Abstract: A predetermined number of optical fibre parts (27) is provided on a rectangular frame (1), the fibre parts extending parallel to each other along a straight line between two opposite first sides (3) of the frame. These first sides (3) comprise comb-shaped fibre guides (5) with teeth (13), between which the fibre parts (27) are guided so that the fibre guides determine a first relative distance between the fibre parts. The first sides (3) are pivotably connected to the two second sides (7) of the frame (1), which is then deformed to a parallelogram until the portions of the fibre parts (27) located inside the frame have a predetermined second relative distance. A permanent connection between the fibre parts (27) is established so that a ribbon of fibre parts is obtained. A number of such ribbons can be stacked with the interposition of strip-shaped spacers (29) to form a bundle.

Abstract: An automated fiber lay-up machine for the fabrication of reticulated structures comprising an upper carriage (12) which carries a fibrous material handling system (14), including a source of resin (78), and a lower carriage (44) which carries a fiber laying head (46). The upper and lower carriages each have a selected number of degrees of freedom of movement to allow positioning of the fibrous material handling system and the fiber laying head. Means (20, 32, 50, 60, 113) are provided to move and control the motion of the upper and lower carriages. The movement of the upper carriage is slaved to the movement of the lower carriage to allow the fibrous material handling system to dispense the fibrous material to the fiber laying head. The fiber laying head can rotate to provide an extra degree of freedom and can also be independently moved normal to a work surface.

Abstract: Upper and lower rollers have grooves for a bead ring having a clamp area portion produced by a bead winding machine. The bead ring is placed in the groove of the lower roller with the beginning of the clamp area portion in position for pressing by lowering of the upper roller so that the bead ring is engaged by the groove in the upper roller. The rollers are oscillated between the pressing position at the beginning of the clamp area and the end of the clamp area to roll the top, bottom and sides of the clamp area portion during the movement of the bead ring. The pressure on the bead ring is released by raising the upper roller at the initial pressing position at the beginning of the clamp area so that the bead ring may be removed with the same orientation it had when it was placed in the groove.

Abstract: A robotized apparatus for forming a web to be used as a reinforcement in a plastic composite. The apparatus has a dispensing head including a freely rotatable tube which is moved according to a desired pattern. The tube terminates in a horn from which a continuous strand is delivered into a bed of pins.

Abstract: An apparatus for heat curing epoxy banded fiber optic connectors includes a housing containing a heater control circuit and an electronic thermometer. An L-shaped jig is attached to a surface of the housing with an interposing insulator. A heating element and temperature sensors are connect to the jig.

Abstract: This invention relates to an apparatus for making circuit boards in which insulated conductors are applied and bonded to a nonconductive surface to form a conductive path between contact points thereon in a predetermined precise pattern.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus and articles for systems comprising optical fibers, in particular for feeding an optical signal into an optical fiber through the buffer thereof and for withdrawing an optical signal from an optical fiber through the buffer thereof. Preferably this is achieved with the aid of an optical coupling means which contacts and conforms to the surface of the buffer at a bent portion of the fiber. The coupling means can for example be a resiliently deformable material such as a polysiloxane. In a preferred aspect, the invention provides an apparatus and method for axially aligning, and preferably joining, the ends of optical fibers. The apparatus comprises means for holding two fibers so that the fiber ends are approximately abutting and axially aligned, adjacent means for passing an optical signal into one of the fibers through the buffer thereof, and adjacent means for withdrawing that signal from the other fiber through the buffer thereof.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for forming elongate structures of composite materials. The apparatus includes a plurality of forming dies for preheating, heating and then cooling an elongate portion of composite material while shaping the material within an internal passage. A pulling device is utilized to continuously draw elongate strips of composite material through the forming dies. The pulling device includes two opposed endless track devices. One of the endless track devices serves to mount a plurality of engagement dogs, each having a substantially flat surface for engagement of the elongate portion of composite material. The other endless track device serves to mount a plurality of pivoting engagement dogs, each having a curvilinear surface wherein increased resistance by said elongate strip of composite material will pivot the curved surface into closer alignment with a corresponding flat surface, thereby tightening the grip of the pulling device on the elongate strip of composite material.

