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.

The present disclosure pertains to an improved method and apparatus for compacting a powder layer. An exemplary method comprises placing the substrate on a first plate, placing a second plate over the powder layer so that the substrate and the powder layer are sandwiched between the first plate and the second plate to form a multilayered structure comprising the first plate, the substrate, the powder layer and the second plate, and calendering the multilayered structure between a top calendering roller and a bottom calendering roller.

A method for forming a multilayer plastic sheet material (1) for floor and/or wall panels, wherein a first polymer mass comprising a rigid PVC is melted under pressure and is passed through an extruder head at a specified discharge rate in the form of a plastic strand in sheet form that is provided with one or more layers so that a multilayer plastic strand is formed, which is passed to two or more rolls of a finishing stand, which processes the multilayer plastic strand into a sheet of defined thickness, which is then led away via a transport device to a sawing device to be cut to the desired length, wherein, after the plastic strand in sheet form leaves the extruder head, it is first passed between a top roll and a bottom roll of a roughing stand, wherein the speed of the rolls of the finishing stand and the rolls of the roughing stand is synchronized with the discharge rate of the plastic strand in sheet form from the extruder head, so that said plastic strand is processed without stress.

A form for a thin reinforced composite material includes a plurality of separate linear fiber strips, each having a rectangular cross section composed of reinforcement fibers. The linear fiber strips laid out in a two-dimensional base layer defining a shape of the form. A first successive layer formed with the plurality of separate linear fiber strips contacting the base layer, the linear fiber strips laid out in the first successive layer interspersed from the separate linear fiber strips in the two-dimensional base layer. A method of forming the form includes arranging the plurality of separate linear fiber strips on a substrate and tacking the plurality of separate linear fiber strips to the substrate with a plurality of stitches. A method of forming a unitary reinforced composite component from the form is further provided. The resulting component having high strength and light weight and being efficient to manufacture.

The presently disclosed subject matter is directed to a golf ball providing improve play characteristics. The disclosed golf ball includes an outer cover comprising a plurality of divots. The disclosed golf ball further includes a central core comprising one or more lightweight materials, such as aerogel. The combination of the lightweight core and the unique divots enable the golf ball to go farther and straighter when hit by the golfer, thereby providing increased performance.

Systems, apparatus, and methods for double-sided imprinting are provided. An example system includes first rollers for moving a first web including a first template having a first imprinting feature, second rollers for moving a second web including a second template having a second imprinting feature, dispensers for dispensing resist, a locating system for locating reference marks on the first and second webs for aligning the first and second templates, a light source for curing the resist, such that a cured first resist has a first imprinted feature corresponding to the first imprinting feature on one side of the substrate and a cured second resist has a second imprinted feature corresponding to the second imprinting feature on the other side of the substrate, and a moving system for feeding in the substrate between the first and second templates and unloading the double-imprinted substrate from the first and second webs.

Systems, apparatus, and methods for double-sided imprinting are provided. An example system includes first rollers for moving a first web including a first template having a first imprinting feature, second rollers for moving a second web including a second template having a second imprinting feature, dispensers for dispensing resist, a locating system for locating reference marks on the first and second webs for aligning the first and second templates, a light source for curing the resist, such that a cured first resist has a first imprinted feature corresponding to the first imprinting feature on one side of the substrate and a cured second resist has a second imprinted feature corresponding to the second imprinting feature on the other side of the substrate, and a moving system for feeding in the substrate between the first and second templates and unloading the double-imprinted substrate from the first and second webs.

One aspect of the present disclosure relates to a tissue integration device. The tissue integration device can be produced by forming a polymer mixture into a shape. The polymer mixture can include a polymer resin and a growth-promoting medium. Next, at least one polymer forming the polymer resin can be oriented in at least one direction. The shaped polymeric material can then be formed into the tissue integration device.

A system (10) for butt-joining two or more rubber strips (B1, B2) selected in accordance with a predetermined rubber mixture recipe in order to feed at least one extruder with a complex strip of rubber material (B.sub.12) made from the butt joined rubber strips is disclosed. The system includes at least one conveyor that transports the rubber strips from an inlet (12) of the system to an outlet (14) of the butt-joining system; a frame (18) that operationally supports the conveyor to allow the continuous transport of the rubber strips and also to allow the simultaneous butt-joining of the rubber strips fed to the system; and a roller system (20) that butt-joins the rubber strips without penetration. The invention also relates to a process for butt-joining rubber strips that is performed by the system.

A roofing membrane comprising an olefinic rubber; and from about 20 to about 250 parts by weight of a silica filler per 100 parts by weight rubber; wherein the silica filler is chemically coupled to the olefinic rubber; and wherein the roofing membrane is non-black.