Abstract: A new class of plant biomass feedstock particles characterized by consistent piece size and shape uniformity, high skeletal surface area, and good flow properties. The particles of plant biomass material having fibers aligned in a grain are characterized by a length dimension (L) aligned substantially parallel to the grain and defining a substantially uniform distance along the grain, a width dimension (W) normal to L and aligned cross grain, and a height dimension (H) normal to W and L. In particular, the L×H dimensions define a pair of substantially parallel side surfaces characterized by substantially intact longitudinally arrayed fibers, the W×H dimensions define a pair of substantially parallel end surfaces characterized by crosscut fibers and end checking between fibers, and the L×W dimensions define a pair of substantially parallel top and bottom surfaces.

Abstract: The specification and drawing disclose the steps and structure involved in making one of a wide variety of three-dimensional branching structures that can be individually formed into extremely complex spatial representations of natural or abstract shapes suitable for viewing from many perspectives. A branching structure in the form of a wall-mounted tree is comprehensively disclosed along with means for affixing leaves to the tree to further simulate the form of a tree and for the further (optional) purpose of physically memorializing persons or events. A second embodiment is also disclosed to suggest the wide range of variations possible through employment of the basic method steps and to illustrate a form of branching structure that can be viewed from any horizontal or vertical perspective.

Abstract: The present invention provides an artificial hair fiber having a good balance between a feel and a curly characteristic. The present invention also provides an artificial hair fiber having a better hackling efficiency and weaving efficiency, a fiber bundle for artificial hair, and a process for producing the same. Artificial hair fibers possess desired properties, the fibers having a flexural rigidity of from 0.001 to 0.01 gf·cm2 or being subjected to crimping in which a crimp wave shape satisfies the following formulae: 0.2 mm?R?3 mm, 1 mm?L?15 mm, (wherein R is a length from the top to the bottom of a crimp wave shape), and (wherein L is a length between the tops (or between the bottoms) of a crimp wave shape).

Abstract: An artificial patch of snow has a curved outer perimeter. A white hydrophobic pile is affixed to the base layer to form a white turf surface with structures projecting from a plane of the back side of the base layer. The white turf, from a distance, gives the appearance of snow. To secure the pad to a roof, the base layer has areas that are free of pile about the perimeter of the base layer. The pad may include lights, a microcontroller, a music generator, a music jack, and an electrical port. A method for simulating patches of snow on a sloped roof includes placing a first pad on a sloped portion of a roof, such that the white turf surface of the first pad is visible from ground level. The pad is secured to the roof. Other pads may also be placed and secured on the roof at a spaced distance from the first pad, such that the white turf surface of the other pads is visible from ground level.

Abstract: A method for providing a protective coating and enhanced optical qualities to a gemstone. The method includes coating a first portion and a second portion of a gemstone with TiO2 doped with calcium oxide (TiO2+). The TiO2+ coated gemstone is next coated with a diamond like carbon (DLC) coating. The gemstone may be synthetic or natural. The composite gemstone, having been coated with both TiO2 and DLC, exhibits high refractivity and enhanced wear resistance and color.

Abstract: An automobile interior exhibit is configured with a relief formed to replicate an automobile interior member and an interior cover covering the surface of the relief. In the automobile interior exhibit, the relief is provided with a simulative three-dimensional form in perspective so that the relief provides a view from a predetermined viewpoint even when the relief is viewed from the front.

Abstract: A novel class of flowable biomass feedstock particles with unusually large surface areas that can be manufactured in remarkably uniform sizes using low-energy comminution techniques. The feedstock particles are roughly parallelepiped in shape and characterized by a length dimension (L) aligned substantially with the grain direction and defining a substantially uniform distance along the grain, a width dimension (W) normal to L and aligned cross grain, and a height dimension (H) normal to W and L. The particles exhibit a disrupted grain structure with prominent end and surface checks that greatly enhances their skeletal surface area as compared to their envelope surface area. The L×H dimensions define a pair of substantially parallel side surfaces characterized by substantially intact longitudinally arrayed fibers. The W×H dimensions define a pair of substantially parallel end surfaces characterized by crosscut fibers and end checking between fibers.

