A lattice structure includes multiple identical unit cells formed from joined plates. In the lattice structure, some of the plates are rectangular plates, some of the plates are triangular plates, and some of the plates are trapezoidal plates. Further, any two of the joined rectangular plates have corresponding surface normals perpendicular to each other and at least two edges of each one of the triangular plates are joined to one of a surface or an edge of one of the plurality of joined plates. Further, at least three edges of each one of the trapezoidal plates are joined to one of a surface or an edge of one of the plurality of joined plates, and any one of a plurality of surface normals for the triangular plates and the trapezoidal plates are nonparallel to any one of a plurality of surface normals of rectangular plates.

A composite substrate is disclosed. In one embodiment, the composite substrate comprises an inner part (20) arranged intermediate first (10) and second (15) outer members, the inner part comprising more than one segments (22) orientated so that fibres of at least one segment align substantially transverse to fibres of one or both of the first (10) and second (15) members, the relative alignment of the respective fibres serving to, at least in part, align prospective deformation of the or each segments (22) and at least one of the first (10), second (15) outer members in a common direction. A method for producing at least one embodiment of the composite substrate is also disclosed. In another aspect, a floorboard is produced using the composite substrate.

A multilayer film and a decorative film, each of which is excellent in chipping resistance, exhibits favorable adhesive properties to a variety of resin materials, such as polypropylene and ABS, and a molded body provided with such a film. The multilayer film includes three layers of an impact absorption layer (a), a base material layer (b), and a pressure sensitive adhesive layer (c) disposed in this order, wherein a thermoplastic polymer composition constituting the impact absorption layer (a) is composed of at least one block copolymer containing a polymer block (X) containing a structural unit derived from an aromatic vinyl compound and a polymer block (Y) containing a structural unit derived from a conjugated diene compound, or a hydrogenated product thereof; and has a loss tangent (tan δ) at 11 Hz in a range of −50 to −20° C. of 3×10.sup.−2 or more.

A method for attaching an underlay element to a weight-reduced board element. The method includes providing a board element and an underlay element, wherein a rear side of the board element includes a groove portion and a remaining portion. The groove portion includes at least one groove. An adhesive is applied on at least a portion of the remaining portion and/or on at least a portion of a corresponding residual portion of the underlay element, and the underlay element is arranged on the rear side of the board element, such that the adhesive contacts the underlay element and the rear side.

A three-dimensional (3D) article including both a solid portion and a folding paper portion and method of making same is disclosed. For example, a 3D article includes one or more solid portions and one or more folding paper portions. The solid portions of the 3D article may be, for example, any solid material used in sculpture applications, such as, but not limited to, clay, plaster, stone, wood, plastic, glass, and the like. The folding paper portions of the 3D article may be, for example, glued layers of paper, sliced wood, books, recycled materials, and the like. Further, a method is provided of making stretchable and flexible 3D articles that include one or more solid portions and at least one folding paper portion.

An edge trim for pieces of furniture, including a meltable layer, is described. The molecular structure of the meltable layer contains both polar and non-polar parts. By way of a non-limiting example, an edge trim for pieces of furniture having an exposed edge of wooden or wood substitute material is described, comprising a molten layer and a structural layer, wherein the structural layer and the molten layer are connected in an adhesive bond, wherein the molten layer is made of a material that is chemically modified such that polar and non-polar components are found in a single molecular structure, wherein the molten layer contains energy absorbing additives, wherein the energy absorbing additives of the molten layer are selected from the group consisting of metal oxides, metal phosphates, metal salts of organic anions and combinations thereof.

A decorative wall system is provided that includes a number of panels that can be secured to an underlying wall and to one another in an overlapping configuration to provide a multi-layer, three-dimensional appearance to the wall. In one embodiment of the wall system, the system includes individual panels that include a decorative front surface and a rear surface. The rear surface includes undercuts along each side of the rear surface that can be positioned over the side edges of the front surface of an adjacent wall panel. The panels may each include an adhesive layer including compressible strings therein that assist the adhesive in holding the panel on a surface by forming a vacuum between the panel and the surface to which the panel is attached.

The present invention provides a biomimetic composite material, a nacreous layer-mimetic material, a biomimetic nacre material and preparation methods thereof. The biomimetic composite material comprises multiple composite film formed from biomass fibers and an inorganic nanomaterial, wherein an organic polymer material is arranged between the multiple composite film layers or in the composite base body. The invention combines a high-mechanical-performance shellfish structure with a wood fiberboard to overcome the original defects of the fiberboard, improve the fiberboard performances and endow it with new special performances, so that the prepared material has dual functions of the fiberboard and the nanomaterial at the same time.

Cards made in accordance with the invention include a specially treated thin decorative layer attached to a thick core layer of metal or ceramic material, where the thin decorative layer is designed to provide selected color(s) and/or selected texture(s) to a surface of the metal cards. Decorative layers for use in practicing the invention include: (a) an anodized metal layer; or (b) a layer of material derived from plant or animal matter (e.g., wood, leather); or (c) an assortment of aggregate binder material (e.g., cement, mortar, epoxies) mixed with laser reactive materials (e.g., finely divided carbon); or (d) a ceramic layer; and (e) a layer of crystal fabric material. The cards may be dual interface smart cards which can be read in a contactless manner and/or via contacts.

A product (20) for use on a surface or as part of a surface, the product comprising: a first layer (22) which carries an indication; and a second layer (26) which overlies at least a portion of the first layer (22), the second layer (26) comprising a porous polymer; wherein the second layer (26) is opaque when dry such that the indication is masked and transparent when wet such that the indication is revealed.