Abstract: A biaxially-oriented plastic netting for use in wrapping articles includes diamond-shaped apertures formed by strands of the netting located at an acute angle to the longitudinal direction in which the web is tensioned for wrapping articles. Strips or strands of edge material are disposed along each longitudinal edge of the netting, and these strips are stretchable to an elongation for permitting the strands in the longitudinally extending central region of the netting to realign into a taught condition without substantial stretching. The strips or strands of edge material are sufficiently resistant to increasing elongation, after the strands in the longitudinally extending central region have become taut, to transmit tension forces to the strands along the longitudinally-extending edges of the netting, to thereby render the strands adjacent each longitudinal edge taut under the tension forces imparted to the netting when the netting is disposed in wrapping engagement with articles to be wrapped.

Abstract: A ceramic honeycomb structure containing SiO.sub.2, Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 and MgO primarily in the form of cordierite, mullite and corundum having a compositional gradient in the direction of the channels of the honeycomb and having extensive microcracking provides high resistance to thermal shock, and is useful as a substrate for catalysts.

Abstract: The plastic material net structure, particularly useful for geotechnical applications, has a plurality of holes uniformly arranged in rows and columns. The sheet further comprises portions which are elongated in the stretch direction, are mutually separated by the holes and have a predominance of molecules orientated in the stretch direction. The elongated portions extend from node elements which have a plurality of non-orientated molecules. The node elements are mutually joined by non-oriented transverse portions which extend between said holes in a direction which is substantially perpendicular to the elongated portions. The node elements have a thickness which is greater than the thickness of the transverse portions and of the elongated portions.

Abstract: An article including at least one segment which is capable of being elastically shirred along at least a portion of its length subsequent to manufacture of the article, preferably by mechanical manipulation of a predetermined portion of the elastically shirrable segment. The predetermined mechanically manipulatable portion of the elastically shirrable segment preferably comprises an elastomeric monomer which is maintained in a prestretched and tensioned condition in the desired direction of shirring. The opposed ends of the elastically shirrable segment in the article are interconnected to one another through the prestretched and tensioned elastomeric member.

Abstract: In a composite material for sliding surface bearings, a rough metallic surface is provided with a polymeric matrix, which forms a friction contact or sliding layer over the rough base surface. To increase the wear resistance, the matrix contains zinc sulfide and/or barium sulfate in a particle size from 0.1 to 1.0 .mu.m and an average particle size of 0.3 .mu.m.

Abstract: Machine parts to be brought into contact with an elongated fibrous member each consists of a substrate of an iron series metal and a surface layer which has high wear-resistance and a good sliding property, and which contains chromium oxide as a major constituent. The chromium oxide is converted from a chromium compound upon heating. An intermediate layer containing a reaction product between the chromium oxide in the surface layer and the substrate is formed at an interface between the surface layer and the substrate.

Abstract: A lattice of metal or plastics material obtained by stretching a blank or strip which has been provided with rows of slits. The lattice has rhomboid or rhomboidal openings which are bordered by webs which extend obliquely relative to the plane of the lattice. The major diagonals of the openings include an acute angle with the edge of the lattice. The major diagonals of the openings have such an angular position that two webs which extend parallel to one another also extend parallel to the edge of the lattice. The webs located in the same row which define openings arranged one behind the other in the direction of the lattice edge are arranged so as to follow each other immediately and at least approximately in a straight line.

Abstract: Nonwoven web and method of making including interbonded thermoplastic fibers in an array of hollow projections extending outwardly from at least one surface of said web. The projections are separated by land areas of interbonded fibers, and the fiber orientation is greater in the projections than in the land areas. Either the projections or the land areas may be perforated as desired for controlled porosity and fluid flow properties. The nonwoven webs of the invention may be made by a number of processes but, preferably, are made by forming directly on a surface with corresponding projections with or without apertures and a vacuum assist or by forming on an apertured surface with a pressure differential sufficient to draw the fibers through the apertures forming the projections.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing a sealed cable splice area is disclosed. The cable splice area is wrapped with an open cell spacer web. An adhesively coated liner is separately wrapped around the cable and the spacer web to form a pocket around the splice area. The pocket is filled with a cable encapsulating material which flows completely around the electrical conductors of the splice area. The filled pocket is then sealably wrapped to seal the cable splice area.

Abstract: The invention relates to a net composed of a regular array of longitudinal ribbon-formed continuous filaments of a polymer substance, and a regular array of transverse stems of different polymer matter, said filaments being embedded in said stems, as well as to a process of producing such net from a sheet consisting of a regular array of longitudinal ribbon-like polymer filaments embedded in a polymer matrix, the filament polymer having a higher melting point than the matrix polymer, by transversely impressing said sheet at a temperature where siad matrix is at least semi-molten and the filaments are solid, then splitting the structure.

