Abstract: A process for manufacturing a fiber optic display screen is disclosed where a fiber is guided onto a revolving drum and disposed into input and output clamps located on the surface of the drum. The fiber guiding device allows the fiber to be precisely located on the surface of the drum in a hexagonal offset pattern in corresponding locals in the input and output clamps. The strand is continuously guided over several layers of long thin rectangular slotted spacers until the desired height of the display is created. The fibers between the output spacers are then cut to form two or more rectangular or square shaped fiber optic display screen apparatus. Large display screens can be constructed by placing several sections of these display apparatus together.

Abstract: A fluid coupling for connecting a plurality of fluid sources to a single-bore outlet member, said coupling comprising a plurality of tubes (44, 46, 48) mutually conjoined within a connector (42) for attachment of said outlet member, each said tube extending through said connector to terminate at a point (43) which is substantially contiguous with said outlet member when attached to said connector, the lumens of each said tube being mutually isolated by the tube walls until the termination of the tubes at said point, whereby in use of said fluid coupling with said single-bore outlet member connected thereto, fluid passing down any of said tubes discharges from the end of the respective tube substantially directly into the bore of said outlet member.

Abstract: A thermally expanding laminate contains highly elastic reinforcing fibers, such as glass fibers, in the elastically compressed state, and a thermally softening, thermosetting plastic as a binder.In order to manufacture this laminate, first glass fiber mats are impregnated with a thermosetting plastic and thereupon one or more superposed mats are compressed in a press and raised to temperatures such that the plastic shall soften and the assembly then is cooled while still being compressed and while the plastic is solidifying to form the finished laminate.The expandable laminate preferably is used for electrically insulating spacers. Illustratively a laminate blank 4 is mounted between neighboring coil parts 5 of a stator of an electrical high-voltage machine.

Abstract: A method for connecting the screen of at least one screened electrical cable to an electrical link wire includes stripping insulation from the cable and the link wire, coating at least one of the stripped parts of the cable and of the link wire to be connected with an electrically conductive adhesive, after which the parts to be connected are placed facing each other. A tape of heat-shrinkable insulating material is then wound around the parts, and heat-shrunk to form the desired connection.

Abstract: A laminated material comprises a plurality of straight portions of vegetable stalks, each having an epidermis mainly of lignocellulose and a porous core. These vegetable stalks straight portions are impregnated with a thermal hardener solution of high-molecularisable liquid compound, resinified liquid, or mixtures thereof, arranged in parallel to form a layer of a sheet-like material, piling these sheet-like materials and pressing them to make these layers come to contact closely in flat condition. It is possible to make the directions of vegetable stalks in the sheet-like material different from the neighboring layers in order to strengthen a bending strength and other physical strength of the piled multi-layer laminated material, such as a pillar-like laminated material. Such pillar-like material is made by using a pair of pressing female mold and male mold, vegetable stalks being placed in the female mold and hot-pressed.

Abstract: A method for making an anti-skid apparatus for an automobile tire includes coating a plurality of core materials with rubber to form a plurality of cords; placing the cords in grooves of a preliminary molding plate and knitting the cords to form a net body; molding the cord into a non-vulcanized net body which inherently possesses crossing sections-where one of the plurality of cords lies on top of another of the plurality of cords; pressing the crossing sections so as to cause the core materials at the crossing sections to become linearly aligned; and vulcanizing the pressed non-vulcanized anti-skid net bodies to form a vulcanized net body. The step of pressing the crossing sections temporarily fixes the respective cords to each other at respective crossing sections. Also, affixing elements are attached to the vulcanized net body to detachably secure the vulcanized net body to an automobile tire.

Abstract: A heat resistant nonwoven fabric comprises 95 to 50% by weight of heat resistant fibers and 5 to 50% by weight of thermoplastic resin, the thermoplastic resin being in the form of pillar-shaped melt-bonding members located between the heat resistant fibers, to thereby bond the heat resistant fibers to each other therethrough, has an excellent heat resistance, formability and concealing effect, and a relatively low density, and is useful as an air filter and a covering sheet for heat resistant shaped articles.

