Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of making applicators for inserting materials into body cavities. The applicators comprise a tubular insertion member having an insertion end and a gripper end opposite thereof. The gripper end has an indentation with a shoulder on each end of the indentation. The shoulder most proximal the insertion end provides resistance to finger slip during the step of inserting the applicator into a body cavity. Whereas the shoulder most proximal the gripper end provides resistance to finger slip during the step of expelling material substantially contained by the applicator. The shoulder most proximal the gripper end also provides secure handling of the applicator while removing the applicator from the body after the expulsion step has been completed.

Abstract: There are prior art packaging tubes consisting of a tube body (11) with a prefabricated head (13) which is melted on the inner circumference of the body. This method of jointing can result in faulty, i.e. leaking tubes. According to the invention, the tube body (11) and head (13) are bonded together by means of a material section (26), e.g. plastifiable synthetic material, thus providing stable and sealed, i.e. fault-free, bonds.

Abstract: A method of manufacture of a shaped flexible tube container, typically having a square or "D" section tube, from a flexible plastic tube (15) of substantially round cross section, in which longitudinally extending creases (31, 32) are formed in the wall of the tube by a creasing means (16, 17) acting on the external surface of the tube. The creasing means preferably comprise at least air of rollers (16 or 17) and the tube passes between the two rollers.

Abstract: A method of making a bent inflatable tube includes providing elements on the boundaries of the tube surfaces which contact one another, such as elements which are interengaging loops through which is passed a tension member, such as a cord, or alternatively using interengaging teeth of a zip fastener or male and female components to hold the tube in a bent condition.

Abstract: A composite core is selected which is formed of a reinforcing fiber and a thermoplastic synthetic resin by a compression molding, and including a first region in which the grammage M.sub.1 is set in a range of 400 g/m.sub.2 .ltoreq.M.sub.1 .ltoreq.700 g/m.sup.2 to provide a reduction in weight, and a second region in which the grammage M.sub.2 is adjusted in a range of 900 g/m.sup.2 .ltoreq.M.sub.1 .ltoreq.1,200 g/m.sup.2 to provide an enhanced rigidity. At a first step, the composite core is heated, whereby it is expanded, and the thermoplastic synthetic resin is expanded. At a second step, a skin material is superposed onto the composite core. At a third step, the composite core is compressed, and the skin material is bonded to the composite core. In the laminate produced in the above manner, the first region contributes to a reduction in weight, and the second region contributes to an increase in rigidity.

Abstract: A tube of polyethylene or similar polymeric material having a continuous sidewall is extruded using conventional technology. Two horizontal gussets are formed from the sidewall of the tube, one on each side. The tube is flattened into a substantially flat workpiece. The workpiece is heat sealed at locations predetermined by the configuration of the container in which it is to be inserted. Concurrently with the heat sealing pass, or shortly thereafter, cuts are made to separate manufacturing waste material from the tube. The waste material is recycled into the feedstock of the extruder. The sealed workpiece is split axially into two substantially equal portions, each containing a complete gusset, thereby forming two completed liners.Alternatively, one horizontal gusset is formed in the sidewall of the tube. As in the first embodiment, the workpiece is heat sealed at locations predetermined by the configuration of the container in which it is to be inserted.

Abstract: A reusable and collapsible container having a collapsed configuration for storage and shipment and an assembled configuration for containing a product. The container is formed from a polymeric sheet and has substantially flat panels, hinges connecting adjacent panels, and releasable fasteners on at least some of the panels for holding the panels in an assembled configuration. The sheet has opposing walls separated by longitudinally extending webs. A portion of the hinges cross the longitudinally extending webs and are formed by hot compression of at least one wall of the sheet. Another portion of the hinges are longitudinally extending and are formed by cold compression of at least one wall of the sheet.

Abstract: A process for fabricating panels of a core material with thermoplastic resin facings. The core material is either foam or a honeycomb structure from aramid paper. A belt press machine provides a means for rapid heating and cooling such that the core will not degrade. Since the process is so rapid, aramid fibers can be used to reinforce the resin facings without deleterious decomposition of the fibers under the temperatures used to heat the panels during forming.

