Abstract: To efficiently feed a molten resin to the resin holders. An intermittently feeding device works to intermittently feed a transfer unit equipped with resin holders, and has a cam supported by a motor via a support. The cam is rotated by the motor. A cam follower of a moving block meshes with the screw of the cam, and the moving block moves along a support rail accompanying the turn of the cam. The motor rotates at a constant speed, and the transfer unit 3 is fed intermittently depending on the shapes of the cam and of the cam follower.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for conditioning a polymeric stent after sterilization, and/or after crimping and before packaging, such that the properties of the polymeric stent fall within a narrower range of values. The stent is exposed to a controlled temperature at or above ambient for a period of time after radiation sterilization and/or after crimping and before sterilization. As a result, the polymeric stent properties, particularly radial strength and number-average molecular weight of the polymer of the polymeric stent, fall within a narrower range.

Abstract: A method of making a ballistic resistant composite material having improved resistance to high energy rifle bullets and the like. The method comprises providing at least one fibrous layer comprising a network of high tenacity aramid fibers. The fibrous layer is coated with a thermoplastic polyurethane resin. The coated fibrous layer is molded at a pressure of at least about 1,500 psi (10.3 MPa). Preferably, a plurality of fibrous layers are employed, each of which is formed from to unidirectionally oriented aramid fibers in a thermoplastic polyurethane resin matrix. Adjacent fibrous layers are preferably oriented at 90° with respect to each other.

Abstract: A technique of forming a carbon-carbon composite material includes infusing a liquid carbonizable precursor into a porous preform, and the infused precursor is subsequently pyrolyzed to convert the precursor to isotropic carbon. The preform then can be densified with a densifying agent, followed by infusion of the liquid carbonizable precursor into the densified preform. In some examples, after pyrolyzing the liquid carbonizable precursor, isotropic carbon extends substantially throughout a volume of the carbon-carbon composite material.

Abstract: Object: To provide a sliding member with a low friction coefficient in which, when fine dents are formed in a surface of the sliding member by dimpling using a laser, no hard raised portions are generated, and which does not damage a mating member; and to provide a process for producing the sliding member. Solution Means: A sliding member comprising a polyamide resin and 10 to 50 wt % of a fibrous filler selected from the group consisting of carbon fibers, aramid fibers, and whiskers, and having fine dents formed in a sliding surface thereof by dimpling using a laser; and a process for producing a sliding member comprising adding 10 to 50 wt % of a fibrous filler selected from the group consisting of carbon fibers, aramid fibers, and whiskers to a polyamide resin, and forming fine dents in a sliding surface of the sliding member by dimpling using a laser.

Abstract: An imprint lithography apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus includes an imprint template arrangement for use in imprinting a pattern into a substrate provided with an amount of imprintable medium, a substrate holder configured to hold the substrate, and a chamber having an inlet to allow gas to flow into the chamber and an outlet to allow gas to flow out of the chamber, wherein the imprint template arrangement and the substrate holder are located within the chamber, the chamber, in use, being arranged to contain a gaseous atmosphere. The chamber may be part of a gas circulation system, the inlet and outlet of the chamber being connected to further components of the gas circulation system, the further components of the gas circulation system including: a gas circulation driver configured to drive gas around the gas circulation system; and/or a gas purification unit configured to purify the gas as it circulates around the gas circulation system.

Abstract: An article of footwear is disclosed that includes at least one of a stretchable upper and an articulated sole structure. The upper may include an exterior layer and an interior layer. The exterior layer forms at least a portion of an exterior of the upper, and the exterior layer includes a plurality of incisions that extend through the exterior layer. The interior layer is located adjacent an inner surface of the exterior layer, and the interior layer is exposed through the incisions. The sole structure may include a connecting portion and a plurality of discrete sole elements. The connecting portion is positioned adjacent the upper and may extend along a longitudinal length of the upper. The sole elements extend from the connecting portion, and the sole elements are separated by a plurality of sipes that extend upward into the sole structure.

Abstract: Antioxidants used for overcoat layers and processes for making the same. The present process for making the antioxidant has proven to be repeatable, cheaper, faster and safer than conventional processes. In particular, the present process uses a different solvent system where crude bis(4-diethylamino-2-methylphenyl)-(4-diethylaminophenylmethane) is dissolved in methylethyl ketone at room temperature, followed by product precipitation in a warm mixture of ethanol and water.

Abstract: Extruded polystyrene foams are made with an added brominated styrene-butadiene polymer as a flame retardant. The blowing agent is a mixture of carbon dioxide, ethanol and water, which may also contain a C4-C5 hydrocarbon. The blowing agent mixture overcomes a tendency of the brominated styrene-butadiene to form very small cells. This allows the foam to expand fully to form good quality, low density extruded foam.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a base assembly (100) for forming a base portion of a plastic container. The base assembly comprises a base pedestal (104), a base mold attached to the base pedestal, a push rod (102) movable between a first position and a second position with respect to the base mold to reposition a portion of the plastic container, and an activation mechanism adapted to move the push rod between the first position and the second position.

Abstract: A process for producing pellets or granules comprising fibers of a lignocellulousic material, for use as a feedstock in plastics manufacture, conveying in a dry or wet air stream and applying to the fibers a liquid formulation comprising one or more polymers, monomers, or oligomers, forming the fibers into a solid product, and breaking down the solid product to produce said pellets or granules. Typically the conduit conveys the fibers in a plant for manufacture of fiber board.