Abstract: Drawing, from a first installation, organic filaments in the form of one or more layers which converge toward a same point, and drawing, from a second installation, glass filaments which are joined together to form at least one strand. Guiding structure is provided to laterally introduce the glass strand into the area defined by the organic filaments before it is combined with the filaments at their point of convergence. A blowing device (48, 36) is also provided either outside or inside the area defined by the organic fibers.

Abstract: A method to bond metallic structures to thermoset composite structures is described. Various construction details have been developed which provide a method for producing a bond of sufficient strength to transmit torsional and axial loads between the metallic and thermoset composite structures. In one embodiment, the method includes steps to form a bonding surface on a metallic structure by knurling a mating surface of the metallic structure and molding a thermoplastic material over the knurled surface. Further, the method includes steps to form a bonding surface on a thermoset composite structure by partially embedding a layer of dry fiber into a thermoplastic cone, coating the exposed dry fiber with thermoset resin, and curing the coated dry fibers into the thermoset composite structure. The final step is to fuse the two bonding surfaces by applying heat sufficient to melt the thermoplastic material.

Abstract: An apparatus for manufacturing a strand composed of organic filaments and glass filaments for use in the production of composite materials. This apparatus comprises at least one die, which is supplied with molten glass, and at least one drawing head, which is supplied under pressure with organic thermoplastic material, and from which are simultaneously drawn continuous filaments that are combined to form a composite strand. The drawing head comprises a central passage through which filaments of glass are drawn, and is shielded by a hood. The top of the hood includes an opening situated in the centerline of the passage, and the bottom of the hood is formed of a wall which surrounds the drawing head and extends below the level of the bottom of the head. The drawing head is connected with a device for cooling the organic filaments.

Abstract: Fiber optic backlighting substrates having a predetermined shape are manufactured by a special rotating fixture having a deep, narrow peripheral groove in which several windings of the fiber may be stacked on top of one another, to provide a closely packed spiral array having a thickness on the order of one fiber diameter and a radial extent equal to several times the diameter of a single fiber thick and several fibers wide. At least one wall of the groove is preferably hinged or otherwise removable, to provide convenient access to the spiral and to permit it to be removed from the fixture, whereupon the spiral may be cut radially to form a fiber optic substrate comprising a flat array of closely packed curved fibers, from which extends one or more bundles of loose fibers. By providing a cam-shaped groove having a non-constant depth relative to the rotational axis of the fixture, fiber arrays having segments of varying radii may be fabricated.

Abstract: Binder is applied to fibers during the production of a web on a wet laid sheet manufacturing line. Particles are bound to fibrous material by a binder that has a volatility less than water, wherein the binder has a functional group capable of forming a hydrogen bond with the fibers, and a functional group that is capable of forming a hydrogen bond or a coordinate covalent bond with the particles. The binder may be activated or reactivated by addition of heat, liquid, or mechanical energy such that fibers treated with binder may be shipped to a distribution point before particles are bound to the fibers. The binder may be a polymeric binder selected from the group consisting of polyethylene glycol, polypropylene glycol, polyacrylic acid, polyamides and polyamines, and in which the polymeric binder has a hydrogen bonding functionality or coordinate covalent bond forming functionality on each repeating unit of the polymeric binder.

Abstract: A method of forming a nonwoven web having delayed antimicrobial activity, in that the web does not exhibit antimicrobial activity upon its formation but develops such activity within from about three hours to about 30 days thereafter without any post-formation treatment, which method involves the steps of (1) melting a mixture consisting of a thermoplastic polyolefin, an additive, and a retardant coadditive; (2) forming fibers by extruding the resulting melt through under defined conditions of shear and throughput; (3) drawing the fibers; and (4) collecting the fibers on a moving foraminous surface as a web of entangled fibers. The additive is a defined siloxane quaternary ammonium salt having a weight average molecular weight of from about 800 to about 2,000 and a polydispersity of up to about 3.0. The additive is present in an amount of from about 0.5 to about 2.0 percent by weight, based on the amount of thermoplastic polyolefin.

