Abstract: Device articles such as medical devices and parts thereof are thermoformed of a thermoplastic condensable polymer composition. After thermoforming the article is subjected to a solid state polymerization step.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method and apparatus for handling parts ejected from an injection molding machine (10). More particularly, in one aspect, the invention is directed to a system (20) whereby data molded into the ejected part is used to provide useful feedback for the molding process. In another aspect, molded parts formed in a multiple molding die (12) are ejected from the die in a manner to maintain the relative sequential or matrix organization so that useful feedback information can be generated. This system is particularly useful with subsequent machine vision and inspection applications.

Abstract: A coordinate loop garment hanger comprising a molded plastic hanger body having a hook receiving loop element depending from and molded integrally with the molded plastic body at a lower portion thereof. The hook receiving loop element includes a passageway for selectively receiving and suspending therefrom a hook of a second ganged garment hanger which is at least partially enclosed along its length by left, right, top and bottom surfaces. In one embodiment, the left, right, top and bottom surfaces define substantially parallel left and right sides and rounded and curved top and bottom surfaces. The passageway is also curved along its length, with the open ends thereof being slightly lower than the center thereof. Several different embodiments of the loop element are disclosed with different length and shape sides, bottoms and ends.

Abstract: Pultruded composites of longitudinally oriented reinforcing fibers in a matrix of a thermoplastic resin are shaped in-line during the pultrusion process to provide a variety of non-linear or variable cross-section articles.

Abstract: The present invention involves a molded seamless vehicle interior panel having a seamless airbag door for concealing an airbag. The panel includes a retainer portion and a door portion circumscribed by the retainer portion. The retainer portion is disposed adjacent the airbag of the vehicle and has an opening to define a void over the airbag. The retainer portion has an appearance finish of an aesthetic look. The door portion disposed within the void integrally circumscribed by the retainer portion to define the seamless airbag door through which the airbag may deploy. The door portion has an appearance finish compatible to the appearance of the retainer portion such that no seam is visible. The door portion is molded together with the retainer portion and formed of a material different than the material of the retainer portion.

Abstract: An air passage switching system includes a switching door that is disposed rotatably in a case to open and close an air passage of the case. The switching door includes a door body, a rotation shaft provided in the door body, and a seal member made of an elastomer and adhering to an outer peripheral portion of the door body. The seal member contacts on a sealing surface of the case when the switching door closes the air passage. A plurality of recess portions are formed on the outer peripheral portion of the door body to be arranged in an outer peripheral direction. Thus, adhesion between the door body and the seal member can be strengthened.

Abstract: A method is provided for producing a plurality of moldings in one mold wherein the mold has at least one introduction point for molding material and a plurality of cavities with a shape corresponding to that of the moldings. The cavities are arranged so that each cavity, except cavities in an end or peripheral position, is connected to at least two directly adjacent cavities. A fluid casting compound of a material having a solidified hardness of not more than about 200 N, defined as the force at which an 11 mm sphere of the material will shatter, is introduced into the mold, so that it essentially fills all of the cavities, and the casting compound is then solidified and removed from the mold.

Abstract: An injection-molding apparatus comprises a mold assembly having a first-molten-resin injection portion for injecting a first molten thermoplastic resin into a cavity of the mold assembly, a second-molten-resin injection portion for injecting a second molten thermoplastic resin into the cavity, and a pressurized-fluid introducing portion for introducing a pressurized fluid into the second molten thermoplastic resin injected into the cavity. The injection-molding apparatus also comprises a first injection cylinder communicating with the first-molten-resin injection portion, and a second injection cylinder communicating with the second-molten-resin injection portion.

Abstract: A balloon blowing process which involves radial expansion of an extruded tubing segment which has been subjected to a stretching step prior to radial expansion, the process utilizing an internal pressure and a temperature which together cause at least a portion of the tubing to expand to an interior diameter (ID) which is greater than the interior diameter of the extruded segment prior to extrusion.

Abstract: A method for rapidly heating a mold cavity to a predetermined temperature preferably above the softening or melting temperature of the molding material prior to and during the molding stage thereby increasing moldability and improving quality of molded parts. The mold cavity is formed by two metallic halves on which high-frequency electric current is applied and an electric circuit involving the two halves is formed. Due to the proximity effect, the electrical current flows on the inner surfaces of the two cavity halves, thus rapidly heating the mold cavity. Proper use of insulation behind the cavity surface helps increase heating efficiency. Conformal on-off cooling channels provide both thermal insulation during the heating phase and rapidly cooling of the molded article during the cooling phase.

Abstract: Process for calibration of spectroscopic instrumentation for non-invasive monitoring of resin-loading of furnish-type wood materials, such as particles or fibers for particleboard or medium density fiberboard, respectively. Selection of ranges of wavelengths within a 350 nm to 2500 nm region by providing selection of spectrometers and sensors for wavelength ranges of 350-1000 nm, 1000 to 1800 nm, 1000 to 2500 nm, and 400 to 2200 nm, for use by engineered-wood manufacturing installations. Resin-loaded wood material is exposed to selected VIS/NIR energy and monitored as it moves on-line in relation to calibrated spectroscopic instrumentation; a sensor collects non-absorbed radiation energy reflected by the wood materials. Measurements are processed, in relation to pre-established calibration data, to determine whether the resin-loading is within manufacturing objectives; monitoring and feedback are used to maintain desired specifications.

