Abstract: A cooling apparatus and method for the post mold cooling of injection molded articles where an exterior portion of the article is exposed to a cooling atmosphere separately from any other cooling of the article. More particularly, the external surface of a neck finish portion of a preform is cooled by means of a cooling fluid stream which is specifically directed at the external surface.

Abstract: A thermoforming station and method for molding a sheet-like plastics material provide to use a bell element including a cover which can be opened on a sidewall in order to provide a large opening for ventilating and cooling the molded plastics material thereby reducing up to 50% the time conventionally required for making a thermoformed evenly cooled product.

Abstract: A green ceramic core or other article at elevated temperature is placed between a complaint member and a relatively rigid setter while the green core or article cools to a lower temperature. The compliant member can comprise a fluid pressurized compliant bladder or a compliant, non-rigid setter or facing layer thereon for contacting a side of the green core or article.

Abstract: A forming track forms flexible plastic tubing which carries fuel from a fuel tank to an engine into a desired shape. The forming track includes a curved channel to receive a round tubing and a pair of opposing flanges to secure the tubing in the forming track. The tubing slightly deforms between the pair of opposing flanges as the plastic tubing is positioned in the channel. After the tubing is inserted, the opposing flanges secure the tubing in the forming track. While positioned in the forming track, the tubing is set by heating and rapid cooling, thermosetting the tube into the shape of the forming track.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a resin impregnated article comprises the steps of providing a mold onto which a reinforcing material is placed, sealing the reinforcing material with an impervious sheet and regulating the temperature of the reinforcing material and resin by placing a fluid in contact with the impervious sheet and regulating the temperature of the fluid.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved method and apparatus for injection molding and cooling molded articles such as preforms so as to avoid crystallinity. The apparatus and method make use of a take-off plate for removing articles from a mold, which plate may include heat transfer devices for cooling exterior surfaces of the molded articles or preforms, and a system for cooling in a controlled manner interior surfaces of the molded articles or preforms.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved method and apparatus for injection molding and cooling molded articles such as preforms so as to avoid crystallinity. The apparatus and method make use of a take-off plate for removing articles from a mold, which plate may include heat transfer devices for cooling exterior surfaces of the molded articles or preforms, and a system for cooling in a controlled manner interior surfaces of the molded articles or preforms.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an innovative cooling pin for cooling molded articles, a system which incorporates same, and a method for cooling a molded article which utilizes the cooling pin. The cooling pin of the present invention has a central pin structure with a head portion, a cooling fluid channel within the central pin structure terminating in an outlet in the head portion, and a plurality of fins positioned along the length of the central pin structure. Adjacent ones of the fins are preferably separated by a spacer. Each of the fins is preferably formed from a flexible material such as a flexible plastic material. The fins force and maintain cooling fluid introduced into the interior of the molded article in close proximity to the interior surfaces of the molded article.

Abstract: A method for forming a hollow bottom of an acrylic cup by forming a cup body by injecting a molding with a liquid transparent or semi-transparent acrylic material into a mold to form a mushroom shaped cavity. The cavity in the bottom of the cup body is filled with a gas, permitting the whole cup to appear to have a three dimensional (3D) visual effect. The cavity of the bottom of the cup can be filled with a non-colored or colored liquid to permit the whole cup to contain a deflected visual effect of a plurality of colored layers.

Abstract: A process and a device for shaping and processing pipes. The device contains a carriage assembly and a plurality of bending units. The process includes the steps of moving a plurality of bending units freely along the pipes and performing a plurality of simultaneous bending operations using the adjustable bending units on the pipes. This process can also include the steps of engaging two end sections of the pipes using one of the plurality of bending units and applying at least one additional bending unit to the pipe corresponding to a number of further bending operations planned. With the device, there can also be a plurality of tracks to guide the carriage assembly. In addition the bending units can also comprise robots for shaping the pipes. These pipes can be heated before, during or after they are bent.

