Abstract: The present application discloses a method of shaping a working material (12) into an article, consisting of two primary stages: (a) in the absence of added heat, consolidating and shaping the working material into a pre-form shape using a dynamic hydroforming process that employs a rigid, male-shaped tool (32) and a non-rigid, female-shaped tool (23, 24, 26); and (b) in the presence of added heat, further consolidating and shaping the working material into the final shape using at least one additional rigid forming tool (50).

Abstract: A biodegradable polymer stent with radiopacity and a method of making and using a stent with enhanced mechanical strength and/or controlled degradation for use in a bodily lumen is described.

Abstract: A culm block and a method of manufacture are disclosed. The culm block comprises a plurality of straw stalks forming a first rigid wall and a second rigid wall as a result of an application of heat and pressure to the same and the inherent bonding agent found in the straw stalks. Preferably, the culm block further comprises a plurality of through-holes for receiving structural reinforcements or otherwise and a restraining device wrapped about the block for added structural support.

Abstract: Dry adhesives and methods of making dry adhesives including a method of making a dry adhesive including applying a liquid polymer to the second end of a stem, contacting the liquid polymer on the stem with a tip shaping surface, bending the stem relative to the backing layer while contacting the liquid polymer on the stem with the tip shaping surface, curing the liquid polymer to form a tip on the second end of the stem while bending the stem relative to the backing layer and while contacting the liquid polymer on the stem with the tip shaping surface, and removing the tip from the tip shaping surface after the liquid polymer cures.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a press (1) for producing a tampon preform (2?) by radially pressing a tampon blank (2) made of an absorbent material by means of compression jaws (3) which are arranged around a pressing region, characterized in that the press (1) comprises guide blades (4, 4?, 4?) for centering the tampon blank (2) in the radial and/or axial direction in the pressing region.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for producing thermoformed articles such as food packagings or parts thereof with a mechanical weakening between adjoining functional areas, which, for utilization by a user, can be at least partly separated at the mechanical weakening, in a thermoforming die having an upper die and a lower die, the mechanical weakening being introduced with a three-dimensional extension during the period of time during which the material to be formed is located in the thermoforming die, and a thermoforming die for implementing the process.

Abstract: The present invention discloses the use in rotomolding or slush molding applications of a composition comprising a polyolefin, a processing aid and optionally a UV-stabilizer.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the use of a handling device, which is preferably configured as a data robot, in order to assemble embossing tools for embossing the desired character sequence into a blank. The handling device preferably also serves to position the respective blank in front of the embossing tools assembled in accordance with the desired character sequence and/or to center or orient the embossing tools with respect to the blank. The method and apparatus can be used in connection with the production of motor vehicle license plates in which an individual character sequence is embossed into a blank.

Abstract: Disclosed is a polyester polymer composition comprising at least one polyethylene terephthalate polyester in an amount ranging from 94.0 weight percent to 99.5 weight percent and at least one additive in an amount ranging from 0.5 weight percent to 6 weight percent, each based on the total weight of the polyester composition. The at least one additive comprises a diamide molecule. The composition of the present invention is useful in producing shaped articles such as, for example, sheeting, films, tubes, bottles, preforms, and profiles. These articles can exhibit improved gas barrier properties. The process for making the polymer composition and the shaped articles is also disclosed.

Abstract: Semiconductor die are assembled on a substrate by providing the semiconductor die, substrate, and an elastically deformable foil fixture preformed with one or more sunken regions having sidewalls and a bottom, and placing the semiconductor die in the one or more sunken regions so that the foil fixture is populated with a first side of the semiconductor die facing the bottom of the one or more sunken regions and a second opposing side of the semiconductor die facing away from the bottom of the one or more sunken regions. The substrate is placed adjacent the second side of the semiconductor die with a joining material interposed between the substrate and the semiconductor die. The substrate and the populated foil fixture are pressed together at an elevated temperature and pressure via first and second pressing tool members so that the substrate is attached to the second side of the semiconductor die via the joining material.

