Abstract: The present invention provides a method of making an abrading sheet material comprising knitting a ground structure comprising a shrinkable polyolefin yarn with laid-in looped threads of a material which is preferably harder than that or those of the ground structure, such that the loop threads are raised from a surface of the ground structure, and shrinking the shrinkable yarn of the ground structure to grip the looped threads to lock the loops in place in the ground structure.

Abstract: A process for making a flow cell having an internal flow passage of a material having a refractive index less than that of water or having the internal walls of the flow passage coated or otherwise covered with such a material is provided. The flow cell so produced substantially totally internally reflects light along the cell bore.

Abstract: A method for making multilayer ceramic substrates having substantially reduced planar shrinkage and distortion resulting from the firing or sintering process. Contact sheets are employed in the fabrication process on the surface of the multilayer ceramic substrate to be fired with the contact sheets being prepared from a composition containing a non-sinterable non-metallic inorganic material such as alumina having an average particle size approximately about 1 micron or less and an organic binder and preferably a plasticizer. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the multilayer structure to be fired containing the contact sheet of the invention is provided with a beveled or chamfered edge at an angle of greater than about 60 degrees. A fabrication process employing only chamfering of the edge or the use of a contact sheet of the invention also provides improved multilayer ceramic substrate products.

Abstract: A panel adaptable for use in automotive trim applications has a laminate of a support layer and an A-side layer made of vinyl or cloth. The support layer is made of a thermoformable material such as foam, felt or polypropylene. The laminate is thermoformed to impart the contour of a rigid substrate to which the panel will be attached. The support layer retains the desired contour without the use of other materials. The panel may have a shirred appearance imparted thereto by the inclusion of a plurality of gathers therm.

Abstract: Disclosed is a novel simulated capsule medicament consisting of a solid core covered with two shrink-wrapped, hard-shell gelatin capsule halves. The solid cores are covered with the hard-shell gelatin capsule halves by individually shrink-wrapping onto first one end of the core a first hard-shell gelatin capsule half and then individually shrink-wrapping onto a second end of the core a second hard-shell gelatin capsule half.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of marking an article by transfer from a sleeve of heat-shrink plastics material which is shrunken on the article. According to the method, a transferable element (30) whose free face is coated in a layer (33) of reactivatable adhesive, together with an integrated circuit (40) on said layer, is placed on the inside surface (25) of the film constituting the sleeve (20), after which the sleeve (20) fitted in this way is engaged on the article (10) and is heated so as to shrink said sleeve and press said transferable element together with its integrated circuit onto the facing wall of the article (10), and the adhesive of the layer (33) of reactivatable adhesive is reactivated so that the transferable element (30) adheres to the article (10) and presses the associated integrated circuit (40) against the wall of said article.

Abstract: A molded thermal insulator body, in particular a thermal insulator plate comprises, for the purposes of a better flexibility, a prepressed base body (1) substantially containing at least one center layer (3), predominantly made of a highly dispersed ceramic material such as silica aerogel (SiO.sub.2), and an upper and a lower support layer (2), predominantly made out of flexible paper, foil, cardboard, or felts of ceramic material, or of a mixture of at least two of the same, preferably of ceramic paper, foil or cardboard, and wherein the base body is enveloped by a shrinkable plastic foil (4).

Abstract: A method for surface mounting electrical components to a substrate, such as a printed circuitboard, involves use of an anisotropically conductive adhesive or Z-Axis adhesive between facing conductive surface areas on the component and substrate. Pressure is applied to the conductive adhesive by a nonconducting adhesive that is first cured between oppositely facing nonconductive surface areas of the component and substrate. This fixes the thickness of each layer of the conductive adhesive at a dimension no greater than its design conductive thickness. In a first submethod, the nonconducting adhesive is a fast setting adhesive subjected to mechanical pressure only as it is assembled on the substrate prior to the subsequent curing of the conductive adhesive. In a second submethod, it is a high shrinkage adhesive that applies compressive force between the component and substrate as it cures and shrinks dimensionally while at a temperature below the subsequent curing temperature of the conductive adhesive.

Abstract: In a method for applying labels about a bulbous sidewall region of a container, the leading end of the label is joined to the bulbous sidewall region by adhesive bonds above and below a major diameter section of the bulbous sidewall region. While being pressed to the bulbous sidewall region, the label is wrapped about the container, and the trailing end of the label is then adhesively joined to the bulbous sidewall region, or to the overlapped leading end of the label. An apparatus for applying labels about a bulbous sidewall region of a container employs a label transfer drum which cooperates with an adhesive applicator to apply spaced adhesive patches to the leading end of the label above and below a major diameter section of the bulbous sidewall region. The label transfer drum also cooperates with the adhesive applicator to apply a continuous strip of adhesive to the trailing end of the label.

