Abstract: A preform for thermoset resin composition molding is provided that upon cure forms a variety of molded and fiber reinforced articles used in a variety of applications such as vehicle components including bed lines, body components, trim, interior components, and undercar components; architectural components such as trim and doors, marine components including hulls, trim, and cockpit pieces; and similar structures in aerospace settings. A novel slurry composition, a novel centrifugal process, or a combination thereof provide superior quality preforms that are created with greater throughput relative to conventional techniques. The inhibition of fiber movement between the time such a fiber contacts the mold, or fibers already in place on the mold, and the time the fibers are set in position provides a superior fiber homogeneity and randomized orientation relative to existing slurry techniques with attributes of low scrap generation, and process flexibility with respect to part shape and fiber material.

Abstract: A papermaking screen of the invention is formed of first and second annular supporting members having a plurality of first and second recesses, and space holding members fixed to the first and second annular supporting members to establish a predetermined distance therebetween. In the invention, one or more elongated member groups having a plurality of elongated members are disposed between the first and second annular supporting members. The elongated members are disposed in the recesses and arranged parallel to each other to form a space between two elongated members situated adjacent to each other. Also, one or more intermediate supporting members may be situated between the first and second annular supporting members. The elongated member group may be situated between the first and second annular supporting members, between the intermediate supporting members, and between the intermediate supporting member and the first or second annular supporting member.

Abstract: In the floor of a pulp slurry inlet chamber an opening is provided. The opening is elongate and arranged substantially tangential to the outer, bounding wall of the chamber. Barriers of arcuate cross-section depend from the opening, at opposite ends of the opening. The barriers are incurvate, relative to the opening. The opening has a length across which junk cannot bridge. Consequently, the junk falls through the opening and is captured in an accumulator which underlies the opening. Knots substantially bridge across the opening, and impinge upon the arcuate barrier at the far end of the opening to be thrown upwardly for assimilation with the slurry flow coursing through the chamber. An elutriative liquid is supplied to the accumulator, at a given flow velocity, to wash up and out of the accumulator any organic particles which, due to irregularities, pass through the opening, to return the organic particles to the chamber.

Abstract: Apparatus for the production of combustible munition containers includes a normally vertical, hollow, water permeable but fiber-impermeable form having a circular cross-section.The form is rotated by a variable speed motor and the interior of the form is maintained under partial vacuum as aqueous suspensions are fed to adjacent axial zones of the form by pipes connected to separate suspension supply tanks so that, after dewatering, the resulting container is non-uniform in composition axially but is uniform in composition axially.

Abstract: Mats of aligned fibers are formed by feeding a dispersion of fibers through an aligning nozzle onto the inner surface of a cylindrical permeable surface and rotating the surface sufficiently rapidly to remove the dispersion medium and maintain the fiber alignment on the surface.