Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
- 10914(~7
BACKGROUND OF TH~ INVENTION
The prior art describes processes wherein plasticized
polymers, in the form of thermoplasts, are applied to a heated
roller or a heated belt and are exposed to temperatures at which
the polymer fuses or begins to fuse, such that a carrier web
can be placed against a melt formed in this way. In the course
of these processes, the polymer adheres, on the one side, to the
contact surface of the drum or belt facing toward the same, and
on the other side, to the carrier web. By pulling the polymer
away from an adhesive face, the polymer is, either completely
or partially converted into fibers; varied forms of fiber
configurations can be obtained by carrying out the appropriate
modifications of the process steps. By modifying the available
process parameters, it is possible to influence the structure,
density, length, properties of the fibers, and also visual
appearance of the nap and fibers. As a result, it is possible
to use fibers of this type for producing a particularly
inexpensive article of clothing, and also for technical
purposes, such as for producing filters, or for decorating
purposes, for example, for wall and ceiling coverings of all
types,
It will be apparent from the extremely broad field of
application (which has not been described in great detail) that
it is important to develop methods for dyeing the fibers which
will provide a durable and qualitatively satisfactory finish.
Of the known dyeing processes, those which might be considered
are the use of pigments to dye the polymer before it is
converted into fibers, or dyeing processes to be used after
conversion. Each type of process is very complicated and does
, -2-
bm:
~09141~7
not invariably produce suitable results. If uniform dyeing
were carried out prior to the fiber forming process~ the dye
would have to be added to the polymer in the extruder or during
granulation, which can have an adverse effect on successive
processing stages of the polymer. If the dyeing process is
carried out after the fiber forming process, additional devices
are required, which, to obtain satisfactory dyeing results,
represent a prohibitive expenditure in economic terms, quite
apart from the fact that difficulties which cannot be readily
overcome tend to occur when dyeing fibers consisting for example,
of polyethylene. A known process in the textile industry,
is the use of transfer papers, which are coated with thermo-
and/or pressure-vaporizable dye. Textile products can be
subsequently dyed with these transfer papers, using ironing
presses or manual ironing. These thermo-and/or pressure-
vaporizable dyes possess the property of being converted into
a vaporous or gaseous state under the influence of heat. The
dyes will then diffuse into the textile fibers unless
additional sublimation processes and other physical and/or
chemical processes are employed. Quite surprisingly, it has
been found that the underlying principle of transfer papers
can be used, not only to completely obviate the difficulties
and disadvantages of other processes, but also to achieve a
technical advance, which far surpasses the properties which
could be attained by using the different processes.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The object of the present invention is to obtain high
quality dyeing of products having fibrous contact surfaces
without having to modify the apparatus and the steps of the
bm:
4~7
process which produces these products, while avoiding
unnecessarily high expenditure for machinery. The process to
be developed should also provide a simple method, a means by
which not only uniform (monochromatic) dyeing of the contact
surfaces can be effected, but also a means by which any desired
creative (imaginative) patterns, preferably in the form of
pictorial illustrations requiring half-tones, can be applied,
The proposed process will continuously produce plain
or pattern - dyed products. These products have fibrous
surfaces, are formed by pulling apart plasticized polymeric
foils, and may comprise a support for the fibers. The fibers
of the product which are in statu nascendi are stabilized in
the fiber forming region by means of cooling. The proposed
process is distinguished from the prior art in that upstream
of, or directly at the point where the polymer is inserted,
between the drawing surfaces, vaporizable dye is provided on
the support and this is subsequently united with the fibers by
increasing the temperature in the plasticizing zone of the
polymer, thus simultaneously dyeing the fibers; the dye is
preferably forced into the fibers by diffusion and/or onto
them by sublimation.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
There are many varied modes of implementing the
process according to the invention, including pressure
processes, more specifically high and low pressure processes,
brush application, layer application, sprinkling, spreading,
spraying and all the other surface finishing processes.
Furthermore, varied forms of support or backing can also
be used - such as textile webs, fleece, paper, pasteboard,
--4--
bm:
1091407
woven ~abrics, textured fabrics, irregular layered materials,
nets, mesh, foils, non-woven goods and all other materials,
which can be used in surface finishing processes.
