Abstract: A die assembly (5) including: (i) a die plate (10) having an inlet surface (15) and an opposing discharge surface (35); (ii) an inlet (30) on the inlet surface (15) and a first axis of symmetry (A) extending through the inlet (30) and perpendicular to the inlet surface (15); (iii) a discharge port (45) on the discharge surface (35) and a second axis of symmetry (B) extending through the discharge port (45) and perpendicular to the discharge surface (35). The first and second axes are apart from, and parallel to, one another. The die assembly (5) includes (iv) an extrudate passage (42) fluidly connecting the inlet (30) and the discharge port (45). A third axis of symmetry (C) extends through the extrudate passage (42). The die assembly (5) includes (v) a nozzle (100) mounted in the die plate (10), the nozzle (100) having an injection tip (110) in the extrudate passage (42) at the discharge port (45); and (vi) the third axis of symmetry (C) intersects the first axis of symmetry (A) to form an acute angle.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a pellet. In an embodiment, the pellet includes a body having a first end and an opposing second end. The body is composed of a polymeric material. The body has a length and a diameter (body diameter). A channel having a diameter (channel diameter), extends through the body from the first end to the second end. The pellet has a channel diameter-to-body diameter ratio from 0.05 to 0.45. The present disclosure also provides a process for soaking the pellet in a liquid additive and forming a loaded pellet with the additive in the pellet body.

Abstract: An apparatus comprising: (a) a mandrel; (b) an internal guide spaced apart from the mandrel; (c) an external guide extending around all or a portion of the internal guide and being spaced apart from the mandrel; wherein a pipe extends between the internal guide and the external guide and then over the mandrel so that the mandrel changes one or more dimensions of the pipe.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a die assembly for producing a microcapillary film. The die assembly includes a first die plate, a second die plate, a plurality of multi-jackbolt tensioners connecting the first die plate to the second die plate, a manifold, and a plurality of nozzles. The manifold is located between the pair of die plates and defines a plurality of film channels therebetween. The plurality of film channels converge into an elongate outlet, wherein a thermoplastic material is extrudable through the plurality of film channels and the elongate outlet to form a microcapillary film. The plurality of nozzles are located between the plurality of film channels. The plurality of nozzles are operatively connected to a source of channel fluid for emitting the channel fluid between layers of the microcapillary film, whereby a plurality of microcapillary channels are formed in the microcapillary film.

Abstract: An apparatus comprising: (a) a mandrel; (b) an internal guide spaced apart from the mandrel; (c) an external guide extending around all or a portion of the internal guide and being spaced apart from the mandrel; wherein a pipe extends between the internal guide and the external guide and then over the mandrel so that the mandrel changes one or more dimensions of the pipe.

Abstract: An article useful as a forming and cutting tool for molding composite material and cutting non-planar edges of molded composite material. The article includes an upper and lower die. The upper die includes an upper pressure pad with an upper shearing edge and an upper mold with a cavity. The lower die includes a lower pressure pad and a lower mold with a core and a lower shearing edge. The upper die is adapted to come into contact with the lower die so that the upper pressure pad and upper mold apply pressure to the lower pressure pad and lower mold to form a composite material blank into a formed composite structure. The upper die is adapted to contact the lower die so that the upper shearing edge bypasses the lower shearing edge to form a non-planar cut in at least a portion of a formed composite.

Abstract: A forming and trimming tool (100) operable to form and trim a composite material part. The tool includes a lower die (150), a core (115) mounted to the lower die, at least one lower pressure pad (120) mounted to the lower die, and a cutter (125) mounted to the lower die. Additionally, the tool includes an upper die (105), a cavity mounted to the upper die, and at least one upper pressure pad (110) mounted to the upper die.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a die assembly for producing a microcapillary film. The die assembly includes a first die plate, a second die plate, a plurality of multi-jackbolt tensioners connecting the first die plate to the second die plate, a manifold, and a plurality of nozzles. The manifold is located between the pair of die plates and defines a plurality of film channels therebetween. The plurality of film channels converge into an elongate outlet, wherein a thermoplastic material is extrudable through the plurality of film channels and the elongate outlet to form a microcapillary film. The plurality of nozzles are located between the plurality of film channels. The plurality of nozzles are operatively connected to a source of channel fluid for emitting the channel fluid between layers of the microcapillary film, whereby a plurality of microcapillary channels are formed in the microcapillary film.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process to reduce internal stresses in insulation molded onto complex pipes, preferably complex subsea pipe, to reduce cracking in the molded insulation. Insulation materials applies to complex pipes comprising branches, i.e., valves, and the like, may be susceptible to cracking at, or near where the branch connects to the pipe as the coating of insulation material cures or hardens. The process of the present invention aims to reduce post molded cracking by reducing molded in stress at the branch/pipe junction. This is accomplished by providing a preform at or near a branch/pipe junction prior to applying the coating of insulation material.