Abstract: The artificial marble with good natural pattern and color in accordance with the present invention is prepared mixing ununiformly at least two liquid resins through a line mixer 1, feeding the ununiformly mixed resin on a moving steel belt 4 at a constant speed through a flexible hose 2 and an exit nozzle 3, and reciprocating the exit nozzle perpendicularly to the steel belt by a predetermined program for the exit nozzle to stop at different positions for different durations. The line mixer used in this invention is a Kenics type and has inner elements of eight or less than eight. A line mixer with four to eight elements can be more preferably used.

Abstract: A body structure for a door and/or furniture is provided. The body structure comprises a first artificial stone skin backed with a first fiber layer, a second artificial stone skin backed with a second fiber layer, and a central composite core comprising porous ceramic blocks and porous ceramic pieces and structural foam or an artificial stone mix. A reinforcing grid is placed between the first artificial stone skin and the second artificial stone skin. The body structure for a door and/or furniture is manufactured by manufacturing artificial stone skins, manufacturing a central composite core comprising porous ceramic blocks and porous ceramic pieces between two of the artificial stone skins, and introducing a liquid mix of structural foam or an artificial stone mix between the artificial stone skins, whereby the structural foam or the artificial stone mix fills gaps between the porous ceramic blocks, sets to create the central composite core.

Abstract: An apparatus and process for shaping multiple expended thermoplastic containers, specifically plastic bottles into rock shapes by placing the expended plastic bottles into a partitioned tray which is placed onto the top surface of a lift table secured to a jack mounted on a four-wheel dolly and heating the plastic bottles to a malleable state. The lift table is then rolled into an open face shaping chamber that has angle irons secured on the interior sides near the top of the chamber to support and allow a removable tray to which real rocks of different shapes and sizes have been secured to be slid into the chamber with the rocks pointing downward from the tray into the chamber. The lift table with the heated malleable bottles is jacked upward toward and into the real rocks until the bottles take the shapes of the real rocks. Then the table is lowered and wheeled out of the shaping chamber.

Abstract: The present invention relates to landscaping products (e.g. retaining wall building materials, landscaping stones/boulders, pavers . . . ) and wall veneering products that provide a replica image of a natural stone, rock, brick or wood surface. Such landscaping and veneering products are easily installable due to its lightweight characteristics and engagable design. The present invention further includes methods of use for such landscaping and veneering products and also includes systems for assembling such products to provide pleasing landscaping and wall veneering arrangements. The present invention also includes methods of manufacture of these imaged stone products, which ensures the natural appearance of stone, rock, brick or wood by imaging a natural surface, such as stone or a rock, preparing a mold from that image to mass produce a replica of that particular surface and applying a coating to the surface of the replica to provide the appearance and texture of the natural stone or rock.

Abstract: An artificial stone material having an improved natural stone appearance and texture is prepared from resin, curing agent, microspheres and additives. The resin, curing agent and microspheres are mixed to form a catalyzed base material. Additives are non-homogeneously worked into the catalyzed base material to provide a catalyzed stone mixture having a desired natural stone appearance. The catalyzed stone mixture is molded or applied to a surface at the point of use and allowed to cure to form the artificial stone material.

Abstract: The present invention provides a new paradigm in prefabricated gel nails (also referred to as pre processed) gel nails, that lends itself to the mass production of the nails, in shapes, colors, styles that are close to finished, and are configured to enable the nails to be securely attached to finger nail plates applying a UV cured bonding method.

Abstract: Turf (1) for playing sport, for recreation and/or for ornamental purpose comprising a flexible not biodegradable support (5) having a plurality of holes (6) for allowing the drainage of water through the support (5) same. To the flexible support (5) fibres (20) are connected of artificial material in order to form a turf of artificial blades extending from the upper side of the support (5). The fibres (20) are then kept substantially vertical by granular filling material (25), can be made of rubber granules (26). The turf (1) is therefore completed by living vegetable material put into the granular material by means of sowing, transplantation of portions of plants (15) or a combination thereof. Finally, the living vegetable material in the form of seeds (27), or of portions of plants (15), is watered and dressed as known in the art. The turf can be easily carried, rolled up, turned over without spreading the granular material, and laid in a desired moment on a desired support surface for immediate use.

