Abstract: A connector is provided with a cable that includes a conductor and an insulation, connector bodies that are provided on one ends in an extending direction of the cable, and a cover unit that covers and integrates each of the one ends of the cable and each of the connector bodies. The cable includes a first cohesion unit provided on a surface of the insulation at each of one ends over an entire circumference around the extending direction of the cable, and fixed to the cover unit so as to be detachable by cohesive fracture.

Abstract: A barrel assembly through which flowable material is delivered to a die assembly through which the flowable material is delivered to form a sheet layer. The barrel assembly has: a conduit having a body with a length defining a lengthwise flow passage between upstream and downstream ends; and a support assembly for the conduit. The support assembly has: a) a conduit engaging assembly; and b) a guide assembly through which the conduit body and conduit engaging assembly are moved guidingly relative to a base, to which the guide assembly is mounted, in a path that is substantially parallel to the length of the conduit body.

Abstract: Electrical power cable having a reduced surface coefficient of friction and required installation pulling force, and the method of manufacture thereof, in which the central conductor core, with or without a separate insulating layer, is surrounded by a sheath of crosslinked polyethylene. A high viscosity, high molecular weight silicone based pulling lubricant or fatty acid amide pulling lubricant is incorporated by alternate methods with the polyethylene to form a composition from which the outer sheath is extruded, and is effective to reduce the required pulling force on the cable during installation.

Abstract: Disclosed are frame members and mullions for a window frame that comprise a reinforcing member that is surrounded by an outer plastic layer. The outer plastic layer is held securely to the reinforcing member as a result of a waist banding effect that comprises an inward force created by the outer plastic layer as it cools and contracts around the reinforcing member. In addition, lobes are formed in the reinforcing member that assist in holding the outer plastic layer to the reinforcing member. Window inserts can be removed and replaced using adapters and removable brackets. Frame members and mullions can be built sufficiently strong to provide structural support. The frame can also be used to hold photovoltaic cells and protective coverings for photovoltaic cells. Structural members are also disclosed that have reinforcing members with apertures, debossing, scarification and/or indentations that secure the thermoplastic layer to the reinforcing member.

Abstract: Flame retardant thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) compositions are disclosed having a flame retardant package comprising an organo-phosphinate component, an organo-phosphate component, and a polyhydric alcohol. The flame retardant components may be present in an amount from about 5 to about 40 weight percent of the phosphinate compound; from about 5 to about 20 weight percent of the phosphate compound, and from about 0.1 to about 15 weight percent of the polyhydric alcohol, based on the total weight of the TPU composition. Processes are disclosed to make the TPU compositions and to make wire and cable constructions employing the TPU compositions as the jacket of the wire and cable constructions. The TPU compositions exhibit excellent flame retardant capabilities as measured by Limited Oxygen Index testing and/or UL 94 Vertical Burn tests.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a medical device and method of forming the medical device. In particular, the present invention relates to a medical device having a tubular membrane structure over a radially expandable structural frame, and to a method of forming the tubular membrane on the radially expandable structural frame. In one aspect, a structural frame is placed over a spinning mandrel and a fiber is electro-statically spun over at least a portion of the structural frame forming a membrane. A transfer sheath may be used between the mandrel and structural frame to prevent the electro-statically spun fiber from adhering to the mandrel. In another aspect, a first membrane is spun over the mandrel before the structural frame is placed over the mandrel. In this aspect, at least a portion of the structural frame is sandwiched between the membranes. The membrane or membranes and structural frame form a fiber spun frame assembly. The fiber spun frame assembly may be coated with an elastic polymer.

Abstract: A method for providing an insulated electric high voltage DC cable or a high voltage DC termination or joint. A polymer based insulation system including a compounded polymer composition is provided. The polymer based insulation system is subsequently exposed to a heat treatment procedure while the outer surface of the polymer based insulation system is covered by a cover impermeable to a substance present in the polymer based insulation system in a non-homogenous distribution, thereby equalizing the concentration of the substance in the polymer based insulation system.