Abstract: Disposable absorbent articles which include an outer cover, an absorbent chassis and a stretch band and methods of making the same are described. The stretch band is incorporated into the article by providing a waist panel which includes a pair of primary fasteners attached to a first surface on opposed side margins of the waist panel. The stretch band is attached to the second surface of the waist panel. The stretch band includes a pair of secondary fasteners on opposite end portions of the stretch band which are releasably engaged with the second surface of the waist panel. The second surface of the waist panel may then be attached to an inner surface of the outer cover such that the stretch band is slidably contained between the outer cover and the waist panel.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a decorative sheet comprising at least a polyester film layer and a picture-printed layer laminated on the polyester film layer,a migration value in the surface of the polyester film layer which contacts the picture-printed layer being 0 to 30.

Abstract: Filling material for percolating filters used in the biological treatment of fluids are provided with strips which are made of plastic and are connected to one another via a transversely directed holding web. The strips are arranged one above the other in a plurality of layers in order to increase the strip density. In the filling material according to the invention, the strips are provided with different cross-sections over their length. For example, the strips may be reduced in width in regions adjacent to their connection to the holding web. As a result, the strips can be arranged in one layer with an increased strip density.

Abstract: A wet marine exhaust muffler includes a metallic housing and a polymeric jacket substantially encapsulating the metallic housing. The metallic housing defines one or more chambers in the interior of the housing. An inlet pipe and an outlet pipe each extend through openings in the polymeric jacket and communicate with at least one chamber in the interior of the housing. The metallic housing is preferably formed from stainless steel and the polymeric jacket is preferably formed from a thermoplastic material having a thickness of approximately 0.001 inch to 0.1 inch, and more preferably of approximately 0.005 inch to 0.060 inch.

Abstract: A protective coating is applied on a local region of a surface of a component on which direct deposit of a uniform coating of protective material is impeded due to a complex shape of the region to be covered or inaccessibility or inability to apply a uniform deposition or electrical field therefor. The coating is formed by a foil having a solder backing layer with a thin layer of uniform thickness of the protective material electrolytically deposited on the backing layer, the foil being cut to size corresponding to an area of the local region of the component to be protected. The cut to size foil is positioned and held on the local region of the component to be protected; and fixed in place by melting the solder to fuse the foil to the component and cover the local region.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for tentering nonwoven webs during annealing. The nonwoven web of thermoplastic fibers is restrained on a tentering structure at a plurality of tentering points distributed across an interior portion of the web, rather than just along its edges. The nonwoven web is annealed while restrained on the tentering structure to form a dimensionally stable nonwoven fibrous web, dimensionally stable up to at least the heatsetting temperature. The annealed nonwoven fibrous web is then removed from the tentering structure. In one embodiment, the tentering structure restrains the nonwoven fibrous web in a non-planar configuration during the annealing process. The tentering structure includes a plurality of tentering points projecting distally from a tentering support. The tentering points are positioned to be engaged with an interior portion of the web, thus restraining the web during annealing.

Abstract: The present invention is generally characterized in an angled rotary tissue cutting instrument including an outer blade assembly, having a rigid tubular member with proximal and distal portions connected by a bend, and an inner blade assembly rotatably disposed within the outer blade assembly and including a tubular drive shaft at a proximal end, a cutting tip at a distal end, and a flexible coupling disposed between the drive shaft and the cutting tip. The drive shaft and cutting tip include neck portions which are disposed telescopically within proximal and distal ends of the coupling.

Abstract: There is provided a cushioned absorbent material which may be used as a bodyside liner for a personal care product which is made from a lofty nonwoven fabric onto which is extruded a film to form a laminate. The laminate is then apertured and has an 8 cc intake rate of at most 20 sec and a rewet of less than 1 gm. Such a liner may be used in personal care products like diapers, training pants, feminine hygiene products, absorbent underpants, adult incontinence products, and the like.