Abstract: The present invention provides transparent chips with natural metal-like texture by coating silica-containing transparent chips with colored material, such as a metal powder, in a transparent resin as a base resin. The present invention also provides artificial stone with natural metal-like texture and patterns by mixing the colored material coated transparent chips and inorganic filler with a matrix resin. The artificial stone of the present invention can be prepared by mixing about 4 to about 24 parts by weight of inorganic filler and about 0.1 to about 5.0 parts by weight of the colored material coated transparent chips, per about 1 part by weight of the matrix resin. The colored material coated transparent chips can have a specific gravity of about 2.0 to about 2.65, while the matrix resin can have a specific gravity of about 2.2 to about 2.

Abstract: A mold for manufacturing a corner-shaped simulated stone product has a mold cavity configured to imprint a stone texture on at least a first side face and a front face of the corner-shaped product. The mold also provides a back face with a desirable molded interior angle. The mold cavity can have a flexible edge around a perimeter of the mold cavity to impart a textured surface to a second side face of the corner-shaped product.

Abstract: An acrylic artificial stone composition includes an acrylic resin, metallized polymer film particles, and an inorganic filler.

Abstract: This invention discloses a seashell decoration and method for preparing a seashell decoration. This seashell decoration comprising a seashell substrate (1) and a layer of gold or ceramic film (2) on the surface of said seashell substrate (1). It is preparing by the steps of cutting, washing, coating and cooling the seashell. As the seashell substrate surface is coated with a layer of gold or ceramic film, it achieves very even metallic or ceramic color. Also, with the film tight on its surface, the film displays the texture of the shell. The materials used for the processing is metal or ceramic target without any colorant, thus not polluting the environment and remaining very environmental friendly.

Abstract: To provide a fiber made of a vinyl chloride resin which is excellent in heat resistance and thus hardly shrinks thermally even at a temperature exceeding 100° C. The fiber obtained by melt-spinning a resin composition comprising a vinyl chloride resin and from 1 to 300 parts by mass of a polyester resin based on 100 parts by mass of the vinyl chloride resin, wherein the vinyl chloride resin has a viscosity average polymerization degree of from 600 to 2,500; the polyester resin is a polylactic acid type resin; and the polyester resin has the melting point of from 100 to 300° C.

Abstract: A manufactured item for the building industry is disclosed, made mainly of bottom ash and/or debris coming from incineration processes of municipal solid waste or of waste which may be assimilated thereto and/or of RDF and of one or more binders. Such manufactured item may have the shape of small bricks, bricks, blocks, small blocks, kerbs, interlocking paving blocks, panels, tiles, prefabricated slabs, beams, elements for walls, modular building elements, indoor and outdoor cladding elements, blocks, rocks, supports. Moreover, a process for the manufacture of an item for the building industry is disclosed, from bottom ash and/or debris coming from incineration processes of municipal solid waste or of waste which may be assimilated thereto and/or of FDR wherein the ash and/or debris undergo an oxidation process of the amphoteric metals and mixed with a binder.

Abstract: A habitat mount for a wall mounted taxidermy mannequin includes a habitat piece having a three dimensional first side with the appearance of one or more natural elements and an opposing generally planar second side. A tab extends outwardly from and generally parallel to a plane defined by the second side of the habitat piece. The tab is sized and shaped to mount directly to a rear side of the wall mounted taxidermy mannequin.

Abstract: A casted concrete stone having opposed parallel surfaces formed in a mold and wherein the opposed parallel surfaces have a molded textured surface. The concrete stone is fabricated by a dry-cast concrete mold wherein a profiling plate is provided with mold bottom wall formations each having a textured outer surface. A bond release film or spray or permanent coating is provided on the textured outer surface of the mold bottom wall formations. Mold forming side walls are disposed about the mold bottom wall formations. After the mold is filled with a dry-cast concrete mixture a top plate, having mold top wall formations, is disposed over the mold forming side walls with the mold top wall formations disposed inside respective ones of the molds to close the molds. Pressure and vibration is applied to compact the dry-cast concrete whereby to form a dry-cast concrete stone with opposed molded textured surfaces.