Abstract: Previously, hook-up wires were glued to a mounting board by means of spot gluing. As disclosed herein, the insulated hook-up wire is first continuously coated with a coating of hot-melt adhesive and is then placed on the mounting board and simultaneously bonded by means of a heated laying tip of an application tool, similar to a soldering bit. When passing through the laying tip, the hook-up wire is briefly heated, whereby the coating of hot-melt adhesive is melted. The insulating layer of the hook-up wire has a higher temperature stability and is thereby not altered. In the immediately following application of the hook-up wire to the mounting board, the hot-melt adhesive cools and connects the hook-up wire to the mounting board.

Abstract: An apparatus comprising two concentrically arranged tube stores, a device for passing a cable core through the inner tube of the concentrically arranged tube stores and a stranding nipple characterized by a device for applying adhesive to a web being spun onto the tube store so as to secure the spun covering thereon. Preferably, the spun covering is applied in an SZ stranding manner with the inner covering reversing directions of twist at a point different than the outer covering.

Abstract: Disclosed is a binding machine for binding a bundle of linear members such as electric wires. The binding machine has a drum-like rotary member mounted for rotation in one direction. The rotary member has a notch extending radially inwardly to the area around the center thereof such as to provide a substantially U-shaped work holding portion. The rotary member further has a tape guiding portion extending radially outwardly therefrom and provided with a pair of guide pins which are spaced in the radial direction of the rotary member. A cutting blade is disposed between two concentric circles along which the guide pins move when the rotary member rotates. The cutting blade is directed counter to the direction of rotation of the rotary member. A tape roll holding means is mounted on the frame and adapted for holding a tape roll such that the leading end of the tape extracted therefrom is lead to a position in front of the radial opening of the tape holding means.

Abstract: A linear material 20 is once wound on a winding drum 22, and then wound on a winding core 11a by a winding disk 21. The winding disk 21 periodically reverses the direction of rotation. During the winding operation, the linear material is impregnated with a synthetic resin.

Abstract: A form on which a strand is wound according to a pattern desired for the reinforcement of a contoured plastic composite. The form has a similarly contoured, apertured surface and retractable pins projecting from the apertures. The pattern is fused at cross-over points and can then be used as a preform.

Abstract: A thread connecting device for a sewing machine cuts an upper thread which is extending between the sewing machine and one of a plurality of thread spools, and connects an end of a thread belonging to the sewing machine and an end of a thread belonging to the thread spool, in such a manner that the connected part of the threads can smoothly pass through a needle eye, whereby it is possible to supply a desired color thread with respect to the sewing machine having a single needle bar. Therefore the applicable scope of the pattern stitching may be largely widened for colored clothes or other fabrics, especially an embroidery stitching may be performed which requires many kinds of color threads.

Abstract: A mold for making steering wheels by winding resin impregnated fibers. The mold includes a hub support pedestal to support a hub about which fibers are wound, means having a rim forming recess, a plurality of ramps connecting said means having said rim forming recess to said pedestal and means for pressing said fibers against said ramps.

Abstract: An edible composition comprises an integrally extruded net formed of an edible material e.g. a cereal-based, sugar-based or fat-based material. The composition has a novel appearance and unexpectedly good eating qualities. The net may be tubular planar or curved and may be filled and/or coated with a compatible edible material.In the case of a tubular filled net, the net is preferably produced by extending the edible net-forming material through a pair of relatively rotating or oscillating dies having mutually engaging grooved surfaces. When the grooves in one die mate with the grooves in the other die, integral joints between individual strands in the net are formed. When the grooves in one die are separated from the grooves in the other die, the individual strands are formed. A center-filling, which may support the extruded net, is extruded through the center of the net-forming die arrangement to provide a center filling to the tube.

Abstract: A device for splicing light waveguides, such as optical fibers, having an internal sheath and an outer sheath, characterized by an arrangement for clamping each of the waveguides by engaging their sheaths and lowering the unsheathed end portion into a centering groove where the ends are heated and fused together by an alternating current discharge path. The required convergence and alignment of the light waveguide ends during the welding step are automatically controlled by an advanced arrangement which is sequentially controlled with the welding step. Subsequent to the gearing of the ends, the clamping element releases the waveguides adjacent to the fused joint and are moved by a restoring arrangement to stretch the joint into a straight line position.

Abstract: There is disclosed an undersea communications cable containing optical fibers. The cable is fabricated so that fiber optical loss characteristics vary only slightly with changes in tensile strain in the cable.