Abstract: An injection mold product ejection apparatus comprising: an ejection element; and a displacing member for displacing the ejection element between a retracted molding position and a first extended ejection position; wherein, the ejection element is an ejection assembly and comprises: a) an inner ejection sub-assembly, and b) an outer ejection bush surrounding the inner ejection sub-assembly, said displacing member comprises: a collective displacing member, for displacing the whole ejection assembly from the retracted molding position to an intermediate ejection position, and a sub-assembly displacing member, for converting the ejection assembly from the intermediate ejection position to the first extended ejection position by extending the sub-assembly relative to the outer ejection bush.

Abstract: A multi-layer, microporous polyolefin membrane comprising a polypropylene layer and a polyethylene resin layer and having well-balanced permeability, mechanical strength, heat shrinkage resistance, shutdown properties and meltdown properties can be obtained by (1) forming a sheet comprising a gel-like polypropylene layer containing a membrane-forming solvent or a polypropylene layer containing no membrane-forming solvent and a gel-like polyethylene resin layer containing a membrane-forming solvent, stretching the sheet at two-stage temperatures, and then removing the membrane-forming solvent, or (2) forming a gel-like polypropylene sheet containing a membrane-forming solvent or a polypropylene sheet containing no membrane-forming solvent, and a gel-like polyethylene resin sheet containing a membrane-forming solvent, stretching them at two-stage temperatures, removing the membrane-forming solvent, and then laminating the resultant microporous polypropylene membrane and the resultant microporous polyethylene me

Abstract: An end-to-end system/process for producing advantageous end products from a raw biomass feedstock is provided. The process includes steps for enhancing biomaterial feedstock, biochar generation and end-product fabrication. The method steps may be employed in selecting, treating and handling biomass materials and their additive inputs to tailor their end performance. Each operative step in the process may be employed to enhance the overall effectiveness of biochar generation and use. Charring furnace design and operational parameters are provided that generate desirable biochar material for various applications, including specifically fabrication of ultra-capacitor electrodes and electric battery components.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for transforming vertically-aligned nanostructures into densified, horizontally-aligned arrays. A contact element such as a roller is used to topple an array of carbon nanotubes or other nanostructures by drawing or rolling the contact element across the surface of the substrate such that the vertically-aligned nanostructures are forced into at least partial horizontal-alignment while being densified to give the transformed array enhanced properties. The contact element engages the nanostructures at a location below their upper distal end to topple and densify the array without disrupting the relative alignment of the individual nanostructures in the array. Transfer printing of the nanostructures is also provided.

Abstract: An illumination system for use in a system (1) for layerwise production of a tangible object (5) in a liquid reservoir (2) comprises an image forming element (21), an image projection system (22, 23) and a microlens array (7). The illumination system (20) further comprises a controller (24) for controlling the microlens array (7) to perform a movement (9) which is relative to at least part of the image projection system (22, 23) and for controlling the image forming element (21) to form time-varying two-dimensional images synchronously with said movement in such way that microspots (17) describe and solidify a predetermined area of a liquid layer (10) when said movement (9) is also relative to the object (5) under construction.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing a plastic foil tube with an intended cross-section that derives from a circular cross-section as a means for the production of fiber compound components for aviation or aerospace. It comprises the following method steps: mounting a semi-finished tube on a core tool; charging the mounted semi-finished tube with a predetermined force to press the semi-finished tube on a core cross section of the core tool, wherein while charging the mounted semi-finished tube with the force crinkles are formed in longitudinal direction of the semi-finished tube; heating the semi-finished tube to a predetermined forming temperature for a predetermined time period for the production of the plastic foil tube with the intended cross-section and stripping the plastic foil tube which is formed in such a manner and cooled down off the core tool.

Abstract: Provided is a method of producing a multilayered structure, comprising the steps of: obtaining a regrind (C) by grinding a multilayered structure (B) having a layer of a resin composition (A), followed by sieving; and obtaining a multilayered structure (F) having a layer of a resin composition (E) made by melt kneading the regrind (C) and a polyolefin (D), wherein the resin composition (A) contains a polyolefin (G), a saponified ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer (H) having an ethylene content of from 20 to 65 mol % and having a degree of saponification of vinyl acetate units of 96% or more, a saponified ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer (I) having an ethylene content of from 68 to 98 mol % and having a degree of saponification of vinyl acetate units of 20% or more, and an antistatic agent (J), and a mass ratio (H/I) is from 0.1 to 10.

Abstract: Fluid bed granulation process comprising the steps of: —forming a fluid bed of seeds (S1) of a chosen substance, —feeding said fluid bed with a continuous fluid flow (L) comprising a growth liquid, —inducing and maintaining a continuous vortex (V) in said fluid bed, the vortex (V) having a substantially horizontal axis, characterized in that said fluid flow (L) is fed into predetermined first zones (Z1) of said fluid bed, said first zones (Z1) being alternated to second zones (Z2) of said fluid bed in which said fluid flow (L) is not fed.

Abstract: A particulate polymeric composition capable of being processed to provide expanded articles having a density lower than or equal to 50 g/l and a closed cell content of at least 60% as specified by ASTM D-2856, wherein resulting particulates have a shape factor ranging from 0.6 to 0.99; and wherein the particulate polymeric composition is produced according to a process that prepares expandable granules based on thermoplastic polymers, through a granulation die.