Abstract: Providing composite structures with micro contoured surface layer. There is provided a method to adjust roughness level of micro contoured surface layer when manufacturing a composite and products thereof. The micro contoured surface layer may cover all or at least part of the surface area of the composite product. The roughness level of micro contoured surface layer may be increased or decreased by controlling the process parameters. In particular, there is provided a method to increase the roughness level of composite material having a primary surface layer with a primary surface roughness by softening the primary surface layer of the composite material by heating and providing a secondary surface layer of the composite material surface with a secondary surface roughness by cooling the softened surface layer. Further, there are provided methods to determine and visualize the level of micro contoured surface layer roughness on a composite product surface.

Abstract: A first substrate including, on one of surfaces, a light absorption layer having metal nitride and a material layer which is formed so as to be in contact with the light absorption layer is provided; the surface of the first substrate on which the material layer is formed and a deposition target surface of a second substrate are disposed to face each other; and part of the material layer is deposited on the deposition target surface of the second substrate in such a manner that irradiation with laser light having a repetition rate of greater than or equal to 10 MHz and a pulse width of greater than or equal to 100 fs and less than or equal to 10 ns is performed from the other surface side of the first substrate to selectively heat part of the material layer which overlaps with the light absorption layer.

Abstract: Protective membrane, in particular a waterproofing or noise insulation membrane, based on mineral or vegetable bitumen, comprising a membrane body, and a first and second surface situated on either side of said membrane body, where the first surface comprises cork particles, characterised in that said particles have a granulometry of between 0.5 and 3 mm, preferably between 1 and 3 mm, and have been heat treated with steam.

Abstract: In certain embodiments, the invention relates to an article having a liquid-impregnated surface. The surface includes a matrix of solid features (e.g., non-toxic and/or edible features) spaced sufficiently close to stably contain a liquid therebetween or therewithin, wherein the liquid is non-toxic and/or edible. The article may contain, for example, a food or other consumer product, such as ketchup, mustard, or mayonnaise.

Abstract: A coating solution for textured surfaces can comprise water, a water-soluble or water-dispersible organic binder which preferably is radiation curable, and a dispersion of particles and/or their preformed aggregates having a refractive index either larger, matching, or smaller than a refractive index of the organic binder or its cured polymer. Two refractive indices can be chosen, depending upon whether a textured surface appearance of frost, transparency, or ultralow reflectivity, respectively, is desired. Water evaporation from energy curable coatings can be used, preferably containing a high loading of insoluble and/or non-swelling particles and their aggregates, at least one of whose dimensions are preferably larger than the dried film, so as to expose these particles or their aggregates at the surface and cure the film to lock them into place. The coating solution can be used to achieve a textured coated result useable in direct (and indirect) food contact.

Abstract: A method for forming a wood composite product by extrusion with a manufacturing apparatus. The temperature profile prevailing in the manufacturing apparatus is adjusted in such a way that the surface of the wood composite product to be formed becomes rough. A wood composite product and an apparatus for manufacturing a wood composite product.

Abstract: A molded coarse particle product adapted for use as housewares, furniture or architectural components or the like preferentially made from coarse wood particles, flakes or chips, or any other suitable castable particulate materials such as glass, dried grass, plastic, shell particles or a combination thereof admixed and bonded together with an adhesive binder and lightly pressed into a mold preferably manually, together with a reinforcing means. The resulting surface texture of the cast product has the natural or original characteristics of the preferred particles comprising thereof such that it looks as natural as the said particles when viewed collectively together in plurality, and the quality and degree of roughness being defined by the natural features of said particles.

Abstract: A molded coarse particle product adapted for use as houseware, furniture, insulation, and architectural articles and/or components made from agri-forest waste particles selected from flakes, chips, fragments, pellets, bits, shreddings, mulch, and strands, and mixtures thereof The particles are admixed and boded together with a binder an lightly pressed into a mold preferably manually or automatically, together with a reinforcing means characterized in that the reinforcing means is a biodegradable paper-based cast material integrally bonded to the molded product forming a backing and/or reinforcing layer, making said product durable and substantially biodegradable.

Abstract: Coated abrasive articles comprise a composition comprising binder and at least about 25% by weight graphite particles, based on the total solids content of the composition.

Abstract: The present invention provides a flexible abrasive article containing minimal releaseable amounts of physical and chemical contaminants that may be used to clean surfaces. The abrasive article is made of a foraminous substrate, at least one binder and abrasive particles. Methods of making such abrasive articles are also provided.

Abstract: A fire blocking non-woven needlepunched textile structure, comprising a first fiber component containing polyacrylonitrile copolymer with a halogen containing monomer and a second fiber component. The second fiber component is selected such that it supports the first fiber component during burning, optionally including an inorganic filler as a coating for the first and second fiber components. In alternative embodiment, the present invention provides a fire blocking non-woven textile structure containing the above first and second fiber components, blended with a third binder fiber component in the form of a vertically lapped nonwoven structure.

Abstract: A printing sheet which prevents setoff while transferring a sufficient quantity of ink and maintains necessary dot uniformity can be obtained by ensuring characteristics that the centerline average roughness showing the larger value is 1.0-3.5 &mgr;m and the ratio of centerline average obtained by dividing the larger value by the smaller value is less than 1.15 where said values are chosen at the point where the difference between the centerline average roughness in a certain direction and the centerline average roughness at right angles to said direction is maximal. Further, the abovementioned quality is further improved by appropriately ensuring that the oil absorbability is more than 4 mg/cm2 and less than 7 mg/cm2 when the contact time between the oil component having a surface tension of 27-30 mN/m at 20° C. and the printing sheet is 5 seconds and/or that the median pore diameter is 1.7-3.5 &mgr;m, in addition to the abovementioned characteristics.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a contoured, consolidated cellulosic article, with variable basis weight, is disclosed. The method employs a former to create a mat having a substantially uniform thickness which is pre-pressed to retain its shape. The pre-pressed mat is then machined along at least one surface to result in a desirable contour. The contoured mat is then consolidated within a secondary press. The secondary press preferably includes platens shaped complementarily to the surfaces of the mat.