Abstract: A process for producing a multilayer molded article in which a surface of a thermoplastic resin substrate is partly or entirely laminated with a skin material.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for thermoforming a thermoplastic blank (10) into a plastic container (1) having a cup-shaped main body (2) with a radially extending flange (3). A blank holder (12) is conveyed by a conveyor (15) along a predetermined path of travel in a predetermined direction. During one circulation, a plurality of blanks are supplied by a blank feeder (16) to the blank holder, a central portion (10a) of each blank is heated by direct contact with upper and lower heating boards (19a, 19b) of heating unit (18) to preferably above a melting point of the blank material, then the heated portion is formed into the cup-shaped main body by a forming unit (20), then a peripheral portion (10b) is annealed by a flange annealing unit (26), and finally the product containers are removed from the blank holder by a pick-up unit (28). The vacant blank holder (12″) is returned to the blank feed station. An annular ridge (3a) or skirt flange (3b) may be formed, preferably at the flange annealing station.

Abstract: A device and method for cooling granules, in particular wax granules, for processing in an injection-moulding machine, which has a cavity for receiving the granules and having an inlet opening and an outlet opening, and at least one further opening is provided for supplying a gaseous medium. In the device of the invention, the outlet opening is arranged directly or indirectly at the feed region of the screw of an injection-moulding machine and the cavity is connected to a cold-gas production device. In the process of the invention, the inlet temperature and the outlet temperature of the gas is determined and by determining the temperature difference, the preset theoretical temperature in the cavity is controlled and/or regulated.

Abstract: A calender for treatment of a web of a nonwoven textile V made of thermoplastic fibers. The calendar includes a heated embossing roller made of steel and a counter-roller that runs at the same circumference velocity. The local plastification in the nonwoven textile V that is produced at the locations of the raised embossing areas results in a board-like feel of the nonwoven textile V. To reduce this hardness, the web of the nonwoven textile V is broken, after having cooled at least partially.

Abstract: An improved method of producing a fluid filled elastomeric bladder for occupant weight sensing involves annealing the bladder material prior to its installation in a vehicle seat so as to quickly relieve initial stress due to stretching of the bladder material which occurs during fluid injection. In a preferred implementation, the initial stress is relieved by immersing the fluid-filled bladders in heated water for a time period on the order of 60 seconds or more. Alternatively, the bladder material may be heated with steam or radiant heat, by injecting heated fluid into the bladder, or by injecting heated air into an empty bladder before fluid injection. In each case the initial stress is quickly relieved, substantially eliminating a potential source of error in the sensed weight.

Abstract: The take-out device for use with a machine for injection molding plastic articles such as PET preforms has a plurality of cooling tubes that receive hot preforms from the molding machine, carry them to a position remote from the molds of the machine for cooling, and then eject the cooled preforms onto a conveyor or other handling apparatus. The preforms are retained within the cooling tubes by vacuum pressure, but are then ejected by positive air pressure. A retaining plate spaced slightly outwardly beyond the outer ends of the cooling tubes is shiftable into a closed position in which it momentarily blocks ejection of the preforms during the application positive air pressure, yet allows them to be dislodged slightly axially outwardly from the tubes. Such slight dislodging movement is inadequate to vent the air system to atmosphere such that sufficient dislodging air pressure remains in tubes where the preforms might otherwise tend to stick and resist ejection.

Abstract: A polishing pad is formed by solidifying a flowable polymeric material at different rates of cooling to provide a polishing pad with a transparent region and an adjacent opaque region. Types of polymeric material suitable for making the polishing pad include a single thermoplastic material, a blend of thermoplastic materials, and a reactive thermosetting polymer.

Abstract: A method is provided for fabricating an implantable prosthesis for repairing a defect in a muscle and tissue wall, the prosthesis having a first surface which is convex and a second surface which is concave. The method includes steps of providing a first template having a predetermined concave shape; providing a second template having a predetermined convex shape; placing a piece of implantable flexible mesh between the first and second templates; heating the mesh to a predetermined temperature for a predetermined length of time so that the mesh retains the predetermined shape; and removing the mesh from between the first and second templates. In another aspect, a package is provided for storing a resilient, preformed implantable prosthesis having a first surface with a concave shape and a second surface with a convex shape.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for producing a hollow plastic section by extrusion through a die in a horizontal direction. The die has an inner mandrel which forms the cavity in the section. A first sealing plug and a second sealing plug, which sealing plugs are situated at a distance from one another downstream of the inner mandrel are attached to the inner mandrel. The sealing plugs are designed, during operation of the apparatus, to lie in the hollow section, such that they are sealed against the section, so that the sealing plugs and the section delimit a compartment in the cavity of the section. The compartment is filled with a liquid during operation of the apparatus. Vent means are located in the compartment for receiving and discharging gases or vapor which collects at the highest point of the compartment.

