Abstract: Apparatus and methods of stretch-forming pre-preg material are provided. In one example embodiment, a variable material stretch-forming apparatus comprises a stretch-forming assembly configured to stretch-form at least one section of a sheet of pre-preg material to a longer length than at least one other section of the sheet of pre-preg material before the sheet of pre-preg material is applied to a tool.

Abstract: The present invention relates inter alia to an apparatus for providing a coiled collagen carrier. An apparatus according to the invention preferably comprises a device for applying moisture to a collagen carrier prior to coiling of the collagen carrier and a coiling device. The coiling device preferably comprises rotatable gripping means for gripping the collagen carrier along an edge and coiling the collagen carrier, and a support device supporting the collagen carrier while being coiled. In another aspect, the invention relates to a production facility wherein an apparatus according to invention is arranged.

Abstract: The present invention leads to a method for preparing a dough piece rolled up with separator sheet, comprising supplying in a transport direction, a dough piece positioned on a separator sheet, the dough piece and the separator sheet having a length and a width, wherein a leading edge of the separator sheet exceeds the dough piece at least a first side, rolling up the at least one side of the dough paper that exceeds the dough piece, thus forming a cylinder of separator sheet, extending in a width direction of the dough piece and rolling up the rest of the separator sheet with the dough piece around the cylinder. The invention further relates to a device for performing the method and a roll formed by the method and/or device.

Abstract: A method for producing obliquely stretched long film comprises an oblique stretching step and a folding step. In the oblique stretching step, a long film is stretched in the oblique direction with respect to the widthwise direction to create a stretched film (F). In the folding step, while conveying the stretched film (F) after stretching, the stretched film (F) is folded back at least once on the inner face thereof in a direction parallel or perpendicular to the stretching direction.

Abstract: An apparatus for the knotting of a dough strand into a desired form, particularly for the knotting of a dough strand into a pretzel form, wherein the dough strand subject to stretching of the dough strand length is knotted around a form element that provides the desired form for a dough strand with larger starting length than the actual length of the dough strand and/or the desired form with an increased form size, whereupon the form element that establishes the desired form is removed, at least partially, so that the dough strand that was placed into the desired form contracts into a final size.

Abstract: The present invention involves using mechanized strategies to fabricate test samples as well as strategies for selecting sample substrates. These strategies significantly reduce the effort and the variabilities associated with making test samples and testing hair fixative compositions. The technology allows simple, rapid, inexpensive evaluation of hair fixative compositions in a way that generates consistent, reliable data. The quality of the data is high enough to facilitate easier qualitative and quantitative comparisons among compositions under investigation. In preferred modes of practice, the present invention provides a simple way to screen new polymer systems and other developmental products. Additionally, this invention can be used to generate more meaningful comparative data for customer and personal care industry presentations.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the preparation of a rolled compressed collagen carrier and a process for un-rolling said rolled compressed collagen carrier. Said rolled compressed collagen carrier is ready for use in minimally invasive surgery. The invention also relates to a rolled compressed collagen carrier for use in the prevention or treatment of injury associated with performing minimally invasive surgery.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for twisting elongated dough strips, comprising at least one pair of grippers, each arranged for gripping and respectively releasing one short side of a dough strip, and means for mutually rotating the grippers around an axis of rotation. In an embodiment, the device comprises a first conveyor for supplying dough strips oriented with their long sides perpendicular to the direction of conveyance wherein the width of the first conveyor is chosen smaller than the long sides of the dough strips so that the short sides of a dough strip protrude from the first conveyor, and a second conveyor for carrying off the twisted dough strips. The invention further provides a method for twisting an elongated dough strip.

Abstract: Apparatus for looping raw dough products, in particular strands of dough preshaped to produce pretzels, comprises a device for supplying the raw dough products—e.g. a conveyor—and a loop-forming device for looping the raw dough products, in order to produce pretzel-shaped raw dough products. This device comprises sensors for detecting the ends of the raw dough products for the purpose of controlling gripping devices of the loop-forming device. The sensors for detecting the ends of the raw dough products are designed as thermal imaging sensors.

