Abstract: A method is shown for manufacturing a polyethylene jacket of the type used in pre-insulated piping systems. A mandrel is first coated with a brittle polymeric coating. A melt profile of polyethylene is then extruded onto the mandrel and spirally wound to produce adjacent windings. The adjacent windings make contact to form a finished jacket which is in engagement with the brittle coating. After the jacket has set, an external compressive force is applied to the tubular member thus formed sufficient to crush the internal brittle coating, thereby freeing the polyethylene jacket from engagement with the mandrel. The jacket can then be removed from the mandrel.

Abstract: A composite member having increased resistance to delamination includes a reinforcing wrap of fiber-matrix composite material which is encircled about the member so that the edge surfaces of the member are covered by the wrap. The wrap includes fibers which are oriented from about −60° to about +60° relative to the direction along which the reinforcing wrap is wrapped about the member. The fibers of the reinforcing wrap impart increased third-axis or Z-direction strength at the edges of the member where interlaminar tensile stresses are greatest.

Abstract: Prelaminate pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA) constructions comprise, a first substrate, a coating or release material on a surface of the first substrate, a PSA layer disposed on the coating of release material, and a detackified layer (DL) disposed on a surface of the PSA layer to form a continuous film covering the PSA layer. In first and second embodiments of the construction the DL is activatable to form a tacky layer on top of the PSA layer for lamination with a second substrate. In a third embodiment, the DL includes constituents that when activated migrate into the PSA layer to expose the PSA layer tacky surface for lamination with a second substrate. The prelaminate PSA constructions are completely nonblocking to a minimum 24 hour blocking temperature of about 50° C. at pressure of about 40 kilopascals, thereby allowing such prelaminate PSA construction to be collected, stored, and or transported before being laminated without adhesive interference occurring between continuous layers.

Abstract: In the present invention, hollow thermoplastic foam tubes of any desired diameter are easily achieved as well as large sheets or planks of thermoplastic foam material in any width and thickness desired by spirally wrapping and fusing a thermoplastic foam profile having a desired size and shape. By employing a thermoplastic foam extruder to produce a profile having a desired cross-sectional shape or configuration, and advancing the profile onto a rotating support member for being wrapped peripherally surrounding the rotating support and continuously bonding the abutting edges of the profile as the profile is spirally wound, a unique spiral forming and product manufacturing procedure and system is realized. By employing this unique spiral forming process, a hollow cylindrical thermoplastic foam tube is formed on a continuous basis, with the length thereof being controlled only by the needs of the customer.

Abstract: A substrate, such as the surface of goods or of packaging material for goods, is provided with a security device by applying, to the substrate, a pressure sensitive adhesive tape carrying a security device in the form of a hologram.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing easily portable and multi-layered adhesive tape roll is described. The flat piece of easily portable and multi-layered adhesive tape is formed by compressing the adhesive tape roll having circular shape or other shapes. The adhesive tape roll is compressed and cohered during the compressing step. A stiff interfacial layer, for example, having adhesion by adhering two innermost adhesive surfaces, by providing a stronger adhesion material, by inserting a stiff and solid material, or a stiff and solid material coated with a strong adhesion material, is applied to the symmetry plane of the adhesive tape during the compressing step. The preferential material of the high adhesion material is a cyanoacrylate adhesive or an epoxy adhesive.

Abstract: A method of making a golf club shaft with a bent angular tip using a main shaft body mandrel and a secondary tip mandrel disposed at an angle therewith and a mandrel apparatus for the same.

Abstract: An easily manufactured shoe press belt for a papermaking machine comprises a high molecular weight cylindrical elastic member having embedded within it, between its inner and outer walls, a multiple layer base member formed by winding a belt-like woven fabric. The layers of the base member are substantially axially coextensive, reinforce the belt against sideward elongation, and achieve uniform hardness and improved durability.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for manufacturing a filter element by winding a fluted media into a coreless roll. The fluted filter media is transported forwardly and a front edge is lifted upwardly by a rearwardly facing inclined ramp. A rearwardly facing surface pushes the front edge rearwardly, and then a downwardly facing surface pushes it downwardly, thereby forming an incipient log, or roll start. The remaining portion of the fluted media is then rolled around the incipient log, thereby making a coreless cylindrical fluted filter media.

