Abstract: An elongated pile article having a support strand for attachment to a plurality of yarn bundles, the yarn bundles including a dense portion with the filaments bonded to each other and bonded to the support strand, pile surface structure comprised of a plurality of elongated pile articles placed one next to the other, and a method and apparatus for making the elongated pile article.

Abstract: An elongated pile article having a support strand for attachment to a plurality of yarn bundles, the yarn bundles including a dense portion with the filaments bonded to each other and bonded to the support strand, pile surface structure comprised of a plurality of elongated pile articles placed one next to the other, and a method and apparatus for making the elongated pile article.

Abstract: A microwave pultrusion apparatus (10) with a frame (103, 104) with fingers (109, 110) contacting the material (200) to be processed. The frame and fingers prevent leakage of the microwaves from the cavity (12) and can be replaced or modified for various material 200 and die cross-sections. The apparatus is particularly useful for curing resin impregnated fibers.

Abstract: A lighting strike coating composition for composites. The composite is multilayered and comprises (i) a prepreg containing layer, (ii) a lightweight, highly conductive metallic wire screen or foil layer, and (iii) a sheet of lightweight carrier fabric containing (a) on one side a coating of a highly filled, thermoset resin in which the filler comprises a multimodal combination of filler particles, and (b) optionally, on the other side an adhesive joining it to layer (ii); wherein the layers are bonded to each other.

Abstract: A segmented presser member for laying fiber tows and producing composite plastic articles has a plurality of presser element disks. The disks, stacked side-by-side, are independently movable and biased against a work surface such as a mandrel or mold. An elastic band is provided on the rotary outer periphery of each disk. Each band is unconnected to elastic bands on adjacent disks. The disks and their respective bands are radially movable during the laydown and compaction of the fiber tows over the changing contour of the workpiece surface. The elastic band has a low friction face, such as, for example, a (TEFLON) film, for engaging the fiber tows.

Abstract: The production process of the present invention can significantly suppress the fuzzing on the surface of the composite material and substantially prevents the accumulation of fractured fibers in the nozzle causative of the breaking of a strand and so on, so that it becomes possible to enhance the take-up speed of the strand and so on, and can provide a long-fiber-reinforced composite material excellent in the dispersion of the fibers in the composite material and the impregnation of a resin. The process comprises impregnating a continuous reinforcing fiber with a molten thermoplastic resin while pulling the fiber, and is characterized in that, after the fiber is impregnated or coated with a molten resin, the resultant fiber is continuously pultruded while squeezing excess resin and the pultruded fiber is passed through a shaping nozzle to regulate the shape to a desired one.

Abstract: The invention provides for a cold applied oval port seal particularly useful for sealing optical fiber cables. The closure includes two shell members which fit together to define the enclosure edge wedge seals and internal flexible fingers to locate the optical fibers, restrain movement of the sealing material, and provide strain relief along the longitudinal axis of the cables.

Abstract: There is described a tape comprising unidirectionally oriented reinforcing and thermoplastic fibers composed of yarns of reinforcing and/or thermoplastic fibers, the yarn density being about 5 to 20 yarns/cm of width and the yarns having a linear density of about 1000 to 3000 dtex, the matrix fibers having been locally incipiently or completely melted on at least one of the tape surfaces to form consolidation points. The tape is suitable as a starting material for producing composite materials.

Abstract: A composite tool handle includes one or more load-bearing jackets surrounding a core of lightweight or reinforcing material. The interface between the core and the jacket is corrugated to increase the flexural strength of the tool handle while minimizing weight. The composite tool handle is manufactured by pultrusion wherein the core having a corrugated outer surface is fed through a pultrusion die tube. Resin coated fibers are channeled into the space between the core and the die tube for compression and heating to form a fiber-resin jacket having an internal surface conforming to the shape of the core for key-lock engagement therewith. The outer surface of the fiber-resin jacket can be formed with a corrugated or other discontinuous surface shape by placing one or more external mold members into the space between the resin coated fibers and the die tube for pultrusion therewith through the die tube, and for separation from the fiber-resin jacket upon exiting the die tube.

