Abstract: A support structure includes a first layer of foam material and a second layer of elastomeric gel material. In accordance with one example, the first layer of foam material includes a first side with a plurality of protrusions and a plurality of channels with the second layer of elastomeric gel material disposed within the plurality of channels. In accordance with another example, the first layer of foam material includes a first side with a plurality of protrusions and a network of channels surrounding at least one of the plurality of protrusions with the second layer of elastomeric gel material disposed within the network of channels. A third layer extends over the first support surface of the protrusions and the second support surface of the second layer of gel material. In accordance with yet another example, the first layer of foam material includes a first side with a plurality of protrusions extending through corresponding Shapertures of the second layer.

Abstract: A low density fabric substrate for a medical bandaging product. The substrate has a plurality of longitudinally-extending voids formed in the fabric for permitting water penetration through the fabric thickness from one of the major faces to the other major faces. A reactive system is impregnated into or coated onto the substrate and remains stable when maintained in substantially moisture-free conditions and hardens upon exposure to sufficient moisture to form a rigid, self supporting structure. A soft, flexible protective material covers at least one of the major faces of the substrate along its length to provide a cushioning barrier between the substrate and the skin of a patient when the material is in use.

Abstract: Device, especially a piece of sporting equipment for use in surfing or similar activities, includes a base made of foamed plastic, which has at least one laminate coating made of a fabric laminate and an underlay compound. The device includes an intermediate layer between the base and the laminate coating. Likewise provided are a number of processes for producing fiber composites in connection with foamed plastics.

Abstract: Embodiments of a new foamed surface covering are disclosed, wherein a primary layer of polymeric foam features at least one coherent layer consisting of a water-resistant blend of styrene-maleic anhydride and acrylic resin. The coherent layer facilitates the secured and reusable application of the surface covering after repeated washings.

Abstract: The disclosure provides a blocking element and its use in a protective structure. The blocking element includes a base and a first blocking plate. The base includes a surface and a recession formed downwardly towards the surface. The first blocking plate is connected to a first cross-connect part of the recession. The first blocking plate is used for pivoting on the first cross-connect part and includes a first blocking position and a first closing position in relative to the first cross-connect part. When the first blocking plate is at the first blocking position, a first blocking part of the first blocking plate protrudes from the surface. When the first blocking plate is pressed towards the recession to the first closing position by an external force, at least one portion of the first blocking part is contained in the recession.

Abstract: A composite material includes a first layer formed from a thermoformable reinforced thermoplastic composite consolidatable from an initial, lofted state having an initial thickness, to a substantially consolidated state having a final thickness that is less than the initial thickness. The material includes a second layer fused to the first and formed from an expanded polyolefin foam. The foam is compressible from an original form having an original average thickness to a compressed form having a final average thickness that is less than the original average thickness. The second layer has first and second regions in the compressed form. The first region has a first thickness that is less than the original average thickness. The second region has a second thickness that is greater than the first thickness and less than the original average thickness. The material is substantially free from an adhesive disposed between the first and second layers.

Abstract: A thermoplastic foil has an embossed three-dimensionally structured surface (2) in the external cover layer. The cover layer is configured as a foamed layer and has a foam density that varies across the layer thickness thereof and increases toward the surface.

Abstract: Thermally laminated foam boards, methods for making thermally laminated foam boards, apparatus for making thermally laminated foam boards, smaller foam pieces made from thermally laminated foam boards, methods for making smaller foam pieces from thermally laminated foam boards, parts made from thermally laminated foam boards, methods for making parts from thermally laminated foam boards, and tools for making parts from thermally laminated foam boards are disclosed. The thermally laminated foam boards are made by thermally bonding at least two polystyrene boards together.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for manufacturing a composite stringer. A composite material and foam are laid up onto a tool in the form of a stringer. The foam has a plurality of structural members within the foam. The plurality of structural members has a number of orientations to resist a number of loads. The composite material, the foam in the form of the stringer, and the plurality of structural members are cured to form the composite stringer.