Abstract: A fabrication method of forming curved thermoplastic composite laminate parts with tailored and varying thickness in a continuous process. Automated equipment or hand lay-up are used to collate parts or components into a multi-layer stack. Each stack contains all plies, including ply build-up areas, tacked in the proper location to maintain orientation and location. Ply consolidation tooling contains all necessary part features and is coordinated to the customized multiple ply stacks to form a single integrated thermoplastic composite laminate potentially having areas of differing thickness from the multiple ply stacks.

Abstract: This element (2) is of the type including a hollow elongate body (4) made of metal and having a closed section; and a continuous second body (6) made of plastics material overmolded on the metal first body (4), the plastics material second body (6) including at least two rings (24) surrounding the metal first body (4), the rings (24) being longitudinally spaced part. In any cross-section of the metal first body (4), the plastics material second body (6) is situated entirely outside the outline of the metal first body (4), and the ratio of the axial length of each ring (24) over the longitudinal distance between the rings (24) is less than 1. The invention is applicable to the front faces of motor vehicles.

Abstract: A method of coating metal wire with extrudate using an extrusion system. The method includes the steps of advancing the metal wire through an extrusion die of the extrusion system and extruding molten extrudate over the metal wire as the metal wire is advanced through the extrusion die. Image data is generated, using one or several electronic cameras, concurrently with the advancing, and extruding to provide visual feedback indicative of the concentricity or non-concentricity of extrudate surrounding the metal wire as the metal wire exits the extrusion die.

Abstract: An electric cable for conveying signals, the cable having a diameter of less than 2 mm and comprising at least one conductor in an insulating sheath, the sheath having a dielectric constant ? of less than 1.7. To achieve this, the sheath is made of PTFE and it includes at least one continuous cell.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing a cable which includes a conductor; an inner semiconductive layer surrounding the conductor and having a thickness lower than or equal to 0.4 mm; and an insulating layer surrounding the inner semiconductive layer.

Abstract: A method and plant for the introduction of a liquid into a molten mass under pressure. Such a method and plant are particularly, but not exclusively, suitable for the formation of a coating layer on a cable element having at least one conductor, the layer having an extruded thermoplastic polymer forming a continuous phase incorporating a dielectric liquid, and are useful, for example, in the production of an electric cable for the transportation and/or distribution of electrical power. The method includes the steps of bringing the liquid to a predetermined pressure greater than the pressure of the molten mass; feeding the liquid into a plurality of storage tanks, and injecting the liquid into the molten mass at an injection pressure equal to the above-mentioned predetermined pressure by means of a plurality of injectors in respective fluid communication with the plurality of storage tanks.

Abstract: Electrical power cable having a reduced surface coefficient of friction and required installation pulling force, and the method of manufacture thereof, in which the central conductor core, with or without a separate insulating layer, is surrounded by a sheath of crosslinked polyethylene. A high viscosity, high molecular weight silicone based pulling lubricant or fatty acid amide pulling lubricant is incorporated by alternate methods with the polyethylene to form a composition from which the outer sheath is extruded, and is effective to reduce the required pulling force on the cable during installation.

Abstract: The invention provides an insulated wire having a conductor and an insulator of paste extruded PTFE fine powder around the conductor. The paste extruded insulator has at least one closed continuous longitudinal air channel spaced apart from the conductor. The invention further provides a process for forming an insulator around a conductor by paste extruding lubricated PTFE fine powder in an extrusion device comprising a die, mandrel, and at least one channel-forming member. The die and mandrel form a converging chamber leading to an extrusion orifice and the channel-forming member is positioned in the orifice. The mandrel has a central bore for supplying the conductor. Lubricated PTFE fine powder is forced through the chamber and out of the exit of the orifice as a lubricated green extrudate around the conductor forming an insulator with at least one closed longitudinal air channel spaced apart from the conductor.

Abstract: A method to form moldable capsules of a conductively doped resin-based material is realized. The method comprises compressing a bundle of micron conductive fiber strands by passing the bundle through a compressing ring. A resin-based material is extruded/pultruded onto the compressed bundle. The resin-based material and the bundle are sectioned into moldable capsules. The micron conductive fiber comprises between about 20% and about 50% of the total weight of each moldable capsule.