The following considerations, inter alia, govern the
selection of polymers:
A low melt viscosity improves the adhesion so that
much more fiber nuclei are formed than in the case of a high
melt viscosity;
A molten material at a high temperature results in a
lower melt viscosity so that the fiber-drawing time is prolonged,
and this prolongation provides for a longer time in which
measures to control the process can be carried into effect.
It is necessary according to the invention that only
a part of the polymer is converted into fibers in the fiber-
forming region. The fiber-forming process of the invention is
carried out in such a manner that the forces of cohesion in
the polymer cause the solidifying fibers to visibly contact
near but before the point of contact with the heatable drawing
surface, rather than at said point, and then be torn apart
cleanly at a distance from the drawing surface.
Polymers which in a molten state have a low viscosity
have proved particularly suitable for use in processes
according to the invention.
These include, inter alia:
polyethylene having a MFI 190/2 of 10-300 grams-10 minutes;
ethylene/vinyl acetate having a MFI 190/2 above 10 grams-10
minutes;
polypropylene having a MFI 190/5 of 10-70 grams/10 minutes;
polymethylmethacrylate having a MFI 210/10 above 10 grams/10
minutes;
--5--
bm:
109~407
cellulose acetate, cellulose acetate/butyrate, and cellulose
propionate CA, CAB, CP having a MFI 190/2 above 8;
polyoxymethylene having a MFI 190/2 above 13 grams/lO minutes;
polyvinyl chloride/acetate having a K value below 50;
hard polyvinylchloride having a K value below 60 and containing
at least 15~ plasticizer;
polyamide 6 having a relative velocity between 2.1 and 3.4;
polyamide 12 having a relative viscosity between 1,7 and 21.1;
and polyethyleneterephthalate having a relative viscosity above
1.6.
Vaporizable dyes used with satisfaction are "disperse"
or "plastosoluble" dyes, often selected from among the nitroaryl
amines, the azoics, or the anthraquinones. These dyes, which
are obtainable commercially, have a vaporization or sublimation
temperature often lying between 170 to 320C., preferably
between 170 to 220C., wh1ch thus makes it possible to print
numerous materials which do not become altered at these
temperatures.
There appear to be no consequences resulting from
te~eratures in excess of 320C, The range from L70 to 320C
covers the common melting temperatures for the polymers which
are used. The vaporizable dyes must therefore be brought in
contact with the polymer between these temperatures, e.g. if
the melting point for a polymer is about 190C. and the
vaporizing temperature for the dye is about 370C., the dye
is ineffectual because it can not vaporize at the melting point
of the polymer.
As examples of the vaporizable dyestuffs which can
be used in the process of the invention, there may be mentioned
--6--
bm:
1091407
disperse dyestuffs such as are described in, for example, pages
1665 to 1742 of the second edition of the Colour Index which
was published in 1956 and the dyes known from Ullmanns
Encyclopaedie der Technischen Chemie, Vol. 7, 1956, page 41 et
seq. There can also be used vat dyestuffs such as are
described in for example, pages 2419 to 2564 of the second
edition of the Colour Index. Acid dyes can be utilized also.
These dyes are particularly suitable for dyeing cellulose
acetate, polypropylene, polyethylene terephthalate and polyamide
materials.
Specific dyes included are: sublimable dyestuffs
which pass into the vapour state at between 170 and 320C. at
atmospheric pressure; these dyestuffs can be, for example,
sublimable azo or anthraquinone dyestuffs or nitroarylamines,
methine dyestuffs, derivatives of quinophthalone, perinones
and the like, 1, 4-dimethylaminoanthraquinone, brominated or
chlorinated 1,5-diamino-4,8-dihydroxyanthraquinone, 3-hydroxy-
quinophthalone, l-hydroxy-3-phenoxy-4-aminoanthraquinone,
4-(4'-methyl-2'-nitrophenylazo)-3-methyl-5-pyrazolone and
1-amino-2-cyano-4-anilido-anthraquinone will be especially
mentioned, as well as the dyestuffs, the behavior of which from
180C. to 210C. is very similar, for example, the propyl or
butyl ester of 1,4-diaminoanthraquinone-2-carboxylic acid,
l-amino-2-cyano-4-cyclohexylaminoanthraquinone and 2-hydroxy-
5-methyl-4'-acetyl-amino-azobenzene, and various naphthols.