Abstract: A winding tool (14) is provided on a manipulator (18) of a type used to route the optical fiber. A hook (22) extends from the winding tool to capture optical fiber (10) extending from a device (11), and the hook is retracted to secure the fiber. A routing wheel (17) is positioned between the device (11 ) to which the optical fiber is connected and the reel such that the wheel can press the optical fiber (10) against an adhesive-coated substrate. The winding tool then winds the optical fiber around a reel (16). The optical fiber next feeds from the reel (16) to the routing wheel (17) as the manipulator (18) is moved to route the optical fiber on the coated substrate. Preferably, prior to the winding and wheel positioning step, the optical fiber between the reel and the routing wheel is engaged with an alignment tool (27).

Abstract: The invention discloses a process for manufacturing yarns from wheat straws. More specifically, the present invention relates to a process for manufacturing yarns from wheat straws, in which wheat straws that are capable of protecting human bodies from harmful spectra such as ultra-violet rays are finely cleaved to prepare yarns in a simple process for making hats, gowns, gloves and the like, so that workers working in the field can be protected from harmful spectra such as ultra-violet rays.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming composite tows of uniform width comprises a tow tensioner mechanism which carries a reel having a length of tow of non-uniform width, a tow sizing unit, a drive roller unit and a tow winding device. A single tow is fed from the tensioner mechanism to the tow sizing unit where the side-to-side or width dimension of the tow is sized, and then the sized tow is transmitted through the drive roller unit to the tow winding device which winds the sized tow onto a reel. The tow sizing unit includes a rotatable sizing wheel having a circumferential flanged groove, and a presser roller, which cooperate to confine the tow on all four sides, i.e., top, bottom and opposed side edges, as the tow is pressed therebetween to form a finished, sized tow having a substantially uniform width.

Abstract: A hybrid laminated prepreg is disclosed, which comprises a resin layer, a decorative layer laminated thereon and having a pattern, and a transparent prepreg layer laminated on the decorative layer. In manufacturing a fiber reinforced composite resin material molding, the hybrid prepreg is laminated in a couple of layers on the outermost one of laminated layers of usual prepreg. Thus, it is possible to easily decorate the obtainable molding to readily provide an aesthetic sense to the appearance of the molding and also dispense with time-consuming operation of coating or the like. Further, unlike the coating or the like, it is possible to stably hold the aesthetic sense of the appearance for long time.

Abstract: Apparatus for producing filling material includes guide structure wherein a tow of filling and binding fiber is continuously guided through a heating zone in which the binding fiber becomes fused to the filling fiber at least at the surface of the tow, the tow is then continuously guided through a cooling zone in which at least a surface-consolidated tow is formed, and the consolidated tow is then continuously guided into a heated cutting means and cut and fused into tufts.

Abstract: This invention relates to crosslinkable polymeric compositions and a process for preparing them which show a low content of vinyl monomers, are suitable for the fabrication of composite materials, have good mechanical properties, and comprise: a liquid polyisocyanate; a polyol having a maximum functionality of 7 and an average molecular weight of from about 200 to about 10,000; an unsaturated polyester or a vinylester resin; a radical polymerization initiator stable at temperatures below 70.degree. C.; a decomposition promoter for the initiator; a trimerization catalyst for the isocyanate; and optionally, a mineral filler having dehydrating properties.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an embossed ply suitable for use in a multi-ply, embossed paper. The embossed ply has bosses of two different depths wherein the bosses having a greater depth or the "big bosses" alternate with the more shallow bosses or "small bosses". When the embossed ply is used to form a multi-ply paper, the small bosses are arranged in a tip-to-tip relation with bosses in a second embossed ply, while the big bosses of the first ply are positioned to nest between the bosses of the second ply. Furthermore, a method and apparatus for manufacturing the embossed, multi-ply paper is described.

