Abstract: A method and apparatus process a thinly walled tube of thermoplastic resin to produce a tubular container having an inwardly directed flange section in a hole formed at an end of the thinly walled tube. In a first step, the thinly walled tube is secured to a tube holder provided with a male mold for molding the flange section in the hole and forming an opening located inside the flange section. The front end of the thinly walled tube projects by a predetermined distance from the front end of the tube holder. Then, in a second step, hot air is blown to an inner wall surface of the thinly walled tube at and near the front end thereof and the outer wall surface of the thinly walled tube is cooled also at and near the front end thereof. This produces a temperature difference between an inside and an outside of the thinly walled tube, so as to deform the front end of the thinly walled tube into a flange projecting radially.

Abstract: A method to transform a thermoplastic novelty toothbrush into a costume jewelry piece, such as a bracelet, or a toy after it is no longer employed in service as a toothbrush. The thermoplastic material allows a user to easily remove the bristles and form the toothbrush into a costume jewelry piece or toy.

Abstract: A candle has an elongated wax body formed around a wick and having a tip from which the wick projects and which is formed with a shoulder. The candle is oriented upside down with the tip from which the wick projects directed downward and heat is projected against a surface of the tip to melt wax on the surface of the tip such that the melted wax runs down and drips off the candle tip and wick projecting therefrom. Heat is projected against the tip by directing a hot-air jet against the tip. Alternately this can be done by projecting infrared radiation against the tip. To achieve the most attractive results the candle is rotated about a central longitudinal candle axis while projecting heat against its tip.

Abstract: To control the film thickness in a blown film extrusion line with reversing or rotating takeoff of the film bubble, the thickness profile of the blown film bubble is measured over its circumference. Different temperatures can be applied to sections of the film bubble by a die ring divided into heating sections provided with control elements or by heating elements, forming a ring around the extruded film bubble and provided with control elements. In order to correctly assign the position of the measured thickness profile to the heating sections of the die ring or the heating elements, the extruded film bubble is provided with a mark in the region of the die ring or the heating elements and the rotation of this mark is measured by a measuring device at specified intervals from the die ring or the heating elements.

Abstract: A non-allergenic resistive exercise device is described. The device is in the form of a relatively thin elongate band of thermoplastic elastomer. In one embodiment of the invention, the device is in the form of a seamless endless band, while in another, the band is substantially strip-shaped. The bands can be textured to enhance the ability of a user to grip them during use, and the bands can also be printed or otherwise ornamented. The exercise devices of the instant invention are latex-free so as to be non-allergenic, do not require supplemental powdering of their surfaces, and are virtually odor-free. Several methods for producing the bands are also described. In one method, the thermoplastic elastomer material is extruded through an elongate-shaped die to form a cast film, which is solidified and cut to the desired length for use. In this method, the die in desirably substantially dog bone-shaped, in order to produce elongate bands having thickened side edges.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for post-forming an acrylic sheet using radiant heat are disclosed. The heating apparatus includes radiant heating tubes mounted to a frame and positioned in a heating plane. A support platform is also mounted to the frame. A heating area is defined between the heating tubes and the support platform. The heating area is substantially exposed to the atmosphere, allowing unheated air to exchange with the heated air in the heating area. To use the apparatus, combustible gas is ignited and passed through the radiant heating tubes, such that heat radiates from the tubes to the heating area. An acrylic sheet is placed on the support surface such that the unfinished side of the sheet faces the radiant heating tubes. The entire sheet is positioned in the heating area for a selected period of time. The heated sheet is then positioned in a mold until almost cool. At that point, the sheet is removed and allowed to cool completely.

Abstract: A method for making a non-metallic, fiber reinforced wheel for an in-line skate and similar rolling articles. Resin impregnated carbon fibers are compression molded to form a high strength and very stiff (i.e. rigid) annular hub having a central channel extending longitudinally therethrough to accommodate an axle. Bearing cavities are formed at opposite ends of the central channel in which to receive and retain respective axle bearings. A hollow air pocket is established so as to extend around and through the interior of the hub in order to occupy a majority of the volume of the hut) and thereby reduce the overall weight of the wheel. A scalloped wheel retaining rim is formed around the circumference of the hub to which an outer urethane tire is bonded to enable the wheel to roll along a flat surface.

Abstract: A method for manufacture of a fiber reinforced composite spar for a helicopter rotor blade including upper and lower sidewall regions and forward and aft conic regions. Constant width crossplies and unidirectional plies are stacked and arranged to form crossply and unidirectional laminates. The composite spar is manufactured via a vacuum forming technique which includes forming the composite laminates directly over an inflatable mandrel assembly. Regarding the latter method, a spar forming apparatus is used to position and manipulate the mandrel assembly as composite laminates are laid. The spar forming apparatus includes first and second pedestal supports being suitably configured so as to facilitate formation of the butt joints in the conic regions of the composite spar.

Abstract: A method of thermoforming sheet articles includes: a) heating a sheet article to be thermoformed; b) inserting the heated sheet article into a pressure vessel having first and second vessel halves, wherein each vessel half includes a liquid chamber and a thin shell configured for forming the sheet article to a desired shape; c) closing the pressure vessels such that the sheet article is captured between the thin shells; and d) providing liquid of equal pressure in each liquid chamber to force the thin shells together to form the sheet article to the desired shape and to draw heat away from the thin shells for cooling the sheet article.

Abstract: Flanging or curling apparatus particularly for hollow articles obtained by thermoforming from thermoformable sheet material for use in a thermoforming plant equipped with template or mask conveyor for transfer of the thermoformed objects. The apparatus comprises a support frame which delimits at least one workstation for a sequence of masks supporting hot thermoformed objects carried by the conveyor or at least one head for simultaneous curling of all thermoformed objects in the or each workstation.

Abstract: A filter element made of nonwoven filter fabric includes a plurality of pleated portions and a flange portion formed integrally with the filter portion. The flange portion is formed by a pair of press-forming dies to have a thin and compressed connecting portion formed along the outer periphery of the filter portion, a thick and uncompressed seal portion formed along the outer periphery of the connecting portion and a thin and compressed protecting portion formed along the outer periphery of the seal portion.