Abstract: A shoe cleaning mat employs a plurality of spaced projections on a base layer, all projecting to substantially the same height to provide a stable support. Some of the projections are each provided with an array of radially extending ribs which are progressively deeper in the radially outward direction to provide corresponding increasing elasticity. Two different sizes of such projections are employed and a third type of projection, smaller than the other two, is provided with vertically extending side ribs which are progressively deeper in upward direction.

Abstract: A plastic film having a matte finish embossed on its surface is provided. The matte plastic film has excellent winding characteristics without edge curl, extremely low gloss even on both sides and good tape adhesion properties, among other advantages, which make it especially suitable for use in articles such as disposable diapers.

Abstract: A slip resistant mat assembly for use on boats and other pleasure craft has a custom molding providing an edge trim and being usable for securing the mat in place against both vertical and lateral movement, whereof the mat portion includes vertically downwardly extending studs upon which it stands, a portion of these studs passing into the molding and being interlocked thereto, the molding being securable to the surface upon which the mat studs rest.

Abstract: A glass fibre reinforced plastic sheet having a radiation reflecting layer extending over its surface area and which is carried by a release film or the like employed in the manufacture of the reinforced plastic sheet to thereby reflect radiation but enable light to pass through the sheet.

Abstract: A structural panel comprises truncated polyhedral elements projecting from a base sheet, with the base sheet and truncation surfaces providing increased bonding areas for external face sheets. Mass produced, identical panels which are nestable for shipping and storage may be combined in an interlocking arrangement to form a combined panel which is nearly isotropic in its reaction to external loads.

Abstract: An embossed thermoplastic film characterized in that one surface of the film is provided with a plurality of rows of protuberances having the shape of pyramids with square bases which extend perpendicular to both the longitudinal and the transverse axes of the film. The protuberances are joined at the edge of the bases by flat valley portions which intersect each other at right angles. The embossed film has a low coefficient of friction and increased embossed thickness.

Abstract: Lightweight, pattern bonded, generally continuous filament web having physical, aesthetic, and functional attributes particularly desirable for liner material for disposable absorbent products such as diapers, sanitary napkins, and the like. In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, a continuous filament polypropylene web is formed and pattern bonded by heat and pressure producing a high frequency of high density bond areas. This bonded web is then subjected to hot embossing in a gross pattern producing permanent web deformation and increasing the web effective thickness. In use the nonwoven web of the invention provides a very soft, flexible web having a pleasing appearance and yet retaining strength properties making it very effective at low basis weights for applications such as liners for disposable diapers, sanitary napkins, and the like.

Abstract: Structurally defined continuous metal strips are formed by forcing molten metal onto the surface of a moving chill body under pressure through a slotted nozzle located in close proximity to the surface of the chill body. The surface of the chill body (chill surface) whereon casting of the strips takes place has a contoured surface, i.e. it is provided with structurally defined protruberances and/or indentations, which are faithfully replicated by the formed strip, the thickness of the strip being substantially uniform throughout, regardless of whether it replicates a level area of the chill surface or a raised or indented area.

Abstract: An extruded treadway includes a plurality of interlocking panels having upper surfaces which include nonskid members of pyramidal shape disposed in rectilinear configuration.

Abstract: A protector member for placement on a vehicle floorboard protects the driver's heel from scuffing. The protector member has a pad with an upper convoluted surface. Relatively large peaks are surrounded by valleys. The peaks serve to remove debris, which is collected in the valleys. A barrier, located at the bottom of each valley, serves to prevent the heel from further contact with the debris. Preferably the barrier is a thin strip of film gathered in folds.

Abstract: There is described a process for embossing onto a document machine-readable information in the form of optical markings with a light-modifying relief structure for indicating the genuineness of the document, comprising transferring a thermoplastic layer to the document from an embossing foil by means of a hot embossing die, and simultaneously embossing the optical markings in at least the thermoplastic layer. Also described are embossed documents produced by the disclosed process.

Abstract: Sticks of foamable thermoplastic material are provided with grooves in at least one surface. These grooves extend width-wise of the stick. In addition, the grooves are disposed in equi-spaced relation along one surface of the stick, or in spaced-apart series or groups on only one surface, or in series or groups on opposite surfaces and in spaced-apart relation. Upon foaming, the sticks form foamed elements of various shapes, each of which has at least one curvilinear portion such as, for example, a corkscrew shape, an annular shape or shapes with reverse bends.