Abstract: Resin soaked fiberglass strands are applied to abrasively cleaned steel pipe to increase the hoop stress. Steel pipe that is abrasively cleaned is preheated and a primer coat is applied. Fiberglass strands that are soaked with heated resin are then applied in a helical method to the pipe to induce an accelerated cure of the resin. Followed by a polyethylene wrap to protect the ouside of the composite. Allowing the coated pipe to be driven over a conveyor line. This process is continuous in which the steel pipe is wrapped from end to end, on pipe that is connected with a come-along (steel or plastic).

Abstract: Process for producing biaxially oriented PET film for use in film capacitors with SMD capabilities and its use for SMD-technology film capacitors The invention describes a process for producing a biaxially oriented film of thickness <10 &mgr;m, where a polymer melt is extruded through the gap of an extrusion die onto a chill roll, stretched longitudinally and transversely and relaxed longitudinally by >0.1% and transversely by >3%, where the edges of the film are held during the longitudinal and transverse relaxation and the film is wound up.

Abstract: An electrical cable of the present invention comprises a plurality of spaced, parallel flat conductors. Each of the plurality of flat conductors was previously integral with each immediately adjacent flat conductor. A dielectric material is holds the conductors in the spaced, parallel relationship. The dielectric material can be a polymer film, a nonwoven, or other polymer materials such as PTFE, or expanded PTFE. The cable of the present invention is made by providing first and second webs of dielectric materials and a third sheet of conductive material. The first and second web materials are bonded to the third sheet of conductive material in a face-to-face layered relationship thereby forming a bonded laminate. The bonded laminate is then incrementally stretched to separate the sheet of conductive material in to spaced, parallel flat conductors.

Abstract: A tubular member for an oil application device is formed separately and is fitted in such a manner as to cover a peripheral face of a porous cylindrical oil retaining member. The tubular member for the oil application device has a multi-layer structure including an inner layer and an outermost layer. The inner layer is a fibrous layer, and the outermost layer is a porous film. The porous cylindrical oil retaining member can be easily covered with, fitted with, and removed of the member for the oil application device, which is made from a fibrous layer such as a felt or from a porous film such as a PTFE film.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for constructing a rotatable label and attaching the rotatable label to a container. The rotatable label may have a transparent portion and is temporarily secured to a container or an inner label that is permanently secured to the container via a temporary adhesive disposed on a leading edge of the rotatable label's back surface. Permanent adhesive is disposed on the trailing edge of the rotatable label's back surface. The rotatable label is then wrapped around the container so that the trailing edge of the rotatable label's back surface comes in contact with the rotatable label's front surface. The rotatable label is then rotated with respect to the inner label or container, thereby breaking the temporary bond formed by the temporary adhesive between the rotatable label and inner label or container. Alternatively, temporary adhesive may be disposed on the trailing edge of the rotatable label's back surface to allow the rotatable label to be easily removed from the container.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for making elongated articles are disclosed. One method includes feeding at least one base string along an axis, wrapping at least one monofilament around the axis to produce a number of monofilament wraps per length of base string which are transported by the base string, bonding the wraps to the base string with ultrasonic energy, and cutting the wraps at a point downstream of where the wraps are bonded to the base string. The result is an article having two rows of monofilament segments connected to the base string.

Abstract: A method is provided for continuous mass production of winged absorbent articles, including T-shaped absorbent articles, by attachment of wing portions to the chassis of the absorbent article which comprises a topsheet, a backsheet and a core sandwiched between the topsheet and the backsheet. The method comprises feeding at least one web of wing-making material, which may be at least partly elasticated, simultaneously attaching landing zones in spaced apart relationship on a surface of the web, attaching tape tabs on the edge of the web, folding the web longitudinally in a generally Z-fold configuration, feeding the chassis of the absorbent article in the general direction of the web, severing individual folded wing portions from said web and attaching the winged portions to the chassis at predetermined spaced intervals.

Abstract: The disclosed method can manufacture a thick-walled cylindrical part of an excellent quality which is free from the interlayer separation, by using a fiber reinforced plastic composite material. The fiber reinforced plastic composite material having a small thermal expansion coefficient is laminated in the circumferential direction of a mandrel; the laminated fiber reinforced plastic composite material layer is heat-cured to form an auxiliary member of the mandrel; a plurality of sorts of fiber reinforced plastic composite materials having a different elastic modulus, respectively are laminated on the formed auxiliary member; and the laminated fiber reinforced plastic composite materials are all heat-cured.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing paint rollers includes the steps of extruding a cylindrical plastic core through a rotating extruder head, and securing an absorbent sheet material onto an outer surface of the core in a continuous process.

