Abstract: An organic shell inlay blank is provided including a first layer of organic shell matter having two opposed surfaces defining a first thickness therebetween rendering the first layer flexible, a second layer of organic shell matter having two opposed surfaces defining a second thickness therebetween rendering the second layer flexible. One of the surfaces of the first layer substantially overlaps and is secured to one of the surfaces of the second layer. A bonding agent secures the layers together to form the inlay blank. A method for manufacturing an organic shell inlay blank is also disclosed and includes the steps of cutting a plurality of flexible pieces of organic shell matter from an organic shell, stacking the pieces in a substantially overlapping relationship with a bonding agent between the pieces, and urging the pieces together while the bonding agent cures to form the inlay blank.

Abstract: An ambient lighted plaque structure with self-created aesthetic illusory-colored sides comprising a glass blank. The glass blank being colorless and transparent and homogeneous in composition. The glass blank bounded by front and back surfaces and a series of angularly related sides where the series of angularly related sides define a thickness between the front and back surfaces of the glass blank. One of the series of angularly related sides facing in an upward direction. Another of the series of angularly related sides facing in a downward direction. A colored glass strip structure underlying the glass blank and being homogeneous in composition. The colored glass strip structure is rigidly bonded to the side facing in a downward direction and the bond provides a colorless transparent joint therebetween. The joint enables ambient light to travel between the colored glass strip structure and the side facing in a downward direction without substantial internal reflection.

Abstract: The presently claimed process for applying a coating to a substrate and coating composition comprises coating on the substrate the composition comprising a mixture of the precious stone pigment lapis lazuli having a grain size of from 5 to 90 microns with a colorless vehicle comprising a lacquer system in an amount effective to encapsulate the stone pigment, the mixture also comprising a pyrite or pulverised material.

Abstract: A container is presented having a hollow substrate with a coating covering at least a portion of the substrate. The coating includes a mixture of a base material and an adhesive where the base material is absorbent with respect to nontoxic dyes such as food coloring. One preferred base material includes rice powder. The substrate can be egg shaped, so that the coated container forms a synthetic Easter egg that can be colored with food coloring.

Abstract: A method for impregnating rock or mineral with scented and/or colored fluid. To impregnate the rock or mineral with scented fluid, the rock or mineral is heated to dehydrate it, and cooled to an ambient temperature in a dehumidified chamber, and then placed in a pressurizable container which is filled with scented fluid. The pressurizable container is placed under pressure for a sufficient time that the scented fluid is forced into the interstices of the rock or mineral. When the rock or mineral is removed from the pressurizable container, it has been impregnated with scented fluid and emits a pleasant odor. The rock or mineral may be cleaned using water or a solvent.

Abstract: A horizontal trophy for memorializing an event has an elongated base. A variety of articles selected to depict the event to be memorialized are selected and attached to the upper surface of the elongated base to depict the event and to represent the participants in the event. A label on the base provides information regarding the memorialized event.

Abstract: An improved three-dimensional topographical model comprised of a plurality of layers having curvilinear apertures therethrough. The layers are stacked upon each other to form a three-dimensional hollow structure. The individual layers are cut from at least two motherboards and each layer is marked with a contour line to indicate the location on which the subsequent layer is stacked. During assembly, the outermost topographical layer of a first motherboard is removed and placed on a support member, thus constituting the first or bottom layer of the model. The outermost topographical layer of the second motherboard is removed and placed on top of the first layer, and subsequent layers are alternately removed from each of any remaining motherboards and stacked so that the margin of each layer overlaps the margin of the previous layer. This process is repeated until all layers are utilized and the model is fully formed. A model having steep inclines will require a greater number of motherboards.

Abstract: A polyurethane composition suitable for producing leather-like sheets having a soft hand and excellent durability and being dyeable with acid dyes comprising a mixture of:a first polyurethane (a) obtained by reacting:an intermediate product diol (D) with both ends thereof substantially being OH and obtained by reacting a tertiary amino group-containing diol (A), a polymer diol (B) having a number average molecular weight of 500 to 3,000 selected from the group consisting of polyesters, polycarbonates, polylactones and polyethers and an organic diisocyanate (C1), in such stoichiometric amounts as to make the molar ratio of NCO/OH 0.5 to 0.

