Abstract: A method of rotationally molding a large-diameter pipe fitting, the wall structure of which is characterized as having a generally smooth interior surface and an exterior surface that is defined by a plurality of axially-spaced circumferentially extending ribs which are monolithically formed and homogeneous with the smooth interior surface of the fitting. The fitting is seamless and modularly designed with integral coupling elements at each terminal end, and with a ribbed wall structure profile capable of withstanding the loads typically found in buried applications with watertight performance requirements, where such ribbed wall structure meets the following dimensions and dimensional ratios: Rib Sidewall Angle (95-105 degrees); Bottom/Top Rib Thickness Ratio (1.80-2.80); Pitch/Rib Height Ratio (1.50-1.95); Rib Height/Fitting Diameter Ratio (0.04-0.09); and Avg. Rib Thickness/Rib Height Ratio (0.28-0.40).

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for forming non-woven fiber mats from polymers and monomers that are traditionally difficult to use for fiber formation are shown and described. Applicable techniques include electrospinning and other traditional fiber formation methods. Suitable polymers and monomers include those having low molecular weight, a low melting point, and/or a low glass transition temperature.

Abstract: A method of forming a porous sol gel, including a dried porous sol gel, is provided comprising forming a sol gel from a sol gel-forming composition comprising a silane solution and a catalyst solution; and non-supercritically drying the sol gel to provide a dried porous sol gel having no springback. The dried porous sol gel can include dried macroporous or mesoporous sol gels or dried hybrid aerogels. The materials may contain open or filled pores. Such materials are useful as thermal insulators.

Abstract: A method for continuous High Internal Phase Emulsion (HIPE) foam production. A HIPE is produced then extruded onto a belt. After polymerization, a portion of the saturated aqueous phase is removed using a vacuum box. A nip insert is inserted under the vacuum box to raise the vacuum box leading to improved uniformity of the HIPE in the cross direction along the belt.

Abstract: Wood-type golf clubs and/or golf club heads include: (a) a golf club head base member including a face member having a ball striking face; and (b) a polymeric body member engaged with the golf club head base member, wherein the polymeric body member is formed via a rotational molding process (or other centrifugal force inducing molding process) and/or engaged with the golf club head base member via a rotational molding process (or other centrifugal force inducing molding process). The polymeric body member forms at least a portion of a crown member of the club head in some structures.

Abstract: Using a broadband light source and a photomask, surface energy gradients can be directly transferred into polymer films. The Marangoni effect causes high surface energy regions to rise upon heating the film. This leads to the formation of three-dimensional topography that can be locked in by quenching the polymer by cooling.

Abstract: The present invention concerns methods for obtaining high-tenacity aramid yarn, wherein the yarn is made of a copolymer obtained from a mixture of monomers comprising 5-(6)-amino-2-(p-aminophenyl)benzimidazole, an aromatic para-diamine, and an aromatic para-diacid; the method comprising: a) spinning said copolymer from an inorganic acid solvent to produce the aramid yarn; b) washing said yarn with a basic aqueous solution for at least 5 seconds; and c) heating said yarn; wherein the yarn is heated in at least two process steps, characterized in that (i) in a first step the yarn is heated at a temperature of 200 to 360° C. at a tension of at least 0.2 cN/dtex, followed by (ii) a second step wherein the yarn is heated at a temperature of 370 to 500° C. at a tension of less than 1 cN/dtex. In some embodiments, the yarn has an effective polymer cation to sulfur content molar ratio of at least 0.3. In some embodiments, the yarn has a hydrolytic strength retention of the yarn is greater than 60%.

Abstract: In a green honeycomb molded body including a columnar body of the green honeycomb molded body in which a plurality of hexagonal cells mutually partitioned by partition walls are open at an end surface of the columnar body, a center closing jig is inserted into a part of a plurality of cells at the center of the end surface to join partition walls to each other using the center closing jig, thereby closing the cells at the center of the end surface and the outer periphery of the end surface including the plurality of cells is pressed by a cylindrical outer periphery closing jig having an inner peripheral surface with the inner diameter being continuously reduced from one end to the other end, thereby collapsing the cells at the outer periphery of the end surface to close the cells at the outer periphery of the end surface.

Abstract: An apparatus for melting and dispensing thermoplastic material is provided that includes an un-heated hopper having an inlet for receiving particles of a thermoplastic material and an outlet for discharging the particles and a heated manifold including at least one cavity formed therein and having an inlet and an outlet the inlet communicating with the outlet of the hopper for receipt of the particles from the hopper. The hopper is disposed external of the heated manifold. The heated manifold is effective for melting the particles into molten thermoplastic material therein. The apparatus further includes a pump having an inlet in fluid communication with the cavity. An outlet of the pump is in fluid communication with an inlet of a dispenser and an outlet of the dispenser is effective for dispensing the molten thermoplastic material therethrough.