Abstract: The invention is embodied in a coil antenna for radiating RF power supplied by an RF source into a vacuum chamber, the coil antenna including plural helical conductors each having a first end and a second end, the first ends being adapted for connection to a first common RF potential, the second ends being adapted for connection to a second common RF potential, each of the plural conductors being wound about a common axis of helical symmetry, each of the second ends being spaced substantially equally from the axis and from each other.

Abstract: To provide a steering wheel which is lightweight, and which has adequate strength and shock resistance, a carbon fiber prepreg 13 is wound on a mandrel 11 or a lightweight foam core 40 so as to obtain a preformer 14. By heating this preformer 14 in a mold 18, a steering wheel is obtained wherein the rim is formed from a fiber-reinforced synthetic resin joined to a metal skeleton 23.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing a flat adhesive tape comprises: providing a stiff interfacial sheet having a flat and solid form; surrounding the stiff interfacial sheet with a plurality of adhesive layers so as to form a roll of the adhesive layers with the stiff interfacial sheet positioned on a symmetric plane of the roll; and compressing the roll to form the flat adhesive tape. The stiff interfacial sheet can have a length slightly longer than a half-length of an innermost circumference of the roll of the adhesive layers. A layer of high adhesion material containing uncured high cross-linking epoxy or uncured high cross-linking cyanoacrylate can be provided between the stiff interfacial sheet and the adhesive layers. After compressing the roll of the adhesive layers, the high adhesion material is cured to form the flat adhesive tape.

Abstract: An endless belt for use in digital imaging systems is provided having uniform edge to edge flatness, and precise circumferential and edge to edge thickness. The layers comprising the belt may be tailored as desired for use in either latent image formation, image transfer or sheet transport operations. In one embodiment, the belt includes an elastomeric base layer, an intermediate polymer ply over the base layer, and an outer elastomeric layer. Alternatively, the belt includes an elastomeric base layer and an outer polymer layer. The belt may further include reinforcing layers which may comprise a woven or non-woven fabric layer and/or an elastomerimpregnated spun cord layer. The belt is preferably manufactured by building the layers on a workpiece and then curing the layers.

Abstract: A composite laminated, generally cylindrical container for over-the-road transportation of liquids by truck is fabricated using a core of cellular thermoplastic expanded foam material, with an encapsulating layer adhered to each of the interior and exterior surfaces. The encapsulating layers of the cylindrical portion each utilize at least one layer of resin-impregnated unidirectional filament material, with the primary filaments extending in the longitudinal direction to provide bending strength, and a plurality of layers of spirally wound, resin-impregnated filaments to resist shear, torsion and external and internal pressure. The core and the encapsulating layers define a bonded sandwich type of construction. The container can be supported only at its forward and rearward ends during over-the-road transportation of liquids, like presently available stainless steel containers.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a monolithic composite wing without using mechanical fasteners is described. The process begins with the formation of a center wing box in combination with a pair of spars, riblets and a pair of skin-molds including the wrapping and binding of the box by means of resin impregnated composite tapes. Next, additional cells are adjoined contiguously on either side of the current framework and an overlap wrapping and bonding process is continued around the current framework. The overlap wrapping and binding procedure provides increased torsion stiffness and reduced structural weight. All cells up to the leading and trailing edges will be included in the assembly process. Conduits to convey fuel, hydraulic fluid and electrical wiring will also be installed in designated cells. Finally, the completed wing will be cured in an autoclave under uniform pressure and temperature.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a sheet tension adjusting method which allows the tension to a single-faced corrugated fiberboard sheet or a liner to be greatly adjusted with a high accuracy to be capable of the adjustment of upward or downward warps of the corrugated fiberboard sheet. In the method according to this invention, when manufacturing a single-faced corrugated fiberboard sheet S.sub.1 in a manner that a liner L.sub.1 is adhered onto a corrugated sheet C.sub.1, the single-faced corrugated fiberboard sheet S.sub.1 is wound around one or more rolls 1 to change a braking force to the roll 1, thereby adjusting the tension to the single-faced fiberboard sheet S.sub.1. Further, this invention is effectively applicable in manufacturing various kinds of corrugated fiberboard sheets.

