A sheetlike composite material including at least one layer A of a nonwoven thermoplastic fiber web or a thermoplastic film, and at least two unidirectional oriented-fiber layers B and B′, the layers B and B′ having a bidirectional fiber orientation. The layers are not only needled but also stitched to one another.

A method of preparing a polymer film having an oriented dispersed material includes casting a multi-layer polymer solution having a first polymer solution layer and a second polymer solution layer where the second polymer solution layer is at least partially immiscible with the first polymer solution layer. The method further includes passing the multi-layer polymer solution through an electric field application zone, to thereby induce orientation of the dispersed material. A multi-layer polymer film can then be formed by drying the solvent from the multi-layer polymer solution. An apparatus for preparing polymer films includes a top electrode made from a flexible metal mesh coated with a non-stick, non-conductive coating.

The present invention provides for concentrated aqueous silk fibroin solutions and an all-aqueous mode for preparation of concentrated aqueous fibroin solutions that avoids the use of organic solvents, direct additives, or harsh chemicals. The invention further provides for the use of these solutions in production of materials, e.g., fibers, films, foams, meshes, scaffolds and hydrogels.

This invention relates to a water-soluble film (WSF) system with embedded/entrapped water-soluble films (WSF). More particularly, the invention relates to a WSF system with actives embedded/entrapped therein such as to provide precise and desired release of actives there from and its method of manufacturing for diverse applications, in which a variety of substances such as detergents, enzymes, softeners, perfumes, pesticides, fungicides, active ingredients, dyes, pigments, hazardous chemicals, active agents for cleaning laundry, dishes, floorings, walls, furniture, fluffs, pulp, etc., and the like can be so embedded/entrapped for such purpose. The invention further discloses novel online and offline process for the manufacture of such multi-layered WSF with or without liners and of desired shapes to selectively entrap interacting/non-interacting materials and their combinations. The process also provides options for the use of a wide range of raw materials, liners such as paper, film, foil, fabric, etc.

The present invention provides for concentrated aqueous silk fibroin solutions and an all-aqueous mode for preparation of concentrated aqueous fibroin solutions that avoids the use of organic solvents, direct additives, or harsh chemicals. The invention further provides for the use of these solutions in production of materials, e.g., fibers, films, foams, meshes, scaffolds and hydrogels.

Methods for producing a stretch film are provided, including disposing one or more extruders in fluid communication with a stock of virgin resin; heating the virgin resin to a molten state; delivering the molten virgin resin to a die; and extruding the molten virgin resin through the die onto a casting roll, thereby creating a cast stretch film. Methods for delivering the molten virgin resin onto a casting roll of varying sizes and set temperatures; and of moving a resulting film onto a secondary chill roll of varying sizes and set temperatures, are also provided. Finally, methods for moving the film from either the casting roll or the secondary chill roll onto a slitting assembly, dividing the film using one more interior or exterior slits, and then capturing and gathering the trim waste but not reintroducing the trim waste back into the production process are also disclosed.

A method and apparatus for manufacturing a membrane electrode assembly are provided, which can efficiently peel an electrode layer from a base material. A manufacturing apparatus for manufacturing a membrane electrode assembly of a fuel cell including a pair of electrode layers and an electrolyte membrane, the apparatus including: a transport device which transports the base material on which one cathode electrode layer of the pair of electrode layers is formed and which is connected to a transport sheet via an adhesive layer together with the transport sheet; a transfer device which transfers the one cathode electrode layer to the electrolyte membrane; a peeling device which peels the cathode electrode layer from the base material; and a cooling device having a spraying device which is directed to a start point portion for the peeling and sprays a cooling gas.

In order to provide an elastic medical tape having an especially excellent elastic function and a high effect of alleviating persistent skin irritation during application duration caused by an application-duration shrink force, and applicable to skin that hypersensitively reacts to even insignificant irritation, disclosed is a medical tape for alleviating persistent skin irritation during application duration caused by an application-duration shrink force of an elastic base member of an elastic medical tape, the medical tape including: an elastic base member portion (1) having an elastic function; an adhesive portion (2) having a function of applying and holding the elastic base member portion (1) to skin; and an anti-expansion portion (3) having a function of preventing expansion of the elastic base member portion, the anti-expansion portion (3) overlying the elastic base member portion (1), wherein, after in a manufacturing process, the elastic base member portion (1) and the anti-expansion portion (3) are laminated while the elastic base member portion is in a slacked state or in a not-pulled state, and in the manufacturing process, the elastic base member portion (1) and the anti-expansion portion (3) are laminated while a residual shrink force is not generated in the elastic base member portion (1) in order to reduce the residual shrink force of the elastic base member portion (1), the adhesive portion (2) is applied to skin while preventing expansion of the medical tape, and the anti-expansion portion (3) is then removed.

A film and method of forming a film provides an unmodified starting layer of a starting material, the starting layer having opposed first and second surfaces and an initial thickness, T.sub.1, and a modified surface layer of thickness T.sub.2, which is less than T.sub.1, formed in at least a portion of the second surface, wherein a portion of the modified surface layer is not supported by unmodified starting material removed from the first surface opposite the modified surface layer.

The present invention provides for concentrated aqueous silk fibroin solutions and an all-aqueous mode for preparation of concentrated aqueous fibroin solutions that avoids the use of organic solvents, direct additives, or harsh chemicals. The invention further provides for the use of these solutions in production of materials, e.g., fibers, films, foams, meshes, scaffolds and hydrogels.