Abstract: An absorbent structure that includes: (1) a liquid permeable cover having a first surface area; (2) at least one layer of at least one liquid management material having a second surface area that is less than the first surface area; and (3) an adhesive system joining the liquid permeable cover and the liquid management material. The continuous layer of adhesive overlaying the permeable cover material desirably has a basis weight of 7.5 gsm or less. For example, layer of adhesive may have a basis weight of 4 gsm or 1.0 gsm or less .The absorbent structure may be mechanically post-treated. For example, the absorbent structure may be introduced into a nip and/or subjected to mechanical post treatments such as, for example, embossing, perforating, brushing, creping, aperturing and the like.

Abstract: A composite component for vehicle bodies, for vehicle roofs in particular, is suggested, which has a firm outer skin and a plastic layer expanded in a foaming form against the interior of the outer skin. According to the invention a reinforcing layer is formed against the interior of the plastic layer which is already held at a defined distance in the foaming form by the outer skin. The result is the creation of a composite component for vehicle bodies which component can be easily mass-produced and whose stability and resistance characteristics can be adjusted in a defined manner during manufacture.

Abstract: An air duct that comprises one or more air duct segments that comprises a polymeric cellular material, or foam. The ducts or segments may be part of an air duct system that comprises a primary air duct, at least one secondary air duct, and at least one branch duct. Each of the aforementioned ducts comprises a cellular thermoset polymeric material. Additionally, the present invention relates to an HVAC system that comprises an HVAC unit for thermally conditioning air, and a duct system comprising a polymeric cellular material, or foam that has an R value of at least 5, and a density of from about 1.5 pounds per cubic foot to about 4 pounds per cubic foot.

Abstract: A laminate comprising a pair of thermoplastic resin members having fluctuation of clearance between the adhesion surfaces thereof, and a thermoplastic material foam layer which adheres the pair of the thermoplastic resin members. This laminate is formed from thermoplastic resin as a whole and can absorb the fluctuation of clearance between the members, and the thermoplastic resin members are firmly adhered with the thermoplastic material foam layer.

Abstract: A cooling system for cooling of the flow path surface region of an engine component used in a gas turbine engine and a method for making a system for cooling of the flow path surface region of an engine component used in a gas turbine engine. The method comprises the steps of channeling apertures in a substrate to a diameter of about 0.0005″ to about 0.02″ to allow passage of cooling fluid from a cooling fluid source; applying a bond coat of about 0.0005″ to about 0.005″ in thickness to the substrate such that the bond coat partially fills the channels; applying a porous inner TBC layer of at least about 0.01″ in thickness to the bond coat, such that the TBC fills the channels; applying an intermediate ceramic layer that is more dense than the inner TBC layer on top of the porous TBC; applying an outer TBC layer over the intermediate layer; and, passing cooling fluid from a cooling fluid source through the channel into the porous TBC.

Abstract: This invention relates to protective packaging materials for use during shipping and/or storage of objects. The packaging material of the present invention, referred to as the protective packing material, comprises a flexible mesh structure and a means for absorbing shock integrated into the flexible mesh structure whereby the invention may be either wrapped around or stuffed in and around one or more objects such that the shock absorbing means absorbs a shock from a blow to the one or more objects thereby protecting the one or more objects from damage and the mesh structure contains the shock absorbing means and prevents the shock absorbing means from scattering.

Abstract: A sheet-form structure of expandable thermoplastic resin is provided which is capable of undergoing a pseudo-one-dimensional expansion in its thickness direction and which enables manufacture of thermoplastic resin foams having reduced variations in thickness and weight precisions, increased compressive strength, and excellent properties such as surface smoothness. A method of manufacturing the sheet-form structure, as well as such thermoplastic resin foams, are also provided. A sheet-form structure 1 of expandable thermoplastic resin including granules 2 of expandable thermoplastic resin arranged generally uniformly for integral connection thereof through a thin film 3 of expandable thermoplastic resin.

Abstract: The present invention relates to laminates prepared using reactive hot melt adhesives. The reactive hot melt adhesives are the reaction product of a polyurethane prepolymer and a vinyl chloride based thermoplastic copolymer.

Abstract: An article such as an airfoil that is of light weight and high bending strength, includes a primarily foam core part (20), fibrous strengthening layers (22, 24) at the top and bottom of the core part with the strengthening layers held by threads (64, 72) sewn through the combination, and with resin (32) forced into spaces between the fibers of the strengthening layers and forming smooth surfaces at the top and bottom of the article. The core part includes a thick body (40) of light weight foam (42) and top and bottom reinforcing layers (44, 46) lying against the top and bottom of the body, with the reinforcing layers each having spaces or pores that are filled with foam that is integral with the foam of the body. The moderate strength near the surfaces of the core part, enable the core part to resist crushing of the light weight foam during sewing of the threads and can resist pullout of fasteners that project only partially into the core part.