Abstract: A shim for use as a spacing or leveling device between two adjacent elements such as structural elements or the like. The shim comprises a planar structure of U-shaped configuration, having parallel leg portions joined by a base portion. A handle portion may also be provided, the handle portion being coplanar with and located centrally of the shim base portion and extending therefrom in a direction opposite that of the leg portions. A line of weakening may be located at the juncture of the handle portion and the base portion, rendering the handle readily removable after proper location of the shim. The leg portions may also be provided with one or more parallel, transverse lines of weakening so that segments of the leg portions may be broken off to adjust the length of the legs. The major or upper and lower surfaces of the shim are longitudinally striated, forming alternate, narrow, longitudinal grooves and ridges.

Abstract: A reflective heat insulating shield or screen or panel, for example for disposition between a heating body or source such as a radiator and a wall, comprising a reflective surface having protuberances or facets which face the heating body and deflect the hot air stream flowing along the shield or screen toward the heating body.

Abstract: Sticks of foamable thermoplastic material are provided with grooves in at least one surface. These grooves extend width-wise of the stick. In addition, the grooves are disposed in equi-spaced relation along one surface of the stick, or in spaced-apart series or groups on only one surface, or in series or groups on opposite surfaces and in spaced-apart relation. Upon foaming, the sticks form formed elements of various shapes, each of which has at least one curvilinear portion such as, for example, a corkscrew shape, an annular shape or shapes with reverse bends.

Abstract: A chipboard having bonded thereto a sheet metal lamination is disclosed. The sheet metal stretches and contracts in response to dimensional changes in the chipboard without becoming detached therefrom, thereby improving and preserving the strength and integrity of the chipboard. Also disclosed is a method of manufacturing thin laminated chipboard wherein a thermoplastic material, securely connected or bonded to a sheet of non-thermoplastic material, is laminated to the chipboard by contacting the thermoplastic film against the chipboard while applying heat and pressure against the non-thermoplastic material.

Abstract: Disclosed is a cellular core structural panel, comprising a plurality of bonded stacked segments, each segment being formed from a sheet characterized by a top portion having repeating peaks and troughs and sidewalls integral with the troughs. The cut-to-length segments are successively aligned so that each peak contacts the trough of the segment above it to form a cellular core panel with integral face sheets formed from the sidewalls of each segment.

Abstract: Composite panels that include a metal skeleton of two superposed metal plates or sheets having groups of protruding bridge-shaped elements that extend into the interspace between the plates or sheets and overlap in a manner to form one or more elongated cage-like columns; a coherent matrix material made of a flowable or pourable mineral and/or organic matrix precursor is provided to substantially fill the interspace to form a substantially rigid compound structure of the panel constituents due to the plate-interlocking function of the cage-like columns. The panels can be flat or curved and are suitable as structural materials, notably as load supporting walls for buildings. Methods for producing such composite panels in a batchwise or continuous operation are disclosed.

Abstract: The loose fill packaging material of the illustrated embodiment comprises a plurality of elements of, for example, expanded polystyrene. Each packaging element of the embodiment is of a generally block-like form which includes a body portion of a spring-like construction and two leg portions. The spring-like construction is formed by slitting a surface of the body portion at spaced-apart locations prior to the complete expansion of the packaging element.

Abstract: The loose fill packaging material of the illustrated embodiment comprises a plurality of free-flowing elements of, for example, expanded polystyrene. Each packaging element of the embodiment is of a block-like E-shaped form which includes three leg portions which define a pair of recesses between the legs. The width of the recesses is less than the width of the leg portions and, in use, the leg portions of one element do not fit within the recesses of another element. Instead, the packaging elements abut one another, rather than interlock, while forming a mass of resilient packaging material about an item packaged therewithin.

Abstract: An expansible panel capable of deforming and absorbing stresses caused by thermal expansion and contraction comprising a single sheet formed of a plurality of frusto-pyramids of different sizes, each having a base, a top and depending sides and whose dimensions are such that any combination of frusto-pyramids will not produce a straight line longer than 1.5 times the base of the largest pyramid.

Abstract: A corrugated sheet for use as part of a composite concrete deck comprising parallel spaced crest surfaces connected to parallel spaced soffit surfaces by upstanding connecting web surfaces that converge towards each other as they approach a common crest surface, all the crest, soffit and web surfaces being generally planar with at least the crest surfaces furthermore being provided with upstanding, continuous, longitudinally extending beads made from the crest surface material and with laterally extending upstanding projections running between the beads and connecting them together. The panels between the beads and the projections function as shear panels. An alternate embodiment provides shear panels that are slightly depressed with respect to the surrounding surface material, projections that have flat upper surfaces, and a panel edge portion that is shaped to enable the panels to be secured together in overlapping relationship.

