Abstract: To provide a heat resistant filter of which the reduction of tensile strength and folding endurance is small even when used as a filter material for a filter used at high temperatures, failure of the filter material is difficult even when used at high temperatures, and which is capable of achieving a long life. The heat resistant filter contains: a heat resistant organic fiber base material, and a resin composition which contains an alkaline substance and which adheres to the heat resistant organic fiber base material.

Abstract: A three dimensional fabric suitable for use as a moisture management system for footwear and apparel which includes a first surface and a second surface which encase a center section. At least one surface is water repellent and may include pores of a predetermined size to allow moisture to pass therethrough. The fabric further contains a moisture absorbing agent which functions to capture and hold moisture which is later evaporated within a predetermined time period.

Abstract: A replaceable, self-spacing, pleated, filter insert that can be easily installed in a reusable filter frame without the aid of a secondary spacing structure includes reversibly collapsible and expandable filter media including a plurality of pleats that expand uniformly when the filter is expanded. When the filter is expanded to the length of the filter frame, the filter is under tension and behaves like a spring, thereby allowing the length of the filter to be readily adjusted to match the length of the frame and allowing the pleats to be aligned with corresponding ribs provided in the frame.

Abstract: A composite fire stopping article capable of fire stopping through-penetrations without the need for a secondary reinforcement structure includes an interior insulating material, such as mineral wool, sandwiched between layers of an intumescent material. The insulating material and intumescent material may be enclosed in a bag formed of a polymeric material. The intumescent material is substantially free of graphite and consists essentially of filler material, binder material, and a hydrated alkali metal silicate intumescent component.

Abstract: A laminate is claimed, having a first cover layer, a fabric with perforations as the middle layer, and a second cover layer, as are a method for its production and the use of the laminate as a fluid absorption and distribution layer made of a nonwoven fabric layer oriented in the Z direction, for absorbent hygiene articles. A three-dimensional form is achieved in that the fabric is present in the shrunk state in the middle layer, i.e. is brought into this state.

Abstract: The present invention discloses folded corrugated material for producing segments or strips for use as Easter grass, packing material and the like or for use as flower pot covers, floral wrappings and ribbon materials.

Abstract: An ornamental bunting includes: a length of fabric folded to form a plurality of pleats; and a crimping member having a pair of wings each having a row of teeth. The crimping member is operable upon application of an inwardly compressive force to substantially permanently deform from an open position to a closed position in which the rows of teeth are brought in close proximity to one another to maintain an end of length of fabric in a gathered condition between the rows of teeth.

Abstract: A topsheet for an absorbent article which has an uneven profile formed on a surface thereof to be brought into contact with a wearer's skin, the uneven profile being flexibly deformable in conformity to the contour of the wearer's body and to the wearer's movement, and depressions of the uneven profile being capable of trapping high-viscosity excreta thereby separating the high-viscosity excreta from the wearer's skin while an absorbent article having the topsheet is worn.

Abstract: An easy load packaging system, and a stand and a dunnage conversion machine therefor are disclosed. The stand includes a base and a pair of upright guide members mounted to the base and supporting at the upper ends thereof a dunnage conversion machine. The guide members define there between a channel for guiding sheet stock material to the dunnage conversion machine. The dunnage conversion machine is pivotable relative to the stand between an operating position and a servicing/loading position whereat access to internal components of the machine is simplified. A stack of sheet stock material is jacketed and/or baled for simplified loading into a packaging system or stand. An adhesive layer on the bottom or top of the stack enables the stack to be easily spliced to another stack.

Abstract: An expandable and contractible cellular panel 10 comprises a plurality of parallel, aligned, elongated tubular sections 12 secured together at the median region of their adjacent longitudinal margins to form the panel 10. The adjacent tubular sections 12 of the panel 10 are made of a pair of substantially identical separate strips of sheet material from those forming the other adjacent tubular sections 12. The various adjacent pairs of strips are laminated together along their confronting longitudinal margins. Each strip is made of at least two separate flexible substrate sheets 18,20 having completely different appearances, and are secured together by welding together their longitudinal margins.

Abstract: Here is disclosed a composite sheet comprising substantially non-stretchable nonwoven fabric sheets and a plurality of elastic members extending in a transverse direction and spaced one from another in a longitudinal direction by a given spacing wherein the elastic members are secured in a stretched state to the nonwoven fabric sheets. The composite sheet has a plurality of gathers formed by slightly undulated surface of the nonwoven fabric sheets and the elastic members and these gathers are substantially continuous in the longitudinal direction and arranged at substantially regular intervals in the transverse direction.

