Abstract: A microwave heatable composite material that comprises: a heat resistant moldable base material; a microwave heatable material dispersed in the heat resistant moldable base material; and a phase change material dispersed in the heat resistant moldable base material. The mixture of the microwave heatable material, heat resistant moldable base material, and phase change material provide a basic or core microwave heatable article layer to which one or more additional controlled heat releasing and/or heat transfer blocking layers can be combined to enhance and optimize heat therapy. In addition, the microwave heatable articles of the present invention can be used for cold therapy by lowering their temperatures in a freezer of similar cold environment.

Abstract: A method for producing a confectionery product from at least two pieces with at least one interface between the two pieces and including meltable material at least in parts of the interface, comprising the step of heating the interface during or after the two pieces have been brought into contact with each other. An apparatus for producing a confectionery product from two or more pieces comprising at least one heater in or downstream of a station where at least two pieces of the confectionery product are brought into contact with each other. A mold for the production of a confectionery product having at least two pieces has at least one component or portion heatable by induction heating. A heatable component, preferably a ferromagnetic component provided in the vicinity of a confectionery product, is used for partially heating the confectionery product, preferably by induction heating.

Abstract: A composition, including at least one curable structural adhesive, and at least one thermoplastic elastomer, wherein the thermoplastic elastomer is present in the structural adhesive as penetrating polymer network. Such a composition constitutes a so-called shape memory material and is suitable for reinforcing cavities in structural components, such as, for example, in automobile bodies.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a building material consisting of a moulded product of a base material, which moulded product is provided with at least one cavity, which cavity is filled with a filler in the form of loose particles, which loose particles have been bonded together by means of a binding agent, wherein the binding agent is present on the loose filler particles in the form of droplets. The present invention furthermore relates to a method for manufacturing such a building material In addition to that the present invention relates to a use of the present building material.

Abstract: Various mold apparatuses and methods for forming a polymer with induction heat energy are provided. In one embodiment of the present invention, a mold apparatus for forming polymer includes a mold having a top mold portion and a top mold surface that is magnetic. The bottom mold portion of the mold includes an induction heating unit that is at least partially embedded in the bottom mold portion that provides induction heat energy to the mold. The mold apparatus is constructed and arranged to dissipate greater than about 50% of the induction heat energy in the top mold portion. The induction heating unit of the bottom portion of the mold provides rapid heating to the top mold surface to provide high surface quality polymer parts and a shorter molding cycle time while utilizing less energy.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to the incorporation of a substructure into tooling for constructing composite structures in order to control thermal expansion of the tooling during aerospace manufacturing processes. Substructure, such as headers and/or gussets is added to the tooling to constrain the growth of the laminate expansion and/or control the diametric growth of the tool during the curing cycle. The thickness of the face-sheet of the tooling also may be reduced in order to further reduce the effective coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) of the tooling.

Abstract: A process for continuous consolidation of at least one fold (22, 24), whereby the process includes unwinding a unit that consists of the at least one fold (22, 24) that is placed between two strips (26, 28) continuously along at least one curved path, the at least one fold (22, 24) being placed between guiding elements and a strip (26) to the right of the curved path to heat the at least one fold (22, 24) at least at the curved path and to exert tension on the strip (26) so that the latter compresses the at least one fold (22, 24) at least at the curved path, characterized in that it includes using strips (26, 28) whose width is greater than that of the at least one fold (22, 24) so as to be in contact on both sides of the at least one fold (22, 24).

Abstract: An apparatus and method for bonding polymeric materials is provided. The apparatus and method both utilize ferromagnetic materials in association with the polymeric materials to be bonded together. The polymeric materials, and the ferromagnetic material, are placed within a magnetic field, which causes hysterisis losses in the magnetic field, and thus elevation in the temperature of both the ferromagnetic material and the polymeric materials to the point where the polymeric materials melt and fuse together. The ferromagnetic materials only rise in temperature to their Curie temperatures, at which point the hysterisis losses cease, and the polymeric material stops being heated. Removing the electromagnetic field allows for cooling and fusing. An interface composition may also be placed between the two polymeric materials to be bonded.

