Abstract: In a method and apparatus for making highly densified compression sheets from thermoplastic polymeric compounds preferably together with reinforcement fiber mats in a continuous fashion in a double-band press in which the compound material is heated and compressed between two compression bands which extend between reversing inlet and outlet drums and define between adjacent sections a wedge-shaped precompression zone adjacent the inlet drums wherein the compound material is increasingly compressed and also heated and a final compression zone adjacent the precompression zone, wherein the compound is heated under pressure such that the thermoplastic melts and fully wets any fibers in the sheet and an end compression zone in which the sheet is cooled which the pressure is maintained and the compound material is retained in the space between the compression bands by seal bands extending along the side edges of the compression bands and maintained in sealing engagement therewith.

Abstract: A low amplitude wave-board panel having improved bending strength and bending stiffness properties is provided. More specifically, the amplitude of the waves is substantially equal to, or less than half the thickness of said board. Preferably, the wave amplitude ranges from between 1/8" to about 1".

Abstract: A method for producing articles comprised of reinforced composite materials including primarily wood or cellulosic fiber and plastic is disclosed.. The wood fibers are comminuted to substantially a specific thickness and classified according to length. Plastic is comminuted and mixed with wood fibers to form a reinforced composite mixture in predetermined ratios. The composite materials form the main structural or bonding components of the finished article. Other chemicals, such as a coupler can be added, as can other structural components, such as fiberglass. The mixture is deposited onto a mold when forming articles having deep drawn portions, and subjected to sufficient temperature and pressure to cause the composite mixture substantially to assume the mold form. The process variables disclosed can be selectively modified to produce predetermined physical characteristics in the finished article, such as strength, thickness or prestressed qualities.

Abstract: A method of producing friction materials is capable of avoiding the problems in work environment due to the coarse particulates or organic solvents while producing the friction materials. The method includes processes of mixing under dry condition raw materials consisting primarily of thermosetting resin binders, fibrous reinforcing materials and friction modifiers, adding and mixing adhesives consisting of mixture of water and alcohol with the raw mixture so that the raw materials are wet and have viscosity. Afterwards, the wet raw mixture is granulated to form a granule material, dried, and heated-and-pressed to form a final product.

Abstract: A low fluid pressure dual-sided fiber entangling method and apparatus for manufacturing a nonwoven fabric. A fibrous starting material whose individual fibers are capable of movement relatively to one another under the influence of applied fluid forces is subjected to coacting opposed fluid streams while being confined between a flexible screen belt and a rigid perforated hollow drum. The fibers of the starting material are entangled under the effect of fluid forces applied in opposition, forming a reticular network which defines a pattern of blind holes, each hole extending transversely to the fabric plane and containing a protuberant fiber packing at a closed end thereof.

Abstract: A distinctive method for contouring a fibrous web includes the steps of (a) providing a fibrous web which defines an interconnected series of appointed article segments along a length dimension of said web, and (b) conveying said web at a selected speed along an appointed machine direction. The method also includes the step of (c) removing predetermined quantities of fibers from selected regions of said fibrous web with a moving, outer peripheral scarfing surface, which is movable along a selected movement direction. The scarfing surface is constructed to provide each of the article segments with a selected contoured basis weight which varies along the length dimension of said segment in a selected correspondence with a predetermined scarfing pattern. The scarfing pattern is provided by the outer peripheral scarfing surface and is variably patterned along the movement direction of the scarfing surface.

Abstract: Cohesive composite material is formed by forming a mixture of a melt of thermoplastic polymer and wood having a weight average particle size of about 0.1-0.5 inches in the X-axis, about 0.2-0.8 inches in the Y-axis, and about 0.5-1.5 inches in the Z-axis; shaping the resultant wood-filled polymer melt into a compressible shape; compressing this shape to establish additional intimate contact and bonding sites between the polymer melt and the wood disposed therein; and cooling the resultant compressed shape to solidify the polymer. The composites can be readily produced from abundant, low-cost recycled raw materials. Excellent cohesiveness is achieved, preliminary processing of the wood to introduce chemical functional groups therein is not required, and the composites can be readily worked by various techniques such as shaping, planing, sawing, surface grinding or polishing, and nailing, to yield highly decorative end products.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing an elongated beam from compressible material. A mixture of filling material and plastic material is delivered to a first space and there compressed. The compressed material is pressed through a nozzle into a second space defined by a matrix of wall parts, where the material is made more rigid. The wall parts of the matrix can be moved backwards and forwards in a particular sequence to enable beam parts to be fed continuously through the matrix.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing containers from husks, which includes the steps of:(a) crushing husks into powder form;(b) mixing the powder with edible glue and steam to form a paste material;(c) rolling the paste material into a strip;(d) pressing the strip into containers with desired configuration; and(e) drying said containers.

