Abstract: The present disclosure relates to functionally graded thermoelectric materials including an organic conducting polymer. In particular, the material includes a molecular dopant that can be spatially distributed in a controlled pattern within the material. Methods of making such materials and devices including such materials are also described herein.

Abstract: A twin sheet thermoformer apparatus and method in which an extruder continuously produces a sheet of hot plastic which is cut into cut sheets while the sheet is exiting the extruder, which are loaded in pairs into a series of transfer cars which are moved successively to an oven and then to a forming station. Sets of mold assemblies include pairs of molds with cavities which are faced upwardly to receive sheets lowered thereon and molded in the cavities and are then pivoted to face each other and moved together to fuse the molded sheets together to form a hollow part.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for severing and stacking articles which have been differentially pressure formed in a sheet of thermoplastic material from the sheet. Apparatus is provided for moving the sheet in a horizontal path and relatively vertically moving opposed upper and lower trim dies into engagement with vertically opposite sides of the sheet to trim the articles from the sheet at a trim station. The articles free fall through an opening in the lower die and free fall to an underlying accumulator. The accumulator includes mechanism which is moveable from a stack forming position in the path of freely falling articles to receive and accumulate freely falling severed articles in a stack, and a releasing position in which a formed the stack is released for vertical free fall.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for lining the interior of a container with plastic sheet material. An open topped container is elevated upon a support through a passage in a lower die member into contact with the under surface of a sheet of heated thermoplastic material overlying the upper end of the passage. A plug assist member is then employed to deform the sheet into conformation with the interior of the container. Upon withdrawal of the plug assist member, an upper die member is lowered into shearing relationship with the lower die member to shear the sheet around the upper periphery of the container. The support, with the lined container in place, is then further elevated to raise the lined container upwardly through the opening thus sheared in the sheet and through a passage extending vertically through the upper die member. The plastic lined container is discharged from the apparatus by pushing it transversely across the flat upper surface of the upper die member.

Abstract: A method for lining the interior of a container with plastic sheet material. An open topped container is elevated upon a support through a passage in a lower die member into contact with the under surface of a sheet of heated thermoplastic material overlying the upper end of the passage. A plug assist member is then employed to deform the sheet into conformation with the interior of the container. Upon withdrawal of the plug assist member, an upper die member is lowered into shearing relationship with the lower die member to shear the sheet around the upper periphery of the container. The support, with the lined container in place, is then further elevated to raise the lined container upwardly through the opening thus sheared in the sheet and through a passage extending vertically through the upper die member. The plastic lined container is discharged from the apparatus by pushing it transversely across the flat upper surface of the upper die member.