In a system and method for making a capped structure having a variegated cap layer a layer of cap materials is applied to a substrate and pin stripes are applied onto the cap layer through an extrusion die. After these materials exit the extrusion die they are passed through a single opening in a die plate to create a capped structure having a variegated appearance. This capped structure has a smooth surface that enables an embosser to create a consistent embossing pattern on the entire surface.

The invention particularly relates to a method of applying a permanent coating to a plastic surface of a first part, comprising the following steps: applying to said plastic surface a layer of a polyamide-based hot-melt material, maintaining this layer of hot-melt material on said plastic surface for a period of time ranging from a few minutes to several hours, removing this layer of hot-melt material from this plastic surface; and applying a permanent coating to said surface, said permanent coating being based on polyurethane, an epoxy resin or polyesters, a polycarbonate and/or an acrylic resin; as well as the use of such a method in the automotive industry.

Substrates comprising a functionalizable layer, a polymer layer comprising a plurality of micro-scale or nano-scale patterns, or combinations thereof, and a backing layer and the preparation thereof by using room-temperature UV nano-embossing processes are disclosed. The substrates can be prepared by a roll-to-roll continuous process. The substrates can be used as flow cells, nanofluidic or microfluidic devices for biological molecules analysis.

An apparatus and method for stamping a thermoplastic matrix composite blank, in view of heating and stamping the blank. The apparatus includes a machined blank and a frame. A plurality of cleats are fixed on the frame, extend towards the interior of the frame. The cleats delimit an internal opening surface of the frame, free from any obstacle. A locator is linked with a cleat and configured to cooperate with a hole machined in the blank. A heat sink is located near the locator and configured to maintain locally the blank temperature under the melting temperature of the polymer constituting the matrix, during the heating and transfer of the blank.

An absorbent article having improved softness signals is disclosed. The article may include a topsheet or a backsheet including a nonwoven web. The web may have a basis weight of 30 gsm or less, may be formed of spunlaid fibers including polyolefin and up to 5 percent by weight TiO.sub.2, and may be impressed with a pattern of bond impressions to a bond area percentage of at least 10 percent forming a pattern of bonded regions and raised regions. The web may have opacity of 42 or greater; have an average height difference between bonded regions and raised regions of at least 280 m; be hydroengorged; and/or have a cross-machine direction tensile strength of 350 gf/cm. A nonwoven web manufactured to have a suitable combination of such features exhibits an enhanced appearance of softness, soft tactile feel and satisfactory mechanical attributes, while being relatively cost effective.

A method is provided for making structured hybrid adhesive articles such as lightning strike protection sheets. In the embodiment for making lightning strike protection sheets, the method comprises the steps of: a) providing an adhesive article comprising: i) a base resin comprising an epoxy resin, ii) a first epoxy curative, and iii) a second epoxy curative; b) reacting the base resin with the first epoxy curative such that the first epoxy curative is substantially reacted with epoxy resin in the article and the second epoxy curative is substantially unreacted in the article; c) embossing the adhesive article with a relief pattern; d) depositing an electrically-conductive layer onto at least a portion of the embossed surface; and e) curing the adhesive article such that the second epoxy curative is substantially reacted with epoxy in the article. In some embodiments, the method additionally comprises a step of embedding a scrim in the adhesive.

A leather substrate formed from waste leather and its method of production, particularly a leather substrate made up substantially of a collagen fibril matrix.

An embossing material that can be hardened and used for embossing lithography, comprised of a mixture of at least one polymerizable main component, and at least one secondary component. The invention also relates to a use of the embossing material for the primary forming of an embossing form.

The invention relates to a method for manufacturing a hoisting rope, comprising the steps of providing a plurality of elongated composite members, which composite members are made of composite material comprising reinforcing fibers in polymer matrix; and arranging the composite members to form an elongated row of parallel composite members, which row has a longitudingal direction, a thickness direction and a width direction, and in which row the composite members are positioned side by side such that they are parallel to each other, and spaced apart from each other in width direction of the row; and directing plasma treatment on the outer surface of the composite members; and embedding the composite members in fluid polymer material; and solidifying the polymer material wherein the composite members are embedded. The invention relates also to a hoisting rope obtained with the method and an elevator comprising the hoisting rope.

An oriented plastic composition (OPC) shaped article having a length, width and thickness dimension in which the width and thickness dimensions are less than that of the length dimension, having at least one surface that can be machined so that a portion of the OPC shaped article is reduced in the width or thickness dimension along at least a portion of the length of the article and a process for making and machining an OPC shaped article.