Abstract: A mountable decorative holder for displaying removeable signage is provided. The holder has one or more gaps at the bottom of the signage recess of the holder to allow for drainage of liquids, as well as removal of debris. Holders can be constructed using a variety of materials, e.g. plastic, acrylic, clear, plexiglass, wood, solid surface, composites, for a variety of uses, e.g. architectural, schools, churches, offices, factories, military, wholesale, retail.

Abstract: A fully compostable container is provided having an enclosed body with an opening through an interior surface and an exterior surface. The enclosed body having a plant fiber structural layer configured to biodegrade in ambient conditions into nontoxic residue and a fluid barrier layer formed on a first side of the structural layer to form the interior surface of the enclosed body, the fluid barrier layer configured to biodegrade in ambient conditions into nontoxic residue. The container is gradually biodegradable when exposed to a set of factors in a natural environment and has a shelf life of six months when stored under standard commercial conditions.

Abstract: A fire resistant and heat insulating flexible portable container comprising a housing having an interior compartment therein for receiving articles to be protected from heat and fire therein, a closeable aperture for allowing a user access to the interior compartment of said housing, a first layer of non-combustible fire resistant and heat insulating fabric encasing the interior compartment of said housing, a second layer of non-combustible fire resistant and heat insulating fabric covering said first layer of fire resistant and heat insulating fabric and a non-combustible heat insulating mat or pad sandwiched between said first layer of fire resistant and heat insulating fabric and said second layer of fire resistant and heat insulating fabric.

Abstract: A composite barrel for storing wine comprising a polymer body, at least one removable wooden head for attachment to an end of the polymer body, each wooden head having an interior surface, the interior surface configured to increase the surface area of the interior surface of the wooden head for contact with wine to be stored, and a sealing mechanism for sealingly securing each removable wooden head to the polymer body. A wooden head may be used at both ends of the barrel for sealing the barrel and bringing more wood into contact with the contents of the barrel.

Abstract: A laminate is described that includes a cover layer and a substrate layer. The substrate layer includes a natural fiber composite where natural fibers are bonded together by a polymer binder.

Abstract: A drum shell is constituted of at least one laminate wood in which at least one fiber-reinforced layer (e.g. a carbon fabric) is inserted between two wooden materials via the adhesive and which is rolled up in a cylindrical shape. By setting the mass per unit area of the fiber-reinforced layer ranging from 5 g/m2 to 75 g/m2, it is possible to prevent the detachment of fibers inside the fiber-reinforced layer while controlling the shearing loss with respect to the laminate wood. The drum shell is equipped with at least one drumhead so as to produce a drum with a high sound quality and with a fine-grained exterior appearance.

Abstract: When an air bag is prepared by laying a pair of silicone rubber-impregnated and/or coated base fabric pieces one on the other, with the coated surfaces of the pieces inside, and joining peripheral portions of the pieces together to form a bag, an addition reaction curing type silicone rubber composition which cures into a silicone rubber having an elongation at break of at least 1000% is used as a sealer and applied to the peripheral portions of the base fabric pieces, thereby achieving improved adhesion therebetween.

Abstract: A description is given of a tubular artificial sausage casing and a process for preparing the same, characterized in that the sausage casing is closed at one end or two ends by a yarn having a metal insert.

Abstract: A water vapor adsorption and water retaining composition containing particulate calcium chloride and cellulose fiber in a flexible container having a side of spun-bonded polyethylene heat sealed to a side of extrusion coated polyethylene on polyester. The foregoing composition can also contain clay.

Abstract: A biodegradable container includes a body structure made of a foamed hydrocolloid gelling matrix system having a fibrous material and a firming agent embedded therein and a water-resistant coating disposed on a surface of the body structure.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved method and materials for forming biodegradable containers that can hold food products in dry, damp or wet conditions and provides the biodegradable containers prepared according to the disclosed process. The containers are produced through the use of a pre-gelled starch suspension that is unique in its ability to form hydrated gels and to maintain this gel structure in the presence of many other types of materials and at low temperatures.

