Abstract: A process for producing boron-containing ceramics such as boron carbide and boron nitride comprises pyrolyzing a blend of a precarbonaceous polymer such as polyacrylonitrile and a boron-containing polymer such as that formed by the reaction of a borane with a Lewis base. Pyrolyzation in an inert atmosphere yields boron carbide while pyrolyzation in a reactive gas burns away the precarbonaceous polymer and yiels a ceramic comprising the reaction product of boron and the pyrolyzation gas. Boron nitride ceramics are formed by pyrolyzing the preceramic blend in ammonia.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for manufacturing a stretched surface recording disk wherein a laminate is formed by superposing magnetic sheets on upper and lower surfaces of a base with a bonding agent being interposed between the regions to be bonded, clamping both an outer annular portion and an inner annular portion of the resulting laminate, displacing the clamped inner annular portion including both magnetic sheets and the base relative to the clamped outer annular portion in a direction perpendicular to the surface of the base, thereby stretching the laminate and bonding the magnetic sheets to the base while the annular portions are so displaced.

Abstract: In the production of hollow bodies from oriented thermoplastic material, a cylindrical portion of a heated hollow preform is stretched, with a simultaneous reduction in the wall thickness thereof, at a starting temperature below the vitreous transition temperature of the material. A mandrel is positioned in the preform to support it during stretching, the outside diameter of the mandrel corresponding to the inside diameter of the preform. Directly before the mandrel is inserted into the preform the preform is subjected to re-alignment to adapt at least the cross-sectional shape of the mouth opening of the preform to the cross-section of the mandrel. The re-aligning operation is effected by inserting the preform into a sleeve adjoining a drawing ring for carrying out the stretching operation.

Abstract: Extremely high modulus carbon fibers can be produced by carbonization at a substantially lower temperature, for example, at about 2500.degree. C. This is made possible by selectively stabilizing only an outer surface layer portion of a carbonaceous pitch-based fiber comprised mainly of optically anisotropic components, while retaining the inner portion of the fiber in a non-stabilized state and without damage to the crystallinity thereof.

Abstract: The present invention concerns an apparatus and method for thermoforming a plastic article from a sheet of plastic material heated to a predetermined forming temperature. The apparatus includes a mold having forming surfaces defining a forming cavity generally conforming to the shape of the plastic article to be formed. The heated plastic sheet is urged into contact with the forming surfaces of the mold to form the plastic article. The mold includes at least one undercut forming element moveable between an advanced position wherein the element projects into the forming cavity to form an undercut portion in the plastic article and a retracted position wherein the element is withdrawn from the forming cavity to enable the formed plastic article to be removed from the forming cavity. After the plastic article has been formed, the undercut forming element is moved to the retracted position and a stripper plate is utilized to remove the formed plastic article from the forming cavity.

Abstract: A process for producing a non-woven web of thermoplastic polymer fibers comprises extruding a thermoplastic polymer through a series of die openings while passing a stream of hot gas from both sides of the die openings to impinge and attenuate the molten extruded resin fibers, wherein the gas is passed through a plurality of flow distribution holes and through a flow detector to intermix gas jets discharging from the holes.

Abstract: Ultralight carbon-bonded carbon fiber composites of densities in the range of about 0.04 to 0.10 grams per cubic centimeter are fabricated by forming an aqueous slurry of carbonaceous fibers which include carbonized fibers and 0-50 weight percent fugitive fibers and a particulate thermosetting resin precursor. The slurry is brought into contact with a perforated mandrel and the water is drained from the slurry through the perforations at a controlled flow rate of about 0.03 to 0.30 liters per minutes per square inch of mandrel surface. The deposited billet of fibers and resin precursor is heated to cure the resin precursor to bind the fibers together, removed from the mandrel, and then the resin and fugitive fibers, if any, are carbonized.

