Abstract: The invention relates to polyolefin membranes and membrane precursors comprising polyethylene and polypropylene. The polyolefin membrane can be a microporous polyolefin membrane comprising a first microporous layer and at least one second microporous layers where the first and second layers contain polypropylene and polyethylene, and the amount of polyethylene in the first layer is at least about 80 wt. % and the amount of polyethylene in the second layer is at least about 50 wt. %. The amount of polyethylene is higher in the first microporous layer than in the second microporous layer, and the total amount of the polyethylene in the first and second microporous layers is at least about 61 wt. %, based on the weight of the multi-layer, microporous polyolefin membrane.

Abstract: A nano-cellular polymer foam is disclosed, which has an average pore size from about 10 nanometers to about 500 nanometers; and a foam density that is from about 1 percent to about 50 percent of the bulk density of the material of the nano-cellular foam.

Abstract: The present invention provides several methods and materials for use in building construction that may require air and water barrier, and water vapor permeability along with thermal or acoustic insulation. Several embodiments provide materials for a variety of building construction needs that can help build next generation green buildings.

Abstract: The invention provides composite porous materials in which a second material is fused to and/or is in the pores and/or is fused directly to some of the pore walls of a porous first material. The invention also provides methods of filtering a fluid using these composite porous materials and methods of manufacturing the composite porous materials.

Abstract: The present invention is directed an oriented, foamed article having an integral security element, and a method of making the article. The oriented foam article is particularly useful in the preparation of printed security documents such as currency, stock and bond certificates, birth and death certificates, land titles and abstracts and the like.

Abstract: A grain-finished leather-like sheet having a fibrous substrate layer, a polyurethane non-porous layer and a polyurethane surface layer which are successively laminated in this order. The polyurethane surface layer contains a binder polyurethane and polyurethane fine particles having a particle size of 1 to 50 ?m. The total thickness of the polyurethane non-porous layer and the polyurethane surface layer is 150 ?m or more. The polyurethane surface layer contains the polyurethane fine particles in an amount of 10 to 40 parts by mass per 100 parts by mass of the binder polyurethane. The polyurethane fine particles are not exposed to the surface. The grain-finished leather-like sheet characterized by the above features has a smooth and luster surface, a good hand, and excellent scratch resistance, abrasion resistance and buckling wrinkle resistance. The sheet hardly damages or soils an object which is in contact with its surface by friction.

Abstract: A protective cover system for inhibiting corrosion of a metallic object. The protective cover system includes a cover for defining a microenvironment adjacent a metallic object and a corrosion inhibitor source for releasing one or more corrosion inhibitors into the microenvironment.

Abstract: An insulating panel 1 comprises a first sheet 2 with trapezoidal formations 12 and a second sheet 3. There is an insulating core 4 comprising a main polymeric foam body 4, such as of polyisocyansurate or phenolic foam, and a recycled foam portion. The recycled foam portion is of substantially the same formulation as that of the main foam body. Shredded foam pieces 25 are directly incorporated into the panel, for example into one or more of the profiled recesses 12 defined by crowns in the sheet 2. In the invention the recycled foam portion is introduced prior to lay-down of liquid foam reactants to ensure that the recycled foam portion is integrated into the main foam body.

Abstract: The present invention provides a fabric and a fabric structure made of yarns with reduced water absorption. The fabric comprises yarns and interstices between the yarns, the interstices between the yarns having an average width of greater than 100 ?m. At least one of the yarns is comprised of multiple fibers. Said at least one yarn has voids between the fibers wherein the voids are filled up with a polymer material. The interstices remain open and the size of the interstices is the same as before the treatment. The filling of the voids between the fibers with the polymer material prevents the absorption of water into said voids and therefore leads to reduced water absorption of the fabric. The polymer material is substantially only located within the voids of the yarn and has embedded the fibers within the outer surface of said yarn.