Abstract: An absorbent feminine hygiene article has an external absorbent pad for disposition against the labia majora of a user, and a nonabsorbent flexible sheath for extending into the vagina. The sheath intercepts body fluid in the vagina and directs it to the external pad. A conducting layer conducts fluid so intercepted by the sheath to an absorbing surface on the interior of the external pad, the interior absorbing surface being displaced from the user's body by a primary mass of an absorbent layer.

Abstract: The open edge of a plasticboard is moved into a heating and sealing unit having a metal form with a U-shaped cross-section. A spacing tape and a release tape line the metal form. An induction or resistance heater is coupled to the metal form to raise the temperature thereof and heat the open edge to form a molten plastic edge wall, with the outer edges of the edge wall in sealing engagement with the form. The molten plastic fills the cavity between the form and the edge wall and forms a solid, continuous end wall upon cooling of the molten plastic. A batch sealing unit has a form moved directly into engagement with the edge wall to be sealed. A continuous sealing unit has an elongated form. A conveyor moves the plasticboard through the form in a continuous flow path with the form inclined to the path of the edge board to establish relative lateral movement. A cooling unit cools the end wall as the board moves from the form.

Abstract: A sail batten formed of a fiber reinforced composite material extended longitudinally and varying in transverse cross sectional from an ellipse at one end to a flattened ellipse at the other end. A two step processing for fabrications the batten commences with fabrication of a tube of substantially constant cross section in the thermoplastic condition as a first step. The second step processing heats the tube to a malleable condition and squishes one end of the tube to form a tapered structure with one cross sectional dimension decreased to reduce stiffness in that dimension.

Abstract: A separator of T-section made from a unitary roll of single faced corrugated paper, and a method and machine therefore.

Abstract: A pair of hollow plastic tubes are welded together by mounting each tube in the clamp jaws of a holder in a bent condition to form the U-shape. A structural element is utilized to create a space between the bight of the U-shape and the holder. The bent tubes are disposed toward each other. A tube section separating member is moved into contact with the bent tubes and through the space between each bight and its holder to create a set of two tube sections from each bent tube. A tube section from one set is aligned with a tube section from the other set and the aligned sections are welded together. The structural element may be a weld seam resulting from a prior welding.

Abstract: The invention is a process for forming a hollow tubular member with an integral attachment end fitting.

Abstract: A method for making fiberglass articles includes steps for forming fiberglass sections each having a smooth and an unfinished surface and a raised portion, placing unfinished surfaces wet with bonding agent in contact, thus defining a hollow interior channel adjacent to the raised portion, and evacuating the hollow interior channel to compressively hold the sections together while the fiberglass cures to form a single, integral fiberglass part having a smooth finish on all surfaces.

Abstract: A composite material is provided for use in a vacuum thermoforming process, which material is easily handled and presents an aesthetically pleasing fabric-like surface. The composite material comprises an outer layer of nonwoven fabric comprising thermoplastic fibers capable of elongation upon the application of heat and tensile force so as to be readily conformable to shaping in the vacuum thermoforming process. The composite material further comprises an inner layer of thermoplastic film.

Abstract: This invention is directed to apparatus, and to the method for crimping and sealing the end of a thin walled, inflexible plastic tubing member, such as made from vinyl, PVC and the like, where such end preferably exhibits a uniquely configured end design in the shape of an arrowhead. The apparatus includes a frame having mounted thereon a carousel for operating in an intermittent, rotational mode among plural operating stations arranged in a circular sequence. The stations are arranged sequentially to receive the tubular plastic member, heat one end thereof to a preferred temperature between about 200.degree. to 212.degree. F. for a period of about 5 to 15 secounds, apply a plastic compatible adhesive to the inner wall of the heated one end, and crimp and seal said one end by applying a compressive force to the one end to bring opposing walls thereof into sealing engagement, while maintaining such compressive force for a sufficient time to effect the sealing of the one end.