Abstract: A method of forming a non-woven material includes blending both synthetic and wool fibres in a web and stabilizing the web by utilizing a bonding medium to form dispersed bonds between the fibres. The wool fibres are subjected before formation of the web to a pretreatment effective to modify the epicuticle of the wool so as to substantially increase the surface energy of the wool fibres without destroying their integrity to an extent sufficient for the wool fibres to accept the bonding medium in the web. The dispersed bonds thereby include bonds with wool fibres substantially effective to hold the wool fibres of the material in the web.

Abstract: A method of welding together cable insulations of cables having cores insulated by sheaths of polymeric insulation material capable of at least softening when heated, the method including electrically connecting the cores of the cables to be joined; heating the cable insulations by passing a current through the cores of the electrically connected cables effective to provide Joule heating sufficient to cause the cable insulations to at least soften; and pressing the heated cable insulations together with a pressure sufficient to cause the heated cable insulations to weld together.

Abstract: A polyethylene pipe 10 is joined by a welded joint to a cross-linked polyethylene coupler 14 which has been expanded to make the coupler heat recoverable. Radiant energy (eg light in the visible spectrum or infra-red light) illuminates the outer surface of the coupler 14 supplied by an array of 15OW reflector lamps 20. The coupler 14 shrinks and is forced into engagement with the pipe 10 and the pipe 12 to join the pipes. A fusion welded joint is formed between the coupler 14 and each pipe, 10, 12. In an alternative a pipe is drawn down and inserted in an aperture through the wall of another pipe. A lamp is inserted in the drawn down pipe and the radiant energy causes the pipe to expand into engagement with the edge of the aperture and to be joined to it by a welded joint (FIG. 2).

Abstract: A method of manufacturing and testing integrated optical composites in which fiber pigtails are aligned with and attached to the optical output ports of a plurality of integrated optical components on a wafer, prior to separation into individual components. The multiple pigtails are arranged at the ends opposite the wafer, to facilitate optical connections during active alignment and measurement testing.

Abstract: A forming assembly comprises two presser members (22,24) each having a corrugated surface for receiving a workpiece made up of generally diamond-shaped pockets (10). Each presser member is made up of sections (22a,22b; 24a, 24b) mounted on slide rods (38) for movement between a spaced-apart position, in which a workpiece can be located therebetween, and a closed position, movement into which, while the workpiece is held between the presser members, is effective to compress the workpiece laterally. For holding the pockets in their diamond shape formers (20) are inserted therein. A flange (18) is formed at one end of the workpiece and integral therewith by pressing outwardly folded material against a lateral end face of the presser members (22,24) using a presser plate (52). This forming method is especially suitable for forming self-supporting filter units.

Abstract: A process for producing a nonwoven fabric having the steps of: bonding polypropylene long-fibers constituting main fibers of the web to one another to produce a raw nonwoven fabric; and uniaxially drawing the raw nonwoven fabric at certain draw temperatures and draw magnifications to produce a final nonwoven fabric.

Abstract: Disclosed are a porous membrane which is made from a material containing, as its main component, a polytetrafluoroethylene resin, and a method of producing a porous membrane comprising forming a hollow or sheet-like film from a mixture of a polytetrafluoroethylene resin dispersion and a fiber-forming polymer, heat-treating the film at a temperature not lower than the melting temperature of the resin, and removing the fiber-forming polymer. Production of polytetrafluoroethylene porous membranes of a variety of pore sizes and porosities is possible by suitably varying the type and amount of additives added to an original liquid. The membrane finds spreading use in the field of separation in high-temperature and strong decomposing or strong dissolving mediums.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for binding the fibers of a fiber reinforced plastic preform. A fiber reinforced plastic preform is created in a preselected geometry from a mixture of reinforcing fibers and binding fibers, the binding fibers being responsive to a high frequency electromagnetic field to melt thereby binding the reinforcing fibers. The fiber reinforced plastic preform is then exposed for a short period of time to a high frequency electromagnetic field, with the high frequency electromagnetic field causing the binding fibers to melt thus binding the reinforcing fibers of the preform.

