Abstract: A method of controlling chosen geometries in sintering operations uses an insert in the preform which is to be sintered, which insert can withstand sintering temperatures without distortion, and which will not bond to the preform and thus prevent removal subsequent to sintering. In powder metal sintering, inexpensive ceramic alumina inserts satisfy these criteria. A powdered metal preform is caused to shrink onto a precisely formed ceramic insert, thereby to determine final shape accurately. An insert larger in diameter than that of the uninserted undistorted preform final diameter may be used if potential impact on geometry density is factored into its selection. An insert shape other than that of the preform undistorted final shape may be used to create final geometries different by design than those of the preform.

Abstract: A packing ring of a composite structure including a packing of expanded graphite and an annular mass of superposed sheets of expanded graphite is produced by a method including the steps of spirally winding a ribbon of expanded graphite into a roll, compression molding the roll into the packing, and incorporating the annular mass into the packing by compression molding within a molding die so that at least one packed part has a higher density than the packing in at least one of the inner and outer peripheral parts of the packing. A seal device has an empty space through which passes a shaft and containing at least one such packing in the empty space to seal between the inner wall of the empty space and the outer peripheral surface of the shaft.

Abstract: A biodegradable wreath ring provides the central framework for constructing a decorative wreath from plant tips and decorative materials secured to the wreath ring. The wreath ring is of generally circular configuration with specified diameter and is constructed from multiple layers of strips of paper laminated one over another in the radial direction of the ring and bonded together preferably using a biodegradable resin or adhesive material. The wreath ring is of generally cylindrical configuration having a cylinder radial thickness and a cylinder height thickness. The ring is constructed with a sufficient number of layers of paper in the radial direction and with sufficient cylinder radial thickness and height thickness to provide the required structural strength to support a constructed wreath of decorative material having the selected diameter.

Abstract: Methods for forming a strip of thermoplastic material by punch clamping are described.

Abstract: A method is provided for forming an apex filler including extruding a substantially linear elastomeric strip having a base and a pair of sidewalls converging from the base to an apex. The sidewalls of the elastomeric strip are then engaged with a nip presented by a pair of opposed frusto-conical rollers and a base support. The rollers are rotated to work the elastomeric strip whereby the base of the strip is rotated at a first linear speed, the apex is rotated at a second, greater speed and the sidewalls are rotated at linear speeds substantially proportional to the distance from the base to the apex, thereby forming an apex filler.

Abstract: According to the invention, calibrated rings are obtained by superficially vulcanizing extruded or profiled extrudate at the exit of an extrusion head (T), then by cutting this vulcanized extrudate into portions by means of a conical cutting device (C), subsequently by butting the two ends, in the respective form of a conical tip and a funnel, of each portion (t) together under hot conditions and under a controlled pressure, in order to obtain a ring blank which is then engaged between the half-cavities of a mold (Mo), where it undergoes shaping and vulcanization by the heating of the latter and thereafter deburring as a result of a shearing action produced by a push device (D) causing the half-cavities to slide in the closed position in the frame of the mold, before causing the opening of the latter by means of a device (G) and the release of the calibrated and superficially clean ring obtained.

Abstract: An end cell for a chromatography column has a moulded plastics structure and an integral screen formed of a woven mesh of fibres of the same plastic material as used for the end cell. A peripheral ring of the same plastics material is injection moulded to the perimeter of the mesh, said ring being secured to the end cell in a leak-proof manner, preferably by ultrasonic welding.

Abstract: Gasket formed in place on a surface of an article by producing an initial elongated bead of a selected cross-sectional area and bringing a mold cavity having the same cross-sectional area into contact with the surface to produce the final shape of the bead on the surface.

Abstract: A method of making annular polymeric articles in which a workpiece is placed on a cylindrical shaping surface and is divided about the perimeter into alternating first and second portions. Moulding is done in two stages, the first stage including moulding the first portions, and the second stage including moulding the second portions interposed between the first portions at the same time maintaining the pressure exerted on the first portion, after which the workpiece is vulcanized. The mould includes a cylindrical core (1) having a shaped surface, mounted on a base and serving to accommodate the workpiece thereon, and elements (5, 6) for squeezing the workpiece arranged around the cylindrical core (1) alternately, the first elements (5) having each side surfaces (7) parallel with the axis of symmetry of this element (5), whereas the second elements (6) having each side surfaces (7) of the neighboring first elements (5) arranged at an angle (.alpha.