Abstract: Calibrating near infra red (NIR) spectroscopic instrumentation for quantitative measurement of resin-loading of prepared wood materials, as moving in an assembly-forming line, for subsequent pressing under heat and pressure for manufacture of engineered-composite wood product. Feedback of measured data of resin-loading, during in-line assembly operations, enables maintaining consistent resin-loading and optimizes resin usage. Calibration of NIR spectroscopic instrumentation can be carried out on equipment simulating in-line movement of pre-established reference-source test-samples; or, can be carried out during on-line movement of wood-material test samples. The developed calibration method removes absorptive effects at wavelengths for constituents other than resin, such as the moisture content of the wood-materials and of the resin, while maintaining accurate and prompt NIR spectroscopic measurements of resin-loading in a continuous assembly line.

Abstract: A method of making a polyurea—polyurethane composite structure that is substantially free from emission of volatile organic compounds is disclosed. The composite structure produced according to the method of the subject invention has a flexural modulus of at least 200,000 lb/in2. The composite structure includes first and second layers. A mold substrate is provided and a first-layer polyisocyanate component and a first-layer resin component are reacted and sprayed onto the mold substrate to form the first-layer. The first-layer polyisocyanate component includes an aliphatic polyisocyanate, and the first-layer resin component includes a polyamine thereby forming a polyurea show surface having a Shore D hardness of at least 65. After application of the first-layer, a second-layer polyisocyanate component and a second-layer resin component are reacted and sprayed behind the first-layer to form the second-layer of the composite structure.

Abstract: A molding method for resin long body to make a thin long body of resin. Molten resin is supplied to a spaced portion of a mold through a thin film gate after a resin well of enlarged hollow ring is filled with the molten resin through plural pin runners in advance.

Abstract: A vent apparatus (10) includes a tank mount (12) made of a weldable plastics material and a fuel system component such as a valve assembly (13). Valve a assembly (13) includes a valve housing (14) made of a nonweldable plastics material and a valve (21) movable in a valve chamber (24) formed in valve housing (14) to open and close an aperture (23) leading to a venting outlet (22). Tank mount (12) supports valve housing (14) in a position in a mounting aperture (16) formed in a fuel tank (18). Valve housing (14) is made by injecting on-weldable plastics material into a mold containing the pre-molded tank mount (12).

Abstract: A method for removing volatile components from wet, polymer powders using a vacuum vented extruder is described. Polymer powders containing substantial amounts of water, 1-20% by weight, are rapidly converted to polymer compositions containing less than about 0.5% by weight water at high throughput rates while avoiding complications resulting from excessive steam backflow through the extruder feed throat. The method provides a screw design comprising a powder seal section upstream of kneading and melting sections of the extruder. Steam generated as the polymer is heated flows downstream to one or more vacuum vents for removal. The partially devolatilized polymer melt is then subjected to additional melt kneading and vacuum venting. The method converts wet polycarbonate powder containing residual methylene chloride to essentially dry polycarbonate powder containing less than about 1 ppm methylene chloride.

Abstract: A molding and tentatively retaining mold 10 of the invention has a plurality of molds which are relatively movable with respect to a fixed mold, and molds a housing 31 and rear holders 32 and 33, which are respectively independent, in a plurality of cavities formed in cooperation with the fixed mold. When the rear holders 32 and 33 are relatively moved with respect to the housing 31 by a pair of rear-holder tentatively retaining cylinders 19 after molding, and are tentatively retained, the amount of movement of a pair of third movable molds 14 is set to be greater by a predetermined amount than an amount of movement necessary for tentatively retaining the rear holders 32 and 33, and the third movable molds 14 after movement are stopped at the moved positions until a predetermined time elapses.

Abstract: A molding device and method utilizes a cavity including fast and second parts for molding an article having one or more convex portions and a gate for injecting mold resin into the cavity. The gate in turn includes one or more gate sides for injecting resin into a concave portion of one part and a gate base for injecting resin into a second of the parts in which no concave portions are located, both resin injections occurring simultaneously and substantially encapsulating a semiconductor element to form a molded article having a convex lens.

Abstract: A manufacturing method of a cellulose ester film satisfying the relationships, Nx>Ny>Nz, and 0.8≦Rt/R0≦3.5, the method comprising casting a cellulose ester dope containing a solvent of a good solvent and a poor solvent on a support to form a web; peeling the web from the support; transporting the peeled web (step D0); holding the edges in the transverse direction of the web (step A); stretching the resulting web in the transverse direction while applying a tension; reducing the tension in the transverse direction of the web; and drying the stretched web, wherein the residual solvent content of the web is 5 to 90% by weight at the beginning in the step A, and the residual poor solvent content in the residual solvent content of the web is from 15 to 95% by weight at the terminal point in the Step D0.

Abstract: A sunroof sunshade assembly is provided for a vehicle that include spaced apart guide rails supported by a vehicle. The sunroof sunshade includes a frame including opposing lateral portions slidingly received in the guide rail with the lateral portions having a first thickness. An interior portion is integrally formed with the frame by a plastic injection molding process. The interior portion extends between the lateral portions with a plurality of tiny holes in a desired pattern and has a second thickness that is less than the first thickness to provide a simulated fabric mesh appearance. A finger cup may be formed in the frame to provide a recess by which a vehicle occupant may move the sunshade between the open and closed positions.