Abstract: A method of producing high modulus and high strength products of polyethylene and other thermoplastic polymers by swelling with a suitable solvent a melt crystallized, or compacted powder morphology to form a pseudo-gel, drying the pseudo-gel, compressing it, and drawing it. The optimum process involves swelling the initial morphology in the form of a tape/ribbon/rod/monofilament/sheet/tube in a non-volatile solvent at temperatures near the polymer crystalline melting point, cooling the morphology under controlled conditions, lightly compressing it to remove the non-volatile solvent, extracting the non-volatile solvent by volatile solvent, removing the volatile solvent by evaporation or vacuum, compressing the morphology between rolls, and then stretching it at temperatures below the crystalline melting point of the polymer to obtain tapes, ribbons, monofilaments, sheets or tubes with improved mechanical properties.

Abstract: A method of carrying preforms of frictional material, in which a preform 2 of a frictional material is carried so as to be put into a heat middle mold 8b of a heat mold 8 after the frictional material is preformed with a preforming mold 1, the preforming upper mold 1a is moved down so that the preform 2 held in a preforming middle mold 1b is pushed from above into a through storage hole 4a of a carrier 4, and the heat upper mold 8a is moved down after this carrier 4 is carried to above the heat middle mold 8b so that the preform 2 is pushed into the heat middle mold 8b from the lower portion of the storage hole 4a of the carrier 4.

Abstract: A coated panel formed from a self-supporting cellulosic substrate and a top coating containing a thermoset resin having about 0.1-1.5 wt % free formaldehyde admixed with said resin; and (b) a thermoplastic polymer thoroughly admixed with said resin, wherein said thermoplastic polymer exhibits amine groups capable of reacting with at least some of the free formaldehyde under resin curing conditions. The coated panel can be embossed with decorative patterns such as wood grain without fracture of the coated surface or significant buildup on the press or embossing die surfaces.

Abstract: A highly absorbent and flexible calendered and perf-embossed cellulosic pulp fluff sheet for use in disposable absorbent products such as sanitary napkins, wound dressings, bandages, incontinence pads, disposable diapers and the like. The invention also extends to a method for manufacturing the highly absorbent and flexible pulp fluff sheet and its method of use in disposable absorbent products.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for dry forming adhesive coated wood fibers in an airstream in a particular mold apparatus. The invention includes a particular sequence of steps and related apparatus, and permits the manufacturer of a mat of differing cross-sectional shapes but of uniform density. The invention includes the advantageous steps of final curing of the mat off of the main molding apparatus, thus achieving efficiencies in use.

Abstract: In the method for manufacturing a product in the form of a mat containing mineral fibers and a binding agent, the binding agent is mixed with the fibers before the formation of the product. The material used as the binding agent includes thermoplastic particles, such as fibers, a powder, or particles in a dispersion, which are supplied to the fibers being formed of melted mineral into the stream of air. The fibers and the binding agent are carried by a turbulent air flow, in which the heat contained in the melting mineral and the fibers forming therefrom are used for melting or softening thermoplastic particles into a state, in which they effect the binding of the fibers to each other.

Abstract: A method for making a reinforced fibrous mat having a net layer between two fibrous layers and the reinforced fibrous mat made therefrom is disclosed. The net layer improves handleability of the fibrous mat. The fibrous mat may be used as is or it may be molded to form a molded product. A thermoplastic binder such as latex or starch is used in forming the fibrous layers. A thermoset binding agent such as a phenolic resin is added to the fibers if the reinforced fibrous mat is molded.

Abstract: The invention involves the use of about 1 to 4 %wt cured elastomer irregularly-shaped particles having a sieve size of about 0.7 mm +/-0.1 mm in uncured elastomer to suppress bubble formation without substantial loss of tensile strength, in calendered, cured elastomer products, such as, decorative or sealing sheet materials.