Abstract: Disclosed is a tape-laying mechanism and method for constructing sheet layments of composite resin-embedded filamentous material in incremental tape form. A pair of tape-laying heads are mounted side by side for simultaneous operation with their tapes spaced apart an integer multiple of the tape-width. Controlled movement of a tape-laying subcarriage of each mechanism draws tape from a supply before implanting it progressively on the laying surface by return movement of the subcarriage. Tape is laid without movement of the mechanism as a whole other than for lateral indexing, and the mechanism allows lateral indexing while the tape is being drawn out to length above the laying surface before it is implanted.

Abstract: A device for accurately positioning wire-shaped articles. The device includes positioning means comprising two groups of pins which are parallel to each other and which are provided with grooves. The articles to be positioned are disposed in the grooves. Fixing means and elastic means are provided to keep the articles in tension in the grooves. Translation means comprise a movable block on which the articles are placed, one at a time during the positioning. Optical means are provided for accurately measuring the positions of the articles.Several methods of positioning optical fibers by means of this device yield a rigid assembly in which the optical fibers are immovably enclosed between two rigid blocks by an adhesive, by pressure or by any other means.

Abstract: Reinforcing fiber materials such as rovings, webbings, and other fiber materials are impregnated with a resinous binder material in such a manner that gaseous inclusions are avoided whereby a surprising increase in the strength of the fiber compound material is achieved. For this purpose the liquid resinous binder material is applied substantially only to one side of the reinforcing material which is then moved through an absorbing zone in which the liquid resinous binder material penetrates the reinforcing material substantially completely as a result of a predetermined residence time and temperature in the absorbing zone. Gas inclusions are removed by adsorption and/or by expulsion.

Abstract: A dispenser of continuous resin wetted filaments has a container of a size suitable for hand holding, the container holding a supply of resin. A drum or reel of dry filament is positioned either inside or outside the container. The filament passes over filament guides in the container and through an outlet nozzle. The wetted filament is dispensed by attaching it to a former and then pulling the device away from the former. The device may include a filament tensioner so that the operator can vary the tension of the dispensed filament.

Abstract: A novel method and means are provided for making constant cross sectional area, pultruded, filament-reinfored articles, such as automotive leaf springs, the shapes of which vary along their lengths. The invention features a specially adapted shaping die for the pultrusion process comprising two pairs of spaced apart die members. The die members and die pairs are mechanically linked so that the spacing between pair members can be changed while the cross sectional area of the die opening remains constant.

Abstract: A heating glass plate (15, 20, 27, 34) has a heating network (17, 24, 31, 36) made up of wires embedded in a thermoplastic layer following curved directrices. A device for making a heating glass plate having a plate (39) for supporting thereon a plastic sheet. A bridge (44) is slidably supported on the plate and has thereon a sliding carriage (45) carrying wire-laying members (46). Means are provided for imparting reciprocal motion to the carriage. A rod (51) connects the carriage to a vertical spindle (52).

Abstract: A fiberglass reinforced plastics steering wheel is disclosed and a mold and method for making same. The wheel is made by disposing binder and the fiberglass in an annular cavity and in ramp-like radial cavities of a mold and are pressed into shape by a wedge-shaped member.

Abstract: Apparatus for the dry cross linking of strands of elastomer, in particular in the production of elastic cables and multilayered profiles comprises a string of tubes through which the strand passes. Between adjacent tube sections, there are hollow bodies having central cavities in line with the bore of the tubes and a plurality of branch cavities radiating from the central cavity. One of the branch cavities is connected through a UHF transformer and a wave guide with the UHF generator while tuning probes are arranged in other branch cavities. The UHF transformer has an inwardly diverging tapered opening in which a tapered plug of ceramic or plastic is fitted to provide a pressure seal. The interior of the tube sections and the hollow bodies is supplied with inert gas under pressure.

Abstract: A machine for the manufacture of rotational parts in a three-dimensional material is disclosed. A mandrel provided with rows of barbs is rotatably carried by the machine, whereby superimposed layers of threads are successively deposited in the longitudinal and circumferential corridors defined between the barbs. The machine additionally comprises a retractable member adapted to hold in place one extremity of a weft thread when the latter does not extend outside of the corresponding corridor, and a winding system which positions a holding thread in a circumferential corridor near the extremities of the weft threads to hold them in place when the retractable member has been retracted.

