Abstract: A system and method for producing a board product made from paper products that have embossed medium that features an improved structural profile. The improved structural profile may include a triangular flute pattern wherein each flute may exhibit a first linear leg support and a second linear leg support that each support a center apex structure. The apex may have a substantially flat portion that is configured to engage a facing. As such, the board product may further include one or more facings that are adhesively coupled to the embossed medium. Further, the apex of each “triangle” may also have a groove or channel for receiving an adhesive in a continuous and uniform manner.

Abstract: In one example, a plastic product such as a plastic bag includes one or more seals. One of the seals includes respective portions of first and second plastic films that are arranged one on top of the other. The respective portions are joined together and are aligned generally parallel to a direction of elongation associated with the plastic films, where the direction of elongation is a direction in which the plastic films elongate when under load. As well, the respective portions extend along a length of the joined plastic films and have a length that is greater than a length of the plastic films.

Abstract: A single-face corrugated paper substrate with a polymeric layer formed from polyethylene attached to the corrugated (i.e. fluted) side of a twenty-three/twenty-three (23/23) basis weight substrate which is positioned around an article and between opposingly oriented trays formed from reinforced corrugated material is provided. The article enjoys protection from scratches, scrapes, and abrasions by virtue of the surrounding paper, but the shipper enjoys reduced cost by virtue of the reduction in packaging materials and reduction in total shipment weight. A method of forming and deploying the aforementioned substrate is also provided.

Abstract: A three-dimensional multi-shell insulation configured to conform to the shape of a spacecraft component to be insulated. The insulation may have a plurality of nested shell layers that are displaceable relative to each other for providing natural separation between the shell layers when the insulation is used in low-pressure and/or low-gravity space-related applications. To establish the spacing between shell layers, an edge clamp may be operatively coupled to an edge portion on at least one side of each shell layer. The shell layers may have sufficient flexibility and/or may be sufficiently displaceable relative to each other to allow the insulation to be installed or removed from the spacecraft component. One or more restraints may be provided in the space between the shell layers for restricting the relative lateral and/or transverse movement between shell layers for preventing contact. Additive manufacturing may be employed to fabricate the insulation and integrate features.

Abstract: A core layer suitable for a multilayer composite including at least one surface layer and one core layer, the surface layer arranged to at least partially cover the core layer and be fixedly connected thereto, wherein the core layer has elements composed of wood, which elements have plate-like regions arranged in zig-zag-shaped fashion, wherein a plate-like zig region of an element with an adjoining plate-like zag region of the element form a common edge between them, in such a way that the wood element of zig-zag-shaped form is formed, wherein elements of zig-zag-shaped form are arranged in the core layer such that two such edges of two different elements cross one another at a non-zero angle, and wherein the two elements are fixedly connected to one another at the crossing point. In one embodiment, a wood element of zig-zag-shaped form may be adhesively bonded to a planar wood element.

Abstract: There is provided an apparatus for manufacturing a thin uneven member. The apparatus includes a lower die fixed to a press bed, an upper die fixed to a ram and disposed opposed to the lower die, and a pressure-drive unit which presses the ram using a servo motor as a power source, the servo motor being fixed to a first support member. The pressure-drive unit includes a motion converting mechanism which converts a rotation of the servo motor to a linear motion of a lifting member, and a cylinder block connected and fixed to the first support member and including first and second pistons arranged in series vertically, wherein the first piston is connected to the lifting member through a second support member, and the second piston, larger in diameter than the first piston, presses the ram.

Abstract: A material having a first surface and a second surface is disclosed. The first or second surface comprises a texture. The texture is defined by peaks and valleys such that the textured surface may have an Average Peak to Peak Distance in the range of about 3 mm to about 16 mm, an Average Height Differential of at least 1 mm, and a Surface Topography Index from about 0.1 to about 5. The material may comprise a surfactant.