Abstract: When preparing carbon fibers from mesophase pitches, we usually encounter to the formation of cracks along the fiber axis. The crack formation is the most serious and troublesome problem. A simple process which can effectively prevent the crack formation comprises preparing the carbon fibers from mesophase pitches by melt spinning sufficient only to give a rotatory motion to the molten mesophase pitches just before extrusion substantially around the axis of a spinning nozzle hole. The process employs a usual nozzle plate having a pitch introducing tube and a spinning nozzle hole further containing a plug member having an outer spiral groove such as a drill point or a worm gear which is inserted within the pitch introducing tube.

Abstract: A carbon fiber having a cross-sectional crystal structure of substantially uniform mesh form orientation as observed by a polarizing microscope.

Abstract: A method of melt spinning pitch in which the pitch melt spinning nozzle includes a pitch flow section and a plurality of nozzle holes provided in the bottom of the nozzle. The pitch spinning method comprises passing the pitch through a nozzle including a pitch flow turning section, a pitch reservoir section, and a plurality of nozzle holes. Pitch can be spun without causing cracks and unevenness in spinning to produce pitch fibers which can in turn provide excellent carbon fibers on calcination.

Abstract: A large number of melt blown carbon fibers from petroleum pitch through a multi-orifice die under continuous formation, are fed onto the periphery of a continuously moving endless conveyor surface whose surface speed is matched to the linear velocity of the melt blown carbon fibers to cause the fibers to be deposited in parallel alignment on the conveyor surface and to be maintained in fiber axial alignment to form a non-woven mat of aligned carbon fibers. The speed of the conveyor surface may be slightly less than the linear speed of the fibers to form a loose fiber mat to facilitate subsequent fiber oxidation and carbonization by permitting gas flow through the aligned fiber mat. The endless conveyor may comprise a cylindrical drum whose surface is perforated to facilitate gas flow and oxidation of the carbon fibers subsequent to non-woven mat formation.

Abstract: A process for producing a stabilized yarn for producing a carbon fiber is disclosed. It includes a step for thermally stabilizing a yarn by travelling a continuous fiber through the heated inside of a thermal stabilization furnace. The yarn stabilizing step is characterized in that a tension applied to the continuous fiber at a final stage of stabilizing process is higher than that applied to the continuous fiber at an initial stage of stabilizing process. An apparatus for carrying out the process is also disclosed. According to the present invention, a thermal stabilization fiber having a higher strength and a finer radius can be produced.

Abstract: A method for producing high strength, high modulus filament yarns of carbon fibers is provided by subjecting a mesophase-containing pitch to aging, separating (purifying) the resulting 100% mesophase and subjecting 100% mesophase to melt-spinning at 250.degree. to 350.degree. C. by using spinning nozzles having a greater cross-sectional area in the outlet part than the cross-sectional area in the narrowest inside the nozzles and further to thermosetting and carbonization whereby carbon fibers having a random (shape), turbulent flow shape or rather onion shape of carbon arrangement in cross-section are obtained.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing a carbon fiber or graphite fiber includes melt-spinning a carbonaceous pitch, infusibilizing the resulting pitch fiber, carbonizing, and when necessary graphitizing the fiber. A precursor of the carbonaceous pitch is centrifuged in a molten state to separate the precursor pitch simultaneously into a solids slurry layer, an optically isotropic phase, and an optically anisotropic phase, and the latter is utilized as the carbonaceous pitch.

Abstract: A ceramic fiber is prepared without the need for a fiber-forming organic polymer or a coagulating bath by forming a homogeneous clear solution from an aluminum halohydrate organic complex dissolved in a mixture of water and a C1-C4 alcohol from which a clear homogeneous precursor filament is drawn and fired, which complex is obtained from an aluminum halohydrate and a polyol containing 2 to 6 carbon atoms and at least 2 hydroxy groups.