Abstract: The invention disclosed herein relates to relates to foamed thermoplastic material objects and articles of manufacture having an internal layered cellular structure, as well as to methods of making the same. In one embodiment, the invention is directed to a multi-layer foamed polymeric article of manufacture, comprising: a non-laminated multi-layer thermoplastic material sheet, wherein the multi-layer thermoplastic material sheet has first and second discrete outer layers sandwiching a plurality of discrete inner foamed layers, and wherein the two outer layers and plurality discrete inner foamed layers are integral with one another. The thermoplastic material may be a semi-crystalline polymer such as, for example, PET (polyethylene terephthalate), PEEK (polyetheretherketone), PEN (polyethylene napthalate), PBT (polybutylene terephthalate), PMMA (polymethyl methacrylate), PLA (polylactide), polyhydroxy acid (PHA), thermoplastic urethane (TPU), or blends thereof.

Abstract: The invention relates to a multilayer microporous membrane comprising polyethylene and polypropylene and having an improved balance of properties including improved thickness variation in at least one planar direction. The invention also relates to a system and method for producing such a membrane, the use of such a membrane as a battery separator film, and batteries containing such a membrane.

Abstract: A vibration-reducing material, comprising first and second elastomer layers and a reinforcement layer disposed between and generally separating the first and second elastomer layers. The reinforcement layer comprises a high tensile strength fibrous material. At least one of the first or second elastomer layers is manufactured as a foamed structure.

Abstract: Glass-bonded ceramics made of non-microcracked non-oxide or oxide ceramic particles which are bound together by glass into a unitary non-microcracked structure are disclosed. Such ceramics are suitable for use in substrates and filters, such as a diesel particulate filter.

Abstract: A Si—SiC based fired body includes a plurality of silicon carbide (SiC) particles serving as an aggregate, and silicon (Si) which serves as a binder and which is filled into gaps between the above-described silicon carbide particles, wherein the maximum particle diameter of the above-described silicon carbide particles is 0.5 mm or more, the content of silicon is 5 to 40 percent by mass, and the porosity is 0 to 5%. Preferably, the Si—SiC based fired body is in a thick-walled shape having a thickness of 20 to 200 mm.

Abstract: A method forming a porous PTFE layer includes steps of: combining one or at least two unburned porous PTFE films and a support body that can withstand a heating condition in the following process (a rod or plate shaped support body made of mesh or the like is preferable) by using a predetermined means in such a manner that a slip can be prevented in a heating treatment in the following process; and heating the matter resulted from the above process at a temperature of at least 150° C. and less than the melting point of the PTFE film for the range of 5-120 minutes (preferably at a temperature in the range of the melting point of a thermoplastic resin fiber to 320° C. for the range of 10-60 minutes in the case in which the thermoplastic resin fiber or the like is used in the process).

Abstract: A method for manufacturing an insulation barrier including providing a body having a cavity therein; introducing a plurality of three-dimensional globules into the cavity, with each globule having a radiation reflector component isolated from the exterior of the globule; and closing the cavity to hold the plurality of globules therein. A method for manufacturing an insulation barrier including loading and breaking down an insulation material in a walled space existing between a first tubular disposed within a second tubular.

Abstract: Provided is a molding apparatus or an apparatus for manufacturing a laminated resin molding, which is composed of a female mold, a first horizontal mold, a second horizontal mold and a male mold, and these components form a cavity. This cavity includes a horizontal portion extending in a horizontal direction, and a first vertical portion and a second vertical portion, which rise substantially vertically from the horizontal portion. The first vertical portion has a vertical size set larger than that of the second vertical portion. In the male mold, an injector is disposed at a portion corresponding to the substantially central portion of the horizontal portion, and an air supply pipe is disposed at a portion corresponding to the second vertical portion.