Abstract: High loft durable nonwoven material comprising facing and base components and corresponding process for preparation thereof and process for obtaining by(a) forming and compiling a facing component comprising one or more facing web(s) of staple fiber and/or fibrillated film;(b) lightly bonding the formed and compiled facing webs, utilizing a low density bonding pattern having a small bonding area relative to the corresponding surface area of said facing component;(c) laying a web comprising staple fiber and/or fibrillated film onto the lightly bonded facing component under conditions favoring arrangement in general cross or transverse direction relative to machine direction of the facing component; and(d) bonding said cross or transversely laid web to form a base component to said facing component, utilizing a substantially greater bonding density then employed for said facing component, to obtain the desired nonwoven material.

Abstract: A distinctive apparatus for contouring a fibrous web includes a supplying mechanism for providing a fibrous web which defines an interconnected series of appointed article segments along a length dimension of the web. A conveying mechanism moves the web at a selected speed along an appointed machine direction. A scarfing mechanism removes predetermined quantities of fibers from selected regions of the fibrous web. The scarfing mechanism is constructed to provide each of the article segments with a selected contoured basis weight which varies at least along the length dimension of the segment in a selected correspondence with a predetermined scarfing pattern. The scarfing pattern is provided by an outer peripheral surface of the scarfing mechanism, and the pattern is configured to have a selected variation at least along a movement direction of the scarfing mechanism.

Abstract: An dome-shaped extrusion die for use in forming honeycomb monolith structures is disclosed. The die is formed by deforming an extrusion die having a flat cross section to obtain a dome-shaped cross section. Alternatively, the die may be fabricated from sinterable ceramic or metal powders in which case the holes and slots may be formed either in the green state, or in a chalk-hard state after partial densification.

Abstract: The invention relates to a high molecular absorbent sheet manufacturing process and the related equipment for employing such manufacturing process. The process includes a step of sending a paper pulp and a high molecular absorbent compound to a trough for mixing by wired cylinders and spreading over a conveyer system, a step of drying the mixture carried on the conveyer system, and a step of squeezing the dried mixture into a roll of high molecular absorbent sheet through two matched hot impression cylinders. A sheet of thermoplastic mesh fabric may be respectively covered on the mixture on two opposite sides before the process of drying.

Abstract: Thermally bonding nonwoven fabrics having superior tensile stength without decreased absorbency are prepared by supplying a web to a hot calender bonding system and passing the resulting calendered web to a hot-air bonding system.

Abstract: A method for forming a hidden tear seam in the cover for a safety air bag assembly comprises the steps of filling a heated open mold with liquid plastisol or dry powder comprised of polyvinyl materials; forming a gel layer of polyvinyl chloride material on the open heated thin metal mold; dumping excess polyvinyl liquid plastisol chloride material from the gel layer; fusing the gel layer; stamping a tear seam in a fused layer while it is still plastic by providing an anvil having a surface thereon of a first predetermined area and including an embossment thereon extending outwardly of said first predetermined area and stamping the tear seam by directing the embossment into the fused layer until the surface engages the fused layer and wherein the first predetermined area is sized to produce a reaction force on the anvil to determine the depth of penetration of the embossment and thereafter finally curing and cooling the fused layer and removing same from said thin metal mold.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for the densification of crosslinked fibers having a crosslinking agent loading level of from about 2.5 molar to about 5 molar %. The crosslinked fibers are compressed from an initial density of from about 0.02 g/cc to about 0.04 g/cc to a second density of from about 0.20 g/cc to about 1.00 g/cc by either the simultaneous or sequential application of heat and pressure. The surface temperature of the press is typically between about 60.degree. C. to about 180.degree. C. The compression force for the air laid or wet laid webs is in the range of about 800 psi to about 115,000 psi. Densifying the crosslinked fiber in this manner produces a compressed web having enhanced absorbent capacities of from about 21 g/g to about 15 g/g.

Abstract: Method of making a transparent film by forming two or more melt streams, combining the melt streams into a multilayer melt stream, extruding the layered melt stream and attenuating with an airstream to form multilayer microfibers, collecting the microfibers as a nonwoven web, and consolidating the web under heat and pressure. At least one of the melt streams is a thermoplastic elastomer and at least one of the melt streams is a thermoplastic material. The transparent web has a generally continuous elastomeric phase with an included array of thermoplastic microfibers.