Abstract: The process for applying labels to articles by first adhering a limited portion of the label to the article and subsequently rendering additional portions of the label adhesive so that they will adhere to the article after the label is affixed to the article. The leading and trailing edges of the label may be bonded to the article or each other to affix the label to a container or other such article. The portions of the label between the leading and trailing edges may be either provided with an adhesive agent that is in a non-adhesive state or be formed from a label material which is not normally adhesive but can be rendered adhesive through an additional process step. For example, coated polyethylene film can be applied to a container by means of a hot melt adhesive and then subsequently heated to a temperature at which the polyethylene material becomes adhesive causing it to stick to the container.

Abstract: Beads capable of stably executing bead embroidery having high quality by using a continuous form of beads which can accomplish automatic bead embroidery. The beads comprise a laminate film 1a formed by laminating films 2 and 3 having different thermal shrinkage ratios in a predetermined direction. The laminate film 1a is heat-treated and curled into a cylindrical shape to form a cylinder 1b, and cuts 4 are formed into the cylinder 1b at predetermined intervals so as to form the continuous member 1c of the beads 6.

Abstract: A run flat pneumatic tire is reinforced by a thin annular composite band imbedded in the crown portion of the tire in combination with a plurality of radial cords or plies in its sidewalls which have freedom in shear with respect to one another. The band is formed by a plurality of layers of material strips wherein each strip is wound in a helical pattern, with adjacent strips being wound at reverse angles to each other. Each layer is formed under sufficient pressure and at an elevated temperature whereby the band is prestressed in tension which decreases the maximum stress at the footprint area of the tire. The invention furthermore incorporates the method of imparting the prestress on the annular band during its manufacture.

Abstract: The invention provides a nonwoven fabric of stretched filaments of different kind polymers, having a strength equal to that of a woven fabric and features including an elongation, a uniformity, good feeling, a bulkiness and a thinness, characterized in that the nonwoven fabric is provided with stretched filament webs comprising long filaments formed out of a plural kinds of thermoplastic polymers of different properties, the long filaments as a whole being aligned in one direction, and a method for manufacturing the same. The invention provides also a nonwoven fabric of stretched filaments having a high strength as well as a high bulkiness and comprising different kind polymers which is provided with a first web layer of crimped filaments and a second web layer of substantially non-crimped, stretched long filaments, and a method for manufacturing the same.

Abstract: A panel adaptable for use in automotive trim applications has a laminate of a support layer and an A-side layer made of vinyl or cloth. The support layer is made of a thermoformable material such as foam, felt or polypropylene. The laminate is thermoformed to impart the contour of a rigid substrate to which the panel will be attached. The support layer retains the desired contour without the use of other materials. The panel may have a shirred appearance imparted thereto by the inclusion of a plurality of gathers thermoformed into the support layer.

Abstract: A method for surface mounting electrical components to a substrate, such as a printed circuitboard, involves use of an anisotropically conductive adhesive or Z-Axis adhesive between facing conductive surface areas on the component and substrate. Pressure is applied to the conductive adhesive by a nonconducting adhesive that is first cured between oppositely facing nonconductive surface areas of the component and substrate. This fixes the thickness of each layer of the conductive adhesive at a dimension no greater than its design conductive thickness. In a first submethod, the nonconducting adhesive is a fast setting adhesive subjected to mechanical pressure only as it is assembled on the substrate prior to the subsequent curing of the conductive adhesive. In a second submethod, it is a high shrinkage adhesive that applies compressive force between the component and substrate as it cures and shrinks dimensionally while at a temperature below the subsequent curing temperature of the conductive adhesive.

Abstract: A composite reinforced limb of an archery bow is at least partially encased in a flexible plastic material which closely overlies and firmly engages the limb to substantially prevent the composite layers or fibers adjacent the limb from becoming detached from the limb. The plastic material is preferably in the form of a tube which contracts when heated and conforms to the shape of and firmly engages the limb. Encasing the limbs also reduces vibration of the limb and noise of the bow during use and thus, enhances the performance of the bow. Further, the tube encasing the limb tends to confine any pieces of the limb which may tend to injure an archer if the limb cracks, splinters or otherwise breaks in use.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for producing a three dimensionally texturized liquid resistant laminate having a fibrous nonwoven layer and a liquid resistant layer. The process has the steps of placing the fibrous layer and the liquid resistant layer in juxtaposition to form a laminate, attaching the fibrous layer and the liquid resistant layer at a plurality of spaced-apart bond locations, heating the bonded laminate to a temperature that activates the latent shrinkability of the liquid resistant layer, and allowing the heated laminate to retract such that the liquid resistant layer shrinks and said fibrous layer forms gathers between said bond locations, thereby forming a three dimensional texture and heat annealing the laminate. The invention additionally provides a three dimensionally texturized laminate having a fibrous layer and a nonelastic liquid resistant layer.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a catheter method of manufacture. The method includes the provision of a subassembly of a lubricious liner and reinforcement. Over the subassembly, a shaft tube, transition tube, and soft tip tube are placed in an abutting relationship to each other, forming an assembly. A first tube of heat shrink is advanced over the assembly, heat is applied to fuse the assembly, and the first heat shrink is removed. Subsequently, the soft tip of the catheter is shaped using a second tube of heat shrink, which is placed over the distal end of the assembly. Heat is applied to the second heat shrink to cause the tip material to flow and to draw the tip material over the distal end of the lubricious liner. The second heat shrink is removed, completing the catheter manufacture.