Abstract: A method of producing reformed crosslinked polymer articles provides reformed crosslinked articles free of visible and objectionable folds, seams and interfaces on reformed surfaces thereof. In a preferred embodiment, a product is produced by a method including the steps of extruding a silane-grafted polyethylene tube, heating an end of the tube, reforming the end of the tube to produce a radially enlarged sealing surface thereon, cooling the reformed tube, and curing the reformed tube to produce an increase in the degree of crosslinking of the polyethylene material.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for treating plastic tubes, in particular PCV tubes, obtained by extrusion, whereby a tube is brought to a molecular orientation temperature, higher than room temperature, and is subjected to bi-axial drawing by radial expansion and axial elongation, to obtain a bi-oriented tube whose mechanical properties are improved. The tube (T) is cut into elements (4) of predetermined length immediately after being extruded and its temperature is higher than the molecular orientation temperature, each element constituting a blank (5); each blank (5) is placed in a chamber (E) to be cooled therein by a fluid (F) to a temperature close to the molecular orientation temperature, the dwell time of the blank in the chamber being greater than the time of its production by extrusion; and the blank (5) is then extracted from the chamber (E) to be subjected to a treatment enabling its bi-orientation.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for providing targeted cooling to a pre-molded article, such as a preform. A cooling pin is inserted into the preform such that it makes contact with targeted area, such as the mold gate area. This permits conductive cooling of the targeted area. The apparatus and method are particularly suited to post-mold cooling in conjunction with a robotic take-out plate.

Abstract: A method for continuously producing finished board from a mat of a pressing stock mixed with a binder in a continuously operating press having steel belts, friction reducing elements, heating plates and cooling plates, the method comprising choosing a cooling length of a cooling section to cure the mat of pressing stock and to ensure a harmless vapor pressure within a finished board; introducing the mat between the steel belts of the continuously operating press; heating and pressing the pressing stock in a heating section of the continuously operating press; and cooling surfaces of the pressing mat just before the reaction starting temperature is reached, wherein the surfaces of the mat are subject to cooling when the temperature at the center of the stock is about 85% to 95% of the temperature required for curing the pressing stock. A continuously operating press for producing boards from a pressing stock has a press table and a press ram located above the press table.

Abstract: A method of depositing solder on a conductive region of a substrate comprising providing a substrate having a substrate aperture and a coefficient of thermal expansion. A polymeric stencil is also provided such as to have a stencil aperture and a coefficient of thermal expansion which is approximately equal to the coefficient of thermal expansion of the substrate. The method also includes disposing the polymeric stencil on the substrate such that the stencil aperture is aligned with a conductive region; and reflowing the solder paste while the polymeric stencil remains disposed on the substrate. The polymeric stencil is then removed from the substrate essentially without any solder-paste being removed with the polymeric stencil.

Abstract: Methods of thermal annealing of plastic pieces immediately after hot melt forming are disclosed to accelerate the time required to achieve dimensional stability. The present methods include the essential steps of: (A) forming molten plastic into molded plastic pieces and rapidly cooling to below the melting point of the plastic in a mold to form shaped cooled plastic pieces; (B) immediately thereafter, heating the plastic pieces to a temperature of about 150° to 170° F. (65.5° to 80° C.) to form heated plastic pieces; and, thereafter, (C) cooling the heated plastic pieces to room temperature to form thermally annealed plastic pieces. Tn its product aspect, the present invention resides in physically aged thermoplastic pieces having reduced rates of age shrinkage.