Abstract: A heat-reflective protective sleeve includes a substrate (10) and a sheet of reflective material (20) fixed on the substrate (10). The substrate (10) is elastically deformable from a non-operating position and the sheet (20) is pleated on the substrate (10) in the non-operating position.

Abstract: A novel packaging wrap is used in cushioning a product for shipment and is formed from the combination of a layer of pleated sheet material, the pleated material being creased at the apices of each pleat, and a planar layer of sheet material which is adhered to, and preferably, adhesively bonded, to a pleated sheet of kraft paper. The pleated sheet material has a weight in the range from about 30 to 50 pounds and the planar sheet material is preferably tissue paper having a weight of less than about 20 pounds. The pleated sheet material preferably, has a pleat angle in the range from above 45 degrees to below 85 degrees, and most preferably the pleats have an angle of about 50 to 65 degrees. Preferably, the pleats have a height in the range from about 3 sixteenths of an inch to about one half inch, in terms of distance between top planar sheet and bottom planar sheet.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an air filter medium comprising nanofibers, the filter medium having a thickness of less than 0.25 millimeters, a Figure of Merit of greater than about 0.075, and an efficiency of greater than about 99.9% when capturing aerosol particles of about 0.18 microns in size and a pressure drop of less than about 40 millimeters water column at a flow rate of about 32 liters/minute through a sample 100 cm2 in size. A coating of the nanofibers may also be used to enhance performance of existing filter media by increasing the FOM of the existing filter media. Preferably, the nanofibers are fibrillated.

Abstract: A preferred filter media is provided. The media includes a fine fiber web secured to the surface of a coarse fiber support. A preferred filter media, comprising multiple layers of fine fiber media separated by coarse fiber support, is provided. Advantageous filter constructions result and are provided. Also according to the disclosure, methods for using such arrangements to filter are provided.

Abstract: To provide practical corrugated cardboard pallets that cope with rain, humidity or the like and water-resistant corrugated cardboard for use as the material thereof. Water-resistant paper is used for base paper for corrugated paperboard and base paper for flat paperboard, and cornstarch glue containing 7 to 10 percent by weight modified ketone resin is used as an additive for water-resistance, all of which are used to manufacture the corrugated cardboard. Such corrugated cardboard is used at least in the beam portion to produce a pallet.

Abstract: An elastic film laminate includes a first film and at least one second film. The first film is elastomeric in at least one direction and can be reversibly stretched by a length &Dgr;lA during a deformation without demonstrating substantial residual deformation &Dgr;la. The second film is made of a deformable plastic connected with the first film in localized connection regions less than the entire length of the first film. The second film has received a permanent deformation &Dgr;lb significantly greater than the residual deformation &Dgr;la, by means of a common deformation by a length &Dgr;lA, so that the second film is permanently deformed between the localized connection regions. In a renewed deformation of the film laminate above a limit range of deformation, where &Dgr;l>&Dgr;lA applies, the second film exhibits a reaction force that causes the tensile force required for further stretching of the laminate to increase suddenly.

Abstract: The present invention refers to a cushioning member with an undulating conformation comprising a plurality of elastically deformable bands (2) provided in a juxtaposed arrangement relative to each other according to a substantially longitudinal orientation; each such band (2) features a plurality of undulations (2a, 2b), which are inclined relative to a resting plane, and a plurality of joining strips (3, 3a) provided between two or more bands (2) and arranged transversally relative to said bands. The cushioning member (1) is produced as a single-piece moulding, in which the bands (2) are integral with the strips (3, 3a) and are assigned the final and definitive shape thereof, as required for the use which the cushioning member (1) is intended to.

Abstract: A nested rolled paper product is shown in which raised and depressed areas are formed in a sheet. The depressed areas may comprise square shapes, rounded shapes or other geometric shapes that are capable of aligning or nesting in registration when the sheet is rolled to form a reduced diameter rolled product. A high loft through air drying fabric is employed to imprint a high caliper pattern into the sheet in such a way as to nest raised portions, resulting in a more compact product having a minimized roll diameter. Grooves or channels in the sheet are capable of aligning as the sheet is rolled. The resulting rolled product may be toilet tissue, paper towels, or other similar paper products. The final rolled product achieves a minimum roll diameter for a fixed roll length.