Abstract: A device for laying a thin metal wire in a straight line on the surface of the thermoplastic film of a laminated glass pane. A rotatable mounting is provided for the wire supply reel, a heated pressing roller presses the wire into the thermoplastic film and a guide device guides the wire between the supply reel and the pressing roller. The supply reel is coupled in rotation to an electromagnetic brake having an adjustable braking torque and a wide control range for the braking torque. The electromagnetic brake is preferably a magnetic powder brake.

Abstract: A process for the reactive pultrusion of a reinforcing material and a polyamide matrix wherein a reinforcing material is impregnated with a polyamide forming reaction mixture and then pultruded through a die while the polyamide forming reaction mixture is polymerized to form a polyamide matrix, wherein the temperature of the material being pultruded is at least about at the lower end of the melting range of the polyamide.

Abstract: The method of making a tubular pultruded member having a longitudinal axis and a substantially uniform wall thickness throughout includes providing a heated die with a mandrel extending through the forming die section and a bath of liquid polymer, simultaneously pulling continuous reinforcing fibers and at least one carrier tape with wall spacers through the liquid polymer bath around the mandrel and into and through the heated die to shape and cure the liquid polymer into a tubular pultruded member, the wall spacers having a thickness equal to the uniform distance between the outside surface of the mandrel and the inside surface of the die.

Abstract: An optical fiber reinforcing structure and method of manufacture thereof for reinforcing an optical fiber having a cladding portion removed to expose a fiber core portion. The optical fiber with the fiber core portion is placed in a longitudinal groove of a reinforcing member. The optical fiber is fixed to the reinforcing member at the ends of the longitudinal groove using an adhesive. A cover is then fixed to the reinforcing member to hermetically seal the optical fiber within the longitudinal groove. The reinforcing structure of the present invention prevents environmental conditions from adversely affecting the optical characteristics of the optical fiber.

Abstract: A rigid three-dimensional preform is made by moving a plurality of webs of fibrous reinforcement material superposed and coplanar to a cutter, the webs being coated with an electromagnetic energy-curable binder and pressed together. Prior to cutting a blank in a two-dimensional development of the three-dimensional preform from the webs, the webs are tacked together at spaced local zones by locally curing the binder at those zones by locally applying the appropriate electromagnetic radiation (microwave, ultraviolet, electron) so that the webs travel as one to the cutter. After cutting of the blank, the blank is loaded into a mold to replicate the three-dimensional shape of the preform and the remainder of the binder is cured in the mold by the application of the appropriate electromagnetic radiation.

Abstract: Provided is a polyethylene terephthalate-based meltblown nonwoven fabric comprising a mixed polymer comprising 75 to 98% by weight of polyethylene terephthalate and 2 to 25% by weight of a polyolefin. The meltblown fabric has excellent thermal resistance, dimensional stability, strength and hand. Also provided is a process for producing a polyethylene terephthalate-based meltblown nonwoven fabric, which comprises melt blowing a mixed polymer comprising 75 to 98% by weight of polyethylene terephthalate and 2 to 25% by weight of a polyolefin. It is preferable that the melt blowing is conducted at a single orifice throughput of 0.2 to 1.0 g/min and under an air-jet pressure of 0.1 to 1.0 kg/cm.sup.2.

Abstract: A method of shaping elongated composite structures of a resin matrix reinforced with randomly broken fibers oriented in transverse and non-transverse directions with respect to the longitudinal axis of the structure is implemented by a computer aided apparatus for forming the structure. The apparatus is provided with a heated fixed forming tool, a means for stretching the structure from each end and means associated with the forming tool for separately holding each formed component length of the structure in place against the forming tool. The formed structure is characterized by the particular orientation of the fibers in the transverse and non-transverse direction after the structure is formed.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a process for preparing a blended tow of thermoplastic and reinforcing fibers. The process of the invention includes the steps of forming a substantially planar spaced array of thermoplastic multifilament yarns and superimposing the spaced array of separate yarns onto a spread tow of reinforcing fibers. The resulting planar mixed yarn is then gathered into a tow having a nonuniform distribution of thermoplastic fibers throughout the tow. The tow is useful in forming fiber-reinforced composite articles by shaping the tow into a desired form and then heating the shaped tow to melt the thermoplastic fibers which, in turn, form a plastic matrix which is reinforced by the reinforcing fibers.