Abstract: A food dough forming apparatus for joining together a first end face of a rod-shaped food dough and a second end face of another rod-shaped food dough, the apparatus including: deforming and facing means for deforming the food doughs so as to cause the first end face and the second end face to face each other; and joining means for joining together the end faces caused to face each other by the deforming and facing means.

Abstract: A twisted resin panel of typically several feet in length can be twisted after being subject to heat, pressure, and a rotation assembly. In one implementation, a manufacturer can clamp opposing ends of a heated resin panel, such as a panel comprising a one or more layers (e.g., tie/EVA layer, image layer(s), etc.) thermoformed within opposing resin sheet layers. The manufacturer can then elevate the resin panel, and then twist at least one end of the resin panel to a specified degree to achieve a desired aesthetic. Upper securing means (e.g., vertical clamps, rig hardware) at the upper end of the resin panel can be configured to move up or down during the twist of the resin panel in order to accommodate length variations thereof. Upon twisting, the resin panel will then cool into the desired position, and thus be used for any number of decorative architectural purposes.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device and a method for the automated production of knotted dough products, in particular pretzels. Said device comprises: a shaping table (2) for horizontally supporting a U-shaped bent dough strand (46); a shaping tool (6) that can be activated to vertically support the U-shaped bent dough strand (46), the shaping table (2) and activated shaping tool (6) forming a common stop for the U-shaped bent strand (46); and a knotting head (9) for seizing the ends of the dough strand and for knotting said strand (46). According to the invention, the knotting head (9) can be displaced from a seizing position (48), in which the ends of the U-shaped bent dough strand (46) are seized, into an extension position (49), in which the dough strand is extended, then into a knotting position (51), in which the dough strand is knotted and finally into a placing position 52, in which the ends of the dough strands are placed on the central part of the dough strand.

Abstract: Methods and systems of forming barbed sutures from blown films are provided. A method for forming a barbed suture includes providing a blown film, cutting slits into an outer edge of the blown film, and twisting the blown film such that the slits protrude from the twisted blown film to form a barbed suture. A system for forming a barbed suture includes a set of heating rollers configured for stiffening an outer edge of a blown film, a set of cutting rollers configured for forming slits in the outer edge, a set of twisting rollers configured for twisting the blown film into a suture, and a heat source to set the suture.

Abstract: An improved forming wire is described. A forming wire in a first embodiment comprises a base comprising a structure with a bore therethrough, a first support arm and a second support arm, each said arm projecting normally from said base, each said arm having a proximal tip connected to said base and a distal tip remote from said base, a bending loop having an arcuate shape and extending from the distal tip of the first support arm to the distal tip of the second support arm, an inner arm having a helical shape and extending from the distal tip of the first support arm to the base; and an outer arm having a helical shape and extending from the distal tip of the second support arm to a point above the base, thereby defining a space between the base and the outer arm. In other embodiments, the forming wire has a single support arm. In some embodiments, the forming wire is made of poly-tetrafluoroethylene tubing over stainless steel rods.

Abstract: An apparatus for molding and proving dough, including a pair of sheet rollers for providing a dough strip to a dough molder, a means for engaging and disengaging a retractable dough divider, the retractable dough divider when engaged separates the dough into dough portions as its exits the dough molder and a prover for recovering the dough portions. Also disclosed is a dough molder for a strip of dough including a conveyor having a first run spaced below a curling mat to curl the dough strip; the curling mat resting on at least the first run of the conveyor, the curling mat having a raised section which does not contact the first run.

Abstract: A spool winding assembly for winding a composite strip onto a spool having a hub is disclosed. The strip includes an elongate plastic strip having a flat base portion and a plurality of laterally spaced apart lengthwise extending rib portions upstanding from the base portion; and a plurality of elongate reinforcing members extending lengthwise within respective rib portions, the rib portions and the reinforcing members forming composite ribs. The assembly includes: a main frame, a spool holder for rotatably supporting the spool relative to the main frame, a spool drive unit for driving the spool with respect to the main frame, a carriage mounted for lateral movement with respect to the spool, a bender mounted to the carriage for receiving the strip as it is fed towards the hub of the spool and for deforming the strip to give it a curved base portion, and a bender drive unit operably connected to the bender for driving the strip through the bender.

