Abstract: An article of footwear includes a first envelope that extends lengthwise from a rear end to a front end, widthwise between a lateral side and a medial side, and heightwise from a bottom side to a top side, the first envelope comprising yarns linked to one another mechanically, at least a portion of the yarns comprising at least one hot-melt filament. The yarns comprising at least one hot-melt filament are distributed over the entire first envelope, and the shape of the first envelope is set by melting the yarns that comprise at least one hot-melt filament.

Abstract: Method of forming a fiber-reinforced composite by applying multiple layers of prepreg material at the same time such that the proportion of unidirectional fibers which are orientated in the performing direction are greater than the proportion of unidirectional fibers which are obliquely orientated relative to said performing direction. This method controls the presence of overlaps, non-overlaps or gaps between the adjacent turns of the winding, thus improving the quality of the tube. This method also permits a reduction of the manufacturing costs. This method further enables production of tubes in a continuous way with different mandrels arranged to follow each other in a sequence which lead to an improvement of the production rate.

Abstract: A sports article comprising an elongate tubular shaft comprised of a fiber-reinforced resin matrix composite material, wherein the elongate tubular shaft has a longitudinal direction and the shaft is multilaminar and includes at least two fibrous layers, each of which is helically wrapped about a wrapping direction extending along the longitudinal direction to form the elongate tubular shaft, wherein each fibrous layer comprises a plurality of oriented structural fibers which are substantially aligned along the longitudinal direction so as to be oriented within +/?10° of the longitudinal direction, the oriented structural fibers having a length, along the longitudinal direction, of less than the length of the elongate tubular shaft to form discontinuous structural fibers serially oriented along the elongate tubular shaft. Also disclosed is a method to produce such a multilaminar elongate tubular shaft.

Abstract: A sports article comprising an elongate tubular shaft comprised of a fiber-reinforced resin matrix composite material, wherein the elongate tubular shaft has a longitudinal direction and the shaft is multilaminar and includes at least two fibrous layers, each of which is helically wrapped about a wrapping direction extending along the longitudinal direction to form the elongate tubular shaft, wherein each fibrous layer comprises a plurality of oriented structural fibers which are substantially aligned along the longitudinal direction so as to be oriented within +/?10° of the longitudinal direction, the oriented structural fibers having a length, along the longitudinal direction, of less than the length of the elongate tubular shaft to form discontinuous structural fibers serially oriented along the elongate tubular shaft. Also disclosed is a method to produce such a multilaminar elongate tubular shaft.

Abstract: Method for manufacturing a hollow object from a material comprising threads mechanically linked to one another to form a first shell. The method comprises a reference step that involves shaping the first shell on a support, a first step, subsequent to the reference step, that involves covering the first shell with a sealed membrane and obtaining a pressure difference on opposite sides of the membrane, the pressure on the side of a surface of the membrane in contact with the first shell being less than the pressure on the side of a free surface of the membrane, and a second step, simultaneous with and/or following the first subsequent step, that involves causing a change of state and/or the bonding of some or all of the threads forming the first shell.

Abstract: Method of forming a fiber-reinforced composite by applying multiple layers of prepreg material at the same time such that the proportion of unidirectional fibers which are orientated in the performing direction are greater than the proportion of unidirectional fibers which are obliquely orientated relative to said performing direction. This method controls the presence of overlaps, non-overlaps or gaps between the adjacent turns of the winding, thus improving the quality of the tube. This method also permits a reduction of the manufacturing costs. This method further enables production of tubes in a continuous way with different mandrels arranged to follow each other in a sequence which lead to an improvement of the production rate.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing an article of footwear, the article of footwear comprising at least one shell, the shape of which is set by external heating, the manufacturing method comprising a reference step in which a first shell is positioned on a last, the first shell comprising at least one at least partially hot-melt or thermoformable material, the last extending lengthwise from a rear end to a front end, widthwise between a lateral side and a medial side, and heightwise from a base to a top. The manufacturing method comprises at least one manufacturing step, subsequent to the reference step, the manufacturing step comprising at least one operation of hot-pressing at least a portion of the surface of the first shell arranged on the last.

