Abstract: Anchor pieces (1A, 1B) made of elongated metal plates (11) detachably contact each other to form an anchor (H) for a reinforcing bar (Rb) made of fiber-reinforced plastic to be used in prestressed concrete. Elongated holes (12) respectively extend in a width direction of each of anchor pieces at regular intervals in a longitudinal direction thereof. At least one locking half portion (13) is formed in each anchor piece by deforming an area (Y) between adjacent elongated holes and has a convex semicircular shape or quarter sphere shell shape. At least one annular locking portion (14) is formed by the at least one locking half portion of the two anchor pieces when the two anchor pieces are in contact with each other. The annular locking portion has a circular inner space in transverse cross-section and is configured to engage the reinforcing bar (Rb) when disposed therein.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a vehicle muffler includes: forming a tubular body (6; 91, 92) from a nonwoven fabric (2; 2A, 2B) composed of inorganic fibers (11) each being in a filament form; inserting and installing the tubular body (6) as a sound-absorbing material into a space (S) between an inner pipe (72; 81) and an outer pipe (71; 821, 822) of an inner-outer double pipe constituting a vehicle muffler. The tubular body (6) may be obtained by applying a binder (3) to one surface (2a) of the nonwoven fabric (2), then rolling the nonwoven fabric (2) into a tubular shape with the surface (2a) having the binder (3) applied thereto facing inward, infiltrating additional binder (3) into an outer peripheral surface of the tubular-shaped nonwoven fabric (2), and then heating the tubular-shaped nonwoven fabric (2) to a predetermined temperature to harden the binder (3).

Abstract: A resin impregnating device (1) is used in a method for producing a reinforcing bar and has a chamber for holding a liquid thermoplastic resin. A plurality of guide plates (4A-4C) is arranged in the chamber along a traveling direction of a plurality of strands of reinforcing fiber material (Fb). Through holes (41) in two of the guide plates (4A, 4C) guide or spread the strands of the reinforcing fiber material Fb away from each other, and a single through hole (42) in an intermediate one of the guide plates (4B) guides or converges all the strands of the reinforcing fiber material (Fb) towards each other.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a vehicle muffler includes: forming a tubular body (6; 91, 92) from a nonwoven fabric (2; 2A, 2B) composed of inorganic fibers (11) each being in a filament form; inserting and installing the tubular body (6) as a sound-absorbing material into a space (S) between an inner pipe (72; 81) and an outer pipe (71; 821, 822) of an inner-outer double pipe constituting a vehicle muffler. The tubular body (6) may be obtained by applying a binder (3) to one surface (2a) of the nonwoven fabric (2), then rolling the nonwoven fabric (2) into a tubular shape with the surface (2a) having the binder (3) applied thereto facing inward, infiltrating additional binder (3) into an outer peripheral surface of the tubular-shaped nonwoven fabric (2), and then heating the tubular-shaped nonwoven fabric (2) to a predetermined temperature to harden the binder (3).

Abstract: A method of producing a reinforcing bar (Sc) involves impregnating and integrating reinforcing fibers (Fb) with a thermoplastic polymer. The method may include: immersing and passing the reinforcing fibers (Fb), initially in a non-flat bundle form, through a storage tank (2) containing the thermoplastic polymer in a liquid form; flattening the reinforcing fibers (Fb), while being passed (moving) through the storage tank (2) and immersed in the liquid thermoplastic polymer, into a flatter state to cause the liquid thermoplastic polymer to better infiltrate and coat the reinforcing fibers (Fb); and then convergently shaping the flat reinforcing fibers (Fb) infiltrated with the liquid thermoplastic polymer into a non-flat bundle form again while the reinforcing fibers are still immersed in the liquid thermoplastic polymer.

Abstract: A resin impregnating device (1) is used in a method for producing a reinforcing bar and has a chamber for holding a liquid thermoplastic resin. A plurality of guide plates (4A-4C) is arranged in the chamber along a traveling direction of a plurality of strands of reinforcing fiber material (Fb). Through holes (41) in two of the guide plates (4A, 4C) guide or spread the strands of the reinforcing fiber material Fb away from each other, and a single through hole (42) in an intermediate one of the guide plates (4B) guides or converges all the strands of the reinforcing fiber material (Fb) towards each other.

Abstract: A die for molding a reinforcing bar, which enables the production of a reinforcing bar having sufficient strength in a convenient and inexpensive manner, includes: a main flow channel (F1), formed in a central portion of a main body, that receives a molten thermoplastic polymer material (Rt) output from an extruder (2); at least one first sub flow channel (F2), formed in an outer peripheral portion of the main body, that receives the molten thermoplastic polymer material (Rt) and fluidly connects with an outer peripheral portion in the main flow channel (F1); and at least one second sub flow channel (F3) configured to receive reinforcing fibers (4) and fluidly connected with the main flow channel F1 upstream of a junction position of the main flow channel F1 and the at least one first sub flow channel (F2).

Abstract: A method of producing a reinforcing bar (rebar) includes: arranging one or more thermoplastic polymer fibers (2) in a central portion of a cross-section; arranging a plurality of non-metallic reinforcing fibers (1) on an outer periphery of the thermoplastic polymer fiber(s) (2); heating the thermoplastic polymer fiber(s) (2) to its (their) melting temperature or higher to melt the thermoplastic polymer fiber(s) (2); and cooling the melted thermoplastic polymer to form a bar-shaped polymer layer (91) in the central portion of the cross-section and a fiber-reinforced polymer layer (92) on an outer periphery of the bar-shaped polymer layer (91).