Abstract: A manufacturing apparatus of a fiber-reinforced resin strand including a roller offset angle adjusting device which can easily adjust roller offset angles of a pair of twisting rollers for twisting a fiber-reinforced resin strand, the device being simple in structure. An offset angle of a first twisting roller can be adjusted by only rotating a first shaft roller support member in the roller offset angle adjusting device of the manufacturing apparatus of a fiber-reinforced resin strand around the axis of a first driving shaft which is orthogonal to a first roller support shaft of the first twisting roller. Likewise, an offset angle of a second twisting roller can be adjusted by only rotating a second shaft roller support member around the axis of a second driving shaft which is orthogonal to a second roller support shaft of the second twisting roller.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for producing elongate variably shaped bodies at least partially comprising thermoplastic material a profile is extruded from an extrusion system head and engaged in a flexible conduit created by cavities formed inside a series of calibration plates attached flexibly together. The calibration plates slide freely over a rotating mold to adopt the shape of the mold's outer contour. The profile is driven through the flexible conduit and winded around the rotating mould like coils. In an embodiment of the apparatus and method, the profile is winded around a size-variable mould creating three-dimensional objects in real time.

Abstract: A method of making a composite tubular article made up of at least two concentric members, the outer of said members being tubular and the inner of said members being at least cylindrical and preferably tubular, and struts disposed in supporting and positioning orientation between the inner and outer members, by extruding a moldable material into the desired profile; stretching the inner tubular member over a cooling mandrel and disposing a cooling sleeve over the outer tubular member under conditions sufficient to solidify the article; twisting and longitudinally pulling the solidified article, so that it rotates over the cooling mandrel and inside the cooling sleeve while it is moving down stream across the cooling mandrel, whereby causing the extrudate to be twisted into a helical shape.

Abstract: A helical plastic coil is used for binding a collated book having a stack of pages with aligned holes along one edge of the book where a leading end of the filament is fed into a first hole at a first end of the book and the coil is rotated about its axis such that the leading end is threaded through the holes by entering each of the holes until the coil is threaded through all of the holes. The leading end of the coil is sheared by an anvil and blade so as to define a leading apex and a leading surface inclined rearwardly from the leading apex along the filament and across the filament. The leading apex is arranged such that, as the leading end enters each of the holes in turn, the leading apex is located on the leading end of the filament at a position thereon facing away from the trailing end of the coil and spaced from the end of the hole facing the first end of the book.

Abstract: A tool for imparting a plurality of folds to a balloon comprises a housing, which defines a passage therethrough. The passage has a longitudinal axis and a first opening at a first end of the passage, and a second opening at a second end of the passage. The passage has an inner surface, which defines a plurality of peaks and valleys, wherein the height of each peak is greater at the first end of the passage than at the second end of the passage and the height of each valley is greater at the first end of the passage than at the second end of the passage.

Abstract: This invention relates to a flat panel display and a fabricating method thereof that are adaptive for conducting a patterning process without using a photo process to thereby reduce its process time and minimize pattern defects. A fabricating method and device of a flat panel display according to an embodiment of the present invention spreads an etch-resist on a thin film and forms an etch-resist pattern on a thin film by pressing a soft mold of a permeable structure to the etch-resist.

Abstract: A combination book binding machine with a plastic coil forming machine, whereby a plastic spiral coil is formed at a first raised temperature, then cut to a length sufficient for the plastic spiral coil to bind a book, cooled and then advanced toward a receiving coil conveyor of a coil binding machine, for binding the book with a plastic coil at the lowered cooled temperature. The binding machine and method for spirally binding a sheaf of papers into a book uses an adjustable speed drive to rotate the cooled flexible plastic spiral coil into respective holes in the book. The book has a plurality of holes in a row adjacent one edge of the book to receive the leading edge of the plastic spiral binding coils. A cylindrically shaped mandrel is spaced apart from a glidable block. The plastic pre-formed spiral binding coil is fed onto the mandrel from the distal end thereof, with the leading edge of the binding element facing and spaced apart from the book.