Abstract: A method of heating or cooling an element which comprises providing a fluid circulation circuit within a Z-pin reinforced sandwich panel, the panel having fiber-reinforced resin composite face sheets separated in selected locations with a core so as to form a channel, said Z-pin being present both in the core and the channel; and transporting a heat exchange fluid through the channel forming said circulation circuit to provide heating or cooling for the element. The method can be employed in the leading edge for an airfoil for deicing.

Abstract: The present invention is a dielectric film, and method for making the film, suitable for use in the construction of capacitor devices, including wound capacitors. In order to overcome strength limitations associated with polymers having desirable dielectric properties, the invention includes a dielectric film featuring a polymer impregnated upon a strengthening substrate. The polymer is deposited directly upon the substrate, which substrate provides required physical strength for film processing and capacitor fabrication, without compromising dielectric performance. The inventive film is based on siloxane polymers modified with polar pendant groups to provide a significant increase in dielectric constant and dielectric strength. During film production, the polymer infiltrates the porous paper to provide an interfacial composite layer between the two materials, the interfacial layer consisting of polymer and paper.

Abstract: A printed circuit board with a solid metallic interconnect which gives a stable and effective electrical interconnection between metallic layers separated by one or more dielectric layers. The method of producing the interconnect includes creating the solid metallic interconnect by metallic plating on the base copper at the interconnecting location, followed by the lamination of the appropriate dielectric layer. This dielectric layer may have a pre-cut hole corresponding to the solid metallic interconnect, which is registered with the interconnect before lamination. A layer of dielectric polymer is then removed from the interconnect by traditional methods. This is followed by electroplating and conventional metallization and circuitry formation. This process may also be applied to create an interconnect spanning more than one dielectric layer.

Abstract: Fiber-reinforced vehicle interior trim and a method of manufacturing interior trim in a one-step molding process. A skin material and fibrous reinforcement mat are located in a molding tool. A moldable foam-forming material is applied to the tool between the skin material and the fibrous reinforcement mat. The foam-forming material penetrates the mat and expands and cures such that the foam binds to both the skin and the reinforcement mat to produce a molded interior trim piece.

Abstract: A layered structure that includes a product mixture of numerous particles, a foamable substance, such as including a liquid binder, and a reacted dry binder is provided. The particles preferably are comprised of cellulosic, fibrous materials. The dry binder reacts with the liquid binder to create a strong bond among separated particles. The particles are separated during transport, together with the dry binder, before the dry binder is reacted with the foamed liquid binder. Upon contact with the liquid binder, the dry binder reacts to cause desired adhesion among the separated particles. The reacted dry binder is disposed relatively inwardly of the product mixture, while the liquid binder is located outwardly thereof, with at least some of the liquid binder, after curing, being disposed on outer portions of the product mixture. The layered structure also includes one or more outer members or panels that are laminated or otherwise joined to the outer surface portions of the product mixture.

Abstract: A foam insulation sheet has a major surface, such as the interior surface of a duct liner over which gases flow within a duct, coated with a relatively smooth, tough elastomeric coating of substantially uniform thickness. Preferably, the coating has a tough skin and penetrates into interstices of the major surface of the foam sheet to firmly bond the elastomeric coating to the foam sheet. One method of forming the tough skin on the coating includes contacting a frothed aqueous cross-linkable acrylic latex emulsion, applied to the major surface of the foam sheet, with a hot ironing surface to dewater an exposed surface of the frothed emulsion, to free bubbles from the exposed surface of the frothed emulsion at the exposed surface of the frothed emulsion, prior to curing the remainder of the frothed aqueous cross-linkable acrylic latex emulsion.

Abstract: A laminated composite building component, capable of sustained axial stress as a primary support structure and enclosure of a building structure, comprising a lamination of rigid and resilient material, said rigid material formed of sheets with continuous corrugations parallel to the supporting axis and which have opposite faces being bonded to and encapsulated by said resilient material, said resilient material being a cellular foam matrix, an adhesive or fusion that bonds the rigid and resilient material together in either a static or continuous laminating process, said resilient material forming two outer surfaces spaced from the rigid material, said rigid material having opposite lateral edges being exposed from said resilient material, said lateral edges of the rigid material having return flanges for interlocking said laminated composite building component with adjacent building component, and said building components capable of being supplied and distributed in generic lengths and custom field-cut like

Abstract: A highly flexible composite material having a flexible matrix containing a phase change thermal storage material. The composite material can be made to heat or cool the body or to act as a thermal buffer to protect the wearer from changing environmental conditions. The composite may also include an external thermal insulation layer and/or an internal thermal control layer to regulate the rate of heat exchange between the composite and the skin of the wearer. Other embodiments of the PCM composite also provide 1) a path for evaporation or direct absorption of perspiration from the skin of the wearer for improved comfort and thermal control, 2) heat conductive pathways within the material for thermal equalization, 3) surface treatments for improved absorption or rejection of heat by the material, and 4) means for quickly regenerating the thermal storage capacity for reuse of the material.