Abstract: A nonwoven material is disclosed. The nonwoven material comprises a first nonwoven substrate comprising a three-dimensional texture. The three-dimensional texture comprises peaks and valleys such that the texture may comprise an Average Peak to Peak Distance in the range of about 1 mm to about 20 mm, an Average Height Differential in the range of about 1 mm to about 3 mm, and a Surface Topography Index in the range of about 0.01 to about 10. The first nonwoven substrate may comprise polyester. The nonwoven material comprises a second nonwoven substrate comprising a polyolefin and a surfactant applied to the first or second nonwoven substrates. The surfactant is included at an add-on level of at least 0.1%, by weight of the nonwoven material. The first nonwoven substrate is joined to the second nonwoven substrate.

Abstract: A sanitary article is disclosed. The sanitary article comprises a disposable, macroscopically three-dimensional sheet. The sheet has a first surface and a second surface. One of the surfaces comprises a macroscopic three-dimensional texture. The macroscopic three-dimensional texture comprises peaks and valleys such that the textured surface may have an Average Peak to Peak Distance in the range of about 3 mm to about 16 mm, an Average Height Differential in the range of 1 mm to about 3 mm, and a Surface Topography Index in the range of about 0.1 to about 5. The sanitary article may comprise a surfactant on the sheet.

Abstract: An article of manufacture is disclosed. The article of manufacture comprises a package and a disposable sheet. The sheet has a first surface and a second surface. One of the surfaces comprises a texture. The texture is defined by peaks and valleys such that the one textured surface may have an Average Peak to Peak Distance in the range of about 1 mm to about 20 mm, an Average Height Differential in the range of 1 mm to 3 mm, and a Surface Topography Index in the range of about 0.01 to about 10. The sheet may be contained within the package.

Abstract: A fiber pad having a core non-woven layer is disclosed. The core layer can have an upper surface and a lower surface. The core layer can comprise at least one fiber layer. The at least one fiber layer can comprise a plurality of parallel fibers. Selected groups of the parallel fibers can be folded into desired pleated configurations. Optionally, the core layer can comprise post-consumer carpet materials.

Abstract: A sheet material (1) includes a stiffness-increasing concave-convex part (20). A first reference plane (K1), an intermediate reference plane (K3), and a second reference plane (K2) serve as a reference system. First reference areas (213), which have a specific shape, and second reference areas (223), which are all areas other than the first reference areas (213), are disposed in the intermediate reference plane (K3). The concave-convex part (20) is formed of first areas (21) as well as second areas (22) and/or plane areas (23).

Abstract: A sheet material (1) includes a stiffness-increasing concave-convex part (20). A first reference plane (K1), an intermediate reference plane (K3), and a second reference plane (K2) serve as a reference system. First unit areas (241) and second unit areas (242) are defined in the intermediate reference plane (K3). Each of the first unit areas (241) and the second unit areas (242) contains first virtual squares (243) and second virtual squares (244). Icosagonal areas that contain only adjacent first virtual squares (243) are designated as first reference areas (213), and icosagonal areas that contain only adjacent second virtual squares (244) are designated as second reference areas (223). The concave-convex part (20) contains first areas (21), which are formed based on the first reference areas (213), as well as second areas (22) and/or plane areas (23), which are formed based on the second reference areas (223).

Abstract: An interdigitated cellular cushioning system includes an array of void cells protruding from each of two binding layers interdigitated between the two binding layers. Peaks of each of the void cells are attached to the opposite binding layer forming the interdigitated cellular cushioning system. The interdigitated cellular cushioning system may be used to absorb and distribute a source of kinetic energy incident on the interdigitated cellular cushioning system (e.g., an impact or explosion) so that the amount of force transmitted through the interdigitated cellular cushioning system is low enough that it does not cause injury to personnel or damage to personnel and/or equipment adjacent the interdigitated cellular cushioning system.

Abstract: The subject matter of the invention is a bellows of a passage or the side panel between two vehicles joined in an articulated manner, e.g. a railway vehicle or an articulated bus, wherein the design contains numerous adjacent pleats, wherein at least on one side of the numerous pleats there is a corrugation element disposed in a pleat, in each case, wherein the ends of the respective pleats and the corrugation element are connected to one another.