Abstract: The present invention is related to a rotary cooling station to be used in conjunction with a high output injection molding machine and a robot having a take-out plate. More particularly, the present invention teaches a high speed robot that transfers warm preforms onto a separate rotary cooling station where they are retained and internally cooled by specialized cores. The preforms may also be simultaneously cooled from the outside to speed up the cooling rate and thus avoid the formation of crystallinity zones. Solutions for the retention and ejection of the cooled preforms are described. The rotary cooling station of the present invention may be used to cool molded articles made of a single material or multiple materials.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for melt extruding a film layer of a thermoplastic olefin which comprises extruding the film having physical characteristics under process conditions selected by reference to the Draw ratio Dr and the Aspect ratio A such that draw resonance is avoided in which in addition the process conditions are defined by reference to the Deborah number such that the molten polymer is extruded at a Draw ratio of at least 30 in a high elasticity region at a &lgr;c value of characteristic time as defined herein of from 0.001 to 0.6 s, a Deborah number as defined herein in excess of 0.005 and an A value as defined herein lower than 0.8. Narrower ranges of these parameters may be defined for application of the invention to different polymer types.

Abstract: A hydrostatic compression method for producing a fancy log with a decorative and complicated external appearance from a primary wood. In the method, a primary wood having a water content adjusted in the range of 10-80 wt % is brought into a softened state, then the softened wood is compressed with hydrostatic pressure by means of liquid as pressurizing medium. Next, the compressed wood is treated with a fixation means to fix the compressed state. The fixation means can be a shaping jig, a mold, heating in a particular temperature range conducted while constraining the volume relation of compressed wood, cooling down below the softening point of the wood while under pressure, compact-packing together with hard particles into a vessel followed by heating, or a primary wood is chemically treated to form a localized wood-plastics composite before applying hydrostatic compression.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an innovative cooling pin for cooling molded articles, a system which incorporates same, and a method for cooling a molded article which utilizes the cooling pin. The cooling pin of the present invention has a central pin structure with a head portion, a cooling fluid channel within the central pin structure terminating in an outlet in the head portion, and a plurality of fins positioned along the length of the central pin structure. Adjacent ones of the fins are preferably separated by a spacer. Each of the fins is preferably formed from a flexible material such as a flexible plastic material. The fins force and maintain cooling fluid introduced into the interior of the molded article in close proximity to the interior surfaces of the molded article.

Abstract: Process for the crystallization of aromatic polyester resins having IV between 0,5 and 0.7 dl/g wherein the resin is extruded in the form of a strand at extruder exit or the chips obtained by cutting the strand are crystallized maintaining them at temperature between 160° C. and 220° C. for sufficient time to obtain a crystallized product wherein the DSC curves do not show the presence of practically any premelt peaks.

Abstract: Method for treating an extruded plastic section having a hollow space and installation suitable for carrying out such a treatment. The installation includes an extruder which has a core for forming the hollow space in the section and, at a distance downstream from the extruder in the extrusion direction of the section, a closing means having a rigid circumferential wall. The installation also has a first conduit connected to a supply orifice which is provided in the circumferential wall of the closing means, a fluid feeder connected to the first conduit and a second conduit connected to a discharge orifice. The discharge orifice is upstream of the supply orifice to provide a fluid film flowing opposite to the extrusion direction between the circumferential wall of the closing means and the extruded section.

Abstract: A device useful for localized delivery of a therapeutic material is provided. The device includes a structure including a porous material; and a water-insoluble salt of a therapeutic material dispersed in the porous material. The water-insoluble salt is formed by contacting an aqueous solution of a therapeutic salt with a heavy metal water-soluble salt dispersed throughout a substantial portion of the porous material. The porous material can be made of a polymer other than fibrin with fibrin incorporated into the pores, which can be the only layer of polymeric material on the medical device (e.g., stent). A new method for preparing a porous polymer material on a medical device.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of a cellulosic fibrous aggregate, comprising a softening stage, a dewatering stage and a curing stage, whereby in the softening stage a section of cellulosic fibrous material is exposed to the action of a liquid aqueous softening agent at elevated temperature and at a pressure of at least the equilibrium vapor pressure of the softening agent at the operating temperature, and whereby part of the heat required to raise the temperature of the starting material to the operating temperature of the softening stage, is obtained, by heat-exchange contact, from an aqueous stream, the initial temperature of which is substantially equal to the said operating temperature.

