Abstract: A technique for forming self-supporting structures with thermoplastic material incorporates a plasma-heated spray of thermoplastic material with glass fiber reinforcement, such as glass fibers. The material is sprayed into a mold which is shaped to create the desired form and configuration of the self-supporting structure. A mixture of thermoplastic powder and reinforcing fibers is carried by a stream of inert gas through a plasma region. The thermoplastic material is melted as it passes through the plasma region and the resulting plasma is sprayed against the surface of a form mold. The thickness of the resulting structure can be varied from region to region by changing the speed of movement of a spray nozzle relative to the form, using a plurality of spray nozzles that can be selectively activated and deactivated, or by providing a plurality of coats of sprayed thermoplastic material, one after another.

Abstract: A cast, composite countertop is prepared by spraying a castable, curable organic resin composition which includes over 20% by weight of an inorganic, particulate material therein, into a mold cavity corresponding to a top surface and side wall of a countertop so as to produce a continuous coating therein. This coating is at least partially cured, and a hardenable, liquid substrate composition introduced into the mold cavity, and the resultant composite is fully cured to produce a countertop. In some instances, an additional casting step may be employed to build up the edge thickness. Also disclosed are dual spray techniques for enhancing the surface quality of the composite, and techniques for enhancing the thermal stability thereof. Also disclosed are countertops made by the disclosed methods.

Abstract: A binder composition for three dimensional printing of parts is disclosed which is stable during storage and passage through a printhead, yet able to gel under the conditions existing in a powder bed. The binder composition comprises colloidal silica, a catalyst able to promote gelation of the composition when the composition is below a predetermined pH value, and a base able to maintain the pH of the composition above the predetermined value at which the composition gels. Preferably, the catalyst is polyethylene glycol or another ethylene oxide-derived polymer, and the base is triethanolamine. Upon impact with a powder bed, the pH of the binder composition is reduced, as by adding an acid such as citric acid to the powder, thereby causing the binder to gel in the powder.

Abstract: A process for selectively forming an antislip surface on a product thermoformed from a plastic sheet is applied to truck bed liners, for example. The surface of the plastic sheet of HDPE or other thermoplastic material is cleaned and masked, to prepare a good molecular bonding surface on selected surface areas. A sprayable or liquid polymer selected to achieve desired characteristics of hardness and toughness without brittleness, such as a thermosetting elastomeric polymer, is formed into droplets, which are sprayed or otherwise applied onto the selected surface area. The droplets form a stippled pattern of primarily separate bumps across the selected surface area to be treated, occupying substantially less than 50% of the exposed area. After partial hardening of the bumps, the plastic sheet is thermoformed at thermoforming temperatures to produce the thermoformed product.

Abstract: The present invention relates to spraying of high viscosity silicone molding compositions and to cured silicone molds or tools formed by that process that allow for near perfect transfer of detail from a surface to a molded object.

Abstract: Simulated granite articles manufactured by coating a mold with a gel coat and then a spray composition including a gel coat material and crushed natural granite, crushed synthetic granite and mixtures thereof. Backing material fills the remainder of the mold. Gel coat and crushed synthetic granite may be sprayed directly on the mold, with a modified spray gun being used to efficiently and uniformly spray the granite composition.

Abstract: The present invention relates to spraying of high viscosity silicone molding compositions and to cured silicone molds or tools formed by that process that allow for near perfect transfer of detail from a surface to a molded object.

Abstract: A access-hole frame for the construction of a spherical tank made of nonmetal moldable material, the frame having a cylindrical neck, an outwardly extending flange at the top side of the neck, and a collar configured as a segmented sphere to be integrated with the spherical wall of the tank. Bolt holes are drilled around the flange for bolts that hold an access-hole cover to the access-hole frame. A three-piece die provided for making the access-hole frame includes a bottom die piece and two top pieces that are bolted together to form an integral top die piece that fits over the bottom die piece. The access-hole frame is formed in accordance with a manufacturing process by placing the three-piece die in stages upon a rotatable table and spraying the nonmetal moldable material onto the rotating bottom and top die pieces.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for forming at least one thin substantially uniform fluid coating comprising polymeric film forming material on a cylindrical mandrel, solidifying the fluid coating to form a uniform solid coating and separating the uniform solid coating from the mandrel. The process may comprise forming at least one thin substantially uniform fluid coating comprising polymeric film forming material around a cylindrical mandrel, the mandrel having a larger mass or lower thermal conductivity than the polymeric film forming material and a critical surface tension greater than the surface tension of the fluid coating, solidifying the fluid coating to form at least one thin substantially uniform solid coating comprising the polymeric film forming material around the cylindrical mandrel, heating both the uniform solid coating and the mandrel to a temperature at least above the apparent T.sub.

Abstract: A method of making a laminated structure for use in an electrical apparatus. A female mold is produced having an upwardly facing cavity of a shape corresponding to the laminated structure. A layer of a ferrous metal is sprayed onto the bottom surface of the mold and subsequently an electrically insulated layer is applied to the layer of metal. Alternate layers of the ferrous metal and the insulating layer are deposited in the cavity of the mold to provide a laminated structure in which the metal and insulating layers are integrally bonded together. Through use of the method of the invention, a ferrous metal with the most desirable electrical characteristics can be employed.

Abstract: A fine amorphous metallurgical powder suitable for compacting and sintering into amorphous densified articles which consist essentially of a major portion by weight a transition metal or combination thereof and less than a minor amount of an additional component for enhancing the amorphous characteristics of densified articles produced by directing a stream of molten droplets at a repellent surface to produce the smooth surfaced and melt solidified particles having an average particle size of less than about ten micrometers.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the preparation of fiber-reinforced cement-based hydraulically hardenable shaped objects, which comprises spraying matrix and fibers with a spraying apparatus onto a deflecting surface to produce a mixture of matrix and fibers, removing the mixture in the unhardened state from the deflecting surface into a mould, and preparing from the mixture fiber-reinforced cement-based hydraulically hardenable shaped objects.The invention further relates to an apparatus for the preparation of the above described shaped objects.

Abstract: Processes for coating concrete bricks with exposed surfaces having sharply delineated portions of contrasting color and/or texture by periodically and regularly forming atomized particles of a viscous cementitious slurry and directing same on to portions of surfaces of each of a plurality of green concrete bricks in groups located stationary in regular fashion for a brief period and thereafter firing the thus coated uncured brick. The processes include steps for rapidly and/or sequentially varying the colors applied to the different groups of bricks during successive cycles of coating the successively treated different groups of such brick.