A vortex generator for use in establishing air fountains, kinetic sculptures, or unique stage effects comprised of a circular planar stage upon the surface of which a central vertical updraft is created by forced swirling air emanating from a cylindrical plenum beneath the stage, the air exiting through a circular orifice and lip forming a circumferential flow restrictor encircling the stage.

A vortex generator for use in establishing air fountains, kinetic sculptures, or unique stage effects comprised of a circular planar stage upon the surface of which a central vertical updraft is created by forced swirling air emanating from a cylindrical plenum beneath the stage, the air exiting through a circular orifice and lip forming a circumferential flow restrictor encircling the stage.

A sublimation furnace has a cylindrical shape with a V-shaped access opening covered by a door having a curved cover and triangular top that rotate about a longitudinal furnace axis. Curtains on each side of the access opening reduce heat loss while loading or unloading workpieces from a rotating support. A plenum is formed between inner and outer walls of the furnace with a fan circulating heated air through the furnace and plenum and through holes in the rotating support. A furnace control panel is mounted on a multi-axis support fastened to the furnace or a movable support holding the furnace.

A sublimation furnace has a cylindrical shape with a V-shaped access opening covered by a door having a curved cover and triangular top that rotate about a longitudinal furnace axis. Curtains on each side of the access opening reduce heat loss while loading or unloading workpieces from a rotating support. A plenum is formed between inner and outer walls of the furnace with a fan circulating heated air through the furnace and plenum and through holes in the rotating support. A furnace control panel is mounted on a multi-axis support fastened to the furnace or a movable support holding the furnace.

Floor panel, more particularly a laminate floor panel, which, at least at two opposite edges (2-3-4-5), is provided with coupling parts (6-7-8-9), whereby this floor panel (1), at its decorative side, forms an imitation of wood, from which, by means of a tool, wood portions have been removed from the surface, more particularly forms an imitation of so-called scraped wood, and whereby this floor panel (1) comprises a decor (10) representing a wood pattern (18), a top layer (11) on the basis of synthetic material (12), and an underlying substrate (13), whether or not composed of several layers or parts, characterized in that the floor panel (1), in the surface over which the decor (10) extends, is provided with embossed portions (19 and/or 20) continuing up into the aforementioned substrate (13), whereby these embossed portions (19 and/or 20) are at least applied in order to imitate the aforementioned removed wood portions.

A vortex generator for use in establishing air fountains, kinetic sculptures, or unique stage effects comprised of a circular planar stage upon the surface of which a central vertical updraft is created by forced swirling air emanating from a cylindrical plenum beneath the stage, the air exiting through a circular orifice and lip forming a circumferential flow restrictor encircling the stage.

A vortex generator for use in establishing air fountains, kinetic sculptures, or unique stage effects comprised of a circular planar stage upon the surface of which a central vertical updraft is created by forced swirling air emanating from a cylindrical plenum beneath the stage, the air exiting through a circular orifice and lip forming a circumferential flow restrictor encircling the stage.

The invention relates to an ultra-lightweight heat and flame resistant (or retardant) composite panel having a three-dimensional artistic design on the surface, and a method for making the lightweight heat and flame resistant composite panel. One aspect of the invention is a system and method for creating a composite panel from high performance heat and flame resistant materials, such as aramid polyamide polymers (for example, NOMEX from DuPont) or any other fire-retardant or fire-retardant treated material, which can be bonded to another layer of fire-retardant material such as paper, fabric, honeycomb or foam. The fire-retardant materials can be bonded by a welding machine such as an ultrasonic machine, or attached by a thermoplastic, thermoset, thermobond or other fire resistant adhesive. The thickness of the finished composite may be around 1/16 inch. The composite can then be decorated, and carved (or embossed) with or without inserting a fire-retardant material between the layers prior to carving to give a three-dimensional decorative surface. The steps of decorating and carving may be performed in either sequencecoloring followed by carving, or carving followed by coloring. Alternatively, one or more layers may be printed prior to forming the composite. A clear finish with fire retardant agent is then placed on the surface of the composite.

The invention relates to an ultra-lightweight heat and flame resistant (or retardant) composite panel having a three-dimensional artistic design on the surface, and a method for making the lightweight heat and flame resistant composite panel. One aspect of the invention is a system and method for creating a composite panel from high performance heat and flame resistant materials, such as aramid polyamide polymers (for example, NOMEX from DuPont) or any other fire-retardant or fire-retardant treated material, which can be bonded to another layer of fire-retardant material such as paper, fabric, honeycomb or foam. The fire-retardant materials can be bonded by a welding machine such as an ultrasonic machine, or attached by a thermoplastic, thermoset, thermobond or other fire resistant adhesive. The thickness of the finished composite may be around 1/16 inch. The composite can then be decorated, and carved (or embossed) with or without inserting a fire-retardant material between the layers prior to carving to give a three-dimensional decorative surface. The steps of decorating and carving may be performed in either sequencecoloring followed by carving, or carving followed by coloring. Alternatively, one or more layers may be printed prior to forming the composite. A clear finish with fire retardant agent is then placed on the surface of the composite.

A laminate material having a decorative appearance has a plurality of layers that are bonded together with at least one of the layers having a first orientation. A portion of at least one of the layers adjacent to an exterior surface of the material is deviated into a second orientation differing from the first orientation. The exterior surface of the material is substantially flat, thereby revealing multiple layers at the exterior surface. Each layer may comprise a sheet that is pre-impregnated with a thermosetting resin. A form having a surface feature may be pressed into the exterior surface of the material while the layers are bonded together to deviate a portion of at least one of the layers adjacent to an exterior surface of the material into the second orientation. The invention also includes a method of generating a laminate material having a decorative appearance.