Abstract: A method of making a sandwich-type composite panel having a living hinge from a stack of material is provided. The stack includes first and second reinforced thermoplastic skins heated to a softening temperature and a thermoplastic cellular core disposed between the skins. The first skin is stretchable when heated to the softening temperature. A pressure is applied to the stack after the step of heating to form the composite panel. A portion of the composite panel is crushed at a predetermined location simultaneously with the step of applying to locally compact and separate the cellular core at the predetermined location to form two side portions of the panel and a crushed portion of the panel between the two side portions. The first skin stretches during the step of crushing while remaining intact between the two side portions. The skins bond together at the predetermined location to form the living hinge.

Abstract: A backed paneling unit comprised of a backing portion that includes at least one of a depth portion and an elevated portion. An elevated portion and/or a depth portion may be formed using any suitable method including, but not limited to, molding, machining and heat stamping. Optionally, a backing portion may comprise a hydrophobic material. Such features may enable fluid flow (e.g., ventilation or liquid drainage) behind the backing portion.

Abstract: Prepare extruded thermoplastic polymer foam by preparing a foamable polymer mixture containing thermoplastic polymer and blowing agent at a mixing pressure, cooling the foamable polymer mixture and extruding it through a foaming die at a die pressure at least 90 bars lower than the mixing pressure and out through a die opening having cross sectional dimensions of 2.5 millimeter or more and a cross sectional area of at least 700 square millimeters at a flow rate greater than 500 kilograms per hour and allow it to expand into a polymer foam between shaping elements while restraining the extrusion rate with a restraining device so as to form polymer foam having 96 volume percent or less void volume, anisotropic cell size, a thickness of 50 millimeter or greater, compressive and tensile moduli in the thickness dimension greater than 35 mega pascals and an average shear modulus greater than 16 mega pascals.

Abstract: The present invention provides an eco-friendly foaming sheet. More particularly, the eco-friendly foaming sheet is fabricated using a biodegradable resin composition on a substrate, wherein the biodegradable resin composition is applied to the substrate sheet, a print layer is formed thereon, and the treated sheet is subjected to foaming. According to the present invention, without processes of preparing a sheet and foaming using a biodegradable resin, the biodegradable resin layer is directly applied to a substrate sheet as a subject to be used and foamed while forming a print layer, in addition, a chemical foaming agent and an eco-friendly plasticizer used together with the biodegradable resin are specifically defined to ensure desired flexibility, thereby fabricating an eco-friendly foaming sheet with high productivity.

Abstract: Partial oxidation of crumb rubber derived from environmental hazardous waste tires yields surface treated crumb rubber which are used as blending stocks for making rubberized concrete with substantially improved mechanical strength as compared to the conventional rubberized concrete. The chemically more active rubber surface becomes hydrophilic, so it interacts with the hydrophilic surface of surrounding cement matrix much stronger. The mechanically improved rubberized concrete is more versatile than conventional rubberized concrete.

Abstract: A sports board has a hard top shell formed with a top concave shell cavity. The hard top shell has an inside surface. The hard top shell is pervious to light. A top layer of adhesive adheres to the hard top shell. A rigid foam core is formed with a top profile and a bottom profile. The top profile matches and receives the top hard shell. The top layer of adhesive adheres to a top surface of the foam core. A bottom layer of adhesive adheres to a bottom surface of the rigid foam core; and a hard bottom shell is formed with a bottom concave shell cavity. The bottom concave shell cavity is formed to fit to the bottom profile. The hard bottom shell is pervious to light.

Abstract: A multi-layer material suitable for use as a covering for an article includes a polymeric cellular layer and nonwoven backing layer. The multi-layer material having a creasability angle of between about 20 and about 160 degrees.