Abstract: Wood veneers having enhanced strength and/or stiffness, wood products made therefrom, and methods for manufacturing such veneers and wood products are disclosed. A treated veneer having enhanced strength and stiffness has a population of compacted wood cells extending across at least a portion of the length and width dimensions and into the thickness dimension of the veneer to confer an increased density level, and thus increased strength and/or stiffness levels, to the veneer. Interspersed in the compacted wood cells is a non-saturating loading level of a cured rigid thermoset material which maintains compaction of the compacted cells even after prolonged soaking in water. The preferred loading level is just what is required to maintain compaction of the cells. The preferred thermoset material is polyurea which is formed from a polyisocyanate resin applied to at least one major surface of the veneer followed by hot-pressing the veneer.

Abstract: A synthetic slate roofing member composed of solid surfacing material and configured to realistically resemble the appearance and texture of natural slate while being lighter in weight, more durable and less costly than natural slate. The solid surfacing material preferably incorporates various additives and fillers to enhance the physical properties and appearance of the member.

Abstract: This invention relates to a solid surface which is prepared from a copolyester laminated onto an image layer. More particularly, the solid surface contains an outer layer of transparent PETG copolyester, a polymeric film with a high resolution image printed thereon, and a backing layer. The image can be selected to give the solid surface the appearance of natural building materials, such a wood and stone.

Abstract: A tabletop fountain includes a water reservoir. A recirculating pump is disposed in the water reservoir. An ascending water pipe is connected to the pump. A sheathing that is advantageously formed of rock or rock-like material, guides and at least partially covers or hides the water pipe. A plant dish is insertable into the water reservoir. A cover has holes formed therein. An upwardly oriented separating strip is disposed on the cover.

Abstract: A process for making a thin, sealant-coated, fire and indentation resistant gypsum panel. A layer of a mixture of cellulosic fibers moistened with water and an additive to restrict the adhesion of cellulosic fibers to one another, is deposited on at least two separate conveyors to form a fibrous matt on each conveyor. A layer of dry calcined gypsum containing set accelerator is deposited on the fibrous matt on each conveyor which contains, by weight on a dry weight basis, about 70-90% gypsum, about 10%-19% cellulosic fiber and about 1%-9% of combined additive and set accelerator. Each layer on each conveyor is directed to a mixing station to form a homogeneous layer, and the formed homogeneous layers on separate conveyors are placed atop one another on a single conveyor to form a combined homogeneous layer. Water is added to the layer or layers to rehydrate calcined gypsum. The combined homogeneous layer is subjected to pressure to form a pressed, homogeneous fiber-reinforced gypsum panel, and dried.

Abstract: A method for producing a wall, roadway, sidewalk or floor of cementitious material having the appearance of natural stone and mortar including a base with an outer surface with a plurality of irregular shaped protrusions disposed in a random pattern to simulate natural stones and a plurality of simulated grout lines formed therebetween, the method including the steps of preparing a cementitious material, pouring the cementitious material into a form, vibrating the cementitious material, allowing the cementitious material to cure forming the base with the outer surface, releasing the base with the plurality of irregular shaped protrusions disposed in the random pattern to simulate natural stones and the plurality of simulated grout lines formed therebetween from the form, coloring the outer surface and accenting the plurality of simulated grout lines.

Abstract: Artificial snow granule in granule form comprising a super absorbent polymer in granule form as a nucleus and an ice layer surrounding the nucleus is provided here. An aggregate form is provided by linkage of adjacent ice layers and/or granules. Further, a snow granule quality improver is provided. A method for making the above-mentioned snow granule in a granule or an aggregate form is also provided here.

Abstract: The present invention provides an ornament composed of a light transmissive material having a plurality of facets, with a plurality of fine grooves formed on these facets to increase brilliancy, dispersion and scintillation effects and thereby enhance the ornamental appearance.

Abstract: An artificial lung is created by taking an animal lung, filling either its circulatory system or its respiratory system with a hardenable liquid, hardening the liquid, then dissolving the natural lung tissue, coating the hardened liquid with a material forming a gas permeable membrane, removing the hardenable fluid, and enclosing the resulting artificial lung structure in a fluid-tight pouch.

