Abstract: There is proposed a powder application device P for producing blanks of thermoplastically deformable semifinished products for use as reinforcement elements, starting from a powder mixture containing a meltable plastics powder, comprising a downwardly open powder container B and a perforated stencil L, arranged beneath the latter and spaced apart therefrom, having one or more hole cutouts, said device being characterized in that the powder container B is rigidly connected to the perforated stencil L and is vertically lowerable as far as an auxiliary support or a distance of at most 5 mm therefrom, and is closable at its lower end by means of a horizontal closing plate S having a thickness slightly less than the distance between the powder container B and the perforated stencil L, wherein the closing plate S is movable in a horizontal plane such that it alternately closes and reopens the lower end of the powder container B.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel thermoplastic reinforcement materials, particularly for the shoe industry, and a method for the production thereof. The novel thermoplastic reinforcement materials are obtained by a preliminary production step of pre-agglomeration of plant fiber filler materials and thermoplastic hot-melt adhesives, so-called filler-plastic compounds, allowing filler material originating from very inexpensive, naturally occurring plant fibers of varying origins to be used, but in an amount up to 65% by weight, without losing the required material properties, such as strength under heat, good flexural rigidity, and surface adhesion.

Abstract: There is proposed a powder application device P for producing blanks of thermoplastically deformable semifinished products for use as reinforcement elements, starting from a powder mixture containing a meltable plastics powder, comprising a downwardly open powder container B and a perforated stencil L, arranged beneath the latter and spaced apart therefrom, having one or more hole cutouts, said device being characterized in that the powder container B is rigidly connected to the perforated stencil L and is vertically lowerable as far as an auxiliary support or a distance of at most 5 mm therefrom, and is closable at its lower end by means of a horizontal closing plate S having a thickness slightly less than the distance between the powder container B and the perforated stencil L, wherein the closing plate S is movable in a horizontal plane such that it alternately closes and reopens the lower end of the powder container B.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel thermoplastic reinforcement materials, particularly for the shoe industry, and a method for the production thereof. The novel thermoplastic reinforcement materials are obtained by a preliminary production step of pre-agglomeration of plant fiber filler materials and thermoplastic hot-melt adhesives, so-called filler-plastic compounds, allowing filler material originating from very inexpensive, naturally occurring plant fibers of varying origins to be used, but in an amount up to 65% by weight, without losing the required material properties, such as strength under heat, good flexural rigidity, and surface adhesion.