Abstract: A tube bending fixture having a frame. An upper and lower tube support are both pivotally mounted to the frame between a first and second pivotal position. A bar is slidably mounted to the upper tube support and movable between an extended and a retracted position. At least one lower mandrel is mounted to the lower tube support and is dimensioned to fit within one end of a tube to be bent. At least one upper mandrel is mounted to the slidable bar, and the upper and lower mandrels are aligned with each other when the upper and lower tube supports are in their first pivotal position. The upper mandrel is dimensioned to fit within the second end of the tube to be bent when the bar is in its extended position. A former is secured to the frame and includes a channel which engages a midportion of the tube and conforms to the desired shape of the tube when the first and second tube supports are in their second pivotal position.

Abstract: A nylon zipper has two fastener structures. Each fastener structure has a plurality of nylon gripper elements. Each nylon gripper element has at least one side including a concave portion. A seaming wire for seaming the zipper to a cross strip is embedded in the concave portion. Thereby when pulling a pull head, the seaming wire will not rubber the cross strip. Moreover, a threaded rod device of a nylon zipper comprises two parallel threaded rods. Each threaded rod has threads. One of the threaded rod has a plurality of tips arranged in recesses between each two threads for forming concave portions and convex portions on nylon gripper elements of the fastener structures of the nylon zipper at the same time.

Abstract: A tissue paper crimper of greater rigidity is provided by mounting crimper disks to linear bearings which in turn are mounted to a carriage which can be positioned in the cross machine direction on a frame. The crimper disks are pressed against anvil roll pneumatic actuators. The use of linear bearings allows the crimper to run at higher operating speeds. An air knife is positioned so that a jet of air following a Coanda surface periodically blows against the rotating crimping wheel and thereby removes fibers before they build up. Buildup of fibers on the crimping wheels from the tissue webs being crimped can cause the wheels to become unbalanced, resulting in undesirable vibration. The rigid mounting and the prevention of fiber buildup will allow the crimper of this invention to operate at higher machine speeds.

Abstract: Sheets of paper are commonly held together with a spiral coil, which coil is inserted by a machine with at least one rotating spindle thereon. The spindle receives a spiral binder in a male to female relationship. As the spindle rotates the spiral binder, the spiral binder feeds into a stack of sheets having the appropriate apertures to receive the spindle and bind the pages together.

Abstract: The leading edge of a sheet of dough product impacts an impacting feature and causes the leading edge to roll over onto itself thereby initiating a roll. Engagement enhancement is utilized to increased to increase the ability of the sheet of dough product to resist sliding upon impacting the impacting feature. This provides a tighter rolled dough product having a consistent size and shape. Thus, in accordance with one specific aspect of the present invention, rolled dough products for subsequent packaging into containers may be formed that have a repeatable size and shape. By providing rolled dough products having a repeatable size and shape a more efficient and economical process results. This is because the size and shape of the rolled dough product is controlled with respect to the size of the container.