Abstract: A non-slip, water resistant, oil resistant surface structure for use where water and/or oil are likely to create a slippery surface, including a rubber-bottom mat upon which a thrice coated, non-slip surfaced substrate is fastened, the coating on the substrate including crushed walnuts, or the equivalent, to provide for a non-slip surface and the coating comprising a thermosetting epoxy resin material with an amine hardener.

Abstract: A single ply membrane roofing system includes a roofing insulation board which, preferably, is at least 45% by dry weight expanded perlite. One major surface of the insulation board is coated with a latex coating comprising, by dry weight, between 48.3% and 96% clay; between 3.1% and 33.3% latex; and between 0% and 34% sodium silicate. A single ply roofing membrane is adhered to the coated major surface of the insulation board with a roofing contact adhesive.

Abstract: Disclosed is a heat-sealable adhesive label with a built-in spacer and methods of its manufacture. The adhesive label of the present invention includes a substrate having a first surface and a second surface, and an adhesive coating disposed on the first surface of the substrate. The adhesive coating includes an adhesive and a plurality of spacer particles that impart roughness to the adhesive coating. Methods of making and using a heat-sealable adhesive label also are disclosed.

Abstract: A decorated shaped product having an expression or design applied thereto which closely resembles an actual expression of a source material such as a natural object is disclosed. The product includes a shaped base material formed thereon with a flow pattern and a transfer pattern of which at least a part is subjected to a concealment exposing treatment and which is printed on the shaped base material. Also, a method manufacturing the product and the shaped base material are disclosed.

Abstract: The biodegradable foamed product is made from a starch graft copolymer with an add-on level of about 5 to about 60%.

Abstract: Various embodiments of balance and proprioception training and enhancement devices, which serve to improve the balance and proprioceptive abilities of a user thereof. A balance platform is placed atop a base platform, with the balance platform being angularly displaceable in any direction relative to the base platform and having a low friction interface between the base platform and the balance platform. The base platform may have either a spherically shaped convex support or a spherically shaped concave depression, with the balance platform having the complementary configuration to the base platform. The low friction interface between the two curved surfaces may comprise low friction coatings or rollers. Angular displacement sensors (rheostats, optical sensors, etc.

Abstract: An anti-skid coating composition for coating various substrates including structural panel board surfaces, comprises a binder made of urea formaldehyde resin, polyvinyl acetate, ammonium chloride and a dispersant. The binder is used in conjunction with an aggregate, such as walnut shells. A method is also provided for coating the substrates to impart slip resistance thereto.

Abstract: A sheet material for use as a vacuum bag in the vacuum laminating of printed circuit boards, to heat sinks. The material of the sheet is flexible and electrically conductive to both conform around electrical components and to prevent damage to the components due to electrostatic discharge. In addition, the material has one surface which is textured. The sheet material is formed into an enclosure to hold the circuit board and heat sink and it is the textured surface which is placed in contact with the "populated" surface of the board to permit air to be easily removed from the bag enclosure during the initial evacuation stage of the lamination process.

Abstract: A process of forming a durable waterproof coating on a substrate comprising (a) applying to the surface of the substrate an aqueous dispersion comprising at least one film-forming polymer, pigment material including clay in an amount sufficient to improve the adhesion of the coating to the substrate, and water, the pigment volume concentration of the dispersion being greater than 15, and (b) allowing the dispersion to dry on the surface.

Abstract: A process of forming a durable waterproof coating on a substrate comprising (a) applying to the surface of the substrate an aqueous dispersion comprising at least one film-forming polymer, pigment material including clay in an amount sufficient to improve the adhesion of the coating to the substrate, and water, the pigment volume concentration of the dispersion being greater than 15, and (b) allowing the dispersion to dry on the surface.

Abstract: Articles having wood-like properties and appearance are obtained from compositions comprising 5-55% by weight of an ethylene interpolymer, such as ethylene/vinyl ester, ethylene/unsaturated mono- or dicarboxylic acids or esters or salts of said unsaturated acids, etc.; 1-15% by weight of at least one plasticizer selected from the group consisting of processing oils, epoxidized oils, polyesters, polyethers and polyetheresters; 20-90% by weight of cellulosic filler or mixture of cellulosic filler and mineral filler; 0-10% by weight of at least one additive, such as organic acid, organic acid derivative and surface active agent; and 0-44% by weight of certain ethylene and propylene homo- and copolymers.

Abstract: A conveying mechanism and flexible carrier for transporting a planar printing plate and flexible overlying mask from a flat loading station to a precisely-curved cylindrically-shaped scanning station, and back to the flat loading station, is disclosed. The vacuum carrier used is rigid in one axis and flexible in a second axis, and has a pair of reference strips which define a neutral bending axis for the plate and mask when the latter are wrapped around a pair of precisely machined cylindrical discs. By locating the flexible mask and printing plate outside the neutral axis of bending, both are placed in tension when wrapped around the discs. This maintains uniform contact between the plate and mask and prevents wrinkling of the mask as it overlies the plate.The carrier and discs support the plate and mask within a precise and uniform cylindrical plane for scanning with focussed beams of radiation.