When used in accordance with the process of this
invention, these dyestuffs are particularly suitable for dyeing
linear polyesters such as polyethylene terephthalate,
polyamides, polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene and cellulose
acetate.
--7--
bm:
1091407
It is difficult to color non-reactive polymers such
as polyethylene, polyvinylchloride, etc. To color these
polymers the dyes are mixed with support materials or carriers
for example: phenylmethylcarbinol, o-phenyl-phenol,
chlorobenzene, benzoic acid, and methyl salicylic acid.
These support materials are used in an amount up to
2% by weight of the dye solution and/or dispersion, The
support materials loosen the polymer structure and promote
penetration of the polymer by the dye.
The dye is applied to the polymer in an amount
sufficient to impart to the dyed fiber 0.01 - 2% by weight,
based on the weight of fiber, of pure color. Desired specific
colors can be obtained using those dyes indicated in the
following Table.
TABLE I
If the procedure of Example 1, which follows, is
employed using the dyes shown in the following table, a
beautifully colored fibrous product can be obtained having the
color corresponding to that shown in the left hand column of
the Table.
--8--
bm:
1~14~
~ ~ ~ Il, ~ n.
~1 ~1 1 u I lu ~ ~u~ u~u~
~ ~a ~. ~ ~' -I`t`~` ~ ~.o
E~ 3~ ~ ~dr~
~ I ~1~u 1 uu I u~u~
~ ~ ~ ~ 1 o
z ~ u ~ ~'3
I~ 3
g
bm:
10914()7
The vaporizable dyestuffs which can be used, consist
of all dyes which are known under this designation, without any
limitation to specific colors and application processes,
including the cold state, and which possess in their normal
state or when brought to higher temperatures, the property of
forming a durable bond with polymers regardless of which physical
and/or chemical processes are taking place at a particular time.
Hence, the application processess in question may consist of
mixing processes and osmosis processes at room temperature,
thermo processes, such as sublimation, diffusion, at elevated
temperatures, etc.
The process is not limited to the use of the backing,
bearing the nap, as the support for the vaporizable dye per se,
but the polymer can also be used for this purpose, particularly
when it is in the form of a foil, which can then be united with
the dye or dyestuffs, using any particular measures according
to the surface finishing art. The dye can be applied to the
dye-bearing foil, by printing, brushing, coating, spraying,
sprinkling or any other suitable method. Application can be
effected both directly before the polymer moves onto a device
for thermally treating the same, such as a roller or belt, but
the vaporizable dye can also be applied to the polymer
independently of the successive processing steps, in a separate
operation, for example, it can be applied in a multi-color
printing machine. The same applies to the preparation of the
reactive dye per se, which can be homogenized, sifted, treated
on calender rolls, or otherwise rendered into a suitable state
in which it can be united with the polymer, either in independent
steps or in simultaneous processing operations. These process
--10 -
bm:
10914(~7
modifications are particularly useful when the dyeing patterns
or dyes are to be varied independently of the particular polymer
being used and the fiber quality and/or properties are to be
changed. In such a case, it is necessary to prevent the new
pattern from being impaired, blurred or otherwise altered.
This impairment results from residues of previously used dyes
or dye compositions which were used in the process done prior to
the change. These residues remain attached to the drawing
surface and cause the undesirable phenomena because the
substances for producing the new dyes or dye compositions mix
with the remaining residues. However, the impairment of the
new pattern can be avoided by coordinating the position of the
pattern produced by the application of dye relative to a point
on the circumference of the continuously operating drawing
surface disposed opposite the polymer support. ~or example,
by means of markings which can be made to cover one another,
this synchronization can be achieved on the circumference of
the particular roller, such that it is possible, in the normal
manner for multi-color printing, to avoid the above-mentioned
difficulties by removing the residues located in front of the
markings, or by changing the drawing surface and inserting the
new drawing surface at the marker point.
