Abstract: A method for manufacturing plastic products from moldable plastic materials, involving the efficient use of a press and a mold is disclosed. The method includes heating the press and the mold to a temperature above the melt temperature of the plastic material, with the mold then being removed from contact with the press and with the press being applied to a replicate mold. The press is utilized so as not to apply pressure to the plastic material and the mold is preferably formed of a light weight material having high heat conductivity.

Abstract: A method for bonding a layer of porous polymeric material to a rigid implantable portion of a prosthetic device, which includes the steps of (a) forming a substrate by coating the implantable portion with material which is chemically compatible with the porous polymeric material and which has a melt viscosity and/or melting temperature lower than that of the porous polymeric material, (b) covering the substrate with a porous polymeric material in powder form capable of forming said porous polymeric layer for forming a composite coating on the implantable portion, and (c) heating the substrate and porous polymeric material to a temperature high enough to cause the substrate material to flow into the adjacent pores and low enough so that the porous material will maintain its shape so that the porous layer will be bonded to the substrate and the outer pores will be open to accommodate tissue ingrowth, and an apparatus formed by said method.

Abstract: A porous thermoplastic sheet is formed by adding a material to a polymer latex to passivate the aqueous phase of the latex. An additional material of a preselected particle size, corresponding to the desired pore size of the final product is then added. The latex composition is gelled and is then formed into a sheet. The sheet is dried and cured or sintered and the solubles are extracted therefrom with a solvent. A preferred polymer latex is PTFE.

Abstract: A method for bonding a layer of porous polymeric material to a rigid implantable portion of a prosthetic device, which includes the steps of (a) forming a substrate by coating the implantable portion with material which is chemically compatible with the porous polymeric material and which has a melt viscosity and/or melting temperature lower than that of the porous polymeric material, (b) covering the substrate with a porous polymeric material in powder form capable of forming said porous polymeric layer for forming a composite coating on the implantable portion, and (c) heating the substrate and porous polymeric material to a temperature high enough to cause the substrate material to flow into the adjacent pores and low enough so that the porous material will maintain its shape so that the porous layer will be bonded to the substrate and the outer pores will be open to accommodate tissue ingrowth, and an apparatus formed by said method.

Abstract: A writing nib for pens and marking implements having an elongated body of generally rectangular configuration and reinforced by layers of relatively rigid solid material laminated to opposite surfaces of a relatively soft wicking material. The nib is formed by continuously forming layers of the relatively rigid material on opposite surfaces of a strip of wicking material, shaping both edges of the laminated strip and severing the laminated strip transversely, the shaped edges of the laminated strip ultimately forming a writing tip at each end of the nib body at which the wicking material projects beyond the corresponding ends of the rigid material.

Abstract: A writing nib for pens and marking implements having an elongated body of generally rectangular configuration and reinforced by layers of relatively rigid solid material laminated to opposite surfaces of a relatively soft wicking material. The nib is formed by continuously forming layers of the relatively rigid material on opposite surfaces of a strip of wicking material, shaping both edges of the laminated strip and severing the laminated strip transversely, the shaped edges of the laminated strip ultimately forming a writing tip at each end of the nib body at which the wicking material projects beyond the corresponding ends of the rigid material.

Abstract: A method of seismic exploration is disclosed wherein an explosive charge is placed in a hole in the ground and wherein a detector is placed in a second hole spaced away from the first hole. The detector is mounted in the bottom of the hole by using an adherent base. The mouth of the hole is sealed to form a quiescent volume in the hole for the detector. Thereafter, the explosive charge is discharged and the output of the detector is recorded.