Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for automatic and hands-free threading of an elastomeric mix into a calender set of rolls comprising one or more pairs of rolls that have a nip between them. A wedge is provided with a tip that is positioned downstream from the nip and at a predetermined distance from the nip. As the rolls of the nip are rotated, the tip of the edge removes all, or a desired portion of, the elastomeric mix from a first roll of the nip so as to transfer the elastomeric mix to a second roll of the nip. The tip of the wedge may be placed into contact with the first roll. The wedge may also have an arcuate surface, shaped e.g., like the outer surface of the first roll, and positioned a predetermined distance from the outer surface of the first roll.

Abstract: A mold to produce fiber composite components is described where a fiber ply with matrix material (matrix material/resin) is saturated. The mold consists of a lower mold and an upper mold which is placed on top of the lower mold with intermediate fiber ply. The lower mold and upper mold have a contour matching each other and for the desired fiber composite component. The upper mold and the lower mold are made of a flexible material.

Abstract: A seal comprising a sealing ring (1) and a slide ring (2) wherein the slide ring (2) is provided on the side of the sealing ring (1) that faces the surface to be sealed. The sealing ring (1) and the slide ring (2) are designed in one piece by molding the sealing ring (1) to the slide ring (2) in a mold cavity that forms the slide ring into a cylindrical shape.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for metering tobacco in portions suitable for packaging. The apparatus includes a feeding element for the tobacco and a device for forming and discharging at least one tobacco portion suitable for packaging. The device comprises a wiping element for wiping tobacco into a portioning chamber. The portioning chamber is variable in volume for compressing the tobacco and releasing the compressed tobacco portion. The portioning chamber is also displaceable relative to the wiping element for displacing from a filling position into a dispensing position and vice versa. An element for discharging the compressed tobacco portion is disposed in the area of the dispensing position.

Abstract: A method of treating ceramic fibers based on metal carbide, the method including a first reagent gas heat treatment performed with at least one first reagent gas of the halogen type that chemically transforms the surface of the fiber to obtain a surface layer constituted mainly of carbon, and a second reagent gas heat treatment performed with at least one second reagent gas that eliminates the surface layer formed during the chemical transformation.

Abstract: Cavities are partially or entirely filled with a polymer foam. A flexible, porous mesh tube is introduced into the cavity. The mesh tube has a volume smaller than that of the cavity and has openings. A foamable liquid mixture is introduced into the mesh tube. Despite the presence of the openings, the foamable liquid mixture does not pass through the openings in the mesh tube. The captured liquid composition then expands. As the composition expands, it flows through the openings in the mesh tube and makes contact with the walls of the cavity. After curing, a polymer foam is obtained which adheres to the cavity walls.

Abstract: A method is provided for measuring and controlling a cumulative physical property, such as the thickness, of a tubular blown film, wherein the tubular blown film is being extruded from a ring-shaped extruder having a plurality of film physical property controllers disposed around the ring-shaped extruder. Where the physical property is thickness, the method includes the steps of (1) collapsing the tubular film to create a two-ply web and slowly rotating the film while taking a plurality of thickness measurements across the two-play web at various sections of the film, (2) calculating initial estimates of the thickness of each section using a first algorithm, (3) refining the initial estimates of the thicknesses of each section by successive iterations using a second algorithm, and (4) optionally adjusting at least one film physical property controller to control the final estimate of the thicknesses of each longitudinal section.

Abstract: A sole assembly is formed by preheating a mold assembly, placing a quantity of rubber in a first portion of a lower recess of a mold assembly; placing a middle plate in contact with a bottom plate, and an upper plate in contact with the middle plate; subjecting the top, middle, and bottom plates to heat to semi-cure the rubber in the lower recess to form an outsole member; separating the top plate, the middle plate, and the bottom plate; placing the top plate in contact with the bottom plate, with polyolefin forming a midsole above the semi-cured rubber; moving the movable insert upwardly with respect to the top plate; subjecting the top and bottom plates to heat such that the polyolefin expands within the sole recess and the polyolefin and rubber in the sole recess fully cure, cross-link, and bond to one another to form a sole assembly; cooling the top and bottom plates; and removing the sole assembly.

Abstract: An article of footwear includes an upper; a midsole positioned beneath the upper and including a plurality of support members, at least one support member being formed of a lower portion formed of a first material, and an upper portion positioned above the lower portion and formed of a second material, the second material having a higher resiliency than that of the first material.

Abstract: Method of manufacturing a fibre-reinforced composite moulding, the method comprising the steps of: (a) disposing at least one layer of fibrous reinforcing material within a mould; (b) disposing at least one pre-preg layer adiacent to the fibrous reinforcing material, the pre-preg layer comprising fibrous reinforcement at least partially impregnated with uncured first resin material, to form a laminar assembly of the at least one layer of fibrous reinforcing material and the at least one pre-preg layer within the mould; (c) applying a vacuum to the assembly; (d) infusing a flowable uncured second resin material, under the vacuum, into the at least one layer of fibrous reinforcing material; and (e) curing the first and second resin materials at least partially simultaneously to form the fibre-reinforced composite moulding which comprises at least one first structural portion formed from the fibrous reinforcement and the cured first resin material bonded to at least one second structural portion formed from the

Abstract: A method and apparatus for moving along a tube extrusion line. An extruded tube is pushed through the extrusion line, by means of pressure generated by an extruder, to a withdrawal unit that takes over further driving of the tube. In a first-moving along phase, in which the tube has not yet passed a sealing of a calibration cooling unit relative to the atmosphere, the latter is under atmospheric pressure. In a second phase, in which the tube has passed the sealing, the calibration and cooling unit is placed under underpressure. In the first phase, the tube is supported either by internal overpressure or by a mechanical inner guide. A support cylinder extends axially from a casing head of the extruder and extends coaxially into a calibration sleeve in a first section of the calibration and cooling unit. A support plate is disposed between the casing head and an inlet of the calibration sleeve and provides external support for a tube exiting the casing head.