Abstract: Provided is a microphase-separated structure membrane including a block copolymer in which a hydrophilic polymer component and a hydrophobic polymer component are coupled to each other via a structural unit having a reactive group, an electron acceptor or electron donor, or a dye. In the microphase-separated structure membrane, a cylinder structure composed of the hydrophilic polymer component lies in a matrix composed of the hydrophobic polymer component and is oriented in the direction perpendicular to the membrane surface, and the structural unit having a reactive group, an electron acceptor or electron donor, or a dye lies between the matrix and the cylinder structure.

Abstract: A molded foam is provided in which even when a force in a sliding direction is applied to another member in contact with its surface, the occurrence of a shift in position relative to the other member can effectively be prevented and the occurrence of unusual noise due to rubbing between its surface and the other member can effectively be prevented. The molded foam is formed by heating expandable resin particles filled into a foaming mold. The molded foam has a plurality of first ridges arranged in one direction and a plurality of second ridges arranged in another direction and disposed so as to intersect the first ridges, the first and second ridges being provided on the surface of the molded foam.

Abstract: A micro-truss based composite friction-and-wear apparatus with a three-dimensional ordered microstructure and a method creating the same. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a filler material and a three-dimensional ordered microstructure. The three-dimensional ordered microstructure includes a plurality of first truss elements defined by a plurality of first self-propagating polymer waveguides and extending along a first direction; a plurality of second truss elements defined by a plurality of second self-propagating polymer waveguides and extending along a second direction; and a plurality of third truss elements defined by a plurality of third self-propagating polymer waveguides and extending along a third direction.

Abstract: A structured film of a semi-crystalline polyolefin and a beta-nucleating agent is disclosed. The structured film has a backing and upstanding posts attached to the backing. At least a portion of the film typically includes beta-spherulites. In some embodiments, the backing is microporous while the upstanding posts have lower porosity. A method of making a structured film is also disclosed. The method includes extruding a melt of a polyolefin and a beta-nucleating agent in the presence of a tool to provide the structured film having upstanding posts on a backing and cooling at least a portion of the structured film to a temperature sufficient to form beta-spherulites. In some embodiments, the method further includes stretching the structured film containing beta-spherulites to provide micropores in the backing.

Abstract: There are provided a vehicle interior finishing laminate sheet in which a polypropylene resin foam board of high foaming extent having interconnected cells is used as a core member, a vehicle interior trim material, a method for manufacturing the vehicle interior finishing laminate sheet, and an apparatus therefor. The present invention relates to a vehicle interior finishing laminate sheet 1 provided with a core member consisting of a polypropylene resin foam board 2. The polypropylene resin foam board 2 is extrusion molded into a plate shape, and has an interconnected cell ratio of 50% or higher and a foaming extent of 10- to 50-fold. A plurality of polypropylene resin foam boards 2, 2 are joined to each other by the hot plate welding method or the laser transmission welding method, whereby a large-size core member of vehicle interior finishing laminate sheet 1, which is used for a roof lining or the like, can be formed.

Abstract: An insulating material having structures and a design that maximizes vacuum area relative to material volume and minimizes the area of contact to a region to be insulated in order to provide maximum thermal resistance between the contacted area and an external environment is provided.

Abstract: A skate park has a hard top shell formed with skate features drawn down from a top surface of the hardtop shell. The hard top shell has a thickness between 0.2 mm and 1 mm. The hard top shell has a hard top shell inside surface. The hard top shell is pervious to light. A sidewall is formed on a side of the hardtop shell. A paint layer is disposed on the hard top shell inside surface. The skate park may have at least one half pipe. A foil layer may be laminated to the underside of the hardtop shell. The skate park preferably includes at least one bowl recess, but may have two bowl recesses joined at a connecting ridge.