Abstract: A slip knot wrist strap attachment for an item of equipment, such as a sport racquet, is fabricated from a single piece of tubular braid. One end of the braid is inserted through the core of the tubular braid from an insertion point thereof and fed through the inside of the tube to the other end of the tube to form an inner tube, an outer tube and a holding loop. The ends of the inner tube and outer tube are inserted through the formed holding loop and the outer tube is slid over the inner tube to close the holding loop, thereby forming a sliding loop from the insertion point. The sliding loop may fit around the wrist of the equipment user and the remote end may be tied to the item of equipment during use of the equipment.

Abstract: A flexible composite material comprising a core composed of a blend of a thermoplastic resin fiber and a reinforcing fiber, and a flexible sleeve formed of a thermoplastic resin and surrounding the core is prepared by intermixing a thermoplastic resin fiber and a reinforcing fiber to obtain a core, and then extruding a thermoplastic resin over the core.

Abstract: Plastics coated metal tube produced by folding a strip of metal into a tubular form, seaming the tube and immediately extruding layers of plastics material onto the inner and outer surfaces of the metal tube, and cooling the plastics layers by passing the tube through a water bath, contains air injected under pressure to assist adhering the extruded plastics coating onto the inner surface of the metal tube and to test the integrity of the tube. The invention provides apparatus comprising jaws which clamp the tube within the water bath in order to seal the tube while the inner coating is still plastic so that when the tube is cut into lengths at the seals the internal pressure is retained until the tube is eventually used.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for sealing the end of a thermoplastic tube wherein a tapered mandrel is heated to a temperature above the melting point of the tube and is inserted into the tube to force direct contact of the tube with the mandrel. After the contacted surface has fused, the mandrel is raised and a heated jet of air expands the tube, allowing the mandrel to be withdrawn. Jaws clamp the mandrel surfaces together to form the seal.

Abstract: A laterally projecting flange (18) is formed on the upper portion of an edge of a flat section (12) of foam core material. The inner surface of the flange (18) and the adjacent lower edge surface of the foam section (12) are positioned adjacent to the upper surface and flat edge surface of a honeycomb core section (14). Hot melt adhesive is applied to hold the sections (12, 14) in this abutting position. The abutting sections (12, 14) are assembled together with upper and lower skins (24, 26) of fiber reinforced resin/matrix composite material prepreg fabric or tape. The assembly of core sections (12, 14) and skins (24, 26) is positioned in compression molding apparatus and subjected to a crushed core compression molding procedure. During the molding, a bend (32) is formed in the panel assembly substantially along the abutting edges of the core sections (12, 14). The flange (18) is positioned on the outer radius of the bend (32).

Abstract: A method for producing a laminated composite structure is provided, the structure including a tubular reinforcement braid, of which the wall is folded over to form corrugations of wrinkles which constitute layers of fibrous material superposed in axial direction, each layer extending from the inside surface to the outside surface of the structure.

Abstract: A method of making and decorating a container in which the tubular body is injection molded with either its upper end or its bottom end open and is threaded onto a mandrel through an open end to provide support for the tubular body during printing of a decor thereon. The neck member or bottom member or both can then be applied.

Abstract: A hollow fiber separatory module for separating fluids includes an annular hollow fiber separatory bundle encased in a pressure resistant shell. A region of the bundle is constricted so that the walls of the fiber are densified. Consequently, compaction of these fibers during operation is reduced. The constricted region is encapsulated by a potting material. Minimization of compaction aids in maintaining a sealing contact between the fibers and the potting material. "O" rings extending from the pressure resistant shell may seal the space between the pressure shell and the fiber bundle. The constricted portion may accommodate the "O" rings so that a pressure resistant shell of uniform outside diameter can be used. The fiber bundle may be constricted by heating, chemical treatment, applying pressure or application of tension during winding.

Abstract: A thermoplastic resin having a Vicat softening point of 115.degree. C. or higher and containing a blowing agent is extruded and foamed into a foamed tubular body. The foamed tubular body is subjected to biaxial orientation and then pressed in antipodal directions, whereby the foamed tubular body is flattened and fusion-bonded at the resultant mutually-opposing inner walls thereof to obtain a foamed base material suitable for use in the fabrication of a car ceiling member. The foamed base material has not only excellent mechanical strength but also superb thermal strength. The foamed base material is not required to laminate films, sheets or the like thereon and is hence provided at a low cost.

