Abstract: Composite materials of the type with fibres embedded in a matrix, with flame/fire retardant (FR) capabilities are prepared by applying an FR substance to the surfaces of fibres, combining the fibres with molten thermoplastic material so that the fibres are embedded in the thermoplastic material, and manufacturing a product from the combined thermoplastic material and embedded fibres.

Abstract: A method of moulding and a moulding installation is disclosed. The installation comprises a compounder (16), a flow path (26) from the compounder to a vessel (34) in which the mouldable material emerging from the compounder is accumulated, and further flow paths (28) from the vessel (34) to a number of moulders (30) each of which is associated with a mould (32). The moulders take charges of mouldable material on a cyclical basis.

Abstract: A pallet (10) of thermoplastic material is provided, as well as a method of making said pallet. The pallet (10) comprises a deck (12), a picture frame (30) spaced below the deck and interconnecting blocks (24,26,28) extending between the deck and the picture frame and the thermoplastic material of which the pallet (10) is made, is reinforced with fibres. The pallet (10) is a unitary moulding and is made by injection moulding in a single step. The method of making the pallet (10) includes compounding the thermoplastic material and fibres and leading the compounded material to an injection unit for injecting it directly into a mould cavity of the injection unit, without a pelletising step.

Abstract: A method of, and an apparatus for, producing preforms from which bottles can be blown, are disclosed. The method includes using a piston (72) to force mouldable material (M) into a preform shaped cavity (52). The mouldable material enters via a feed pipe (68) and a valve (70). The cavity (52) is bounded by a female mould part (48) and by a male mould part (50) comprising a sleeve (56) and rod (58) with a head (60) at one end. The piston (72), as it advances, pushes the material (M) into the mould cavity (52). A blow mould cavity (54) receives the moulded preform and the core (50) so that the preform can be blown without being removed from the core.

Abstract: Moulding apparatus is disclosed in which a charge of the material to be moulded is fed into a holding cavity. The holding cavity is then shifted to a second position, and a plunger forces the charge out of the holding cavity into the moulding cavity. The holding cavity has a movable wall, preferably the front surface of a piston, the position of which wall can be varied so that the volume of the holding cavity can be changed to suit the volume of the cavity of the mould being used.

Abstract: A method of moulding and a moulding installation is disclosed. The installation comprises a compounder (16), a flow path (26) from the compounder to a vessel (34) in which the mouldable material emerging from the compounder is accumulated, and further flow paths (28) from the vessel (34) to a number of moulders (30) each of which is associated with a mould (32). The moulders take charges of mouldable material on a cyclical basis.