A three-dimensional auxetic structure, comprising a plurality of adjoining hollow cells, each hollow cell having cell walls and a transversal cross section of the plurality hollow cells following a two-dimensional auxetic pattern, each cell wall comprising folding lines parallel to a plane containing the auxetic pattern such that peaks and valleys are defined in the cell walls and the cell walls being foldable along the folding lines.

The present invention is directed toward a composition comprising: an epoxy compound, a polythiol curing agent, and a second curing agent. Also disclosed are methods of treating a substrate with the composition and substrates formed by such methods.

Apparatus for applying noise reducing elements to tyres for vehicle wheels. The apparatus includes a loading station of stacks of noise reducing elements, an extraction station of noise reducing elements from each stack placed downstream of the loading station, and a conveyor placed downstream of the extraction station and extending along a predefined path. The conveyor is configured for supporting and advancing in a row the noise reducing elements extracted from the stacks which are then applied to a radially inner surface of the tyres. The extraction of each of the noise reducing elements contemplates: retaining a first noise reducing element placed at the base of a stack; raising the remaining noise reducing elements of the stack from the first noise reducing element; moving away the first noise reducing element according to a set path; and lowering the remaining noise reducing elements of the stack.

Described herein is a process for preparing a foam (FA) with a Poisson's ratio in the range of from −0.5 to 0.3, the method including the steps of providing a foam (F1) with a flow resistance in the range of from 3000 to 8000 Pas/m, determined according to DIN EN 29053, and subjecting the foam (F1) to thermoforming including triaxial compression, wherein the foam (F1) is not reticulated prior to step (ii). Also described herein is the foam obtained or obtainable according to the process and the use of the foam as, for example, an energy absorbing device, preferably in protective gear, furniture, cushions, in cleaning devices with improved rinse-out behavior, in shoe soles, or as sealing, insulating or anchorage providing material for example used in earphones, ear plugs or dowels, or as acoustic material.

To provide a sound insulation sheet member which is excellent in sound insulation performance in a low frequency band and which has a compact configuration. A sound insulation sheet member 1 including a substrate 2 and a concavo-convex structure 3 placed on at least one surface of the substrate 2, in which the concavo-convex structure 3 is provided by repeatedly arranging a plurality of units each defined as a concavo-convex unit shape 4 including a linear convex portion 5, in one direction at substantially constant intervals on the surface of the substrate 2.

The present invention is directed toward a composition comprising: an epoxy compound, a polythiol curing agent, and a second curing agent. Also disclosed are methods of treating a substrate with the composition and substrates formed by such methods.

An assembly for forming a structural, insulating or decorative article as any of a roll, sheet, board or panel and including a width extending die and extruding nozzle for issuing a flowable polymeric material having either of a solid or ribbed cross sectional profile and including any of a polyurethane, a polypropylene or any other polymeric material. At least a pair of opposing and rotating pinch rollers are arranged for receiving therebetween the flowable material. A material roll simultaneously feeds a material layer between the rollers and against the flowable polymer material at a given pressure to cause the polymeric material to fuse and embed within the material layer. The material separate material layer can further include any structural panel, multi-panel or pallet style construction, such including both solid and interiorly hollowed/corrugated constructions.

A method for producing a heat-shrinkable product is provided. First, a polymer composition containing a polymer, a crosslinking agent and a micro-encapsulated foaming agent uniformly dispensed therein is melt mixed. The foaming agent has a peak activation temperature which is higher than a temperature of the melt mixing. Next, the polymer composition is injection molded into a molded product. This carried out at the peak activation temperature to activate the foaming agent. Then, the molded product is crosslinked within the mold.

A method for manufacturing a vehicle muffler includes: forming a tubular body (6; 91, 92) from a nonwoven fabric (2; 2A, 2B) composed of inorganic fibers (11) each being in a filament form; inserting and installing the tubular body (6) as a sound-absorbing material into a space (S) between an inner pipe (72; 81) and an outer pipe (71; 821, 822) of an inner-outer double pipe constituting a vehicle muffler. The tubular body (6) may be obtained by applying a binder (3) to one surface (2a) of the nonwoven fabric (2), then rolling the nonwoven fabric (2) into a tubular shape with the surface (2a) having the binder (3) applied thereto facing inward, infiltrating additional binder (3) into an outer peripheral surface of the tubular-shaped nonwoven fabric (2), and then heating the tubular-shaped nonwoven fabric (2) to a predetermined temperature to harden the binder (3).

Apparatus for applying noise reducing elements to tyres for vehicle wheels. The apparatus includes a loading station of stacks of noise reducing elements, an extraction station of noise reducing elements from each stack placed downstream of the loading station, and a conveyor placed downstream of the extraction station and extending along a predefined path. The conveyor is configured for supporting and advancing in a row the noise reducing elements extracted from the stacks which are then applied to a radially inner surface of the tyres. The extraction of each of the noise reducing elements contemplates: retaining a first noise reducing element placed at the base of a stack; raising the remaining noise reducing elements of the stack from the first noise reducing element; moving away the first noise reducing element according to a set path; and lowering the remaining noise reducing elements of the stack.