Abstract: Steel cables are utilized for reinforcing a wide variety of rubber articles. For instance, pneumatic tires are normally reinforced with steel tire cords. It is important for such reinforcing cables to exhibit good fatigue and corrosion resistance. It has been unexpectedly found that the fatigue and corrosion resistance of such cables can be improved by incorporating syndiotactic-1,2-polybutadiene into the interstices between the steel filaments in such cables. This invention more specifically relates to a cable for reinforcing rubber articles having improved fatigue and corrosion resistance which is comprised of a plurality of steel filaments and syndiotactic-1,2-polybutadiene, wherein the syndiotactic-1,2-polybutadiene is dispersed within interstices between said steel filaments.

Abstract: An adsorbent textile product comprising a compressed nonwoven unitary batt of textile staple fibers, a cured binder disposed substantially throughout said batt, and an adsorbent material disposed substantially within the confines of said batt. In the disclosed product, the binder serves to hold the batt in its compressed condition such that the adsorbent is mechanically retained within the confines of the batt. In this way, the outer surfaces of said adsorbent material remain effectively free of the binder so that the adsorptive qualities of the adsorbent are preserved. An intermediate product and a process for making the disclosed products are also disclosed.

Abstract: The method of manufacturing a plurality of bundles of semipermeable hollow fibers for a membrane device from a sheet of fibers (19) formed by winding a fiber or a stranded set of fibers (11) on a drum (1, 2) consists in:cutting the sheet of fibers (19) on the drum (1, 2) along a line of cut that is substantially parallel to the axis of the drum (1, 2);laying out the sheet of fibers (19) on a plane (14);rolling up the sheet of fibers (19) in a direction perpendicular to the line of cut to form a single bundle of fibers (45); andcutting up the single bundle of fibers (45) into a plurality of bundles for a membrane device.

Abstract: A process for producing a layered material in sheet or membrane form from thermoplastic foam is described. The laminated material is suitable in particular for use as a drainage sheet or membrane. To produce the membrane, the thermoplastic foam in the form of strips, lengths, shreds or the like is piled up to form a layer of uniform height and compressed and compacted at a temperature below the softening temperature of the foam. Subsequently, the compressed and compacted layer of thermoplastic foam is perforated and fused with the aid of pins which are heated to a temperature of 400.degree. to 800.degree. C., whereupon the perforated and fused layer is cooled while maintaining the compression.

Abstract: A perfusion balloon catheter includes an inflatable balloon formed by a series of loops of a flexible, inflatable tube in a generally cooperative tubular shape. The loops are supported by a coiled support member and are locked within the coiled support member by a wire retainer. The cooperative tubular shape of the individual loops perform to provide an inflatable cooperative outer surface of the balloon and a perfusion passage within the balloon.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel method and apparatus for producing nonwoven fabrics. Generally, in production of nonwoven fabrics, in order to obtain a nonwoven fabric with a wide width, it has been impossible to obtain a uniform nonwoven fabric unless a large number of spinnerets ejecting fibers are installed in the width direction of the nonwoven fabric. The present invention relates to a novel method and apparatus for producing nonwoven fabrics capable of easily increasing the width of the fabric even when only few spinnerets are used.

Abstract: Disclosed is a light waveguide ribbon mold having a nozzle port shaped to closely receive the heated nozzle of a portable melt adhesive gun. Light waveguides are pulled by hand through a slot in the mold so that the melt adhesive forms a ribbon matrix around the light waveguide. The ribbon cools and hardens upon exiting from the mold.