Abstract: A method for assembling a light wave guide switch calls for a switch having two groups of front ends of light wave guides. Each group of front ends faces the other group of front ends and each group is disposed on opposite sides of a coupling plane running perpendicular to the longitudinal axes of the light wave guides. The switch also has centering devices that extend parallel to each other, without offset, from a first end of a base plate to a second end of the base plate. The centering devices secure a plurality of light wave guides each extending through the coupling plane when each of the wave guides forms a single component. The method includes the steps of coupling the first end of the base plate to a stationary part of the switch and coupling a second end of the base plate to a drivable part of the switch while the switch is in the given switching position.

Abstract: The invention relates to a novel type of polyolefine yarns with good performance in the manufacture of rugs and carpets, made-up by admixing polypropylene filaments with polyethylene filaments, and by subjecting said filaments mixture to a temperature of from 125.degree. C. up to 130.degree. C., which substantially equals the melting temperature of the polyethylene filaments, whereby said polyethylene filaments become melted while the polypropylene filaments, with higher melting point, remain solid and stable, and with said melting of the polyethylene filaments constituting welding points for said polypropylene filaments, bulking and shaping the resulting yarn.

Abstract: Transverse fibers are added to a pultruded part by forming a body of fibers and resin in a first die part which body is dimensioned smaller than that of the die through which the body is to be passed. A fluid including cut fibers is then applied under pressure to the body just upstream of the die so that cut fibers become integrated with the body into the spaces defined in the body. The continuous fibers, the cut fibers, and the resin are then passed through the die and become integrated into a pultruded part with the transverse cut fibers providing a transverse strength.

Abstract: A pultruded part is formed from thermosetting resin which is carried on continuous longitudinal fiber reinforcement into a die which shapes the resin and fibers into the required transverse cross sectional shape and then acts to set the resin. Some of the fibers have applied thereto a second resin material of a different characteristic so that these fibers carry the second resin into the part at localized regions to form localized regions of the second resin extending longitudinally continuously of the part. This allows a resin of an increased strength to be used at areas of increased strength requirement, for example areas of screw fastening, screw ports, junction between two legs and in order to provide a thinner part for reduced thermal transfer.

Abstract: An improved flexible towpreg tape of a known geometry and a method of production therefor. The improved flexible towpreg tape is formed from a plurality of reinforcing filaments fusion coated with matrix forming material, the reinforcing filaments being substantially wet-out by the matrix forming material, and the towpreg tape having multiple plies with an average thickness less than about 100 microns. The method of production for the improved flexible towpreg tape includes the steps of coating the reinforcing filaments with the matrix forming material in a manner causing interfacial adhesion of the matrix forming material to the reinforcing filaments; forming a towpreg by heating the matrix forming material contacting the reinforcing filaments until the matrix forming material liquefies and coats the reinforcing filaments; and forming the towpreg tape under pressure and elevated temperature in a means for creating a known tape geometry.

Abstract: An improved pultrusion process for preparing composites comprises combining polymer precursors in a mixer and continuously introducing the resulting mixture, together with reinforcing fibers, into an impregnation chamber maintained under conditions such that the mixture remains in liquid form of low viscosity. The impregnated fibers are continuously withdrawn from the chamber through a die in which polymerization of the precursors takes place to form the desired composite.