Abstract: A composite includes a substrate having a mounting surface and a first substrate side having an irregular profile, and a laminate attached to the mounting surface, a first laminate edge being substantially aligned with the first substrate side and substantially matching the profile thereof. The composite can advantageously be employed in a fountain assembly. A method of making a composite includes substantially aligning an edge of a stone laminate with a side of substrate, and attaching the stone laminate to a mounting surface of the substrate. The edge of the stone laminate substantially matches an irregular profile of the side of the substrate.

Abstract: To provide a fiber bundle for artificial hair which has a well balanced combination of properties such as bulkiness, yarn separability, weaving efficiency and hot water-curling efficiency. The fiber bundle for artificial hair is a fiber bundle obtained by crimping fibers (A) having a flexural rigidity of from 0.7 to 2.5 gf·cm2 as measured by the KES method and has a crimp wave shape satisfying the following formula: 1 mm?R?20 mm wherein R is the distance between the top and the bottom of the crimp wave shape. Further, in the fiber bundle for artificial hair, the fibers (A) are vinyl chloride fibers obtained by melt-spinning a vinyl chloride resin composition.

Abstract: A solid surface sheet includes visible, elongated, shredded cuttings uniformly distributed throughout a matrix wherein the cuttings and the matrix have substantially the same specific weight and wherein a majority of the cuttings are substantially elongated. Related methods are also disclosed including shredding a first mix while in a gel state, curing the cuttings, sorting by size, and using as a filler in a base material to form a blend having a unique appearance and high internal strength. The preferred material is polyester or acrylic. The solid surface sheet can be used as a countertop, floor or wall panel, furniture, and in similar applications.

Abstract: Black and or, clear acrylic plastic provides a substrate so that particles of phosphorescent material appear as celestial images that glow in the dark. Ambient or ultra-violet light charges the phosphorescent particles providing a realistic depiction of stars, planets, and deep space objects. Three-dimensional representations of planet earth, earth continents, and multi-color planets are also produced with phosphorescent material.

Abstract: This document provides household and garden products, and methods for making such products. For example, household and garden products comprised of selected waste products from industrial processes combined with a binder are provided. In addition, products formed by mixing calcium sulfate dihydrate with a binder to form a mixture are provided.

Abstract: Showing the natural beauty of the combination of stone and a glazed product, an artificial stone-decorated glazed product is disclosed having an artificial stone material formed of a resin and a hardening agent and a stone power in a glazed product substrate in integrity. The artificial stone material has a grain portion distributed in the glazed product substrate to show a drag structure.

Abstract: An artificial hair which is composed of synthetic fibers such as acrylic fibers or vinyl chloride fibers and which is characterized in that the cross section of each fiber has a shape consisting of one major axis and at least two minor axes nearly perpendicular to the major axis and that the single-fiber fineness is 25 to 70 dtex. This artificial hair is soft to the touch and bulky (voluminous) to impart a good feel to hair accessories and exhibits excellent combing properties and braidability, thus giving hair accessories (such as wigs, hairpieces, braids, extension hair and doll hair) which have excellent feel and settability.

Abstract: A coating composition is provided. The composition comprises as component I, a) a polyaspartic acid ester comprising the reaction product of one more diamines, one or more difunctional acrylate-containing compounds and one or more maleic/fumaric acid esters; b) at least one moisture scavenger; c) at least one deaerator; d) at least one plasticizer; and e) optionally additives; and as component II, one or more polyisocyanates. Methods of making and applying the composition to a substrate are also provided. The coating is particularly suitable for use as a gel coat.

Abstract: A coating composition is provided. The composition comprises as component I, a) a polyaspartic acid ester comprising the reaction product of one more diamines, one or more difunctional acrylate-containing compounds and one or more maleic/fumaric acid esters; b) at least one moisture scavenger; c) at least one deaerator; d) at least one plasticizer; and e) optionally additives; and as component II, one or more polyisocyanates. Methods of making and applying the composition to a substrate are also provided. The coating is particularly suitable for use as a gel coat.

Abstract: Artificial stones and rocks are disclosed including methods of making same.

