Abstract: A strap tightener in which a specific releasable tensioning and clasping mechanism for a strap is incorporated to hold heavy loads under tension firmly in a given position. The strap tightener can advantageously be used to tie down cargo containers, motor vehicles and the like heavy loads to fixing structures on carrier vessels or carts. The strap tightener has a simple and economical structure with a reduced number of parts and is thus smoothly operable to attain good strap tensioning without incurring any damage of the strap and any loosening of the tensioned strap during the use.

Abstract: A process for producing cork lines which comprises holding a leader or leaders with a pair of metal molds having at the junctional surfaces thereof one or more cavities for forming a float or floats and one or more furrows formed so as to pass through said cavity or cavities for holding said leader or leaders, injecting a molten synthetic resin mixed with a foaming agent into said cavity or cavities to effect molding and foaming of said resin, cooling said metal molds and taking out a float or floats integrally fixed to said leader or leaders from said metal molds.