Abstract: A process of co-extrusion of a thin electrode sheet with a thin electrolyte polymer sheet directly onto a current collector sheet for a lithium polymer battery.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a guidewire having a discrete length. The method includes the steps of feeding a first end of a corewire into an extrusion device, gripping the first end of the corewire with a gripping apparatus, and extruding a first extrusion material onto an outer surface of the corewire while the gripping apparatus pulls the corewire through the extrusion device to form an extrusion jacket on the outer surface of the corewire. The corewire has a predetermined length corresponding to a length of the guidewire.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for producing composite-coated rigid flat-rolled sheet metal substrate in which thermoplastic polymeric materials are selected and combined for dual-layer molten-film extrusion presenting a first-contacting tie-layer and an externally-located finish-layer which are simultaneously extruded for a single substrate surface at-a-time; in which tie-layer selection includes an ethylene-glycol modified PET, requiring a substrate-surface temperature between 230° F. and 300° F.

Abstract: Processes and apparatus for manufacturing an engineered-composite combining rigid flat-rolled sheet metal continuous-strip and selected polypropylene thermoplastics, which are formulated into dual polymeric coating layers for extrusion deposition, as distinct layers, on a single surface at a time, of continuous-strip, traveling in-line at ambient temperature. Steps for forming a uniform thickness of polymeric layers across strip width, and attraction to an activated metallic surface which provides enhanced adhesion. Solidification of the polymeric layers is augmented by strip temperature during continuous-in-line travel; final dual-surface finishing provides for complete bonding of the polymeric layers on both metallic surfaces.

Abstract: Provided herewith a cable (1, 2) with EMI suppressing arrangement which comprises a conductive wire (10) and an insulative layer (20) enveloping over the wire. A braided metal layer (30) envelops over the insulative layer, and a magnetic layer (40, 501) is arranged thereover. And an insulative jacket (50, 502) envelops over the magnetic layer.

Abstract: An automatic computer operated ramping method and system for extrusion coating wire by an extrusion coating system has an extruder that is driven by an extruder motor and a capstan that draws a wire through the extruder and that is driven by a capstan motor. The automatic ramping method and system determines the speed of the capstan motor while monitoring the extruder head pressure of the extruder with a pressure gage, accelerates the speed of the capstan motor and the speed of the extruder motor while continuously monitoring the extruder head pressure so long as the extruder head pressure is below a predetermined limit, and stops the acceleration of the speed of the capstan motor and the speed of the extruder motor when the extruder head pressure exceeds the predetermined pressure limit, and resumes the acceleration when the extruder head pressure is below the predetermined pressure limit until a desired production speed is reached.

Abstract: The specification discloses a method for extrusion coating a lightweight web. According to the method, a length of a lightweight web along with a length of a carrier web is fed to an extruder with the lightweight web positioned atop the carrier web. A polymer film is then extruded onto the combined lightweight web and carrier web to provide an extrusion-coated lightweight web. Thereafter, the extrusion-coated lightweight is separated from the carrier web. Also disclosed are extrusion-coated lightweight webs formed according to the method.

Abstract: Engineered composite coated flat-rolled steel strip is produced in continuous line operations, in which flat-rolled steel strip, free of surface iron oxide, having a metallic corrosion-protective coating, is polymer coated in continuous-line operations in which a plurality of adherent thin-film layers of polymeric material are deposited on a strip surface. In a dual-surface polymeric coating embodiment, each surface is separately-pretreated for surface adhesion, solidified, and polymeric overhang is removed. Finish processing re-melts the polymer coating and rapidly cools that coating through glass-transition temperature to establish amorphous characteristics in the polymeric coating materials. An anhydride-modified polypropylene, first contacts the strip, an intermediate layer can include about fifteen to twenty five percent, by weight, polybutylene with the balance polypropylene; an outer surface polymeric layer includes about five to ten percent, by weight, polybutylene with the balance polypropylene.

Abstract: An extrusion method and apparatus for producing a cable including at least one core having at least one transmissive element and at least one pair of coating layers arranged at a radially outer position with respect to the core. At least one coating layer of polymeric material and one coating layer of expanded polymeric material are deposited by co-extrusion simultaneously and residual pressure not greater than the external pressure is maintained in a substantially annular interspace defined between the coating layers. The method avoids the formation of bubbles at the interface between the at least one coating layer of polymeric material and the coating layer of expanded polymeric material, attaining an optimal adhesion between the layers.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a miniature hard disc drive having a metal base plate, an actuator assembly wherein the actuator assembly comprises a plurality of bearings, a shaft, and a housing; a spindle motor assembly comprising a stator with conductors, a shaft, a plurality of bearings, and a rotor; and a monolithic body of phase change material unitizing said actuator assembly housing and stator to the base plate. Methods of developing and constructing the hard disc drive are also disclosed.

