Abstract: A method of forming a container from a tubular member comprises the steps of positioning a tubular member on a support structure, moving a platen of an injection molding die to engage the tubular member to form a cavity and injecting material into the cavity.

Abstract: A plastisol article is having an outer surface which has the look and feel of suede is provided. The article is made from a plastisol composition which includes expandable microspheres. A mold is dipped into the plastisol composition, withdrawn from the composition, and heated. The coated mold is heated at a temperature sufficient to expand the microspheres throughout the extent of the plastisol layer and to rupture the microspheres at the surface of the plastisol layer. The time and temperature at which the plastisol layer is heated causes only the microspheres substantially at the outer surface of plastisol layer to rupture. Substantially all of the microspheres within the plastisol remain unruptured. The expandable plastisol may be applied directly to a product or it may be applied over a layer of solid (unexpandable) plastisol. The expandable plastisol composition may include a blowing agent.

Abstract: A golf club shaft protector is disclosed as including an elongated hollow plastic tube having a polygonal cross-sectional configuration with an unequal number of sides interconnected to each other by corner sections. Each of the unequal number of sides have the same predetermined length and each of the corner sections have the same predetermined angular shape. One of each of the corner sections faces one of each of the sides. Preferably, the unequal number of sides is at least seven to provide the largest possible opening with the greatest amount of rigidity for receiving the golf club shaft, including a golf club handle. The golf club shaft protector also includes a tubular element mounted adjacent the open upper end of the hollow plastic tube and includes an outer wall section, an inner wall section and flexible lip sections.

Abstract: A one-piece tube multi-pack and its method of manufacture are disclosed. The one-piece tube multi-pack includes an elongated thin-walled tubular element made of transparent flexible plastic material with inner and outer peripherally extending walls. At least one thin-walled web section is integrally connected to the inner peripheral extending wall of the tubular element and has greater flexibility than the tubular element in order to adjustably accommodate a plurality of separate discrete products positioned on opposite sides of the at least one integral web section. The at least one integral thin-walled web section may be connected to the inner peripherally extending wall of the tubular element at different relative locations, for example, in a spiral or curvilinear or other shaped path throughout the tubular element.

Abstract: Tube multi-pack methods of manufacture are disclosed. The tube multi-packs that are produced by the method of the present invention are one-piece tube multi-pack including an elongated thin-walled tubular element made of transparent flexible plastic material with inner and outer peripherally extending walls. At least one thin-walled web section is integrally connected to the inner peripheral extending wall of the tubular element and has greater flexibility than the tubular element in order to adjustably accommodate a plurality of separate discrete products positioned on opposite sides of the at least one integral web section. The at least one integral thin-walled web section may be connected to the inner peripherally extending wall of the tubular element at different relative locations, for example, in a spiral or curvilinear or other shaped path throughout the tubular element.

Abstract: A one-piece molded flexible plastic material golf club headcover for use with a golf club, including a golf club head and shank, is disclosed. The golf club headcover includes a golf club headcover section for substantially surrounding the golf club head. A flexible and resilient restricted throat is formed in the golf club headcover section which has an internal dimension smaller than the golf club head such that upon insertion of the golf club head, the flexible and resilient restricted throat deforms and expands to allow passage of the golf club head into the golf club headcover section and subsequent return to its initial configuration. Locking elements are formed in the golf club headcover section independent of the flexible and resilient restricted throat for underlying the golf club head while releasably holding the golf club headcover section on the golf club head.

Abstract: A golf club shaft protector is disclosed as including a hollow plastic tube of predetermined diameter and length with open upper and lower ends. The length of the hollow plastic tube substantially corresponds to the length of a golf club shaft and can be pre-selected and cut to the appropriate length. A flexible restricted throat element extends across the open upper end of the hollow plastic tube for resilient deformation upon the insertion of a golf club handle to allow passage of the golf club handle and associated golf club shaft into the hollow plastic tube. The flexible restricted throat element subsequently returns to its initial shape for close fitting circumferential support of the golf club hosel at an upper end of the golf club shaft adjacent the golf club head. The predetermined diameter of the hollow plastic tube is dimensioned to at least substantially peripherally engage the golf club handle at least adjacent the open lower end.

Abstract: A user friendly dumbbell that is comfortable, safe and durable, and which also protects against damage to surfaces against which the dumbbell may come into contact is disclosed. The dumbbell is typically provided with an elongated shaft and enlarged members attached to opposite free ends of the elongated shaft. Surrounding protective and durable coverings are provided for the elongated shaft and enlarged members that is both user friendly during use, while also protecting supporting and other surfaces against damage when the dumbbell is not in use. The protective and durable covering along the elongated shaft includes a resilient and compressible element having at least one porous high density foam rubber covering.

Abstract: A one-piece molded flexible plastic material golf club headcover for a golf club, including a golf club head and a shank extending therefrom, is disclosed. The golf club headcover includes a club or headcover for substantially surrounding the golf club head and an integral skirt section extending from the golf club headcover section for substantially surrounding a portion of the shank immediately adjacent the golf club head. The integral skirt section is formed with a flexible and resilient circumferential wall that is configured, arranged and dimensioned to deform and then return to its original shape upon the insertion and removal of a golf club head, in order to releasably hold the golf club headcover to a golf club head when assembled thereto.

Abstract: A dip molding process for making an integral article having a solid inner surface and a foamed outer cover in which a hot mold is dipped into a solid plastisol which is partially fused before being dipped into a foamable plastisol which is then formed, fused and bonded to the solid plastisol to form an integral article.

Abstract: A dip mold for forming a part from plastisol which part has an integral internal member. The dip mold has an internal cavity in its free end to form said internal member and the cavity is vented by a lateral passage to the outside face of the mold to allow air in the cavity to escape and the internal molded part to be formed.

Abstract: A one-piece molded flexible plastic material golf club headcover for use with a golf club, including a golf club head and shank, is disclosed. The golf club headcover includes a golf club headcover section for substantially surrounding the golf club head. A flexible and resilient restricted throat is formed in the golf club headcover section which has an internal dimension smaller than the golf club head such that upon insertion of the golf club head, the flexible and resilient restricted throat deforms and expands to allow passage of the golf club head into the golf club headcover section and subsequent return to its initial configuration. Locking elements are formed in the golf club headcover section independent of the flexible and resilient restricted throat for underlying the golf club head while releasably holding the golf club headcover section on the golf club head.