Abstract: A composite fabrication apparatus which may include a first tooling die and a second tooling die movable with respect to each other; a temperature control system having induction coils disposed in thermal contact with the first tooling die and the second tooling die; a first die susceptor provided on the first tooling die and a second die susceptor provided on the second tooling die and connected to the induction coils; and a cooling system disposed in thermal contact with the first tooling die and the second tooling die. A resin transfer system delivers resin from a resin source to the tooling dies to allow resin transfer molding. A composite fabrication method is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and a device for placing at least one material layer onto a relief mold for producing a composite material. Thereby, an elastically-reversibly deformable body with a surface relief that is designed to correspond to the relief mold is pressed against the material layer, as a result of which the surface of said body is deformed, and the material layer can be picked up. As a result of its elastically-reversible characteristics the body subsequently deforms back to its initial state so that the material layer can easily be placed onto the relief mold.

Abstract: A method of reshaping an article comprising a polyelectrolyte complex, the polyelectrolyte complex comprising an intermolecular blend of a predominantly positively-charged polyelectrolyte and a predominantly negatively charged polyelectrolyte by controlling the salt doping level.

Abstract: A method of heat treating a substrate for a fuel cell includes stacking substrates to form a group. A dimension is determined for a plate corresponding to a resulting mass that is less than a predetermined mass. The plate is arranged above the group to apply a weight of the plate to the group. The resulting masses for spacer plates and intermediate lifting plates, for example, are minimized to reduce the pressure differential between the bottom and top substrates in the heat treat assembly. In another disclosed method, a dimension for a plate, such as a top plate, is determined that corresponds to a resulting mass that is greater than a predetermined mass. The plate is arranged above the group to apply a weight of the plate to the group. The top plate resulting mass is selected to minimize a variation in the average pressure of the substrates throughout the heat treat assembly.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus simultaneously produces a plurality of billets of a formable material with a press, which includes a plate-like female die, provided with nozzles in the form of continuous holes, and also a rotating hub provided with radially disposed rollers that are pressed onto the female die. The method provides that the female die is heated to a temperature above the boiling temperature of the moisture contained in the formable material, and in this way the material pressed through the hole-like nozzles of the female die is dried. The apparatus includes the female die having two plates resting closely and tightly against one another, and in at least one of the plates, a conduit for a heating medium or coolant is made in the surface facing toward the other plate.

Abstract: An apparatus for making a shingle, together with the shingle made thereby, is provided, in which one or more thermoplastic materials are extruded or co-extruded to form an extrudate, with the extrudate being cut into a preliminary shingle shape, which is allowed to dissipate heat, and then is delivered to a compression mold, wherein the preliminary shingle shape is compression molded to substantially its final dimensions and is then discharged from the mold and allowed to cool.

Abstract: A method for operating a rotary press, comprising a rotor rotatably driven about a vertical axis that has a die-plate and upper and lower rams which, while being guided vertically in guides of the rotor, interact with holes of dies in the die-plate wherein at least one compression station is provided and has an upper and a lower pressing roller past which the presser rams run along and by which they are moved towards the die-bore for the purpose of compacting the material in the die-hole, wherein the upper and lower rams are lifted subsequent to the compression procedure, causing the lower ram to eject a compact from the die and the compact to be stripped by a stripper in the direction of a discharge chute, characterized in that while an compact ejection procedure is under way the upper ram stands upright on top of the compact and is lifted therewith and the stripper seizes the compact laterally while the upper ram is still standing upright on top of the compact.

Abstract: Self-assembled buckling patterns of thin films on compliant substrates can be used in micro-fabrication. However, most previous work has been limited to planar substrates, and buckling of films on curved substrates has not been widely explored. With the constraining effect from various types of substrate curvature, numerous new types of buckling morphologies can be derived. The morphologies not only enable true three-dimensional (3D) fabrication of microstructures and microdevices, but also can have important implications for the morphogenesis of quite a few natural and biological systems.