Another advantageous process modification is the
application of a transfer web, provided with the vaporizable
dye, to the surface of a preferably heated drum or belt upstream
of the feed zone of the polymer and the support in the fiber
forming zone. This web is disposed opposite the support for
the polymer, and forms another drawing surface and it is only
removed from the drum or belt surface downstream of the fiber
bm: -
~191407
-
forming zone. In this way, very complicated printing
processes can be applied to the support in appropriately
designed operating units in a very simple manner. As a
result, in the fiber-forming process, the pattern will then
be repeated constantly in the fiber configuration. Pattern
changes could thus also be effected without considerable
difficulty during the continuous process. If this moaus
operandi is employed, then it is not necessary to establish
any form of coordination, The reason is that the roller or
belt which is used to raise the temperature of the polymer,
has no contact with the polymer which, as yet, has not been
rendered into fibrous form and the support, per se, is removed
after the fiber drawing process,
Lastly, we could point out that the fiber quality can
be controlled to the requisite degree by the choice of the
type and quality of the support,
In one particular aspect the present invention
provides in a process for producing a product having a dyed
fibrous surface and being formed by supplying a poly~er
intermediate a backing material and a movable, heatable drawing
surface, heating the polymer to render the polymer molten,
separating the backing material from the drawing surface to
provide a fiber-forming region in which fibers are formed
from the molten polymer and adhere to the surface of the
backing material, and introducing a cooling fluid into the
fiber-forming region to stabiliæe the fibers as their viscosity
increases following formation! the improvement comprising:
(a) applying at least one vaporizable dye to at least
one member of the group consisting of the polymer, the
-12-
bm:
1091407
backing material and the drawing surface;
(b) in the case where the dye is applied to the
backing material, contacting the dye and the polymer prior to
heating the polymer to render it molten; and
(c) rendering the polymer in contact with the dye
molten by heating to a temperature of at least the melting
point of the polymer, whereby color is imparted to the
polymer prior to stabilization of the fibers,
Other objects, features, and advantages of the
present invention will be made apparent in the following
detailed description of various embodiments thereof, provided
with reference to the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Fig. tl), is a schematic diagram of a device for
producing a dyed, fibrous product according to the invention,
Fig. (2), is a modified version of the device
according to Fig. (1), for producing a dyed fibrous product.
Fig, (3), is another embodiment of a device for
implementing the process a~cording to the invention,
Fig. (4), is another embodiment of the device.
Fig. (5), is a diagram of a device for use when a
plurality of backing materials or webs are to be simultaneously
provided with a dyed, patterned, fiber nap.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
. . . _ .
The device represented in figure (1), comprises a
centrally mounted heatable drum or drawing surface (10), which
could also be replaced by a heatable belt or other heated
conveying means. Coordinated with the drum (10), are firstly
a storage device (11), an applicator device (12), and also a
-13-
bm:
~191407
roller arrangement (13~, which forms both a feed device and
an applicator device, Disposed in series with the parts (11-13)
in the path of the workpiece are a take-off device (14) for
treated backing material (21), a cooling and deflector device
(15), disposed opposite the surface of the drum (10), at a
specific distance therefrom, and also a stripping roller (16),
with the winding device (17). In practice backing material
(21) will generally be a porous web. A web structure
facilitates the cooling process.
A dyestuff support or carrier (18), is stored in the
unwinding station (11). This dyestuff support or carrier (18),
carries concentrations of either a single reactive dye or a
plurality thereof in the form of a desired image when a colored
or multi-colored pattern is being produced or in the form of
individual regions (19) when scripts are being reproduced, The
support or carrier (18), for the vaporizable dyes, encircles
drum (10), over the illustrated angular region, and it is then
guided by the stripping roller (16), to the winding device (17),
The applicator device (12), is used to apply a polymer in the
form of a thermoplastic foil or a thermoplast in the form of a
granulate or paste to the contact surface of the support or
carrier (18), facing toward the polymer. As a result of the
fact that the temperature of the polymer is raised by drum (10),
the polymer fuses or begins to fuse while in contact with the
surface of the drum and the fibers are drawn within the zone
(22).
Backing material (21) which forms part of the
workpiece, and which consists of a supporting web for the fiber
nap to be produced, is applied by means of another device (13),
,:
-14-
bm:
1C~91407
to the fiber producing web (20), consisting of the polymer.