Abstract: A decorative composite is formed by extruding a plurality of colored rods to form an elongated decorative composite article having a decorative pattern throughout defined by the individual rods. The decorative composite can be formed into decorative consumable articles, such as soap bars, deodorants, air fresheners or candy. A decorative veneer can be formed by slicing thin sections in a direction generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the decorative composite article. A decorative wax veneer can be formed by employing colored wax rods. The decorative wax veneer is applied to a core to form a decorative article, such as a clear wax core to form a glowing candle. Enhanced resolution of the decorative pattern is achieved by generating an enlarged digitized image of the decorative pattern comprising a plurality of colored pixels and selecting individually colored rods in accordance with the observed colored pixels of the enlarged digitized image.

Abstract: The specification describes articles which have a three-dimensional appearance even though they comprise a two-dimensional representation of an object. The effect can be achieved by coating the two-dimensional representation with a protective coating of a clear resin of clear plastics material, having a convex external surface. The articles may be buttons or jewellery that have the appearance of being made from gem stones such as opal.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a stone product in sheet form suitable for use both outdoors and indoors, e.g. as a facade cladding or a fitting, etc. The stone product in question has undergone impregnation treatment with a view to causing its strength and flexibility to be increased through the presence of an impregnating agent in existing pores, cracks and other cavities in the stone sheet in question. A method for producing said stone product and means for its manufacture are also included in the invention.

Abstract: A biodegradable mulch product comprising sheets or finely divided particles of cellulosic fibrous material bonded together with a bonding agent comprising a water-based bonding adhesive and compressed to form a laminar layer, said compressed laminar layer being cut into mulch-size pieces that simulate natural tree mulches in appearance, density and rate of biodegradation.

Abstract: A polymeric composite structure having a polymeric shell layer with a finish-side and a non-finish side and a cross-linked thermosetting polymeric backing layer and method of manufacturing thereof is provided. The cross-linked thermosetting polymeric backing layer is simultaneously molded to conform to the shape of and bonded directly to essentially the entire non-finish side of the polymeric shell layer. The method includes forming the polymeric shell having a finish-side and non-finish side into a suitable shape, placing the shell into a mold, and introducing an uncured blended mixture of unsaturated thermosetting polymeric backing material and cross-linking promoter into the mold to force the backing material to directly coat the non-finish side of the shell.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for making and administering a blinded oral dosage form and the blinded oral dosage form therefor, used for disguising the identity of tableted medications. The method includes making a blinded oral dosage form by placing a tableted medication within a capsule have a diameter greater than its height. The blinded oral dosage form is the combination of the above-described capsule and the tableted medication.

Abstract: A method for producing coated wood-based panels with rounded edge from a starting panel coated on at least one of its two sides, and which is subjected to a preforming or direct postforming process. The starting panel is coated using coatings based on unsaturated resins of the type curable by ionizing radiation.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for making and administering a blinded oral dosage form and the blinded oral dosage form therefor, used for disguising the identity of tableted medications. The method includes making a blinded oral dosage form by placing a tableted medication within a capsule have a diameter greater than its height. The blinded oral dosage form is the combination of the above-described capsule and the tableted medication.

Abstract: Artificial snow granule in granule form comprising a super adsorbent polymer in granule form as a nucleus and an ice layer surrounding the nucleus is provided here. An aggregate form is provided by linkage of adjacent ice layers and/or granules. Further, a snow granule quality improver is provided. A method for making the above-mentioned snow granule in a granule or an aggregate form is also provided here.

Abstract: A water soluble, quickly degrading imitation rice, which is not harmful to birds and will not germinate, for use in ceremonies such as weddings. The invention is produced by combining binders with digestible solids, extruding the mixture, and cutting to the approximate size and tapered shape of natural rice grains. The invention is produced in a natural rice color, or in other decorative colors as desired.