Abstract: A fabric material for high temperature gaseous filtration applications, including a fabric material capable of withstanding temperatures of at least 450 degrees Fahrenheit for prolonged periods without deformation or deterioration, and a chemical stiffener that has been applied to the fabric.

Abstract: A laundry-durable stretchable composite fabric, based on two nonwoven outer layers and a pre-stretched inner layer of elastomeric fibers of at least 400 decitex and at least eight threadlines/inch, and having a flat surface appearance, is provided.

Abstract: Methods for forming decorative grass possessing a unique optical effect from a sheet of laminated optical effect material. The decorative grass has a curl or a crimp set therein to enhance the light-reflecting characteristics of the decorative grass and to provide greater volume of the decorative grass for a given weight of decorative grass.

Abstract: A composite reinforced plastic lumber article, having a generally rectangular cross-section, is formed by extruding a wood particle/polymer composition through an extrusion die which forms a corrugated or relatively thin sheet cross-section core part. The core part is compressed to push corrugations closer together and then cooled in a two-stage cooling process with water spray and submersion followed by vacuum and air blast drying of the article, followed by extruding an outer coating of the same composition over the core part. A continuous plank-like composite article is thus formed and is cooled after the outer coating is extruded over the core part. Opposed surfaces of the article may be embossed to provide a woodgrain appearance. The two-stage article forming process provides rapid cooling of the material to enhance the speed of production of reinforced plastic lumber articles.

Abstract: A hot melt adhesive that exhibits distinct gellation properties at application temperatures at some time following application to a substrate. Adhesive having gellation properties are particularly useful in the manufacture of pleating articles, such as pleated filters.

Abstract: A fluid filter element is provided which is formed from an embossed flat filter material which is folded so as to define a plurality of substantially adjacent walls, each wall having an embossing having a first embossing portion which extends from one side of the wall and a second embossing portion which is adjacent to the first embossing portion and which extends from the other side of the wall, and an adhesive connecting adjacent embossings of adjacent walls, the adhesive having a substantially constant height. Additional embossings can also be provided. A method for forming the fluid filter element is also provided.

Abstract: The present invention discloses folded corrugated material for producing segments or strips for use as Easter grass, packing material and the like or for use as flower pot covers, floral wrappings and ribbon materials.

Abstract: There is disclosed an absorbent article including an absorbent layer and a liquid-permeable surface sheet placed on a liquid-receiving side of the absorbent layer for introducing excreted liquid from the human body to the absorbent layer. The surface sheet is of a corrugated configuration to have valleys and peaks extending in a longitudinal direction of the article and alternately arranged in a transverse direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. Each valley has a connecting part raised to connect between two adjacent peaks.

Abstract: A method for producing a material having z-direction ridges or folds in which a layer of continuous fibers is conveyed on a first moving surface into a nip formed by the first moving surface and a second moving surface which is traveling at a slower speed than the first moving surface, resulting in formation of a plurality of z-direction loops in the fibers giving loft to the material and a wave pattern producing ridges on both major surfaces of the resultant nonwoven web. The method permits easy real time adjustment of manufacturing parameters to produce a variety of materials. The method further produces lofty nonwovens at a commercially viable rate.

Abstract: A biaxially extendible, breathable laminate having liquid barrier properties and low retractive force. The laminate includes a nonwoven web neck-stretched in a first direction to impart extendibility of the web in a second direction mutually perpendicular with the first direction, and a film that is extendible in the second direction. The film can be a breathable, microporous film, and can either be an inelastic film stretched to form rugosities in the second direction, or can be made of an extendible polymer that is extendible in the second direction. Using an appropriate elastomeric lamination and/or creping adhesive, the laminate is creped to produce extendibility in the first direction with some retractive force. The biaxial extendible laminate is particularly useful as an outer cover for diapers and other personal care products.

Abstract: This invention provides corrugated fiberfill structures with improved properties and processes for making the same. This invention further provides articles made from the improved corrugated fiberfill structures of the present invention.

Abstract: The present invention is to make a towel material for forming a wet towel, that is made by a drying, compressing or evacuating manner. The towel material may form a compact unit having a strip shape, block shape, or particle shape. The towel material unit is stored in the manufacturing apparatus. After the user emits the using signal, the towel material unit falls according to the signal of the manufacturing amount, and is wet or immersed, so that the towel material unit is expanded into a wet towel.

