Abstract: An ink roller and a method of producing the same are disclosed. This ink roller is produced by preheating a flexible polyurethane foam havng a three-dimensional skeletal reticulated structure and a pore size of 20-60 pores/cm at 130.degree.-190.degree. C., subjecting the preheated foam to permanent deformation through compression at a temperature of 130.degree.-220.degree. C. and a compressibility of 1/3-1/15 and cutting the resulting compression body having a hardness of 15.degree.-60.degree. into a given shape in such a manner that the axial direction is coincident with the compression direction of the compression body.

Abstract: Mold bodies, for example, for the wings of rotary wing aircraft are formed y densifying a core of a hard foam material under such pressure and temperature conditions that later, when the core is placed into a mold together with the cover layer of a heat curable synthetic material, the core will expand again in response to heating the cover layer to its curing temperature. This expansion causes an intimate, complete bond between the core and the cover layer.

Abstract: Method for producing large size, low density, elongated thermoplastic cellular bodies comprising the steps of forming a mixture of a thermoplastic polymer and a blowing agent dissolved therein under pressure and at a temperature at which the viscosity of the mixture is sufficient to retain the blowing agent when the mixture is allowed to expand, extruding said mixture into a holding zone under conditions that prevent said mixture from foaming, the holding zone having an outlet die orifice opening into a zone of lower pressure and temperature at which said mixture foams and an openable gate closing the die orifice; periodically opening said gate and substantially concurrently applying mechanical pressure by a movable ram on the mixture, preferably while scraping the sides of the holding zone with said ram, to eject the mixture from the holding zone through the die orifice at a rate in excess of that at which substantial foaming in the die orifice occurs and less than that at which substantial irregularities in

Abstract: A method for making a centrosymmetrical spider of a universal joint by extrusion molding involves pressing both end faces of a cylindrical blank the same distance towards the center of the blank to force the blank material radially outwards from the center of the cylindrical blank in a stream which is symmetrical relative to the two end faces and into a cavity of a split mold.Also disclosed is a molding apparatus for practicing the method. The apparatus includes a floating mold. One end of the apparatus can be rigidly fixed to a press for operating the punches which provide the extrusion pressure.

Abstract: Embossable foam latex compositions prepared by dispersing into a foam latex from 20 to 150 parts by weight per hundred parts of latex solids of a powdered particulate material having a melting point in the range 90.degree. to 200.degree. C. Embossing of foam-backed carpet or foam sheet material prepared from these latex compositions is readily accomplished by heating the foam structure to the melting temperature of the dispersed particulate material, then passing the foam through a cold embossing roll to chill and set the foam in place.

Abstract: A method of densifying open-celled polyurethane foam is provided in which heated air at a temperature between about 425.degree. F. and 460.degree. F. is circulated through a mass of the foam so as to rapidly and uniformly raise the temperature of the mass to between about 365.degree. F. and 435.degree. F., the mass is then compressed to a desired thickness while its temperature is maintained between 365.degree. F. and 435.degree. F., and the mass is then immediately permitted to cool.

Abstract: A method of heading a thermoplastic safety pin in a manifold for use with an inflatable article such as a life vest, life raft, and the like. Before operation, a manifold has a capsule containing compressed gas mounted thereon, the manifold being actuated to inflate the inflatable article by pulling a lanyard attached to a lever which thrusts a capsule-piercing pin into the soft metal seal on the capsule. Before the operation of the manifold, the lever is held in locked-inoperative position by a frangible plastic pin which extends through a hole in the lever and aligned holes in the body of the manifold on both sides of a longitudinal slot therein which receives the lever when the latter is in inoperative position. When the operator swings the lever in order to advance the capsule-piercing pin to pierce the seal on the capsule, the plastic pin is broken.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for forming a cushion from foam plastic material by first depositing separate masses of foam material, each having a predetermined configuration, onto a moving transfer surface at a depositing station. While the masses of material are being transferred to a forming station, they rise to a tack-free state and reach substantially full expansion during a predetermined time period which is less than the time which it takes the foam material to set. Then, before the foam material does set, each mass of foam material is individually shaped at the forming station into a predetermined configuration by employing force-applying elements to press each of the masses of foam material into the predetermined configuration while on the transfer surface. Once the mass of foam material has been shaped and set, the force-applying elements are released.