Abstract: Process for permanently fastening the end or ends of at least one rod, made at least partially of a thermoplastic material and having at least one continuous cavity, in at least one opening of a support plate. The opening surrounds at least one rod, with each rod - in order to be fastened - positioned in its designated opening in the support plate. Each rod cavity exhibits a hydraulic diameter which corresponds to at least 10% of the minimum outside cross-sectional dimension of the rod, and the rod walls may exhibit pores which take up a maximum of 20% of the wall volume.

Abstract: Method for (1) extrusion coating flexible, tubular-shaped articles without producing fragile edges or weakened areas in the coating or in the material of the article and to coated articles manufactured thereby; (2) method for extrusion coating and laminating tubular-shaped articles; and (3) flexible, multilayer articles of flat or tubular shape composed of a plurality of layers of plastic fabric or other material laminated together by one or more intermediate, fully embedded barrier layers. The method comprises covering the surface of the flexible, tubular-shaped article in at least three contiguous sections around the circumference of the article to provide a substantially continuous covering without weakened areas through which leakage can occur.

Abstract: A method for the production of frames from rigid plastic profiles for use on refrigerator cabinets and in particular on chest freezers, which comprises forming the plastic profiles, mitering and welding the edges of the plastic profiles to form a frame having sharp-edged corners, and rounding at least one of the sharp-edged corners by means of thermo-forming.The invention also comprises the finished frame thereby obtained and its application in the field of refrigerator cabinets and in particular, chest freezers.

Abstract: A collapsible generally cylindrical storage vessel having a flattened ramp end portion which accommodates driving upon by a vehicle or the like to pressurize the vessel and dispense fluid, as required. The ramp end is internally reinforced with a bridging insert which inhibits blowout upon pressurization.

Abstract: The two halves of a split annular inflatable brake are formed by laying up a number of flat rubber body plies and interleaved end patches which extend longitudinally beyond the ends of the body plies. The sides of the body plies, some of which are fabric reinforced, are successively folded over each other and stitched to form a multi-layered flattened tubular body. The end patches are folded in turn over the ends of the flattened tubular body, and in the case of fabric reinforced patches, are pinched and trimmed along the side edges of the flattened tubular body. Unreinforced end patches are cut inward from the sides to form a center flap which is folded down against the sides of the flattened tubular body and side flaps, one of which is removed, and the other of which is pulled circumferentially around the tubular body over the folded center flap. The split air brake is built up on an arcuate mold half and then the remaining mold parts are assembled around the built up part for curing.

Abstract: A composite co-laminated piezoelectric transducer with at least one layer of polymeric substance capable of acquiring piezoelectric properties when co-laminated in the presence of an electrical field, the layer being adjacent to a conductive material acting as an electrode. According to the invention the conductive material is a polymeric substance.

Abstract: A tubular wire marker sleeve is disclosed. The sleeve includes a central portion which is flattened by ultrasonic welding to form a releasable bond and end extents which are unflattened facilitating insertion of an electrical wire into the sleeve. Plural sleeves may be assembled on a support card for printing on the sleeve with a conventional typewriter or computer printer.

Abstract: A tube closure apparatus for sealing the open end of a plastic tube, such as the tip of a pipette, comprising a sealing element constructed of a fluoroplastic material and a heating element for controllably heating the sealing element to a temperature greater than the melting temperature of the plastic tube. Unlike a metal sealing element, the fluoroplastic sealing element resists any tendency of the molten plastic tube to stick to the sealing element. Accordingly, a uniform sealing bead can be efficiently and reproducibly formed at the open end of the plastic tube. The heating element can be heated by resistance, induction, conduction or other suitable means.

Abstract: A manufacturing method for a cushioning material of air-filled film, wherein a plastic film sheet formed into a cylindrical shape is transversely fusion-bonded so that small air-filled cells are fabricated continuously. Manufacturing equipment is provided with a means for forming a plastic film into a cylindrical shape, a longitudinal sealing means, a roller means, and a transverse sealing means.

