Abstract: A fast, relatively inexpensive and simple method for producing a finished plastic aspheric multifocal or progressive lens from a preformed lens which has a predetermined lens correction (i.e., curvature or prescription) at its optical center. The method includes providing a mold; providing an optical photoactivated resin composition; providing a preformed plastic lens; contacting the preformed lens with the mold such that the surfaces of the preformed lens and the mold form a cavity enclosing the resin composition; and curing the resin composition upon application of heat and ultraviolet radiation. The cavity formed by the preformed lens and the mold is shaped to correspond to the desired change in curvature of the mold surface. The preformed lens may also be cast with a thin non-prescription layer which acts as a carrier for the multifocal or progressive region of the finished lens. This allows casting of lenses without employing either expensive conventional optical gaskets or back molds.

Abstract: A cellulose ester film which can be melt cast is manufactured by esterfying cellulose to form a cellulose acetate or cellulose acetate propionate having degrees of substitution of DSac=1.9 to 2.6, DSpr=0 to 0.9 and DS.sub.OH =0 to 0.55 and melt compounding the resulting polymer with a non-volatile phosphoric acid ester. A film is formed by melt extruding the compounded polymer onto a cooling surface to form a solid film. The film is then biaxially oriented at 130.degree. to 200.degree. C. and a stretch ratio of 1.25.times. to 2.5.times. in both directions. The resulting product is a film of excellent properties such as surface smoothness, light transmission, low haze, low color, high elastic modulus and curl relaxation after aqueous processing. The melt cast film is useful as a photographic roll film to replace solvent cast cellulose triacetate.

Abstract: A die assembly (10) for controlling extrudate profile dimension. The die assembly includes a die block (12) having a feed passage (16) for movably supporting a diverter member (13) within the die block, and first and second die block passages (18, 20). The diverter member (13) includes a diverter passage (32) and first and second feed openings (34, 36) interconnected by the diverter passage. One of the first or second feed openings (34, 36) has a larger diameter than the other of the first or second feed openings. The diverter member (13) is movable with respect to the die block (12) for directing extrudate flow via the diverter passage (32) through the second die block passage (20), to thereby vary the profile dimension of the extrudate exiting the die block. The die block (12) additionally includes a disposal passage (22).

Abstract: Method and apparatus for the electromagnetic dynamic plasticating of polymer materials includes a magnetic moving body which is supported both axially and radially by a magnetic levitation gap. The magnetic body is rotated in non-steady state vibration within an electromagnetic winding and cooperates with a stationary body to form a processing space for the polymer material.

Abstract: A process for reclaiming residuals produced from the manufacture of decorative high pressure laminates (HPLs), and composite materials obtained by the process. Such residuals which include cellulose impregnated with thermosetting resins which are partially condensed, are ground to a predetermined particle size and mixed with a melted mass of thermoplastic resin under controlled pressure and temperature conditions. The mixing time is sufficiently long for completion of the reaction during which physical and chemical interactions occur between the partially polycondensed thermosetting resin and the thermoplastic resin. The material so produced can be converted into granules for subsequent injection molding. There is provided an effective solution to pollution problems and excessive expense problems associated with the disposal of scraps and residuals from the manufacture of decorative HPLs.

Abstract: A C/C composite including a carbon matrix and carbon fibers and exhibiting a crystal structure of the carbon matrix differing between (a) the portion at and in the vicinity of the interface between the carbon fibers and the carbon matrix and (b) the other portion of the carbon matrix and excelling in strength and thermal conductivity is produced by a method which includes intercalating a carbonizing catalyst in carbon fibers, causing said carbon fibers having said carbonizing catalyst intercalated therein to be impregnated with a precursor of a carbon matrix, and then firing the product of impregnation.

Abstract: A process for installing a liner in a generally horizontal pipe section includes the steps of: providing a hollow generally cylindrical folded pipe liner; pulling the folded liner through the pipe section leaving end sections of the liner extending from the upstream end and the downstream end of the pipe; pulling an air hose and a steam hose through the folded liner from the downstream end to the upstream end; providing a floating plug assembly including at least two disk shaped expanders; attaching the steam hose to the floating plug assembly downstream of the disk shaped expanders; attaching the air hose to the floating plug assembly upstream of the disk shaped expanders; inserting the floating plug assembly into the liner at the upstream end; and providing steam to the steam hose and cooling air to the air hose, while pulling the floating plug assembly through the liner to progressively heat the liner to a softening point downstream of the disk shaped expanders, and expand the liner to fill the pipe and co

Abstract: This invention relates to liners containing contaminants, such as styrene, and to methods for lining pipes, such as sewer pipes with liners containing contaminants, such as styrene. In one embodiment, this invention provides a liner and lining method that reduces contamination of the ambient with contaminants from the liner and/or the lining process, such as styrene. In the case of sewers, the carrier pipes lined may be, for example, PVC, clay or concrete, but pipes of metal or other materials, such as asbestos, may also be lined with the liner and lining method of this invention.

Abstract: The method and apparatus of this invention transforms naturally occurring or synthetic waxes into a state characterized by the fact that when the waxes solidify, they do so in forms different from those forms into which they would solidify except for the transformation. The transformation is achieved by subjecting the waxes to force. As examples of apparatuses which can supply the force to effect the transformation, a piston apparatus and an ultrasonic apparatus are disclosed. The triglyceride waxes are one type of wax which may be transformed by the method and apparatus of this invention. Transformed triglyceride waxes form superior shells when the waxes are used in an encapsulation process.