Abstract: Composite laminates are prepared from thin sheets of thermotropic liquid crystal polymer blends. A preferred blend contains 2 thermotropic liquid crystal polymers, i.e., a first liquid crystal polymer in LCP-1, and a second liquid crystal polymer (LCP-2), the second liquid crystal polymer having a higher melting point than the first. The second liquid crystal polymer is molecularly oriented and is preferably at least partially in the form of microscopic fibers in a matrix of the first liquid crystal polymer. The two liquid crystal polymers are phase separated in the solid phase and have overlapping melt processing temperatures.

Abstract: A low fluid pressure dual-sided fiber entangling method and apparatus for manufacturing a nonwoven fabric. A fibrous starting material whose individual fibers are capable of movement relatively to one another under the influence of applied fluid forces is subjected to coacting opposed fluid streams while being confined between a flexible screen belt and a rigid perforated hollow drum. The fibers of the starting material are entagled under the effect of fluid forces applied in opposition, forming a reticular network which defines a pattern of blind holes, each hole extending transversely to the fabric plane and containing a protuberant fiber packing at a closed end thereof.

Abstract: A porous material of polytetrafluoroethylene consisting essentially of fibers of polytetrafluoroethylene. The porous material of PTFE is produced by heat-treating a molded article prepared by paste extruding of PTFE fine powder under such a condition that the heat-treated molded article shows at least one endothermic peak which appears between an endothermic peak position of the fine powder and an endothermic peak position of a sintered product thereof on a differential scanning calorimeter chart and then is stretched along at least one direction.

Abstract: A process for producing a multilayer polytetrafluoroethylene porous membrane is disclosed, which process comprises at least two layers having different average pore diameters, the process comprising the steps of: filling the inside of a cylinder of an extruding mold distinctively with at least two kinds of polytetrafluoroethylene fine powders with each of which a liquid lubricant has been mixed; paste-extruding the powders to obtain a multilayer extrudate, which is then optionally rolled; removing the liquid lubricant from the multilayer extrudate or the rolled multilayer extrudate to obtain an unsintered multilayer structure; subsequently heating the unsintered multilayer structure at a temperature not lower than the melting point of sintered polytetrafluoroethylene to obtain a semisintered multilayer structure; and then stretching the semisintered multilayer structure at least monoaxially.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a nonwoven wiper having an oil capacity greater than about 500 percent by weight of oil to the weight of the web. The wiper includes a nonwoven web of fibers having at least one raised surface area which area has an aperture through the web. The fibers generally adjacent the aperture are substantially unconsolidated, i.e., not compacted together or fused.The disclosure also deals with a method of forming such a nonwoven wiper. The method includes the steps of: a) providing a nonwoven web; b) providing a nip roller arrangement including a first roller having a plurality of unheated pins and a second roller having a plurality of corresponding orifices; and c) passing the web through the nip roller arrangement to form a plurality of raised surface areas on the web with each of the surface areas defining an aperture where the fibers generally adjacent the aperture are substantially unconsolidated.

Abstract: A method for making stock shapes from a composition which includes a liquid crystal polymer having a high crystallization temperature, the method including: (a) densifying the composition into a compact; and (b) processing the compact at one or more temperatures below the crystallization temperature using a moderate to high strain rate. For the liquid crystal polymer consisting essentially of p, p' biphenol, p-hydroxybenzoic acid and terephthalic acid monomers and sold under the trademark "XYDAR.RTM.", a preferred embodiment includes heating the compact to one or more temperatures between about 400.degree.-650.degree. F.; and extruding the heated compact in the solid state through a uniform flow-type die at a strain rate of at least about 2 sec.sup.-1.

Abstract: A porous PTFE film having a thin thickness and good permeability is produced by coating an emulsion of polytetrafluoroethylene on a substrate surface, in particular, a porous polytetrafluoroethylene substrate which has not been heated at a melting point of unsintered polytetrafluoroethylene or higher, heating the coated substrate at a temperature not lower than a melting point of sintered polytetrafluoroethylene to semi-sinter polytetrafluoroethylene, optionally removing the semi-sintered polytetrafluoroethylene film from the substrate, and then stretching the semi-sintered film at least in one direction.