Abstract: An apparatus for melting and dispensing thermoplastic material is provided that includes an un-heated hopper having an inlet for receiving particles of a thermoplastic material and an outlet for discharging the particles and a heated manifold including at least one cavity formed therein and having an inlet and an outlet the inlet communicating with the outlet of the hopper for receipt of the particles from the hopper. The hopper is disposed external of the heated manifold. The heated manifold is effective for melting the particles into molten thermoplastic material therein. The apparatus further includes a pump having an inlet in fluid communication with the cavity. An outlet of the pump is in fluid communication with an inlet of a dispenser and an outlet of the dispenser is effective for dispensing the molten thermoplastic material therethrough.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of molding a component (1) having one or more features (5). At least one fibrous substrate (7) is located in a mold (31, 33). A matrix-forming material (29) is also provided in the mold (31, 33). Heat is applied to melt the matrix-forming material (29) to form a matrix (9) and to integrally mold said one or more features (5).

Abstract: The sheet-like rubber forming device has a die body which has an opening having a predetermined cross sectional shape, and a variable die lip which is arranged in a front side of the die body and can change the height of the opening. The variable die lip is constructed by a first movable body and a second movable body. The die lip control unit controls the variable die lip so as to drive the first movable body in an opening direction from a state in which the first movable body and the second movable body are closed when the forming is started, hold the positions of the first movable body and the second movable body after reaching a predetermined height, and drive the second movable body in a closing direction when the forming is finished.

Abstract: Methods and devices use a three-dimensional scanner and a three-dimensional printing device operatively connected to a processor. The three-dimensional scanner automatically determines a size and shape of an item to be packaged and the processor automatically identifies information corresponding to the item to be packaged. The processor automatically controls the three-dimensional printing device to form a container that is customized to match the size and shape of the item to be packaged (using a continuous additive process of forming successive layers of material in different shapes). When forming the container, the processor also automatically controls the three-dimensional printing device to form a label as part of the container. The label includes color variations to visually convey the information identified by the processor.

Abstract: The present invention involves laser machining polymer substrates to form a stent with laser parameters that minimize damage to the substrate in a surface region adjacent to the machined edge surface. The wavelength and pulse width are selected for this unique application and they can be controlled to minimize the surface modifications (such as voids, cracks which are induced by the laser-material interaction) which contribute to the variation in mechanical properties with distance from the edge surface, bulk mechanical properties, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: The three-dimensional object building apparatus includes a powder delivering unit that delivers a powder on an object building area, a powder flattening device that flattens the powder delivered from the powder delivering unit to form a powder layer, and a light beam radiating unit that is disposed above the object building area and radiates a light beam on the powder layer to sinter or melt solidify the powder for building an object. The three-dimensional object building apparatus also includes a transferring mechanism that moves the light beam radiating unit in three-dimensional directions, and a shroud that moves integrally with the light beam radiating unit and surrounds a space above an area of the powder layer that is smaller than the object building area around a radiation of the light beam. The powder delivering unit and the powder flattening device move integrally with the light beam radiating unit.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an oral appliance for treating sleep apnea of a patient that has a monolithic body with an upper tray with an upper recess formed to conform to the maxillary teeth of the patient and a lower tray with a lower recess formed to conform to the mandibular teeth, the monolithic body defining a coupling of a rear portion of the upper tray to a rear portion of the lower tray at an angle forming a orifice between front mandibular teeth and front maxillary teeth.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing an artificial elastic implant for restorative and reconstructive surgery includes two casting steps performed in a casting mold. The mold has at least a cover that is optically and UV transparent. In a first step, a first layer of a first photo-curable material or of a second photo-curable material is cast while forming a meniscus. Using one of two photo masks, the mold is irradiated with UV light to cure the first layer. In a second step, a second layer of either the first or the second photo-curable material is cast onto the cured first layer while forming a meniscus. After irradiating the mold again with ultraviolet light, unhardened photo-curable material is removed from the product by dissolving in a suitable solvent. After additionally irradiating the product with UV light, the product is soaked, separated from the mold, placed in isopropyl alcohol and then vacuum dried.

Abstract: Methods of preparing a three-dimensional structure are provided. One method includes the steps of extruding beads of thixotropic thermoset materials, and subjecting the beads to curing conditions such that the thixotropic thermoset materials at least partially cure to form cured polymer layers. In some cases, the curing conditions are not applied until multiple beads are extruded and in contact with one another. The steps of these methods can be performed repeatedly as desired to prepare a three-dimensional structure of nearly limitless shapes by additive manufacturing processes. Thixotropic thermoset materials are also provided, as are three-dimensional objects formed therefrom.

Abstract: A method of decorating an element. This method includes the steps of: taking the element (1, 11, 21, 31), the element including anchoring (7) for improving the securing of the decoration (5) to the element; making a mask (4) of the desired thickness of the decorations (5), and having at least one opening (4?); placing the at least one opening in the mask (4) against the place to be decorated so as to form at least one mold (4?, 6, 6?, 6?, 100); filling the at least one mold with an at least partially amorphous material via hot forming; and removing the mask (4).

Abstract: A method of preparing a closure for a product retaining container is disclosed along with the closure that is obtainable by the method. The present disclosure also relates to a use, in the manufacture of a closure, of a knife blade comprising a cutting edge region having a discontinuous cutting edge.