Abstract: Composite panels that include a metal skeleton of two superposed metal plates or sheets having groups of protruding bridge-shaped elements that extend into the interspace between the plates or sheets and overlap in a manner to form one or more elongated cage-like columns; a coherent matrix material made of a flowable or pourable mineral and/or organic matrix precursor is provided to substantially fill the interspace to form a substantially rigid compound structure of the panel constituents due to the plate-interlocking function of the cage-like columns. The panels can be flat or curved and are suitable as structural materials, notably as load supporting walls for buildings. Methods for producing such composite panels in a batchwise or continuous operation are disclosed.

Abstract: A traction device comprising a mat made of molded thermo-plastic material having a generally rectangular frame, a traction area and an approach area on each side of the traction area. The traction area occupies approximately half of the length of the mat and the approach areas are made of bars extending generally parallel to the sides of the mat and perpendicular to each other defining rectangular areas. The traction area is made of bars arranged at approximately 45.degree. angles to the sides of the frame and intersecting each other at approximately right angles. The bars are generally T-shaped. The vertical bar of the T is generally elliptical and the horizontal bar is generally elliptical with a flat top surface.

Abstract: Device for measuring temperature differentials on mammalian skin surfaces comprising separate dots of liquid crystals, sealed in a grid pattern between thin, performed, flexible films.

Abstract: A sheet of thermoplastic material has a planar surface treated to enhance adhesion of paper thereto by means of an adhesive of the class consisting of animal glue and water base adhesives as used in book binding. The sheet is passed beneath a heated diamond knurling roll at a temperature and pressure, and at a rate to produce a dwell time, which are controlled to form in said planar surface a continuous pattern of small, shallow recesses separated by inter-recess planar areas of said surface, and a raised rim of the thermoplastic material bordering each of said recesses and projecting above the planar areas, a large percentage of said rims having at least a part of their outer periphery overhanging a portion of the adjacent inter-recess planar area.

Abstract: This device comprises a flexible sheet member having cross convolutions oriented 45.degree. to the shear vector with spherical reliefs at the convolution junctions. The spherical reliefs are essential to the shear flexibility by interrupting the principal stress lines that act along the ridges of the convolutions. The spherical reliefs provide convolutions in both directions in the plane of the cross-convolution ridges.

Abstract: Metal, fiber or plastic panels are fabricated by the attachment of planar imperforate and/or partially perforated outer sheets to a specially formed center member comprising a web or sheet having a deformed surface defining an array of adjacent triangular projections and depressions. The center member is produced by the longitudinal cutting and folding of the web as it passes between two forming cylinders which mesh with one another, the cylinder peripheries carrying complementary arrays of spaced triangular-shaped tooth elements having their base lines aligned in the opposing cylinders, to shear and thereby relieve the passing web laterally so as to produce intermittent parallel cuts and angular folds in the web while gathering the web longitudinally thereby to form triangular, flat-topped cells in the center member. Instead of using two outer sheets, the formed center member can be used per se, e.g., as a packing medium, or it can be combined with only one outer sheet to form a single-face product.

Abstract: Structural cores are quasi-isotropic load-carrying constructional elements n the form of parallel rows of polyhedrons disposed in alternating sequence. These have been made from interwoven fibrous filaments, coated with plastic. Such structural cores are made herein from a continuous ribbon.

Abstract: An isogrid structure having inset strips of composite materials at the top and bottom of the grid webs. A preferably flanged isogrid basically consists of I-beam members arranged in an integral repeating pattern of substantially equilateral triangles. One flange may be integral with a skin sheet covering the structure. At least some of these flanges are provided with grooves running parallel to the beam webs, filled with advanced composite materials comprising high-strength fibers in a supporting matrix. Preferably, the fibers run parallel to the beam webs. Preferred arrangements of the fibers are described.

Abstract: A process of fabricating a composite structural member which has opposite sides produced from preformed sheets of thermoplastic material. In carrying out the process, reinforcing material comprising fibers and thermosetting resin in the uncured state is layed on the inside of one of the performed sheets. The two preformed sheets are assembled together with the reinforcing material located there between. The edges of the preformed sheets are sealed and a vacuum drawn. The resin is then allowed to cure to cause the resin and fiber to bond together and to the performed thermoplastic sheets and which become an integral part of the structural member.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to improvements in plastic preforms adapted for telescopic association with a complementary smooth surfaced mandrel such as is used in conventional plastic blow molding machines. More particularly, the present invention contemplates a novel type of plastic preform as herein, which comprises an elongate hollow plastic member, the inner surface of which in the aggregate conforms generally with the shape defined by the smooth peripheral surface of a complementary mandrel. The inner peripheral surface of the hollow plastic member or preform below the rim portion presents a plurality of circumferentially spaced surface portions adapted for initial direct impingement with restricted areas of the peripheral surface of a complementary smooth surfaced mandrel, the spacing between the said surface areas of impingement providing passageways extending generally longitudinally throughout substantially the entire longitudinal extent of the plastic member.