Abstract: A new die insert for an extrusion machine and a method of using the invention that includes a continuous strand of fiber reinforcing material to be statically drawn directly to the center of the molten flow of polymer base matrix. The insert is placed in line with the discharge end of an injection molding apparatus. A molten flow of polymer base matrix proceeds in a straight linear fashion through the die. A fiber feed tube is centered on the interior of the die. As the polymer flows past the feed tube the molten polymer draws a continuous strand of fiber reinforcing into the center of the flow. The polymer is then extruded and cooled and the extrusion is further pelletized to produce injection molding feed stock material having continuous fiber reinforcing. The result provides a continuous extrusion process that allows the formation of a continuous fiber-reinforced product employing brittle fibers in one-step process.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a process for producting cables, in particular cables for the distribution of electrical energy or cables for telecommunications, more particularly, cables having at least one covering layer comprising a composition of high viscosity. More particularly, the present invention concerns cables having at least one covering layer comprising a polymeric composition comprising a mineral filler capable of imparting one or more specific properties to the aforesaid cables. In accordance with the present invention, said production process comprises the stages of: conveying at least one conducting element inside of an extruder; feeding the polymeric material, optionally premixed with other components of said composition, into said extruder, filtering the material transferred and plasticized by the screw of said extruder; depositing said material onto said at least one conducting element, the filtration operation being performed with a filtration efficiency greater than 0.

Abstract: A method of forming a polytetraflouroethylene (PTFE) insulation layer over a metallic conductor of a processed product includes the steps of extruding PTFE over a metallic conductor, and heating the PTFE to a temperature substantially below that of the sintering temperature of PTFE to form a sintered PTFE skin over an unsintered PTFE core.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a security item comprises coextruding at least two polymer plastic materials (6,7) with different characteristics so as to form a substrate so that neither material are biaxially oriented, and providing security indicia (14) on the substrate.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing a touch-and-close fastener element (18) comprising a multitude of hook means (16), which are provided with a support (26) as one piece. In order to form said support (26), a plastic material in a free-flowing state is fed to a gap (22) located between a pressing device (24) and a shaping device (10) that is provided with cavities (14) for shaping the respective hook means (16). A support (26) having a small thickness can be obtained and/or the removal of the support (26) from the shaping device (10) is facilitated by feeding the plastic material together with the supporting part (32) into the gap (22), whereby the supporting part bears the support (26) between the pressing device (24) and the plastic material.

Abstract: A process for producing cables, in particular cables for the distribution of electrical energy or cables for telecommunications, more particularly, cables having at least one covering layer having a composition of high viscosity. cables with at least one covering layer are made from a polymeric composition having a mineral filler capable of imparting one or more specific properties to the cables. A production process includes conveying at least one conducting element inside of an extruder; feeding the polymeric material, optionally premixed with other components of the composition, into the extruder; filtering the material transferred and plasticized by the screw of said extruder; and depositing the material onto the at least one conducting element, the filtration operation being performed with a filtration efficiency greater than 0.8, preferably greater than 0.9.

Abstract: A releasable mechanism such as a cap is adapted for use with an access sheath having an elongate tube and a handle structure disposed at a proximal end of the tube. The releasable mechanism is sized and configured to fit the handle structure, which is shaped like the bell of a horn, to further facilitate use with surgical instrumentation. The releasable mechanism may operate as a separate cap that snaps onto the handle structure to provide access pathways to the sheath. The releasable mechanism may also be disposed at a proximal end of a surgical instrument to be introduced into the access sheath such that it may be interlocked with the sheath. In a method of manufacturing a kink-resistant sheath, a wire is initially coated with a plastic material, the coated wire is then wrapped around a mandrel forming a plurality of windings, and the wound coated wire is heated until the plastic material melts and bonds the windings to form a wire-reinforced sheath.