Abstract: A shaped electroconductive aromatic imide polymer article comprising an aromatic imide polymer matrix and 10% to 40% by weight of short cut carbon fibers 1 to 30 .mu.m thick and 0.05 to 3.0 mm long dispersed in the matrix, is produced by admixing a slurry of the short cut carbon fibers having a limited moisture content of 1.0% or less in a polymerization medium, with a polymerization mixture containing an aromatic tetracarboxylic acid component and an aromatic diamine component, by subjecting the resultant admixture to a polymerization procedure to prepare a dope comprising a resultant polymerization product, the carbon fibers and the polymerization medium, and by subjecting the dope to shaped article-producing procedures in which the dope is shaped into a desired form and the shaped dope is solidified by removing the polymerization medium to provide a desired shaped article.

Abstract: Boron ceramics including boron ceramic fibers are formed by pyrolyzing at temperatures greater than 800.degree. C. organoboron polymers which have been formed by condensing decaborane with amines or phosphines.

Abstract: A method of producing a container of plastic material capable of being oriented and/or crystallized, in which a substantially tubular blank is, in at least two mutually consecutive and mutually separate shaping phases or shaping stages, reshaped into the container. The blank is reshaped into the container by mechanical forming elements (34,42) which stretch the material in the axial direction of the blank, and in the circumferential direction of the blank. By stretching the material in each separate shaping stage to a regulated degree, there will be accumulated in the material a total stretching corresponding to the requisite stretching in order to impart to the material the desired and predetermined orientation and thereby the requisite strength properties.

Abstract: A novel optically anisotropic pitch is provided which is produced by thermal modification of a polymer having a structure of an alkylbenzene and a condensed aromatic compound with two to four fused rings bonded to each other via a methylene group.In preferred embodiments, the optical anisotropy is 80% or more. As the alkylbenzene there may be used xylene, trimethylbenzene or tetramethylbenzene. As the condensed aromatic compound with two to four fused rings, there may be used naphthalene, anthracene, phenanthrene, or naphthacene. The polymer starting material may be obtained by the reaction of a xylene formalin resin, mesitylene formalin resin or alkylbenzene and a condensed aromatic compound with two to four fused rings in the presence of a protonic acid as a catalyst.

Abstract: A process for the deformation of a hollow workpiece comprising orientable, thermoplastic polymer by passage in the solid phase through a die having both an entry side and an exit side, which process comprises providing the hollow workpiece at the entry side of the die; applying to the hollow workpiece from the exit side of the die a tension insufficient to cause tensile failure of the workpiece but sufficient to deform the hollow workpiece by drawing it with reduction in its bulk cross-sectional area in the solid phase simultaneously through the die and over an internally positioned former having a cross-sectional area greater than the initial internal cross-sectional area of the hollow workpiece; and collecting the deformed hollow workpiece from the exit side of the die.

Abstract: A method for fibrillating carbonaceous fibers, which comprises contacting a tow of carbonaceous fibers to rotating surfaces of rollers for fibrillation, wherein at least two rollers are disposed so that the center axes of the rollers intersect the direction of advance of the tow of carbonaceous fibers and the rotating surfaces of the rollers are substantially alternately inclined in opposite directions, thereby to exert a shearing force to the tow in a direction transverse to the direction of advance of the tow.

Abstract: Improved melt spinning of friable, thermally sensitive organosilicon preceramic polymers is obtained by using externally-metered feed means for continuous feeding of the polymer to an extruder. Starve feeding by metering the feed at a rate less than that required to fill the feed screw flights prevents pulverizing and compaction of the friable polymer, leading to cross-linking of trapped polymer and solid plugging, which would cause the extruder to bind and cease to function. Metered feed can be obtained by either monitoring of screw loading or discharge pressure and adjustment of hopper feed rate or control based upon measured values of extruder speed or metering pump speed.

Abstract: In a process for producing carbon fibers from a carbonaceous pitch, the improvement characterized in that an end portion of infusiblized fiber or carbonized fiber to be first subjected to a carbonizing or graphitizing treatment and that of infusiblized fiber or carbonized fiber to be next subjected to the same treatment are bonded together using a composition comprising (a) at least one member selected from the group consisting of phenolic resins and pitches and (b) graphite powder, and the thus-bonded fibers are fed successively to a carbonizing apparatus or a graphitizing apparatus.