Abstract: The disclosed information describes a preheating method and apparatus for preheating raw tire including metal members embedded therein prior to vulcanization molding process, to heat whole part of the raw tire up to desirable temperature rapidly and certainly to complete vulcanization molding in a short time. The disclosed apparatus comprises a retaining means for retaining raw tire in a predetermined attitude in a releasable manner; a induction heating means for heating the metal members inductively by means of a high frequency magnetic field, the high frequency magnetic field being applied to raw tire retained by the retaining means; and a radiation heater for heating a rate-limiting portion radiatively, the temperature of the rate-limiting portion rising slowly under only induction heating for the metal members.

Abstract: Process for producing bodies from ceramic materials using silicon carbide, comprising the steps: configuration of fiber-reinforced porous bodies (1, 5) that consist of carbon on a base (2) that is inert relative to liquid silicon, the bodies having cavities (3) that are accessible from the exterior or surface recesses (3?), and the cavities (3) being closed at the bottom in the porous bodies or the surface recesses (3?) together with the base (2) forming a reservoir that is sealed at the bottom; heating the configuration by introduction of energy to melt the silicon (6) that is present in the reservoir; and infiltrating the melted silicon in the bodies (1, 5) and reaction of the silicon with the carbon to form silicon carbide; and use of the thus produced bodies as brake disks and as clutch driving disks.

Abstract: Thermoplastic compositions containing metal materials and a method for preparing the same. The compositions are formed into particles having diameters suitable for a rotational thermoforming processing. The compositions are particularly applicable for use in slush molding processes where efficient heat transfer to the material is desired to form improved surface quality thermoplastic skin. A preferred method for preparing thermoplastic compositions containing metal material into a slush moldable powder comprises melt compounding the composition to form pellets, and further processing the pellets by cryogenic pulverization. A preferred method for forming micropellets uses an extruder having a gear pump to increase the melt pressure.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming laminate composite structures. At least two laminae, each containing electrically conductive reinforcing fibers, are placed upon each other in contacting relationship to form a generally layered structure. The layered structure may be subjected to heat to conductively transfer heat through the layered structure and thereby improve the surface contact between two laminae. The layered structure is volumetrically heated by inductively transferring energy to the electrically conductive reinforcing fibers. The heated, layered structure is consolidated, such as by applying pressure and reducing the temperature of the layered structure. The consolidated structure is then quenched by rapidly cooling the consolidated structure in a directionally controlled manner about a midplane thereof.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for bonding polymeric materials is provided. The apparatus and method both utilize ferromagnetic materials in association with the polymeric materials to be bonded together. The polymeric materials, and the ferromagnetic material, are placed within a magnetic field, which causes hysteresis losses in the ferromagnetic field, and thus elevation in the temperature of both the ferromagnetic material and the polymeric materials to the point where the polymeric materials melt and fuse together. The ferromagnetic materials only rise in temperature to their Curie temperatures, at which point the hysteresis losses cease, and the polymeric material stops being heated. Removing the electromagnetic field allows for cooling and fusing.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of manufacturing a pneumatic tire (400) with improved tire uniformity. The tire has a pair of beads (432a,432b) in bead portions and at least one carcass ply (418) extending between the beads and consisting of reinforcement cords (419) embedded in a rubber matrix (836). The method is characterized by the steps of: a) forming the rubber matrix of the carcass ply or a portion of the bead portions from a matrix material (such as a thermoplastic) that can be rendered plastic and rendered non-plastic, which respectively permits and restricts reorientation of the reinforcement cords, b) rendering the matrix material plastic (such as by heating the thermoplastic) before the tire begins to cure to permit the one or more of the reinforcement cords to be free to reorient themselves, and c) curing the tire in a tire mold (354) while the matrix material remains plastic so that the reinforcement cords remain free to reorient themselves while curing.