Abstract: Inorganic or organic particles have been used in the past as paper additives for hot-pressed forms to impart the pattern of granite thereto, but when these are boiled in hot water, for example, an uncountable number of small blisters result, lowering the commercial value of the product; however, according to the present invention it is possible to obtain an additive for forming patterns by grinding to desired particle sizes colored paper which has undergone water-resistance treatment with a thermosetting resin, and by selecting the color of the colored paper, a pattern may be selected as desired having spots of any desired color or size. With patterned paper manufactured by adding these paper additives during the paper manufacturing process, there is no occurrence of the above mentioned blisters and a clear pattern may be formed, and therefore hot-pressed forms utilizing have a natural granite image.

Abstract: A unique climbing structure that is durable, lightweight and easy to assemble is provided. The structure is based on the use of polystyrene foam blocks attached to a support structure. The polystyrene can be cut to be irregularly shaped like a normal rock, and can be shaped with larger dimensions and depth than other techniques, giving a more realistic structure. The shaped polystyrene foam is covered with a hard coating to give the exterior a rock-like appearance.

Abstract: A resilient solid foam object which has a part of its outer surface scribed with a series of connected cuts. These cuts communicate with the interior of the foam object. The cuts are arranged to allow the foam object to be turned inside out and are shaped to form a three dimensional structure within the solid foam object. The three dimensional object is displayed upon turning the solid foam object inside out. Also described is a method for making these novel foam objects.

Abstract: A granitic stone-like artificial solid material is produced by impregnating a paper sheet having a granitic stone-like fleck pattern with a thermosetting resin to give a paper containing from 25-60% by weight of the resin on a dry basis. The resin impregnated paper sheet is dried and hot-pressed into a laminate comprising a plurality of the sheets. The paper includes (A) from 20-80% by weight of cellulose pulp, (B) from 2-40% by weight of an artificial fiber, (C) from 10-70% by weight of an inorganic filler less than 10 .mu.m in average diameter, and (D) from 1-30% by weight of a fine-grained additive of grains from 10-500 82 m in average diameter, having a color hue different from that of the inorganic filler (C).

Abstract: A table top advertising display (10) includes table top (12), indicia (14), and clear polymer coming (16). The indicia (14) may include screen printed ink, or adhesively mounted pictures arranged upon uppermost surface (18) of table (12).

Abstract: A sleeve assembly for a furniture leg. The assembly has a central bore with an open end and is preassembled with decorative members. The bore is inserted onto the leg. The decorative members are preferably lengths of bamboo which are secured to a sleeve by rawhide. A plate to support the bamboo is provided at the end of the sleeve and a fastener extends through the plate to attach the support to the leg. The plate is also used to connect the sleeve to the leg. A method of preparing a decorative furniture leg assembly using the sleeve is also presented.

Abstract: A fabric having a furry surface comprising an elongated strip of a hair-coated skin of a fur-bearing animal, said strip having a hair-free body portion and a hair-bearing portion extending the length of the strip at a lower part thereof such that the hair extends from said lower part substantially in or adjacent to a single plane; and a non-furry thread of reinforcing material sewn into and extending the length of said hair-free body portion. The invention provides a fabric having improved strength. Also provided are methods of manufacturing the fabric and sewn strips of improved strength.

Abstract: A garden ornament comprising a molded ceramic body member defining a cavity having a caudal opening. The body member has a base portion that engages the ground and the opening is proximate the base portion. A sack member having an opening is disposed within the cavity of the body member and contains a dense, granular aggregate, such as sand thereby providing a weighted base portion of the garden ornament. Additionally a stability enhancing member defining an elongated rod member having a first end defining a point for penetrating the ground and a second end received within said cavity thereby substantially preventing lateral movement of said garden ornament.

Abstract: Construction and method of making a simulated decorative cracked glass laminate in tile, panel, sheet, plate or veneer form. The structural element comprises in bonded combination a glass mirror and a backing layer, preferably a water-felted mineral fiberboard panel. An accurately reproduced image of decorative cracked glass is applied to the mirror, either before or after the mirror is bonded to the backing layer to provide a simulated decorative cracked glass mirror appearance with the mirror being uncracked and intact and the bonded combination being shatter-, heat- and fire-resistant. Means are provided to produce such a simulated cracked glass appearance with uncracked glass.