Abstract: The object of the present invention is to provide a nonwoven fabric which is excellent in bulkiness and touch feeling as well as strength and dimensional stability and to provide a method for producing the above nonwoven fabric through a simple and convenient manner without employing any particular spinning device. The invention relates to a bulky nonwoven fabric composed of a stretched filament web which is prepared from either at least one layer of a stretched unidirectionally arranged filament web which is composed of almost unidirectionally arranged long fibers being stretched and shrunk or a stretched crosswise laminated filament web made of two or more layers of the stretched unidirectionally arranged filament webs and a short fiber web which is entangled with said stretched filament web and is crimped as a result of shrinkage of the long fibers, and a method for producing the same.

Abstract: There is provided a single ply label for labelling a dry cell battery having an elongate peripheral case defining an axis and opposed ends enclosing a direct current, electrical energy providing core. The label is formed of a transparent, self-supporting, substantially monoaxially oriented, heat shrinkable polymer film backing having an outer surface and an inner surface, a width sufficient for the backing to embrace the battery case and provide, at opposed ends, first and second edges which extend parallel to the axis of the battery and meet in at least abutting relationship, and a length for extending beyond the opposed ends of the battery and lap over onto the opposed third and fourth ends of the battery. An alkali-resistant, electrically non-conductive, opaque, pigmented layer is applied to the inner surface of and supported by the backing. An electrically non-conductive, pressure-sensitive adhesive layer is applied over the pigmented layer at least along the first and second edges.

Abstract: A heat shrinkable shed (2) is mounted on a power cable (12) and sealed thereto by a hot-melt adhesive (10). Four projections (8) are equispaced around the interior surface of the shed (2) to penetrate the adhesive (10) and to engage the outer surface of the cable (12) to enhance the longitudinal retention of the shed (2) on the cable (12), particularly under conditions of thermal cycling.

Abstract: A saddle includes a body of thermoplastic material constituting a load-bearing structure on which a padding of expanded plastics material is fitted. The padding is made of an ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer which does not require the application of a covering layer. The padding is formed by injection moulding and allowed to expand to a size larger than the final size. The padding is then placed on the load-bearing structure and is firmly coupled to the load-bearing structure upon cooling and shrinking.

Abstract: A process for producing a magnetic disk cartridge comprises the steps of moistening liners to be attached to inner surfaces of a cassette shell to face a magnetic disk rotatably encased in the cassette shell, thereby expanding the liners, and attaching the moistened and expanded liners to the inner surfaces of the cassette shell. Since the liners shrink upon drying, they remain taut irrespective of changes in the use environment.

Abstract: A simple and inexpensive method and apparatus for molding a peripheral frame around a sheet or grid of thermoplastic material to produce a framed panel. A peripheral frame, preferably of structural foam or the like, is injection molded about a thermoplastic sheet or grid of panel-forming material which has been previously drawn or stretched at a temperature which orients the molecules of the polymer, i.e., below the glass transition temperature of the polymer, T.sub.g. Either during the frame molding process, or subsequent thereto, the panel-forming material is heated sufficiently to cause the material to shrink or revert toward its prestretched condition so as to tension the panel-forming material within the frame. Elastomeric sealing means are disclosed for sealing the mold during injection of the frame-forming material and locator fingers are provided to position a grid-like panel-forming material prior to initiation of the molding process.

Abstract: A method is provided for joining an elastic band to a continuously moving, partially elastic substrate. The method includes temporarily inhibiting portions of the elastic band or, alternatively, elastically activating portions of a heat-elasticizable band, and then positioning the band on the substrate. The substrate includes elastic and non-elastic segments, and the band is positioned so that an elastic or elastically activated portion of the band is on an elastic segment of the substrate and the temporarily inhibited or non-activated heat-elasticizable portion of the band is on the non-elastic segment of the substrate. The band and substrate are then joined together, and the temporarily inhibited or non-activated heat-elasticizable portion is activated to gather the non-elastic segment.

