In embodiments, a flexible mat forming system includes a rotating drum having a plurality of mold cavities; a hopper that receives a hardenable paste and deposits the hardenable paste into the mold cavities as the drum rotates relative to the hopper; and a sheet of mesh material that is fed between the hopper and the mold cavities facing the hopper. The hopper includes a plurality of side walls and a bottom panel having an opening, wherein the plurality of walls and the bottom panel define an interior chamber; and an auger rotatably mounted in the interior chamber and having a plurality of radially extending protrusions along a length thereof, the radially extending protrusions including angled surfaces to displace the material received in the interior chamber along a length of the interior chamber to fall through the opening into the mold cavities.

Embodiments relate to a polyimide-based composite film, which comprises a base film comprising a polyimide-based resin; and a functional layer disposed on the base film, wherein when the side of the functional layer located opposite to the side in contact with the base film is referred to as a first side and when the side of the base film in contact with the functional layer is referred to as a second side, the leveling index represented by Equation 1 is less than 0.75.

Multiple processes for preparing porous articles are described. The porous articles can be in a wide array of shapes and configurations. The methods include providing a soluble material in particulate form and forming a packed region from the material. The methods also include contacting a flowable polymeric material with the packed region such that the polymeric material is disposed in voids in the packed region. Also described are systems for performing the various processes.

Multiple processes for preparing porous articles are described. The porous articles can be in a wide array of shapes and configurations. The methods include providing a soluble material in particulate form and forming a packed region from the material. The methods also include contacting a flowable polymeric material with the packed region such that the polymeric material is disposed in voids in the packed region. Also described are systems for performing the various processes.

A method for producing a simulated animal organ includes: a shaping step of mixing a raw material containing mannan as a main component and water for gelatinization and shaping a gelatinized substance into a shape of an animal organ to obtain a shaped body; and a low temperature step of keeping the shaped body in a low temperature environment lower than a normal temperature. As a result, a simulated animal organ in a state extremely close to an actual animal organ is provided.

A laminated panel is provided which comprises, or consists of, a core panel to which an elastomeric resin impregnated single finishing printed paper layer has been applied. The paper for the single finishing printed paper layer is printed to provide a design feature on the laminated panel. Preferably, the design feature has been printed on a lower surface of the single finishing printed paper layer. As a result of the resin impregnation and heating and pressing operations, the single finishing printed paper layer becomes translucent or transparent, and thus allows the printed design feature to become visible. The design feature can be printed onto the single finishing printed paper prior to treatment with the elastomeric resin, or printed onto the previously treated elastomeric resin impregnated paper. The laminated panels can be used in the production of laminated flooring, wall panels or furniture panels.

A film casting apparatus includes a die which has a non-zero angled discharge direction relative to a horizontal plane. A chill roll is positioned downstream of the die. A film displacement device is positioned proximate to the chill roll and is configured to position the molten polymer on the chill roll and establish the thickness of the film. The non-zero discharge angle is of a predetermined magnitude to gravity assist delivery of the molten polymer to the chill roll. The chill roll is positioned to gravity support the polymer film along a first length of a first side of the polymer film. A first polishing roll is positioned downstream of the chill roll and engages and cools a second length of a second side of the polymer film which is opposite the first side. The first length is substantially equal to the second length.

A film casting apparatus includes a die which has a non-zero angled discharge direction relative to a horizontal plane. A chill roll is positioned downstream of the die. A film displacement device is positioned proximate to the chill roll and is configured to position the molten polymer on the chill roll and establish the thickness of the film. The non-zero discharge angle is of a predetermined magnitude to gravity assist delivery of the molten polymer to the chill roll. The chill roll is positioned to gravity support the polymer film along a first length of a first side of the polymer film. A first polishing roll is positioned downstream of the chill roll and engages and cools a second length of a second side of the polymer film which is opposite the first side. The first length is substantially equal to the second length.

In an exemplary embodiment, a flexible mat forming system includes a rotating drum having a plurality of mold cavities about an outer periphery thereof; a hopper positioned adjacent the drum, the hopper shaped to receive a hardenable paste and deposit the hardenable paste into successive mold cavities of the plurality of mold cavities facing the hopper, as the drum rotates relative to the hopper; wherein the hopper includes an opening shaped and positioned to align with the mold cavities facing the hopper; and a sheet of mesh material that is fed between the hopper and the mold cavities facing the hopper.

In an exemplary embodiment, a flexible mat forming system includes a rotating drum having a plurality of mold cavities about an outer periphery thereof; a hopper positioned adjacent the drum, the hopper shaped to receive a hardenable paste and deposit the hardenable paste into successive mold cavities of the plurality of mold cavities facing the hopper, as the drum rotates relative to the hopper; wherein the hopper includes an opening shaped and positioned to align with the mold cavities facing the hopper; and a sheet of mesh material that is fed between the hopper and the mold cavities facing the hopper.