material surrounded by an outer layer of closed cell polyethylene foam material. A belt extends transversely adjacent one side of the center core to form a pair of loops which extend outwardly from opposite sides of the cushion. The belt is preferably laminated between the center core and outer layer. The cushion is preferably formed by placing the center core outer layer and belt in overlying relationship to each other with adhesive between them. The assembly is then placed in a press and compressed to cause the center core to collapse so that the peripheral portions of the outer layer can be bonded together to enclose the center core. Air is then replaced into the center core to cause the cushion to assume a convex or crown shape. The completed cushion is preferably coated with vinyl.

Abstract: A sunburst array of radially extending elements, such as fan foldable woven wood slates, connected along their radially extending sides, have means such as rigid panels securing the radially inner ends of the rigid elements and maintaining them in a substantially common plane, thereby providing a novelty article such as a sunburst plaque, or the like.

Abstract: An improved fabric material for producing woven air bags utilized for protecting riders in vehicles. The fabric material is composed of a plurality of tubular weave portions formed along the warp direction and a stitched portion formed between two adjacent tubular weave portions. Each stitched portion is provided with at least single small tubular weave construction formed along a warp direction. The warp yarns forming the face fabric of a large tubular weave portion and the warp yarns forming the back fabric of the large tubular weave portion are respectively used as the warp yarns for forming the back fabric of the successive small tubular weave construction and the warp yarns for forming the face fabric of the successive small tubular weave construction. Woven air bags are produced by cutting the central portion of the stitched portion along a weft direction. The fabric material may be coated with a thin layer of coating resin material.

Abstract: A knock-down artificial Christmas tree is provided utilizing a plurality of branch-retaining rings or holders for connecting the branches to the vertical support pole of the tree, alternating with spacers between those rings. The retaining rings and the spacers are comprised of, advantageously, molded thermoplastic, and the spacers are textured on the outer surfaces thereof to simulate the trunk of a tree, thus negating the necessity to wrap or hide, or otherwise mask an unsightly supporting pole for the tree. The branch-retaining rings, together with the alternating spacers, upon assembly of the tree, serve to place the branch-retaining rings and their associated branches in preselected, spaced fashsion along the trunk, to provide rapid assembly and disassembly of the tree. To impart a natural appearance, the branch-retaining rings are configured to accommodate differing numbers of branches in different areas of the tree.

Abstract: An inflatable-deflatable flexible structural component comprising a flexible foam core portion having a fabric covering, the fabric being sealed against loss of air by a flexible elastomeric coating.