Abstract: With the described method, fibrous compression molded articles are produced and the material components to be used are prepared in a suitable ratio and are deposited positively to form relief-like molded article blanks. The blanks are subjected to a heat treatment for condensation of the binding agent and are set in a parison mold into parison blanks, before they are fed to a compression mold. An especially suitable depositing device for this method for formation of the molded article blank is connected in one preferred embodiment with a carousel-like feed table and a governing device with which a plurality of compression molds can be charged and utilized optimally.

Abstract: For fulling, the mineral fiber sheets (11) are moved in the direction of the arrow by means of two endless studded belts, only the lower one (15) of which is visible in the drawing. By means of the first fulling tool (29), pre-fulling to a depth of about 8 cm is effected. With the second fulling tool (30), fulling to a depth of about 11 cm is effected. During the fulling process, the region of the mineral fiber sheet (11) not belonging to the fulling zone is supported on the bottom and top, so that a change in the fibrous structure of the material takes place only in the peripheral region that subsequently forms a compressible zone (23). The fulling is done from the side, or in other words in the same direction as the later compression upon installation of the mineral fiber sheet between two rafters.

Abstract: A technique is provided for forming an article having a sharp, detailed edge by thermoforming thermoplastic resin prepregs containing randomly arranged reinforcing fibers and ordered, substantially continuous reinforcing fibers. The thermoforming mold used for this technique has a mold cavity with a wedge-shaped interior portion and a mold plug with a wedge-shaped exterior portion wherein the mold plug is capable of applying additional pressure along its edge section. The randomly arranged reinforcing fibers are utilized to form the sharp edge portion of the resulting article while the ordered, substantially continuous reinforcing fibers are utilized to form the remaining wall portions of the resulting article.

Abstract: According to the present invention, a polyolefin sheet, film or fiber having a high strength and a high modulus can be continuously produced by:feeding an ultra-high-molecular-weight polyolefin powder between a pair of upper and lower endless belts opposed to each other,conveying the polyolefin powder between the endless belts under compression to compression-mold the polyolefin powder at a temperature lower than the melting point of the polyolefin powder, the compression being continuously and smoothly effected, via the endless belts, by a pressing means comprising two sets of rollers which are arranged at the back sides of the endless belts so that each one roller of the two roller sets faces each other and each of which rollers is rotatably supported at the shaft ends by a frame, and thenrolling and stretching the resultant compression-molded polyolefin in this order.

Abstract: An improved apparatus for dry forming adhesive coated wood fibers in an airstream in a particular mold apparatus. The invention permits the manufacture of a mat of differing cross-sectional shapes but of uniform density. The invention includes the advantageous steps of final curing of the mat off of the main molding apparatus, thus achieving efficiencies in use.

Abstract: In a process for molding a fiber molding for a fiber-reinforced composite material with short fibers oriented in one direction, a slurry molding material having short fibers dispersed in a liquid is used, and pressing forces are applied to the molding material from two directions substantially perpendicular to each other within a mold, while removing the liquid.

Abstract: A force sensor component is formed including a dimensionally stable body of electrically conductive material, the body having a selected outer surface formed into a predetermined topography; the body including an electrically conductive material in an amount sufficient to render the body electrically conductive at least throughout the selected outer surface of the body; the predetermined topography of the outer surface of the body including a plurality of interconnecting ridges across the outer surface of the body.

Abstract: A process for using shredded scrap or virgin fiber glass in combination with starch, water and other components to make ceiling tiles. The tiles are made by initially preparing a mixture of water, starch, boric acid and fire clay. That initial mixture is then heated to form a gel. Fiber glass is then added to the gel to form a pulp. The pulp is fed into trays to form slabs. The slabs are dried and finished into tiles.