Abstract: Artificial snow granule in granule form comprising a super absorbent polymer in granule form as a nucleus and an ice layer surrounding the nucleus is provided here. An aggregate form is provided by linkage of adjacent two ice layers and/or two granules. Further, a snow granule quality improver is provided. A method for making the above-mentioned snow granule in granule or an aggregate form is also provided here.

Abstract: An artificial scenic rock made using a die-casting process and from a water-curable material such as cement or gypsum, water, and a polymer-based foaming agent. The artificial scenic rock is made first by spraying a color primer on the inner surface of a die casting mould. Then a filler, which was prepared by first mixing about 0.1 to 1 part of the polymer-based foaming agent with about 30 to 60 parts of water in an agitator then adding about 100 parts of the water curable water material while under agitation, is poured into the die casting mould. After hardened and released from the die casting mould, the final product has a natural rock-like color with appropriate texture and features similar to those of a real rock. The polymer-based foaming agent allows the artificial scenic rock of the present invention to be a solid and thus assumes better resemblance of a real rock, but with substantially reduced weight.

Abstract: Natural and artificial animal skins are provided with randomly spaced protuberances which simulate natural quill marks of ostrich skins. The protuberances are created from die formed depressions into which is adhered an individual glob of hot melt material. The glob has a generally semi-spherical mass extending above the inner surface of the animal skin. During manufacture of articles therefrom, the globs have the tendency to accentuate the appearance of the quill marks.

Abstract: Disclosed are several embodiments (10, 30, 40, 50, 60) of an award assembly having a colorized and reflective appearance. The award assemblies include a base (11, 36, 84, 62) having a reflective surface (18, 87, 72). The award assemblies have three-dimensional uprights or prisms (10, 31, 32, 33, 40, 50, 88, 61) which are made of transparent acrylic. A solvent (25) such as methylene chloride fuses the prism to the base. Also disclosed is a method for making award assemblies.

Abstract: A protective film is placed on acrylic sheet. The film has a polyethylene side and an adherent EVA side; it will survive stressful lamination procedures as well as thermoforming, and can be easily removed from a finished article after thermoforming.

Abstract: The invention relates to a self-adhesive laminate, shapeable to toe and fingernails, containinga) a film-forming polymer layer containing at least one plasticizer,b) a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer located thereon, andc) a carrier film which covers the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer and can be removed again, wherein the film-forming layer a) is also covered on the other side, at least over the entire surface, withd) a protective layer, which is likewise removable and is resistant to the other constituents of the laminate and the materials used in the preparation of the laminate.The invention also relates to a process for the preparation of such a laminate and to its use for application to toenails or fingernails as synthetic nails.

Abstract: An artificial marble sheet is formed of a pair of carrier films, an SMC layer and a resin concrete layer which has plasticity but does not contain glass fibers laminated between the carrier films. A method of manufacturing the artificial marble sheet as defined above which includes forming a resin concrete layer which has plasticity but does not contain glass fiber on a first carrier film, forming an SMC layer on a second carrier film and bringing the resin concrete layer and the SMC layer into an intimate contact to each other. Carrier films are removed from the artificial marble sheet and press molding is applied under heating such that the resin concrete layer is located on the side of the surface of the product.

Abstract: Marble-like glass ceramic which consists essentially of, by weight percent, 50-75% SiO.sub.2, 1-15% Al.sub.2 O.sub.3, 6-16.5% CaO, 0.1-5% Li.sub.2 O, 0-1.5% B.sub.2 O.sub.3, 10-17.5% CaO+Li.sub.2 O+B.sub.2 O.sub.3, 2.5-12% ZnO, 0-12% BaO, 0.1-15% Na.sub.2 O+K.sub.2 O, and 0-10% coloring agents, said ceramic comprising .beta.-wollastonite precipitated as a major crystal. The coloring agents comprises at least one selected from a group of Fe.sub.2 O.sub.3, NiO, CoO, MnO.sub.2, Cr.sub.2 O.sub.3, and CuO. The marble-like glass ceramic may further comprises at least one of As.sub.2 O.sub.3 and Sb.sub.2 O.sub.3 of up to 1% as refining agents, at least one of up to 1.5% MgO and up to 1.5% SrO so as to improve meltability of the glass, and at least one of up to 1% TiO.sub.2, up to 1% ZrO.sub.2, and up to 1% P.sub.2 O.sub.5 so as to make the glass stable and less devitrifiable.