Abstract: A mold for synthetic resin products which are to be shaped while soft, includes a pair of elongated mold parts each having opposed complementary faces with contours at least partially conforming to at least parts of the product to be shaped. A support means on which the mold parts are mounted provide for moving at least one of the mold parts relative to the other mold part to effect removal therefrom of a finished product. The mold parts are constructed and arranged so as to be bendable along their longitudinal axes to effect a change in arcuate configuration, the mold parts being made of a material which facilitates sliding of the synthetic resin product through the mold, the support means supporting the mold parts in fixed spaced apart disposition as the product is moved longitudinally between the mold parts to thereby impart to the product an arcuate configuration corresponding to the arcuate configuration of the mold parts.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the infusibilization of pitch fiber which comprises, in the production of pitch type carbon fiber, attaching a powder of solid lubricant to a pitch fiber and then subjecting the pitch fiber to an infusibilizing treatment. According to the present invention, the use of oxidant used in prior processes can be excluded, the process can be operated with a high safety, and the period of time required for the infusibilization can be shortened. Further, the infusibilized fiber obtained according to the invention can directly be introduced into the carbonization process, without any particular washing treatment and the like.

Abstract: An improved multifilamentary tow of carbon fibers is provided which possesses a novel physical configuration that better enables it to undergo impregnation with a matrix-forming resin to form quality composite articles. The individual filaments of the tow are randomly decollimated and commingled with numerous filament cross-over points throughout the length of the multifilamentary tow in order to create a multitude of interstices between adjacent filaments which are well adapted to receive and retain a matrix-forming resin as evidenced by the ability of the filaments when subjected to the flaring test described herein to resist lateral expansion to a width that is as much as three times the original width. The tow commonly comprises approximately 1,000 to 50,000 filaments. Also, the filaments of the tow are substantially continuous and contain at least 70 percent carbon by weight (preferably at least 90 percent carbon by weight).

Abstract: A carbonizable body is formed by infusing a plurality of preoxidized, preferably stabilized by known processing to have about 9 to 14 weight percent oxygen, polyacrylonitrile fibers in a polar liquid plasticizer, preferably water, capable of extracting a tarry leachate from the fibers. The infusion of the fibers in the plasticizer is continued for a sufficient time for a substantial amount of leachate to form on the surface of the fibers, and are then consolidated or diffusion-bonded to one another or other fibers, as by orienting the treated fibers in a mold and subjecting them to isostatic pressing at relatively low temperatures and pressure. Further processing of the consolidated fibers with appropriate heat treatment in an inert atmosphere will produce a carbonized bulk product with higher values of Young's modulus for the carbonized material than have been previously achieved at such carbonization temperatures.

Abstract: A carbonizable body is formed by infusing a plurality of preoxidized, preferably stabilized by known processing to have about 17 to 30 weight percent oxygen, fibers prepared from pitch, in a non-polar liquid plasticizer, typically quinoline, capable of extracting a tarry leachate from the fibers. The infusion of the fibers in the plasticizer is continued for a sufficient time for a substantial amount of leachate to form on the surface of the fibers. The treated fibers are then consolidated or diffusion-bonded to one another or other fibers, as by orienting the treated fibers in a mold and subjecting them to isostatic pressing at relatively low temperatures and pressure. Further processing of the consolidated fibers with appropriate heat treatment in an inert atmosphere will produce a carbonized bulk product with higher values of Young's modulus for the carbonized material than have been previously achieved at such carbonization temperatures.

