A structural reinforcement for an article including a carrier that includes: (i) a mass of polymeric material having an outer surface; and (is) at least one consolidated fibrous insert having an outer surface and including at least one elongated fiber arrangement having a plurality of ordered fibers arranged in a predetermined manner. The fibrous insert 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 and the mass of polymeric material are of compatible materials, structures or both, for allowing the fibrous insert to be at least partially joined to the mass of the polymeric material. Disposed upon at least a portion of the carrier will be a mass of activatable material.

A structural reinforcement for an article including a carrier that includes: (i) a mass of polymeric material having an outer surface; and (is) at least one consolidated fibrous insert having an outer surface and including at least one elongated fiber arrangement having a plurality of ordered fibers arranged in a predetermined manner. The fibrous insert 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 and the mass of polymeric material are of compatible materials, structures or both, for allowing the fibrous insert to be at least partially joined to the mass of the polymeric material. Disposed upon at least a portion of the carrier will be a mass of activatable material.

A method for thermoforming an article includes extruding a sheet of material, conditioning the sheet with a roller, thermoforming the sheet to provide a web, and cutting the web to provide the article.

A method for thermoforming an article includes extruding a sheet of material, conditioning the sheet with a roller, thermoforming the sheet to provide a web, and cutting the web to provide the article.

A durable superomniphobic device is presented where the polymeric device has a surface that includes doubly re-entrant micropillars residing within pockets that are partitioned within a matrix of interconnected doubly re-entrant walls. The doubly re-entrant matrix can be in a pattern where walls that are equal to or greater in height to the micropillars intersect or otherwise contact to provide protection to the more fragile micropillars. These durable superomniphobic devices can be formed by injection molding and can repel liquids having a surface tension of about 18 to about 98 mN m.sup.−1 and display liquid contact angle of greater than or equal to 150°.

A durable superomniphobic device is presented where the polymeric device has a surface that includes doubly re-entrant micropillars residing within pockets that are partitioned within a matrix of interconnected doubly re-entrant walls. The doubly re-entrant matrix can be in a pattern where walls that are equal to or greater in height to the micropillars intersect or otherwise contact to provide protection to the more fragile micropillars. These durable superomniphobic devices can be formed by injection molding and can repel liquids having a surface tension of about 18 to about 98 mN m.sup.−1 and display liquid contact angle of greater than or equal to 150°.

A grafted polyvinyl alcohol polymer includes a polyvinyl alcohol main chain and a plurality of side chains grafted to the polyvinyl alcohol main chain. One or more of the side chains from the plurality of side chains include one or more units selected from: an aliphatic carboxylic acid, an aliphatic amide, an amino alkyl (meth)acrylate, a hydroxylated alkyl (meth)acrylate, or any combinations thereof. The grafted polyvinyl alcohol polymer can be included in a formulation that also includes water, and the formulation can be used as an adhesive in a creping process.

A grafted polyvinyl alcohol polymer includes a polyvinyl alcohol main chain and a plurality of side chains grafted to the polyvinyl alcohol main chain. One or more of the side chains from the plurality of side chains include one or more units selected from: an aliphatic carboxylic acid, an aliphatic amide, an amino alkyl (meth)acrylate, a hydroxylated alkyl (meth)acrylate, or any combinations thereof. The grafted polyvinyl alcohol polymer can be included in a formulation that also includes water, and the formulation can be used as an adhesive in a creping process.

Provided is a molded surface fastener capable of stably having high engaging strength with respect to a loop member. The molded surface fastener of the present invention includes a base portion and a plurality of engaging elements provided with a stem portion and an engaging portion, and is formed of synthetic resin containing lubricant at 0.15 wt % or more and 1.00 wt % or less. A top end surface of the engaging element is formed to be flat, and the engaging portion has a hanging portion which hangs down obliquely downward toward the base portion.

Provided is a molded surface fastener capable of stably having high engaging strength with respect to a loop member. The molded surface fastener of the present invention includes a base portion and a plurality of engaging elements provided with a stem portion and an engaging portion, and is formed of synthetic resin containing lubricant at 0.15 wt % or more and 1.00 wt % or less. A top end surface of the engaging element is formed to be flat, and the engaging portion has a hanging portion which hangs down obliquely downward toward the base portion.