Abstract: This invention relates to a novel elastomeric foamed material which has surprisingly been found to exhibit a variety of unusual and desirable features both in its physical properties and in its process of manufacture. These foamed compositions of a lightly sulfonated elastomeric gum contain a nonvolatile polar plasticizer and preferably extenders such as oil and fillers. These elastomer foams exhibit an unusual profile of physical properties including melt reprocessability of fabricated articles, and high temperature reshaping of foamed objects while maintaining a good foam structure. These novel foams can be manufactured with relatively uniform cell structures and with small cell sizes at foam densities from near bulk density to less than 0.1 g/cc.

Abstract: Plastics foil is shaped in a deep drawing apparatus by being placed in a mould, while the foil is below its deformation temperature, having heated wall surfaces and by applying a pressure differential to the foil so that it progressively stretches and contacts the mould wall. The progressive heating and stretching of the foil ensures that the corners of the moulded article are not thinner than the remaining portions of the moulded article, thus reducing the amount of plastics material necessary for an article of given strength.

Abstract: In manufacturing a silicon nitride product of complex shape and uniform density, a mixture of silicon nitride in powder form together with a fluxing agent and a temporary binder is first produced. From the mixture a preform of substantially uniform density less than the density of the required product is then formed, the dimensions of the preform in the direction of subsequent hot pressing to the dimensions of the final product in the same direction being arranged to be in the ratio of the preform density to the required final density. The preform is then heated to remove the temporary binder and is hot pressed in a die carrying punches which together form a cavity defining the shape of the required product, the preform shape not conforming to the die cavity.

Abstract: A method for making candles from solid wax including the steps of: sizing, compressing, drilling, and inserting of a wick. Further steps which may be included are coloring and/or adding other candle specializing ingredients such as deodorizing, scenting, insect repellants, and the like.

Abstract: A thermoplastic foamed resin extruding operation is described which uses an inner die lip machined to vary the width of the die annulus or opening so that varying thicknesses or mass concentrations or densities of preselected desired width will be formed in the extruded resin sheet obtained therefrom. The mass concentration variations in the extruded sheet are coordinated with a downstream thermoforming operation involving deep and shallow draw forming or different sheet fabrications such as folding, scoring, cutting, etc.

Abstract: A preform of generally elongate conical configuration from the open end thereof to the opposite smaller end closed, as by a rounded tip portion, with a smooth interior surface throughout the major portion thereof from the tip portion to an area adjacent the open end; and the telescopic association of the preform with a heated complementally shaped smooth surfaced mandrel; the area of the preform adjacent the open end thereof having internal circumferentially spaced surface portions providing passages therealong for vacuum withdrawal of air to conform the inner surface of the major portion of the preform in intimate thermal contact with the mandrel prior to conformation of the passaged area of the preform with the adjacent surface of the mandrel under heating of the preform to molding temperature and subsequent association of the mandrel and preform in a female mold for re-shaping the preform under applied differential pressure.

Abstract: A connection of a first pipe to the wall of a second pipe or container is disclosed. A hole is formed through the wall of a second pipe or container which is of a diameter smaller than the outer diameter of the first pipe. At least the connection end of the first pipe consists essentially of a polymer of ethylene or a copolymer of ethylene and a small quantity of mono-1-olefins having from 2 to 8 carbon atoms. The polymer preferably has a weight average molecular weight of above 200,000. The connection portion of the first pipe is cold-swaged and inserted into the hole. Due to the mechanical memory of the cold-swaged end of the first pipe, it recovers towards its original shape to form a firm connection between the first pipe and the second pipe or container wall. A sealant can be applied between the first and the second pipe.