Abstract: Synthetic rocks are used as a substitute for natural gravel to fill in a water drainage trench. The synthetic rocks may be used around perforated drain tiles in a basement water drainage system, or they may be used without such tile. The synthetic rocks may be of a size and shape that mimics the natural rock they replace, but they are preferably significantly lighter in weight. The synthetic rocks may alternatively be tubular or cubic shaped, for example, and may include one or more lumens or other passageways to facilitate the flow of water through and/or around the rocks. The synthetic rocks may be provided in mesh bags to facilitate placement in a water drainage trench.

Abstract: A method for processing prickly pear cactus skeletons and the resulting article. The process produces stabilized, acid and mold-free planer or three-dimensionally formed, cactus skeletons that can be easily handled. The method of the present invention preserves and enhances the natural intricate and delicate vein-like structures of the native skeleton and effectively alters the natural pH to a highly non-acidic state. Prickly pear cactus skeletons processed by the inventive method are ideally suited to be used as, or incorporated into, museum quality frame matting.

Abstract: An artificial stone is disclosed for use in creating a covering a supporting surface. The artificial stone includes a base portion for placement on the supporting surface, which base portion is shaped as a right regular prism for patterned, fitting arrangement of the flagstone with like flagstones to produce a continuous surface covering. The base portion has a regular base contour. The stone further includes a top portion with a facing surface, the facing surface having an irregularly shaped top contour different from the base contour and an intermediate portion connecting the top portion with the base portion. The intermediate portion has an inclined wall extending between the top portion and a sidewall of the base portion. Stones of this construction can easily be arranged in a regular, repeated pattern to generate a continuous covering for the supporting surface without the surface of the resulting covering having a regular, patterned appearance.

Abstract: There is provided a composite stone material that includes recycled composite stone material. There is further provided a method for the preparation of a composite stone material slab comprising recycled composite stone material, said method includes mixing recycled composite stone material into a mixture of raw composite stone material and one or more additional additives to obtain a composite stone material slab.

Abstract: A composition for making flexible articles includes a hydraulic component of at least 50 weight % fly ash, a water-soluble, film-forming polymer and water. Articles are made from this composition by making a slurry of the components, forming the article and allowing it to set.

Abstract: Methods of manufacturing multi-colored, rubber steps such as stepping stones and pavers include providing a mold; mixing together a rubber component, a binder and a first coloring agent to form a matrix having a first colored surface; and introducing a second coloring agent onto the matrix to create a multicolored step having a second colored surface opposite the first colored surface.

Abstract: Producing a scaled multiple parallax compound lens is accomplished by providing an insect eye having multiple ommitidia and creating a polymer mold of the insect eye. A casting is then created from the polymer mold with an expandable polymer mold. A second casting is then created from the second polymer mold. Duplication of the process can be accomplished for further scaling up of the compound lens with the final casting created using a durable polymer having appropriate optical properties for the lens.

Abstract: An artificial nail is formed by injection molding a first section and a second section. The first section and second section are adjacent to one another. One of the sections defines a front distal tip of the artificial nail and is formed by injecting a quantity of heated material under pressure from a nozzle into a sprue, through a runner and through a cavity gate into a mold cavity. The other section is formed by injecting another quantity of heated material under pressure from a heated nozzle through another cavity gate into the mold cavity.

Abstract: A process for producing a leather-like sheet, wherein a skin-like layer composed of a resin composition (C) is formed on top of a fibrous substrate (E), comprising; heating and melting a moisture-curable polyurethane hot-melt resin composition (C) which contains a hot-melt urethane prepolymer (A) having isocyanate groups at molecular terminal ends and a colorant (B), and applying said heated and melted resin composition (C) to either [1] a releasable substrate (D) and then bonding the coated surface to a fibrous substrate (E), or [2] a fibrous substrate (E) and then bonding the coated surface to a releasable substrate (D); wherein the colorant (B) contains a polyol with a number average molecular weight within a range from 1,000 to 20,000 as a vehicle (B-1), and a pigment (B-2).