Abstract: A method and apparatus utilizes a multiple compaction roller ring winder (10) to consolidate multiple tapes of thermoplastic material (34) through conductive heat transfer to form approximately cylindrical structures. This includes rotating a driven mandrel (20) about an axis (24) to present a rotating forming surface. A plurality of material supply reels (30) disperse multiple thermoplastic material tapes (34). The supply reels (30) are positioned around the mandrel (20) such that the thermoplastic tapes (34) are simultaneously wrapped around the forming surface of the mandrel (20) to provide the material for the cylindrical structure. The multiple tapes (34) are compacted against the forming surface of the mandrel (20) by a plurality of heatable compaction rollers (40) that are positioned to rotate and press the tapes (34).

Abstract: The invention provides a process for producing a tubular membrane assembly comprising helically winding at least one strip of fibrous material on a mandrel to produce at least a single ply tubular support member for a semi-permeable membrane, characterized by passing the strip through a heated section of the mandrel during the helical winding thereof to flatten and smooth fibers protruding along the cross-sectional width of the strip, whereby a tube with a smooth inner bore along its entire length is formed.

Abstract: Winding cores for the paper industry are restored by removing the metal tips from the ends of the core, trimming the core to eliminate the crimped end portions of the core, providing complementary male and female joint ends to the core, grinding the outer surface of the core to a constant outer diameter less than the industry standard outer diameter to accommodate a finishing layer. The cores with the complementary joints are pressed end to end to form a core master prior to its being ground and then picking up the core masters one by one and bringing them into proximity of a web of liner board material having a length which corresponds to the length of the core master and a width which corresponds to the circumference of the core, contacting the glue bearing liner board web with the core and rotating the core to wrap the web of liner board about the core to provide a finished restored core. The core master is then cut into suitable length winding cores.

Abstract: The present invention provides a stencil sheet roll formed by winding up a stencil sheet to form a roll, the sheet including a thermoplastic resin film and a porous support laminated thereto, wherein the compression elastic modulus of the sheet is not less than 32 kg/cm.sup.2. The invention also provides a stencil sheet roll formed by winding up a stencil sheet to form a roll, the sheet including a thermoplastic resin film and a porous support laminated thereto and having been subjected to calender treatment. Also disclosed is a method for manufacturing a stencil sheet roll comprising laminating a thermoplastic resin film to a porous support to form a stencil sheet, subjecting the stencil sheet to calender treatment, and winding up the calender-treated stencil sheet to form a roll.

Abstract: A method for increasing the thermal conductivity of a fuser member for use in electrostatographic, including digital, apparatuses, by orienting anisotropic fillers in an elastomer layer in a manner wherein heat transfer is maximized in a radial or tangential direction of the fuser member. The fuser member may also contain other optional fillers and optional fluorocarbon powder fillers.

Abstract: A quasi-isotropic composite structure includes a multi-sheet rib projecting generally perpendicular to a multi-sheet body with at least one of the body face sheets being bent and attached in a parallel manner to the rib sheet or sheets. The sheet or sheets that are part of both the body and rib are unsevered and integrally contiguous.

Abstract: A process for the manufacture of a rim preform or rim-element having an axis of revolution by the placing on a preforming matrix pre-assembled fibers along two orientations defining deformable meshes. A winding of a strip of fibers is fastened on a circumference of the preforming matrix with asymmetrical orientation of the fibers, whereupon it is applied progressively until covering the entire surface of the preforming matrix by subjecting it to tensions of substantially circumferential orientation.

Abstract: A process for applying a removable and releasible protective layer over an adhesive surface of a flexible sheet flooring product while simultaneously collecting the flooring product on a core roll. The process includes the steps of attaching a leading end of the protective layer to the core roll, and attaching a leading end of the flooring product to the core roll. The flooring product is oriented such that the adhesive surface faces inwardly towards the core roll and adjacent the protective layer. The core roll is then rotated such that the protective layer is applied to and overlies the adhesive surface of the flooring product as the flooring product is simultaneously collected on the core roll.

Abstract: A tubular film having a high film thickness uniformity and suitable for a fixing film of an image forming apparatus is provided. To achieve such a film, a thermoplastic sheet film is so wound that the leading and trailing end portions of the film partially overlap each other to form overlapping portions, and the wound film is heated between a core member and a tubular molding member.

Abstract: Continuous, filament reinforced, wound poles, and the method of making, where the poles are formed by winding a base mandrel with continuous, resin-impregnated filament reinforcement, coaxially abutting an incremental mandrel and winding both the incremental mandrel and the wound first mandrel with a second layer of continuous, resin-impregnated filament reinforcement. The base mandrel is thus wound with two layers of reinforcement. Additional incremental mandrels and additional layers of continuous, resin-impregnated filament reinforcement are successively wound as desired. Preferably all windings occurs prior to the curing of any previous winding. The ends of the mandrels and any cross winding across these ends form stabilizing members within the poles to counteract against compressive forces. The pole has a smooth outer surface when the additional mandrels are properly sized to mate with the wound ends of the previous adjacent mandrel.