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed in the detailed description include a unitary or monolithic composite or hybrid cushioning structure(s) and profile(s) comprised of a cellular thermoplastic foam and a thermoset material. The thermoset material may also be provided as cellular foam as well. In one embodiment disclosed herein, the unitary composite cushioning structure is formed from a cellular thermoplastic foam and a thermoset material. The cellular thermoplastic foam provides support characteristics to the unitary composite cushioning structure. The thermoset material provides a resilient structure with cushioning characteristics to the cushioning structure. A stratum is disposed between at least a portion of the cellular thermoplastic foam and at least a portion of the thermoset material to secure the at least a portion of the thermoset material to the at least a portion of the cellular thermoplastic foam to provide a unitary composite cushioning structure.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a storage unit for gases, in particular a sorptive storage, with the storage unit comprising a sorbent for the reversible uptake of the gases to be stored and the sorbent being based on discrete sorptive particles. The sorptive particles are embedded in a solid gas-permeable three-dimensional support having a foam structure and/or are fixed thereto. The storage unit is particularly suitable for the storage of combustible or fossil gases, e.g. hydrogen, natural gas and the like, and thus as gas storage unit in power stations and motor vehicles.

Abstract: A hydrogen transport membrane in which a porous ceramic support supports a dense layer of palladium or an alloy of palladium serving as a hydrogen transport material. The ceramic support has a first porous layer and a second porous layer. The first porous layer has a first thickness of about 1 mm, a first set of pores have a first average pore size of between about 10 microns and about 50 microns and a first porosity of about 40 percent by volume. The second porous layer has a second thickness of about 3 microns, a second set of pores having a second average pore size of between about 10 nanometers and about 100 nanometers and a second porosity of about 50 percent by volume. The dense layer has a thickness of about 3 microns.

Abstract: A plastic planar structure, comprising: a bearing layer which contains plastic foam; and an upper layer, also containing plastic foam, which adheres on the bearing layer in a material lock, and a method for manufacturing a plastic planar structure, wherein: a foamed or foamable first plastic material of a web-shaped or mat-shaped bearing layer is provided, onto which a foamable second plastic material is applied, and foamed.

Abstract: A solution (11) containing an organic solvent, a polymer and a plasticizer (TPP, BDP or the like) which is not less than 0.01 wt. % and not more than 50 wt. % of the polymer is cast onto an endless belt (51) to be a casting film (22). Water vapor is condensed from ambient gas on a surface of the casting film (22) passing through a first area (46) to form water drops. The water drops on the casting film (22) passing through a second area (47) are grown and the organic solvent thereof is evaporated. The water drops on the casting film (22) passing through a third area (48) are evaporated. The casting film (22) after passing through the third area (48) is peeled from the endless belt (51) as a flexible porous film (17) by a peel roller (57).

Abstract: Methods for preparing porous inorganic coatings on porous supports using certain pore fillers, and porous supports coated with porous inorganic coatings. The porous inorganic coatings may serve as membranes useful in, for example, liquid-liquid, liquid-particulate, gas-gas, or gas-particulate separation applications.

Abstract: A wall and/or ceiling polymer-based composite structural sheathing board has a polymer material or predominantly polymer material core layer with a density between 1.6 lbs/ft3 and 25 lbs/ft3. A facer overlays at least one of the major surfaces of the core layer. The facer is generally coextensive with and bonded to the overlaid major surface of the core layer and enhances the integrity and fastener pull through strength of the polymer-based composite structural sheathing board as well as other desired physical and performance characteristics of the polymer based composite structural sheathing board. A wall and/or ceiling system of a building structure includes a plurality of the polymer-based composite structural sheathing boards overlaying and secured to a structural wall and/or ceiling frame and forming a wall and/or ceiling sheathing layer over the structural frame.

Abstract: Methods for preparing porous inorganic coatings on porous supports using certain pore formers, and porous supports coated with porous inorganic coatings. The porous inorganic coatings may serve as membranes useful in, for example, liquid-liquid, liquid-particulate, gas-gas, or gas-particulate separation applications.