Abstract: An ablative surface insulator having a basket-like open weave of metal strips, convoluted on a one inch pitch and having a spacing of one-half inch between center lines of the strips is attached to a base material to be protected. A suitable elastomeric material which provides thermal protection by pyrolytic charring is molded on the woven metal structure.

Abstract: A sheet of material having a succession of spaced alternate protrusions and recesses, the walls of each such protrusion and recess being composed exclusively of non-rectangular elementary surfaces joining each other in an undulatory manner at the ridges of said protrusions and recesses along a single line having a plurality of points at which it changes direction to form a plurality of undulations and at each of which points border lines of at least four of said elementary surfaces converge, said surfaces being ruled in a direction extending from one ridge line to another, the sum of the angles formed on said surfaces between said border lines at each of said points being equal to 360.degree..

Abstract: Absorptive device having a breatheable backsheet resistant to aqueous liquid passage, wherein the backsheet has bosses and small apertures at the apex of the bosses, the apexes of the bosses being located adjacent the absorbent body with which the backsheet is associated.

Abstract: An electric blanket shell is composed of first and second-needled textile fabrics with a yarn layer disposed in at least one of the needled fabrics. The yarn layer has a plurality of first planar yarns extending generally in a first planar direction. A heat-fusible component is disposed in at least one of the needled fabrics. A plurality of small, discrete sonically or ultra-sonically-produced fusion bonds, spaced from each other, link the needled fabrics to form a blanket shell. The fusion bonds form a series of patterns across a planar dimension of the blanket shell and the patterns define a series of channels, for receiving heating wires, between the needled fabrics. The patterns of fusion bonds are disposed in a direction transverse to the direction of the first planar yarns. The fusion bonds of any one pattern do not engage more than about 50% of the first planar yarns and overlaps of fusion-bond patterns are substantially avoided.

Abstract: A protected container is formed by placing a protective coating of a foamed, heat shrinkable, styrenic resin sheet around at least a portion thereof. Slits are formed in the sheet prior to placing it around the container. After being placed around the container the sheet is heated so that it shrinks thereby making close contact with the container. The sheet is further heated such that the sides of the slits warp to form a rough surface to facilitate handling of the container.

Abstract: This device comprises a flexible sheet member having cross convolutions oriented 45.degree. to the shear vector with spherical reliefs at the convolution junctions. The spherical reliefs are essential to the shear flexibility by interrupting the principal stress lines that act along the ridges of the convolutions. The spherical reliefs provide convolutions in both directions in the plane of the cross-convolution ridges.

Abstract: A laminate comprising a core consisting of a cuspated sheet consisting of a series of hollow projections projecting upwardly and downwardly from the median plane of said sheet and wherein the outer tips of the projections on the ends furthest from the median plane are closed and the ends of the projections in the median plane are open and wherein the projections form a series of pointed cusps said core laminated to a porous sheet wherein the points of the cusps on at least one face have been melted and at least partially allowed to impregnate the porous sheet.

Abstract: Sections of sandwich panel structure have corrugated cores which may be formed from folded sheets or plates, the fold lines of each such section forming an oblique angle with the edges of the panel section. A composite panel may be formed from a plurality of such panel sections which join together along pairs of edges thereof, a shear plate being placed along such edges to extend between the panel surfaces to provide structural continuity between the panel sections.

Abstract: Lightweight construction materials having a low heat shrinking percentage and a high moisture permeability obtained by forming complementary concavoconvex patterns by means of press molding on both surfaces of a sheet of a foamed polyethylene type resin containing a relatively large amount of inorganic calcic filler, cushion made of said construction materials and mattress manufactured by laminating sheets of soft polyurethane foam on the lightweight construction material as core and covering the whole with cloth.

Abstract: The core of a sandwich panel is formed with projecting nodes, the faces of the nodes being bonded to the face sheets of the panel. The node faces have the central portions thereof excised such that the remaining portion of these faces form flanges. These flanges are bent away from the center plane of the core and are shaped for optimum attachment to the curved panel face sheets without the need for crippling or deforming the node body and so that they enable the formation of a good bonded or brazed joint between the node faces and the face sheets.

Abstract: Insulation material comprising a pair of generally parallel spaced surface sheets of impervious material sealed together through thermally insulating material at their free edges. The surface sheets are held in spaced relation by a series of transverse pins spaced apart over the area of the surface sheets and the space between the latter is evacuated.