Abstract: An apparatus for manufacture of milk chocolate-coated toffee candy pieces that comprises a toffee header with means connected to the header for heating a mass of toffee to a softened temperature sufficient to permit portions of it to be pulled from the mass. The header has spaced orifices for the toffee to exit as strands. A rotary toffee forming device is mounted beneath the orifices. Means is provided for reciprocating the header back and forth with the fine toffee strands being drawn from the orifices by the rotary movement of the rotary toffee forming device. Means is provided for transversely severing outer ends of the axially moving lengths of cores with consecutive cuts to form successive toffee pieces of toffee cores. A chocolate coating bath is provided for first immersing the bottoms of the toffee cores in a bath of milk chocolate and then for flooding chocolate over the tops of the cores to completely coat the cores.

Abstract: A method for making a fiberglass truss has features that eliminate the need for a mold. The method includes first a step of tensioning a pair of spaced-apart filaments strips to define the chords for the truss. The chords are interconnected at several points along their lengths with a strip of filaments for defining triangular bracing or a web for the truss. Tension is applied to the strips to secure the chords and web in place. Then the chords and web are coated with resin. After hardening, the tension is removed. In one method, the chords are tensioned between two end walls of a container. The intersecting points of the web and chords are restrained against lateral movement by means of retaining devices mounted to two oppositely facing side walls. Triangular spacer elements define passageways for the chords and web. The container is filled with resin after the chords and web have been placed and tensioned. After impregnation, the container is drained. The completed truss may be removed after hardening.

Abstract: Locks of hair from synthetic fibers grouped into a bundle are welded and then cut by ultrasonic waves in a two step process. The fiber bundle is placed on a platform having a pointed ridge, and a component comprising the emitter and an ultrasonic tool is moved downwardly in two stages. The emitter is deactivated during the return to its upper position.

Abstract: There is disclosed an apparatus for manufacturing a synthetic resin hose having a tubular reinforcing member embedded therein, which comprises a hollow cylindrical member having diameter adjusting discs provided with yarn guide holes for guiding a plurality of bonding-agent applied warps to the outer peripheral surface of the hollow cylindrical member, and an adjusting disc for guiding braiding yarns to the outer peripheral surface of a tubular member formed by said plurality of warps; a braiding machine surrounding said hollow cylindrical member and weaving the braiding yarns into a braided member; a first heating unit surrounding said hollow cylindrical member and bonding the warp tabular member to the braided member at the contacts therebetween, thereby heat-setting a tubular reinforcing member consisting of the warp tubular member and the braided member; a resin applying unit having manifolds and die for coating synthetic resin to the inner and outer peripheral surfaces of said tubular reinforcing member;

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for manufacturing pieces of revolution made of three-dimensional material, of which the generatrix has at least one concave part, said process consisting in making a support mandrel provided with rows of pins defining therebetween longitudinal corridors and circumferential corridors, in disposing superposed layers of yarns in said corridors by winding and by filling, in densifying the assembly thus obtained, and, finally, in eliminating the support mandrel, wherein the longitudinal yarns are deposited in corresponding corridors and these yarns are maintained in the corridors at the level of said concave part. The invention also relates to a machine for carrying out this process.

Abstract: A winding apparatus is disclosed for winding force transmitting elements of iber reinforced materials. Such force transmitting elements are used, for example, for connecting helicopter rotor blades to the rotor head. A cylindrical winding carrier is mounted for rotation on a machine frame. The fiber strand feeding device is mounted for translation on the frame. A plurality of separate winding cores are distributed around the carrier. Relative motion of the carrier and fiber strand feeding device is controlled, for example, by computer to achieve the desired windings on the separate cores, so that at least one set of elements is produced simultaneously under the same winding conditions, whereby all the members of a set have uniform characteristics, especially force transmitting characteristics.

Abstract: A plurality of reinforced plastic parts are simultaneously molded from separate bundles of resin impregnated strands wound about individual frame sections of a substantially planar frame assembly. A loading station includes a dual-acting elongated carrier engaging the multi-sectioned frame assembly and initially rotatable to wind the bundle of strands thereon. Subsequent reciprocation of the carrier delivers the wound frame assembly to a molding station provided with a plurality of mating pairs of molded sections and having displaceable frame supporting and bundle clamping assemblies for engaging the wound frame assembly and severing opposite ends of the bundles as the mold sections close within the individual frame sections.