Abstract: An article (2) in which at least part of a surface (8) of a polymeric element has an embossed pattern (6). The article may be either heat-recoverable or non-heat-recoverable. If the article is heat-recoverable, when heated the article recovers and the embossed surface becomes substantially smooth. The change in surface texture can be used to indicate that sufficient heat has been applied to the article to achieve adequate recovery and/or to adequately melt an attached adhesive layer (10). In another embodiment, the article (2) is in the form of a patch (14) which can be used to secure the opposing longitudinal edges of heat-recoverable article which is in the form of a wraparound sheet.

Abstract: A method for post-mold attachment of a handle to a strain-oriented plastic container body. The method utilizes thermal shrinkage of the oriented container body to engage the handle; for example, a highly-oriented recess is molded in the container body and then shrunk to engage a complimentary-shaped lug on the handle. The method is useful for both hot-fillable and pasteurizable containers, and is particularly useful for making larger-sized containers, wherein the weight of the product and size of the container make handling and pouring difficult.

Abstract: A first plastic film 90 is prepared which is cut into an effective area V1 constituting a three-dimensional object and a non-required area U1 not constituting the three-dimensional object, and a second plastic film 94 is fed above the first plastic film 90. Meanwhile, a photo-setting adhesive 96 is applied on a lower surface of the second plastic film 94, and a portion 96a corresponding to a sum of the non-required area U1 of the first plastic film and a non-required area U2 of the second plastic film is solidified whereas a residual portion 96b remains non-solid. The non-solid portion 96b is irradiated with a light beam and solidified to attach the first and the second plastic films with each other. The second plastic film 94 is then cut into an effective area V2 and the non-required area U2. The three-dimensional object is formed by successively laminating plastic films through repetition of the above steps.

Abstract: This invention provides an exceptionally expandable sheet elastic complex which consists of an elastic body sheet and a sheet backing material which is mounted on either one or both sides of it, these two members being bonded together along multiple, oblong, mutually parallel bonding sections, and in which multiple, mutually parallel channels are formed between the two members because the width of the sheet backing material between mutually adjacent bonding sections is greater than that of the elastic body sheet. The sheet backing material does not accept more than the minimum constraint of the elastic body sheet, and its waveform surface has excellent properties as a material for use in sanitary products. The invention also provides a process for manufacturing this sheet elastic complex.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a quilted film laminate wherein a film having a plurality of generally parallel slits is laminated to a substrate layer such as a fibrous nonwoven web. Due to processing conditions, once the slit film layer and substrate layer have been laminated to one another, the composite is allowed to retract thereby giving the composite a puckered or quilted appearance with an undulating surface. The undulating surface also causes the slits to form a plurality of openings which are generally perpendicular to the central plane of the film. In addition, due to the undulating nature of the surface of the film, the apertures so created reside in, above and below the central plane of the film layer. The composite so produced has a wide variety of uses not the least of which include a cover material or body side liner for personal care absorbent products. The process for producing the composite is also disclosed.

Abstract: A process for producing a joined ceramic component having a plurality of parallel ceramic tubes and two perforated ceramic plates joined to the both ends of said ceramic tubes, which process comprises: arranging two unsintered ceramic plates each having a plurality of holes, in parallel to each other and also to the floor surface with a given distance provided between the upper plate and the lower plate; inserting a plurality of sintered ceramic tubes into the holes of the upper and lower plates so that the tubes are arranged vertically to the floor surface and in parallel to each other; and sintering the resulting material to join the tubes and the plates into one piece by utilizing the difference in sintering shrinkage factor between them, in which process the sintering is conducted in a state that each tube is hanged from the upper plate and that the lower end of each tube is in one hole of the lower plate placed on or above a setter, with a certain distance provided between the lower end of each tube and

Abstract: A method and assembly resulting in improved cover to housing retention in occupant restraint assemblies is disclosed. The improved retention is realized via the appropriate application and use of a band of heat shrinkable material about the assembly.

Abstract: A method is provided for joining an elastic band to a continuously moving, partially elastic substrate. The method includes temporarily inhibiting portions of the elastic band and then positioning the band on the substrate. The substrate includes elastic and non-elastic segments, and the band is positioned so that an elastic portion of the band is on an elastic segment of the substrate and the temporarily inhibited portion of the band is on the non-elastic segment of the substrate. The band and substrate are then joined together, and the temporarily inhibited portion is activated to gather the non-elastic segment.