Abstract: A heat insulator that generates no smoke when incinerated, has a low calorific value, and achieves a desired dimension and heat insulation performance is provided. A heat insulator 1 is formed by heat-mixing, in an extruder 11, a paper pellet 7 that is a mixture of a fine paper powder having a particle diameter of 30 to 200 ?m and starch, a container recycle pellet 8 that is a mixture of polypropylene, polyethylene, and polystyrene, foamable polypropylene 9, and water 10 to obtain a plate-like foamed product 2, and orthogonally overlaying a plurality of plate-like foamed products 2. A weight distribution is set so that the paper pellet 7 is 50 to 65% by weight, the container recycle pellet 8 is 13 to 25% by weight, the foamable polypropylene 9 is 10 to 30% by weight, and the water 10 is 10 to 20% by weight to these resins and other materials.

Abstract: The invention relates to an improved method of cold forming a shaped foam article from a foam having a vertical compressive balance equal to or greater than 0.4 and one or more pressing surface and articles thereof. The improvement comprises the use of a stamping press to form the shaped foam article. Preferably, the stamping press is operated by mechanical or hydraulic means. The shaped foam article may be shaped on one or more surfaces.

Abstract: A panel for in-house pipe installation comprises a panel layer having a material and a first surface for a pipe to be attached to. The panel layer comprises a first layer portion adapted to be attached with a second surface to a floor and a second layer portion adjacent to the first layer portion adapted to be attached with the second surface to a wall. The material is notched from the second surface panel layer as to form the first and second layer portion, respectively.

Abstract: A laser-engraveable composition comprises a laser-engraveable resin having dispersed therein non-crosslinked organic porous particles. These non-crosslinked organic porous particles have a non-crosslinked organic solid phase including an external particle surface and at least one set of discrete pores that are dispersed within the non-crosslinked organic solid phase. The laser-engraveable composition further comprises an infrared radiation absorber within at least some of the non-crosslinked organic porous particles.

Abstract: Flexographic printing precursors are prepared using laser-engraveable compositions containing a laser-engraveable resin and chemically-crosslinked organic porous particles. The presence of these porous particles, which can include an infrared radiation absorber, improves various imaging and performance properties in the preparation of flexographic printing members such as flexographic printing plates and printing sleeves.

Abstract: A low tack viscoelastomeric gel material formed by combining, by percent weight: about 50% to about 80% of a Polyol; about 3% to about 15% of an isocyanate; about 15% to about 40% of an oil; about 0.1% to about 1% of a catalyst; and about 0% to about 1% of a release agent. Support structures are also provided with a layer of low tack viscoelastomeric gel material. Further aspects also include methods of making the low tack viscoelastomeric gel material and methods of making support structures with a layer of low tack viscoelastomeric gel material.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an insulating and draining board with two opposing main side surfaces and a top side portion and a bottom side portion, said board being formed by bonded beads of foamed plastic, wherein pores are present between the beads forming a network for drainage of water, which bottom side portion of the board being tapered towards a first free end extending in the longitudinal direction of the board, the first free end being located between planes coinciding with the main side surfaces.

Abstract: A plurality of fibre layers is stacked to form a fibre insertion extending in a longitudinal direction of the shell part to be manufactured, whereby a core element having a tapered edge section is arranged along the fibre insertion. The fibre layers are stacked so that the tapered edge section of the core element is wedged into the fibre insertion. The core element is composed by a first and a second core part that are arranged along each other. The first core part forms at least part of the tapered edge section of the core element. The surface of the first core part has a higher permeability to liquid polymer than that of the surface of the second core part so that, during infusion, liquid polymer penetrates the surface of the first core part more readily than it penetrates the surface of the second core part.

Abstract: When forming a rubber member which is made up of a combination of a plurality of rubber compounds by winding spirally a ribbon-shaped unvulcanized rubber strip material in an overlapping fashion, the number of times of winding is reduced so as to shorten a fabrication cycle time of the rubber member to thereby increase the productivity thereof. As a means therefore, a rubber strip material whose cross section is divided into two or more regions which are made up of different rubber compounds is wound spirally on to a drum in an overlapping fashion so as to build a green tire or a tire rubber member.

