Abstract: A vehicle interior component and method of making a vehicle interior component where a plurality of hollow stitch acceptance holes are formed in a component substrate to accommodate a stitch seam in a decorative covering that is attached to the component substrate. The stitch seam extends through the decorative covering to create filled stitch acceptance holes from the hollow stitch acceptance holes. The stitch seam can be created after an in-mold grain process in which the component substrate and decorative covering are laminated together.

Abstract: A transfer film has a temporary support, a first curable transparent resin layer, a second curable transparent resin layer in which the thickness of the first curable transparent resin layer is equal to or greater than 1 ?m, the second curable transparent resin layer includes 5% by mass to 95% by mass of a metal oxide particle with respect to the solid content of the second curable transparent resin layer, and the first curable transparent resin layer does not include the metal oxide particle, or includes less amount of the metal oxide particle than the second curable transparent resin layer.

Abstract: A vehicle interior panel includes a foam layer formed from a liquid foam precursor between a substrate and a visible decorative skin layer that has perforations formed therethrough. In some cases, the perforations are associated with a line of stitching sewn into and through the skin layer. A sealing film is located beneath the skin layer in the perforated region to prevent the liquid foam precursor from leaking through the perforations during foam formation. The sealing film extends beyond the perforated region and into a non-perforated region, in some cases extending substantially over the entire back side of the skin layer. In this manner, the edges of the sealing film do not cause visual blemishes on the visible surface of the decorative skin layer over time.

Abstract: Provided is an injection molded panel having a top side and a bottom side. The panel is configured with at least an elastic portion, the elastic portion including a plurality of undulating deformable strands intersecting with one another at rigid connecting locations, the rigid connecting locations alternatingly extending at opposite sides of the panel at alternating top peaks and bottom peaks, the peaks defining together the respective top side and the bottom side.

Abstract: Dopant ink compositions and methods of fabricating solar cells there from are described. A dopant ink composition may include a cross-linkable matrix precursor, a bound dopant species, and a solvent. A method of fabricating a solar cell may include delivering a dopant ink composition to a region above a substrate. The dopant ink composition includes a cross-linkable matrix precursor, a bound dopant species, and a solvent. The method also includes baking the dopant ink composition to remove a substantial portion of the solvent of the dopant ink composition, curing the baked dopant ink composition to cross-link a substantial portion of the cross-linkable matrix precursor of the dopant ink composition, and driving dopants from the cured dopant ink composition toward the substrate.

Abstract: Methods of, and systems for, multi-lingual two-sided printing are provided. According to one embodiment, a method of multi-lingual two-sided printing is provided, the method comprising: initiating a transaction; identifying a first language for printing on a first side of two-sided media and a second language for printing on a second side of the two-sided media based on one or more aspects of the transaction; printing information on the first side of the two-sided media in the first language; and printing information on the second side of the two-sided media in the second language, wherein the first language is different from the second language. Variations including the printing of transaction information on a first side of two-side media and additional information on a second side of the two-sided media when an identified first language is not different from an identified second language are also disclosed.

Abstract: A multi-layer polymer film for printing and copying of the present invention comprising a two-layer polymer base film composed of layer A and layer B laminated on one side of the layer A, the layer B containing a filler in an amount of 50 to 3000 ppm and the layer A containing no filler or a filler in an amount of at least 1000 ppm and less than the B layer; an image receiving layer coated on the exposed surface of the layer A; and an antistatic layer coated on the exposed surface of the layer B, wherein the layer A having the image receiving coating layer and the layer B having the antistatic coating layer have average degrees of surface roughness (Ra) ranging from 10 to 60 nm and 50 to 150 nm, respectively, exhibits improved properties in terms of runnability, printing, optical (haze), antistatic, friction coefficient and anti-blocking properties, which can be advantageously used as an OHP film.

Abstract: A molded panel resembling a natural wickerwork panel, a furniture article comprising such a panel and a method for its manufacture, the panel comprising a plurality of warp strands and a plurality of weft strands interlacing the warp strands, such that at locations where warp and weft strands intersect they form together an integrated, solid molded material location.

Abstract: A paper coating includes a combination of a primary pigment and a secondary pigment. The primary pigment includes anionic particles having a particle size distribution where at least 96% of the particles by weight have a particle size less than 2 microns. The secondary pigment is a cationic, grit-free pigment having an average particle size of 3 microns or less. The coating also includes up to 17 weight % of a hydrophilic styrene-butadiene latex based on the weight of the dry pigments and a co-binder. Another embodiment of this invention is a coated base sheet that includes a base sheet to which the above coating has been applied.