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: The invention concerns a process for the production of hollow bodies of thermoplastic material, in particular a process for the production of fuel tanks of plastic material. In the process according to the invention preforms in web or band form of plasticized plastic material are shaped in a multi-part tool forming a mold cavity by expansion of the preforms and causing them to bear against the internal contour of the mold cavity. The process firstly includes the production of two mutually complementary intermediate products in the form of shell portions. Then respective built-in fitment components are secured to the respective insides of the shell portions, which face towards each other in the installation position, wherein at least some built-in fitment components of mutually complementary shell portions are respectively of mutually complementary configuration, in the sense that they can be joined to provide an assembled component or to provide a functional unit.

Abstract: Compression programming of a shape memory polymer without the requirement of added heat, wherein the programming occurs at a temperature below the glass transition of the shape memory polymer. The shape memory polymer can be either a thermoset or a thermoplastic shape memory polymer.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises a molding unit having a punch and a mold cavity movable along a path between an open position in which said punch and said mold cavity are distanced apart from each other to receive a dose of plastics therebetween, and a closed position in which said punch and said mold cavity interact to form an item by pressing said dose, said punch being kept not above said cavity along said path.

Abstract: A method of forming a composite article by injecting at least two composite materials comprising metal carbides into a mold to form a green compact is disclosed. The composite materials may be metal powders comprising a binder metal, a hard particle. The composite material may further comprise a plastic binder. The two different composite materials are injected into the mold to form the green compact. Additionally, the composite materials may be injected through a die before entering the mold. In a specific embodiment, the die forms at least one internal channel within the green compact.

Abstract: A method for joining together constructional parts which are made of a composite material and extend transversely to one another, such as a flange and a web of a profile, includes the steps of: placing the constructional parts in the desired position with respect to one another so as to form a connecting region in which one of the constructional parts abuts against or in proximity to the other constructional part, causing a thermoplastic material to flow out into the connecting region, fusing together the constructional parts under the influence of heat and pressure.

Abstract: A method of making an imprint lithography template includes applying a curable material to a patterned surface of a master imprint template, allowing the curable material to cure and thereby forming a second imprint template having a patterned surface which is the inverse of the patterned surface of the master imprint template; removing the second imprint template from the master imprint template; applying inorganic sol-gel to a substrate; imprinting the inorganic sol-gel with the second imprint template; allowing the inorganic sol-gel to cure; and removing the second imprint template from the cured inorganic sol-gel, such that the inorganic sol-gel forms a third imprint template having a patterned surface which corresponds with the patterned surface of the master imprint template.

Abstract: A method of forming a container from a construct. The method includes obtaining a tool having a cavity, a core, and an articulated section for being moveable within the cavity relative to the cavity and the core. The method further includes placing a construct between the cavity and the core, moving the core relative to the cavity so that the articulated section at least partially initially grips a portion of the construct, and further moving the core into the cavity. The portion of the construct remains gripped by the articulated section in the cavity during the further moving of the core.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a plastic laminated article comprising a surface layer of a sheet-like surface member and a synthetic resin backing material layer laminated on the surface layer, without causing a fracture or a reduction in wall thickness of the sheet-like surface member. When the male mold is pressed against the contact area of the sheet-like surface member, the temperature of the contact area of the sheet-like surface member gradually falls due to a thermal gradient between the male mold and the contact area of the sheet-like surface member. Simultaneously, the contact area of the sheet-like surface member is not heated directly. In addition, the direction of jet flow of a hot fluid is changed, by fluid guide surfaces, from the center of the sheet-like surface member to the outer periphery, of the sheet-like surface member.