A bundle of layers consisting of the webs (18, 20 and 21),
and the dye application regionS (19) iS drawn by means of the
drum (10), which in this case acts as the conveyor to the
cooling and deflecting device or nozzle (15), and subsequently
to a take-off device in the form of a take-off roller. As
indicated by the design of the cooling and deflecting device
(lS), this device comprises a nozzle which is in contact with
backing material (21). This nozzle contains the outlet for the
cooling medium and it also directs the entire bundle of layers
toward the take-off roller (14). Cooling is thus effected
through the backing material t21), so that , at the fiber-
forming point, formed by the deflecting region, the fibers
which have just been pulled apart are cooled effectively,
and are thus stabilized, This is essential because a
plasticized polymer, which has been formed into thin layers,
or threads and fibers, has a tendency to contract, which can
cause premature tearing of the fibers, if the aforementioned
stabilizing measures were not provided, Thus, it will be
realized that the particular configuration, adjustment, and
hence, the particular state of the device for effecting the
process steps, give rise to process parameters which govern
the length, strength, density and other features of the fibers,
This means that the position of the cooling and deflecting
device (15), must be adjustable with respect to the bundle
of layers. The same applies to the type of cooling medium,
which is used, with respect to its pressure, its rate, its
temperature, etc. This also applies to the nature of the
coolant stream, which is to a large extent influenced by the
-15-
bm:
1091407
form of the outlet nozzles and their dimensions, in so far as
the device (15) is concerned, The same applies to the devices
which are disposed in the path of the workpiece, upstream of
the cooling and deflecting device~ The take-off device (14),
is responsible for producing specific tensions in the
individual webs of the layer bundle. As a result, the
configuration and particular adjustment of the take-off device
(14), is extremely important. This also applies to the
configuration of the entire drum (10). The latter is also
di.sposed upstream of the cooling and deflecting device in the
path of the workpiece.
By regulating the angular region over which the layer
bundle encloses the conveying, heating and fusion drum (10), it
is possible to adapt the degree of plastification, and the
fusion commencing and/or melting stage of the polymer ~20),
to the requirements of the process. The application zones
(19), produced on the web (18), are also affected by the rising
temperature and, if they consist of vaporizable dyestuffs, they
are also activated. It is important to remember that because
of the pressing force at (12) and (13), and also because of the
tensions produced in the layer bundle under the influence of
the take-off device (14), mechanical forces may be produced
which can affect the degree of activation of the vaporizable
dyes. Accordingly, these forces are controllable and can be
used to influence the course of the process. Another source
of influence over the process is provided by the adhesion
forces produced between the layers or the ~ndividual webs of
the layer or web bundle This is important in that, by
adjusting the adhesion forces produced in relation to one
-16-
bm:
1091407
another, it is possible to ensure that after the supporting
web or backing material (18) has been removed by means of the
devices (16) and (17), from the conveying, heating and
possibly melting roller (10), by means of the take-off device
(14) and the winding of the supporting web (18) on the winding
device (17), no further polymer residues can be found in the
region between the devices (12) and (16). In terms of the
above-mentioned elimination of the change in vaporizable dyes
or patterns, this means that it is not necessary to maintain
pattern/roller coordination when an unused supporting web (18)
comes under the influence of parts ~10), (12) of the device.
In the embodiment accordinq to Fig. (21, a
thermoplastic foil (25), constituting the polymer and in turn
bearing a vaporizable dyestuff application (26), is supplied
to the drum (10) by means of the applicator device (12)
Backing material (2~) is applied by a roller (13) similar to
counter-clockwise rotating roller (13) of Fig. (1) A device,
as shown in Fig. (2), is thus simplified in the manner
represented over the device according to Fig. (1). However,
it is essential that the position of the pattern to be applied,
should be coordinated with the circumference of the drum (10),
in the above described manner.
In the embodiment shown in Fig. (31, a backing
material (28) is to be provided with a coating which, in turn,
bears the application of vaporizing dye (29) This means that
a foil (30), consisting of a polymer, can be directly supplied
to the drum (10)! by means of the device (12). The same
device can be used to apply a two-color print, in which
different vaporizable dyes or dyeing zones are produced on
K -17
bm:
10914(~7
the backing material (28), and on the polymer (30). However,
in both cases, their positions must be regulated according to
existing conditions in the manner described.
