A three-dimensional netted structure having an upper surface, a lower surface, two side surfaces a left end surface, and a right end surface, including at least a plurality of filaments helically and randomly entangled and thermally bonded together, wherein the filaments are formed out of a thermoplastic resin by extrusion molding followed by cooling with a liquid; and the netted structure is four-surface molded, the upper surface, the lower surface and the two side surfaces being molded. An apparatus and a method for manufacturing the three-dimensional netted structure.

Methods and apparatus for bonding a strand of a yarn to a strand of a thermoplastic to form a bonded yarn. The bonded yarn may be used to weave a bonded fabric.

Calender for the treatment of web-like materials, including a fixed structure supporting two heated rollers reciprocally arranged so as to form a nip traversable by web-like materials, where each roller has pins mounted on bearings. The structure includes two lower levers and two upper levers adapted for exerting on the bearings forces oriented according to not coinciding directions, each lever being connected with an actuator that controls its rotation around a horizontal axis to put it in a first engagement position of the respective bearing and in a second release position, such that in the second position of the levers the extraction of the rollers from the calender is allowed.

An electrode disclosed here includes a surface part of an electrode active material layer has a plurality of first grooves extending in a width direction of the electrode current collector and at least one second groove extending in a longitudinal direction of an electrode current collector. The first groove is formed to be continuous from one end to another end. Here, a region in which the first groove and the second groove are formed is uniformly divided into three layers, which are an upper layer, an intermediate layer and a lower layer, in a thickness direction from the surface of the electrode active material layer to the electrode current collector, and when electrode densities (g/cm.sup.3) of the upper layer, the intermediate layer and the lower layer of the groove are d.sub.1, d.sub.2, and d.sub.3, respectively, a relationship of 0.8<(d.sub.1/d.sub.3)<1.1 is satisfied.

Methods for deforming a multilayer web are disclosed. Steps of the method include: supplying a first layer of a precursor web; supplying a second layer of the precursor web onto at least the first area of the first layer; forming a plurality of first features and a plurality of second features in the precursor web. The plurality of first features are apertures formed in a first area of the precursor web, and the plurality of second features are formed in a second area of the precursor web in a positive and/or negative Z-direction. The plurality of first features and the plurality of second features are formed simultaneously.

A profiling calender includes an intermediate roll, a lower roll, and a pair of intermediate lugs. The intermediate and lower rolls are separated by a distance defining a height of a second profiling nip. The intermediate lugs are situated at ends of the intermediate and lower rolls and include two quarter-circle bearing surfaces that meet at the second profiling nip. Each end of the intermediate roll or each end of the lower roll is equipped with a collar fastened to the roll and positioned between the roll and a quarter-circle bearing surface of a corresponding intermediate lug. The collar enables a radius of the roll to be increased by a height equal to the separation distance in order to improve an appearance of edges of a profiled element produced by the calender.

A calender is provided for profiling a rubber mixture intended for the manufacture of tire casings, the calender having three rotating rolls, the intermediate roll and the lower roll being separated by a second distance in the vertical plane, this second distance defining the height of a second profiling nip, wherein the calender includes a table for separating the profiled mixture that is positioned downstream of the second profiling nip, making it possible to avoid cohesion defects manifested by the appearance of cracks and fissures in the profiled element leaving the calender.

The present invention is directed to methods for deforming a web comprising the steps of supplying a first layer of a web; weakening the first layer at a plurality of locations to create a plurality of weakened, melt-stabilized locations in the first layer; supplying a second layer of the web onto at least part of the first layer; and forming a plurality of first features in the first layer and a plurality of second features throughout the first and second layers of the web in the z-direction, wherein the plurality of first and second features are formed simultaneously.

Mold-in fastener products are made by forming a longitudinally continuous hook tape having a flexible base and an array of discrete male touch fastener elements extending from an upper surface of the base, forming a layer of flexible barrier material on the upper surface of the base, such that the male touch fastener elements are embedded in the layer of flexible barrier material, severing the flexible barrier material to form a pattern of patches of flexible barrier material spaced apart and surrounded by a continuous lattice of barrier material, stripping the lattice from the upper surface of the base to expose regions of the base between patches, and severing the hook tape along the exposed regions of the base to form individual mold-in fastener products, each having a patch of flexible barrier material surrounded by an exposed base edge region carrying male touch fastener elements.

A continuous roll molding system and method are provided. The system and method may be for manufacturing parts and may include conveying a thermoplastic material through a sheet die to form a thermoplastic sheet material, conveying the thermoplastic sheet material through a calendering system, and conveying the thermoplastic sheet material through a continuous roll molder to form the thermoplastic sheet material into parts. Parts formed by the continuous roll molding system and method may include frangible cap strips.