Abstract: A pleated nonwoven product and method of constructing such a product which is particularly suitable for various automotive applications. The product is formed from a fibrous mat with the fibers within each pleat extending substantially vertically when the mat is in a horizontal orientation. Various products may be formed from the pleated nonwoven mat including automotive carpets and underpads, trim parts, trunk liners, upholstery, engine compartment liners, and sound insulators. Additional embodiments of the invention utilize a split pleated product presenting a unique automotive textile, carpet or other upholstery product and a unitary carpet and underpad product utilizing the pleated product of the invention.

Abstract: A preferred filter media is provided. The media includes a fine fiber web secured to the surface of a coarse fiber support. A preferred filter media, comprising multiple layers of fine fiber media separated by coarse fiber support, is provided. Advantageous filter constructions result and are provided. Also according to the disclosure, methods for using such arrangements to filter are provided.

Abstract: A composite reinforced plastic lumber article, such as a board or a plank having a generally rectangular cross-section, is formed by extruding a wood particle/polymer composition through an extrusion die which forms a corrugated or relatively thin sheet cross-section core part. The core part is compressed to push corrugations closer together and then cooled in a two-stage cooling process with water spray and submersion followed by vacuum and air blast drying of the article, followed by extruding an outer coating of the same composition over the core part. A continuous plank-like composite article is thus formed and is cooled after the outer coating is extruded over the core part. Opposed surfaces of the article may be embossed to provide a woodgrain appearance. The two-stage article forming process provides more rapid cooling of the material to enhance the speed of production of reinforced plastic lumber articles and the like.

Abstract: Nonwoven fabric for pleated filters comprising a sheath-core conjugate filament in which the core component is made of a polymer higher in melting point and the sheath component is made of a polymer lower in melting point, having compressively bonded portions dotted by embossing, with a weight per unit area X (g/m2) of the nonwoven fabric and a stiffness Y (mgf) obtained according to the Gurley method of JIS L 1096 of Y/X2≧0.03 and X≧120.

Abstract: A releasable adhesive element (1) includes a white substrate (2) formed in a sheet-like shape. An image reception layer (4) containing particles is stacked on an obverse side of the substrate (2). An adhesive layer (5) is stacked on a reverse side of the substrate (2). The adhesive layer (5) is releasably covered with a release sheet (7). The image reception layer (4) enables an image to be formed thereon by an ink-jet printer, an electrophotographic printer, etc. The releasable adhesive element is usable as a mouse pad, a printed matter, etc.

Abstract: A weather resistant commodity stockpile and collection pond covering system made up of a plurality of sheets joined together in waterproof seams. A plurality of flexible cords are tightly encapsulated and fixed in each sheet at spaced apart locations within thermally welded prayer seams and utilized for retention of the cover system and the hanging of ballast bags. The peeling stresses on the prayer seams are transferred as shearing stresses to lap seams formed by welding choker strips to the cover sheets on either side of each prayer seam. Side cords encapsulated in edge seams along side edges of adjacent sheets are abutted together and secured by flexible ties to form joints between sheets. Those joints are made waterproof by edge flaps attached to the sheets which are extended over each joint and sealed to the face of an adjoining sheet.

Abstract: An elastically stretchable sheet for articles such as diapers and sanitary napkins. A flat sheet material intrinsically having an elastic stretchability in the longitudinal direction rather than in the transverse direction is formed with a plurality of pleats extending in the longitudinal direction and having a plurality of crests and troughs alternately repeating in the transverse direction and a plurality of elastic threads being stretchable in the transverse direction are secured to respective apices of the plurality of crests forming from outer side.

Abstract: A paper web of the present invention has a longitudinal centerline and a transverse centerline, and comprises a plurality of first regions and a plurality of second regions. The first regions form boundaries separating the second regions, the first regions being substantially in a plane of the paper web. The second regions comprise a plurality of raised out-of-said-plane rib-like elements, the rib-like elements of each second region being disposed parallel to a major rib axis and perpendicular to a minor rib axis. All or most of each first regions have both major rib axis and minor rib axis components. The first and second regions undergo geometric deformation when the web material is subjected to an applied elongation along at least one axis.