Abstract: Continuous fiber reinforced oriented mesogen-containing resin matrix composites are prepared by (A) saturating a continuous fiber substrate material with a curable composition comprising (1) at least one mesogen-containing resin which contains an average of more than one vicinal epoxide group, thiirane group, cyanate group or vinyl ester group per molecule; and, optionally, (2) a curing amount of at least one curing agent and/or curing catalyst therefor; (B) arranging one or more saturated continuous fiber substrate material(s) formed in step (A) into a desired configuration; (C) subjecting the arranged saturated continuous fiber substrate material(s) from step (B) to a temperature which causes the mesogen-containing resin to convert to a liquid crystalline state; (D) subjecting the heated arranged saturated continuous fiber substrate material(s) from step (C) to a pressure sufficient to cause flow induced shear in the interstices of said continuous fiber substrate; (E) subjecting the continuous fiber substra

Abstract: A protective layer for polymeric composite substrates comprises a fiber-reinforced glass composite having a refractory fiber in a matrix of a black glass ceramic having the empirical formula SiCxOy where x ranges from about 0.5 to about 2.0, preferably 0.9 to 1.6 and y ranges from about 0.5 to 3.0, preferably 0.7 to 1.8. The black glass ceramic is derived from cyclosiloxane monomers containing a vinyl group attached to silicon and/or a hydride-silicon group.

Abstract: A method for producing a filter element has three steps. In first step, a filter body including at least one first passageway and at least one second passageway or clearance extends closely and substantially parallel to the first passageway and communicate with first hole through a filter material is formed. In second step, a sheet-shaped thermoplastic adhesive is arranged on one end of the filter body, the first passageway and the second passageway or clearance are open at the one end of the filter body. In third step, the sheet-shaped thermoplastic adhesive is melted by heating to close and seal an end of the second passageway or clearance at the one end of the filter body so that the passageways do not deform.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus is used for forming airlaid articles such as diapers, sanitary napkins and the like. The apparatus includes an anvil drum with die cavities formed therein. The die cavities have foraminous bottom walls for drawing a stream of air-entrained fibrous fluff therethrough. A first material layer is laid on the anvil drum for covering some of the die cavities and is then deformed into the cavities. After a belt with opening corresponding to the die cavities has been laid on the first layer for protecting the sealing areas from fluff, an air stream with fibrous fluff is drawn through the first layer and through the foraminous bottom walls, thus pulling the first layer into the die cavities and causing the fluff to be deposited in the cavities. A second material layer is placed on the deposited fluff and glued or crimped to the first layer. A die-cutting roller then cuts the airlaid articles into the desired shape before the articles are removed from the anvil drum.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a heat shrink clad core optical conduit and to an optical conduit having either a thermoplastic, thermoset or liquid, light transmitting core surrounded by, preferably a fluoropolymer cladding which is in turn surrounded by a tight-fitting, finish polymer jacket which may be either transparent or translucent, and is preferably made of a polyvinyl chloride, polycarbonate, acrylic or silicone material. Numerous fillers and inserts may be used in the finish jacket polymer and the finish jacket polymer may be formed into various shapes. Bondable jacket materials may be used. The preferred method of forming the manufacturing jacket around a heat shrinkable fluoropolymer cladding is by extruding a low extrusion temperature polymer over a heat shrink clad in its expanded form into which an increased interior pressure is maintained to prevent shrinkage during the extrusion process.

Abstract: Nonwoven assemblies bonded with water dispersible or sensitive hot melt adhesives comprising 50-100 parts of a graft copolymer of about 40-85% of at least one vinyl monomer and about 15-60% of at least one water soluble polyalkylene oxide polymer, and about 0-50 parts by weight of tackifying resin. The compositions may also be employed as water sensitive binders in the manufacture of the nonwoven. Vinyl acetate is the preferred vinyl monomer whereas ethylene oxide homo- or copolymers are the preferred polyalkylene oxide. The use of tackifying resin is optional and may be undesirable for many of the applications.