Abstract: This invention relates to a coaltar pitch based carbon fiber having a high Young's modulus produced by using coaltar pitch as a starting material, which has a microstructure with a preferred orientation parameter (HWHM) of 10.degree. or less, a crystallite size (Lc(002)) of not more than 25 nm and not less than 18 nm and an interlayer spacing (d002) of not more than 0.345 nm and not less than 0.338 nm as determined by X-ray diffraction, and has a magnetoresistance of less than -0.40% and not less than -2.00% as measured by applying a magnetic field of 10 KG perpendicular to the fiber axis at liquid nitrogen temperature, and a Young's modulus of 55 ton.multidot.mm.sup.-2 or more, preferably 75 ton.multidot.mm.sup.-2 or more. The carbon fiber of this invention has a high Young's modulus, is flexible, and does not split in the fiber axis direction, and therefore it is easy to handle, is good in workability, and contributed also to improvement of the production efficiency.

Abstract: In order to achieve defined fiber orientation angles in the fiber-reinforced plastic material of a hollow shaft, consisting of such material, the hollow shaft having regions of different diameters, a braided fiber tube constituting the starting material is pulled over a core, is impregnated with settable plastic, and is hardened.

Abstract: A process relating to the manufacturing of a structural reinforcing material which is made of a glass fiber reinforced plastic, a carbon fiber reinforced plastic or similar material wherein a precise sectional shape is not required. A fiber body including a plurality of reinforcing fibers is impregnated with a hardenable material and subsequently introduced into a drawing die having a desired sectional shape so as to be formed into a drawn article having a predetermined sectional shape. A tape is coiled therearound so as to cover the article. A string member is coiled therearound to thrust into the surface of the article. Thereafter, the drawn fiber body is subjected to a hardening treatment and the tape and string member are removed.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are a process for producing a carbon fiber mat, having excellent production and energy efficiencies, comprising successively melt-spinning a fiber-forming pitch by a centrifugal spinning machine having a horizontal axis of rotation (parallel to the plane on which the spinning machine is placed), forming a mat by the thus spun pitch fibers, bringing the mat into an infusibilized state in an air atmosphere containing NO.sub.2 and calcining the thus infusibilized mat in an inert atmosphere, and an apparatus for carrying out the above-mentioned process.

Abstract: A large number of melt blown carbon fibers from petroleum pitch through a multi-orifice die under continuous formation, are fed onto the periphery of a continuously moving endless conveyor surface whose surface speed is matched to the linear velocity of the melt blown carbon fibers to cause the fibers to be deposited in parallel alignment on the conveyor surface and to be maintained in fiber axial alignment to form a non-woven mat of aligned carbon fibers. The speed of the conveyor surface may be slightly less than the linear speed of the fibers to form a loose fiber mat to facilitate subsequent fiber oxidation and carbonization by permitting gas flow through the aligned fiber mat. The endless conveyor may comprise a cylindrical drum whose surface is perforated to facilitate gas flow and oxidation of the carbon fibers subsequent to non-woven mat formation.

Abstract: A process for preparing carbon fibers wherein carbon fibers are prepared from the mesophase-pitch containing not more than 80% by weight of a quinoline-insoluble component and showing, under a polarization microscope, more than 70% of optically anisotropic region, comprising the steps of subjecting a mesophase-pitch showing a viscosity of 10 to 100 poise at a temperature of spinning of 330.degree. to 450.degree. C., to rotating-centrifugal-spinning in a rotating-centrifugal spinning machine with a peripheral velocity of rotating nozzle thereof of 300 to 1000 m/min and exposing the thus spun fibers of the mesophase pitch to a flow of a gas spouting into a spinning direction at a temperature of 280.degree. to 400.degree. C. and at a linear velocity of 50 to 200 m/sec, thereby preparing carbon fibers showing a random-mosaic structural pattern in cross section thereof perpendicular to fiber axis.

Abstract: The method of this invention is particularly suitable for forming a permanently deep drawn contour in a laminate, such as a self-supporting polymer backed carpet laminate utilized by the automotive industry. The method includes forming a generally planar laminate wherein the carpet or cloth finish sheet is spaced from the sides of the polymer sheet, releasably clamping the polymer backing sheet to the side members of a frame assembly including a portion which is hingedly attached to the side members adjacent the area where the deepest draw is to be formed in the laminate. The laminate is then heated in the frame assembly and formed in a die press having at least one die member which is received in forming contact with the laminate between the side members.