Abstract: A novel display panel (10) has a high fidelity visual pattern with a full range of grey scale values, for instance, a marble or leather pattern, which is produced via a novel methodology (20). In accordance with the novel methodology (20), a high resolution visual pattern (31) and a mask pattern (32) are produced and separately printed. The patterns (31, 32) are then superimposed and exposed to a camera (33) which generates an enlarged photograph positive. A silk screen is produced from the enlarged photograph positive and used to print a high fidelity visual pattern onto a glass substrate (13). The glass substrate (13) and visual pattern (14) are then heated in a tempering oven to derive the display panel (10).

Abstract: A building facade material generally includes a plurality of elongate stone strips and a plurality of backing strips adhered thereto with an elastic adhesive disposed between adjoining backing strips for enabling front sides of the elongate stone strips to abut one another when the backing strips are adhered to a curved surface. A method for preparing a stone facade for a curved surface, in accordance with the present invention, generally includes the steps of adhering a sheet of backing material to a sheet of stone, thereafter cutting the stone sheet with the adhesive backing sheet into elongate stone strips with elongate backing strips adhered thereto. Thereafter, the elongate backing strips are adhered to one another with an elastic adhesive. In addition, the stone strips and the backing strips may be beveled for enabling the backing sheets to be disposed on a curved surface, while distorting the elastic adhesive in order to cause the front sides of the stone elongate strips to abut one another.

Abstract: A method of producing replicated paving stone including a base having a shaded and stratified layered upper surface with a plurality of simulated grout lines formed therein including the steps of preparing a cementitious mortar, applying a release agent to the interior of a forming mold, pouring the cementitious mortar into the forming mold, leveling the mortar, vibrating the forming mold and cementitious mortar therein, allowing the cementitious mortar to cure forming a base with an upper surface, releasing the base from the forming mold, applying an acid stain to the base, allowing the acid stain to etch the base to shade the upper surface, accenting the plurality of simulated grout lines with a pigment and sealing the replicated paving stone with an acrylic polymer sealer.

Abstract: Artificial stones from finely divided glass fragments and artificial resins and having a great similarity to natural stones under optical, weight-related and tactile-esthetical aspects consist of15 to 30% by weight of a transparent cured or thermoplastically deformed synthetic resin which may be dyed,10 to 80% by weight of white, green, brown or mixed fragmented and/or granulated waste glass of grain sizes of from 0.05 to 3 mm,0 to 40% by weight of transparent, opaque or strongly colored fragmented and/or granulated new glass having grain sizes of from 0.05 to 3 mm,0 to 75% by weight of transparent, opaque or strongly colored ground material having grain sizes of from 0.05 to 3 mm, produced from 80 to 92 parts by weight of waste glass having grain sizes of from 0.05 to 0.

Abstract: A granitic stone ( so-called Mikage-ishi)-like artificial solid material produced by impregnating a paper sheet having a granitic pattern with a thermosetting resin to give a paper containing from 25 to 60% by weight of the resin at the dry basis; drying the resin-impregnated paper sheet; and hot-pressing a laminate comprising a plurality of the dried sheets; is claimed, said paper mainly comprising (A) from 20 to 80% by weight of cellulose pulp, (B) from 2 to 40% by weight of an artificial fiber, (C) from 10 to 70% by weight of an inorganic filler less than 10 .mu.m in average diameter, and (D) from 1 to 30% by weight of a fine-grained additive consisting of grains from 10 to 500 .mu.m in average diameter, having a color hue different from that of the inorganic filler (C).

Abstract: A hollow decorative object is disclosed which contains inside one or more novelty objects. The hollow decorative object is formed of a hard, but unfired clay material, that is capable of being cut to form an opening into the hollow decorative object through which the one or more novelty objects can be removed without destroying the hollow decorative object. The hollow object may be formed into the general shape of an egg having a flattened base region on which said hollow decorative object can stand without tipping over. The base region is formed having a thickness enabling the easy cutting of an aperture therein through which the one or more novelty objects can be removed from the hollow decorative object without otherwise damaging it.