Abstract: A screen for separating and classifying smaller particles from larger particles of a particulate substance wherein the screen is of a planar configuration and made from a slab of synthetic material. The screen includes a plurality of spaced perforations formed by cutting the slab with a pressurized stream of fluid, which method of forming produces perforations of highly uniform configuration and dimensions, particularly when the slab is a composite comprising plural layers of different synthetic materials. The perforations are configured to compensate for foreshortening of their top openings and accelerated wear tendencies during use of the screen in an inclined disposition.

Abstract: A perforated structure of expanded material, including at least one solid unstretched strip (4) parallel to the direction of expansion and of a length less than the length of the expanded region. The expanded region is formed with a tool that simultaneously cuts or perforates and expands the material.

Abstract: Plastics material mesh structures are made by providing a starting material having a pattern of primary holes or depressions and smaller secondary holes or depressions between the primary holes or depressions and stretching the plastics material to orientate the zones between adjacent holes or depressions to form orientated strands. A first stretch in a single direction produces intermediate structures having first mesh openings and smaller second mesh openings. A subsequent stretch at right angles to the first stretch produces structures having main orientated strands interconnected by shorter orientated strands arranged in such a way that only three strands meet at any junction.

Abstract: In a carpet having a through bore, the through bore is formed by fusion-cutting. A hem member is welded integrally to the areas of a napped portion and a base cloth at the circumferential edges of the through bore. This prevents the threads of the napped portion existing at the circumferential edges of the through bore from fraying and also keeps such areas from being stained with oil or the like. Also, a method of welding said hem member to said base cloth is disclosed which comprises: laminating a thermally weldable synthetic resin film for hemming on a carpet, punching out a through bore in the synthetic resin film by means of a high frequency wave, and at the same time welding the hem member integrally to the wall edges of said punched through-bore. The simultaneous operation--welding of the hem member and punching of the through bore--provides a carpet quite easy to form and less expensive.

Abstract: An aquatic weed barrier is disclosed which comprises a film having a plurality of incisions therein. Each incision is shaped to form at least one flap adjacent the incision. The film has a light transmittance of less than 50% in the 200 to 650 nm wavelength range.

Abstract: A floor mat construction of rubberized material including a base and feet of barbell-like configuration which extend integrally downwardly from the underside of the base for the support thereof in upwardly spaced relation on a supporting surface. A plurality of apertures the upper ends of which are of substantially hexagonal configuration, extend through the base to define a hexagonal honeycomb-like configuration in the upper portion thereof. The mat is lightweight but structurally efficient, the upper surfaces of the common walls between the hexagonal upper ends of the apertures providing durable scraping surfaces for a nonskid effect, and the feet firmly gripping the supporting surface therebeneath to resist creeping of the mat.

Abstract: A non-slip place mat is disclosed which comprises a web such as a paper sheet, and a composition coating comprising a blend of water, a water-soluble salt, a wax and a polymeric material, which both coats and impregnates the web, e.g. the paper sheet, whereby said sheet is rendered substantially hydrophobic and it and items placed on it are rendered substantially slip-resistant when resting on a tray or table which may be subject to sudden movement. The non-slip place mat is particularly useful for airline serving trays. The present place mat is characterized by the provision of a generally rectangular planar flexible web, which is indented along two opposed edges. The web is multi-layered, i.e. coated, and the four corners of the web are rounded off, so that each corner is defined by a curved periphery. A plurality of place mats in a roll and arrayed in tandem, i.e.

Abstract: A film of synthetic polymer is profiled with a pattern of thick and thin areas so that it can split on stretching into a net; additionally the thin areas are likewise profiled so that either the strands of main net split clearly apart or the orifices of main net are covered by an integral fine net arising from the minor profile. Profiles based on the intersection of sets of parallel grooves on opposite surfaces are preferred for both major and minor profiles.

Abstract: The reinforcement comprises two layers of netting A1 and A2 formed by lengthwise oriented parallel wires (12a, 12b, . . . 13a, 13b, . . . ) and by crosswise oriented wires 8a, 8b, . . . 9a, 9b, . . . 10a, 10b, . . . 11a, 11b, . . . ); the meshes they form are square or rectangular in shape. Lengths of spacing wire (1, 2, 3) having the shape of zig-zags are connected obliquely to the two layers of netting. The spacing wires (1, 2, 3) are welded to the lengthwise oriented wires (12b, 12c, . . . 13b, 13c . . . ) and to the crosswise oriented wires (8a, 8b . . . 10a, 10b, . . . ) at their crossings.

Abstract: A channel-shaped trim having a longitudinally extending opening for embracing and clamping an edge flange of a support member and a method for producing such a trim.The trim is comprised of a core member composed of a band-shaped metal network which covered with an elastic or bondable covering material, such as rubber or a synthetic resin, and finally broken either partially or totally and thereby separated into a plurality of transversely extending strips, blocks, or into a substantially continuous strip extending along a meandering line through the trim.

