A molding apparatus (10) for forming a retaining device. The molding apparatus (10) comprises a molding strip (12) and a molding support (24). The molding strip (12) has an inside face (14), an outside face (16), and a plurality of through cavities (18) extending from the outside face (16) to the inside face (14), the molding strip (12) extending in a longitudinal direction (X) and presenting both a transverse direction (Y) perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (X), and also a height direction (Z) perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (X) and to the transverse direction (Y). The inside face (14) is configured to press against a molding face (26) of the molding support (24), wherein the inside face (14) of the molding strip (12) and/or the molding face (26) of the molding support (24) includes an array of passages, the array of passages forming vents and connecting together the cavities (18) when the molding strip (12) is pressed against the molding support (24).

Nanofiber spinning apparatuses and methods for making core-sheath materials using touch spinning are provided. The apparatus includes at least one rotating plate with an aperture through which a core yarn passes and at least one post contacting the rotating plate. A speed control device can be configured to control rotation of the rotating plate, and a dispensing device can be configured to dispense a nanofiber-forming material onto the post. To make a core-sheath yarn a core yarn is passed through an aperture in a rotating plate having at least one post. The post is contacted with a nanofiber-forming material the rotating plate is rotated to draw a fiber of nanofiber-forming material from the post to wrap the fiber around the core yarn.

A composite core material and methods for making same are disclosed herein. The composite core material comprises mineral filler discontinuous portions disposed in a continuous encapsulating resin. Further, the method for forming a composite core material comprises the steps of forming a mixture comprising mineral filler, an encapsulating prepolymer, and a polymerization catalyst; disposing the mixture onto a moving belt; and polymerizing said encapsulating prepolymer to form a composite core material comprising mineral filler discontinuous portions disposed in a continuous encapsulating resin.

A method of manufacturing an activated composite web includes laminating a film layer to a nonwoven web to form a composite web, forming a plurality of apertured protuberances in the film layer, and passing the composite web through intermeshing elements to form an activated composite web. The intermeshing elements form a plurality of first lanes, with first widths, substantially unaffected by activation, and a plurality of second lanes, with second widths. The second widths are less than the first widths. Portions of the plurality of apertured protuberances define first apertures in the first lanes and second apertures in the second lanes. The cross-sections of the second apertures are larger than the first apertures. The first apertures have their major axes substantially aligned in the first direction while the second apertures have their major axis substantially aligned in the second direction. An activated composite web also is provided.

A method of manufacturing an activated composite web includes laminating a film layer to a nonwoven web to form a composite web, forming a plurality of apertured protuberances in the film layer, and passing the composite web through intermeshing elements to form an activated composite web. The intermeshing elements form a plurality of first lanes, with first widths, substantially unaffected by activation, and a plurality of second lanes, with second widths. The second widths are less than the first widths. Portions of the plurality of apertured protuberances define first apertures in the first lanes and second apertures in the second lanes. The cross-sections of the second apertures are larger than the first apertures. The first apertures have their major axes substantially aligned in the first direction while the second apertures have their major axis substantially aligned in the second direction. An activated composite web also is provided.

A retaining device includes a base (51) extending in a longitudinal direction and presenting a top face (511) and a bottom face (512); and a plurality of retaining elements extending from the top face (511) of the base (51), each of the retaining elements being formed by a stem (52) surmounted by a head (53), the stem (52) having a bottom end (521) connected to the base (51), and a top end (522) opposite from the bottom end (521), the head (53) surmounting the top end (522) of the stem (52), and having a bottom face facing towards the base and a top face opposite from the bottom face.

A retaining device includes a base (51) extending in a longitudinal direction and presenting a top face (511) and a bottom face (512); and a plurality of retaining elements extending from the top face (511) of the base (51), each of the retaining elements being formed by a stem (52) surmounted by a head (53), the stem (52) having a bottom end (521) connected to the base (51), and a top end (522) opposite from the bottom end (521), the head (53) surmounting the top end (522) of the stem (52), and having a bottom face facing towards the base and a top face opposite from the bottom face.

A composite core material and methods for making same are disclosed herein. The composite core material comprises mineral filler discontinuous portions disposed in a continuous encapsulating resin. Further, the method for forming a composite core material comprises the steps of forming a mixture comprising mineral filler, an encapsulating prepolymer, and a polymerization catalyst; disposing the mixture onto a moving belt; and polymerizing said encapsulating prepolymer to form a composite core material comprising mineral filler discontinuous portions disposed in a continuous encapsulating resin.

A composite core material and methods for making same are disclosed herein. The composite core material comprises mineral filler discontinuous portions disposed in a continuous encapsulating resin. Further, the method for forming a composite core material comprises the steps of forming a mixture comprising mineral filler, an encapsulating prepolymer, and a polymerization catalyst; disposing the mixture onto a moving belt; and polymerizing said encapsulating prepolymer to form a composite core material comprising mineral filler discontinuous portions disposed in a continuous encapsulating resin.

Multilayer riblet applique and methods of producing the same are described herein. One disclosed example method includes applying a first high elongation polymer material to a web tool, where the web tool is to be provided from a first roll, and heating, via a first heating process, the first high elongation polymer material. The disclosed example method also includes applying a second high elongation polymer material to the first high elongation polymer material, and heating, via a second heating process, the second high elongation polymer material. The disclosed example method also includes applying, via a laminating roller, a support layer to the second high elongation polymer material.