Abstract: A refrigeration system can use a flash tank to separate vapor refrigerant from liquid refrigerant. The refrigeration system can include a liquid-refrigerant injection system that can inject liquid refrigerant into an intermediate-pressure location of the compressor. The injected liquid refrigerant can absorb the heat of compression during the compression process. The refrigeration system can include an economizer system that injects a refrigerant vapor into an intermediate-pressure location of the compressor in conjunction with the injection of the cooling liquid. The refrigeration system can incorporate a cooling-liquid injection system that can inject a cooling liquid into an intermediate-pressure location of the compressor.

Abstract: A pyramidal geotextile fabric comprising two sets of multi-lobe filament yarns interwoven in substantially perpendicular direction to each other, each of the multi-lobe filament yarns having pre-determined, different heat shrinkage characteristics such that, upon heating, the fabric forms a three-dimensional, cuspated profile. A method of stabilizing soil and reinforcing vegetation comprises the steps of placing a three-dimensional, high-profile woven fabric into soil, wherein the fabric comprises two sets of multi-lobe filament yarns interwoven in substantially perpendicular direction to each other, each of the multi-lobe filament yarns having pre-determined, different heat shrinkage characteristics such that, upon heating, the fabric forms a three-dimensional, cuspated profile; securing the fabric to the ground; and, distributing soil and seed onto the fabric such that the section of ground is quickly revegetated and thereby protected from further erosion.

Abstract: Described herein are casting and molding methods useful for making microstructured objects. By including a plurality of microfeatures on the surface of an object, other characteristics may be imparted to the object, such as increased hydrophobicity. Some of the casting and molding methods described herein further allow for manufacture of objects having both microfeatures and macro features, for example microfeatures on or within macro features or selected macro feature regions.

Abstract: A tolerance strip is formed a strip of resilient material with corrugations, the corrugations extending transversely across the full width of the strip, the corrugations defining crests with troughs between adjacent corrugations, a central portion of the corrugations being of substantially uniform height across the strip, portions of the corrugations adjacent each longitudinal edge of the strip decreasing in height towards the edge of the strip. In one form the corrugations are flat longitudinally of the strip at the crests and/or troughs.

Abstract: A rotary regenerative heat exchanger (1) employing heat transfer elements (100) is shaped to include notches (150), providing spacing between adjacent elements (100) and undulations (corrugations) (165, 185) in sections between the notches (150). Elements (100) include undulations (165, 185) differing in height and/or width. These differing undulations impart turbulence to air or flue gas flowing between the elements (100) for heat transfer thereto.

Abstract: Disclosed are cleaning sheets having substantial macroscopic three-dimensionality. Optionally, the macroscopically three-dimensional cleaning sheets can comprise a contractable material (e.g., a scrim material), which when heated and then cooled contracts so as to provide a macroscopic, three-dimensional structure. Macroscopic three-dimensionality is described in terms of “average peak-to-peak distance” and “surface topography index”, as well in terms of “average height differential”. Also disclosed are cleaning implements comprising a handle and the described cleaning sheets. Processes for the sheets, benefits of the processes, and articles of manufacture are also disclosed.

Abstract: A composite material as a sheet material is described, being relatively cheap, most useful as a raw material of a sanitary product or the like, such as underwear, dust-proof mask or dispensable paper diaper, etc., and good in processability, stretchability, gas-permeability, softness, and touch. The composite material is formed by laminating a stretchable layer and a conjugate spunbonded nonwoven fabric including conjugate fibers including a low-melting-point component and a high-melting-point component. The conjugate fibers are partially bonded to each other by thermocompression, wherein each bonded portion has fine folded structures including alternate hill and valley regions in the CD, and the distance between neighboring hills is 100-400 ?m in average. The conjugate spunbonded nonwoven fabric exhibits stretchability through the spread of the fine folded structures, and has, at 5% elongation, a CD-strength of 0.1 N/5 cm or less and an MD/CD strength ratio of 200 or more.

Abstract: An acoustical flooring underlayment for placement between a subfloor and a finished floor, includes a mat having an upper surface, an opposite lower surface and including a plurality of corrugations creating a plurality of depressions in the upper surface. A layer of foam is applied to the upper surface and constructed and arranged to fill the depressions for creating a generally planar top surface configured for accommodating the finished floor.