Abstract: A flexible cover for a carbon bake pit has a flexible, expanded metal backing to which is attached a blanket of insulating ceramic fibers. This construction allows the cover to flex in order to conform to the surface of the material in the pit. Lifting means are attached to the expanded metal backing in a manner so as to permit this flexibility.

Abstract: A relatively brittle sheet material, for example, a printed circuit board substrate, is subdivided into sections the boundaries of which are defined by apertures which permit the substrate to be fractured at the boundaries. Each aperture has side walls which intersect at points aligned along a separation line. Bending stresses are concentrated at the intersecting side walls to provide a clean straight fracture along the boundary.

Abstract: A tire traction device includes at least two continuous circumferentially extending tread groove bead members adapted to nest within respective circumferentially extending tread grooves of selected vehicle tires. A plurality of circumferentially spaced transverse traction elements are integral with and connect the tread groove bead members. The traction elements are configured and dimensioned to overlie the tread of the tire and to thereby improve the traction thereof. Preferably a circumferentially extending traction element is provided intermediate the tread groove bead members and the transverse traction elements are arranged in circumferentially spaced pairs connecting the tread groove members and the circumferential traction element.

Abstract: In order to form an improved junction which is less liable to tear under shock loads, a diamond pattern of holes (or depressions) is formed in plastics material sheet. The holes are then in two sets of parallel lines each making an angle to the subsequent stretching direction and the holes are also in parallel rows at right angles to the stretching direction. The sheet is stretched so that the zones between adjacent holes in each line form orientated strands and the zones between adjacent holes in each row form junctions which have their lateral zones orientated but have a central zone which is unorientated or less orientated, i.e. which is thicker. The central zone can extend into two opposite crotches or be completely surrounded by highly orientated lateral zones.

Abstract: A composite expanded sheet reinforcing material especially useful as a stiffening, vibration and sound dampening, reinforcing laminate, and methods of manufacturing such sheet reinforcing material and of reinforcing articles therewith are disclosed. Formable sheet material having a layer of a foamable adhesive laminated thereon is passed through an expanding apparatus which forms rows of spaced, longitudinally staggered slits through the laminated sheet to form a series of elongated strands integrally joined at their ends by a series of joints or bonds. The slit material is expanded in a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction of the slits, causing the adhesive-coated surfaces of the strands and joints to be inclined at an acute angle to the principal plane of the formed reinforcing sheet.

Abstract: A heat resistant protective barrier has one or more layers (1) each comprising a support medium in the form of a plurality of closely spaced-apart strands (2) and a heat actuated and resistive intumescent coating (3) on the strands. The support medium preferably comprises an expanded metal mesh (5").

Abstract: A method for forming a thin-walled object having a thin reinforcing sheet so perforated as to be deformable into a surface having a selected curvature, the reinforcing sheet being embedded in a plastic material that is hardened to form a surface corresponding to the curvature of the reinforcing sheet.

Abstract: A composite expanded sheet reinforcing material especially useful as a stiffening, vibration and sound dampening, reinforcing laminate, and methods of manufacturing such sheet reinforcing material and of reinforcing articles therewith are disclosed. Formable sheet material having a layer of a foamable adhesive laminated thereon is passed through an expanding apparatus which forms rows of spaced, longitudinally staggered slits through the laminated sheet to form a series of elongated strands integrally joined at their ends by a series of joints or bonds. The slit material is expanded in a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction of the slits, causing the adhesive-coated surfaces of the strands and joints to be inclined at an acute angle to the principal plane of the formed reinforcing sheet.

Abstract: A process for the production of a cellular material which comprises cutting in a planar sheet of material separate linear slits in a series of substantially parallel linear rows, subsequently subjecting the sheet to tension in a direction perpendicular to the linear rows, maintaining the tension until the slits have opened up to form cells and hardening the material in the desired cellular shape, and the cellular material so produced.

Abstract: A tape for use in securing a sheet to a surface has adhesive extending part way across one face and the full length thereof thus leaving an uncoated portion to overlie a margin of the sheet. The line of demarcation between the coated and uncoated portion is indicated by regularly spaced indicia including angles the apeces of which preferably establish both transverse and vertical reference lines or ensure accurate tape placement relative to such reference lines.

Abstract: A catalyst support is described for use in fixed bed flow reactors. The support is a porous, self-supporting structure of multiple layers of a yarn of partially sintered glass-ceramic fibers. The structure has diamond shaped apertures in its walls to provide good fluid permeability. Preferably, it is tubular. Coated with a catalyst, the structures are especially adapted for use in the catalytic conversion of pollutants in the exhaust fumes of internal combustion engines.