Abstract: Provided is a process for preparing an artificial marble plate by reutilizing waste materials such as defective goods of conventional industrial highly light-transmissive polymethylmethacrylate based sheets, remnants produced during product-processing and the like, including polymethylmethacrylate based LCD light guide panels, having a refractive index of 1.47 to 1.53 and excellent optical characteristics wherein the polymer has an average molecular weight of 30,000 to 150,000.

Abstract: The invention relates to a natural stone panel floor, whereby the floor panels thereof (1) are laid at a distance from each other on an essentially flat base. The base panels (1) comprise, respectively, a groove (11) which is arranged on the lateral surface thereof (10) and respectively a plastic spacer (2) which is arranged between adjacent floor panels (1), said spacer supports a clamping crosspiece (20, 21) on both sides thereof, which is maintained in a clamped manner in the groove (11).

Abstract: A cast product and method for forming same. Typically, the cast product includes waste materials to form a product that resembles natural stone. In some embodiments, the casting media may include granulated fiberglass that is a waste by-product of a manufacturing process. Some embodiments are contemplated in which the casting media may also include waste resin that was purged during a production process. The use of these waste products reduces the costs for the cast product, as well as harm to the environment.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method involving a novelty item apparatus, having a flat surface for facilitating laying the apparatus on a horizontal surface, mounting the apparatus to a vertical surface, and mounting the apparatus into a permeable material using an elongated member. The apparatus further involves flexibly connected moveable parts for providing environmental whimsy. The apparatus generally involves a body and at least one appendage being coupled to the body using a structure for flexibly connecting the at least one appendage to the body. The apparatus has sculptural features and mechanically responds to wind or other incident forces in a displaceably suspended manner, i.e., springing reaction to an incident force.

Abstract: Acrylic fiber which can be produced industrially at a low cost and has excellent appearance properties that the individual fibers are clearly perceived visually is provided. The object is attained by using an acrylic fiber comprising an acrylic copolymer, which has a light transmittance of 15 to 65% in the fiber width direction and a maximum surface reflectance of 30 to 80% with respect to light incident thereon at an angle of 60 degrees in the fiber length direction, wherein the fiber contains 1.2 to 30 parts by weight of white pigment having a maximum particle size of at most 0.8 ?m based on 100 parts by weight of the acrylic copolymer.

Abstract: A slab of composite material is made by unloading a material from mixers and passing it through hoppers, extractor/conveyor belts, a homogenizing disk, conveyor belts, leveling hoppers, an extracting belt and an underlying leveling hopper to an underlying mold, to produce the slab which can have veins of a natural type, a leopard skin coloring, a coloring similar to natural granite, or a coloring of natural marble.

Abstract: An artificial stone wall panel comprises: an artificial stone, composition of which comprises an inorganic fine powder component with a size of from 9.5 mm to 180 ?m, an inorganic finely divided component with a size of less than 180 ?m, and a resin component in an amount of from 7 to 30% by weight based on a total artificial stone composition, with a weight ratio of the inorganic fine powder component to the inorganic finely divided component (inorganic fine powder component:inorganic finely divided component) being in a range of from 1:1 to 5:1; and a support for installing the artificial stone onto a wall surface, embedded in the artificial stone, wherein part of the support is exposed at a back surface or edge surface of the artificial stone.

Abstract: The invention of this application provides an artificial stone wall material comprising an inorganic fine particle component having a size range of 180 ?m to 9.5 mm and an inorganic finer particle component having a size range of less than 180 ?m and a resin component. The resin component containing 5 wt % or more of a transparent inorganic fine particle component as the inorganic particle component and a concavo-convex surface wherein a maximum height between concavity and convexity ranges 1 mm to 100 mm. Further, the transparent inorganic fine particle component, which is exposed on the concavo-convex surface, is studded with sparkling points which change based on irradiation and movement of natural light or artificial light. The artificial stone wall material provides a novel means for finishing a wall surface which permits easy design of a wall surface and projection of the effect of the design.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a landscape fabric comprising a nonwoven web wherein the web is configured in a pattern wherein the pattern is derived from an optical representation of an earth covering material, such as bark mulch or nuggets, crushed stone, wood chips, gravel, pebbles, grass, leaves, and sand. The landscape fabric may be formed from spunbond or staple fibers or mixtures thereof.