The invention relates to glass strands and glass strand structures coated with an electrically conducting coating composition which comprises (as % by weight of solid matter): 6 to 50% of a film-forming agent, preferably 6 to 45%, 5 to 40% of at least one compound chosen from plasticizing agents, surface-active agents and/or dispersing agents, 20 to 75% of electrically conducting particles, 0 to 10% of a doping agent, 0 to 10% of a thickening agent, 0 to 15% of additives. The invention also relates to the electrically conducting coating composition used to coat the said strands and strand structures, to their process of manufacture and to the composite materials including these strands or strand structures. Application to the preparation of structures and composite materials which can be heated by the Joule effect or which can be used for electromagnetic shielding.

A textile product (1) comprising individual elements (4) interconnected by a textile technique, characterized in that the interconnected individual elements (4) hold at least one decorative or functional element (2, 2, 2, 12, 12, 22) between each other, e.g. by braiding in or braiding around.

Absorbable polyester fibers, braids, and surgical meshes with prolonged strength retention have been developed. These devices are preferably derived from biocompatible copolymers or homopolymers of 4-hydroxybutyrate. These devices provide a wider range of in vivo strength retention properties than are currently available, and could offer additional benefits such as anti-adhesion properties, reduced risks of infection or other post-operative problems resulting from absorption and eventual elimination of the device, and competitive cost. The devices may also be particularly suitable for use in pediatric populations where their absorption should not hinder growth, and provide in all patient populations wound healing with long-term mechanical stability. The devices may additionally be combined with autologous, allogenic and/or xenogenic tissues to provide implants with improved mechanical, biological and handling properties.

A carbon composite component composed of a plastics-carbon-fiber composite material. The carbon composite component is made up of individual regions, in which at least one ply is composed, in at least a first region, of carbon fibers, and at least one additional region and/or the first region includes a ply which is composed of metal cords which are arranged spaced apart from one another and spatially oriented in at least one direction.

Absorbable polyester fibers, braids, and surgical meshes with prolonged strength retention have been developed. These devices are preferably derived from biocompatible copolymers or homopolymers of 4-hydroxybutyrate. These devices provide a wider range of in vivo strength retention properties than are currently available, and could offer additional benefits such as anti-adhesion properties, reduced risks of infection or other post-operative problems resulting from absorption and eventual elimination of the device, and competitive cost. The devices may also be particularly suitable for use in pediatric populations where their absorption should not hinder growth, and provide in all patient populations wound healing with long-term mechanical stability. The devices may additionally be combined with autologous, allogenic and/or xenogenic tissues to provide implants with improved mechanical, biological and handling properties.

A support construction for a volume generated by solid freeform fabrication, where the support construction includes layers of supporting materials, such layers comprising a continuous strip of material within such volume such that when the strip is lifted or pulled, the layers of supporting materials including the strip are removed together from the volume.

A self-confining structural article includes a ceramic matrix with a reinforcement member disposed within the ceramic matrix. The reinforcement member is continuous, and has a mesh with holes not exceeding 4 mm in size.

A dunnage conversion machine (36) converts a sheet stock material into a dunnage product that is relatively thicker and less dense than the stock material, but is relatively thin and sufficiently flexible to function as a protective wrap. The conversion machine includes a feed mechanism (40) that advances a sheet stock material therethrough and a connecting mechanism (42) downstream of the feed mechanism. The connecting mechanism retards the passage of the sheet stock material therethrough by feeding the stock material therethrough at a slower rate than the feed mechanism feeds the stock material to the connecting mechanism. This causes the stock material to randomly crumple in a longitudinal space between the feed mechanism and the connecting mechanism. The connecting mechanism connects multiple overlapping layers of sheet stock material together as they pass therethrough, including connecting at least one crumpled sheet to one side of one other sheet.

A dunnage conversion machine (36) converts a sheet stock material into a dunnage product that is relatively thicker and less dense than the stock material, but is relatively thin and sufficiently flexible to function as a protective wrap. The conversion machine includes a feed mechanism (40) that advances a sheet stock material therethrough and a connecting mechanism (42) downstream of the feed mechanism. The connecting mechanism retards the passage of the sheet stock material therethrough by feeding the stock material therethrough at a slower rate than the feed mechanism feeds the stock material to the connecting mechanism. This causes the stock material to randomly crumple in a longitudinal space between the feed mechanism and the connecting mechanism. The connecting mechanism connects multiple overlapping layers of sheet stock material together as they pass therethrough, including connecting at least one crumpled sheet to one side of one other sheet.

Packaging materials are disclosed, along with packages formed therefrom and methods for forming the packages.