Abstract: A monolithic ceramic body with ordered pores and a method of making a monolithic ceramic body is provided including applying a fugitive material in a pattern having a predetermined order, size, shape, orientation and location to a broad surface of at least one layer of green ceramic material. A second ceramic layer is juxtaposed in a stack with the first layer, with the fugitive material between the layers. The juxtaposed layers are laminated and the stack is heated to a first temperature to dislodge the fugitive material and provide a plurality of pores having a predetermined order, size, shape, orientation and location which matches that of the fugitive material pattern. The stack is then heated to a second temperature to form a monolithic ceramic body which includes the pores.

Abstract: A body support pad for inhibiting the occurrence of decubitus ulcers. The body support pad includes a generally planar but flexible base member having an upper surface and a lower surface. A plurality of pillars are arrayed across the lower surface and extend outwardly therefrom. The pillars can be arranged in discrete arrays wherein the pillars in each array can have specific pressure dipersing characteristics. The body support pad also includes a plurality of pods extending outwardly from the upper surface of the base member. The pods can be arranged in discrete arrays wherein the pods in each array can have specific pressure dispersing characteristics. The body support pad also includes ventilation apertures for permitting free flow of air in and around the pad.

Abstract: A hollow plate made of synthetic resin characterized in that the plate is made of synthetic resin to have hollow portions therein and that a reinforcement member is forcedly inserted into at least one of the hollow portions. The hollow portion into which the reinforcement member is forcedly inserted extends from one side of the plate to the other side thereof and an opening through which the reinforcement member is inserted is formed at that side of the plate which corresponds to the hollow portion. The strength of the plate can be thus enhanced without making its appearance unattractive and thus surface of the plate can be made plain and smooth. Therefore, it can be satisfactorily used as luggage panels or the like.

Abstract: A composite cover 10 for a manhole or other opening comprises an upper 12 and lower 14 skin of glass reinforced plastics material. The upper and lower skins are bonded to one another about the edges 18 and spaced apart from one another therebetween to define a space 16 containing reinforcing walls 20 extending between the upper 12 and lower 14 skins. The reinforcing walls 20 are preferably formed from a corrugated sheet of glass fibre reinforced plastics material. The cover of the invention is as strong as conventional cast iron covers but is lighter and cheaper to manufacture.

Abstract: A size-adjustable construction element involves use of channel spacers to maintain spaced parallel relationship and positive physical contact between adjacent panel members. A preferred embodiment of the invention comprises multilayered mirror insulation having an adjustment section to permit use of a standard size component to fit nonstandard dimensions and further includes channel spacers that effectively reduce convection between adjacent layers, provide positive structural support, provide a bearing surface for ease of adjustment and maintain the parallel space relationship between adjacent sheets.

Abstract: A landscaping edging material is described preferably made from a polymeric plastic material and formed having a planar face surface which is attached or integrally formed with a corrugated central web portion. The edging is placed on the ground surface or partially below the ground surface to delocate boundaries of lawn or garden areas or provide an effective landscape retainer to contain dirt, bark, chips, stones or the like in a confined area. The edging is retained in position by using a plurality of stakes which are inserted normally by hand into the ground through the elongated channels formed between the planar face surface and the central web portion. The stakes preferably have reverse loops that are then placed into an adjacent channel to add security and enhance the aesthetic appearance of the edging. A "hair pin" connector stake is employed to connect two sections of edging or the two ends of a section forming a circular pattern.

Abstract: In a composite support structure such as a pallet wherein spaced apart opposed structural sheets are separated by a central core, the core including a plurality of spaced apart elongated channel-shaped members each presenting their longitudinally extending flange formations to the sheets and having longitudinally extending corrugated structural strips disposed between adjacent pairs of the channel-shaped members, each corrugated strip presenting alternate ridge segments thereof to each of adjacent pairs of the channel-shaped members and in abutment therewith with fasteners or the like securing each channel-shaped member to each corrugated strip formation in the regions of abutment.

Abstract: Honeycomb structure material having a web fabricated from sheets or ribbons of material into corrugated members which are joined together in such a fashion that I-beams are formed, the I-beams being stacked one upon another and the stacks being spaced apart throughout the web.