Abstract: Cushioning elements include a porous foam comprising a series of interconnected cell walls and an elastomeric material formed over at least a portion of the interconnected cell walls. The porous foam is configured to allow gases to pass through at least a portion thereof. Methods of forming cushioning elements may include coating interconnected cell walls of a breathable porous foam with a liquid comprising an elastomeric material, solidifying at least a portion of the elastomeric material, and providing a gas path through the elastomeric material. Other methods include pressing sheets of foam together at a pinch point, disposing a liquid between the foam over the pinch point, coating the foam with the liquid, and separating the sheets beyond the pinch point. Some methods include consolidating a plurality of portions of porous foam into a continuous cushioning material.

Abstract: Multi-layered thermoplastic films include intermittent stretched regions that are visually distinct from un-stretched regions. The stretched regions can be white, opaque, and non porous. The multi-layered thermoplastic films with visually-distinct stretched regions can be formed into bags for use as trash can liners or food storage. Additionally, methods of stretching thermoplastic films to create visually distinct stretched regions include incrementally stretching a plurality of film layers, at least one of which includes a thermoplastic material and a voiding agent.

Abstract: An object of the invention is to provide a leather-like sheet having excellent water absorbability (sweat absorbability, defined the same hereinafter), providing a natural leather-like touch, and suitably used as a ball covering or a non-slip covering, without lowering surface wear resistance. An aspect of the invention is directed to a leather-like sheet including a base material having an entangled fiber sheet; and a porous elastic resin layer laminated on a surface of the base material. The porous elastic resin layer has a concave-convex surface. The concave-convex surface of the porous elastic resin layer includes a projection having a top surface and a side surface, and a recess having a bottom surface contiguous to the side surface. The top surface of the projection has openings with a diameter from 10 to 500 nm at a density of 1,000 openings/mm2 or more.

Abstract: Block copolymer lithography has emerged as an alternative lithographic method to achieve large-area, high-density patterns at resolutions near or beyond the limit of conventional lithographic techniques for the formation of bit patterned media and discrete track media. In one embodiment, a structure includes a plurality of nanostructures extending upwardly from a substrate and a porous membrane extending across upper ends of the plurality of nanostructures. Other systems and methods are disclosed as well.

Abstract: The invention relates to an improved method of cold forming a double-sided shaped foam article wherein the improvement is using a double-sided foam blank cut from a foam plank having a vertical compressive balance equal to or greater than 0.4 to produce the double-sided shaped foam article. The double-sided foam blank has a first pressing surface and a second pressing surface wherein the difference in compressive strength between the first and second pressing surfaces is equal to or less than 200 percent, most preferably, the compressive strength of the first pressing surface is the same as the compressive strength of the second pressing surface.

Abstract: A laminar structure (1) for providing foam within cavities such as those in automobile pillars and rails is provided comprising a metal foil (4) having a central section (2) and two end sections (3, 4), the central section carrying a foamable material (5) and the end sections being securable to the flanges (8, 9, 15, 16) of the cavity forming members (7, 14). The cavity containing the foam after foaming is also provided.

Abstract: A building panel, a shingle and a flooring tile are all provided including a reticulated foam body having a weather resistant coating made from a material selected from a group consisting of a polymer, a ceramic glaze and mixtures thereof. In addition, a method of producing these products is also provided.

Abstract: In a plastic sheeting material incorporating an array of bubble cells, the cells are shaped with two chambers connected by a constricted region. The chambers are part-spherical e.g. in the form of truncated spheres. The constricted region has concave side walls and/or a concave top wall. The sheeting may have two, three or more layers. Moulds for producing the sheeting material have suitably-placed suction holes.

Abstract: A siding-plus-backer paneling unit that may provide a valley in the backer for improved adhesion strength, a ridge on another side of the backer for enabling ventilation, and a recess in an end of the backer for improved mating of adjacent paneling units.