Abstract: A method for packaging plastic material using a film to surround the material, and more particularly to a method for packaging hot melt adhesives, the resulting package formed thereby, and the film composition used therein. The method is preferably a coextrusion process for packaging a pressure sensitive hot melt adhesive by extruding a hot melt adhesive through a die orifice, and coextruding a wax-based polymeric film to surround the hot melt adhesive. The coated adhesive may then be formed into individual packaged units having a finite size and shape. The polymeric film comprises a composition having at least 25% by weight of a wax material, an enthalpy of fusion of at least about 100 J/g, and an elongation value at break of at least about 100%. Any type of hot melt adhesive formulation can be packaged or surrounded by the polymeric film in the process.

Abstract: Method of manufacturing a food container or cover includes the steps of: forming a paperboard article from pulp and/or other vegetable fiber material; coating front surface or back surface of the paperboard article with heat sealable thermoplastic resin; forming foldout pieces for connecting adjacent sidewall pieces at four corners of the paperboard article; and forming the food container or cover by hot-pressing the paperboard article thus obtained between a pair of male and female press dies. One mutually opposed pair of the sidewall pieces is configured to be erected before the other mutually opposed pair of the sidewall pieces. The V-shaped foldout pieces include a V-shaped foldout portion shorter than portions that are adjacent to both side portions on the foldout piece, and the V-shaped foldout piece is overlapped or stuck to an adjacent one side of the foldout piece or sidewall piece.

Abstract: A thermally protective, flame retardant fabric includes a substrate treated with a combination of a flame retardant agent and an intumescent agent. The substrate includes non-thermoplastic fibers or a blend of non-thermoplastic fibers and thermoplastic fibers having a basis weight ranging from 2.0 to 15.0 ounces per square yard. The fabric has a contact thermal protective performance value of at least 4.5 and a contact thermal protective performance efficiency greater than 1.1. Applications of the fabric include protective garments, articles of furniture, vehicle components, building components, electrical components, decorative components, appliances, and containers.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a housing of an electronic device is provided. The method includes the steps of providing a bamboo laminate first, forming a recess on the bamboo laminate, performing an embedding injection molding process to form a supporting element made of high polymer in the recess and performing a cutting step to cut the bamboo laminate to have a predetermined thickness.

Abstract: An airtight ball has an inner bladder, a sealing layer, a wound layer, a rubber layer and an outer leather covering. The inner bladder is a hollow, resilient sphere and has an inner space and an outer surface. The sealing layer is applied to the outer surface of the inner bladder and has a rubber glue layer, a polyvinyl alcohol (PVOH) layer and a rubber balloon. The rubber glue layer fills in air bubbles or holes formed in the outer surface of the inner bladder. The a PVOH layer forms a thin, airtight membrane on the rubber glue layer, keeps air from leaking out of the inner space of the inner bladder and further maintains roundness and increases bouncing ability of the ball. The rubber balloon is a thin layer of rubber attached to the PVOH layer. The wound layer is wound around the rubber balloon that keeps the wound layer from cutting the PVOH and stabilizes the wound layer. The present invention not only prevents air leakage but also increases the ball's roundness and strength.

Abstract: The specification discloses a method for making a paper material having a reduced tendency to cut human skin. The method includes providing a papermaking furnish containing cellulosic fibers and from about 0.5 to about 5.0 wt % by weight dry basis expandable microspheres, forming a paperboard web from the papermaking furnish, drying the web, and calendaring the web to a caliper of from about 11.0 to about 18.0 mils and a density ranging from about 7.0 to about 12.0 lb/3000 ft2/mil. Papers formed according to the method and articles formed therefrom are also disclosed.

Abstract: Process for the production of a long hollow cellulose body, where cellulose-forming organisms are cultivated in an interior space formed by a hollow mould, said space substantially having the shape of the long hollow body, in order to allow the long hollow body to grow in the interior space, wherein the direction of growth of the hollow body runs substantially from a first longitudinal side of the interior space to a second longitudinal side substantially opposite the first.