Abstract: A heat shrinkable nonwoven fabric includes outer layers of thermoplastic staple fibers and an inner layer containing heat shrinkable fibers the layers are point bonded together at spaced locations without causing shrinkage of the heat shrinkable fibers. The web may then be uniformly heated in a relaxed state to cause a substantial increase in bulk.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for developing an improved camouflaged product comprising of an open mesh, net substrate to which is bonded a sheet material. This sheet is colored in the desired pattern and bonded to a substrate along spaced lines of attachment between adjacent lines of bonding to the net substrate. In this formation, indefinite length webs of the net substrate and a continuous sheet may be combined in faced relation and stitch-bonded along spaced parallel continuous lines to form continuous parallel channels or pockets along the length of the composite material. The composite net and sheet material is passed to a cutting machine having a plurality of generally U-shaped guide members that separate and space the net substrate from the sheet. As the composite moves through the guide members, a plurality of spaced heated air cutters to reside and reciprocate slightly above the sheet to cut a generally sinuous path between the lines of the stitches.

Abstract: A process for producing a phase retarder film, which comprises laminating a heat-shrinkable film on at least one side of a uniaxially stretched thermoplastic resin film so that the heat shrinkage axis direction of said heat-shrinkable film becomes perpendicular to the stretching axis direction of said uniaxially stretched thermoplastic resin film, subjecting the resulting laminate to heat shrinkage, and then peeling and removing the heat-shrinkable film. An object of the present invention is to provide a process for providing a phase retarder film having a desired R.sub.40 /R.sub.0 value and a desired retardation value, easily and at a high efficiency.

Abstract: A paint roller having a tubular core formed of thermoplastic material. The thermoplastic material being in the form of a multiplicity of spirally wound plies. The multiplicity of plies comprising an outer ply surrounding and in continuous contact with an inner ply. The plies are in general parallelism with one another and fused to one another in the absence of adhesive. A fabric cover overlies the core and is heat fused to the underlying core in the absence of adhesive.

Abstract: A process for producing a composite material including at least two layers, of which at least one layer (1) is composed of ceramic material, by moistening the raw materials and aggregates for the layer (1) of ceramic material, mixing them and pressing them to form a green layer. Weak contact surfaces are formed on the green layer and the layers are pressed together to form a composite material. This is followed by drying and firing the composite material. The green layer is compacted by rollers to form the weak contact surfaces. The layers are pressed together to form the composite material by a further rolling operation.

Abstract: A method for producing a tight termination at an introduction region of a shrinkable cable sleeve characterized by positioning the seal element between the cables, said seal element having a material deformable by the application of heat so that upon heating of the cable sleeve, the sleeve shrinks onto the cables to extend tangentially therebetween and the seal element fills the spaces between the cables and the walls of the cable sleeve. The seal element may be secured either to the cable sleeve or to one of the cables or to both. The seal element preferably has a fixed part of metal and a sealable part which will deform with the application of heat.

Abstract: A process for manufacture of an automotive trim piece having a polymeric skin fastened to substrate. The polymer, for example, polyvinyl chloride has the property that upon cooling to a relatively rigid state the polymer shrinks. The process includes a step of molding the polymeric skin separately from the substrate such that the skin has a rear face for abutment with an obverse face of the substrate and a pair of lips extending from ends of the rear face. The lips are configured for engaging corresponding edges of the substrate. The skin is cooled to a relatively elastic state, and the skin and substrate are assembled while the skin is in the relatively elastic state. On further cooling, shrinkage forces of the skin and the skin lips in abutment with the corresponding edges of the substrate produce a snug fit from edge to edge of the skin to the substrate and the skin becomes relatively rigid.

Abstract: A method for applying a closing tape to an extruded foam article is disclosed. The tape is applied immediately after the article is extruded and while the article is still subject to shrinkage, which is common with extruded foamed products. The tape is prestressed and is of a material to alleviate the problems associated with shrinkage. This method is particularly appropriate for applying a closing tape to an extruded polyethylene pipe insulation product which has been longitudinally slit to allow the pipe to be located interior to the insulation. The tape has one side attached to one side of the slit with the other portion of the tape being positioned for closing the slit by engaging the opposite side of the slit. A pressure sensitive adhesive is provided on the tape and a release liner protects the adhesive on the other portion of the tape.

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.