Abstract: A directed fiber, directed energy process provides both a method and an apparatus for making structural preforms. Fibrous reinforcement material is chopped into short lengths of fiber and propelled toward a perforate mold part. During propulsion and/or after deposition on the perforate mold part the fibers are sprayed with an electromagnetic radiation-curable binder. The binder-carrying fibers are held on the perforate mold part by a flow of air in that the perforate mold part is rotatably mounted in a plenum which provides an air flow therethrough. Rotation of the perforate mold part and scanning action of the fiber and binder propelling mechanisms effects even and complete coverage of the perforate mold part. After a mat of the chopped fibers has been applied to the perforate mold part, a conforming second mold part closes the mold and presses the fibers to replicate the shape of the three-dimensional rigid perform.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for the preparation of a carbonaceous molded body, which comprises mixing elastic graphite particles with a binder and molding the mixture. A carbonaceous molded article having a light weight and an excellent elasticity, which is characterized by a bulk density lower than 1.0 g/cm.sup.3 and a recovery ratio of 50% or more at a compressibility of 5 to 50%, is obtained according to this process.

Abstract: Method for manufacturing form-pressed wood fibre panels, for example door skins, and panels manufactured according to the method. The process starts from a workable, mass produced panel displaying high thermal conductance, for example a so-called MDF-board or chip board. The panel is preheated to a condition where the wood fibres and the binding agent which binds the wood fibres form a pliable or stretchable composition though still in continous panel-like condition. This preheated panel is fed to a form-pressing device where the pressure is relatively slowly increased from 0 to approximately 30 kg/cm.sup.2 during continuing heat supply to a temperature of around 150.degree.-200.degree. C. Usually this is attained in connection with door skins after a period of approximately 1,5 minutes. Finally, a form-stable, form-pressed panel is removed from the press.

Abstract: A multi-layer molded article including a fiber-reinforced resin sheet and a skin material laminated thereon and having improved appearance is produced by placing a preheated fiber-reinforced resin sheet on a lower mold of a press-molding mold having a sliding frame which vertically moves around an outer periphery of the lower mold, placing a skin material over the placed fiber-reinforced resin sheet and the sliding frame, then lowering an upper mold of the press-molding mold to hold a periphery of the skin material between the sliding frame and the upper mold, further lowering the upper mold to press and adhere the fiber-reinforced resin sheet and the skin material.

Abstract: A molded product is made having uniform strength throughout the product. The molded product is made by mixing together fibrous materials such as cellulosic fibers and a heat-fusible binding agent such as a phenolic resin to form an admixture. The admixture is then sprayed with a binding agent such as starch as it is dispersed to form a fibrous molding preform. Heat and pressure are applied to the molding preform to form a molded product.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the production of contoured vehicle internal panelling supports having surfaces smooth on both sides on the basis of wood fibers by depositing an aqueous suspension of wood fiber (pulp) on a preforming screen, drying the preform, pressing and hardening. A deposited layer of fibers is dewatered to a residual water content of 20 to 25% by mass, related to the original quality of suspension, dried in an electric alternating field, then compression molded in a tool without a screen and hardened.

Abstract: Process for the continuous manufacture of thermomoldable thermoplastic composite materials comprising feeding simultaneously on a conveyor belt a granulated thermoplastic polymer together with a reinforcement selected from natural, artificial and synthetic fibers, and compacting and heating under pressure the thus-obtained mixture.

Abstract: A powdered mineral material is thoroughly mixed with a minor proportion of a thermosetting resin material followed by mixing the resulting dough with glass fibre reinforcement. A batch of the resulting formulation is extruded through a rectangular section die to form an extrudate of predetermined length. Several of these lengths are simultaneously pressed in a stack, one above the other, each extrudate between a pair of planar plates, one of which is a cast metal body which has been cast in material bearing an impression of the textured finished building product. The plates are thermostatically heated, at a temperature such that the extruded formulation can be thermally deformed and cured. The resulting mineral-filled resin product is typically a roofing panel.

Abstract: A system and process for fabricating pressboard from shredded paper coated with a thermoplastic material and a pair of facing webs includes placing the shredded poly-coated paper between the two traveling webs to form a composite, the composite then being passed in a manner to heat the thermoplastic material above its softening point to differentially repeatedly shift the traveling webs linearly relative to each other and to the shredded paper for enhanced bonding of the shreds to themselves and to the facing webs by passing them around a series of heated rollers defining a serpentine path, and then pressing the composite together while curing to bond the components, and cooling the product.

Abstract: A wooden hanger having a shoulder-shaped frame, a hook and a cross bar fixed between both ends of the frame, which is cut from a shoulder-shaped plywood plate formed into such a shape by compressing it in a mold with heat in a press.