Abstract: A sheet-like sandwich molding having two outer firm rigid covering layers and, as the core, at least one sheet-like structure of fiber material, which has been deformed by deep-drawing and been provided with synthetic resin. The sheet-like structure of fiber material, constituting the core, can, for example, be a knitted fabric provided with a curable condensation resin.

Abstract: A thermoformed sheet 1 for a plate-type gas-gas heat exchanger of the type comprising a case in which are stacked parallel plates spaced from each other by lateral spacing means, these plates having at their ends pointed regions provided with elements for alternately closing one of the two sides of the point, the case further comprising walls connected in a fluidtight manner to the pointed portions of the ends of the plates so as to form distinct inlet and outlet conduits for the gases which circulate in a countercurrent manner in the alternating spaces formed by the plates, this sheet being characterized in that it comprises a series of identical rows of elongated patterns 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d having edge portions folded on one side or the other of the sheet, each pattern comprising two parallel longitudinal edge portions 3a, 4a; 3b, 4b; 3c, 4c, 3d, 4d by which it is connected to the adjacent patterns so as to form a row and terminating in two pointed end portions 8a, 9a; 8b, 9b; 8c; 9c; 8d, 9d by which the patter

Abstract: A floatable on water, translucent laminated plastic sheet material having a plastic embossed film with a plurality of embossments dispersed thereon except at the longitudinal edges thereof. The embossments are spaced apart and separated by land areas and a plastic backing film is laminated to the embossed film at the said longitudinal edges and at the land areas. Thus air containing buoyant cells are formed by the embossments of the embossed film and the backing film. The improvement comprise a fibrous material laminated to the sheet material at least at the longitudinal edges thereof, whereby the edges are reinforced by the fibrous material and the edges may be attached to correspondingly reinforced edges of another of the sheet material without substantially weakening the attached sheets of material at the attachments thereof.

Abstract: The beam of composite material is of the type comprising two longitudinally extending outer parallel chords interconnected by webs which are parallel to one another and perpendicular to the chords, spaces between the webs being filled with a resin foam material forming a core (8, 9). The beam further comprises prefabricated box structures (2, 14) providing a connection between the chords (6) and the core (8, 9) on each side of the webs (7), and thin metal bands disposed between two thin sheets of resin-impregnated fibers constituting heating elements (10) incorporated in the core (8, 9) in intermediate parts of the latter and disposed parallel to the webs (7) and located between the latter.

Abstract: A reusable highly absorbent article, for example a cloth or towel for mopping up household spillages, comprises a substrate carrying a pressure-sensitive polymeric material capable of absorbing, retaining, releasing and reabsorbing large volumes of water or electrolyte. The polymer is preferably the sulphonation product of a high-void-volume styrene polymer prepared by polymerization of a high-internal-phase emulsion.

Abstract: A conductive dielectric structure is disclosed wherein a thermoplastic matrix has a multitude of electrically conductive channels through its thickness and, optionally, at least one electrically conductive surface which, along with protective and heat seal layers, can be formed into conductive belts.

Abstract: A body support pad for inhibiting the occurrence of decubitus ulcers. The body support pad includes a generally planar but flexible base member having an upper surface and a lower surface. A plurality of pillars are arrayed across the lower surface and extend outwardly therefrom. The pillars can be arranged in discrete arrays wherein the pillars in each array can have specific pressure dispersing characteristics. The body support pad also includes a plurality of pods extending outwardly from the upper surface of the base member. The pods can be arranged in discrete arrays wherein the pods in each array can have specific pressure dispersing characteristics. The body support pad also includes ventilation apertures for permitting free flow of air in and around the pad.

Abstract: Padded fabric particularly suitable, for example, for padded brassieres is made by knitting, on a tricot or Raschel knitting machine, having at least three guide bars (53,54,55) and two rows (51,51') of spaced needles, inner and outer base fabrics (58,59) which are connected with interknitted filler threads (61) in the form of sinker stitches, extending between the base fabrics, the sinker stitches being bound into and connecting the base fabrics and being interknitted therewith. The filler threads can be suitably selected for bending resistance, and, if a thermoplastic material, mixed for example with cotton, with the thermoplastic material predominating, permitting heat-treatment of the resulting padded material to form, for example, brassiere cups of desired thickness, and hence padding material content.