Abstract: A method of making a solid core locatable between a wheel rim and a tire fitted to the rim, includes introducing a foamable composition into a mould cavity having a substantially inflexible mould surface. The cavity is suitably shaped so that a core locatable between a wheel rim and a tire fitted to the rim can be moulded therein. The composition is allowed to foam, thereby to fill the mould cavity. Air and excess composition is allowed to vent from the cavity via an elongate vent slit extending along a major portion of the cavity. The foamed core thus moulded in the cavity is removed from the cavity on the composition having set at least partially.

Abstract: A method of making O-rings by depositing a filament of a liquid hot-melt material onto a rotating spindle, or directly upon the shank of a rotating fastener.

Abstract: In a process wherein parts are pressed into a predetermined shape by filling a die cavity with a powder material, compressing the powder under pressure to form a compressed part of said shape, an improvement to that process comprises subjecting a portion of the cavity to vibrations during the filling of the die cavity.

Abstract: A piston ring is formed by annular upper and lower parts which contact one another at respective surfaces normal to the axis of the piston ring. The parts can be injection moulded from thermoplastics materials with the parts themselves having no re-entrant portions, so allowing quick and easy manufacture, but with the parts together defining re-entrant portions such as a spring-receiving recess at the inward side of the ring or a pair of spaced oil control rails at the outward side of the ring.

Abstract: A thread of a fluid material for gasket manufacture is deposited onto a non-planar, non-adhesive support sheet (12) from a nozzle (22) that is displaced above the support along a path corresponding to the outline of the gasket, with subsequent curing of the fluid material. The support sheet is prepared by pressing sheet material into a tridimensional shape whereby its surface contains the non-planar outline of the gasket to be manufactured; the shaped support is positioned with respect to a nozzle carried by a manipulator (20) capable of being controlled to move the nozzle with respect to the support along three independent spatial coordinates; and the nozzle is fed with said fluid material while being displaced along said non-planar outline. Preferably, the support sheet is kept flattened by vacuum against an underlying, matching surface.

Abstract: The process provides for depositing, on a non-adhesive support, a thread of a fluid material for gasket manufacture from a nozzle that is displaced above the support along a path coinciding with the gasket layout, with subsequent curing of the fluid material. According to the invention, a stiff, wirelike reinforcement is placed on the support before deposition, the reinforcement corresponding in shape to the outline of the gasket that is to be manufactured, and having an adhesive surface with respect to the fluid material of the gasket, so that the subsequently deposited thread of fluid material incorporates the reinforcement and becomes bonded to it. The invention also relates to the product obtained by the process.

Abstract: A method for dispensing viscous materials is described in which a quill having a fluted insert comprise end portions having a small radius of curvature. The viscous material is extruded from the collet, brought into contact with the article on which the material is to be deposited, and then removed leaving a hollow figure of material having approximately the same shape as the cross-section of the quill.

Abstract: A flat gasket incorporating a metallic reinforcement layer which is enclosed within the gasket in relation to one edge thereof is formed from relatively uncompacted, i.e. loose, expanded graphite particles by a method comprising the step of pressing such particles onto the opposed faces of said reinforcement substantially simultaneously to form compacted graphite foils in situ thereon while at the same time pressing some of said particles relative to said one edge to form a single unreinforced graphite foil portion extending from and integral with the other foils to enclose said one edge.

Abstract: A method for preforming magnetic drum material involves the use of a hydraulic press and sleeve which in turn compresses the material and then cuts the material into a specific shape. This process is repeated until the material builds up in the sleeve to the required charge thickness. This method has improved the molding process by eliminating air and gas voids in the molded magnetic drum.

Abstract: The method comprises taking textile or synthetic threads and impregnating the threads by passage in a bath of an elastomer or plastomer material. Thereafter a band is formed from the impregnated threads and shaped into a ring and moulded under pressure.

Abstract: A cure-in-place process which allows a rubber seal element to be deformed to its service configuration before it is cross-linked and, hence, is a plastic and does not build up internal stress as a result of the deformation. This provides maximum residual strength to resist the differential pressure. Furthermore, the process allows use of high modulus formulations of the rubber seal element which would otherwise crack if cured and then deformed to its service configuration, resulting in a seal which has better gap bridging capability. Basically, the process involves positioning an uncured seal element in place, deforming it to its service configuration, heating the seal element, curing it in place, and then fully seating the seal.

Abstract: A picture frame and method of making the same from a rising tube of fluent extruded plastic. The rising tube collapses inwardly to form the frame body as a ring of interfolded wrinkly sinuous corrugations. A stepped annular ring on the face of the extruder die is shaped to form a flat back for the frame along with a rabbeted inner rim edge suitable to seat a picture, mat and a backing plate.