Abstract: An article of footwear including a first envelope, the first envelope extending lengthwise from a rear end to a front end, widthwise between a lateral side and a medial side, and heightwise from a bottom to a top end. The article of footwear further includes a functional component arranged opposite the first envelope, as well as a positioner to position the functional component with respect to the envelope.

Abstract: An article of footwear that includes a first envelope extending lengthwise from a rear end to a front end, widthwise between a lateral side and a medial side, and heightwise from a bottom to a top end, the first envelope demarcating a volume for receiving a foot, the article of footwear including a second envelope extending lengthwise from a rear end to a front end, widthwise between a lateral side and a medial side, and heightwise from a bottom to a top end, the second envelope demarcating a volume for receiving a foot, the first envelope and the second envelope being arranged opposite one another. In the area of at least one subdivision, the article of footwear includes an intermediate component deformable elastically and reversibly, the intermediate component being arranged between the first envelope and the second envelope.

Abstract: A sports article comprising an elongate tubular shaft comprised of a fiber-reinforced resin matrix composite material, wherein the elongate tubular shaft has a longitudinal direction and the shaft is multilaminar and includes at least two fibrous layers, each of which is helically wrapped about a wrapping direction extending along the longitudinal direction to form the elongate tubular shaft, wherein each fibrous layer comprises a plurality of oriented structural fibers which are substantially aligned along the longitudinal direction so as to be oriented within +/?10° of the longitudinal direction, the oriented structural fibers having a length, along the longitudinal direction, of less than the length of the elongate tubular shaft to form discontinuous structural fibers serially oriented along the elongate tubular shaft. Also disclosed is a method to produce such a multilaminar elongate tubular shaft.

Abstract: Method for manufacturing a hollow object from a material comprising threads mechanically linked to one another to form a first shell. The method comprises a reference step that involves shaping the first shell on a support, a first step, subsequent to the reference step, that involves covering the first shell with a sealed membrane and obtaining a pressure difference on opposite sides of the membrane, the pressure on the side of a surface of the membrane in contact with the first shell being less than the pressure on the side of a free surface of the membrane, and a second step, simultaneous with and/or following the first subsequent step, that involves causing a change of state and/or the bonding of some or all of the threads forming the first shell.

Abstract: The invention relates to a shoe comprising, from within the shoe, a first flexible textile layer (10, 16) forming a sock, and a reinforcing structure (3) in which the textile layer is arranged and to which it is fixed using fixing means.

Abstract: An article of footwear (1) comprising a first casing (21), the first casing (21) extending lengthwise from a rear end (24) to a front end (25), widthwise between a lateral edge (26) and a medial edge (27), and heightwise from a base (28) to an upper end (29), the first casing (21) comprising yarns (44, 45, 46, 47, 48) linked to one another mechanically, at least a portion of the yarns comprising at least one hot-melt filament. The yarns (44, 45, 46, 47, 48) comprising at least one hot-melt filament are distributed over the entire first casing (21), and the shape of the first casing (21) is set by melting the yarns comprising at least one hot-melt filament.

Abstract: A method for maneuvering a flexible pre-impregnated composite sheet is disclosed. The flexible pre-impregnated composite sheet is positioned onto a work surface and a vacuum sheet is operatively coupled to the flexible pre-impregnated composite sheet. The vacuum sheet is operatively coupled to a flexible conveyor sheet and the flexible conveyor sheet is positioned proximate to a mold such that the flexible pre-impregnated composite sheet is in contact with the mold. The vacuum sheet is decoupled from the flexible conveyor sheet and the vacuum sheet is removed from the flexible pre-impregnated composite sheet after the debulking of the flexible pre-impregnated composite sheet(s).