Abstract: A wiping cloth or the like, suitable for wiping glossy hard surfaces, comprises a sheet substrate carrying a liquid, for example, a streak-free cleaning composition. At least one external (wiping) surface of the substrate has flattened areas including thermoplastic material coalesced by the application of heat and pressure and open areas, and this external surface is immediately adjacent to a core of bulky high-porosity fibrous sheet material.

Abstract: A panel for modular construction of building walls and the like which comprises a flat insulating core which includes a multiplicity of air-filled shell-like cavities in a staggered matrix of layered sheets which are separated from each other by a binding filler material. The core is surrounded and captured by a rigid rectangular frame having identical side members and identical end members which are contoured and oriented so as to engage the opposing side and end members of adjacent panels so as to align and fasten the panels to each other in assembly. Resilient sealing means are disposed between side and end rails of adjacent panels for forming an air-tight barrier across the assembled panels. The core is covered by facing layers of cement and gypsum construction for providing building exterior and interior wall surfaces respectively. A vapor barrier is sandwiched between layers of gypsum construction.

Abstract: Foraminous plates formed from coiled or parallel tape lengths may be inserted between the tubesheet and a ported casing-end in a hollow-fiber type permeator, to convey effluent from the fiber lumens to the port and to support the tubesheet against the pressure differential between its inner and outer faces. The face of the support plate which the tubesheet will bear against is defined by edges of the tapes, which are held radially or laterally apart by spacing means adapted to permit effluent flow through the plate between the tapes. Either the casing-end or the plate surface bearing against it is grooved.

Abstract: An insulating sheet material is made of a plurality of air tight chambers, each having a partial vacuum therein, held together in closely spaced side-by-side relationship so as to form a sheet of such compartments. The insulating sheet may be formed of sheets of material bonded together so as to form the side-by-side compartments, or the compartments may be individually formed and secured in side-by-side relationship by a film of material to which the compartments are adhered. The insulation sheet is preferrably perforated between compartments so that the sheet can be easily torn to any desired size.

Abstract: There is depicted and claimed "on demand" apparatus and method for producing air-cushioning material for end-user manufacture. There are two arrangements and both provide economy of apparatus, space, labor and materials. Two thermoplastic film strips are carried from roll storage means to this air-cushioning forming means whereat the webs of film are locally heat-sealed together. A first film is fed to a heated roll whereat this film is heated sufficiently to be thermoformed on a cooled roll with cavities formed therein. These cavities are manifold-connected to a source of vacuum which draws the heated film into the formed cavities. The second strip of film is fed to another heated roll having a resilient covering material with thermoconductive metal powder as a substantial component, thus providing sufficient thermoconductivity and resilience to heat-seal or weld this second film to those areas around the cavities formed in the first film.

Abstract: An insulating, translucent panel useful as a storm window, a translucent wall within a building, or a skylight includes a polyethylene closed cell foam sheet adhered to a polycarbonate structural sheet. In one form of the invention, the two sheets are mounted within a frame which compresses the foam sheet edge so that the two sheets can be mounted in the frame without the use of screws. The polycarbonate sheet has parallel, closed channels disposed in a vertical position so that condensate drains to the bottom of the window assembly. A bottom frame member drains off the condensate.

Abstract: A skeletal layer of a first polymeric material, consisting of two parallel plates interconnected by spaced-apart webs, is overlain on at least one plate surface by a reinforcing layer of a more wear-resistant or otherwise protective second polymeric material, possibly with interposition of an equalizing layer of a third polymeric material. The reinforcing layer may carry a lower-melting coating of a fourth polymeric material serving to hold a covering such as a textile fabric in position thereon. The voids of the skeletal layer may be filled with foam plastic. The composite panel can be formed by joint extrusion of all polymeric layers and can be subjected to subsequent deformation under heat and pressure into a shaped body.

Abstract: A manufacturing method for a cushioning material of air-filled film, wherein a plastic film sheet formed into a cylindrical shape is transversely fusion-bonded so that small air-filled cells are fabricated continuously. Manufacturing equipment is provided with a means for forming a plastic film into a cylindrical shape, a longitudinal sealing means, a roller means, and a transverse sealing means.