Abstract: A method for continuously manufacturing a composite sandwich structure by pultrusion through a pultrusion die comprises arranging fiber reinforcement materials on the surface of a preformed foam core, applying liquid resin to the reinforcement materials on the surface of the foam core, heating the surface region of the foam core to a temperature of at least 100.degree. C. to convert water in the foam core to steam, thereby causing water vapor pressure expansion of the foam, and using the expansion of the foam core to subject the liquid resin to increased pressure.

Abstract: A fluid mixture separation membrane element (10) includes elongated hollow pressure-resistant nonpermeable transport arteries (12) and a plurality of flexible hollow fibers (14) of semipermeable material having internal flow channels (20). The hollow tubular transport arteries (12) have exteriors (18) and interior flow passages (16). Each hollow fiber (14) has spaced opposite end portions (22, 24) and an elongated tubular portion (26) extending between and interconnecting the opposite end portions (22, 24). The opposite end portions (22, 24) of each hollow fiber (14) are attached by either an adhesive (28) or another suitable mechanism to the tubular transport artery or arteries (12) so as to provide flow communication between the internal flow channels (20) of the hollow fibers (14) and one of the interior flow passages (16) or the exteriors (18) of the hollow transport arteries (12).

Abstract: A ribbonizing apparatus and method for forming a fiber band from a plurality of fiber tows extending along respective fiber tow pathways. The ribbonizing apparatus includes an assembly for selectively heating at least a respective one of the plurality of fiber tows as the fiber tow extends along the fiber pathways. When not needed, the heat is removed from the fiber tow. A plurality of embodiments for accomplishing the method are contemplated.

Abstract: The invention provides an extruder die assembly for use in the production of fiber reinforced thermoplastic product which overcomes the problem of poor wetting of the fiber filaments. The die assembly also facilitates the production of fiber-reinforced products having high fiber concentration in the end product. The die assembly includes a cone-shape passage defined by decreasing radius from the inlet to the outlet. A plurality of pins are disposed within the passage. A thermoplastic melt is fed through the die assembly in the opposite direction to that of the fiber feed. As the fiber feed travels through the passage the pins spread the fibers helping to ensure that the molten thermoplastic thoroughly wets the fiber filaments.

Abstract: Pultruded profiles are manufactured as a die station which is fed with resin via a pump. The core of the profile is formed by granular material fed to station from a hopper through the interior of a hollow duct which is essentially vertically disposed, above the station, so that the granular material is moved under the influence of gravity. The exterior surface of duct is profiled and the skin-forming materials for the profile are guided by the profiled surface to the die station. The skin forming materials are runs of cloth. The pultruded profile may be tubular or hollow so that it has both an external surface and an internal surface in which case the internal surface incorporates a further resin bonded cloth fed to the interior of the die station over the external surface of a mandrel.

Abstract: A method for making a fiber-reinforced resin sheet includes providing an array of a plurality of resin film layers and fiber layers, passing the array through a die in order to consolidate the array. A pair of belts which are interposed respectively between the upper surface of the array and the die and the lower surface of the array and the die and move through the die, preferably without substantial relative movement between the array and the belts is provided in order to facilitate efficient manufacture while preserving desired end product surface characteristics. The process is preferably a pultrusion process with the belts moving under the influence of pulling force applied to the array. Pultrusion apparatus employing such belts in the manufacture of fiber-reinforced resin sheet is also disclosed.

Abstract: Continuous fiber reinforced oriented mesogen-containing resin matrix composites are prepared by (A) saturating a continuous fiber substrate material with a curable composition comprising (1) at least one mesogen-containing resin which contains an average of more than one vicinal epoxide group, thiirane group, cyanate group or vinyl ester group per molecule; and, optionally, (2) a curing amount of at least one curing agent and/or curing catalyst therefor; (B) arranging one or more saturated continuous fiber substrate material(s) formed in step (A) into a desired configuration; (C) subjecting the arranged saturated continuous fiber substrate material(s) from step (B) to a temperature which causes the mesogen-containing resin to convert to a liquid crystalline state; (D) subjecting the heated arranged saturated continuous fiber substrate material(s) from step (C) to a pressure sufficient to cause flow induced shear in the interstices of said continuous fiber substrate; (E) subjecting the continuous fiber substra