Abstract: An adhesive article and a method of making the adhesive article are described. The adhesive article includes a facestock film having a first surface, a second surface and end edges wherein the second surface has a plurality of recesses formed therein that provide a path for fluid egress to at least one end edge; and a continuous layer of adhesive adhered to the second surface of the facestock film. The adhesive layer can compress, collapse or flex into the recesses of the embossed surface in response to a force to create a path for fluid egress.

Abstract: An absorbent structure having a longitudinal axis, a lateral axis, a z-direction axis normal to the longitudinal and lateral axes, longitudinally opposite ends and laterally opposite side edges. An upper surface of the absorbent structure has a three-dimensional topography relative to the longitudinal and lateral axes and defines a plurality of peaks and valleys of the upper surface relative to the z-direction. A lower surface of the absorbent structure has a three-dimensional topography relative to the longitudinal and lateral axes and defines a plurality of the peaks and valleys of the lower surface relative to the z-direction. The absorbent structure has a projected area as determined by a Topography Analysis Method, and the upper surface of the absorbent structure has a vertical area as determined by the Topography Analysis Method of at least about 0.1 cm2 per 1.0 cm2 projected area of the absorbent structure.

Abstract: A three-dimensional support structure is provided and includes a single sheet of material that is folded into a repeating pattern of cells. Each of the cells is formed by first and second spaced-apart endwalls and first and second sloped sidewalls spanning between the endwalls. Each endwall comprises two plies of material while each sidewall comprises a single ply of material. The first and second sidewalls are adjoined at a folded edge. The cells are aligned such that the first endwall of one cell from the repeating pattern abuts the second endwall of an adjacent cell of the repeating pattern to form a four-ply wall of the material. A first liner may be attached to a first side of the folded material and a second liner may be attached to a second side of the folded material.

Abstract: A pyramidal geotextile fabric comprising two sets of multi-lobe filament yarns interwoven in substantially perpendicular direction to each other, each of the multi-lobe filament yarns having pre-determined, different heat shrinkage characteristics such that, upon heating, the fabric forms a three-dimensional, cuspated profile. A method of stabilizing soil and reinforcing vegetation comprises the steps of placing a three-dimensional, high-profile woven fabric into soil, wherein the fabric comprises two sets of multi-lobe filament yarns interwoven in substantially perpendicular direction to each other, each of the multi-lobe filament yarns having pre-determined, different heat shrinkage characteristics such that, upon heating, the fabric forms a three-dimensional, cuspated profile; securing the fabric to the ground; and, distributing soil and seed onto the fabric such that the section of ground is quickly revegetated and thereby protected from further erosion.

Abstract: A transparent composite material is able to promote visibility in a transparent coordinate input device due to the reflection of display light while the generation of an interference fringe at an input operating time is restrained. Many ridge portions extending in one direction are formed on the surface of a first transparent resistance film. Such ridge portions are projected stripes formed in a triangular shape in section, and are constructed by alternately forming one set of slanting faces on the surface of the first transparent resistance film.

Abstract: This invention relates to thermoplastic interlayer sheets or films for laminated safety glass with superior vacuum de-airing at elevated temperatures and superior tacking and edge sealing properties. The sheeting has an embossed surface pattern on at least one of the surfaces, which provides relatively uninterrupted channels for de-airing in at least two non-parallel directions, wherein the channels are spaced about 0.1 to about 1 mm apart and have a depth of less than about 25 ?m and a width of about 30 to about 300 ?m.

Abstract: A composite sandwich structure is produced by providing a core structure, applying cover layers on opposite sides of the core structure, and forming an edge seal. The core structure has a folded cell structure with fold valleys forming continuous open channels with open ends and/or open channel sides at edges of the core structure. The channels extend along and are bounded between the fold valleys and the cover layers. The edge seal is formed to have a limited spatial volume in an edge region at an edge of the core structure, to close and seal open ends and/or open channel sides of the channels of the core, without an uncontrolled penetration of the seal material from the edge region to a greater depth into the open channels.

