A 3D thermoplastic pultrusion system and method based upon a 3D variable die system and including one or more sets of 3D thermoplastic forming machines to continuously produce thermoplastic composite pultrusions with at least one of varying cross-section geometry and constant surface contours, varying cross-section geometry and varying surface contours, and constant cross-section geometry and varying surface contours. The 3D thermoplastic pultrusion system and method including at least one of multiple pairs of shapeable and flexible bands and a rotating assembly that rotates the one or more sets of 3D thermoplastic forming machines to impart a twist to the thermoplastic composite.

Disclosed herein is a method comprising transporting a conduit and a template through a guide tube; the template being disposed on an outer surface of the conduit between the conduit and the guide tube; and transferring a texture from the template to the conduit as the conduit and the template are transported through the guide tube. Disclosed herein too is an apparatus comprising a guide tube; the guide tube being operative to facilitate a transfer of a pattern from a template to a conduit; a first feed spool and a first take-up spool for feeding the conduit through the guide tube and for taking up the conduit after it has travelled through the guide tube respectively; and a second feed spool and a second take-up spool for feeding the template through the guide tube and for taking up the template after it has travelled through the guide tube respectively.

A patterning method of a graphene, including a step of forming a graphene layer on a polymer substrate; and a step of forming a nanopattern in the graphene layer by hot embossing imprinting. The step of forming a nanopattern in the graphene layer by hot embossing imprinting includes contacting a hot mold, in which a nanopattern is formed, or contacting a roll-to-roll hot mold, in which a nanopattern is formed, to the graphene layer, followed by heating and pressing the graphene layer. In the step of forming a nanopattern in the graphene layer, the graphene layer is cleaved by a protrusion of the nanopattern formed on the hot mold or the hot roll-to-roll mold, and the cleaved graphene is present on each of a protrusion and a recessed portion of the nanopattern formed in the polymer substrate under the graphene later.

A disposable absorbent having a topsheet, a backsheet, and an absorbent core disposed between the topsheet and the backsheet, is described herein. The topsheet is a two layer composite or laminate web having a first layer and a second layer. The composite or laminate has a first plurality of apertures and a second plurality of apertures, wherein the first plurality of apertures have sidewalls that extend in a first direction, wherein the second plurality of apertures have sidewalls that extend in second direction that is different than the first direction, and wherein the composite or laminate also includes a plurality of embossments which extend in a third direction opposite the first direction.

Disclosed herein is a method comprising transporting a conduit and a template through a guide tube; the template being disposed on an outer surface of the conduit between the conduit and the guide tube; and transferring a texture from the template to the conduit as the conduit and the template are transported through the guide tube. Disclosed herein too is an apparatus comprising a guide tube; the guide tube being operative to facilitate a transfer of a pattern from a template to a conduit; a first feed spool and a first take-up spool for feeding the conduit through the guide tube and for taking up the conduit after it has travelled through the guide tube respectively; and a second feed spool and a second take-up spool for feeding the template through the guide tube and for taking up the template after it has travelled through the guide tube respectively.

A transfer device that transfers a fine transfer pattern formed on a master mold to a molded material, includes a first transfer unit that transfers the fine transfer pattern formed on the master mold to a replica mold made from a material that transmits light; and a second transfer unit that transfers a fine transfer pattern formed on the replica mold by the first transfer unit to the molded material.

Extrusion-to-sheet production line and method comprise first and second rolls set to a predetermined gap through which a continuously-extruded sheet of molten plastic material passes to calender the sheet to a predetermined thickness. The sheet passes through a nip formed between the second roll and a continuous belt looped around a third roll and a fourth roll. The belt comprises an embossing pattern of optical element shapes that is an inverse pattern of optical element shapes to be embossed at a first major surface of the sheet. The sheet remains in contact with the second roll until the sheet passes through the nip, where the pattern of optical element shapes on the belt is embossed into the first major surfaces of the sheet. Downstream of the third roll is a cooling area through which the belt passes.

Methods and systems are provided for fabricating polymer-based imprint lithography templates having thin metallic or oxide coated patterning surfaces. Such templates show enhanced fluid spreading and filling (even in absence of purging gases), good release properties, and longevity of use. Methods and systems for fabricating oxide coated versions, in particular, can be performed under atmospheric pressure conditions, allowing for lower cost processing and enhanced throughput.

The present invention provides a method for manufacturing a polyimide film with a reduced gloss, which comprises providing a diamine and a diacid anhydride for polymerization in a solvent to form a polyimide precursor solution; adding 2-5 equivalents of a dehydrating agent and a catalyst into the polyimide precursor solution and then coating a carrier with the polyimide precursor solution to form a polyimide gel film; providing an embossing wheel to roll the polyimide gel film peeled from the carrier at a temperature of 140-200 C. and a pressure of 3-10 Kgf/cm.sup.2 to form a concave and convex shape on a surface of the polyimide gel film; and baking the polyimide gel film to form a polyimide film with a 60 gloss of less than 100 GUs.

An in-line method for marking a substrate made of extruded synthetic material, the method including the steps of extruding the synthetic material through an extrusion die to form the substrate, marking the substrate by scrolling the substrate obtained from the extrusion die between two rotatably mounted and temperature-controlled rollers with an upper roller and a lower roller, one of the rollers having an impression forming the negative of a decoration or a texture to be marked on one face of the substrate, this same roller or the other of the rollers including at least one notch allowing to guide the substrate as it passes through the extrusion die and between the two rollers. An installation can include in line the extrusion die and the marking device.