Abstract: Improving commingling two or more continuous multiple filament yarns into a single yarn by rubbing one yarn against a static charge-inducing body that is supported in an electrically isolated manner to apply static charge to the yarn to tend to cause separation of its individual multiple filament. Also disclosed is commingling apparatus in which individual filaments of a multiple filament yarn are spread from each other in an enclosure that contains a source of the multiple filament yarn and has a yarn exit opening through which the filaments leave the enclosure in a separated state, a vacuum source being to connected to an air removal opening so that air flows through and around the yarn at a direction transverse to the yarn to cause spreading of the filaments, the yarn from the source passing through a guide and a weighted dancer whose movements up and down (in response to changes in tension in the yarn) control a positive feed drive for the yarn source.

Abstract: An exemplary pultrusion mandrel of the invention comprises a first portion for arranging a fiber reinforcement substrate thereabout, a second portion having an elongated body and internal heater, and a resin injector system intermediate therebetween and having a plurality of resin injector ports integrally disposed at different angles for wetting inward surfaces of the substrate being formed. The mandrel is preferably used in conjunction with an external die. Also disclosed is an exemplary method for continuous pultrusion.

Abstract: A method for preparing an optical fiber canister includes providing a length of a wire (44) having a diameter of about that of the optical fiber (60), and winding the wire (44) onto a mandrel (40) in a preselected winding pattern to form a base layer (46). A replicating strip (48) having a flexible substrate (50) with a patterning layer (52) of b-staged epoxy on one side thereof is provided, and the patterning layer (52) is pressed against the base layer (46) to form a groove pattern (62) in the patterning layer (52). The b-staged epoxy layer (52) is cured to harden it to preserve the groove pattern, and then the flexible substrate (50) is applied to an optical fiber bobbin (56) with the grooved patterning layer (52) facing outwardly. An optical fiber (60) is wound into the groove (62) of the patterning layer (52) to form an optical fiber pack (66).

Abstract: A rigid three-dimensional preform is made by moving a plurality of webs of fibrous reinforcement material superposed and coplanar to a cutter, the webs being coated with an electromagnetic energy-curable binder and pressed together. Prior to cutting a blank in a two-dimensional development of the three-dimensional preform from the webs, the webs are tacked together at spaced local zones by locally curing the binder at those zones by locally applying the appropriate electromagnetic radiation (microwave, ultraviolet, electron) so that the webs travel as one to the cutter. After cutting of the blank, the blank is loaded into a mold to replicate the three-dimensional shape of the preform and the remainder of the binder is cured in the mold by the application of the appropriate electromagnetic radiation.

Abstract: Glass fiber mats are made for subsequent use in preforming for an RTM or SRIM molding process, for example, such that the binder applied to the mat has two distinct curing stages. In the first stage, a partial cure is provided by visible light upon a free radical generation in response to a photoinitiator mixed in the binder in an exact ratio to give a predictable increase in viscosity to that of a semi-solid so that the fibers are sufficiently bound for subsequent handling, but not sufficient to complete a cure, while leaving a second stage ready for a final cure which is achieved by the use of a cationic-type second photoinitiator which is sensitive to ultraviolet light. During the second curing stage, the mat is formed into a three-dimensional shape of a desired end product and cured with ultraviolet radiation while still in the mold, to obtain a rigid three-dimensional preform structure.

Abstract: A method for continuously producing air filters made from synthetic materials is described, wherein an essentially continuous length of filter material is passed through a series of ultrasonic welding means to form a pocket into which a frame can be inserted. The pocket is then ultrasonically welded closed. Individual filters are then cut from the length of filter material. The process may also be used to create synthetic bag filters.

