Abstract: A rectangular liquid storage tank having outer walls made up of bolted together square panels and a plurality of non-metal tie rods extending across the interior of the tank to prevent outward bulging of the tank walls. The non-metal tie rods have corrosion resistant bolts at each end which have a hollow bore with the tie rods adhesively secured therein. The bolts have turnbuckle means for tensioning the tie rods.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for forming a thermoplastic structure on the exterior surface of the heated mold form. A mold is heated to approximately two times the melting temperature of a thermoplastic material and particulate thermoplastic material then sprinkled onto the exterior surface of the heated mold. An adhesively bondable material may then be added to the semi-molten thermoplastic material structure. The mold is then cooled and the resulting thermoplastic structure removed.An apparatus for practicing the above process comprising a mold form, heating system, and particulate thermoplastic material dispensing system is also disclosed.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for forming a thermoplastic structure on the exterior surface of the heated mold form. A mold is heated to approximately two times the melting temperature of a thermoplastic material and particulate thermoplastic material then sprinkled onto the exterior surface of the heated mold. An adhesively bondable material may then be added to the semi-molten thermoplastic material structure. The mold is then cooled and the resulting thermoplastic structure removed.An apparatus for practicing the above process comprising a mold form, heating system, and particulate thermoplastic material dispensing system is also disclosed.

Abstract: An improved coversheet material for use in multi-layer boards. The improvement comprises a layer of continuous filament and a layer of fibrous web. The fibrous web is a blend of thermoplastic fibers. The thermoplastic fibers are high melt point fibers and low melt point fibers. The layer of continuous filament and the layer of fibrous web are bonded together by passing the layers between a pair of heated rolls which are under pressure. As the heat from the rolls melts the low melt point fibers, the pressure exerted on the rolls puts the melted fibers into contact with the high melt point fibers and the layer of continuous filament. As the melted fibers cool they secure themselves, the high point fibers and the continuous filament layer together to form an integral structure. The continuous filament provide strength to the coversheet material while the high melt point fibers in the fibrous web provide compatability with core materials used in a multi-layered board.

Abstract: A stretchable textile-like fabric comprising at least one layer of nonwoven fibers hydroentangled into a diamond shaped structure so that a substantial number of fibers are oriented equally on all sides of the diamond. This fiber orientation results in a balanced fabric structure. Subsequent to entangling the fibers, they are compacted so as to arrange the fibers into a series of wave-like configurations. The combination of the diamond shape fabric structure and the wave-like configurations of the fibers permits multi-directional stretch in the fabric when tension is applied. Additionally, when the tension in the fabric is released, the inherent memory of the fibers causes the fabric to return to its original form without substantial permanent deformation.