Abstract: A method thermoforms one or more shaped bodies from a thermoformable tape and a structure having a thermoformable tape with one or more shaped bodies. The thermoformable tape is positioned proximate to a thermoforming device and to thermoform the tape with one or more shaped bodies. The structure includes of a thermoformable tape with one or more shaped bodies formed within the tape. The tape can have a plurality of apertures along the edge of the tape configured to impart a positioning force. The thermoformed shaped bodies can be comprised of one or more antenna carriers. The shaped bodies can further include components such as an antenna radiator coupled to the antenna carrier.

Abstract: An IPP resin material capable of improving the adhesive strength between a transparent electrode and an IPP resin layer is disclosed. The IPP resin material includes: a liquid pre-polymer including a mono-functional monomer, a di-functional monomer including a monomer containing an ether group, and a tri-functional monomer including pentaerythritol triacrylate; a photo initiator; and a adhesion promoter, wherein the monomer containing the ether group includes any one of poly(propylene glycol)diacrylate, poly(propylene glycol)dimethacrylate, propylene glycol diacrylate), and tri(ethylene glycol)dimethacrylate.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to novel methods of imprinting substrate-supported or freestanding structures at low cost, with high pattern transfer yield, and using low processing temperature. Such methods overcome many of the above-described limitations of the prior art. Generally, such methods of the present invention employ a sacrificial layer of film.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a wood composite panel having a major planar portion, at least one panel portion, and an inwardly extending contoured portion surrounding the panel portion and interconnecting the major planar portion and the panel portion. The contoured portion defines an inter-relationship between a vector angle and a deep draw depth that achieve a satisfactory stretch factor. The present invention also relates to a door having the disclosed wood composite door facings, and methods of forming the facing and door.

Abstract: To provide a highly heat-resistant brake pad adaptable to high temperatures/high loads and producible only by adding a baking step to the same production process as that for an organic friction material. A friction material comprising a fibrous material, a friction modifier, a binder and an inorganic material, wherein a silicon-containing polymer is blended as a binder and after thermoforming, the polymer is heat-treated in an oxidizing atmosphere at a temperature of 160 to 350° C. for 1 to 10 hours to cause crosslinking with oxygen and then, subjected to a baking treatment. As the silicon-containing polymer, one compound or two or more compounds are preferably selected from the group consisting of polycarbosilane, polyorganoborosilazane, polyborosiloxane, polycarbosilazane, and perhydropolysilazane.

Abstract: A man-made, molded article is provided. The article includes a profile including a planar wall, and an adjacent integral molded depression having a contoured wall extending downwardly from the planar wall. The contoured wall includes a bead portion, a cove portion, and a ledge between the bead and cove portions. The articles are stackable, one above another for transport, in a nestable relationship in which multiple contact zones are present between the contoured walls of an adjacently stacked pair of the molded articles. The contact zones include an arcuately extending contact interface zone between the bead exterior and interior surfaces. The depression has a substantially uniform thickness varying by no more than about +1 percent to about ?11 percent in relation to a thickness of the planar wall. Related methods and assemblies are also provided.

Abstract: Provided are a bisected mold for tire molding that enables manufacturing of high-performance tires and that at a mold clamping, avoids a tire from being pinched to thereby attain a yield enhancement; and a process for manufacturing a tire. Inside a container bisected into upper and lower parts in the state of mold opening, there are disposed a mold for tire molding and, along upper and lower side plates, an unvulcanized tire. After performing vulcanization molding of the unvulcanized tire while changing from this state to a state of mold clamping of sectors and segments split into a plurality of pieces in a circumferential direction of the unvulcanized tire through a driving device and a slide unit means, only the sectors are subjected to mold opening by use of a driving means while maintaining the state of mold clamping of the mold for tire molding and the segments by the driving device and the slide unit means, and subsequently taking the vulcanization-molded tire.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for production of a polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) sheet, which is superior in productivity compared to conventional processes and can reduce the cost of production. Also disclosed is a process for production of a PTFE seal tape. The processes comprise the following steps (i) to (iii): (i) applying a force to a PTFE particle suspension comprising PTFE particles, a surfactant and water (a dispersion medium) so that the particles can come close to each other or contact with each other, thereby forming a PTFE-containing solid material having the water and the surfactant included therein; (ii) shaping the solid material into a sheet-like form; and (iii) reducing the water content in the sheet-like solid material.