Abstract: A closure device for a thermoplastic bag which includes two opposing, longitudinally extending interlockable male and female fastening strips having respective male and female closure elements or profiles that are deformed to interdigitate and produce an audible clicking sound and or tactile effect that is perceptible to the touch as the closure device is opened and closed. Interdigitation of the two profiles is achieved by cold forming the profiles while interlocked. The shape of the cold form is a stepped deflection of both profiles so that their shapes are generally congruent. The stepped deflections provide a change in the occlusion and peel force of the interlocking closure device thereby resulting in an audible clicking or popping sound as the closure device is opened and closed and a tactile effect that is perceptible to the touch as the closure device is closed.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a long molding having an axial bend, includes: forming a long first member; performing an axial bending process for the first member, when the first member passes through a gripping portion; and extruding a heated and molten liquid resin molding material for formation of a second member through a second member molding opening of a second member extrusion die while following a bend of the first member to integrate the second member made of the molding material with the first member. The second member extrusion die has a changeable substantial opening shape of the second member molding opening. The second member having a different cross sectional shape between one part and the other part in the longitudinal direction is extruded in accordance with a change of the opening shape.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for extruding curved extrusion products (7a, 7b), whereby the extruded profile is formed in a die that is located upstream of a crosshead (4) of an extrusion installation (1) and is subsequently curved or bent by the action of external forces. The extruded strand (7a, 7b) is taken up at the press outlet by a bearing surface (10) that supports the underside of the strand. Once a partial length of strand has been separated, said length is moved (10) from the press flow and is transported away by the bearing surface, whereby the provision of a supporting surface for the subsequent strand is simultaneously maintained during said transportation by the bearing surface (10). To achieve this, a platform (10) that is located in the press outlet (5), that supports the extruded strand and that can be raised and lowered is divided into functional fields (A, B).

Abstract: A system for bending a substantially rigid substrate (22) having a first portion (28) and a second portion (30) interconnected by a bend region (32). The system comprises a first heated die member (60) and a second heated die member (60). The first heated die member (60) has a longitudinal body portion (62) and an outer edge portion (64). The outer edge portion (64) extends along the longitudinal body portion (62) and is substantially rounded. The second heated die member (80) has a longitudinal body portion (82) and a groove (84). The groove (84) extends along the longitudinal body portion (82). The first heated die member (60) and the second heated die member (80) is configured to contact the substrate (22). The first heated die member (60) and the second heated die member (80) are capable of bending the substrate (22) in the bend region (32) when the outer edge portion (64) of the first heated die member (60) slides into the groove (84) of the second heated die member (80).

Abstract: A closure device for a thermoplastic bag which includes two opposing, longitudinally extending interlockable male and female fastening strips having respective male and female closure elements or profiles that are deformed to interdigitate and produce an audible clicking sound and or tactile effect that is perceptible to the touch as the closure device is opened and closed. Interdigitation of the two profiles is achieved by cold forming the profiles while interlocked. The shape of the cold form is a stepped deflection of both profiles so that their shapes are generally congruent. The stepped deflections provide a change in the occlusion and peel force of the interlocking closure device thereby resulting in an audible clicking or popping sound as the closure device is opened and closed and a tactile effect that is perceptible to the touch as the closure device is closed.

Abstract: An apparatus for manufacturing slide fastener coil-shaped continuous element row comprises a forming screw assembly, a die assembly, an abutment assembly, and a rear forming assembly having one or two shuttle assemblies or a shaft mechanism. An arcuate recessed portion is formed on a top side of either element or a flat area formed on a bottom side of either element when the arcuate piece of the top shuttle assembly or the flat piece of the bottom shuttle assembly is abutted on the element so that the invention can effect a stable operation and a precise positioning of zipper forming space by manipulating the rear forming assembly in an adjustment operation.

Abstract: An apparatus for manufacturing slide fastener spiral continuous element row comprises a forming screw assembly, a die assembly, an abutment assembly, and a rear forming assembly. The invention can effect a stable operation with the cooperation of a spring-biased shaft mechanism, a rear adjustment screw, and two side adjustment screws so as to manufacture quality products.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for twisting elongate dough products and a device therefor. A supplied dough product is herein engaged at least at two positions in a longitudinal direction. The dough product is twisted by applying torsion to a dough product around a longitudinal axis at least at a first position. The twisted product is then discharged. The invention is characterized by engaging the dough product on at least two longitudinal sides, which lie substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis, with a first respectively a second speed relative to the longitudinal axis of the dough product. By engaging or more than two longitudinal sides it is possible to prevent curvature of the dough product in a transverse direction.