Abstract: A method for increasing the thickness of a fibrous sheet including stretching the sheet beyond its relaxed length and returning the sheet to about the relaxed length, causing the sheet to have a second thickness greater than the first thickness. The sheet can be a wet-wipe. The wet-wipe includes an elastic layer and a fibrous layer, which increases in thickness when stretched then relaxed. The wet-wipe can be stored in a container, which causes the wet-wipe to stretch as it is removed from the container.

Abstract: An improved louver is comprised of a plastic louver frame and plastic chevrons, wherein slots having the profile of the chevrons are cut into the frame, the chevrons are disposed in the slots and bonded to the frame, and a resin impregnated in glass tape is wrapped around the frame to provide further support for the frame. The louver frame is fabricated using resin infused or resin transfer-molding process and the chevrons are fabricated utilizing a pultrusion process.

Abstract: The invention is an expandable spine package that operates similar to a book. It contains a spine, front cover and back cover. Inside the front cover and back cover are casings that are attached to the spine of the paperboard. The spine attachment allows the casings to appear and function like pages in a book. The spine attachment also allows for additional casings to be added.

Abstract: A high visibility panel for use with aerial mapping and aerial surveying is constructed of lightweight corrugated cardboard. Two sections, each having a reflection side and a deflection side, are used. The panel sections are folded alternately into an accordion pleat into short segments along the entire length of each of the panel sections. The panel sections can be installed with either face toward the sky, depending upon the ground conditions on which they are installed. The panel sections are extended to expand the accordion pleating and the ends are secured to the underlying surface to cause the segments to diverge between 10° and 30° from the ground plane to which the panel sections are attached.

Abstract: A dual-laminate honeycomb panel permits the use of two or more different materials to form a single panel. In this manner, a retractable covering for an architectural opening may be formed that has a different appearance depending upon which side of the panel is being viewed. The resultant panel is formed by attaching a plurality of elongated precursor tubular cells, wherein each precursor tubular cell itself comprises two strips of material attached to one another.

Abstract: The perceived softness of embossed tissue can be increased greatly while avoiding nesting when a particular pattern is embossed into the tissue. This pattern combines relatively shallow stitchlike bosses with deeper more sharply defined signature bosses. The stitchlike bosses can be rounded and arranged in wavy flowing intersecting lines. The signature bosses can be arranged in regions framed by the intersecting wavy flowing lines.

Abstract: A mouse pad with improved self-cleaning and traction features. The mouse pad is a planar structure with a parallel top control layer and a bottom anti-skid coating. Formed on the top layer is a top control layer with a plurality of alternating, equal height, prismatic and pyramidal shapes, which provide improved cleaning and traction properties. Small troughs are formed between the adjacent shapes, which collect fine dirt and dust particles that are swept from the surface of the mouse ball during use. In one embodiment, the top control surface is made of flexible material that allows the prismatic and pyramidal shapes to bend slightly when the ball of a mechanical mouse rolls over the top surface. This bending action provides improved self-cleaning and traction features. In another embodiment, the top layer is made of transparent material. An ink layer may be applied to the bottom surface of the top layer.

Abstract: The present invention discloses folded corrugated material for producing segments or strips for use as Easter grass, packing material and the like or for use as flower pot covers, floral wrappings and ribbon materials.

Abstract: Packing protector for protecting the edge areas of a sheet-like object, said packing protector consisting of an edge protector (1) formed by narrow strips and of flanges (2, 3) extending from the edge protector to opposite surfaces of the object to be protected, both the edge protector and the flanges being preferably manufactured from cardboard. According to the invention, the edge protector (1) comprises joining areas (4) connecting adjacent strips (5) of the edge protector together so as to press the flanges obliquely toward each other.

Abstract: A thermally insulating textile (2) adapted to provide a variable degree of thermal insulation dependent on ambient temperature, the textile including a laminate of two fabric layers (15, 15′) having interposed a bulking layer (1), which may be one or more fabric layers (3a, 3b) on to which is deposited a shape memory polymer (4) in a repeat pattern. The bulking layer (1) is adapted to cooperate with the fabric layers (15, 15′) to vary the gap therebetween upon departure in a desired direction of the textile temperature from a predetermined temperature.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a flame retardant hot melt composition comprising from about 10% to about 60% by weight of the adhesive of at least one copolymer of ethylene, from about 10% to about 70% by weight of the adhesive of a flame retarding hydrated inorganic compound and from about 5% to about 35% by weight of at least one wax component.