Abstract: The present invention provides an acoustical shell for stage sets which is light and easily handled, which has no deformation of a curved surface for a long-period installation, in which a surface to reflect sound is broad and it is possible to prevent a resonance phenomenon due to a cavity, thereby providing an excellent efficiency of reflecting the sound, without eliminating even any small sound.

Abstract: The composite material is comprised of a substrate of discrete particles and a network of interconnected mycelia cells bonding the discrete particles together. The composite material is made by inoculating a substrate of discrete particles and a nutrient material with a preselected fungus. The fungus digests the nutrient material over a period of time sufficient to grow hyphae and to allow the hyphae to form a network of interconnected mycelia cells through and around the discrete particles thereby bonding the discrete particles together to form a self-supporting composite material. In another embodiment, the fungus is allowed to grow as a fruiting body out of the substrate and within an enclosure to completely fill the enclosure to form a self-supporting structure.

Abstract: To efficiently dry it, a nonionic alkylene oxide-type water-soluble resin is put into a container, then the container is degassed to a prescribed vacuum degree which is maintained while a dry gas having a dew point not higher than prescribed is introduced into the container at a rate not lower than prescribed. Minor volatiles are efficiently removed from the resin in an evaporation tank having a stirring blade. For protecting the dried resin from water, a dry gas is introduced into and air is purged from an empty packaging container whereafter the resin is charged into the container is sealed. By controlling solvent content and visocity of the resin and loading it into a temperature-controlled transportation container and/or unloading it out of the transportation container by the use of a pump, good subsquent processability of the resin and prevention of deterioration thereof are ensured.

Abstract: Disclosed is a wood composite material comprising: upper and lower surface layers and a core layer; wherein the core layer contains at least about 85 wt % paulownia strands; and the surface layers contain at least about 85 wt % of other, higher density, non-paulownia wood strands.

Abstract: Biodegradable aliphatic thermoplastic polyesters useful for the production of several types of articles such as films, sheets, nets, expanded molded products, and the like, and process for their production.

Abstract: A heat sealable barrier layer for food and beverage cartons is provided, the barrier layer including an additive material which reduces the amount of essential oil scalping from citrus products. Additionally, a carton coating layer and process is provided for reducing a coefficient of friction of stacked carton blanks. An additional embodiment of the invention provides for a paperboard substrate having reduced water vapor transmission rates, the reduction in water vapor transmission rates being attributed to one or multiple extruded layers containing an effective amount of an inorganic additive.

Abstract: A pulp molded container comprising a pulp molded article (2) having on the inner surface and/or the outer surface thereof a resin layer (3) with a thickness of 5 to 300 ?m formed by applying a coating, wherein the thickness ratio of the resin layer (3) to the molded article (2) (former/latter) is 1/2 to 1/100, and the surface roughness profile of the outer or inner surface of the pulp molded article is such that a centerline average roughness (Ra) is 0.5 to 20 ?m.

Abstract: This invention relates to copper complexes that significantly reduce the decay of wood, cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin caused by fungi. A process for treating such materials with these copper-containing anti-fungal agents is also disclosed.

Abstract: Sealant is statically applied to the edges of panels by placing a sealant on the inner surfaces of the walls of a container holding the panels. A shrink wrap sleeve is preferably applied to the panel filled containers, causing contact between the inner surface of the container and panel edges, such that the sealant is transferred to the edges of the panels. Further transfer occurs during handling of the container, due to movement of the panels in the container and contact between the sealant and panel edges.

