In a shaping device, a conveyor conveys a formable sheet that distends due to being irradiated with electromagnetic waves. An irradiator irradiates the electromagnetic waves on the formable sheet being conveyed by the conveyor. A focus point adjuster adjusts a position of a focus point of the electromagnetic waves irradiated by the irradiator. The focus point adjuster adjusts the position of the focus point in accordance with a degree of definition of an unevenness to be caused to form on the formable sheet due to distension of the formable sheet.

A forming apparatus is equipped with (i) a conveyance unit configured to convey a formation sheet, that expands due to irradiation with electromagnetic waves, along a conveyance path in a state in which tension for causing bending in accordance with a conveyance path that is convexly bent is applied, and (ii) an irradiation unit configured to irradiate with the electromagnetic waves the formation sheet during conveyance by the conveyance unit in the state in which the tension is applied.

Described herein are physically crosslinked, closed cell continuous multilayer foam structures that includes a foam layer comprising polypropylene, polyethylene, or a combination of polypropylene and polyethylene and a polyamide cap layer. The multilayer foam structure can be obtained by coextruding a multilayer structure comprising at least one foam composition layer and at least one cap composition layer, irradiating the coextruded structure with ionizing radiation, and continuously foaming the irradiated structure.

In a shaping device, a sheet that distends due to being irradiated with electromagnetic waves is placed a conveyor belt. An irradiator irradiates the sheet placed on and conveyed by the conveyor belt with electromagnetic waves. At least one heater heats the conveyor belt.

Described herein are physically crosslinked, closed cell continuous multilayer foam structures that includes a foam layer comprising polypropylene, polyethylene, or a combination of polypropylene and polyethylene and a polyamide cap layer. The multilayer foam structure can be obtained by coextruding a multilayer structure comprising at least one foam composition layer and at least one cap composition layer, irradiating the coextruded structure with ionizing radiation, and continuously foaming the irradiated structure.

A base paper (6), a picture pattern layer (7) provided on a surface (6a) side of the base paper (6), and foaming agents (8) arranged on a surface (7a) of the picture pattern layer (7) or in the picture pattern layer (7) are provided. In the foaming agents (8), the average particle diameter after foaming is set to 15 μm or more and 250 μm or less and the foaming start temperature is set to 100° C. or more and 220° C. or less.

A printing method includes applying a foaming agent composition containing a foaming agent to form a foaming agent layer, applying a foaming inhibitor composition containing a foaming inhibitor onto the foaming agent layer, curing the foaming agent layer with irradiation of active energy, and heating the foaming agent layer to foam the foaming agent layer, wherein the foaming agent composition has a viscosity of from 50 to 1,500 mPa.Math.s at 25 degrees C. and the absolute difference between the static surface tension of the foaming agent composition and the static surface tension of the foaming inhibitor composition is 5 mN/m or less.

Provided is a printed matter producing method including a foaming liquid layer forming step of applying a foaming agent-containing composition, which contains: a foaming agent; and a polymerizable compound containing a multifunctional monomer, over a print target, to form a foaming liquid layer, a defoaming agent applying step of applying a defoaming agent containing a polymerizable compound selectively over the foaming liquid layer, a defoaming agent curing step of curing the defoaming agent applied, a foaming step of heating the foaming liquid layer after the defoaming agent curing step to foam the foaming liquid layer, and a curing step of performing curing by electron beam irradiation after the foaming step.

A push-in earplug including an elongate core and outer layer is disclosed. The outer layer includes a sound attenuating portion having a first average density and a stem portion having a second average density, and the second average density is greater than the first average density.

A 3D printed thermal expansion structure includes a thermoplastic material and a thermal expansion material, wherein the thermoplastic material is in a range from 50 to 90 wt % based on a weight of the 3D printed thermal expansion structure, and the thermal expansion material is in a range from 10 to 50 wt % based on the weight of the 3D printed thermal expansion structure. The thermoplastic material and the thermal expansion material are mixed to form a mixed material, and the mixed material is utilized by a 3D printing apparatus to form a solid object, and the solid object is heated to form the 3D printed thermal expansion structure in a manufacturing method of a 3D printed thermal expansion structure provided herein.