Abstract: Fibre-reinforced structures comprising a thermoplastics polymer and containing at least 30% by volume of reinforcing filaments extending longitudinally of the structure which have been produced in a continuous process and which have exceptionally high stiffness. The exceptionally high stiffness results from thorough wetting of the reinforcing filaments by molten polymer in the continuous process. The thorough wetting gives rise to a product which can be further processed even in vigorous mixing processes such as injection moulding with surprisingly high retention of the fibre length in the fabricated article. The continuous processes for producing the reinforced structures employ thermoplastics polymers having lower melt viscosities than conventionally considered suitable for achieving satisfactory physical properties.

Abstract: A drum is rotatably mounted next to a tool. Resin-preimpregnated filament tows are independently fed to the drum, through several collimating guides positioned along the drum. The drum operates reciprocally: when it rotates in one direction, segments of the tows are gathered or wound up onto the drum and preheated; upon counterrotation in the outer direction the gathered segments are unwound and forcibly compacted against the tool, or against previously laid filaments. In the gathering part of the operating cycle the drum does not translate with respect to the tool, but rather spins in place at a dwell point. In the depositing part of the cycle, however, the drum effectively rolls along the tool (or filament-pack) surface. Heat from the drum penetrates deeply into the pack of already laid filaments, when present, to facilitate generalized consolidation of the workpiece--enough in many cases to make autoclave postconsolidation unnecessary.

Abstract: A process for preparing shaped thermoplastic composite articles of continuous fibrous strand material in a polymeric resin matrix. The shaped composite articles are prepared by a pultrusion process involving contacting the strands with cyclic oligomers, for example cyclic polycarbonate oligomers, and then polymerizing the oligomers into high molecular weight polymer to produce a composite. The process provides for low melt viscosity impregnation of the strands with cyclic oligomers prior to formation of the high molecular weight resin matrix.

Abstract: A composite beam having a constant stress geometry is provided wherein a varying fiber content in a fiber impregnated resin is employed across the beam's cross section to cause the neutral axis of the beam to shift toward the compressive side. The design provides the maximum deflection in the direction of the load before compressive failure occurs for a given size and shaped beam of equivalent stiffness.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and a fiber optic adhesive which composition is appd to a fiber optic having a buffer coat thereon and is, subsequently, partially cured to a tacky outer surface while being wound onto a bobbin from which the adhesively coated fiber optic material is to payout during use. The adhesively coated fiber optic material must be cured to a tacky cure while being wound onto a bobbin. The cured adhesive composition functions to hold the fiber optic material in place on the bobbin during storage and allows consistent payout during use of the fiber optic material. The typical composition of the fiber optic adhesive comprises hydroxyterminated polybutadiene from about 88.14 to about 92.48 percent by weight, isophorone diisocyanate from about 6.23 to about 6.42 percent by weight, a catalyst of ferric acetylacetonate of dibutyltin dilaurate in an amount from about 0.89 to about 1.15 percent by weight respectively, and a thixotropic agent in an amount of about 4.48 by weight.

Abstract: The present invention contemplates a method of continuously forming a layered composite material into a rigid structure as the material is moved from an upstream location to a downstream location. The uncured layered composite material is pulled from a supply at the upstream location through a forming die to form the material into a structural member having a desired shape. The member is moved downstream into a heating die where it is at least partially cured. After it leaves the heating die it is cooled and continues to move downstream where it is cut into suitable lengths. The cooling can be accomplished by a cooling die located downstream from the heating die. A liner is provided within the dies having the same shape as the structural member through which the structural member slides as it moves in the downstream location.

Abstract: An optical fiber (12) is removably held in place on a payout bobbin (14) using an adhesive. The adhesive is applied directly to the optical fiber (12) by passing the optical fiber (12) through a pressure-less die applicator (28) that applies a uniform thin layer of adhesive to the optical fiber (12), prior to winding onto the bobbin (14). Winding preferably proceeds continuously within layers, and from layer to layer.