In the embodiment according to Fig. (4), the method
of applying the vaporizable dyes or dye compositions (31) has
been modified in such a way that these are now disposed on the
drum (lO). A printing device (33), which is not represented
in great detail, and which is disposed immediately upstream of
the feed zone of the polymer foil (32), is used for applying
the dye. Apart from cases in which no uniform dyes are being
applied, it is again necessary to synchronize the determining
conditions in such a way that the necessary coincidence is
obtained in reproducing the pattern.
The embodiment shown in Fig. (5), is designed for
producing a plurality of webs with naps of different colors
and/or patterns. In this case, a plurality of webs are passed
over the roller (40); these webs consist of a first support (41),
or a first fiber nap of a first polymer foil (42), a support
(43) comprising on both sides, applications (44), (45),
consisting of a single vaporizable dye of a plurality of
vaporizable dyes or dye zones. Also present are a second
polymer foil (46), and a second support (47) for a fiber nap.
In the region of a common cooling and deflecting device (48),
the entire bundle of webs or entire groups of layers is pulled
away from the roller (40) in the manner illustrated in the
drawing in such a way that the two fiber supports (41) and
(47) acquire a patterned fiber nap (49), (40) corresponding
to the dye bearing surfaces (44, 45). In addition, by
bm:
10914~7
selecting the deflection angle (51), (52) of the fiber supports
(41), (47) with respect to the support (43) and by adjusting
the cooling intensity of the cooling and deflecting device (48),
possibly of an additio~al cooling means (53) for c~nducting a
cooling medium into the gap (53) intended for fiber production,
the features of the fiber configuration on the two fiber
supports can be varied and can be maintained for a long period
of time, using the variable adjustment means provided for this
purpose.
The embodiments represented in the drawings disclose
a plurality of features which can be interchanged; therefore,
it was not considered necessary to provide a repeated
description thereof within the context of each individual
figure. For example, the features described in Fig. (2) and
(3) can also be used within the scope of Fig, (4), In this
case, the support (43) is only used to provide a drawing surface
for forming fibers; the support (43) being disposed between
the fiber supports (41) and (47), and being effective on both
sides. Furthermore, by varying the surface configuration of
the support (43), it is possible to vary the nature of the
fibers on each of the two fiber supports.
As a result of the fact that a plasticized or
fusible polymer is exposed to intensive turbulence and
powerful mechanical stresses, more particularly, shearing
forces in the fiber forming region, the vaporizable dyes are
activated to an unprecedented extent and intensive mixing
processes take place in the fiber-forming region. As a result,
hitherto unknown coloring effects are obtained, which are also
visually pleasing.
It is not only possible to use a polymer in the form
--19--
hm ~
10914~7
of a single foil or of a uniform granulate, etc,, in the fiber
forming process, but it is also possible to simultaneously
process a plurality of polymers so as to produce compound
fibers which can be defined as having a combination of the
properties to be realized. In further developing the theory
of the invention, this possibility can be implemented in the
case of vaporizable dyes and/or patterns which, in the
last-mentioned embodiment, are produced in a natural profusion
which is very difficult to 'match even using considerable
imaginative skill. Although different dyes are used in the
process, an unexpected degree of fastness and hence durability
of the dyeing effects is obtained in the fiber nap, which can
be extremely important in certain cases.
EXAMPLE
1. Using the apparatus as shown in Fig. 1, any of
the aforementioned dyes can be supported by a carrier (18)
which encircles the roller (10) and is guided by the take-off
roller (16) to the winding device (17). The applicator device
(12) applies a polymer in the form of a thermoplastic foil to
the contact surface of the carrier (18) which is facing the
polymer. Subsequent to the contact of the dye and the
polymer; the drum or drawing surface (10) raises the temperature
of the polymer to a temperature of 170 - 320C, Fibers
adhering to backing material (21) are drawn in the fiber forming
zone (22) at the point of separation of drum (10) and backing
material (21). The dye in contact wlth the polymer sublimes
and then diffuses into the drawn fibers. The fibers are then
stabilized by cooling air blown from nozzle (15) through the
backing material, and the dyed fibrous product is taken off by
-20-
bm:
10914~7
by roller (14).
In the foregoing example the backing material can
be flexible supporting layers such as paper, plastic and metal
foils, textile products such as woven materials, textured
fabrics, fleece, materials with irregular thread layers,
nonwoven materials and the like.
bm:
