Albany International Corporation

Washington University

Baxter International Inc.

Meadox Medicals, Inc.

Albany Research (uk) Limited

John Skelton

David S Brookstein

Robert B Davis

Richard E Clark

Andrew B Jeffery

Joseph Gerald O'Connor

Maurice R Paquin

James G Donovan

Charles E Kramer

Wilbur M Swanson

George Bakis

Robin W Dent

Donald J Rose

John R Dent

Peter J Schmitt

Dana Eagles

Roy B Parker

Daniel Kenneth Schiffer

Garrett C Sharpless

Glenn A Freitas

Salvatore Panarello

Meredith M Schoppee

David M Fronk

De Witt Petterson

Joseph G O'connor

Joseph G O'CONNOR

A method for manufacturing resin-impregnated endless belt structure and belt structure, designed for use on a long nip press on a papermaking machine and for other papermaking and paperprocessing applications, requires the application of a polymeric resin material onto a base substrate in a precise predetermined pattern in droplets having an average diameter of 10&#x3bc; (10 microns) or more. The polymeric resin material is then set by means appropriate to its composition, and, optionally, may be abraded to provide the belt with a uniform thickness, and a smooth, macroscopically monoplanar surface.

Method for manufacturing resin-impregnated endless belt structures for papermaking machines and similar industrial applications and belt

In a method for manufacturing a belt and a belt for use in the production of bulk tissue and towel, and of nonwoven articles and fabrics, a polymeric resin material is applied onto the surface of a base substrate in a precise predetermined pattern which is to be imparted onto products manufactured with the belt. The polymeric resin material is deposited in droplets having an average diameter of 10&#x3bc; (10 microns) or more. The polymeric resin material is then set by means appropriate to its composition, and, optionally, may be abraded to provide the belt with a uniform thickness, and a smooth, macroscopically monoplanar surface.

Method of fabricating a belt and a belt used to make bulk tissue and towel, and nonwoven articles and fabrics

The present invention provides a method of removing contaminants from industrial process fabrics relying upon cryogenic techniques, wherein the fabric is impacted with solid particles of carbon dioxide. A cryoblaster projects the carbon dioxide particles at the fabric. The cryoblaster scans over the entirety of the fabric at a scanning rate particle velocity, and particle flow rate in order to insure that the fabric is cleaned without suffering any damage.

Cleaning of industrial fabrics using cryoblasting techniques

The present invention provides a vascular prosthesis which comprises a braided tubular fabric comprising a plurality of braid layers wherein each layer includes at least one interlocking yarn which extends from that layer into another layer to form an interlock therewith. In one aspect of the invention, the plurality of braid layers may include a substantially non-absorbable first surface layer and a substantially resorbable second surface layer.

Vascular prosthesis and method of implanting

The invention concerns a braid structure comprising a plurality of braided layers of stranded material in which the layers are laid down in a single pass of a braiding machine, with at least one strand of each layer extending into a contiguous layer to form an interlock between the layers. The invention also concerns a machine and a method of making the structure by supplying groups of strands, (R, B, G, O, W), to a braid forming station, whereby each group of strands forms a braid layer. A strand (R) from one of the groups passes into or through the strands (B) of a group of an adjacent layer to form an interlock therebetween.

Apparatus for making a braid structure

A self-supporting filter element is produced from a precursor fiber web according to one of several methods. The precursor fiber web contains heat-shrinkable fibers or binder fibers or both. The web is exposed to temperatures sufficiently elevated to cause shrinkage of the fibers or melting of the binder. After cooling the web, the filter elements produced are self-supporting, and may have densities up to 500 kg/m.sup.3 to improve filtration while retaining good functional characteristics for operating pressure drop and air permeability. The self-supporting filter elements can be constructed of one material, and thus may be suitable for recycling.