Abstract: Lengths of tubing, especially that type of tubing suitable for use in medical equipment and devices, are weakly bound into a coil shape in order to facilitate handling and storage thereof while at the same time placing the tubing into a form that will make the full length thereof readily available by merely applying a slight pulling force to the ends of the coiled tubing. The solvent is applied in a very narrow uninterrupted stream, which stream tracks along one or more locations on a length of tubing that has been wound around a mandrel, which stream is dispensed by a mechanism that simultaneously carries out such tracking in a manner that is synchronized automatically with the dispensing of the stream and without the need for separate control mechanisms with the result that the tracking and dispensing are carried out at substantially the same ratio, with the same general consistency or inconsistency of travel, to the extent that the amount of solvent dispensed per turn of the coil is inherently uniform.

Abstract: A hand-held splicing device for melt butt splicing thermoplastic yarns or tapes together.The splicing device comprises two-yarn clamping means, a diagonally positioned heat cutting element; means for bringing two clamped yarns in diagonal contact with the melting element and means for simultaneously lifting the severed yarns away from the cutting element and buttwise joining the melted ends together thereby fusing the yarns together. The device and mode of operation are characterized by convenience and ease of operation and afford a small strong splice especially desirable for carpet tufting operations.

Abstract: A fluid flow transfer device having a pleated membrane bonded at its tips to the interior of a housing and a method of making the same wherein a fluid manifold is provided by forming a channel portion in the housing interior, applying a gasket material around the channel portion, and placing the membrane tips against the adhesive to provide a formed-in-place gasket prior to potting of the membrane tips to the housing interior with a potting material.

Abstract: A supply of hollow plastic tubing is obtained from an extrusion and sizing apparatus, or from a supply of hollow tubing on a reel. The hollow tubing is provided at a predetermined speed to a tensioning device which imparts a tension in the hollow tubing and delivers it to a feeding point at one edge of the periphery of a rotating drum. The continuous hollow tubing is wound around the periphery of the drum at the one edge and it is forced axially on the periphery by a helical shoe overlying the periphery at the one edge. A bank of quartz lamps heats one side of the hollow plastic tubing just prior to reaching the feeding point, and another bank of quartz lamps heats the opposite side of the hollow plastic tubing at the one edge of the drum just after the tubing passes the shoe. The two heated surfaces are pressed together by the axial force exerted by the shoe, and are fused in side by side relation to form a cylinder having a wall consisting of spiral turns of the plastic tubing fused together.

Abstract: Structural cores in the form of open-ended polyhedrons joined together al common edges or sides are generating high industrial interest because of the great strengths they possess relative to their weights. A structural core medium of interwoven fibrous filaments coated with plastic is highly satisfactory, but it has the disadvantage that it is very difficult, if not heretofore impossible, to produce in other than planar, sandwich or cylindrical form. A jig for the fabrication of such cores has not come into existance. This invention provides a jig which makes possible the fabrication of such polyhedral structural cores.

Abstract: A process and apparatus are disclosed for the simultaneous preparation of several hollow fiber devices especially useful for fluid fractionation operations, wherein at least one hollow fiber is wound around means, at least three in number, located in different planes thereby obtaining with this fiber an envelope having a polygonal section, which can be cut in at least two places as it is formed, so as to obtain at least two distinct groups of hollow fiber lengths. Various specific embodiments are described.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for assembling veneer strips by applying adhesive threads to the upper and lower surfaces of the strips of veneer, by means of a plurality of thread supplying and alternating devices located in spaced juxtaposition. The invention is characterized in that each thread supplying and alternating device comprises two circular segment bodies which are rotatably mounted on a frame of the apparatus. The circular segment bodies are adapted to be driven by a common driving device, and on each circular segment body a thread guide is located. The circular segment bodies are so arranged and formed that an adjustable free passage for the workpiece to be treated is provided.