Abstract: Herein is disclosed multilayer packaging articles comprising an oxygen barrier layer comprising ethylene/vinyl alcohol copolymer (EVOH) (an “EVOH oxygen barrier layer”); an oxygen scavenging layer adjacent thereto, wherein the oxygen scavenging layer comprises a polymer comprising an ethylenic backbone and a cycloalkenyl group having structure I: wherein q1, q2, q3, q4, and r are independently selected from hydrogen, methyl, or ethyl; m is —(CH2)n—, wherein n is an integer from 0 to 4, inclusive, and, when r is hydrogen, at least one of q1, q2, q3, and q4 is also hydrogen; and a third layer adjacent to the oxygen scavenging layer. In addition to the oxygen scavenging function, the oxygen scavenging layer functions as a tie layer to substantially inhibit delamination of the EVOH oxygen barrier layer from the third layer of the packaging article.

Abstract: The specification discloses a method for making a paper material having a reduced tendency to cut human skin. The method includes providing a papermaking furnish containing cellulosic fibers and from about 0.5 to about 5.0 wt % by weight dry basis expandable microspheres, forming a paperboard web from the papermaking furnish, drying the web, and calendaring the web to a caliper of from about 11.0 to about 18.0 mils and a density ranging from about 7.0 to about 12.0 lb/3000 ft2/mil. Papers formed according to the method and articles formed therefrom are also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a film which is produced form a thermoplastic polymer mixture containing the following: a) thermoplastic starch and/or a thermoplastic starch derivative and b) at least one polyester urethane, with the weight ratio a):b) being in the range from 75:25 to 5:95, and the surface-related degree of stretching the film being 2 to 70. The polyester urethanes forms a matrix in the mixture and the thermoplastic starch or a thermoplastic starch derivative being distributed in a microdispersion in the form of particles with a diameter dp of 0.05 to 30 &mgr;m. The invention also relates to a method for the inventive film and its use as a packaging film, especially for artificial sausage skins.

Abstract: A blister board and a blister package wherein the board and package includes a metallized paper so that the blister material is securely bonded to both the metallized paper and to the underlying paper board material.

Abstract: A cushioning molded product is provided which is produced by binding a vegetable fiber with a copolymer of a saccharide and an aliphatic dicarboxylic acid to conduct molding. Further a process is provided for producing a cushioning molded product from a copolymer of a saccharide and an aliphatic dicarboxylic acid, and a vegetable fiber, the process comprising (a) mixing or adhering the copolymer and the vegetable fiber, and (b) molding the resulting mixture into an intended shape by heating the mixture to bind the vegetable fiber with the copolymer.

Abstract: A heat and pressure consolidated laminate, and method for producing the same, is provided that includes in superimposed relationship a decorative layer consisting essentially of a leather material, an underlay layer, a substrate, and an optional backer layer. The substrate has a first surface and a second surface opposite one another. The underlay layer includes one or more cellulosic sheets impregnated with a thermosetting resin, and is disposed between the decorative layer and the first layer of the substrate. The backer layer includes one or more cellulosic sheets impregnated with a thermosetting resin, and is disposed contiguous with the second surface of the substrate.

Abstract: A heat and pressure consolidated flexible laminate, and a method for producing the same, is provided that includes in superimposed relationship, a flexible, resin coated backing layer consisting of one or more sheets, a decorative layer consisting essentially of a leather material and, optionally, an overlay.

Abstract: A paper container is produced that has gas barrier properties, by employing a laminate having at least a (I) paper layer 101, a (II) gas barrier layer 103, and an (III) epoxy-group-containing resin composition layer 104. The (III) epoxy-group-containing resin composition layer consists of a resin composition that contains a polyolefin (a) having a melt flow rate of 0.1˜100 g/min and an epoxy-compound (b) which has two or more epoxy groups in the molecule and has a molecular weight of 3000 or less, epoxy-compound (b) being added in an amount of 0.01˜5 parts by weight with respect to 100 parts by weight of polyolefin (a). This (III) epoxy-group-containing resin composition layer has good adhesion with the (II) gas barrier layer, thus a laminate can be produced without employing a dry laminate adhesive agent or an extrusion laminate anchor agent. Accordingly, it is possible to avoid a deterioration in the work environment or an odor remaining in the final product from the use of organic solvents.