Abstract: A sheet is disclosed for forming a plurality of coupling bands for connecting the ends of corrugated drain tubes having external grooves. The sheet includes a plurality of parallel lines of hollow lugs. The lugs are separated from each other by an integral web of plastic material. The lugs in each line are spaced sufficiently to allow the resulting coupling bands formed from the sheet to bend freely about the drain tubes to which the couplings are applied. Each line of hollow lugs includes a plurality of spaced-apart columns of hollow lugs aligned in end-to-end relation. Each column includes, in sequence, a first end lug formed to include a flat end wall upstanding in substantially perpendicular relation to the plastic web, a plurality of intermediate lugs of generally frustro-pyramidal shape, and a second end lug formed to include a flat end wall upstanding in substantially perpendicular relation to the plastic web.

Abstract: A sound-absorbing element of films has adjacent, cup-shaped recesses in the orm of a grid. The bottom surfaces of the films which are to be exposed to the sound field may be excited into dissipative vibrations when sound is incident thereon. The upper edges of the cup-shaped recesses are jointly covered by another flat material web. The bottom surfaces of the cup-shaped recesses are subdivided into bases by one or more crimp-shaped recesses, the depth of which is appreciably smaller than the depth of the cup-shaped recesses. The sound-absorbing element may be used in building, underground and tunnel construction and in vehicle construction.

Abstract: An insulated mattress pad eliminates the necessity of heating the water of a waterbed by electrical or other means. The mattress pad includes a pocketed covering of washable materials into which is removably inserted an insulating pad formed of an insulating laminate. The laminate comprises at least one layer of insulating air bubbles sandwiched between heat reflecting skins and abrasion resistant outer sheets. The mechanical stiffness of the mattress pad allows the use of thinner backing pads, such as foam, while maintaining the comfortable feel of thick backing pads.

Abstract: An insulator for mounting to a window. A pair of plastic layers including a plurality of partitions positioned therebetween form air pockets between the layers. A plurality of suction cups and suction grooves arranged in rows on one outer surface of the sheet removably secure the sheet to a window. The sheet includes a circumferentially extending recessed portion receiving the window frame.

Abstract: In order to fabricate and emplace a thermal insulating mat at favorable cost and in order to provide the mat with good thermal insulation properties at a favorable cost, the thermal insulating mat comprises films having sealed chambers which are filled with a filler gas, the thermal conduction coefficient of which is smaller than that of air.

Abstract: Insulated composite aluminum profile, a method and a device for manufacturing thereof. The composite profile comprises two separate profile portions provided with grooves. Plastic strips engage the grooves in order to interconnect the profile portions and form an enclosed space for an insulating plastic foam. The profile portions are placed in a fixture, which determines the dimensions of the composite profile and the plastic foam is inserted in the space in order to expand and cure therein. Thence, the profile is removed from the fixture and eventually rolled as to the outer rims of the grooves, which are deformed and thereby fix the plastic strip.

Abstract: A thermal insulation layer, suitable for use in a duvet, comprises a convection inhibiting structure and at least one surface with a low thermal emissivity. The structure may be a flexible cellular foam sheet or a web of fibrous material, while the low emissivity surface may be a coating on the sheet or on a thin flexible thermally insulating film. Perforations are provided through the foam sheet or the film to permit diffusion of water vapour through the layer, and the layer may include an additional web of fibrous material or feathers adjacent to the low emissivity surface.

Abstract: Coherent expanded nonwoven sheets having a density of less than 0.16 g/mL are comprised of fibrids of a wholly synthetic polymer, preferably not melting below 130.degree. C., and optionally containing up to 80% by weight floc. The sheet is comprised of a plurality of paper-like membranous layers which join and separate at random throughout the thickness of the sheet to form expanded cells. The expanded nonwoven sheets are prepared by rapid vaporization of water in a wet, never-dried sheet of fibrids containing at least 60% by weight water. Rapid vaporization of the water preferably is induced by dielectric heating. Embossing may be used before or during expansion to produce a sheet which is expanded only in selected areas.

