A structural reinforcement for an article including a carrier (10) that includes: (i) a mass of polymeric material (12) having an outer surface; and (ii) at least one fibrous composite Insert (14) or overlay (980) having an outer surface and including at least one elongated fiber arrangement (e.g., having a plurality of ordered fibers). The fibrous Insert (14) or overlay (980) is envisioned to adjoin the mass of the polymeric material in a predetermined location for carrying a predetermined load that Is subjected upon the predetermined location (thereby effectively providing localized reinforcement to that predetermined location). The fibrous insert (14) or overlay (980) and the mass of polymeric material (12) are of compatible materials, structures or both, for allowing the fibrous insert or overlay to be at feast partially joined to the mass of the polymeric material. Disposed upon at least a portion of the carrier (10) may be a mass of activatable material (126). The fibrous insert (14) or overlay (980) may include a polymeric matrix that includes a thermoplastic epoxy.

Thermoformed polymeric foam articles are described herein In some embodiments, the articles are made by a manufacturing method (e.g., a continuous process) which involves the extrusion and subsequent thermoforming of a blowing agent containing thermoplastic sheet. The thermoformed polymeric foam articles may have a lower density than the precursor sheet from which they are formed. In some but not all embodiments, the precursor sheet is a multi-layer sheet which includes at least one foam layer. In such embodiments, the thermoformed articles also include multiple layers and at least one foam layer.

A device (e.g., an article of athletic gear) comprising a post-molded expandable component, which is a part of the device that is configured to be expanded or has been expanded after being molded. This may allow the post-molded expandable component to have enhanced characteristics (e.g., be more shock-absorbent, lighter, etc.), to be cost-effectively manufactured (e.g., by using less material and/or making it in various sizes), and/or to be customized for a user (e.g., by custom-fitting it to the user).

A seal for a vacuum lifter and method of manufacture wherein the seal has a continuous unbroken outer fluid resistant skin of elastomer which forms a boundary around a homogeneous cellular structure with no interior seams or joints.

A composite article comprises an article presenting a surface and a thermally expandable composition disposed on the surface of the article. The thermally expandable composition comprises (a) from about 35 to about 65 percent by weight of a polyolefin resin; (b) from about 2 to about 15 percent by weight of a thermoplastic resin; (c) from about 1 to about 6 percent by weight of a curing agent suitable for cross-linking the polyolefin resin (a); (d) from about 15 to about 45 percent by weight of filler; and (e) from about 1 to about 10 percent by weight of a chemical blowing agent which is activated at an activation temperature, each based on the total weight of the thermally expandable composition. Methods of preparing and using the composite article, and an assembly formed from the composite article, are also disclosed.

Provided is a resin foam which has high stress dispersibility and is excellent in heat resistance. The resin foam of the present invention is a resin foam having a cell structure, wherein the resin foam has an apparent density of from 0.05 g/cm.sup.3 to 0.50 g/cm.sup.3, wherein the resin foam has a 50% compression load of from 2.0 N/cm.sup.2 to 30 N/cm.sup.2, and wherein the resin foam has an apparent density D (g/cm.sup.3) and a residue R (%) at 650° C. satisfying a relationship of the following expression (1).

1≤{(100−R)/D}/100≤10   (1)

A seal for a vacuum lifter and method of manufacture wherein the seal has a continuous unbroken outer fluid resistant skin of elastomer which forms a boundary around a homogeneous cellular structure with no interior seams or joints.

A device (e.g., an article of athletic gear) comprising a post-molded expandable component, which is a part of the device that is configured to be expanded or has been expanded after being molded. This may allow the post-molded expandable component to have enhanced characteristics (e.g., be more shock-absorbent, lighter, etc.), to be cost-effectively manufactured (e.g., by using less material and/or making it in various sizes), and/or to be customized for a user (e.g., by custom-fitting it to the user).

A process is disclosed for manufacturing at least one wall of a tank and comprises at least a first layer of thermoplastic and a second foam-based layer. The second foam-based layer forms at least part of an anti-slosh device, and the process is characterized in that the first layer and the second layer are molded in the same mold.

A device (e.g., an article of athletic gear) comprising a post-molded expandable component, which is a part of the device that is configured to be expanded or has been expanded after being molded. This may allow the post-molded expandable component to have enhanced characteristics (e.g., be more shock-absorbent, lighter, etc.), to be cost-effectively manufactured (e.g., by using less material and/or making it in various sizes), and/or to be customized for a user (e.g., by custom-fitting it to the user).