Abstract: The invention relates to cellulose casings for food products and more particularly to pigmented tubular cellulose casings and to a method for the manufacture thereof. In the method for the manufacture of pigmented cellulose casings perylene tetracarboxylic acid pigment, in admixture with an additional pigment/pigments, is incorporated in the casing in order to produce a casing, which when stuffed with food products, produces the appearance of the product being naturally smoked, mahogany colored or any shade of red color. The additional pigment is selected from the group comprising (-phthalocyanine, diazo and monoazo pigments. The pigmented cellulose casing comprises 0.4-4 wt %, preferably 1-2 wt % of perylene tetracarboxylic acid.

Abstract: A packaging box, for a golf ball, is formed by folding a packaging sheet comprising a decomposable laminate material consisting of a polylactic acid-containing polymer film and a sheet of paper laminated with the polylactic acid-containing polymer film. A portion corresponding to a window is cut out from the paper, and the window is covered with the polylactic acid-containing polymer film laminated on the paper. The window is formed straddlingly on two or three planes such that the polylactic acid-containing polymer film covering the window is bent perpendicularly at a boundary between the planes adjacent to each other. A raised portion is formed on the packaging sheet.

Abstract: A tubular food casing based on regenerated cellulose, which casing may be fiber-reinforced, is coated on its inner surface with a copolymer which includes 50 to 84% by weight of vinylidene chloride units, 2 to 20% by weight of acrylonitrile units, 1 to 10% by weight of acrylic acid units, and 1 to 47% by weight of (C1-C18)alkyl (meth)acrylate units. The casing has high water vapor barrier and oxygen barrier characteristics. The shirring folds and lay-flat edges which result during the production and processing of the casing remain undamaged over long storage periods. The inner coating, in addition, shows no hot-water haze on simmering. The casing is particularly suitable as an artificial sausage casing.

Abstract: A wind tunnel blade (30) connected to a base (32) and held in position by a two-piece cuff (34). The wind tunnel blade (30) is formed in a resin transfer molding process in which central, fore, and aft foam core sections (70, 72, 74) are placed together to form the wind tunnel blade (30). Radius fillers (120) are used to fill the gaps between the outer edge of the foam core sections. The radius fillers (120) used in the wind tunnel blade (30) are formed by a braided sleeve (122) surrounding a number of unidirectional tows (124). A tip (68) is formed separately from the rest of the wind tunnel blade (30) and is glued to the top thereof. Stacked layers of braided fibers (100) are used to reinforce the central core section (70).

Abstract: The invention pertains to a method for the manufacture of a packaging material (1; 21) for the production of packaging blanks and packages and comprising the steps of providing at least on surface layer (2, 2′; 22, 22′) in the form of a continuous material web and substantially consisting of cellulosic fibres and applying a distance layer (3; 23) comprising a matrix material and reinforcement fibres thereto so that said surface layer (2, 2′; 22, 22′) is bonded to said distance layer (3; 23). The matrix material in the distance layer (3; 23) is in an expandable state when it is applied to the surface layer (2, 2′; 22, 22′) and is expanded in a separate process step, subsequent to the application step. The invention also concerns expandable packaging materials.

Abstract: An oxygen scavenging composition that can be either thermoplastic or thermoset, and that comprises at least one oxygen scavenging polymer and at least one curing agent is disclosed. The oxygen scavenging polymer comprises a polymeric backbone, at least two curing functional groups that are terminal groups and at least one oxygen scavenging cyclic moiety having from 5 to 9 carbon atoms in its ring and at least one carbon-carbon double bond in its ring. The curing functional groups of the oxygen scavenging polymer can be independently selected from hydroxyl groups, amino groups, carboxylic groups, sulfonic groups, and epoxy groups. The curing agent comprises at least two functional groups that are capable of reacting with the curing functional groups of the oxygen scavenging polymer.