Abstract: A calibration apparatus and method for making a grooved plastic spacer for a slotted core telecommunications cable. The method includes attaching a calibration apparatus having helically shaped calibration members to an extrusion die. The calibration members are inserted into respective grooves of the spacer so that, as the spacer exits from the die, the calibration members maintain the shape of the grooves until the spacer is sufficiently cooled.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved method and apparatus for injection molding and cooling molded articles such as preforms so as to avoid crystallinity. The apparatus and method make use of a take-off plate for removing articles from a mold, which plate may include heat transfer devices for cooling exterior surfaces of the molded articles or preforms, and a system for cooling in a controlled manner interior surfaces of the molded articles or preforms.

Abstract: A plastic article is formed in an injection mold by injecting molten plastic into the injection mold at an elevated temperature, cooling the plastic from the molten condition to a solid condition, and crystallizing a portion of the plastic by slowing down the cooling of said portion.

Abstract: A method for forming a socket on a pipe of biaxially oriented polyvinyl chloride including: placing a support in an end section of the pipe, heating the pipe in the region of the end section; deforming the pipe to produce a socket in the region of the heated end section, the heated end section being supported internally while the socket is being formed; cooling the pipe in the region of the end section, the end section being supported internally during the cooling operation; and removing the support from the pipe. For the purpose of heating the internally supported end section of the pipe, the end section is first heated until the end section has reached, substantially homogeneously, the glass transition temperature of polyvinyl chloride and is then further heated until the end section has reached, substantially homogeneously, a temperature near, preferably just above, the orientation temperature of polyvinyl chloride.

Abstract: A method of cooling hot-pressed panels, such as wood chip or fiber board panels or sheets, includes a first step in which the panels are intensively cooled from an initial temperature above 100.degree. C. down to a temperature of about 100.degree. C. by means of cooling water, a second step in which the panels are further cooled to a temperature below 60.degree. C. by using cooling air, and a third step of reconditioning the panels by exposing the panels to a vapor mixture of steam and volatile binder components that was evolved during the first step. The third reconditioning step can begin and take place already during the first cooling step, or between the first and second cooling steps.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for producing a molding material, which comprises melt-extruding a styrenic polymer essentially having a syndiotactic structure or a composition containing the polymer to give strands, then rapidly cooling the resulting strands to thereby make the surface temperature of the strands not higher than the melting point of the styrenic polymer or the composition containing the polymer, and thereafter gradually cooling them to thereby make the surface temperature of the strands not higher than a temperature higher by 20.degree. C. than their glass transition temperature, and finally pelletizing the strands into pellets. The pellets produced have a high degree of crystallinity and can be well molded into good moldings.

Abstract: A method and associated apparatus in which decorative ribbons of varying thickness, width, and material can be automatically curled. The apparatus serves to impart a tendency to curl the strand in a helical formation by drawing the ribbon in a helical path around a curling tube. The tube is divided into two parts, so that the first part heats the ribbon while in a helical configuration and the second part cools the ribbon while still in the helical configuration, thereby setting into the ribbon material a tendency to curl. The helical path on the tube is defined between convolutions of a helically-wound fin on the exterior of the tube. The tube is hollow and has apertures opening into the helical path, so that temperature-controlled air may be blown into the two parts of the path through the hollow interior of the tube.

Abstract: A method of forming plastics which comprises the sequential steps of cutting a plastic piece from a sheet of plastic, heating both sides of the plastic piece by contact heating, molding the heated plastic piece into its end-shape by press-molding, and cooling the heated and molded plastic piece into its end shape by air cooling means. In the preferred embodiment, the plastic piece, which may be laminated on one or both of its sides, is heated by use of a heating press which compresses the plastic piece thereby preventing "wrinkling" or warping of either side of the plastic piece. Thereafter, in the preferred embodiment, the heated plastic piece is positioned in a press-molding mechanism which comprises specially made male-female dies. Preferably, the air cooling step of the method takes place during the latter part of the press-molding step whereby both steps are, at some period, occurring concurrently.