Abstract: A catheter shaft is disclosed that may reduce the thickness of the inner layer and/or may allow the reinforcing layer to share the same space as the inner lubricious layer. In one illustrative embodiment, the inner lubricious layer is removed altogether, and an inner tubular braid member defines the inner lumen of the catheter shaft. In another illustrative embodiment, the inner lubricious layer and the reinforcing layer are effectively combined to form a reinforcing member. To combine the inner lubricious layer and the reinforcing layer, the wires used to form the reinforcing braid or coil are first coated with a lubricious polymer such as PTFE or PFA. When these strands are wound to form the tubular reinforcing member, the inner surface of the reinforcing member includes a lubricious surface. Various methods are also disclosed for providing a smooth inner surface for the catheter shaft.

Abstract: A catheter shaft is disclosed that may reduce the thickness of the inner layer and/or may allow the reinforcing layer to share the same space as the inner lubricious layer. In one illustrative embodiment, the inner lubricious layer is removed altogether, and an inner tubular braid member defines the inner lumen of the catheter shaft. In another illustrative embodiment, the inner lubricious layer and the reinforcing layer are effectively combined to form a reinforcing member. To combine the inner lubricious layer and the reinforcing layer, the wires used to form the reinforcing braid or coil are first coated with a lubricious polymer such as PTFE or PFA. When these strands are wound to form the tubular reinforcing member, the inner surface of the reinforcing member includes a lubricious surface. Various methods are also disclosed for providing a smooth inner surface for the catheter shaft.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of manufacturing a reinforced oblong concrete product for longitudinal load-bearing purposes, in particular a driving pile. According to the present invention reinforcing fibers are used to prevent break-up of the concrete due to radial forces which occur during driving, and the concrete composition is provided with said reinforcing fibers before the concrete composition is applied to the reinforcing wire. This method reduces the amount of heavy labour and cost. The invention also relates to a driving pile comprising reinforcing fibers.

Abstract: The manufacturing apparatus of a resin molded product has a feed block that sets a layer configuration of the resin molded product obtained by molding a plurality of molten resins. The feed block includes a feed block body having a through hole, and a plurality of replacement blocks that are removably fitted into the through hole and have layer configuring passages corresponding to different layer configurations. A replacement block before change is pushed out of the through hole by a replacement block having a layer configuring passage corresponding to a layer configuration after change, thereby changing the layer configuration. This allows an easy change of a layer configuration, and in particular, prevents degradation of resin due to heat or oxidation, and reduces time for the change and a material loss even when a significant change of the layer configuration such as a change of a layer arrangement is performed.

Abstract: A method and device for continuously coating at least a metal strip (1) with a crosslinkable polymer fluid film which is free of non-reactive solvent or diluent, and which has a softening temperature higher than 50° C. The method includes the steps of: continuously unwinding the metal strip (1) on at least a back-up roll (30); forming, by forced flow on an applicator roll (20) having a deformable surface, a layer of the crosslinkable polymer; and forming on the applicator roll (20) the crosslinkable polymer film and transferring the film from the applicator roll onto the metal strip. The device implements this method.

Abstract: A tetrafluoroethylene/hexafluoropropylene copolymer with high drawability is provided. Also provided is a process employing the polymer and an article coated with the polymer.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a guidewire having a discrete length. The method includes the steps of feeding a first end of a corewire into an extrusion device, gripping the first end of the corewire with a gripping apparatus, and extruding a first extrusion material onto an outer surface of the corewire while the gripping apparatus pulls the corewire through the extrusion device to form an extrusion jacket on the outer surface of the corewire. The corewire has a predetermined length corresponding to a length of the guidewire.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of manufacturing a cable sheath by extruding and cross-linking a composition based on a silane-grafted polymer, the method comprising the following steps:

Abstract: A method of forming a polytetraflouroethylene (PTFE) insulation layer over a metallic conductor of a processed product includes the steps of extruding PTFE over a metallic conductor, and heating the PTFE to a temperature substantially below that of the sintering temperature of PTFE to form a sintered PTFE skin over an unsintered PTFE core.