Abstract: A sandbag comprising an outer bag coarsely woven by strong fiber such as hemp; and a thin inner bag having high permeability such as cotton, which contains a water soluble pack made of such as polyvinyl alcohol film, having water swelling and absorptive resin. The double-layer-bag structure accelerates the water swelling and absorption speed by simultaneously preventing the leakage of the contents.

Abstract: A composite wood component is comprised of a wood filler core having opposed parallel flat side and end surfaces and opposed parallel top and bottom surfaces. Solid wood trim components are glued to the side and end surfaces of the filler core and oriented with its wood grain extending in a common direction. A solid high quality wood covering is adhesively secured to at least the top surface of the filler core and also has its wood grain oriented in the common direction with the trim components. The wood trim components have a thickness selected to be machined without exposing the wood filler core. The wood filler core is comprised of lower grade quality wood pieces glued together at opposed side edges to form a rectangular or a square core.

Abstract: Molding materials comprising a cellulose based fiber, and a thermoplastic resin in an amount of less than said cellulose based resin is disclosed.

Abstract: An absorbent structure and method utilizes pockets or pouches of inorganic or organic granular materials in absorbent structures (such as a structure containing superabsorbents, including polymeric hydrogel forming materials) and fibrous webs, to form a composite heterostructure. The composite absorbent heterostructures are useful, for example, in applications such as diapers, incontinence articles, hygienic supplies and other applications which require good fluid absorbency and retainment properties. The granular material can be made of light plastic materials such as polystyrene or materials such as sand or seeds, and the grains can be hollow, with possible access to their interior volumes.

Abstract: A fabric having plant material adhered between layers of silk or hand-made paper. The silk or paper layers are translucent to allow the fabric to have the appearance of plant material. The fabric is manufactured by soaking dry plant material in water, pressing and drying the plant material to flatten it, adhering bottom and top layers of silk or paper to the plant material, and applying a stiffening agent to the fabric. Articles of various shapes may be formed by shaping the fabric into a predetermined shape prior to the step of applying the stiffening material.

Abstract: A molded pulp fruit tray. The molded pulp fruit tray contains carbon black pigment and is substantially uniformly black in color due to the presence of the pigment. The carbon black pigment may be added to a molded pulp furnish as an aqueous dispersion.

Abstract: A degradable container is disclosed as containing 60 wt % to 70 wt % of a plant fiber, from 10 wt % to 30 wt % of an adhesive and from 0.1 wt % to 5 wt % of a demoulding agent, in which the adhesive is a modified urea-formaldehyde resin. A method of forming a degradable container is also disclosed as including the steps of (a) grinding a plant fiber to a size smaller than a pre-determined size; (b) nixing grounded plant fiber obtained under step (a) with a demoulding agent to form a premixed material; (c) mixing said premixed material with an adhesive into a powder form; (d) press-moulding said powder obtained under step (c) a first time under a pressure of 5-80 MPa; and (e) press-moulding said powder a second time under a pressure of 1.5-16 MPa into said container.

Abstract: Compositions, methods, and systems for manufacturing articles, particularly containers and packaging materials, having a fiber-reinforced, starch-bound cellular matrix. Suitable mixtures used to form the articles are prepared by first preparing a viscous preblended mixture comprising water, a gelatinized starch-based binder, and fibers having an average length greater than about 2 mm. The highly viscous preblended mixture effectively transfers the shearing forces of the mixer to the fibers. The final moldable mixture is then prepared by mixing into the preblended mixture the remaining starch-based binder, water, and other desired admixtures, e.g., mold-releasing agents, inorganic filler rheology-modifying agents, plasticizers, coating materials, and dispersants, in the correct proportions to form an article which has the desired performance criteria.

Abstract: A multiple ply tissue paper structure is disclosed. The multiple ply tissue paper has plies having different texture values. In one embodiment, the multiple ply tissue paper has two plies having different calipers and macrodensities. In another embodiment, the multiple ply tissue paper has three plies, including a relatively untextured ply disposed between two relatively highly textured plies.