Abstract: A low noise roof deck system eliminates the thermal expansion noises associated with metal decking and includes structural features that permit installation of composite roofing shingles directly over the deck without venting. The system includes a composite panel base layer surmounted by a layer of water resistant material, a layer of foam synthetic resin insulation and a layer of mineral board. A second layer of mineral board may be overlaid on the first mineral board layer. The system is easily installed over a system of conventional underlying supports to provide a strong, rigid deck for supporting a waterproof composite shingle roof membrane and forming a quiet weatherproof roof system. The composite base panel has a layer of synthetic resin foam insulation sandwiched between a base layer of wood fibers bonded with an inorganic cement and an upper layer of a resin bonded wood product.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a cellulosic particle body comprising interconnected cellulosic small particles with small interparticle spaces and to a method of producing said cellulosic particle body which comprises dispersing cellulosic small particles in an alkaline medium and contacting the resulting suspension with a coagulating solution. In this specification, the above technology will be referred to as the first invention.

Abstract: Disclosed is a thermoplastic resin foamed article, wherein the foamed article has two opposite surfaces, wherein the foamed article has at least a skin layer which defines one of the opposite surfaces and has a porosity of 0% or more but less than 1%, a lower-expansion layer which has a porosity of not less than 1% but less than 40% and is arranged so as to be adjacent to the skin layer, and a higher-expansion layer which has a porosity of not less than 40% but less than 100% and is arranged so as to be adjacent to the lower-expansion layer, wherein the skin layer, the lower-expansion layer and the higher-expansion layer are made of the same thermoplastic resin.

Abstract: A padding material, comprising A) one or more layers of an open-cell foam material based on melamine resin with a fire-retardant impregnating material applied, and B) a incombustible or low-flammability covering material, and C) a incombustible, supporting substructure, where the connection between the layers A), B), and C) is the result of force, of interlocking, or of coherent bonding, and also use for furniture, mattresses, mats, and seats in motor vehicles, in rail vehicles, in ships, or in aircraft.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a polymer composite foam with a treated filler and methods for making the same. The polymer composite foam includes a polymer capable of being formed into a polymeric foam and a treated filler, wherein the polymer defines a plurality of cells dispersed therethrough and the treated filler is dispersed throughout the polymer. The filler is treated by techniques which exfoliate, delaminate or intercalate the filler particles into individual micro and/or nano size particulates and platelets. Ideally, the treated filler has a median particle size ranging from about 0.1 nm-10 ?m. The treated filler enhances the rigidity, barrier properties, heat deflection temperature, nucleation characteristics, fire retardant characteristics and impact properties of the foam. The products fabricated from the polymer composite foam include containers, cups, sleeves, bags, plates, bowls, protective packaging, boards, sheets, void fillers, storageware, dinnerware and cookware.

Abstract: A textile having at least one adherent polyurethane backing, the backing being prepared from a polyurethane forming composition which comprises: (A) a polyisocyanate and (B) a mixture of a hydroxylated vegetable oil having a functionality of 1-4 and a blowing agent.

Abstract: A blast energy mitigating composite useful for protecting a surface or an object from a blast, shock waves, or stress waves caused by a sudden, violent release of energy is described. Certain configurations of the blast energy mitigating composite may include a energy mitigating units contained in an energy mitigating matrix. The energy mitigating units may comprise a porous energy mitigating material such as carbon foam.

Abstract: A laminate comprising a tough, flexible, hard layer and a cushion layer for uses such as in making a compact, athletic equine boot that resists turning on the animal's hoof when the animal such as a horse is jumping, running and turning in water, mud, sand and sawdust comprising a bell portion having a cushiony layer on the interior of a relatively rigid or hard shell, an internal compressible protrusion, a fastener to secure the boot on the hoof, the hard shell being flexible and strong to resist blows from over-reaching rear hooves. The invention also includes a method of making the laminate comprising a layer of a tough, flexible, strong material and a cushiony layer.