Abstract: The disclosed information describes a preheating method and apparatus for preheating raw tire including metal members embedded therein prior to vulcanization molding process, to heat whole part of the raw tire up to desirable temperature rapidly and certainly to complete vulcanization molding in a short time. The disclosed apparatus comprises a retaining means for retaining raw tire in a predetermined attitude in a releasable manner; a induction heating means for heating the metal members inductively by means of a high frequency magnetic field, the high frequency magnetic field being applied to raw tire retained by the retaining means; and a radiation heater for heating a rate-limiting portion radiatively, the temperature of the rate-limiting portion rising slowly under only induction heating for the metal members.

Abstract: A device for manufacturing a three-dimensional product, which device comprises a work table on which said three-dimensional product is to be built, a powder dispenser which is arranged to lay down a thin layer of powder on the work table for the formation of a powder bed, a ray gun for giving off energy to the powder whereby fusion of the powder takes place, members for controlling of the beam released by the ray gun across said powder bed for the formation of a cross section of said three-dimensional product through fusion of parts of said powder bed, and a controlling computer in which information about successive cross sections of the three-dimensional product is stored, which cross sections build the three-dimensional product, the controlling computer intended to control said members for guiding the ray gun across the powder bed according to a running schedule forming a cross section of said three-dimensional body, whereby said three-dimensional product is formed by successive fusion of successively forme

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an embossing apparatus, methods of use thereof and articles produced therefrom. In one embodiment, the method of forming an embossed substrate comprises: disposing a substrate a platen and a stamper comprising a negative of a desired surface feature, wherein the stamper is affixed to a magnetically permeable block comprising an induction coil, and wherein the stamper comprises a relative magnetic permeability gradient, pressing the stamper and the substrate together, passing an alternating electrical current through the induction coil, and changing the alternating electrical current in the induction coil. This apparatus is particularly useful for the manufacture of data storage media.

Abstract: A rubber tire component (10, 20, 30, 40) is laden with a mixture of fibers (12). The fibers (12) being sensitive to induction heating can be rapidly cured using a variety of methods. The preferred method permits a selective induction curing of the fiber laden component (10, 20, 30, 40) in combination with conventional curing presses.

Abstract: Thermoplastic welding is an emerging technology targeted at significantly reducing the manufacture of aerospace structure by eliminating fasteners and the touch labor associated with fasteners to prepare, install, and inspect the assemblies. Thermoplastic welds, however, suffer from significant residual tensile strain caused by differences in the coefficient of thermal expansion between the carbon fiber reinforced composite laminates and the unreinforced weld. We alleviate this strain by adding fiber reinforcement to the weld using a structural susceptor which is a laminate of alternating layers of thermoplastic resin and fiber reinforcement sandwiching a conventional metal susceptor. A further advantage of the structural susceptor is the ability to peel it in selected locations to fill the gap between the laminates, eliminating costly profilometry of the faying surfaces and the associated problem of resin depletion where machining occurred to match the faying surfaces.

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

Abstract: A metallized composite includes a thermoplastic sheet and at least one discontinuous layer of metal within the thermoplastic sheet. The discontinuous metal layer can be disposed between two thermoplastic layers that are bound together, such as by melting the layers together, pressing, or by use of an adhesive. The metallized composites of the invention can be employed as reflective surfaces, such as are used as mirrors or substitutes for chrome trim on automobiles. A particularly preferred metal as a component of the discontinuous layer of the composite is indium.