Abstract: Multi-layered enclosures are provided which include extruded tubing laminated between two extruded sheets of coextruded film in order to rapidly produce an unusually tough enclosure having longitudinal side walls that are free of internal seams while providing superior fluid barrier properties. When desired, the multi-layered enclosure is transformed into a multi-layered bag or pouch by sealing the multi-layered enclosure together along one or more locations interconnecting the longitudinal or side edges of the multi-layered enclosure to thereby cross seal together the sheets, the tubing, and the internal surfaces of the tubing.

Abstract: A tube and fitting assembly is disclosed which includes a plastic fitting with a hollow pin frictionally receiving an end portion of a plastic tube, and an integral collar surrounding the pin and tube end portion and with the tube end portion clamped between the pin and collar. A method of making a tube and fitting assembly is disclosed which includes spin-forming the collar of a fitting about an end portion of a plastic tube while the end portion is disposed on a hollow pin concentric with the collar.

Abstract: Pouches containing a flowable material e.g. milk, ice cream, are made of a sealant film which is from about 50 to 100 parts by weight of a linear copolymer of ethylene and a C.sub.6 -C.sub.10 .alpha.-olefin, and from 0 to 50 parts by weight of at least one polymer selected from linear copolymer of ethylene and a C.sub.4 -C.sub.10 .alpha.-olefin, and a high-pressure polyethylene. The sealant film is selected on the basis of providing (a) pouches with an M-test value substantially better, at the same film thickness, than that obtained with pouches made with film of a specified blend of an ethylene-butene copolymer and a high pressure polyethylene, or (b) an M(2)-test value of less than about 12%, for pouches having a volume of from greater than 1.3 to 5 liters, or (c) an M(1.3)-test value of less than about 5% for pouches having a volume of from 0.1 to 1.3 liters. The M, M(2) and M(1.3)-tests are defined pouch drop tests.

Abstract: What is disclosed is a method for making a gastight multiple-walled panel of extruded resin from an integrally extruded hollow panel comprising two parallel, plane outer walls having supporting partitions disposed between them and defining long hollow cells with open end faces, which method comprises heating the hollow panel at least in the area of the open end faces of said hollow cells until the resin is in the thermoplastic state, and then heat sealing the two outer walls in the thermoplastic area thereof in a gastight manner either to each other or to a tape of a further thermoplastic material covering the end faces, the seal so produced being held for at least 1 minute at a temperature ranging from 10.degree. C. beneath the Vicat softening point to 20.degree. C. above the Vicat softening point of the resin.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner bag for use with top loading vacuum cleaner has a first collection tube and a second transfer tube, the tubes having communicating apertures near the top thereof, with a thermoplastic coating on the inner walls of the second transfer tube which is fused together to seal the second transfer tube adjacent the lower wall of the aperture thereof, the top and bottom of the first tube and bottom of the second transfer tube adhesively sealed; and a method for automatically forming the bags by superimposing the two tubes, adhesively securing them together, heat sealing the inner walls of the second transfer tube together, below the aperture, and closing the ends of the tubes.

Abstract: A tube package of plastic material which includes a tubular shell part together with end closures front and back. The shell part is constituted of a cylinder of molecular-oriented plastic material, and its front end closure of a curved shrunk portion of the extension of the shell part. The rear closure of the shell part is constituted of a transversely sealed portion of the shell part.

Abstract: The invention relates to inflatable tubes such as buoyancy tubes for inflatable liferafts and is aimed to provide tubes with bends in them that can be formed with a considerable reduction in the number of cutting and joining operations conventionally required and with a corresponding reduction in numbers of seams and hence sources of leakage. The invention provides a method of making such tube by overlapping and joining the longitudinal edges (231) of a suitable sheet material (230) to make a flattened tube (230A), marking on said tube a fold line (234) corresponding to the desired bend position, marking corresponding areas (237A, 237B) one on each side of the fold line, folding about the fold line to bring and join together these areas and then sealing the ends (232A, 232B) of the tube. By making a number of bends the ends of the tube can be sealed to each other, thereby making an endless tube of polygonal plan form.