Abstract: A lid (100,200) for a container (12) including at least one transparent section to enable the contents of the container (14) to be viewed or partially viewed when the lid (100,200) is fitted to the container (12). At least part of the at least one transparent section being constructed of an anti-fog material, or being coated with an anti-fog material, to prevent or reduce build up of condensation on an inner surface of the lid (100,200) during use.

Abstract: A thermally responsive composite material is provided, comprising a first layer, a second layer and a third layer where the third layer is between the first and second layers. The third layer comprises a material having a low glass transition or melting temperature while the first and second layers comprise material having higher glass transition or melting temperatures than the third material. The thermally responsive composite material also comprises a heating element in contact with the third layer. Methods for using the thermally responsive composite material are also provided.

Abstract: Novel polymer shrink tubes, such as fluoropolymer shrink tubes and novel uses thereof. The polymer shrink tubes include at least one three-dimensional pattern formed along at least a portion of the inner surface of the tube. The polymer shrink tubes can be used for, for example, embossing a pattern into a polymer tube. Further use includes, for example, forming a catheter with at least one channel located in the catheter wall.

Abstract: Method of producing a multilayer article forming an axisymmetric body, said article comprising at least a base of diameter D joined to a side wall of average thickness T and of height H said method consisting in feeding a coextruded multilayer charge into the cavity of a mold then in compressing said charge in order to form the article, the charge forming a body axisymmetric about an axis of symmetry, the charge consisting of a radial stack of several layers of which at least one is a thin functional layer, the outer diameter of said charge being approximately equal to D, the direction of compression being parallel to the axis of symmetry of said charge, and the compression being carried out on one face of the charge, which method is characterized by the fact that the charge is compressed only on one portion of said face.

Abstract: An imprint method includes (i) holding a mold by a first holding portion, (ii) holding, by a second holding portion, a member to be processed so that the member to be processed is capable of bending by its own weight, (iii) supporting, by a support portion, a back surface of the member to be processed in a first area so that an amount of the bending is decreased, (iv) pressing a pattern of the mold against a front surface of the member to be processed, which is supported by the support portion in the first area, (v) supporting, by the support portion, the back surface of the member to be processed in a second area different from the first area, so that the amount of the bending is decreased, by changing a relative position between the member to be processed and the support portion, and (vi) pressing the pattern of the mold against the front surface of the member to be processed, which is supported by the support portion in the second area.

Abstract: Disclosed is a polyester polymer composition comprising at least one polyethylene terephthalate polyester in an amount ranging from 94.0 weight percent to 99.5 weight percent and at least one additive in an amount ranging from 0.5 weight percent to 6 weight percent, each based on the total weight of the polyester composition. The at least one additive comprises a diamide molecule. The composition of the present invention is useful in producing shaped articles such as, for example, sheeting, films, tubes, bottles, preforms, and profiles. These articles can exhibit improved gas barrier properties. The process for making the polymer composition and the shaped articles is also disclosed.

Abstract: A non-compliant fiber-reinforced medical balloon comprises a first fiber layer and a second fiber layer embedded in a continuous matrix of thermally-weldable polymer material defining a barrel wall, cone walls and neck walls. The fibers of the first fiber layer run substantially parallel to one another and substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis. The fibers of the first fiber layer have a pattern of different lengths and are divisible into a first group and a second group based on length. Each fiber of the first group begins in the neck wall at one end of the balloon, extends continuously in the longitudinal direction and terminates in the neck wall at the opposite end of the balloon. Substantially all of the fibers of the first group have a generally uniform length. Each fiber of the second group begins in the cone wall at one end of the balloon, extends continuously in the longitudinal direction and terminates in the cone wall at the opposite end of the balloon.

