Abstract: A compression moulding press has fixed and moving tool portions, a shroud mounted for sliding movement around and in sealing relation to one of said tool portions towards and into sealing engagement with the other tool portion so as to define with said tool portions a substantially closed chamber enclosing a moulding tool associated with said tool portions, together with actuating means operable to slide said shroud into said sealing engagement and means operable to at least partially evacuate said closed chamber when so defined.

Abstract: An injection molding machine has a fixed and a tool portion, a shroud mounted for sliding movement around and in sealing relation to one of said portions towards and into sealing engagement with the other portion so as to define with the portions a substantially closed chamber around a molding tool associated with said portions together with means operable to urge said shroud into said sealing engagement and means for at least partially evacuating the closed chamber.

Abstract: A method for the manufacture of amino-formaldehyde resins of low water content. Amino compound and formaldehyde or paraformaldehyde are reacted at a temperature about 60.degree. C. in the liquid phase, the liquid phase being ensured by a reactive modifier. The reactive modifier is a compound which is capable of taking part in the reaction, and also capable of modifying the mixture of reactants to be liquid at the temperature at which the reaction is to be carried out.

Abstract: A powder coating composition which comprises a carboxyl terminated polyester resin having a carboxyl functionality of at least 2, an epoxy resin which is at least difunctional with respect to epoxy groups and zinc oxide. The amount of zinc oxide is at least 1% by weight of the total weight of the resins, and the amounts of resins are such that the ratio of functional epoxy groups to carboxyl groups on a chemical equivalent basis is in the range 0.5:1.0 up to 3.0:1.0.

Abstract: A polyester/nylon co-condensate which may be made from the two polymers in an extruder. The co-condensate comprises from 50 to 99% by weight of polyamide having a softening point of from 210.degree. C. to 270.degree. C. and a number average molecular weight in the range 10,000 to 30,000 and from 50% to 1% by weight of a polyester which is selected from saturated and unsaturated polyesters and which has an acid value of from 30 to 90 and a number average molecular weight less than 10,000. The co-condensate can also contain an acrylic homo- or co-polymer as a third component.

Abstract: A method for the manufacture of a starch solution in which, in the thermochemical conversion of starch using oxidizing agent and mechanical shear on the starch slurry at 110.degree. C to 180.degree. C, an amino-formaldehyde resin is added to the starch slurry before subjecting it to the mechanical shear.

Abstract: Cured thermoset plastics artefacts, (including extrusions) are made directly from a non-homogeneous blend of a filler and a solid particulate thermosetting material, by use of a screw injection moulding machine (or screw extruder) which is operated to cause the non-homogeneous blend to plasticize or flux so that a homogeneous intimate mixture of the filler and the thermosetting material is formed in the barrel of the machine. Thus, the moulding (or extrusion) sequence includes the provision or formation of the non-homogeneous blend in the barrel.