Abstract: An article of manufacture and method are disclosed which may include a skin including a molded groove, the skin having an exposed surface and a lower surface, the skin forming a sheet of material; a seal having an upper surface disposed adjacent to the lower surface of the skin and covering a region of the lower surface of the skin including the molded groove; at least one strand of stitching material threaded between the exposed surface of the skin and the foam backing layer; and a backing layer forming a backing for the skin and the seal, the backing layer having an upper surface secured to the skin and the seal, and a lower surface.

Abstract: A polymer composition including a cyclic-olefinic copolymer and another polymer, an image-receiving element including the polymeric composition in an image-receiving layer, a print assembly including the image-receiving element, and a method of printing are described.

Abstract: The disclosure herein includes a grip for a golf club with a flexible tube and a layered sheet. The tube includes a tubular body and raised portions extending from the tubular body. The outer surface of the raised portions cooperates with the layered sheet to form a gripping surface. The grip reduces impact shock and provides a feeling of tackiness while providing increased variation in the physical characteristics of the gripping surface.

Abstract: Plasma spraying, apparatus for plasma spraying, and methods of plasma spraying.

Abstract: A rubberized fabric for a tire belt includes an elastomeric material and at least one reinforcing metal strap in the elastomeric material. The at least one reinforcing metal strap is made of a shape-memory material. The at least one reinforcing metal strap is oriented at about 0° to an equatorial plane of the tire. The at least one reinforcing metal strap has a width of no less than about 1 mm. The at least one reinforcing metal strap has a first thickness of no greater than about 0.1 mm. The at least one reinforcing metal strap may have coils disposed side-by-side and axially displaced from one another.

Abstract: An aqueous dispersed polymeric composition for preparing the spill resistant carpet backing is provided. The aqueous dispersed polymeric composition of the present invention comprises an aqueous dispersed polymeric material, an inorganic filler, and a hydrophobic compound selected from the group consisting of a hydrophobic acid, a salt of a hydrophobic acid, and mixtures thereof. Alternatively, the inorganic filler is pretreated with the hydrophobic compound. Also, a kit and a method for preparing a spill resistant carpet backing from the aqueous dispersed polymeric composition is provided.

Abstract: A novel decorative structure includes a length of strand material, having a plurality of individual strands twisted with respect to one another and fixed with respect to one another near a first end of the strands, and a twisting member having a plurality of apertures formed therein, each adapted to receive a respective one of the individual strands therethrough. In a particular embodiment the twisting member is a disc, such that when the twisting member is advanced from a second end of the strands to the first end, the strand material is caused to unwind. Similarly, when the twisting member is advanced from the first end to the second end of the strands, the strand material is caused to wind up. When unwound, the strands retain a decorative helical shape, and give the appearance of a Christmas tree.

Abstract: Fuel cell stack having a plurality of liquid-cooled, bipolar plates separating one cell from the next. Coolant inlet and outlet manifolds are defined, in part, by surfaces of the bipolar plates, and respectively supply coolant to, and remove coolant from, the bipolar plates. The surfaces of the bipolar plates that define the coolant manifolds and confront the coolant in the manifolds are coated with a non-conductive coating to reduce shunt current flow through the coolant.

Abstract: An illuminated display for use as an advertising medium is provided in the invention comprising a first layer of light transmissible material, a second layer of woven fabric, a third layer of light transmissible material bonded to the first layer of light transmissible material to sandwich the second layer of woven fabric, the second layer of woven fabric having printed or painted designs formed thereon for providing a display means (1) and a light source (2) for illuminating said printed or painted designs.

Abstract: An artificial palm tree having a planar base, a central support, an exterior covering and a separable crown. The central support of the artificial palm tree has one end flexibly affixed to the planar base. An exterior covering constructed around the central support is substantially greater in diameter than the central support and has the separable crown removably affixed to a free end of the central support.

Abstract: The present invention includes an imageable element, which includes a sheet substrate, an imaging layer and a silicone layer, which comprises a crosslinked silicone polymer. The crosslinked silicone polymer is the curing product of a vinyl functional polysiloxane copolymer and a hydrosiloxane compound. The curing is catalyzed by a platinum carbonyl complex. Upon imagewise exposure and development, an imaged element is obtained, which is mounted on a dry printing press containing lithographic ink and used to produce printed stock.

Abstract: The invention is a process of simulating rough bark on an artificial tree comprising the steps of coating the artificial tree surface with a thin layer of plastic foam and exposing the foam to a blast of concentrated heat sufficient to collapse part of the foam structure.

Abstract: A decorative border strip for adorning room walls consisting of a three dimensional embroidered strip having a single layer of yarns inter-engaged in a weblike transparent repetitive pattern inter-engaging with multi-layered yarns interlaced to form non-transparent repetitive patterns. The border strip has a transparent adhesive strip secured with a rear surface thereof and a removable non-adhesive strip adhered to the exposed adhesive surface of the adhesive strip. When located on a wall, those wall portions behind the transparent pattern areas are visible.

Abstract: The invention refers to a three-dimensional structure, covered with strips of flat film, consisting of a core or main body, which can be of any shape; a continuous strip of flat film with an exterior finish that is attractive to the eye, which completely covers said core in a uniform, regular, and continuous fashion, by the longitudinal overlapping of the edges of the tape; and, a fastening device, located at the upper part of the core.

Abstract: A whip with a braided handle and method of fabrication which includes a generally cylindrical handle portion. The handle portion has an inboard end and an outboard end and is fabricated of a braided rope construction which comprises a plurality of single yarns twisted together to form a plurality of piled yarns which are then braided, with a helical angle of the twist of the single yarns within their respective plied yarn being equal and opposite to the helical angle of the plied yarns in the braid. Also included is an inboard first thread which is wrapped circumferentially about the handle end from adjacent the inboard end and extends outboardly. An outboard second thread is wrapped circumferentially around the handle portion to provide a handle. A whipping portion extends outboardly of the outboard end of the handle portion and is fabricated of extensions of the braided strands from the handle portion but in an unbraided braid form.

Abstract: An essentially homogeneous, water-resistant, water-absorbent rod, containing a cohesive spiral winding of water-resistant, water-absorbent sheet material, in which the rod can absorb at least 50% by weight of water when placed in water at 23.degree. C. for one minute. Methods for fabricating and using this rod are also described.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of making decorative ornaments of personalized nature. The method provides for the use of a three-dimensional ornament which is covered by a coating having acrylic resin and then one-color outline of a design is printed on the coating. The space formed within the outline of the design serves as a coloring space for an individual. A second method provides for the use of a heat-shrinkable plastic sleeve positionable about an object and exposable to heat to cause shrinking of the sleeve to conform to the shape of the ornament. In this embodiment, a one-color outline is imprinted directly on the sleeve prior to positioning of the sleeve on the three-dimensional ornament.

Abstract: A patterned, nonwoven, articulated fabric exhibiting a substantially uniform texture and comprised of a multiplicity of synthetic fiber elements, the opposing free ends of each of said synthetic fiber elements being joined to one another to form substantially continuous loops, said loops being interconnected to one another in a predetermined pattern. Method for producing said nonwoven fabric using specially prepared fiber elements which curl in a predetermined configuration in response to an external stimulus is also disclosed.

Abstract: A copper-clad laminate having special utility in the production of high resolution printed circuit patterns by either subtractive or semi-additive processing is made by vapor depositing a film of zinc on a copper film on a silica-coated aluminum carrier sheet, vapor depositing a silica film on the resulting zinc-copper foil, bonding the resulting body to a substrate and then stripping the silica-coated aluminum carrier sheet from the copper-clad laminate.

Abstract: A raised decorative pattern is formed on a fabric by cutting spaced-apart slits side-by-side in a row in the fabric thereby to form in sequence first, second, third, and further strips as required of the fabric between adjacent slits and successively knitting the strips by a process resembling crocheting which comprises passing the second strip as a partial loop under and around the first strip, passing the third strip as a partial loop under and around the partial loop of the second strip, and thus successively repeating the procedure with the successive strips. A fabric with such a pattern can find use in a broad range of articles.

Abstract: A modular yarn craft system is provided wherein preformed central sections having a plurality of rods extending outward therefrom are mateably connectable with each other or tubular members so as to provide a connection zone between the elements having a continuous cross-section for providing a continuous flush modular framework. Yarn is continuously wrapped around that modular framework so as to produce a substantially flush wrapped fiber design.

Abstract: A decorative holder for an implement such as a pen, pencil, or thermometer comprising an interwoven base portion including a series of substantially concentric tiers of loops and supporting means for supporting the implement. The holder is made by a method which substantially conceals the intersections of the strand of pliant material from which the base portion is formed to provide a holder having a neat and decorative appearance.

Abstract: A personalized decorative ornament is provided which includes high sheen strand material spirally wound in individual side-by-side windings about the smooth exterior surface of a three dimensional core, a barrier coating covering the windings of strand material and the exterior surface of the core, a sheet of flexible, conformable material adhesively secured to said barrier coating and bearing thereon decorative ornamentation having a personal significance to the user, and an outer coating of transparent material providing a protective covering for the decorative ornamentation and barrier coating to anchor the windings in place and protect them from abrasion, fraying and displacement and to protect the decorative ornamentation from damage during handling and use.

Abstract: Decorative windings are applied to a fishing rod shaft utilizing a combination of a painted area to which a decal and accent thread windings are applied.

Abstract: A sunburst array of radially extending elements, such as fan foldable woven wood slates, connected along their radially extending sides, have means such as rigid panels securing the radially inner ends of the rigid elements and maintaining them in a substantially common plane, thereby providing a novelty article such as a sunburst plaque, or the like.