Abstract: An adhesive is applied to a material under compression such that the adhesive penetrates the material when the material is a porous material (e.g., a fiberglass batt). Upon release from being compressed, the material returns to nearly its original size and shape and some of the adhesive penetrates into the material a given distance. Many mats of the material bearing the adhesive at selected locations can be placed on a common carrier for easy dispensing using a dispenser. The common carrier can be refurbished for reuse.

Abstract: This invention relates to a label continuum comprising a long label substrate, a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer formed by transferring to the back of the label substrate and a release layer formed on the surface of the label substrate, and in the invention the label substrate is rolled up such that the release layer and the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer are false-stuck to each other.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for preparing beverage transmission lines to form bundles that convey a drink product to a remote location includes the step of providing a plurality of spools that include a wound length of beverage conveying tubing each with a free end portion and unwinding the beverage tube from each spool by advancing the free end portion. The free end portions are transmitted through a plurality of templates that gather the tubing together. The tubing is then choked into a tight bundle while being continuously advanced at a set desired speed and along a generally linear path. The bundle is then spirally wrapped as it is being transported. The spiral wrapping can be achieved with a rotating spool that surrounds the bundle.

Abstract: A friction material for a liquid medium consists of a fibre mat impregnated with a thermosetting resin, the fibres having a length of at least 12 mm. The method of producing such a material includes the steps of providing a mixture of fibres, carding the mixture to form a card web, lapping the card web, needling the lapped card web for form a needled mat and impregnating the needled mat with a thermosetting resin.

Abstract: A system and a method for producing displays such as signs and cards includes a substrate of material which is transferred from a supply roller to a first receiving unit. During the transfer, the substrate passes a series of color printing stations which applies a four-color image to the substrate, an opaque printing station which applies a layer of opaque ink to selected portions of the four-color image, a thick printing station which applies a pattern of viscous translucent ink to form extraordinarily thick ridges of translucent ink on the substrate. Finally, a metalized substance is applied to the substrate over the various ink layers using vapor metalization. As provided herein, the metalized substance is applied to the substrate during transfer of the substrate from the first receiving unit to a second receiving unit.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for sealing the tail of a convolutely wound log which include a longitudinally extending path, an infeed station and a sealing station in the path, equipping the infeed station with a pair of spaced-apart, rotatable rollers, providing one of the rollers with vacuum ports in the periphery thereof, feeding logs sequentially into the nip space between the pair of rollers, rotating the rollers, orienting the log tail to a position over the ports in the one roller, rotating the rollers to unwind the tail, and rolling each log in the path into the sealing station; the unwinding being either (a) triggered by a mark on the tail such as a UV ink stripe or (b) using an air blast.

Abstract: A medicine vial labeler includes a dispenser for printing and dispensing pressure sensitive labels and a label applicator assembly including a rotary drum and a pair of positioning arms. The positioning arms are shiftable from a release position to a holding position for positioning a vial in rotary contact with the drum in order to receive a label in the nip therebetween applying the label to the vial upon rotation of the drum. The positioning arms include a plurality of rollers of different diameters configured and spaced for holding and positioning vials of different diameters in rotary contact with the drum.

Abstract: A belt for use on a long nip press for dewatering a fibrous web includes a base assembled by spirally winding a prepared structure strip in a plurality of non-overlapping turns. Successive turns are abutted against and joined to those previously wound by sewing or otherwise bonding along the continuous spiral seam thus formed. The prepared structure strip may be a fabric strip woven from lengthwise and crosswise yarns, which may be monofilament yarns of a synthetic polymeric resin. The fabric strip may be of either a single- or multi-layer weave. At least one side of the base, namely, that side which will be on the inside of the belt in its endless loop form, and which slides over the arcuate pressure shoe component of the long nip press during its operation, is coated with a polymeric resin, such as polyurethane, to render it impervious to liquids, and especially to the oil used to lubricate the surface of the arcuate pressure shoe.