Abstract: The invention can be defined in its most general form as a building unit, namely the sandwich panel with light core from corrugated sheet material in the form of zigzag crimp, and can be used in aircraft construction, as well as in shipbuilding and construction. Making use of the claimed invention will improve the weight efficiency, the strength and the manufacturability of the panel. The beneficial effect is attained due to the fact that the plane slanting ridges are connected along the protrusion and recess zigzag lines by means of curvilinear parts, whose radius is not less than the core material thickness, whereby along said parts is a line perforation enabling the adhesive material to get into the holes of the perforation in the course of core-skins assembling.

Abstract: A method of embossing an absorbent web with a machine direction undulatory structure is described. The web has a plurality of ridges extending in its machine direction occurring at a frequency, F, across the web and the method includes providing the web to an embossing station where the web is embossed between a first and second embossing roll, each of which rolls may be provided with a plurality of embossing elements configured to define a plurality of embossing nips. At least a portion of the embossing nips are substantially oriented in a cross-machine direction with respect to the web and have a cross direction length, L. The product F×L is from about 0.1 to about 5.

Abstract: A self-bonded corrugated web made from a primary pre-bonded web layer of thermoplastic fibers having a substantially uniform thickness. The primary pre-bonded web layer is arranged to form corrugations forming a corrugation pattern of parallel corrugation lines, which can be parallel to the longitudinal extension of the web. The corrugated web is heat- or melt-fusion bonded in regions forming a primary bonding pattern of a plurality of primary bonding pattern lines, which are arranged non-parallel to the corrugation lines and which intersect at least two of the corrugation lines, for stabilizing the corrugations.

Abstract: This invention relates to thermoplastic interlayers for laminated safety glass with superior vacuum de-airing at elevated temperatures and superior tacking and edge sealing properties. The sheeting has surface pattern on at least one of the surfaces characterized by flat surfaces with substantially uninterrupted channels for airflow in at least two non-parallel directions. The channels allow for rapid de-airing while the area roughness parameter ratio ARp/ARt in the range of 0.52 to 0.62, ARt being less than 32 ?m, and area kurtosis less than 2.5, allow for ease of tacking of the interlayer onto glass and edge sealing after de-airing has been completed. Said surface pattern may also be superimposed onto a pattern which is generated by melt fracture or other means on at least one side to enhance de-airing and aid edge sealing.

Abstract: A method of embossing an absorbent web with a machine direction undulatory structure is described. The web has a plurality of ridges extending in its machine direction occurring at a frequency, F, across the web and the method includes providing the web to an embossing station where the web is embossed between a first and second embossing roll, each of which rolls may be provided with a plurality of embossing elements configured to define a plurality of embossing nips. At least a portion of the embossing nips are substantially oriented in a cross-machine direction with respect to the web and have a cross direction length, L. The product F×L is from about 0.1 to about 5.

Abstract: A box for shipping temperature sensitive or perishable goods made from a double walled combined web having an inside barrier layer, a first paper liner bonded to the inside barrier layer, a first paper flute medium bonded to the first paper liner, an outside barrier layer, a second paper liner bonded to the outside barrier layer, a second paper flute medium bonded to the second paper liner, and a sandwich of a barrier layer bonded between third and fourth paper liners. The flute mediums are bonded, respectively, to the third and fourth paper liners.

Abstract: Absorbent article comprising a liquid-impermeable cover sheet, a liquid-permeable cover sheet, and an absorbent body between the liquid-impermeable cover sheet and the liquid-permeable cover sheet. Any one or all of the liquid-impermeable cover sheet, the liquid-permeable cover sheet, or the absorbent body can be made of a corrugated web which is corrugated from a sheet material which, in the process of being corrugated, is drawn in, and optionally elongated in a direction transverse to the corrugations, alternatively drawn-in along a direction transverse to a length of the web. The corrugated web can comprise corrugations of differing heights (H1).

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 packaging laminate and method of production are demonstrated by using a single face corrugated cardboard. The single face corrugated cardboard is supplied in rolled form and is processed through a conventional corrugated cardboard shredder to create a flexible resilient packaging material. The method of manufacture is more efficient than conventional manual feeding of standard corrugated cardboard sheets through the shredder. Various embodiments of the invention can be manufactured by adhesively bonding two or more packaging laminates and by the addition of a support layer.