Abstract: The three-dimensionally shaped sandwich structure is produced starting from a layered material (1) comprising a compressible core layer, in particular a paper honeycomb structure, having two opposite main faces which are each covered with a reinforcing material and with a mouldable material. The layered material (1) is moulded in a compression mould comprising two mutually movable mould sections (7, 9). In order to reduce the formation of cracks, tears or breaks in the core layer, the first mould section (7) is composed of at least two mutually movable mould parts (10 and 11-12). A first portion of the layered material (1) is first deep-drawn by moving the first mould part (10) towards its moulding position so that wrinkles are formed in the layered material and the second mould part (11-12) is moved later and/or more slowly than the first mould part (10) towards its moulding position.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a press (1) for producing a tampon preform (2?) by radially pressing a tampon blank (2) made of an absorbent material by means of compression jaws (3) which are arranged around a pressing region, characterized in that the press (1) comprises guide blades (4, 4?, 4?) for centering the tampon blank (2) in the radial and/or axial direction in the pressing region.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method to produce a semi-crystalline fluoro-polymer film. A semi-crystalline fluoro-polymer material is used. The material is compressed to produce the film. During compression, the material is maintained at a temperature below the melting point of the material. The compression step can be cycled to allow cooling of the material between compression stages. Alternative methods are provided for compressing the material with a co-extrusion substrate, extruding the material and utilizing mandrel expansion for the material.

Abstract: A method is described for producing an osmotically compacted polyelectrolyte complex having a first region and a second region, the first region having a greater modulus than the second region. The method comprises contacting an article comprising polyelectrolyte complex to a solution comprising a preferred osmolyte of concentration sufficient to compact said polyelectrolyte complex and terminating the compaction process before the entire article is osmotically compacted. A method is also described for producing a article comprising water and an intermolecular blend of at least one positively charged polyelectrolyte polymer and at least one negatively charged polymer, said article having a core region and a surface region, the surface region having at least twice the elastic modulus of the core region, the method comprising contacting a starting article comprising a blend of said polymers with a solution of osmolyte, wherein the osmolyte is excluded from said article.

Abstract: A method of forming a barrel for a tampon applicator assembly including molding a barrel then forming a rearward taper region in an area of the barrel is provided. The method includes molding a first portion of the barrel in a first mold part and a second portion of the barrel in a second mold part, the first and second mold parts meeting at a maximum outer dimension of the first portion, ejecting the barrel from the first and second mold parts, and forming a flared region in an area of the second portion.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a printed circuit board, in which an oxidant capable of polymerizing conductive polymers is selectively marked on a board using imprinting, and the monomer of a conductive polymer is filled in the selected pattern and polymerized, to provide a conductive polymer wiring pattern. With the method for manufacturing a printed circuit board, a printed circuit board can be given finer wiring widths to allow a highly integrated, highly efficient printed circuit board. Thus, a printed circuit board (PCB) or a flexible printed circuit boards (FPCB) can be manufactured that is applicable to industrial, clerical, and domestic electric electronic products, by forming conductive polymer wiring using imprinting.

Abstract: Various methods are provided for forming tissue holding devices having predetermined shapes suitable for use in surgical applications, and devices formed in accordance with such methods are also provided. These methods include press forming methods, and press forming methods in combination with profile punching. Tissue holding devices formed in accordance with such methods include various configurations for a core and a plurality of tissue holding elements extending outwardly from the core.

Abstract: Dry adhesives and methods of making dry adhesives including a method of making a dry adhesive including applying a liquid polymer to the second end of the stem, molding the liquid polymer on the stem in a mold, wherein the mold includes a recess having a cross-sectional area that is less than a cross-sectional area of the second end of the stem, curing the liquid polymer in the mold to form a tip at the second end of the stem, wherein the tip includes a second layer stem; corresponding to the recess in the mold, and removing the tip from the mold after the liquid polymer cures.