Abstract: A printing sleeve for a flexographic printing process is prepared by spirally winding successive adhesive coated tapes onto a forming mandrel such that the outer tape covers the seam in the previous layer, providing heat to the thermoplastic adhesive layers at the initial contact point between two tapes, providing sufficient tension to ensure consolidation, and advancing the resultant printing sleeve off the mandrel by means of a drive belt.

Abstract: A braided in-situ consolidated structure of fiber reinforced thermoplastic resin strands is formed by braiding the strands on a mandrel and then advancing the mandrel and the braided structure as it is formed continuously through a heating zone to heat the resin to a flowable condition then cooling the structure as it leaves the zone. Pressure may be applied or developed against the braided structure during its formation.

Abstract: A printing sleeve for a flexographic printing process is prepared by spirally winding successive adhesive coated tapes onto a forming mandrel such that the outer tape covers the seam in the previous layer, providing heat to the thermoplastic adhesive layers at the initial contact point between two tapes, providing sufficient tension to ensure consolidation, and advancing the resultant printing sleeve off the mandrel by means of a drive belt.

Abstract: A docking system is disclosed in which modules that are of integral, unitary structure may be joined to form a floating dock. Each module is made up of a deck and side walls to form a hollow chamber within which is disposed a flotation unit of a large-scale honeycomb made by joining plastic containers to each other and to the deck and side walls. A substantially isotropic tension member or system of tension members is joined to the bottom of the walls and cells to complete a module in which applied forces are shared by all elements. Apparatus for aligning and joining modules to form dock structures are described as are apparatus to ballast the structure and determine freeboard.

Abstract: A braided insitu consolidated structure of fiber reinforced thermoplastic resin strands is formed by braiding the strands on a mandrel and then advancing the mandrel and the braided structure as it is formed continuously through a heating zone to heat the resin to a flowable condition then cooling the structure as it leaves the zone. Pressure may be applied or developed against the braided structure during its formation.

Abstract: A method of preparing a reinforcing web for a composite structure. A continuous strand is deposited in a bed of pins according to a desired pattern such as overlapped rows of shingled loops.

Abstract: A braided insitu consolidated structure of fiber reinforced thermoplastic resin strands is formed by braiding the strands on a mandrel and then advancing the mandrel and the braided structure as it is formed continuously through a heating zone to heat the resin to a flowable condition then cooling the structure as it leaves the zone. Pressure may be applied or developed against the braided structure during its formation.

Abstract: A complex braided composite structure is formed of axial and braiding yarns using an interlacing pattern which allows all braiding yarn reversals to occur outside a multi-layer array of axial yarns concurrently at one location in the pattern thus allowing free manipulation of the yarns for forming complex shapes.

Abstract: A robotized apparatus for forming a web to be used as a reinforcement in a plastic composite. The apparatus has a dispensing head including a freely rotatable tube which is moved according to a desired pattern. The tube terminates in a horn from which a continuous strand is delivered into a bed of pins.

Abstract: A centrifuge rotor which a central hub is characterized by a flexible carrier formed from a plurality of fibers arranged in a predetermined textile structure. The carrier has a socket formed at the radially outer end thereof by the interconnection of the fibers. The socket may receive a vessel therein.

Abstract: A form on which a strand is wound according to a pattern desired for the reinforcement of a contoured plastic composite. The form has a similarly contoured, apertured surface and retractable pins projecting from the apertures. The pattern is fused at cross-over points and can then be used as a preform.