Abstract: A composite article having large scale predictable dimensional stability comprises a metal foil backing having adhered thereto a layer of cured polymer having an exposed surface bearing a three-dimensional microstructure of precisely shaped and located functional discontinuities. The article is made by depositing a layer of a radiation curable composition onto a metal foil backing, contacting a master with a pattern capable of imparting a three-dimensional microstructure of precisely shaped and located functional discontinuities into the layer of radiation curable composition, while the layer of radiation curable composition is in contact with the master, exposing the curable composition to radiation to cure the composition, and separating the cured polymer layer on the metal foil backing from the surface of the master. Either the metal foil backing or the master may be radiation transmissive.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for producing extruded polymer products such as hollow extrusions and conductor coatings having wall thicknesses of 0.002 inches or less. The apparatus may comprise more than one of the following: an external heat source; temperature measurement and heater control; video monitoring equipment to allow magnified observation of the extrudate, thereby providing opportunity to observe any deficiency in the extrudate; and a die holder and die allowing for more expedient die adjustments.

Abstract: A pipe has a barrier layer of metal foil between an inner core and an outer cover each bonded to the barrier layer by a tie layer formed integrally with the core and cover. The tie layer of the core is activated by heating prior to applying the barrier layer and bonding may be enhanced by applying a thin layer of the tie layer material to the heat activated tie layer.

Abstract: A method involves sheathing a superconductor with a thermoplastic insulation material on all sides. The conductor exits a guide channel that extends in the propulsion direction. A melt hose is extruded from the molten insulation material in the propulsion direction and through a nozzle that has an outlet which embraces the conductor, whereby a distance is kept on all sides. The melt hose is stretched via the propulsion of the conductor. The hose is drawn to the surface of the conductor and is compacted by cooling. The method can especially be used for sheathing band-shaped high-Tc-superconductors. Materials having processing temperatures between 200° C. and 450° C., are selected as thermoplastic insulation materials.

Abstract: An upholstery tack strip includes a thermoplastic sleeve and a metal ribbon embedded within the sleeve. The sleeve itself includes a plurality of removed material sections forming opposed pairs of sleeve windows, while the metal ribbon integrally includes nail sections which protrude outwardly from the tack strip through respective ones of the sleeve windows. Most preferably, the sleeve is extrusion-coated onto the metal ribbon stock using a cross-head die. The thus-coated metal strip preform may then be transferred to downstream fabrication operations whereby the sleeve windows and nail portions are formed. Since the nail portions protrude outwardly from the tack strip through the sleeve windows, relative lengthwise slippage between the metal ribbon stock and the sleeve is prevented.

Abstract: A method for molding an end of a long resin molded article that is obtained by extrusion molding and has a design surface and an attachment surface extended in a longitudinal direction of the long resin molded article, and the attachment surface is attached to other parts. An end portion of the long resin molded article is heated so as to soften the end portion of the long resin molded article. The design surface of the heated end portion is pressed so as to stretch resin on a side of the design surface thereby forming an inclined surface on the end portion, whereby the end portion is inclined from the design surface at the end portion to said attachment surface at the end portion along said inclined surface. The attachment surface of the heated end portion is pressed so as to form a cavity on the attachment surface and stretch resin on a side of the attachment surface.

Abstract: A method for forming a composite extrusion is disclosed, wherein a continuous length is formed having a leading length and a trailing length, the leading length including the primary extrudate and a first appendage extrudate and the trailing length including the primary extrudate and a second appendage extrudate, wherein the first appendage extrudate and the second appendage extrudate are formed form corresponding interchangeable first and second insert dies. The continuous length of the composite extrusion includes (i) the leading length having the primary extrudate and the first appendage extrudate; (ii) a change over length having the primary extrudate; and (iii) the trailing length having the primary extrudate and the second appendage extrudate, wherein a plurality of individual weatherseals can be cut from the leading length, and a plurality of weatherseals can be cut from the trailing length.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing articles utilizing a composite material having a high density of small particles such as microspheres in a matrix material is disclosed. One aspect of the present invention is that at least first and second layers of flanking material that are disposed in a generally non-parallel relationship with respect to each other are pulled through a die while a composite material is injected into a space defined between the at least first and second layers of flanking material. The composite material and the at least first and second layers of flanking material are heated as they pass through the die to cure the composite material and bond the at least two flanking material layers to the composite material, thereby forming a cured article.