Abstract: Member of polymethylmethacrylate, polysulfone, polymer or a like material with a plurality of holes arranged in a predetermined, geometrical configuration. The holes are derived at through a procedure of repetitive drawing. Prior to the first drawing operation, each of the holes is filled with a material which is soluble to a certain chemical, yet drawable along with the base material. The member of material can be square, drawn to a reduced cross-sectional area as a square, the reduced cross-sectional members positioned with respect to each other and drawn again in a further operation, and repeated accordingly so that the cross-sectional area of each hole is reduced in proportion to each drawing step. Dependent upon the final drawing step, a subsequent member is provided which includes holes of a significantly reduced cross-sectional area. The member can be utilized as either a contact lens, an intracorneal inlay, an intraocular lens, a medical filter, or a like structure with small holes.

Abstract: A forced aligning jig for forcedly aligning a plurality of loose wires. It is provided with a retaining means for retaining the plurality of loose wires, a guiding means which has one end and the other end and one end is fixed to the retaining means and an aligning means which is slidably supported by the guiding means and forcedly aligns the plurality of loose wires, and the aligning means is provided with an aligning groove for aligning and storing the plurality of loose wires retained by the retaining means and a holding means for holding the plurality of loose wires have been stored in the aligning groove in an aligned state.

Abstract: A method of preparing porous fiber reinforced polymer composite sheets has been developed to allow a more efficient preheating of the sheel prior to molding and includes the steps of blending reinforcing fibers with resin matrix forming fibers to form a web. This web is then heated to a temperature wherein the resin matrix forming fibers melt and envelope the reinforcing fibers, tacking them together at crossover points. The resultant web can then be directly heated very efficiently for molding. This web is highly porous allowing rapid heating at moderate pressure differentials during subsequent preheat steps. The microstructure created when the resin matrix forming fibers are initially melted further enhances heating capability because the structure retains porosity during the subsequent heating step required for molding.

Abstract: A transmission type screen having a screen body constituted by at least one plastic sheet formed of a multiplicity of transparent plastic strands arranged in the shape of a sheet, each the strands being welded together at outer surfaces thereof. Each of the transparent strand may have a main portion and another portion different from the main portion in terms of optical effects. This transmission type screen is manufactured by spinning off the transparent strands from a spinning nozzle while aligning the strands; welding each adjacent over of the strands to form a sheet; and forming a screen body from at least one sheet obtained in this manner.

Abstract: A number of rods are disposed along at least three differently oriented axes, the rods being formed by bonding together bundles of fibers with a matrix. Each rod in one group is passed between rods of the other differently oriented groups. The cross-sectional shape of a rod extending in at least one direction is matched to the shape of a clearance which is left between rods extending in other directions to admit the rod inserted therethrough. Put otherwise, a rod extending in at least one direction has a projection to fill such a clearance. Great enough strength to withstand external forces exerted from any direction is imparted to the three-dimensional fabric composite materials either by increasing the area of contact between individual rods or by minimizing the clearances between rods by means of a matrix or the like.

Abstract: A continuous process for producing pultruded fiber-reinforced articles and the apparatus for such processing. Resin and hardener are continuously mixed and conveyed, out of contact with the atmosphere, into a die in which the mixture contacts reinforcing fibers which are also continuously conveyed into the die. The fibers are impregnated with the mixture and continuously shaped in the die, without contact with the atmosphere.

Abstract: A process for the consolidation of fibrous non woven structure, characterized in that, after having placed the fibrous structure to be consolidated on a pierced surface conveyor, its superior face is run over by blown air jets and, at the same time, undergoes a suction through said pierced conveyor, the blowing pressure and the suction underpressure being chosen so that the loss of head caused by the web, together with the supporting conveyor, causes a substantial expansion of the air jets, near to the web itself.

Abstract: The invention makes it possible to construct large screens by associating several image intensifier modules.A module comprises an input face (2) receiving the image to be intensified, an output face (10) reconstituting the intensified image and a bundle (8) of optical fibres.The process according to the invention consists of producing bands (16) of optical fibres, each band corresponding to a line or row of the image and collectively put into place the non-contiguous ends (12) of the output face in a matrix output support (14). The latter can be obtained either by moulding, or by constructing beforehand injection moulded strips, which are then introduced into a grid or grating.