Abstract: A method of thermally treating a preform element, of the kind having a facing table of polycrystalline diamond bonded to a substrate of cemented tungsten carbide, is disclosed. The steps of the method are: (a) heating the element to a soaking temperature of about 600.degree. C., (b) maintaining the temperature of the element at that temperature for two to three hours, and (c) cooling the element to ambient temperature. These steps are preferably then followed by a flash heating cycle. These steps are: (d) heating the element to a temperature in the range of 750-850.degree. C., (e) maintaining the temperature of the element at that temperature for about four seconds, and (f) cooling the element to ambient temperature. This thermal treatment relieves residual stresses in the element in order to reduce the risk of cracking or delamination of the element in use.

Abstract: A method of forming a plastic product comprises extruding molten plastic into a mold having a mold wall with product shaping interior face. After shaping the product in the mold, the method includes introducing gas via a gas inlet through the mold wall onto the product to cool both the product and the mold and then discharging the gas from the mold at a location remote from the gas inlet.

Abstract: A method for aperturing a laminate. The first step is to provide a laminate having at least one nonwoven web of thermoplastic fibers and at least one elastic member. The laminate is forwarded through a pressure biased nip having a relief patterned nip defining member having a plurality of pattern elements and a nip defining anvil member. The nip defining members are biased towards each other with a predetermined pattern-element loading. Each nip defining member is heated to a temperature that is sufficiently above the melt temperature of the thermoplastic fibers of the nonwoven web and above the melt temperature of the elastic member to enable aperturing of the laminate.

Abstract: A nonporous composite material laminate formed by combination of a liquid crystal polymer film with two support membranes and stretching the composite material laminate to provide a multiaxially-oriented liquid crystal polymer film, wherein the liquid crystal polymer film contains 1 to 30 volume percent of a solid particulate material in amounts sufficient to reduce the thickness variability of the film whereby the ratio of the standard deviation of thickness values to the mean thickness value of the film is 0.1 or less. The liquid crystal polymer film has balanced physical properties, uniform thickness, and smooth surfaces. A process for making the composite material and orienting the liquid crystal polymer is also disclosed.

Abstract: Extrusion apparatus is employed in a co-extrusion process to produce a triangular-shaped barrel for a writing instrument. An inner layer of material is extruded in tubular form having a substantially circular cross-section. A coating layer of three strips of material, equally spaced one from the other, is co-extruded about the outer periphery of the inner layer. A combination of forces produced during the process is effective to distort the inner layer to form a product having a substantially triangular shape.

Abstract: A process for production of a moulded ceramic and/or metallic body from a ductile material comprising one or more ceramic and/or metallic components, which material is fed into the pre-heated mould cavity (1) of a moulding tool. The moulded tool includes at least two mould parts (4, 5) of which at least one wholly or partly consists of a microporous material with communicating micropores. At least one mould cavity (1) comprising at least one mould surface (2, 3) exhibiting closed micropores is arranged in the microporous mould part (4, 5) or in a microporous section (6) thereof. The microporous mould part (4, 5) or the microporous section (6) thereof is pre-heated by supply of warm fluid, such as a heated gas. Said part (4, 5) or section (6) is after terminated moulding cooled by supply of cold fluid, such as a condensed gas. the invention includes in a further aspect a moulded body produced according to the process.

Abstract: A method for forming a bend in a tube of thermoplastic material by heating a pre-formed bend to a pre-determined temperature and maintaining the temperature substantially constant by the pulsed emission of infra-red radiation from one or more infra-red sources in response to the surface temperature of the tube detected by a remote temperature sensor.

Abstract: A method to transform a thermoplastic novelty toothbrush into a costume jewelry piece, such as a bracelet, or a toy after it is no longer employed in service as a toothbrush. The thermoplastic material allows a user to easily remove the bristles and form the toothbrush into a costume jewelry piece or toy.

Abstract: A composite material is formed by combining a liquid crystal polymer with a porous or nonporous support membrane to provide either a thin, multiaxially oriented liquid crystal film on the support membrane formed by laminating the liquid crystal polymer onto a porous or nonporous support membrane, followed by multiaxial orientation; or to provide a thin, multiaxially oriented liquid crystal polymer region within a porous support membrane formed by impregnating the liquid crystal polymer into a porous support membrane, followed by multiaxial orientation. Lyotropic or thermotropic liquid crystal polymers may be used.