Abstract: A corrosion resistant rope in which the individual strands are sealed with a plastic foam impregnant and surrounded with a dense unfoamed plastic material is made by applying a foamable plastic to the individual wires of a series of wire strands, or, alternatively, to the individual strands as a whole, and closing the strands into a rope in a closing die while passing a nonfoamable plastic material into the closing die. Sealed plastic foam impregnated wire strands can be made in the same manner by passing nonfoamable plastic material into the stranding die during fabrication of the strand.

Abstract: A device for embedding a metallic antenna wire which can be heated in a sheet of a thermoplastic material. The device has a mounting table for mounting the sheet of thermoplastic material thereon, a guide head positioned above the table and movable in a predetermined pattern in a plane parallel to the surface of said table, a pressure means on the guide head for pressing the wire into the thermoplastic sheet as the guide head moves parallel to the table, wire supplying means on the guide head supplying the wire to the pressure means, and heating means on the guide head along the path of the wire from the wire supplying means to the pressure means for heating the wire to a temperature which is sufficient, when the pressure means presses the heated wire onto the sheet, to plasticize the sheet sufficiently that the pressure means embeds the wire in the sheet.

Abstract: There is disclosed an apparatus for manufacturing a synthetic resin hose having a tubular reinforcing member embedded therein, which comprises a hollow cylindrical member having diameter adjusting discs provided with yarn guide holes for guiding a plurality of bonding-agent applied warps to the outer peripheral surface of the hollow cylindrical member, and an adjusting disc for guiding braiding yarns to the outer peripheral surface of a tubular member formed by said plurality of warps; a braiding machine surrounding said hollow cylindrical member and weaving the braiding yarns into a braided member; a first heating unit surrounding said hollow cylindrical member and bonding the warp tubular member to the braided member at the contacts therebetween, thereby heat-setting a tubular reinforcing member consisting of the warp tubular member and the braided member; a resin applying unit having manifolds and die for coating synthetic resin to the inner and outer peripheral surfaces of said tubular reinforcing member;

Abstract: An apparatus for the manufacture of a hose structure incorporating an embedded ground conductor comprising shortening a loosely braided bundle of fine conductor wire in the axial direction by compressing the bundle between two pairs of friction rollers rotating at different speeds. The wires are spread in a direction transversely of the bundle axis and flattened to form a ribbon type conductor that is laid on an uncured extruded tube, along the tube axis, and covered over with a textile wrapping and an elastomeric extrusion. Open steam curing of the structure results in a hose showing no appearance of an embedded conductor wire.

Abstract: Non woven webs are produced from filaments by laying down the said filaments in the form of cone sections on a moving surface with simultaneous spreading out to a filament veil with the use of rotating deflectors coming into contact with the filaments on one side only. The deflecting area of the deflectors has a plane shape. The filaments used are drawn, partially drawn or undrawn. A non woven web with particularly good properties is obtained when the axis of the bundle of filaments and the deflecting surface of the deflector form an angle of from 10.degree. to 80.degree.. To produce the web a simple and reliable device is used.

Abstract: A thread winder having a hollow sphere divided into two halves with a spool inside concentric with the sphere. The sphere is carried on a yoke so that it can be swung about one of its axis and one-half of the sphere is rotated about the axis perpendicular to the equator line where the two halves join. The spool is rotated inside the sphere and yarn is fed through an opening in the rotatable half of the sphere. Thus, as the sphere swings and the spool rotates, the thread is wound on the spool and distributed by the swinging movement of the sphere relative to the spool.

Abstract: A winding form includes a mounting block, a pair of strand guide members, a pair of retaining plates, and means removably securing one of the strand guide members and one of the retaining plates to each of two opposite ends of the block.

Abstract: Instead of being butt-spliced, thermoplastic tapes used to form yarn used by carpet manufacturers are sealed along a longer bias of their off-centered, cross alignment, (providing greater strength but without additional bulk) by means of a heating wand and method of the present invention. The wand includes means for first untwisting the tapes over a short segment thereof and then placing them in relative cross-alignment positions relative to a transversely located heating element. The heating element is in intermittent circuit with an energy source.

Abstract: The process and apparatus for continuously forming glass fiber reinforced products employs a preform produced by drawing continuous glass fibers through a resin bath and stripping die. This preform is then compressed during passage through an elongate molding zone. The molding zone is formed of two, articulated die cavity-containing tracks, the individual mold components of which join at the threshold of the zone to form an elongate, moving compression stage. This stage may be heated to carry out curing of the product during compression thereof.