Abstract: The invention provides a control system and method for curing composite articles such as corrugated fiberglass resin plastic (FRP) panels. An exemplary system of the invention includes a curing oven, at least one infrared pyrometer sensor which is located within the oven curing zone and which provides an output indicating the temperature of the resin being cured, a tractor unit for moving the panel through the oven, and a comparator circuit which adjusts the speed of the tractor unit in predetermined response to sensor output. The invention thereby provides for the detection of the peak temperature or gelation point of resin in the panel, and allows its specific location in the oven to be controlled to optimize the performance and efficiency of the panel production line.

Abstract: An elastic mould of this invention includes a pattern and a fixing sheet which is integrally mounted at an open edge of the pattern. The elastic mould is manufactured by dipping a pattern mounted on a plate into an elastic body-producing solution to form a gel-like elastic film, withdrawing, drying and vulcanizing the object thus formed, and peeling the elastic film off the pattern to obtain a mould having a fixing member as an integral part of the mould.

Abstract: A process for the manufacture of a thin-walled tube of fluorinated resin, particularly polytetrafluoroethylene, in which a ribbon of fluorinated resin obtained by lubricated extrusion and calendaring, is wound into a tube on a mandrel, the winding of the ribbon being performed in a plurality of layers, and the thus-wound ribbon on the mandrel being brought to a temperature above the sintering temperature of the fluorinated resin for sufficient time to produce sintering. The wound tube and the mandrel are cooled; while on the mandrel the thin-walled tube is rolled to elongate the tube, to reduce the thickness of the tube, and to increase the inside diameter of the tube; and then the mandrel within the tube is extracted.

Abstract: A method and device (1) for stitching multilayer products (2) of green elastomeric material, whereby an annular multilayer product (2) of green elastomeric material, particularly a product forming at least components of a tire (2), is placed inside a hollow annular body designed to house the multilayer product (2) and forming a stitching mold (5) having a concave inner surface (5a) contacting a first convex surface (34a) of the multilayer product (2) and negatively reproducing the final shape to be imparted on the multilayer product (2); a stitching device (24) being brought into contact, at a given pressure, with a second concave surface (34) of the multilayer product (2); and relative motion being produced between the stitching device (24) and the multilayer product (2), so as to cause the stitching device (24) to stitch the multilayer product (2) in contact with the inner surface (5a) of the stitching mold (5).

Abstract: A method of molding a plastic-backed carpet blank to a desired shape uses a minimum of work force and carpet material. The method utilizes a portable frame assembly having an open rack with yieldable holding clamps. The holding clamps are used to suspend a plastic-backed carpet blank in the rack. The frame assembly has a set of wheeled legs which allows it to be readily transported between work stations such as a heating zone and a molding zone. The yieldable holding clamps maintain the carpet under constant tension during the molding zone to result in a high quality molded carpet.

Abstract: A process for producing large-size formed articles consisting of a modified polyamide, by polymerization of a mixture containing, besides the omega-lactam corresponding to the polyamide, the following reagents:a) a polymerization catalyst selected from the sodium salt and the potassium salt of said omega-lactam;b) a polyoxyalkylene polyamine having a molecular weight ranging from 400 to 5,000 and an amine functionality ranging from 1.9 to 2.5;c) an activator consisting of a polyisocyanate having all the isocyanic groups blocked with a lactam;said reagents being fed, at a temperature of from 105.degree. to 125.degree. C., to a mold heated to 130.degree.-170.degree. C.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire having improved high-speed running performances is manufactured by conducting vulcanization of a green tire with a mold provided at a position corresponding to a given position between neighborhood of shoulder portion and neighborhood of bead portion with at least one protrusion which protrudes inside the mold and continuously extends in the circumferential direction of the mold and consists of a first arc segment having a center of curvature located outside from the inner surface of the mold and second arc segments each having a center of curvature located inside from the inner surface of the mold and smoothly connecting to the first arc segment at upper and lower ends in the radial direction of the mold.

Abstract: A plastic connector housing (50) having a plurality of contacts secured therewithin is securable to and within a protective metal shell (12) without a bead of liquid adhesive placed therebetween during assembly, by forming a shallow peripheral channel (76) in a housing flange forward surface (74) and a shallow recess (30) in an abutting rearward surface (24) of a corresponding shell flange (18), the channel and recess defining a confined seal seat (80) extending around the housing body section (70). Lengths of solid sealant preforms (90) such as of epoxy are disposed along the channel during assembly, and the shell (12) and housing (50) held together and heated, thereby melting the sealant to flow and bond to the surfaces of the channel and recess, both joining the housing (50) to the shell (12) and forming a hermetic seal (92) along the interface therebetween, recessed from outer surfaces of the connector (10).

Abstract: A method for molding articles, particularly tires, of different diameters/circumferences including a plurality of pitches defining a mold cavity, the pitches having transverse faces in generally face-to-face abutment in a closed position of the mold cavity, and at least several of the pitches being of different lengthwise sizes. The pitches in the closed position of the mold cavity defining a predetermined mold configuration which includes portions at angles to the length of the article molded in the mold cavity. The mold configuration matches lengthwise across all of the transverse faces irrespective of the location of the pitches relative to each other and irrespective of the number of the pitches. The latter arrangement permits articles, such as new or retread tires, of different lengths but of the generally same predetermined mold configuration to be molded in a single mold.

Abstract: A method of preheating, curing and stabilizing vehicle tires, whereby, just before being subjected to curing a first green tire (3) is preheated simultaneously with the stabilization of a second cured tire (6), thus using the heat given off by the second tire (6) as it is being stabilized.

Abstract: A tire is manufactured by assembling a tread package into a pattern ring and molding a tread thereon while partially precuring the package. The tire is further assembled by positioning an uncured carcass within the pattern ring so that the carcass contacts an uncured portion of the tread package. Finally, the assembled tire is separated from the pattern ring and subsequently heated in a mold devoid of a tread pattern to bond and cure the complete tire.