Abstract: A method of making an elastomeric, hot-melt adhesive foam is disclosed. The method involves melting an adhesive material, mixing a gas with the adhesive material under pressure to form a solution of the gas in the adhesive material, reducing the pressure to cause evolution and/or expansion of the gas to form a foam, and stabilizing the foam by causing the adhesive material to solidify. The relatively low melt-viscosity of the adhesive material which is used to form the foam provides desirable processing times and the ability to form foams having desired physical properties, e.g., caliper and cell structure.

Abstract: A rugged shaped sheet capable of exhibiting improved non-slip properties and aesthetic properties and a process for manufacturing the same. The rugged shaped sheet includes a base sheet member and a rugged pattern of a predetermined shape adhered to the base sheet member. The rugged pattern is formed of a plurality of pattern elements different in size, configuration and/or properties into a multi-layer structure. The rugged shaped sheet is manufactured by pouring an elastomer liquid material into each of perforated plates, semicuring the elastomer and laminating the perforated plates on each other, resulting in forming the rugged pattern of a predetermined shape on the base sheet member.

Abstract: A composite laminar structure for producing complementary images in a frangible image-forming substance, and having a strengthened tab portion for facilitation of the separation of the respective sheets of the laminar structure without detachment of the tab portion is described. Thermal imaging composite structures and a method for preparing structures suited to the production of high resolution images in frangible image-forming substance, and especially adapted to sheet separation by mechanical apparatus, are described.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire having a tread rubber layer disposed radially outside a carcass, a sidewall rubber layer disposed axially outside the carcass in each sidewall portion, the sidewall rubber layer softer than the tread rubber layer, a protective rubber layer disposed on the outer surface of the sidewall rubber layer, the protective rubber layer made of a fiber-reinforced rubber composition contains 10 to 50 parts by weight of short fibrous reinforcements, 20 to 70 parts by weight of carbon black, and 100 parts by weight of rubber base consisting of 20 to 100 parts by weight of natural rubber or isoprene rubber and 80 to 0 parts by weight of butadiene rubber, the short fibrous reinforcements oriented in the tire circumferential direction.

Abstract: A tread for a tire having a mid-circumferential plane. The tread comprises a plurality of tread elements arranged in a circumferential array about the tire. The tread also comprises a plurality of transverse extending grooves. Each of the grooves separate a pair of circumferentially adjacent tread elements. An area moment of inertia is associated with each of the tread elements when viewed normal to the tread element. Each of the area moments of inertia have a respective pair of principle axes of inertia relative to the mid-circumferential plane. The angular orientation between any pair of principle axes of inertia of different tread elements is within a predetermined angular range of 40 degrees or less.

Abstract: A carrier film is coated on one side with a radiation curable paint and on the other with an adhesive. The paint is partially cured by irradiation, the carrier film is heated and, in the thermoplastic state, applied by deep drawing to a three-dimensional substrate. In a final step the paint is completely cured by heat.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire includes a plurality of blocks, each having a narrow area interposed between one set of two sipes which extend substantially in a transverse direction of the tire and wide areas positioned respectively at both sides of the narrow area across the sipes. An average distance H2 from a tire tread surface of the narrow area to bottom portions of the sipes is less than an average distance H1 from tire tread surfaces of the wide areas to the bottom portions of the sipes. Expanded portions may be provided at the bottom portions of the two sipes. A ratio W2/W1 of a length W2 of the narrow area in the transverse direction of the tire to a length W1 of the wide areas in the transverse direction of the tire may satisfy 0.50.ltoreq.W2/W1.ltoreq.0.95. A length, in the circumferential direction of the tire, of at least one side end portion of the narrow area may be longer than a length, in the circumferential direction of the tire, of a central portion of the narrow area.

Abstract: A plurality of helically wound tire beads are made by winding them on a forming wheel at two predetermined tension levels. The tension levels are generated by a braking pulley and magnetic particle brake in conjunction with a programmable logic controller. The first few turns of wires are made at a relatively low tension level. Subsequent turns are made at a higher tension level. The lower tension level contributes to longer life of the forming wheel assembly.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for manufacturing corrugated pallets from a base panel of corrugated material, a top panel of corrugated material and a plurality of spacers blocks. Each of the spacer blocks is bonded to the base sheet and top sheet. The apparatus comprises a loading station for receiving the base panel and top panel, and a glue applicator for extruding a plurality of continuous sheets of glue to predetermined areas of the base panel and top panel. An assembly station includes a locating system for receiving and locating the base panels, spacer blocks and top panel in relation to the base panel when the top panel is placed upon a plurality of spacer blocks to form the corrugated pallet. A transfer compression station for applying a continuous initial pressure to the corrugated pallet at the base and top panels of the corrugated pallet while simultaneously transferring the corrugated pallet in a horizontal direction.

Abstract: A pneumatically-inflated inner tube having two compartments such that if one compartment is damaged and deflates, the other compartment may be inflated without removing the tire. The compartments inflate independently of each other using separate valves; each compartment has its own valve for inflation. When inflated, the two compartments surround the same annular axis. The two embodiments described have primary and secondary compartments. In the first embodiment, each compartment is a discrete component wherein the secondary compartment is disposed inside the primary compartment. The compartments connect where the valve of the secondary compartment projects through an aperture in the primary compartment. In the second embodiment, the two compartments form an integral unit. The compartments share a common surface such that one compartment is formed inside the other compartment.