Abstract: An endless loop article of manufacture comprises a core consisting essentially of at least one skein and a protective covering consisting essentially of hose fabric loosely enclosing said core, and a warp threading and a weft threading which latter comprises at least one monofilament thread extending transverse to the central loop axis, and preferably a monofilament and a multifilament thread arranged to run side by side. The protective covering comprises an endless toroidal part and an internal annular selvedge flange extending radially inwardly from the latter.A strap can be formed from such article of manufacture so deformed that opposite segments of the internal selvedge flange are brought into contact and sewn together, e.g. with an auxiliary warp thread, or by superimposing a protective layer to which the segments are sewn.The protective covering of the article can further comprise an external circumferential selvedge flange projecting radially outwardly from the toroidal part.

Abstract: A strip of hollow heat-recoverable articles formed side-by-side by tear welding two lengths of polymeric material together at intervals so that individual articles may be torn off. A preferred method of making the strip involves cross-linking after the tear welding, heating the strip, and inflating the hollow articles to render them heat-recoverable by introducing pressure via an interconnecting passage formed for that purpose during the tear welding.

Abstract: A pyramidal core structure is provided and consists of two panels. Each panel is comprised of a series of beveled, truncated hollow pyramids embossed thereon. One of the panels can be inverted and mated with the other panel in an appropriate manner to form a core structure. The core structure so formed is normally bonded to two sheets for added strength and utility.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for manufacturing solar heating devices of a type having bonded together sheets of thermoplastic material forming a flexible wall container for fluid to be heated. The methods and apparatus involve advancing first and second elongate indeterminate lengths of sheet material longitudinally along respective paths while heating, bonding and sealing the sheets. Specific arrangements and steps for heating, bonding, and sealing are described.

Abstract: An air-inflatable structure wherein each flat wall of the structure comprs a separate air bag. Sharp rectangular corners can be formed at the demarcation zones between the separate air bags. The invention is particularly useful in the formation of air-inflated structures having flat walls and sharp corners, e.g., decoy (fake) military vehicles. Decoy structures (e.g., tanks, trucks, etc.) can be made to achieve closer more realistic simulations of actual structures.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the construction of a core member or a partition plate and method for manufacturing the same by use of blow molding means, wherein a hollow plate member formed of a synthetic resin is used for a seat core member and a partition plate for vehicles such as automobiles, the decrease in strength resulting from the hollow structure is prevented by reinforcing members molded at the same time when the body composed of a plate member is blow molded, the core member or the partition plate being strengthened by the body and the reinforcing members within the body.

Abstract: A protective device, such as a boxing helmet, rib or muscle protector, athletic mat, hockey helmet, motorcycle helmet and similar devices, is formed such that the major shock absorption is accomplished by a series of bowed, preferably plastic, members which flex when the device is subjected to an impact, so as to absorb the shock and dissipate its transmission to the user. Because of the nature of these bowed members, when the shock has been dissipated, the member returns to its original position so as to be able to absorb further shocks.

Abstract: Radiation is directed toward a support through an ordered array of lateral walls to form interlaid radiation-exposed and shadowed microareas on the support. A first composition is then located on the support in either the shadowed or unshadowed microareas. At least one additional composition is then positioned on the support in laterally displaced microareas forming an interlaid pattern with the first microareas.

Abstract: A transparent protective laminating film for forming a sealed protective cover on an identification card or similar document, comprising a base film of biaxially oriented thermoset polyester resin with an inner surface coating of polyethylene or other heat-and-pressure activated thermoplastic resin, has an additional outer surface layer of unoriented embossable thermoplastic polyester resin to permit embossure with a security pattern; the outer surface layer is also receptive to a signature strip formed by embossure, to a pigment signature strip or a resin-oxide magnetic strip applied by hot stamp transfer, or any combination of such strips.

Abstract: A hygienic absorbent, i.e. a substantially liquid and gas tight sound absorbent, including an under-absorbent (11), a tight foil (13) and gas-filled blisters (15) located therebetween. Preferably a supporting layer (16) is located outside the under-absorbent to support the blisters (15).