Abstract: A forming and trimming tool (100) operable to form and trim a composite material part. The tool includes a lower die (150), a core (115) mounted to the lower die, at least one lower pressure pad (120) mounted to the lower die, and a cutter (125) mounted to the lower die. Additionally, the tool includes an upper die (105), a cavity mounted to the upper die, and at least one upper pressure pad (110) mounted to the upper die.

Abstract: The present invention provides a laminate structure. The laminate structure includes a peripheral edge, an internal edge or both. Trim can be provided at the edges.

Abstract: The present invention provides a fabric-laminated plastic part comprising of a surface fabric laminated to a plastic substrate. The part typically includes one or more edges having a portion of the fabric being flush with a portion of the substrate at those edges. The invention also provides a novel process of forming a part with the one or more flush edges.

Abstract: The present invention thus provides a fabric-laminated plastic part and a novel process where the fabric edges are covered with a second plastic component that adheres both to the fabric and to the first plastic material. A first plastic substrate component is prepared with an adhered fabric surface area and then the edges of the fabric are overlapped by a second molded-on, plastic edge-covering component. The second material covers the fabric edge to provide an aesthetically pleasing surface. This construction produces a more durable fabric edge covering and eliminates the tendency of the fabric to peel off the molded part during use.

Abstract: A protective enclosure is disclosed that provides protection and energy management for a sensitive or fragile part or device that can be enclosed. The enclosure comprises one or more rigid structural components and one or more soft touch surface components from which one or more ribs originate and pass through the rigid structural component(s) to provide the energy management for the part or device when it is enclosed. The soft touch surface and rib material can be a low modulus, plastic material such as a thermoplastic elastomer and can optionally be foamed to provide further softness for the soft touch surface effect and/or for the energy management needs in the pass through ribs. Thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) is a particularly suitable thermoplastic. It has also been found that the protective enclosure can be designed to utilize the soft touch component to provide a substantially continuous liquid and dust resistant seal for any moveable or removable structural components.

Abstract: The present invention thus provides a fabric-laminated plastic part and a novel process where the fabric edges are covered with a second plastic component that adheres both to the fabric and to the first plastic material. A first plastic substrate component is prepared with an adhered fabric surface area and then the edges of the fabric are overlapped by a second molded-on, plastic edge-covering component. The second material covers the fabric edge to provide an aesthetically pleasing surface. This construction produces a more durable fabric edge covering and eliminates the tendency of the fabric to peel off the molded part during use.

Abstract: The present invention is a protective enclosure that provides protection and energy management for a sensitive or fragile part or device that can be enclosed. The enclosure comprises one or more rigid structural components and one or more soft touch surface components from which one or more ribs originate and pass through the rigid structural component(s) to provide the energy management for the part or device when it is enclosed. The soft touch surface and rib material can be a low modulus, plastic material such as a thermoplastic elastomer and can optionally be foamed to provide further softness for the soft touch surface effect and/or for the energy management needs in the pass through ribs. Thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) is a particularly suitable thermoplastic. It has also been found that the protective enclosure can be designed to utilize the soft touch component to provide a substantially continuous liquid and dust resistant seal for any moveable or removable structural components.

Abstract: A protective sealable transparent membrane comprised of a film and a frame which is suspended above a touch screen of a personal electronic device encased in a protective enclosure. The protective sealable transparent membrane allows activation of the touch screen, scratch resistance and a water and dust tight seal.