Abstract: Annularly or helically ribbed or corrugated semi-rigid thermoplastic pipe is modified to have a smooth outer wall. The ribbed or corrugated pipe is passed through a heated sleeve to squash and smooth the outer profile of corrugated pipe or bend over ribs of ribbed pipe and mold a smooth outer skin of the pipe. Apparatus for forming the modified pipe includes a travelling mold tunnel for the production of ribbed or corrugated pipe and a smoothing sleeve downstream thereof. The smoothing sleeve has a heater to heat it sufficiently to mold the smoother outer skin.

Abstract: A cast light metal joining element and method of assembly with adjoining extruded light metal hollow section bearer member of a space frame type vehicle body. The joining element or casting includes at least two spaced apart, location points disposed along a surface wall thereof. The location points permit the casting to be held in a corresponding fixture at a desired positionally correct spatial orientation to facilitate the fitting and connection of adjoining frame elements with greater ease, accuracy and smaller tolerances. In one embodiment, the location points include integrally formed conical studs and/or conical depressions. In another embodiment, the location points include through-holes, either straight cylindrical or conically tapered. The studs, depressions and/or holes also served a dual function in providing a positive locking connection to add on components which have corresponding matingly engagable connection surfaces.

Abstract: A flame resistant to nonflammable composite panel (86) is produced from a nonextrudable core mixture (24) with a pourable, nonflammable filling material and a binder, and on both sides cover strips flexibly bonded to the core. For a continuous production of the composite panel (86) in one operation, the core mixture (24) is poured onto an inrunning lower cover strip (48), in contact with a lower adhesive film (16) facing the core mixture (24), and a pile is formed there, extending over the entire width of the adhesive film, both [lacuna] continuously and uniformly drawn through a V gap (40) and compacted there for the first time and calibrated to thickness, an upper adhesive film (30), upwardly limiting the precompacted core mixture (24'), is fed in and brought into contact with a continuously fed cover strip (46) and the sandwich is pressed with further compaction, heated, cooled and cut to the final length of the composite panel (86).

Abstract: The three-dimensional shape of the surface of a board (12) is measured, and the parallel degree between the board (12) and a semiconductor chip (10) is adjusted on the basis of the measurement result. A board mounting means (13) and a semiconductor chip holding means (11) are moved close to each other, and the semiconductor chip (10) is mounted on the board (12).

Abstract: A method of fabricating a microwave waveguide component wherein a plurality of joinable thermoplastic members are first formed. The members, when joined, comprise a microwave waveguide component having an internal surface that is adapted to be plated. The thermoplastic members are then bonded together. Then, the internal surface is plated to form the finished microwave waveguide component. The present method forms microwave components from plated, injection molded thermoplastic and reaction injection molded thermosetting plastics. In particular, the plastic components made using the present invention exhibit comparable electrical performance, as measured by voltage standing wave ratio (VSWR) and insertion loss, decreased device weight and cost, and reliable and repeatable manufacturability when compared with devices formed using metals, conventional thermosetting plastics that have been metallized, and molded, plated and soldered thermoplastics.

Abstract: Process for the preparation of films or diaphragms for acoustic applications, exhibiting improved vibration properties, and films or diaphragms obtained by this process, particularly diaphragms for electro-mechanical transducers, particularly for loudspeakers. The invention has for an object a process for preparing films or diaphragms for acoustic applications exhibiting improved vibration properties, consisting in preparing a dispersion, in a liquid, of at least one macropolymer, especially at least one synthetic macropolymer having at least 30,000 atoms in a molecule, adding, to the dispersion, a product capable of swelling said macropolymer and of transforming said dispersion in a gel of similar material, and drying sale gel or similar material by evaporating substantially all the liquid from the gel or similar material, thereby obtaining the film or diaphragm in the porous solid slate. NO DRAWING.

Abstract: A core material for laminates is provided, which is formed of a substrate and a porous sheet laminated on the one side of the substrate, said substrate having slits which penetrate therethrough in rows at an appropriate interval. The core material permits no inclusion of air inside when laminated with an FRP and putty is filled in the core material, with a result that the putty not only functions as a reinforcing rib, but prevents water-containing phenomenon.

Abstract: Process for the manufacture of a flexible polymeric structure comprising a sealant barrier, consisting of a multilayer film a few microns thick, oriented longitudinally, in a continuous manner, whereby all of the components of said flexible structure are intimately bonded by a final heat treatment. Flexible polymeric structures manufactured according to this process. Application to the fields of the transport of all fluids and protection against external aggressive agents.

Abstract: An air inflation system for tires on a vehicle having at least one driven axle in which the axle includes a longitudinal extending air passageway connected to each tire at the end of the axle and a rotatable air coupling connected between an air line and the air passageway. The coupling includes a stationary tubular sleeve surrounding the axle and first and second seals, respectively, at opposite ends of the sleeve in which the seals rotate with the axle and sealingly engage the axle. The seals are biased into engagement with the sleeve. Preferably, the ends of the sleeve and the coacting seals include beveled sealing surfaces.

Abstract: A method including using a device for sealing the end of a heat-shrunk sleeve enclosing a branch connection of electrical or optical cables which grips the outside surface of the sleeve between the branched cables and keeps the opposing surface areas of the sleeve between the cables in contact with each other during cooling of the heat-shrunk sleeve. The device has two identical preformed parts. Each part has a foot part and an arm extending in a semicircle from the foot part. The foot part has at least one peg and one bore, through which the preformed parts can be joined to form the device. The arms encircle one of the branched cables and the free ends of the arms grip the sleeve between the branched cables.