Abstract: A polycarbosilastyrene copolymer which comprises recurring carbosilane units of the formula I: ##STR1## and recurring silastyrene units of the formula II: ##STR2## is useful for producing a shaped sintered silicon carbide article by shaping the polycarbosilastyrene copolymer to a desired form, by applying an ultra-violet ray treatment or heat treatment to the shaped article, and by sintering the resultant cross-linked, non-fusible shaped article at an elevated temperature.

Abstract: Aluminum nitride structures are made by pyrolyzing the condensation products of certain organo-aluminum compounds with certain aromatic diamines, triamines or tetraamines.

Abstract: A process for producing a surface-embossed, deep-drawn article suitable for an interior finish or lining of a motor vehicle, for example, starts with a partially-crystalline polymeric material, i.e., one having crystallites, in film form. The film-form material is heated to a temperature below the melting point of its crystallites an surface embossed. The embossed material is then cooled and crosslinked. The crosslinking is preferably done by irradiating the cooled material with a high-energy beam such as an accelerated electron beam, for example. The cooled and crosslinked material is then reheated, this time to a temperature above the melting point of its crystallites, and deep drawn into the shape of the article.

Abstract: Molecular sieve carbon fibers capable of separating and purifying nitrogen from air in large quantities are provided. The carbon fibers have diameters of 5 to 50 .mu.m and micropores opening directly at the surface of the carbon fibers with pore sizes of 0.5 nm or less. They are capable of separating nitrogen at a purity of 98% or higher, even 99.9% or higher from air, etc., with a relatively low adsorbing pressure and deadsorbing vacuum. The molecular sieve carbon fibers do not deteriorate during operation since they are resistant to division or powdering and the adsorbing pressure and deadsorbing vacuum are relatively low.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing controlled electrical resistivity carbon fiber sheet products employing a carbonizable starting material, heating and drawing the starting material (if required,) oxidizing the starting material at an elevated temperature of the order of 220 degrees Centigrade to effect molecular aromatic rearrangement of the starting material, carbonizing the oxidized starting material at an elevated temperature in an oxygen free atmosphere within a furnace having an elevated temperature extending over a temperature range to about 1400 degrees Centigrade by soaking the starting material at an elevated temperature for a predetermined period of time to provide a preselected electrical resistivity to the carbonized material. The carbonized material thus treated is formed into end carbon fiber sheet products having the form of paper, woven fabric and the like having a desired electrical resistivity. The starting carbonizable material consists essentially of PAN.

Abstract: A method of producing an oil seal comprises the following steps: a slicing step in which a seal ring is sliced from an end of a tubular billet of a resin material in a predetermined axial thickness; a fixing step in which the radially outer portion of the seal ring is fixed in the support member; and a bending-out/thread-forming step in which the radially inner portion of the seal ring is bent out of the plane of the radially outer portion of the seal ring thereby forming a tubular seal lip, and sequentially after forming of this seal lip, a screw thread is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the tubular seal lip. The fixing step is conducted by a press having an upper die and a lower die, in which the seal ring is fixed in the support member.

Abstract: A melt-spinning nozzle in which is disposed an elongated molded piece so as to form a space serving as a melt flow path between the elongated molded piece and the inner wall of the nozzle.

Abstract: A novel and improved method of deforming elongated hollow members so as to maintain uniform cross-sectional profile, uniform section thickness reduction, and minimal springback characteristics which includes superimposing in the forming process an internal fluid pressure support for the hollow member which imposes a circumferential tension thereon, a longitudinal tension which plastically elongates the member, and a transverse bending load which plastically bends the member.