Abstract: "I" beam or web structures of laminated composite material or sheets are being stiffened by transverse webs stiffeners having a tubular configuration with flattened end portions. The flattened end is inserted between the laminated web material or sheets and cured therewith to form an integral stiffened web structure.

Abstract: A color decal is applied to the flat side of a relief image consisting of ceramic or like material in such a way that the color fields are adjacent to the flat side and are overlapped by a lacquer mask which contains frit and is separated from a paper carrier by a water-soluble film of glue or albumen. In order to apply the combined color and relief image to the surface of a ceramic or like object, the uneven side of the relief image is pressed against the surface of the object prior or subsequent to melting of the film so as to detach the carrier and expose the mask. In the next step, the images are treated by a squeegee or an analogous tool so as to partially deform the originally flat side of the relief image prior to sintering which entails evaporation of lacquer and conversion of frit into a glaze overlying the color fields which, in turn, overlie the uneven side of the relief image.

Abstract: Multi-layered enclosures are provided which include extruded tubing laminated between two extruded sheets of coextruded film in order to rapidly produce an unusually tough enclosure having longitudinal side walls that are free of internal seams while providing superior fluid barrier properties. When desired, the multi-layered enclosure is transformed into a multi-layered bag or pouch by sealing the multi-layered enclosure together along one or more locations interconnecting the longitudinal or side edges of the multi-layered enclosure to thereby cross seal together the sheets, the tubing, and the internal surfaces of the tubing.

Abstract: A method of securing a bottom plate made of a plastic material to one end of an open-ended, hollow cylinder made of a plastic material to produce a plastic cylindrical container, wherein the bottom plate is held in a horizontal position and the open-ended, hollow cylinder having an inner diameter slightly larger than the diameter of the bottom plate is positioned in enclosing relation to the bottom plate in such a manner that a portion of the cylinder projects upwardly a predetermined distance from the bottom plate. The upwardly projecting portion is heated and softened and bent radially inwardly into contact with an outer marginal portion of the bottom plate. The bent portion of the cylinder maintained in contact with the outer marginal portion of the bottom plate is pressed and heated, so as to join them by the fusion thereof.

Abstract: A recloseable bag package is provided by closing the top of a filled bag to form a neck, preferably trimming the walls of the bag to the same height, folding over a portion of the neck, preferably only once, and sealing the folded over portion of the neck to a side wall of the bag using a composite tape comprising a length of a first tape having a non-setting adhesive coating on one surface and a length of a second tape overlapping one edge of the adhesive coated surface of the first tape. The first tape seals or reseals the bag, and the second tape provides a tab for peeling the first tape partially from the bag to open the package and also provides a vehicle for coupons or other printed matter. Apparatus is provided to close, trim and fold the bag and to form and apply the lengths of composite tape.

Abstract: This relates to an annular seam between two tubular body portions. The seam is particularly adapted for joining open ends of two cup members to form a container. The seam incorporates a hem on one of the members with the hem facilitating the application of the adhesive required to bond the cup members together while at the same time permitting the same adhesive to engage raw edges of the cup members in sealing relation.

Abstract: This invention provides an improvement in a method of slitting and sealing two or more layers of plastic film material in contact with each other. The improvement comprises slitting and sealing the layers with a light beam generated by a laser. The beam intensity is such that the temperature of the beam at the surface of the film is at a point sufficient only to raise the enthalpy of the material to the transition point between the molten and solid states of the material, whereby bead formation is reduced or eliminated at the seal. Methods are also disclosed for slitting a larger single sheet of material into two or more smaller sheets of material as well as for providing microperforations or microporous plastic material by the use of a pulsing beam generated by a laser.

Abstract: Plastic pipes comprising an inner and outer wall being interconnected by lengthwise extending connecting partitions, forming channels, the ends of the channels being each separately sealed by sealingly pressing the end walls of a channel to each other after these walls have been heated to a temperature surpassing the plasticizing temperature.