Abstract: Apparatus for manufacturing multi-layer metal feedstock material for stamping shaped parts eliminates the need for rolls of metal at the stamping site. Multilayer metal feedstock material is assembled from multiple rolls of metal stock, then folded in a zig zag fashion, or “Z-fold” configuration, whereby the multilayer metal assembly is stacked vertically, usually on conventional pallets, for ease of moving with a forklift or otherwise. The multilayer metal z-fold stack of material is then transported to a parts stamping operation where the material is used as it unfolds as a continuous feed to machines to produce shaped multilayer metal parts. This invention is most useful in making multilayer metal foil z-fold feedstock material and using the z-fold material as continuous feed to processes for making shaped multilayer metal foil parts. The layers may have non-metal layers of material, such as fiber, between the metal layers or on the outside of the metal layers.

Abstract: This invention relates to thermoplastic interlayers for laminated safety glass with superior vacuum de-airing at elevated temperatures and superior tacking and edge sealing properties. The sheeting has surface pattern on at least one of the surfaces characterized by flat surfaces with substantially uninterrupted channels for air flow in at least two intersecting directions. The channels allow for rapid de-airing while the area roughness parameter ratio ARp/ARt in the range of 0.52 to 0.62, ARt being less than 32 &mgr;m, and area kurtosis less than 2.5, allow for ease of tacking of the interlayer onto glass and edge sealing after de-airing has been completed. Said surface pattern may also be superimposed onto a pattern which is generated by melt fracture or other means on at least one side to enhance de-airing and aid edge sealing.

Abstract: An interlocking fastening and packing material is disclosed. The material may be utilized for fastening of a plurality of objects together and/or for protecting one or more object(s) disposed therein, particularly during storage, handling and/or shipping. The material comprises corrugations which include alternating concave and convex portions shaped such that each concave portion is receivable and interlockable with a convex portion therein. The corrugations may be elongate or may comprise a matrix of bulbous nodules. The material may further comprise a backing material having two opposing surfaces wherein corrugations are attached to at least one of the two surfaces. A single piece of the interlocking material may be used by overlapping and interlocking one portion of the material with another portion thereof. Multiple pieces of the interlocking material may also be overlapped and interlocked together.

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 contact body is disclosed, comprising at least two contact sheets having opposing surfaces and a projection extending outward from one surface of each contact sheet, wherein the projection defines a depression on the opposite surface of the contact sheet, a projection of one contact sheet being disposed within a depression of an adjacent contact sheet to form a projection-depression coupling, and the projection-depression coupling being deformed to form a positive lock. A method and apparatus of connecting contact sheets to form a contact body are also disclosed, that provide for deforming projection-depression couplings formed in two or more interlocking sheets to form positive locks by which assemblies of sheets are formed.

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 filter material laid in folds in a plurality of folds, characterized in that the folds are provided with at least one bending portion having a bending resistance moment that is reduced in comparison with the remaining portions and a method and apparatus for producing same.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a bond-compatible composite membrane that includes a bituminous material layer and a polyester layer and its use as an intermediate layer between a building structure and exterior finishing materials. Unlike conventional composite membranes, the bond-compatible composite membrane has a rough surface that allows bonding materials to adhere to it. Therefore, mechanical devices are not needed to attach the exterior finishing materials to the building structure.

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: A deformable sheet material at least partly comprising a sheet metal or metal foil which is corrugated, e.g. by rolling, in continuous waveform in two directions (A, B) substantially orthogonal to each other. The sheet material can comprise aluminum foil with a thickness between 0.005-0.4 mm designed as a ribbon or a strip which prior to the rolling is folded in the longitudinal direction where an intermediate layer, e.g. of aluminum, can be placed between the two material layers.

Abstract: A filtration media array is provided having at least one contoured polymeric film layer having surface structures. The film layers may be configured as a stack that has the contoured film layer defining a plurality of ordered inlet openings through a face of the stack and corresponding air pathways, thereby forming an open, porous volume. The air pathways may be defined by a plurality of flow channels formed by the contours of the structured contoured film layers.