Abstract: Method for constructing a forming structure for imparting a uniformly apertured three-dimensional pattern to a heated plastic material subjected to a fluid pressure differential while in contact with said forming structure. In a preferred embodiment, said forming structure is created by forming a substantially continuous pattern of apertures in a multiplicity of planar sheets, at least a portion of said sheets having aperture patterns which are concentrically aligned but dissimilar in size to one another. The sheets having said concentrically aligned aperture patterns are thereafter superposed upon one another and bonded together at contact points so as to form a stack exhibiting a three-dimensional continuum of capillary networks. A sufficient number of laminae are employed to ensure that said networks are of greater overall thickness than the maximum depth to which the plastic film is drawn when subjected to said fluid pressure differential.

Abstract: Connection insulators having a plurality of insulating compartments for electrically isolating electrical connections formed from strips of insulating material of indeterminate length. In one embodiment, a first strip of insulating material is supplied to a securing station at a predetermined average rate of supply and a second strip of insulating material is supplied to a forming station at a predetermined average rate of supply greater than the predetermined average rate of supply of the first strip with the pliability of the second strip being enhanced by heating the strip for aiding the deformability characteristics of the second strip. The second strip of insulating material is deformed into predetermined patterns at the forming station and then moved into position adjacent to the first strip of insulating material at the securing station.

Abstract: A composite underbody cushioning and ventilating structure of general use and especially useful as a seat pad for the occupants of vehicles, formed of two sheet members with padding material between them, one sheet member being of woven, fibrous decorative material designed for ready passage of air therethrough and the other sheet member being a formed plastic three-dimensional preferably air impervious sheet member that serves the multi-purposes of (a) spacing the sheet members apart for passage of ventilating air between them; (b) presenting an exterior surface that ventilates by lateral air movement and thermal current air movement within local areas of the member; (c) acting as a support for a body while contacting the body in measurably less than 50% of the area of the body; and (d) presenting an exterior surface having a decorative appearance. The present invention also involves the features of the formed plastic sheet member, per se.

Abstract: A wood sheet-like product which comprises at least two sheets of wood and a pliable material bonded between the sheets. The wood and pliable material is bonded to form a unitary product and grooves through the wood sheets are spaced at intervals to facilitate bending of the product at the grooves. The sheet-like product is used to make wood honeycomb and corrugated wood by positioning grooves at predetermined locations on the product, bending the product into a certain configuration. In the case of honeycomb, adjacent strips of the product are adhered together in such a way as to form polygonal cells. To make corrugated wood one configuration has a series of high and low ridges secured to a facing skin. The methods of making the wood sheet-like product comprises inserting a pliable material between two sheets of wood bonding the sheets together and cutting a groove through the wood sheets but not through the pliable material.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the production of air cell cushioning material, for protective cushioning purposes in packaging or other purposes, with the air cell product being formed from flexible, single stratum sheet of low density, low melting point thermoplastic, such as low density polyethylene film. The method and apparatus include an arrangement for cooling an embossed film on a rotatable forming drum to a predetermined temperature range prior to applying a sealing laminating film to the cooled embossed film, and are such that the apparatus can be halted in its operation without injurious effects to any substantial amount of the air cell product being produced, and can be restarted to again commence production of the air cell product. The apparatus and method utilize clear thermoplastic single stratum film, and result in an effective air cell cushioning product which possesses extremely good clarity even after the heating and pressure steps utilized in the production of the product.

Abstract: The disclosed sheet has a plurality of rectangular recesses in rows and columns for holding one transparency in each recess, and an inclined surface portion is formed substantially at the center of the bottom wall of each rectangular recess, so that reflection from the center of the bottom wall of the recess is angularly deviated from reflection from the center of the transparency held by the recess.

Abstract: A process for the production of a marker sleeve assembly which comprises deforming a substantially non-cross-linked web of polymeric material at a temperature below the crystalline melting point or softening point of the material to render the web heat-recoverable, fusing together parts of the web or parts of the web and at least one other polymeric web to define a plurality of radially inwardly heat-recoverable marker sleeves, disposed in side-by-side relationship and preferably separable and subsequently cross-linking the resulting assembly.

Abstract: An inflatable-deflatable flexible structural component comprising a flexible foam core portion having a fabric covering, the fabric being sealed against loss of air by a flexible elastomeric coating.