Various apparatuses are disclosed including those that have curvature arresting properties. According to one example, the apparatus can optionally include a flexible first film, a second film and a first plurality of features. The first plurality of features can be disposed between the first film and the second film At least some of the first plurality of features are spaced apart from one another by a gap when the first film is not subject to an applied bending force or is subject to the applied bending force below a predetermined magnitude in one or both of the transverse direction and the longitudinal direction, and at least some of the first plurality of features contact one another to arrest a curvature of the first film when the applied bending force is at or above the predetermined magnitude.

A method of making a composite elastic laminate is provided where an elastic layer is stretched in the machine-direction and while in a stretched state is fed into a grooved-roll assembly, together with outer facing layers, for imparting simultaneous cross-direction stretching forces to the superposed layers. The bi-directional stretching forces causes the elastic layer to tear and/or rupture allowing the laminate to be bonded in areas where the elastic layer has been displaced. Upon relaxation, a composite elastic laminate is provided having excellent breathability and elastic properties.

An elastic laminate is provided including outer facing layers of a fabric and, located between the outer facing layers, a series of individual, spaced apart strips of elastic film extending continuously along the direction of elasticity. The film strips are formed by a controlled tearing of a continuous film while the film is biaxially stretched and bonded to the fabric facings. The fabric facings have gathers formed therein that allow the elastic laminate to stretch at least to the extent that the gathers can be pulled flat.

A floor protection apparatus for use under parked snowmobiles or the like. The apparatus features a mat having longitudinally opposing first and second ends, and laterally opposing first and second sides. Longitudinally channeled areas reside respectively adjacent the sides of the mat at a topside thereof, and each feature a set of longitudinally running channels separated from one another by longitudinal ribs. One or more collection areas reside between the channeled areas at the topside of the mat and are of recessed elevation relative to the longitudinal ribs. A laterally ribbed central area resides between the first and second channeled areas and comprising a series of lateral ribs spaced from one another in the longitudinal direction. The mat is assembled from sections that fastened together through raised, abutted boundary edges.

A three-dimensional vacuum thermal insulation element having a compressed three-dimensional porous structure and a shell closed in an airtight manner. The shell includes a thermoformable barrier wall and encloses the porous structure arranged between two major surfaces of said barrier wall. The porous structure has a pressure of between less than 105 Pa and more than 10-2 Pa at ambient external temperature and pressure. The barrier wall is thermoformed at the site of said two major surfaces, between which the porous structure has a curved shape and/or reliefs and/or depressions.

The present disclosure is directed to lamina(e) comprising cube corner elements, a tool comprising an assembly of laminae and replicas thereof. The disclosure further relates to retroreflective sheeting.

One or more implementations of a multi-layer film include a first layer non-continuously bonded to a second pigmented layer. The multi-layer film includes an unexpected appearance differing from the appearance of the pigmented layer. In one or more embodiments, the multi-layer film includes a metallic appearance despite the pigmented layer being devoid of metallic pigment. The multi-layer film also includes areas that are visually distinct from areas of the film with the unexpected appearance. The visually-distinct areas comprise areas in which the first layer non-continuously is in intimate contact with the second pigmented layer. The visually-distinct areas have the appearance of the pigmented layer or another appearance. One or more implementations also include methods of making multi-layer films and bags with an unexpected appearance and visually-distinct areas.

One variation of a method for fabricating a dermal heatsink includes: fabricating a substrate defining an interior surface, an exterior surface opposite the interior surface, and an open network of pores extending between the interior surface and the exterior surface; activating surfaces of the substrate and walls of the open network of pores; applying a coating over the substrate to form a heatsink, the coating comprising a porous, hydrophilic material and defining a void network; removing an excess of the coating from the substrate to clear blockages within the open network of pores by the coating; hydrating the heatsink during a curing period; heating the heatsink during the curing period to increase porosity of the coating applied over surfaces of the substrate; and rinsing the heatsink with an acid to decarbonate the coating along walls of the open network of pores in the substrate.

The present invention is directed to a door skin having an exterior surface with an woodgrain pattern formed therein, and an etched plate for use as an embossing plate or with a molded die set, for forming the woodgrain pattern in the door skin. The exterior surface has outer portions lying on a first plane, spaced grooves recessed from the plane of the outer portions, and halftone portions. The halftone portions have spaced protrusions defined by channels, wherein the channels are recessed from the plane of the outer portions.

The method for producing a skin material is a method for producing a skin material having a concave part formed on the front surface side, comprising heat-pressing a raw material between an embossing die and an elastic sheet to form the concave part and, at the same time, forming a convex part on a bottom surface of the concave part.