Abstract: Acetoacetamide is used as an effective formaldehyde scavenger in the manufacture of composition board using a urea formaldehyde adhesive resin and in the manufacture of durable press finished fabrics using a nitrogen containing methylol resin.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for producing a formed structural element of fiber material bonded with synthetic resin such that a fine-grained or flowable synthetic resin bonding agent is sprinkled on or sprayed on a nonwoven fabric made entirely or predominantly of natural fibers. The nonwoven fabric which is permeated with synthetic bonding agent is fragmented, whereupon the parts are stored in a tower on a perforated female mold which belongs to a molding press and are precompressed on the female mold by means of an air stream that is suctioned through the perforations. To produce formed structural elements with a stable shape, the synthetic resin bonding agent, after a similarly perforated male mold has been placed on top and pressed on, is hardened by means of a hot air stream that is conducted through the perforations in the male mold and the female mold.

Abstract: A non-woven fibrous mat of generally random fiber orientation with built up lines or strips of fiber formed therein directionally oriented to enhance the strength and/or appearance of a mat and a method and apparatus for efficiently producing the same by differentially controlling dewatering in a wet mat process.

Abstract: A method for removing oil from the surface of a body of water using a layered sheet comprised of natural fabric fibers to absorb oil between the layers in the sheet, the natural fabric fibers in the sheet not requiring or undergoing treatment by or with synthetic chemical compositions during formation of the layered sheet. The layered sheet absorbs at least seven times its weight in oil without submerging in water. The layered sheet is placed on the floating oil which is absorbed by the sheet. The sheet is later removed from the water surface and compressed to squeeze oil from between the layers of the sheet.

Abstract: Wood fragments are mechanically disintegrated to provide a defibrated material, while avoiding premature agglomeration by avoiding permitting the temperature of the material to rise more than 10.degree. C. as it is being defibrated. The humidity of the defibrated material is reduced, and textile fibres including thermoweldable textile fibres are added to it to provide a composite material. The composite material is made homogeneous by mechanical mixing, with much of the composite material being recycled for further mechanical mixing. The mixed composite material is then pneumatically conveyed through a conduit which branches into a plurality of branches, providing feeds to a battery of lap-forming rollers. The laps thus formed are deposited, superimposed on one another on a conveyor which feeds into a hot-pressing station in which the material is hot-pressed to form a sheet.

Abstract: A bundle (12) of optical fibers (13) is fixed in a matrix array by apertures in a guiding plate (14) and a securing plate (15). The apertures (18) in the guiding plate are larger than those in the securing plate and the securing plate apertures (17) are funnel-shaped to aid in insertion of the fibers. Each row of optical fibers may be inserted simultaneously by mounting the row on a uniquely designed vacuum holder (26).

Abstract: A variable size rotary impact cylinder couple comprises a lower or anvil cylinder (which may be 22 inches in circumference) driven by a swing gear and a top impact cylinder driven by a servo motor which is adjustable in a vertical direction. The cylinder couple provides impacting in the manner of ironing or squeezing cross-web glue lines between adjacent paper parts. The cylinder couple provides for 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 8-around impacting positions for cylinder circumference of 17, 19, 21, 22, 24, 251/2 and 28 inches. The self contained cylinder couple is used with a rotary collator to produce various sizes of cross-web glued forms. The combination drive system provides a single cylinder couple that emulates various printing cylinder sizes.

Abstract: An optical fiber bundle for use in a device for scanning documents comprises optical fibers (10) which are substantially arranged along a line at the document side and which fill a plane at the side of an optical detector. To manufacture this bundle, the fibers (10) are first juxtaposed, subsequently slid together to the desired cross-section by means of one or two sliding members (21, 22) at the area where the second end is to be formed, after which the fibers are fixed and severed. The two end faces are subsequently provided with elements (52, 71) for coupling in and complying out radiation. These elements are preferably secured by means of an adhesive having a refractive index that is substantially the same as the refractive index of the core material of the fibers.