Abstract: A lignin derivative that is extracted from biomass and is used for rubber reinforcement or for use in a molding material is provided. Such a lignin derivative has a number average molecular weight of 300 to 2,000, and contains a component that is soluble in a polar organic solvent, in an amount of 80% by mass or more. When such a lignin derivative is incorporated, a lignin resin composition, a rubber composition, or a molding material, all of which have excellent low hysteresis loss characteristics, elastic modulus, or tensile properties, can be obtained. Furthermore, when a component that is thermofusible is used as the soluble component, a lignin resin composition, a rubber composition, or a molding material, all of which have superior aforementioned characteristics, can be obtained.

Abstract: Provided is a lignin resin composition including a lignin derivative having a weight-average molecular weight of 500 or more and 4000 or less and a novolac-type phenolic resin having a weight-average molecular weight of 1000 or more and 3000 or less, in which the content of the lignin derivative is not higher than the content of the novolac-type phenolic resin. In particular, the cured product (molded product) of a lignin resin composition obtained by melt-mixing such a lignin resin composition, adding hexamethylenetetramine thereto and then heating the resulting mixture has a high bending strength. Such a lignin resin composition is utilizable as a thermosetting resin substituting a phenolic resin.

Abstract: Provided is a lignin resin composition including a lignin derivative having a weight-average molecular weight of 500 or more and 4000 or less and a novolac-type phenolic resin having a weight-average molecular weight of 1000 or more and 3000 or less, in which the content of the lignin derivative is not higher than the content of the novolac-type phenolic resin. In particular, the cured product (molded product) of a lignin resin composition obtained by melt-mixing such a lignin resin composition, adding hexamethylenetetramine thereto and then heating the resulting mixture has a high bending strength. Such a lignin resin composition is utilizable as a thermosetting resin substituting a phenolic resin.

Abstract: A lignin derivative that is extracted from biomass and is used for rubber reinforcement or for use in a molding material is provided. Such a lignin derivative has a number average molecular weight of 300 to 2,000, and contains a component that is soluble in a polar organic solvent, in an amount of 80% by mass or more. When such a lignin derivative is incorporated, a lignin resin composition, a rubber composition, or a molding material, all of which have excellent low hysteresis loss characteristics, elastic modulus, or tensile properties, can be obtained. Furthermore, when a component that is thermofusible is used as the soluble component, a lignin resin composition, a rubber composition, or a molding material, all of which have superior aforementioned characteristics, can be obtained.

Abstract: The present invention provides a surface layer material for a melamine decorative laminate having an aluminum layer, allowing 3R or less bending while maintaining the surface hardness of the melamine decorative laminate, and a melamine decorative laminate comprising the surface layer material. Disclosed is a surface layer material for a decorative laminate comprising a surface layer and an aluminum layer, the material comprising a surface layer substrate having a first surface being a design surface and a second surface being a surface on an opposite side of the design surface, wherein a melamine resin composition comprising a melamine resin is carried on the first surface, and a urethane-acrylic resin composition comprising a urethane-acrylic resin is carried on the second surface.

Abstract: The present invention provides a surface layer material for a melamine decorative laminate having an aluminum layer, allowing 3R or less bending while maintaining the surface hardness of the melamine decorative laminate, and a melamine decorative laminate comprising the surface layer material. Disclosed is a surface layer material for a decorative laminate comprising a surface layer and an aluminum layer, the material comprising a surface layer substrate having a first surface being a design surface and a second surface being a surface on an opposite side of the design surface, wherein a melamine resin composition comprising a melamine resin is carried on the first surface, and a urethane-acrylic resin composition comprising a urethane-acrylic resin is carried on the second surface.

Abstract: A mesh belt type blackening lehr comprising: a discharge duct provided at a predetermined position of a ceiling of a blackening zone, the temperature of which is kept at a blackening temperature. The blackening zone is divided into a charge side region and a discharge side region. The charge side region is kept in an atmosphere of mixture gas of air and humidification exothermic type gas so as to perform first processing for forming an oxide film consisting of Fe.sub.2 O.sub.3, Fe.sub.3 O.sub.4, and FeO. The discharge side region is kept in an atmosphere of humidification exothermic type gas so as to perform second processing for reducing Fe.sub.2 O.sub.3. Thus, an oxide film, consisting of mainly Fe.sub.3 O.sub.4, is formed on the surface of the shadow mask.

Abstract: A CRT exhaust oven for heat-treating CRTs includes an oven housing, a baffle structure accommodated in the oven housing for circulation of atmosphere within the oven housing, and a plurality of exhaust carts capable of travelling below the oven housing. Each of the exhaust carts is provided with two exhaust heads having different heights aligned in the direction of travel of the exhaust carts so that there is no clearance, as viewed from above, between two adjoining CRTs mounted on respective exhaust heads of each exhaust cart. Each of the exhaust carts travels intermittently below the oven housing. The baffle structure has a large number of upper and lower holes formed on respective sides thereof in the direction of travel of the exhaust carts.

Abstract: An exhaust oven for cathode ray tubes having a housing and a baffle structure arranged within the housing for forming an atmosphere circulating passage between them. There are formed, at least in heating and slow cooling zones within the housing, plural pairs of upper discharge ports through which the circulating atmosphere is supplied towards panel portions of the cathode ray tubes. There are also plural pairs of lower discharge ports through which the circulating atmosphere is supplied towards funnel portions of the cathode ray tubes. Both the upper and lower discharge ports are located on respective sides in the housing. The positioning and discharge direction of the upper and lower discharge ports reduce the temperature difference between different portions of the cathode ray tubes to less than 10.degree. C. Thus, breakage of tubes owing to heat stresses is virtually eliminated.