Abstract: A method of producing an electrophotographic blade member includes a continuous molding groove in an peripheral surface and an endless belt, in which the blade member includes a polyurethane resin cured a polyurethane composition having a viscosity of 500-3,000 mPa·s and including A)-D), and a position at which the composition is injected is set, on the belt, opposing to the groove, the position being away from a portion at which the molding drum and the belt are first contacted on an upstream for a moving direction of the belt: A) polyisocyanate; B) adipate-based polyester polyol having a number average molecular weight of 1,000-4,000; C) chain extender having a molecular weight of 200 or less; D) isocyanurate-forming catalyst at 20 to 500 ppm and a urethane-forming catalyst at 200-1,500 ppm.

Abstract: A method for decorating a composite placed in a mold in a resin transfer molding process includes selectively depositing unbonded pigments on one or more areas of a preform of the composite, and injecting a resin into the mold via one or more resin input ports operably connected to the mold. The injected resin carries the selectively deposited unbonded pigments on a path on one or more areas of the preform of the composite along a direction of flow of the injected resin, thereby creating ornamental pigment flow patterns in the composite for decorating the composite. The method also creates bands of ornamental pigment flow patterns by depositing the unbonded pigments on a transfer medium positioned on the composite, positioning the transfer medium in proximity to the resin input ports, and selectively injecting the resin onto the transfer medium deposited with the unbonded pigments, via the resin input ports.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of manufacturing a retainer ring for a chemical mechanical polishing device. Insert pins are coupled to an insert ring member. The insert ring member is thereafter disposed in a mold such that a space is defined around the insert ring member in the mold. Subsequently, molten shell material is injected into the mold to form a shell member. Thereby, the retainer ring is manufactured, having a structure such that the insert ring member is completely covered with the shell member.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for producing gel-spun ultra high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) fibres having high tensile strengths and improved creep rates wherein the UHMWPE used in said process is characterized by a difference in the phase angle according to Formula (1) ??=?0.001??100 of at most 42°, wherein ?0.001 is the phase angle at an angular frequency of 0.001 rad/sec; and ?100 is the phase angle at an angular frequency of 100 rad/sec as measured with a frequency sweep dynamic rheological technique at 150° C. on a 10% solution of UHMWPE in paraffin oil, provided that ?100 is at most 18°. The invention further relates to gel-spun UHMWPE fibres produced thereof. The gel-spun UHMWPE fibres of the invention have a tensile strength of at least 4 GPa, and a creep rate of at most 5×10?7 sec?1 as measured at 70° C. under a load of 600 MPa.

Abstract: A resist layer constituted by a resist composition (which may include unavoidable impurities) including a polymerizable compound that includes polyfunctional monomers that become polymers having three dimensional structures by cross linking when polymerized and a polymerization initiating agent which is activated by one of light and an electron beam is formed on a substrate. A surface of a mold having a predetermined pattern of protrusions and recesses is pressed against the resist layer. Light is irradiated onto the resist layer to cure the resist layer. The mold is separated from the resist layer under conditions that the temperature of the resist layer is 40° C. or greater.

Abstract: The present invention provides a technique capable of manufacturing a resin stamper at a low cost. A method of manufacturing a plate-shaped resin stamper includes: pressing a resin composite base material against a mother stamper having a pattern formed on the surface thereof by compression molding to transfer the pattern of the mother stamper to the composite base material; and punching the composite base material. In the manufacturing method, the resin composite base material includes at least one curing resin. In addition, during the compression molding, a portion of the composite base material is cured by active energy beams or heat, the pattern is transferred to the composite base material, and the composite base material is punched, thereby manufacturing the resin stamper.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for guiding and depositing synthetic fibers to form a nonwoven web is described. The apparatus has a drawing device, a deposit belt, and a plurality of guidance means disposed between the drawing device and the deposit belt, which form in pairs numerous merging guidance pathways for the guidance of a fiber curtain formed by the fibers. The guidance means have numerous air intake slits beneath the drawing device, which enable an introduction of a secondary airstream. Numerous air conducting elements disposed on one of the guidance means are associated with at least one of the air intake slits. In this manner at least one of the sub-streams of the secondary airstream laterally adjacent to the fiber curtain can be introduced to the fiber stream at an inflow angle that is at a right angle to the deposit belt.

Abstract: A graphene sheet and a method of manufacturing the graphene sheet are provided. The method includes: growing a graphene sheet on a graphene growth support by applying carbon sources and heat to the graphene growth support, the graphene growth support including a carbonization catalyst; and forming at least one ripple on the graphene sheet by cooling at least one of the graphene growth support and the graphene sheet, wherein the graphene growth support and the graphene sheet have different thermal expansion coefficients.

Abstract: A formliner, sheet, system, and methods of use and manufacture are provided in order to provide a product that can minimize and/or eliminate visible seaming between interconnected formliners during fabrication of a pattern on a curable material. In some embodiments, the formliner can comprise raised sections that define interrelated inner and outer dimensions. Thus, a plurality of formliners can be interconnected by overlaying raised sections thereof. Further, the formliner can comprise one or more detents and one or more protrusions to enable engagement between interconnected formliners without requiring adhesives. In this manner, formliners can be interconnected in a nested manner such that visible seaming between the interconnected formliners is reduced and/or eliminated.