Abstract: An apparatus and method provide for the alternate manufacture of permanent adhesive or repositional linerless labels utilizing the same equipment. Indicia is applied such as by using a flexographic unit in which the print cylinders are immediately thrown-off the web when the unit is turned off. Coating stations apply a repositional adhesive and release coat in the construction of repositional adhesive labels, for example, using a flexo unit in which the print cylinder stays in contact with the web after the unit is turned off to wipe excess adhesive from the print cylinder. In the construction of permanent adhesive labels a coating station for applying a release coat and a release coat curing station, as well as a hot melt permanent adhesive application station, are also provided. The permanent adhesive is applied with a slotted die head having a heat uniformity of +/- five degrees F. across its length, and applies an even adhesive coat thickness of about 0.0005-0.001 inches to +/- about 0.0001 inches.

Abstract: A golf club having a vibration damping device including a club head, a shaft connected to the club head having resonant frequencies over a predetermined range and a rod disposed within the shaft with a viscoelastic material interposed between the shaft and the rod. The rod is flexible and has resonant frequencies over the same frequency range as the shaft such that the shaft and rod vibrate out of phase with respect to each other and thereby deform the viscoelastic material to damp vibrations in the shaft.

Abstract: A containment structure for radially deployable devices in the form of a self-coiling composite band. The composite band is fabricated as a lay up of epoxy resin-impregnated ply layers of cloth material that are wrapped about a mandrel and cured in a specific ordered sequence. The ordered sequence of fabrication steps of applying and curing the resin-impregnated cloth layers to the mandrel provides a desired separation of the cured ply layers of the final composite so that they are located at the outer most regions of the composite and are separated by an intermediate resin layer of desired thickness. This ensures a composite band which is effective to function as a negator-spring or composite clock spring and which also exhibits a good combination of mechanical properties, such as elastic modulus, strength, and resilience. In use, the self-coiling composite band is applied about the periphery of a central hub of a radially deployable device by wrapping it therearound in a reverse curl orientation.

Abstract: An apparatus for attaching a plastic wrapping sheet to a composite product formed of a plastic core tube having a web-shaped material wrapped therearound, the plastic wrapping sheet surrounding the composite product so that an end portion extends beyond an end of the composite product, the apparatus including twin closing yokes which are movable towards one another to gather the end portion together, a cylindrical welding head for welding the gathered end portion to the end of the core tube, and a rotatable cutting bead for removing free excess plastic wrapping sheet from within the core tube.

Abstract: The method of the present invention provides a way to make rolls of high shear strength pressure sensitive adhesive tapes with a transparent to the core appearance in a relatively short time and without the need to subject the rolls to additional method steps. Moreover, the present invention achieves such transparent to the core appearance by sufficiently wetting-out the adhesive on the tape backing to remove microscopic air bubbles entrapped within the harder and less deformable high shear strength adhesive layers. The method comprises a rewinding method and is characterized by the use of a pack roll during rewinding to provide a sufficiently high contact pressure to the non-adhesive side of the tape substantially at the application point of the tape to the tape roll. In one aspect, a sufficient contact pressure is provided by the pack roll so that the pressure sensitive adhesive tape rolls are made with a transparent to the core appearance at the time of the rewinding step.

Abstract: Process for optimizing the features of multilayered tubes made of fibrous composite materials, allowing to maintain within the specified limits the limit elongations and stresses which they withstand in response to the applied strains. The process comprises selecting at least two optimized features characteristic of each layer (its thickness and the winding angle of the fibers for example) by starting from an initial tube selected a priori. Through small deviations applied to the parameters, the relations between small deviations applied to the parameters and the variations of the resulting limit elongations and stresses are determined, as well as the inverse relations relating the variations of the limit elongations and stresses to the parameter deviations. Knowing these inverse relations allows, in one or several stages, to find out the deviations to be applied in order to make up the measurable differences between the limit elongations and stresses of the optimized tube and the tube selected a priori.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for manufacturing recyclable paper pallets utilizes spool-shaped laminated supports which are wound on a spool-shaped mandrel utilizing adhesive coated paper strips. In one aspect of the invention, the spool-shaped laminated supports can be glued to conventional upper and lower pallet skin sheets also made of paper material, such as corrugated paperboard. In another aspect of the invention, the spool-shaped pallet supports are utilized in a system in which the pallet is integrated directly into a pre-strapped load. In this system, a slip sheet is strapped directly to the bottom of a load and the slip sheet is glued directly to the upper faces of an array of pallet supports, sufficient to support the load and to provide the spacers or standoffs for subsequent insertion of lifting equipment, such as a lifting fork, beneath the load. The inherent rigidity of the strapped load may be sufficient to compensate for the lack of rigidity of the thin paper slip sheet.