Abstract: A combination book binding machine with a plastic coil forming machine, whereby a plastic spiral coil is formed at a first raised temperature, then cut to a length sufficient for the plastic spiral coil to bind a book, cooled and then advanced toward a receiving coil conveyor of a coil binding machine, for binding the book with a plastic coil at the lowered cooled temperature. The binding machine and method for spirally binding a sheaf of papers into a book uses an adjustable speed drive to rotate the cooled flexible plastic spiral coil into respective holes in the book. The book has a plurality of holes in a row adjacent one edge of the book to receive the leading edge of the plastic spiral binding coils. A cylindrically shaped mandrel is spaced apart from a glidable block. The plastic pre-formed spiral binding coil is fed onto the mandrel from the distal end thereof, with the leading edge of the binding element facing and spaced apart from the book.

Abstract: A machine and method for forming a spring coil in a length of hollow, cylindrical thermoplastic tubing comprises clamping the ends of a predetermined length of cylindrical thermoplastic tubing between first and second opposing spaced clamping members. In the machine, these clamping members include aligned first and second sections of a mandrel. These first and second clamping members then are rotated relative to one another by a predetermined amount selected to be slightly in excess of 360°, while the mandrels are simultaneously moved toward one another, to shorten the distance between the ends of the length of tubing, while the coil is formed. At the end of this relative rotation, the mandrel sections engage one another. The clamped tube, with the coil now formed around the mandrels, is rotated and simultaneously heated to the thermosetting temperature of the tubing. After a sufficient time to establish thermosetting of the coil, the heat is removed. Rotation continues while the tube is cooled.

Abstract: An apparatus for manufacturing slide fastener coil-shaped continuous element row comprises a forming screw assembly, a die assembly, an abutment assembly, and a rear forming assembly having one or two shuttle assemblies or a shaft mechanism. An arcuate recessed portion is formed on a top side of either element or a flat area formed on a bottom side of either element when the arcuate piece of the top shuttle assembly or the flat piece of the bottom shuttle assembly is abutted on the element so that the invention can effect a stable operation and a precise positioning of zipper forming space by manipulating the rear forming assembly in an adjustment operation.

Abstract: An apparatus for manufacturing slide fastener spiral continuous element row comprises a forming screw assembly, a die assembly, an abutment assembly, and a rear forming assembly. The invention can effect a stable operation with the cooperation of a spring-biased shaft mechanism, a rear adjustment screw, and two side adjustment screws so as to manufacture quality products.

Abstract: An apparatus includes several bending units for forming a singly-bent or doubly-folded edge rim around the perimeter of a molded component, e.g. a laminated contoured interior trim component for a motor vehicle. Each bending unit includes an electrically heatable cutting or impressing tool, and a bending tool. A workpiece holder clamps the component into a forming mold. The heated impressing tool melts and presses one or two grooves forming weakened zones and corresponding bending lines in the edge rim of the component. The bending tool then presses and bends the edge rim flange back along the bending line. Optionally, the bending tool additionally bends the free edge flange portion down along the second bending line to form the doubly-folded rim. The portions of the rim folded against each other are melt-bonded together and then cooled to permanently fix the bonded and folded configuration of the rim.

Abstract: A presently-preferred process for bending a workpiece comprises placing a first portion of the workpiece on a substantially flat surface so that a second portion of the workpiece overhangs an edge of the substantially flat surface, and securing the first portion of the workpiece on the substantially flat surface by clamping the workpiece between the substantially flat surface and a substantially v-shaped end portion of a male die. The presently-preferred process also comprises causing the second portion of the workpiece to pivot around a tip of the substantially v-shaped end portion by rotating a bending die around the tip while the bending die contacts the second portion of the workpiece.

Abstract: A machine and method for forming a spring coil in a length of hollow, cylindrical thermoplastic tubing comprises clamping the ends of a predetermined length of cylindrical thermoplastic tubing between first and second opposing spaced clamping members. In the machine, these clamping members include aligned first and second sections of a mandrel. These first and second clamping members then are rotated relative to one another by a predetermined amount selected to be slightly in excess of 360°, while the mandrels are simultaneously moved toward one another, to shorten the distance between the ends of the length of tubing, while the coil is formed. At the end of this relative rotation, the mandrel sections engage one another. The clamped tube, with the coil now formed around the mandrels, is rotated and simultaneously heated to the thermosetting temperature of the tubing. After a sufficient time to establish thermosetting of the coil, the heat is removed. Rotation continues while the tube is cooled.