Abstract: A susceptor-impregnated thermoplastic foam is molded by heating the susceptor-impregnated thermoplastic foam, preferably by induction; imprinting an object against the foam; and allowing the foam to cool into a hardened form conformed to the object.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for making insignias with a raised design is capable of providing more aesthetic appearance to the insignias thus made. A base material consisting of a base sheet and a surface sheet overlaying the base sheet is prepared for making into an insignia. The base material is coating with a surface coating of decorative material. A bottom mold and an upper mold are used to press the base material to form raised design of patterns. The bottom and upper molds are coupled to a composite heating device including high-frequency induction and electric heating means for applying both high-frequency induction heat and electric heat to the base material while the upper molding is being pressed against the bottom mold. The upper mold is formed with a plurality of edge-defining blades for cutting an edge for the insignia, a plurality of pattern-defining blades for forming a pre-designed pattern on the insignia.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for making insignias with a raised design is capable of providing more aesthetic appearance to the insignias thus made. A base material consisting of a base sheet and a surface sheet overlaying the base sheet is prepared for making into an insignia. The base material is coating with a surface coating of decorative material. A bottom mold and an upper mold are used to press the base material to form raised design of patterns. The bottom and upper molds are coupled to a composite heating device including high-frequency induction and electric heating means for applying both high-frequency induction heat and electric heat to the base material while the upper molding is being pressed against the bottom mold. The upper mold is formed with a plurality of edge-defining blades for cutting an edge for the insignia, a plurality of pattern-defining blades for forming a pre-designed pattern on the insignia.

Abstract: A blank (2) is molded for the manufacture of a multi-layer preform (1). The blank possesses protrusions (5). After the protrusions (5) have been brought to a plasticized state under the action of heat, those surfaces that contain protrusions (5) are covered by a layer of plasticized material. The blank (2) becomes connected to the layer (6) in the area of the protrusions (5). After cooling of the preform created from the blank (2) and the layer (6), the blank (2) will be connected with the layer (6) by means of microweld positions (7) in the area of the said protrusions (5). With that, delamination of the preform (1) during further processing or use-will be effectively prevented.

Abstract: Self-tuning materials which can efficiently emit or receive radio waves in spite of being simple in their construction and small in their dimension, and are applied to patch antenna, wave directors or the like. Metallic chips containing two or more kinds of ingredients which are distributed in a layered, net-like or needle-shaped configuration, and an organic or inorganic bonding material which is small in dissipation of electric power under radio waves of high frequencies are mixed with each other, and are pressurized under a high pressure while being highly electrified in the direction perpendicular to the pressurizing direction to mold the metallic chips and the bonding material in a plate-shaped configuration while being heated.

Abstract: An apparatus for heating a rubber-metal plate composite formed of a plurality of unvulcanized rubber layers and metal plates, each being overlaid alternately, by induction heating, includes an induction coil for applying a magnetic field to the composite and heating the metal plates due to eddy currents generated by the magnetic field, a power unit for applying an alternating current to the induction coil to generate the magnetic field, and a mold to confine the periphery of the composite. The mold is made of a nonmagnetic or weakly magnetic material with electrical conductivity, such as austenitic stainless steel. The mold generates enough heat to function as the heating unit by generating eddy currents in the conductive mold while magnetic flux permeates the mold substantially without loss and reaches the composite therein.

Abstract: A vulcanized rubber-metal plate composite is obtained by overlaying a plurality of unvulcanized rubber layers and metal plates alternately and heating thereof by magnetic induction heating. The vulcanized rubber-metal plate composite is obtained by placing a composite of a plurality of unvulcanized rubber layers and metal plates, each being overlaid alternately, into a place affected by an induction coil; heating the metal plates due to eddy currents formed in the metal plates by applying an alternating current to the induction coil; and vulcanizing the unvulcanized rubber layers due to heat conduction from the heated metal plates.

Abstract: A method for producing a heel mat-attached floor rug for a motor vehicle. A floor rug proper is prepared which has been previously compression-molded to have a three-dimensionally projected portion. Then, the floor rug proper is put on a lower die of a depression-molding device in such a manner that the three-dimensionally projected portion of the rug proper neatly covers a projected portion formed on a shaping surface of the lower die. Then, a heel mat of thermoplastic material is put on a shaping surface of an upper die of the compression-molding device. The shaping surface of the upper die has a depressed portion which is shaped to neatly receive the projected portion of the lower die. Then, the upper die is pressed against the lower die having the heel mat and the floor rug proper put therebetween. Then, a lower surface of the heel mat is melted, by means of high frequency induction welding, thereby to bond the heel mat to the floor rug proper.