Abstract: The invention relates to an extrusion-blow-molded fuel tank (1) of thermoplastic material comprising a tank wall of a composite of various layers obtained in various production operations, at least one first layer comprising at least one shell-shaped supporting shell (8) and a second layer of a thermoplastic material forming an adhesive bond with the supporting shell (8), and the supporting shell (8) having a greater strength than the second layer. The supporting shell (8) forms an inner layer of the tank and the second layer forms an outer skin of the tank, two supporting shells within the tank forming a supporting cage or a supporting housing.

Abstract: A direct SMC production device includes an impregnation device for impregnating fibers of a material strand. The impregnation device includes at least one densification unit which is designed to densify the material strand after application of the strand to at least one substrate.

Abstract: An installation for cutting and applying reinforcement fibers (2), with at least two cutting modules (1), each one of which fed with at least a cord of reinforcement fibers (4) and arranged in order to move on a top plane with respect to a working surface (3), where: at least each one of two of the cutting modules (1) is actuated by an independent motor (7), each independent motor (7) for actuation of the cutting of the fibers is controlled selectively by a control device (8); and at least two of the cutting modules (1) are arranged on a shared frame (9) that supports them during the cutting process.

Abstract: The invention generally provides a method of coating a material, the method including the following steps: (a) forming a generally elongate coating structure (15), the coating structure having an internal cavity (17) extending at least substantially along its length, and wherein the internal cavity of the coating structure is capable of receiving a core material (21); (b) inserting a core material (21) into the internal cavity (17) of the coating structure (15); (c) compressing the coating structure at a first location (44) along its length so as generally to form a seal at that location; and (d) compressing the coating structure at a second location along its length (45).

Abstract: The invention generally provides a method of coating a material, the method including the following steps: (a) forming a generally elongate coating structure (15), the coating structure having an internal cavity (17) extending at least substantially along its length, and wherein the internal cavity of the coating structure is capable of receiving a core material (21); (b) inserting a core material (21) into the internal cavity (17) of the coating structure (15); (c) compressing the coating structure at a first location (44) along its length so as generally to form a seal at that location; and (d) compressing the coating structure at a second location along its length (45).

Abstract: A composite manufacturing system moves a multi-fiber tow through a processing space. A resin particle source provides particles to the space. This source may include an airstream entrained with particles which is discharged into the space through an orifice; the airstream diverging as it enters the space. An electrode is disposed in the space to electrostatically charge the particles and facilitate deposition of the charged particles on the tow. In one embodiment, the electrode includes a corona wire disposed proximate to the tow to provide a generally cylindrical charging region. An electric field useful to direct deposition of the particles may be generated by appropriately shaping a wire electrode and orienting it in a predetermined manner relative to the tow. After the particles are deposited, a fixation unit may be used to at least partially melt the deposited particles. A processing stage may be included which has a pair of surfaces configured to heat and compress the tow therebetween.

Abstract: A device for feeding out reinforcement fibres at production of thermosetting plastic products, which device includes at least one magazine spool for a fibre thread (15), and guiding means (17, 18, 19) for guiding the fibre thread to a fibre feedout head (13). The feedout head is provided with feed means (21, 22, 31, 32) for feeding the fibre thread from the magazine spool coil via the guiding means, and cutting means (26, 26a, 27), which enables cutting off the fibre thread. The feed means of the feedout head (13) means includes on one hand driven feed rollers (21, 22), which form at least one nip for the fibre thread (15) and on the other hand fibre ejecting means (31, 32). The cutting means (26, 26a, 27) are individually driven and placed between the feed rollers (21, 22) and the fibre ejecting means (31, 32).

Abstract: An apparatus for applying a liquid to threads of a yarn sheet. The apparatus comprises multiple thread wetting elements, each of which has at least one thread guide groove for each thread. In the thread guide groove the thread travels with the liquid and each thread guide groove has one associated liquid feed bore or groove for supplying the liquid to the thread guide groove. The liquid feed bore or groove terminates in the thread guide groove. There is a liquid distributor which is implemented as a support to which the thread wetting elements are attached and which supplies liquid feed to each liquid bore or groove. The separation of adjacent thread guide grooves is 2 to 30 mm, and adjacent thread guide grooves are different distances from the liquid distributor such that the thread guide grooves are offset in an alternating manner.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for producing plant nutritive pellets from raw sludge produced by wastewater treatment plants. The raw sludge has a water content normally in the region of 70-80%. Powder is used to stabilize the pellets and prevent their sticking together. The powder is added in connection with the sludge being formed into at least one pellet string or immediately after formation when the string has been cut into pellets. An air stream in which the powder has become entrained is used to douse the pellet string or the cut-off pellets, whereafter drying is readily peformed to provide a moisture content of about 10-15%, adequate for storage. The device according to the invention comprises an extruder for forming at least one pellet string, which by cutting-off means is cut into separate pellets, at least one blowing nozzle for lime powder intended to be doused over the pellets, a rotatable tumbler and a drying kiln, in which the pellets are dried to a moisture content adequate for storage.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for tipping, cutting, and sorting sutures includes a suture supply, a tipping station wherein delimited portions of the suture are tipped, preferably with a cyanoacrylate tipping agent, a diameter measuring station, a cutting station wherein a knife is operated to cut the suture at a tipped portion to form cut suture lengths having tipped suture ends for insertion into the barrel end aperture of a surgical needle, and a pair of graspers for alternatively grasping and drawing the suture from the suture supply through the tipping apparatus, the diameter measuring station and the cutting station. Optionally, a drying station can be interposed to hasten the curing of the tipping agent. Preferably, a controller is provided for controlling the sequence of operation of the apparatus and for controlling sorting of cut suture lengths deposited by the graspers onto a tilting sorting table.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an oiling frame for chemical fibre machines in which signal emitted by a sensor disposed above the filament bobbin winding machine of the chemical fibre machine for detecting broken filaments in any fibre strand is received by a cylinder for the same to actuate a set of blades below oil nozzles in the oiling frame so that the blades may instantaneously and simultaneously cut the fibre strands moving downward from the oil nozzles. Since the blades and the blade covers are designed to have several sharp edges which facilitate quicker and more precise cutting thereof while the blades can be economically made of non-expensive metal material.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for making a charge used in molding a fiber reinforced part. Continuous strands of fibers are impregnated with resin and then cut into segments of predetermined lengths. The segments are collected so that the resin impregnated fiber segments are piled together to form the charge. In one embodiment, the fibers are collected in a controlled manner to provide preselected fiber orientation for the molded part. Also a cutter mechanism is provided for cutting resin impregnated fiber strands pulled over a first rotating drum.

Abstract: An improved apparatus for chopping glass strands is disclosed. The improvement comprises a feed roll for attenuating the strand prior to chopping with a surface having a series of deep grooves cut at desired angles with respect to the sidewalls of the roll. These special grooves reduce binder collection on the surface of the feed roll thereby reducing the tendency of glass strand to wrap around the feed roll during attenuation.

Abstract: Manufacturing a curved fiber reinforced body of plastic material by cutting plastic impregnated fibers with a cutter, directing the cut fibers onto a rotating form and applying a plastic material to the fibers. The fibers are deposited in predetermined radial and circumferential directions to build up a preform of overlapping layers of oriented fibers as the form is rotated. The preform is shaped by compression between mating shaping forms to substantially the final molded shape. The plastic material contains a curative and is partially cured under controlled conditions after the preform is built. The preform is then preheated in an oven and molded under predetermined pressures and temperatures.