Abstract: A manufacturing method for a filter element having a filter portion and a flange portion formed along an outer periphery of the filter portion to protrude outwardly. First, a corrugated intermediate product having plural ridges of the filter element is formed by folding. Next, the flange portion is formed integrally with the filter portion by pressing an outer peripheral portion of the intermediate product at a high temperature. While the flange portion is formed, each of sides of the intermediate product extending in parallel with the ridges is restricted to a position corresponding to a shape of the filter element by plural forming jigs. Therefore, sides of the flange portion extending in parallel with the ridges are formed simultaneously when the flange portion is formed and do not need to be trimmed after forming. As a result, a material of the filter element is less wasted.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing a substantially regular cylindrical body that consists of a deformable material, especially a sintered metal blank (10). Said blank is provided with an interior helical recess (12). The blank is first produced with a substantially linear course of the interior recess (12), for example by extrusion. The body (10) is cut to a defined length and is subjected to a rolling movement by means of a friction surface (18) while being supported across its entire length on a support (16). The speed of said rolling movement changes in a linear and continuous manner across the length of the body (10), thereby regularly twisting the body (10).

Abstract: A yarn of meltblown thermoplastic fibers is manufactured by meltblowing fibers onto a collector to form a thin web thereon, and continuously withdrawing and twisting the web into a generally circular yarn. In a preferred embodiment the yarn has a reinforcing cord disposed therein to lend strength thereto. The yarn is suited for many applications, including knitted and woven fabrics, and cartridge filters.

Abstract: A machine for forming helical coil comprises an elongate cylindrical mandrel which is rotatable about its longitudinal axis, a stationary helical guide coil wrapped around the mandrel and defining a helical guide path around the mandrel between turns of the guide coil into which path the material is guided. At least two drive rollers parallel to the axis of the mandrel which are rotatable each about a respective longitudinal axis. A drive coupling member at one end of the mandrel for receiving a drive from a rotatable drive member. A mounting boss for supporting the mandrel so as to allow rotation of the mandrel while holding the mandrel against longitudinal movement, a coil support plate having one edge attached to the turns of the helical guide coil so as to support the helical guide coil along its length with the plate extending outwardly of the axis of the mandrel.

Abstract: A device for manufacturing tubular fibre includes an extrusion head through which a polymer and a biologically active material flow. The biologically active material is encapsulated within compartments formed in the fibre. Partial solidification is caused by structure, such as a coagulation bath, adjacent the extrusion head. This prevents breakage of the fibre as it leaves the head.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for sequentially forming, wrapping and compressing a catheter balloon either during the initial manufacturing process or after a medical procedure. The balloon may be formed, wrapped and compressed by simply advancing the balloon through a balloon wrapping tool and selectively inflating and deflating the balloon therein. The balloon wrapping tool preferably includes a flap forming bore, a flap wrapping bore and a flap compression bore which form, wrap and compress the balloon, respectively, when the balloon is advanced therethrough.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for manufacturing a slide fastener spiral continuous element row wherein a monofilament is carried on a mandrel while ensuring an accurate pitch of elements even in a high-speed operation and a stepped form of an upper leg portion can be accurately formed at a predetermined portion of each the element. In order to continuously manufacture the slide fastener spiral element row from the continuous monofilament made of synthetic resin, the monofilament transferred continuously is wound spirally around the mandrel and carried while being retained between screw grooves of opposed screws. Then, a coupling head is formed by hitting a portion of the spiral monofilament carried on the mandrel by a pressing roller, the portion corresponding to the coupling head. After that, a stepped upper leg portion is formed by pressing a portion of the spiral monofilament by a rotary hammer at a predetermined position on the mandrel, the portion corresponding to the upper leg portion.