Abstract: A building flooring system includes a plurality of polymer-based composite structural underlayment boards overlaying and secured to a building subfloor to form an underlayment layer over the building subfloor and a nonstructural finish-flooring layer overlaying and bonded to the underlayment layer. The polymer-based composite structural underlayment boards each have a polymer material core layer or a predominantly polymer material core layer that typically contains from 1% to 40% by weight filler(s) and a density between 1.6 lbs/ft3 and 25 lbs/ft3. At least the top or bottom major surface of each of the polymer-based composite structural underlayment boards is overlaid by a facer that reinforces and strengthens the polymer-based composite structural underlayment board and that is generally coextensive with and bonded to the overlaid major surface of the polymer-based composite structural underlayment board.

Abstract: A surface-reinforced article includes a core assembly (12) comprising a foam core (20) with a surface region (22) that includes fine inner fibrous material intimately surround by foam that is integral with foam of the core, and an outer reinforcing covering (14) which includes an outer layer (32) of fibrous material and a resin (30) surrounding the outer layer of fibrous material and covering the primarily foam core assembly. The fine inner fibrous material (91-94) includes coupling fibers (100) with inner ends (102) embedded in the foam and outer ends (106) embedded in the resin, to better hold the resin to the foam. The primarily foam core assembly is molded within a first mold cavity (64) formed between spacers (60, 62) that lie within a second mold cavity (50).

Abstract: An assembly comprising carbon foam and high density carbon foam is described. In some embodiments, such an assembly may be a composite or composite assembly. One or more pieces of carbon foam and high density carbon foam may comprise the assembly. The assembly may comprise other materials in addition to the carbon foam and high density carbon foam. One or more of any given type of other material may be incorporated into the composite. Additionally, a given other material may be incorporated in more than one volume or location on or in the assembly. The other materials may provide for bonding of the elements of the assembly together, strengthening of the assembly, increased assembly oxidation and weathering resistance, modification of the electrical, thermal, or fluid transport properties of the assembly, and any of a number of other purposes.

Abstract: The present invention provides an assemblable foam material, which mainly uses a plurality of joint members for jointing a plurality of foam materials. The present invention uses a simple jointing technology to joint the plurality of foam materials and form an assemblable foam material with neat and beautiful joints.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a polymeric sheet that includes a first polymeric layer; and a second foamed layer; the first polymeric layer being in operative communication with the second foamed layer; the polymeric sheet having a percent light transmission as measured according to ASTM D 1003 of about 3% to about 80% at a thickness of greater than or equal to about 1,000 micrometers. Disclosed herein too is a method that includes disposing a first polymeric layer upon a second foamed layer to form a polymeric sheet; the first polymeric layer being in operative communication with the second foamed layer; the polymeric sheet having a percent light transmission as measured according to ASTM D 1003 of about 3% to about 80% at a thickness of greater than or equal to about 1,000 micrometers.

Abstract: An artificial honeycomb structure, and simple constructions therefrom, are provided, wherein at least a portion of at least one of the enclosing honeycomb cell walls is substantially porous, open, or permeable, and wherein at least one of the hollow cells comprises at least one substantially nonporous enclosing wall. The honeycomb and its constructions can be useful in applications that include, but are not limited to, heat exchange and storage, structural support, impact absorption, filtration, acoustic dampening, catalysis, and flow control and distribution.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a conductive polishing pad and a method for making the same. The conductive polishing pad includes a bottom layer, a conductive film and a polishing layer. The bottom layer includes a first high polymer and a fiber base. The first high polymer covers the fiber base, and has a plurality of first holes. The conductive film is disposed on the bottom layer. The polishing layer is disposed on the conductive film, and includes a second high polymer. The second high polymer has a plurality of second holes. Even though the bottom layer and the polishing layer are poor conductors, the conductivity thereof is raised by the conductive film, so that the polishing pad has good conductivity. Further, the polishing pad has a flexible surface, which prevents a surface of a workpiece to be polished from being scratched during polishing.

Abstract: A hydrogen-selective membrane material having a dense inner membrane layer composed of a Group VB alloy and no Pd disposed between two porous outer membrane support layers composed of the same Group VB alloy and no Pd or other noble metal, the amount of the Group VB alloy being greater than about 90 atomic % of each layer.