Abstract: Until now, it has not yet been succeeded to prepare high performance carbon fibers having satisfactory strength from heavy oils of coal or petroleum origin. We now succeeded to prepare an excellent intermediate pitch which allows the preparation of high performance carbon fibers having tensile strength of higher than 300 Kg/mm.sup.2 and Young's modulus of 50 ton/mm.sup.2.The intermediate pitch can be obtained by heating a heavy oil of coal or petroleum origin in a tubular heater under a specific conditions, and then flash distilling the heater effluent in a flash distillation column under a specific condition so as to remove lighter fractions and recovering heavy fraction from the column bottom as the intermediate pitch. The process for the preparation of the intermediate pitch is simple and economical and allows continuous production without fluctuation of quality of the intermediate pitch. The intermediate pitch is also suitable for the production of higher density carbon products.

Abstract: A container (30d) of polyethylene terephthalate or similar thermoplastic material has a container body (32d), a mouth portion (37d) and a central bottom part (34d). The central bottom part consists of chiefly amorphous and/or thermocrystallized material and forms a bulge directed towards the interior of the container. A ring-shaped or band-shaped standing surface (36d) is arranged adjacent the transition of the bottom part into the container wall (32d). Adjacent to the standing surface the container has a circumferential area of material (35d) which by stretching and/or reshaping has undergone flow and by heating has acquired built-in stresses which tend to contract it. The surrounding circumferential area of material prevents the inward bulge of the central bottom part from straightening out and/or turning inside out when the pressure in the container is increased and/or when the temperature of the container material is raised.

Abstract: A method of preparing a fibrous activated carbon including the steps of carbonizing and activating cellulose fibre at temperatures between 200.degree. C. and 1000.degree. C. in an inert atmosphere, characterized in that, prior to activation, the fibre is impregnated with an impregnating material comprising, in the form of one or more compounds, boron and at least one alkali metal.

Abstract: There have been provided synthetic resin food containers and the method and device for moulding the containers.The container has a bottom wall, a side wall extending at an obtuse angle to the bottom wall and a rim or legs extending from the undersurface of the bottom wall.The device comprises a male mould including a main body, a bottom forming portion received in the main body for vertical movement relative to the main body and a pressurizing portion disposed for vertical movement relative to the bottom forming portion; and a female mould for receiving a portion of the bottom forming portion.The method comprises the steps of forcing said portion of the bottom forming portion into the female mould to form the bottom of the container, raising the bottom forming portion and substantially simultaneously move the pressurizing portion to form the rim or legs on the bottom of the container.

Abstract: An acrylic fiber precursor for high performance carbon fibers free of defects which comprises an acrylonitrile polymer containing at least 90% by weight of acrylonitrile and has a surface roughness of 2.0 to 3.0 with dense inner structure. from a solution comprising 24 to 27.5% of the acrylonitrile polymer is dry-jet wet spun into a coagulation bath consisting essentially of dimethylformamide or dimethylacetamide and having a bath temperature of 5.degree. to 25.degree. C.Carbon fibers obtained by carbonizing these precursor acrylic fibers have no fusion bonding or agglutination of filaments and exhibit high performance.

Abstract: Chopped carbon yarn is produced by spinning continuous pitch yarn, treating the pitch yarn with an oxidizing composition, chopping the pitch yarn into short lengths, collecting the chopped pitch yarn into a bulk form, and subjecting the chopped pitch yarn to a heat treatment in a substantially non-reactive atmosphere to produce chopped carbon yarn.

Abstract: Apparatus for forming plastic articles by a thermoform process. A plastic sheet is supported between an upper female and lower male mold. The heater assembly is moved horizontally over the sheet which is heated and caused to conform to the lower molds shape when the upper mold is lowered thereabouts, thus forming the desired object. Vacuum means retain the formed object within the upper mold assembly during separation of the molds and deposits the formed object on the top of the heater assembly upon its repositioning over the lower mold to heat a subsequent sheet. The formed object is carried away from the molds on the top of the heater assembly upon subsequent horizontal retraction of the heater assembly from between the molds. An air jet from an orifice on the top surface of the heater assembly then propells the formed object onto a conveyor belt.