High-efficiency, self-supporting filter element made from fibers

A pesticidal barrier, which may be used as a liner for a building excavation to protect the building to be constructed from infestation by termites and other insect pests, takes the form of a flexible membrane. The membrane comprises an assembly of fibers or filaments. The assembly has an average void volume of less than 85% when measured under a pressure of 10 kPa (1.45 psi). The fibers in the assembly have an average fiber size of less than 6 denier. The assembly integrally incorporates within its structure, or has above or below its structure, an array or network of connected permeable-walled tubes, so that an insecticide may be delivered to all parts of the membrane, particularly after the barrier has been installed at a building site.

Rechargeable termite barrier for buildings

A solid braid structure comprising a plurality of interlocked layers is created by causing a plurality of package carriers of yarn to move along a plurality of defined serpentine paths by track modules. The track modules extend in a first direction to define a longitudinally extending path corresponding to a first layer of the braid structure and in a second direction to provide at least one crossover path between adjacent serpentine paths. The package carriers which move in the first direction create a first layer of braid and, at a crossover path, move between adjacent serpentine paths to cause the yarn forming the first layer of braid to interlock with the braid of an adjacent layer.

Solid braid structure

A structural member formed from a plurality of layers of interwoven fibrous material. The plurality of layers intersect and join each other along lines of contact. The lines of contact form axes of the member. A hollow central portion having a perimeter is defined by the plurality of intersecting layers and the lines of contact. A plurality of points are formed on the perimeter of the hollow central portion defined by the lines of contact formed by the axes. At least one flange extends outwardly of the hollow central portion at each of the points, wherein each of the plurality of layers extends beyond the axes of the member to define the flanges.

Structural member

A rigidized fiber filter element is produced from a precursor fiber web. The precursor fiber web contains heat-shrinkable fibers or binder fibers or both. The web is exposed to temperatures sufficiently elevated to cause shrinkage of the fibers or melting of the binder. After cooling the web, the filter elements produced are self-supporting, and may have densities up to 500 kg/m.sup.3 to improve filtration while retaining good functional characteristics for operating pressure drop and air permeability. Rigidized fiber filter elements can be constructed of one material, and thus may be suitable for recycling.

Method of making a rigidized fiber filter element

A pesticidal blanket, which may be used as a liner for a building excavation to protect the building to be constructed from infestation by termites and other insect pests, takes the form of a foraminous, fibrous membrane. The membrane comprises an assembly of fibers or filaments. The assembly has an average void volume of less than 85% when measured under a pressure of 10 kPa (1.45 psi). The fibers in the assembly have an average fiber size of less than 6 denier, and are coated with an insecticidal substance when the pesticidal blanket is installed at the building site.

Pesticidal blanket

Insulating material comprising continuous filaments of a synthetic material characterized in that the filaments have a mean diameter of from 4 to 20 microns and in that the filaments have been separated by a stretching and subsequent relaxation of a crimped tow of said filaments.

Thermally insulating continuous filaments materials

An artificial ligament device is provided for joining the ends of two bones wherein at least one of the bones has a tunnel extending therethrough. The device comprises a multilayered or tubular woven ligament having an intra-articular region, at least one bend region, and at least one end region, each region being woven so as to possess qualities of flexibility and strength suitable to the particular types of stresses it receives during use. The end region and a portion of the bend region are encased within a polymer bone block, usually by thermomolding, and the bone block is inserted into the bone tunnel to attach the ligament. The bone block is molded to provide a fixed bend radius for the ligament at the point of exit therefrom so as to control the amount of bending stress on the ligament during flexure and extension of the joint.

Prosthetic anterior cruciate ligament design

A braider having a braider bed. The bed has first and second closed tracks defining an intersecting serpentine path. The tracks define an average path which is non-circular. A plurality of yarn package carriers travel along said tracks. Yarns fed from the packages form a braid at a location substantially central of the bed.

Braiders

A thermal insulator is disclosed which comprises fibrillated staple fibers exemplified by fibrillated fibers of poly (p-phenylene terephthalamide). The fibers are fibrillated on a carding machine equipped with metallic clothing.

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Sharon, MA, United States of America

John Skelton