Abstract: The invention relates to an article of manufacture which includes a substrate, and on at least one surface thereof, a porous coating which has a total thickness in the range of up to about 50 microns and which consists of a plurality of discrete adjacent strata, wherein each discrete stratum is porous, inclusive of porous interfaces, and is fabricated from at least one substance selected from the group consisting of metals and metal oxides. The article is made by vaporizing a metal under vacuum conditions, optionally in an oxidizing atmosphere, at predetermined intervals of time, such that a deposit of a desired total thickness is formed on the substrate as a coating consisting of a plurality of discrete adjacent strata.

Abstract: The invention relates to porous bioglass and to the preparation method thereof. More specifically, the invention relates to a solid, porous crystalline or partially-crystalline composition containing at least SiO2, Ca<SB>O</SB>, Na2O, and P2O5, comprising micropores and macropores. The invention is characterised in that: the pore ratio varies between 50% and 80%, preferably between 60 and 75%, and is measured using the geometric method; the average diameter of the macropores varies between 100 and 1250 micrometers, preferably between 150 and 300 micrometers; the average diameter of the micropores is less than or equal to 5 micrometers; and the compression strength varies between 7 MPa and 70 MPa. The invention also relates to the method of preparing one such composition and to such a composition treated with a physiological liquid having an ionic composition similar to that of human plasma. The invention also relates to an implant which is made from one such composition.

Abstract: A protective covering is described comprising at least one microporous film attached to a functional layer, the protective covering capable of inhibiting the passage of toxic substances therethrough. Preferably the functional layer is an adsorptive layer contained between two oleophobic, microporous films. Additional shell and backer layers may be added to the construction forming a protective covering having good durability, flexibility and high moisture vapor transmission.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a porous membrane comprising multiple layers, at least one type of curable compound and at least two types of photo-initiator, wherein at least two layers each contain a the different photo-initiator. The invention further relates to recording media which comprise the porous membrane of the invention, as well as to processes for producing the membrane and the recording media.

Abstract: Novel catalytic membranes and methods of synthesizing the membranes are disclosed herein. The technology involves the synthesis of a new type of permselective membrane that combines a hollow porous support with strategically positioned catalytic and selective transport functions to overcome thermodynamic, kinetic, and thermal obstacles, such as in the production of hydrogen. Sub-micron, dense metallic catalysts and films may be deposited within porous hollow substrates to create the membranes using the techniques of sol slip casting, film coating and electroless plating.

Abstract: A composite air and foam protective packaging product comprises a packaging cushion having, in cross-section, at least three plies of plastic film, foam between a first ply and a second ply of the three plies of plastic film, and air between the second ply and a third ply of the three plies of plastic film.

Abstract: A gasket assembly and method of manufacture thereof provides a plurality of discrete, interconnected capsule beads spaced from one another. A sealant material is disposed in the capsule beads, such that when the capsule beads are ruptured under an applied clamping force, the gasket material is released from the capsule beads.

Abstract: A process of producing a multilayer polytetrafluoroethylene article includes filling a pre-form with two or more layers of a polytetrafluoroethylene fine powder, wherein at least one layer comprises a functional additive and at least one layer comprises a processing aid; disposing a separation layer between the two or more layers, wherein the separation layer is configured to provide structural integrity to each layer during filling; extruding the two or more layers to obtain a multilayer extrudate; removing the processing aid; and stretching the multilayer extrudate to form the multilayer polytetrafluoroethylene article.

Abstract: A hydrophilic ester polyurethane foam is flame laminated to a substrate using a thin sacrificial layer, preferably a sacrificial foam layer. The sacrificial layer in the resulting laminate structure has a thickness of 1.5 mm or less, and preferably is substantially burnt away. The resulting laminate exhibits good bond strength along its length and width without loss of liquid wicking and absorptive properties.