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of producing reinforced, formed fabrics, consisting in producing a continuous fabric alternated with a membrane (34) containing embedded reinforcing elements, which is prepared in overlapping portions on a conveyor belt (29) which passes over a preparation table (25). The membrane (34) and the reinforcing elements are then positioned under a press consisting of an upper air-filled chamber (1), the lower part thereof comprising a flexible element (4), and a lower water-filled chamber (14), the upper part thereof comprising a flexible element (17). According to the invention, a forming bar (10) is adjustably mounted in the upper chamber (1). When the aforementioned forming bar (10) is adjusted to adopt a particular shape, the different flexible elements can deform at the forming bar and the membrane and the reinforcing elements are hot pressed with a portion corresponding to the forming bar having a three dimensional shape, thereby defining the form of the fabric produced.

Abstract: A manipulator includes a main arm, of which the proximal end bears a drive, and a proximal manipulation structure, and of which the distal end bears a controlled distal structure that may itself bear a surgical tool. The main arm passes through a surgical trocar. The proximal manipulation structure includes two opposed contact zones and stress sensors positioned in a central zone between the two opposed contact zones. The stress sensors operate the drive as a function of the stresses applied to the contact zones in order to produce the pivoting and rotating movements of the surgical tool with respect to the main arm. This ensures that there is optimal decoupling of the movements in the various degrees of freedom, thus making it easier to obtain movements through stressing operations that are natural to the operating surgeon.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods and compositions useful for the manufacture of sails. Particularly, the present disclosure relates to shaped, reinforced fabrics that can be used to make high-performance, shaped, reinforced sails.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of producing reinforced, formed fabrics, consisting in producing a continuous fabric alternated with a membrane (34) containing embedded reinforcing elements, which is prepared in overlapping portions on a conveyor belt (29) which passes over a preparation table (25). The membrane (34) and the reinforcing elements are then positioned under a press consisting of an upper air-filled chamber (1), the lower part thereof comprising a flexible element (4), and a lower water-filled chamber (14), the upper part thereof comprising a flexible element (17). According to the invention, a forming bar (10) is adjustably mounted in the upper chamber (1). When the aforementioned forming bar (10) is adjusted to adopt a particular shape, the different flexible elements can deform at the forming bar and the membrane and the reinforcing elements are hot pressed with a portion corresponding to the forming bar having a three dimensional shape, thereby defining the form of the fabric produced.

Abstract: A manipulator includes a main arm, of which the proximal end bears a drive, and a proximal manipulation structure, and of which the distal end bears a controlled distal structure that may itself bear a surgical tool. The main arm passes through a surgical trocar. The proximal manipulation structure includes two opposed contact zones and stress sensors positioned in a central zone between the two opposed contact zones. The stress sensors operate the drive as a function of the stresses applied to the contact zones in order to produce the pivoting and rotating movements of the surgical tool with respect to the main arm. This ensures that there is optimal decoupling of the movements in the various degrees of freedom, thus making it easier to obtain movements through stressing operations that are natural to the operating surgeon.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of producing reinforced, formed fabrics, consisting in producing a continuous fabric alternated with a membrane (34) containing embedded reinforcing elements, which is prepared in overlapping portions on a conveyor belt (29) which passes over a preparation table (25). The membrane (34) and the reinforcing elements are then positioned under a press consisting of an upper air-filled chamber (1), the lower part thereof comprising a flexible element (4), and a lower water-filled chamber (14), the upper part thereof comprising a flexible element (17). According to the invention, a forming bar (10) is adjustably mounted in the upper chamber (1). When the aforementioned forming bar (10) is adjusted to adopt a particular shape, the different flexible elements can deform at the forming bar and the membrane and the reinforcing elements are hot pressed with a portion corresponding to the forming bar having a three dimensional shape, thereby defining the form of the fabric produced.