A thermal vacuum insulation element (10) comprising a first planar limiting part (12) and a second planar limiting part (14). The limiting parts are spaced apart from each other and define an evacuated space (16) between them. The evacuated space (16) is sealed by means (26) for sealing. The vacuum insulation element includes first support elements (18) extending away from the first limiting part (12) into the evacuated space (16) and second support elements (20) extending away from the second limiting part (14) into the evacuated space (16), the limiting parts (12, 14) being arranged with the support elements (18, 20) such that the first support elements (18) and the second support elements (20) protrude beyond and are spaced from each other. The first support elements (18) are spaced from the second limiting part (14), and the second support elements (20) are spaced from the first limiting part (12). A fiber structure (22) interconnects the first support elements (18) and the second support elements (20). The fiber structure (22) has a low thermal conductivity and is configured to absorb at least the pressure caused by the vacuum on the first and second limiting parts (12, 14).

A resin composition, comprising a polyvinyl acetal-based resin, wherein the resin composition has a glass transition temperature of 50° C. or lower, and the polar component γsp of the surface free energy according to the Kaelble-Uy method is a value of 0.1 mJ/m.sup.2 or more and 8.0 mJ/m.sup.2 or less.

The present disclosure generally relates to systems and methods for composites, including short-fiber films and other composites. In certain aspects, composites comprising a plurality of aligned fibers are provided. The fibers may be substantially aligned, and may be present at relatively high densities within the composite. For example, the composite may include substantially aligned carbon fibers embedded within a thermoplastic substrate. The composites may be prepared, in some aspects, by dispersing fibers by neutralizing the electrostatic interactions between the fibers, for example using aqueous liquids containing the fibers that are able to neutralize the electrostatic interactions that typically occur between the fibers. The liquids may be applied to a substrate, and the fibers may be aligned using techniques such as shear flow and/or magnetism. Other aspects are generally directed to methods of using such composites, kits including such composites, or the like.

Functionalized textile materials are provided. At least a portion of a textile surface in includes a ceramic material, such as a binderless porous structured ceramic, and optionally, one or more functional layer is applied, resulting in a textile material with one or more desirable functional properties, such as hydrophilicity, hydrophobicity, flame retardancy, photocatalysis, anti-fouling, and/or deodorant properties.

An optical laminate includes two substrates each of which has a tensile modulus in a range from 2,000 MPa to 7,500 MPa, and an adhesive layer interposed between the substrates. A storage modulus at 25° C. of the adhesive layer is 100 kPa or less, and a storage modulus at −20° C. of the adhesive layer is equal to or less than three times the storage modulus at 25° C. of the adhesive layer. The optical laminate and an image display device including the optical laminate may have an improved flexible property at various temperature ranges and may be capable of minimizing cracks when being bent.

Multifunctional surfacing materials for use in composite structures are disclosed. According to one embodiment, the surfacing material includes (a) a stiffening layer, (b) a curable resin layer, (c) a conductive layer, and (d) a nonwoven layer, wherein the stiffening layer (a) and the nonwoven layer (d) are outermost layers, and the exposed surfaces of the outermost layers are substantially tack-free at room temperature (20° C. to 25° C.). The conductive layer may be interposed between the curable resin layer and the stiffening layer or embedded in the curable resin layer. According to another embodiment, the surfacing material includes a fluid barrier film between two curable resin layers. The surfacing materials may be in the form of a continuous or elongated tape that is suitable for automated placement.

Disclosed herein is a device and method for evacuating patients during medical emergencies. The device is an evacuation blanket comprised of a cover and a carrier. The cover includes a number of inventive elements supporting an improved method of evacuating patients and matching those patients to the blanket used for their evacuation after the patient has been evacuated to a destination and separated from the blanket.

An improved sheet for making a three-dimensional article for holding food, such as a food tray, and a method of making a three-dimensional article. The sheet comprises a substrate and a laminate film. The laminate film may comprise a ceramic film and a copolymer layer. The copolymer layer can repair any cracks that occur in the ceramic film when the sheet is thermoformed. The food tray is considered a single material that is recyclable.

The invention relates to a decorative panel, in particular a floor panel, ceiling panel or wall panel, and to a method for manufacturing such decorative panel. The panel according to the present invention comprises includes at least one foamed layer comprising including an upper side and a lower side, and at least one decorative solid layer either directly or indirectly, affixed on said upper side of the foamed layer, wherein both the foamed layer and the decorative solid layer are wood based materials. The invention also relates to a floor covering consisting of a plurality of such panels.

The invention relates to an installation and a method for selectively producing a single- or multi-ply nonwoven includes an inclined wire former configured to deposit a sheet of wet-laid fibre material on a first circulating belt, a further belt configured to receive the sheet of wet-laid fibre material from the first circulating belt, a roller card arranged downstream in the material transport direction and configured to introduce a roller card web into the installation, a hydroentanglement arranged downstream in the material transport direction and including at least one water beam configured to entangle, bond and/or structure a single sheet of fibres or a plurality of sheets of fibres, and a dryer arranged downstream in the material transport direction.