Abstract: A backed paneling unit comprised of a backing portion that includes at least one of a depth portion and an elevated portion. An elevated portion and/or a depth portion may be formed using any suitable method including, but not limited to, molding, machining and heat stamping. Optionally, a backing portion may comprise a hydrophobic material. Such features may enable fluid flow (e.g., ventilation or liquid drainage) behind the backing portion.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to removable, nonslip, non-adhesive coverings which are used as shelf, drawer or storage liners. In particular, the covering sheet features an improved composite material having a top decorative layer of flocked polymeric film combined to a continuous bottom layer of unsupported foam. The structure of the multilayered composite material facilitates the convenient hand tearing of the sheet to size through a grid of perforations that are obscured by a fine coating of natural or synthetic fibers.

Abstract: Unitary films and laminates thereof are provided having at least first and second film segments which extend adjacent one another and are permanently joined together. The first and second film segments are joined at an interface, wherein at the interface a tip of the second segment overlaps the first segment in the cross-direction of the film. The film has a thickness “T” at the tip of the second segment, and the second segment has a thickness “t” at a distance T in the cross direction from the tip of the second segment. The ratio T/t is suitably greater than about 3. The unitary films and laminates thereof are well suited, for example, for use as outer covers in personal care articles.

Abstract: A method for producing plastic moldings with a distinct grain/three-dimensional surface structure by grain-imparting negative thermoforming. The plastic molding is subjected to a preheating, and the molding is then pressed into/onto a negative mold that is formed with the negative of the three-dimensional surface structure to be applied. Those portions of the plastic molding that face away from the grain side are subjected to electron beam crosslinking before or during the preheating and the grain-imparting negative thermoforming.

Abstract: A hybrid absorbent foam includes an integrated hybrid foam layer having an open surface, a closed surface, and a foam body extending between the open and closed surfaces. The integrated hybrid foam layer has an open-cell content of at least 50%, while the closed surface provides a barrier to aqueous liquids. The integrated hybrid foam layer is formed as a single layer, and has a substantially uniform polymer composition throughout its thickness. The integrated hybrid foam layer combines the functions of liquid absorbency, retention, and barrier into a single layer, and is useful in a wide variety of absorbent articles.

Abstract: The purpose of the present invention is to provide an ethylene resin composition which has excellent properties including adhesion properties, electrically insulating properties, transparency, moldability and process stability and can be produced without requiring any cross-linking procedure if necessary to improve productivity; and others. The ethylene resin composition contains a modified product produced by modifying an ethylene polymer (A) that meets all of the requirements a) to e) mentioned below with an ethylenically unsaturated silane compound (B). a) The density is 900 to 940 kg/m3. b) The melting peak temperature is 90 to 125 DEG C as determined by DSC. c) The melt flow rate (MFR2) is 0.1 to 100 g/10 minutes as measured at 190° C. and a load of 2.16 kg in accordance with JIS K-6721. d) The Mw/Mn ratio is 1.2 to 3.5. e) The content of metal residues is 0.1 to 50 ppm.

Abstract: An optical member is provided which is fabricated at low cost, which has a flat surface, and which allows a larger viewing angle. An optical member (10) includes at least: a first resin layer (3); and a second resin layer (2), the second resin layer (2) containing bubbles (1), the bubbles (1) being present at least at an interface (4) between the first resin layer (3) and the second resin layer (2).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a thermal and/or sound insulation system with resistance to elevated temperatures comprising at least one layer of a chemically expanded and crosslinked high consistency (HCR) polysiloxane polymer blend, the process for manufacturing of such system and the use of such system.

Abstract: A fabric structure used to make textured tissue or towel or nonwovens, the structure being permeable to air and water, comprising a sheet contact surface having a pattern including a series of raised land areas and corresponding depressions adapted to impart a texture to the tissue or towel or nonwoven, and a series of through voids adapted to allow passage of both water and/or air from the fabric surface into and/or through the structure.